It's a privilege to talk to a former doctoral student. He is interviewing people around the world. He prays for me before we say goodbye across the breadth of a continent. His country is much colder, so he's bundled up in his office while I'm in shirt-sleeves in mine. Oh the wonders of technology.
Two staffers and I wrap up our work in the office for the week. We have to make 20 more Advent packs: the initial 50 flew out the door early in the week. As we wrap up the day, there's not a bag in sight. Gone - delivered and picked up. It's a good thing.
We start to get messages from the BIC community: the devotional from Hillcrest church (Bellingham WA) is appreciated and the cookies inside the bag taste sweet. (My first Advent gift to the Update WAG is by request: a recipe for the cocoa cookies. "They're like little round brownies!" someone exclaims. Yes, they are.)
Saturday
No walk around the neighborhood today.My feet feel like lead - I haven't been sleeping well either. That's the way it goes, sometimes. My heart is heavy with a hard decision ahead. I take it easy. Pray. Eat. Read. Rest. That helps.
We head to Borma supermarket to buy souvenirs for our grandkids. Usually we collect them all year and take them to Seattle as treats - one a day of our short stay. We have almost nothing stashed away. Today seems like a good day to leave the house for a quick shopping trip.
We are almost on the last month of the year. I peek ahead at the December pictures on the annual calendar our Daughter-in-love Melissa makes for us. Love those kiddos - and their mom and dad, of course.
On the way back, we make a quick stop at Setiabudi Market for meat and vegetables for the week ahead. I haven't shopped for a few weeks and we've run out of salads.
At the meat counter, one man chops up a heap of chickens lying on the shelf, while another passes me the drumsticks and chicken breasts I ordered. "Please give me fresh meat, not the ones turning brown, ok?" He complies with a smile.
The fish on the counter nearby have clear eyes and fresh-looking skin. Too bad I know nothing about cooking fish.
We have some heavy things and some good things coming up. I text dear friends to pray over us, to ask for God's help and favor.
With groceries put away, I'm in the mood to cook and bake. How about 24 pumpkin-oatmeal muffins? That will get us through the weekend. I freeze a dozen for another time. We have no helpers today, so I can cook whatever we want for lunch.
Checking into the office later in the day, I put away the tape, scissors, paper, and other items lying around. If things are put away, no matter who pops in, the place looks welcoming and tidy. My German roots have sprung a whole branch of organization the last half-decade. When I leave the campus, all is ready for Monday's work.
For supper, W offers up salmon brought from Seattle. Why not? The expiry date is 2024, so it should still be fresh. The salmon we've tried in years past from this company has been delicious.
Ugh. When we open the pack, the fish is dark-colored and tastes of chemicals. I toss most of it, but my stomach churns all evening. Wasn't a good evening to break my "no-fish-please" rule. I write a note and send pictures to wwgourmet.com, the parent company. I title the email "A "Fishy Fail."SundayAfter a 2-mile walk up and around the neighborhood hills, we stop at the office to fill up the fish tank and feed the fishes. Before 8, we warm up pumpkin muffins for breakfast. Delicious.
After the Gathering with BIC Online, W hosts the pastor chat on Zoom. I enjoy the call from my perch on the porch. I watch the fishes swim round and round the bowl we brought from Bali years ago. No filter, heater, or light needed - just change the water every week or so.
In my home office, the long-term betta-fish seems happy. He's still gorgeous and provides rest for the brain and the eye as he swims between the plants. I tear another few rayon sarongs into strips. No energy to sew, but soon the strips are ironed and piled. When I'm ready, they'll be at hand.
I was thinking of making vegan chili for lunch but peek inside the freezer to see what other possibilities pop up. Instead of chili, I fry roti parata, which we fill with sausage, baby corn, and dark veggies in a cream and hoisin sauce. For sides, we have a Caesar salad and apple slices. It matches my appetite better than the chili (which we eat Monday).
We spend a restful afternoon reading, watching a drama, texting with friends. Thank God for Sabbath rest.
Monday
We walk. And we talk. We confirm the steps forward with our trusted counselors.
Nature is renewing for the soul. The trees twine their branches overhead in a green canopy. They've recovered the leaves they dropped 2 months ago. Many are in bloom in response to the daily rains.
Even the bromeliads along the street are in flower. This one has 1-2' pink-tipped leaves, with a 3" crimson center that bursts into periwinkle florets when conditions are right.
The city did road repairs last week so there's a block of new paving in the neighborhood. The extra asphalt was pounded into 2 potholes a few days ago and is lifting already.
Read more:
*O Lord, all my longing is known to you; my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalm 38:9
*May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. Psalm 115:14 NIV
*They will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Mark 13:26
*His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Luke 1:50
*You know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:3
Moravian Prayer: Lord, we pray in Jesus’ name. You know our inward thoughts and worries. We share these with you all day long. Sometimes we need help getting back on track, and we turn to you for guidance.
Steadfast Lord, your mercies are shared throughout the world and over time. The richness of scripture reveals your mercies across generations, across time, and across miles. Praise be to God. Amen.
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