She's scolded me a few times: "Don't just write about things that you enjoy. You should share some of the hard things, too. Or people think you're just having fun and not working."
Admittedly, I've gotten in trouble over the years by not worrying too much about what people think. But focusing on hard things? I think not.
Why not? Everyone - including you - is busy. Everyone has hard times. The past year or two may even have been brutal for some of you.
Around us, many people are just hanging on, like the cool beetle skeleton we found in the garden. And yes, of course I snagged it to show the grandkids some day. When I was a kid, that would have been more interesting to me than 10 plastic toys. (W says, "Ugh., no thanks. I wouldn't have touched it.")
We've had both covid and vaccines. It hasn't been easy to keep working and adjusting, we admit it. We've had floods - in the house.
We've done maintenance, inside and out.
We've been surprised by the weird and unexpected this past year or two, just like you have.
But how beautiful the world is! How blessed W and I feel to be in surroundings that take our breath away. Just because some things (like these trumpet flowers) are poisonous doesn't mean they're not pretty.
Just because they're prickly (like these Crown of Thorns) doesn't mean they're not worth a second look.
Saturday
We live among people who are kind and generous. A neighbor's grown kids stop by with their son to pet the dogs and say hi. They are amazing bakers and leave us a gift - a loaf of REAL organic sourdough bread. You can't imagine what a treat that is!
We live in a city known for food that is both spicy and tasty. The saté ...
The curries ...
And the noodles. Oh yum. (Now, if it came in colors other than
rice,
deep-fried, and
battered ... What? You didn't realize those were colors?) The hot chilis add a touch of color, as do the banana leaves that act as serving plates.
Sunday
Claudia comes to sit on the porch for BIC Online. W, Melvi, and I eat breakfast with her and chat. She's briefly in town and staying nearby.
It's more meaningful to have people watching the online service with us ... W and I agree that we'll do this more often. One or two people (or a family) for brunch and the online Gathering would be very special and it would be safe. Now to schedule it! (Let us know if you want to be on the list, ok?)
We stayed up late last night for a special treat to arrive from Jakarta - and it did. We could not wait until morning so sampled it, but today we share it for breakfast.
Thank you, Micha. He's a creative "star" in many directions: art, music, architecture, graphics, etc. - and now he's mastering baking. Woohoo! We are the happy recipients of his generosity.
Wow, the pineapple pie is outstanding! It reminds me of Mom's apple pie - not too much dough and lots of fruit = just right. It has a flaky crust, with a perfect blend of cinnamon and other spices. Because we share our best things, we send a slice to our neighborhood "taster," DrW. She agrees. Delicious.
We meet with the BIC leadership team before a late lunch, too. Today our numbers are reduced by family visits and time zones; family takes priority. We record the business for those missing.
It's a treat to work from home. I've been enjoying lighter colors all year but am looking forward to the deeper palettes of November and December. The colors define an artificial and warm winter for me. Last year, because we flew to Canada for Dad's funeral in December, we did no Christmas decorating. It was nice not to have to put the tree and ornaments away, though.
We're hoping Indonesia gets back to Level 1 or 2 (from current 3 and 4) in Covid restrictions so that we can host friends for the celebration of Christ's birth.
Tuesday
After an online meeting with some very dear mentors, I'm in the office. We've planned Advent bags in advance.
"Will there be cookies like last year?" everyone asks. "Those were our favorites." Yes, there will be fresh-baked cookies. If you live in Bandung and want to be part of BIC's annual Advent celebrations, let us know.)
Alice is assembling the packets with volunteer help - if you want to help (either with assembly or delivery),
contact her. Should be fun.
Why plan for Advent (Nov 28) now? I prefer to do early what can be done in advance. W and I are packing for an annual itineration (partner meet-ups). The whirlwind trip is a blessing for us and others, who live at our house and will take care of the dogs. They get to enjoy the windy hill we live on. Some will invite friends or extended family to enjoy the stay with them so the dogs always have company. The dogs keep out anyone who doesn't belong.
On our end, it saves money. (We don't have to negotiate rent or buy a vehicle on the other end. And we don't have to put things into storage). It saves time. (We don't pack up life to be away for months or a year; a long time away means a hard reset when coming back). And we return with good energy. (We hit the ground running.) It's nice that most things are online; we're not on vacation, that's for sure.
Lunch is at a young friend's new cafe. #miesopdelia
She makes us mango milkshakes as a starter.
We look over her menu: nothing is over $2.
Delia makes us the most delicious honey roasted chicken. If she lived nearby, I'd have this every week.
We pray with her and her friend ChaCha that God will bless the cafe, will bring customers and blessings to the whole neighborhood through Delia. Then, our stomaches and spirits satisfied, we come home. The kitchen smells like baking - there are chocolate-covered ginger cookies
IbuA has worked for us for 7 years, Sept 15. She is a marvelous baker and cook, the backbone of the kitchen for our guests and for movie night. (O Lord, let that happen again soon!) We are so grateful for her gifts of hospitality. And those cookies! 🍪
We take several boxes of cookies to the office fridge in preparation for making the Advent bags. The new baking goes into our home fridge. "Keep baking! while we're gone," I tell the helpers.
Supper is the most traditional dish in Indonesia: nasi goreng (fried rice). Yum. What's on your plate today?
Read more:
*Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. Psalm 119:1-8
*Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation may spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also; I the Lord have created it. Isaiah 45:8
*He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10
Moravian Prayer: Creator of all, the earth is full of your glory. In your infinite wisdom, you formed the seasons for seedtime and harvest to ensure the supply of daily food. Forgive us for the times we are not good caretakers of the earth. Refresh and renew us for your righteousness sake. Amen.
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