Rainy river - on the street

The sun's up, like every morning. And later it will probably rain - with gushers surging down the hills, through town, and into the rivers. Check this out.

Rainy season lures ants into the house - they're everywhere and we're at war. It also means that flowers are bursting with color in every garden corner - these 5" balls of red popped up along the driveway. Gorgeous, no?

Thursday
Thanksgiving Day in the States. Thankful for so many things! We make a few calls to friends and family throughout the day.

I still am not allowed to hike. Instead, we head to the office for a look ahead at the Christmas season. Details. Details. Details to be considered in advance. I hang a few ornaments on the Giving Tree and finish writing Sunday's talk.

We actually go to a shopping center - but not for clothes. I need office supplies. The streets flow with water after an hour of rain. We're caught in a rive that is dangerous enough for most motorcyclists to seek shelter until the blitz river abates.

In the evening, it's clear again. W and I walk to Dr H and Alice's place for a delicious supper and study.

The food tastes even better than it looks! Alice is an amazing chef. And the company is warm.

The grandkids call (thanks, Melissa!) as we are falling asleep - our grandson shows off the letter he got from my dad - Grandpapa. My folks sent a parcel with the socks he left in Grandpapa's workshop and a $5 bill for his birthday; he can't wait to show it to us. So cute. Sorry, not allowed to post pics of the kids but here's his funny letter.

The strangest times when living abroad are those when family gathers without us. We miss them.

Friday
Another trip to the office. Some talks are easier to craft than others. This one, on spiritual gifts and their role in the Church, is a struggle. I taught a class on the topic last summer in the Philippines; that feels like a walk in the park, compared to this.

I also need to visit the foot doctor - the custom orthotic inserts have arrived for my shoes. Ouch - they hurt the feet as the arch is very high. Apparently the weight of the body is supposed to be on the arch. Which is is, with these inserts!

The doc says, "Wear them for 2 weeks. If they're not comfortable, bring them back. Wear them for 6 months and that should take care of your feet."

A few months ago, I took several pieces of lace to the tailor. A friend returned to South Africa after studying fashion design in Jakarta, gifted me with 2 boxes of fabric when she left. I'm finally using some of it. And today's the day to pick it up.

On the way back from the doc, the driver finds the lane to the tailor's house after our first try dead-ends in a construction zone.

This will be a good evening jacket for a special event.

Most clothes are a good fit. I ask for a few changes to one that hangs like a sack. Sack-like tops are popular here with aging ladies; our thickening tummies disappear under the little tents. No thanks.

It's a rare treat to have a new blouse, skirt, and jacket. I don't like shopping for clothes, even though we live in the textile center of Indonesia.

Read more:
*Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 NIV

*Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 NIV

*If you seek the Lord, he will be found by you. 2 Chronicles 15:2

*Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7

Moravian Prayer: Jesus, you call us. Silence, for a moment, the clamor of this world so that we may hear the whisper of your voice within our souls. Having heard, may we seek you. Having sought, may we find the door of your mercy standing ajar for all who long for home. Amen.