Tuesday, August 28, 2018

How do you measure up?

Sunday, August 26, 2018
W and walk the dogs first thing - those animals are good for our health! It's a shorter walk than sometimes - W is not feeling well and the dog is still sore from getting spayed on Friday.

We are speaking this morning. It's one of the things we enjoy doing together: one of us writes the talk and then we go through it multiple times to craft it in our own voices. Over the years, we've become comfortable trading off and interacting as speakers.

At the end of the talk, we take time to ask for takeaways and questions. The ensuing participation teaches us more than research and speaking.

The leadership team announces that they have asked us to co-lead the Sunday gathering for the next months. The members will affirm (or not) the request next weekend.

Lunch is relaxed - we eat at Bumi Sangkuriang with friends. The sun's out, the food is good, and the company is sweet as we enjoy the meal.

Monica comes from Jakarta in the evening: she'll be evaluating our team and giving us insights on how to work together.

Monday
W has been sick since Saturday. He's really unwell today - figures it's the flu.

We were both worn out after last week, so I rested Saturday. He walked to town and came back sick. Enforced rest ... I prefer to volunteer when I want to rest.

This is normally how we get down time = I nap a few times a week. W prefers to go go go until he gets "under the weather" and has to take a few days off. In the end we have the same outcome.

Since our kids were little, I've loved to nap or take a few hours to read and think and "do nothing." I remember once when my dear mother-in-law scolded her son about his unceasing motion: "You keep running around, but I have watched Rosemarie; she knows how to rest." (Haha At the time, I may not have been sure that was a compliment, but I've remembered it over the years, each time with a smile on my face. Thanks, Mom - your voice reminds me how important the rhythms of work, play, and rest are to my health.)

It's a blessed day for the rest of us. After a morning online conference, I cook breakfast and sit with W and Monica. The morning study is well-attended. With Claudia's facilitation, it is creative and interactive. She has such good ideas for engagement.

Then the team heads upstairs for our meeting and lunch. We can hear ongoing laughter and talking on the teras as the study group hangs out. So good. Some of them leave to have lunch together. We're a family.

Monica's PROSCAN research is invaluable. She explains the strengths of team members - we have an amazing (and I don't say that lightly) group working together. The evaluation shows that we are also working together - every strength is covered and balanced among us. She points out where we'd benefit from stress mitigation (ah, culture shock and new possibilities!) and gives us direction on working together.

As we listen and discuss, my heart pounds with gratitude to God. Each person on the team is unique. We each serve in different areas. Every person leads their area. But we are accountable to each other - and the counsel we share makes us better. This team has helped W and me work through our talks and our events: what a boost to have them alongside and ahead of us.

Some of the team choose to have their individual appointment with Monica today; she's articulate and can explain what the survey shows.

W is definitely not well. He naps during one of our breaks, and then is too sick to come to dinner with us. He relaxes at home. Sniffle sniffle. He misses a great meal and conversation.

Dr Hanna and Alice have prepared a feast! Monica and I walk over to their place. The rest take their vehicles. The table is beautifully set, the rooms full of flowers and art.

And I can't even describe the tastes of the meal ... so rich, filling, and flavorful. Afterwards, we take home a bag of veggies and soup.


The dessert - jellies and custard - is shaped into eggs, noodles, a bowl, a cone ... quite spectacular.



Tuesday
After breakfast together, Monica and single team members go through the reports in details. I get to hear the heart of one after the conversation is done. These reports will certainly help me understand each person's excitement and also their concerns as we move forward together.

Lunch is at Miss Bee. We share a Mushroom Rules pizza and Tofu Fritters (sounds ok - tastes wonderful). W and Monica head for the train station; she's on her way home today. We has errands and does some of my grocery shopping for movie night tomorrow.

I pull together some agendas for events ahead, read a bit, perch for a moment on tomorrow's menu, and make sure the helpers will come to help tomorrow afternoon. By the time I sit down, it's late afternoon. By evening, the beds are stripped and almost ready for the next guests, some ingredients are warming (or thawing) on the counter, and my paperwork is caught up. Crash--bedtime is 8:30!

Wednesday
Because I went to bed so early, I'm wide awake at 4. I love the mornings when I hear God's voice early. I listen to scriptures, kneel to pray, stretch ...

and then it's time to cook for movie night. Boil 3 kg of spaghetti, drain it, and cover it with olive oil. Grill 250 small sausages. Boil and grill 225 baskso (meatballs). Heat the sauces.

The dogs stand hopefully at the door, waiting for burned offerings. They get two 2 sausages that blackened while I was going between the "dirty" kitchen where the spaghetti is boiling and sauces are bubbling ... and the inside kitchen where the meats are grilling on the stove. Lucky dogs. They flop happily outside the door and wait for more treats.

By 8am, I'm done for now. Ready for a break. We have a 9:30 meeting nearby. The agenda is on my desk, close to the door.

I try for a shower before W comes back: we have limited water (1? hour yesterday) so have to time our hygiene. He's driven to the east side of the city to buy more sauces for tonight and the next 2 movie nights.

The dollar store plates we brought from the states are cheap, sturdy, and ready to be set out; the cutlery is in its holder; the cups are on the cart used for infused water. When the ibus (helpers) come at 3 or 4, they'll wash rice, thaw the curried nangka (jackfruit from our tree) that they cooked last week, chop lettuce and fruit. (Later, they'll wash dishes and take the leftovers home. They don't seem to mind working a late shift for that!)

Our meeting is postponed until after 11:00. W and everyone else in traffic are slowed to a crawl by a group of youngsters who park their cars on both side of main streets to make a statement. Everyone gets the point: they're not behaving in line with their stated beliefs. Oh well, we're glad he's home safely, though his cold is acting up.

Lunch is leftovers from Dr H's house Monday. The beef soup hits the spot, as do the veggies. Such a treat not to have to cook anything else today. And then it's 2pm and I'm ready for a pre-social nap.

Read more:
*The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Psalm 97:1
You in your mercy have led forth the people whom you have redeemed. Exodus 15:13 NKJV
*Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?"'
Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that
they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ Ezekiel 33:10-11   

*Live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. Ephesians 5:2

Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, King of the nations! Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? Revelation 15:3-5
Moravian Prayer: Jesus, lover of us all, you have taught us how to love by setting the best example for us to follow. When we need your saving grace and mercy, you are never far away! We give you thanks.
Father God, you call us to be witnesses to your people. Through your son Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, you amaze us with your mighty works! Witnessing your work in our lives gives us the strength to share your greatness with the world! Amen.

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