Up and down we go

Wednesday, August 29, 2018
After an afternoon nap, things come together for movie night. By 6:30, the food is set out and people stream into the kitchen with their plates empty and leave with them full. Tonight, we set a limit on how many sausages, meatballs, Brazilian cheese balls, etc. people can take. (The first into the kitchen sometimes used to take 7 or 8 of each - plates groaning - and had leftovers to be thrown out.)

Now, the hungriest come back for seconds and thirds, but that's cool ... there's enough for all - and some left over for the helpers to take home, too.

Tonight we're watching a musical. A few of us roll our eyes, but The Greatest Showman at least has a good score. (We'd rather have action and character development than delay it with singing.)

4 of our "sons" - a German artist, French tutor, local tour specialist, and Iranian lecturer-to-be - are together for the first time in ages. One got stabbed while riding his motorcycle last year. He has recovered but hasn't been back for 11 months. One is leaving tomorrow to become an instructor in a prestigious university in another city. Another is in the middle of a big design project. And one is waiting to hear if he got his international scholarship. We're proud of them all.

Others bring new guests, who find themselves at home. Why? Those who are here 3X or more are considered "family" - and their job is to welcome newcomers and explain the evening to them. Here's the crew from the English Center, run by Dony (center, beside me)

There's a lot of discussion afterward. We wave the last ones off at 11:30 and fall into bed around midnight. I text the walking group that I'm not going with them in the morning.

Thursday
Except that I'm wide awake at 6. Might as well get into the light and fight off the tiredness of last night. So I text back: I'm coming! See you soon. We'll be walking the tea plantations on the slopes near a volcano.

W is still fighting the flu. He's been sick all week and doesn't rest long enough to recover. Wednesday morning, he heads to the wholesaler for food, then we have a meeting. After that, he sets up for movie night. After he talks to people, his throat is even more raw. He coughs a lot.

He skips this morning's walk in the hills. Gypsy refuses to come when called and won't get into the car. Cocoa is waiting in the back of the vehicle for him ... but I get tired of calling and shut the hatch. Cocoa gets the walk. Gypsy stays home with W.

It's more of a stroll today. We have to wait while a convey of jeeps, filled with tourists, head up the road.

After an initial steep incline (12 storeys, according to my tracker), it's just a bit of up and down for an hour.

Near the car, one of the most interesting-looking retreat centers is for sale. Petra and I walk up to the door and ask if we can go through. Yes, say the workers who are doing upkeep and repairs. The metal-doored kitchen is customized with the name of the owner.

There are a lot of wood walls and 90s furniture.

Some rooms look like Bavarian transplants, with painted Ludwig furniture.

The huge fireplaces suggest cozy evenings, especially since it gets cool (down to 65o) some nights.

We're early for lunch at Cafe Oz - where Robin has been hard at work to design beautiful seating and a comfortable restaurant. The food is good, the company friendly.

I'm back at the house at 1 - and fall asleep shortly after. The helpers have almost finished baking - we wiped out supplies last night so it's time to restock the ongoing cookie supply in the freezer.

By 4, my reading is caught up. I have to get moving: I leave for the evening study at 5:30. The memory of the tea plantation remains.

The evening chants from the mosques drown us out a few times, but mostly, it's pleasant on the cafe rooftop. We have a good discussion about the need to be brave and work toward what God promises his children (Joshua 18). Two of our group are not able to attend because today they are taking the most gorgeous! pre-wedding photos at the white-mineral lake south of the city.

Friday
It's a catch-up morning. We are still putting things in order from the movie night reconfiguration. Will be nice to have the house back in order! We have some guests coming to sleep over so we have to make sure all is ready.

Read more: 
*Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in [a]elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psalm 48:1-2 NKJV

*See, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you in festal apparel. Zechariah 3:4

*The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.’ Luke 15:21-22

*Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”

“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36 NIV

Moravian Prayer: Lord, there are times where both the grimmest and most beautiful things in the world can give us the most glory. Help us to know which one we should embrace. Our joy only comes from you. Amen.