Photo review: 2017

"The Flow" pretty much describes 2017

The end of the year is coming quickly. What was the most fun - or the most affirming for you in 2017?

On my desk are a few checklists: "Evaluate Goals," "Gratitude Reminders," etc. But the best boost for my year-end evaluation seems to happen when I steal quiet minutes in bed before the day begins. Memories and thanksgivings come easily.

This year has been full of opportunities. It's been challenging in as many ways. We got our one-year visa, a relief and a blessing. We've had hundreds of people over, written and edited, traveled to teach (not always together = time apart, plus hours of class prep and grading), and had several non-profit teams make our house their base while in Bandung.

Here are a few pictures for a peek at what we do. (FYI: I send a "New Normal" every week or so with a photo and short explanation of things we didn't encounter in N America. If you're interested, put your email in the comments. As soon as I snag it, I'll delete the comment. Or send it to me via my email.)

Weekly walks in the hills above the city when we're home

Celebrations with others

Friends on the journey (with a youth leader in Malaysia)

Weird traffic (see the horse and buggy among the cars?)

Monthly movie nights: menu on the fridge

... and then sampling the menu

Studies on the porch

Making connections: this time for preschool teacher training

Networking opportunities and challenges

Neighborhood women at the monthly arisan

Teaching (Jakarta)

Speaking (Bandung)

People coming and going

Online conferences

Strange-to-us transport

Airports and airplanes

And lots of local food - we are adventurous eaters

We love Indonesia. We've gotten to know students and non-profits around SE Asia. It's great to see people selflessly giving of themselves to improve life for others.

Read more:
*Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:1-4 NIV

*Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 NASB

*A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench. Isaiah 42:3

*This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12

*Paul wrote: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. Galatians 4:4-5

Moravian Prayer God who came, who comes, and who is to come, find your resting place in the manger of our hearts. Abide with us and let us find our abiding place in you. In the name of the holy child of Bethlehem. 

God of completed things, we pray that, in the fullness of time, you will claim us and name us as your own children. In the name of the One who is Son of man and Son of God. Amen.