A birthday and an evolving habitat

Monday, March 28, 2022

Our youngest son was my early 33rd birthday gift, years ago. He and I celebrate our birthdays this week. He's turned into a good man, which of course makes his parents happy.

"We are the richest people in the world because our children love and serve Jesus," my dad used to say. I echo him today. True wealth is about contentment and peace, not money.

I write short daily Lenten daily meditations. (You can subscribe or just check in once in a while; find them here.) Each year in the 40 days before Easter, followers of Jesus reflect on what he has done for us. It's been an amazing season already, and this is Day 24.

W and I walk the dogs and run into a class of young students. The girls squeal and shriek and pet the poodles, who tolerate the stroking with grace. Lizzy, who sent the two dogs our way, says, "That's what poodles do." They are so good with people, even though our dogs rarely are around kids.

Meanwhile, Gypsy growls and barks at a girl who lunges at him. I stroke his head and he calms. It's a lot of movement and a lot of noise. The girls are delighted to pose for a selfie.

My first online call in the office starts at 7:00. I call Mom between meetings and wrap up online before 2:00 pm. I missed breakfast but find some nuts and seeds in the office fridge for lunch. There are all kinds of things to finish at work, so time flies.

I walk past the LIPI neighborhood sentry and call out, "Selamat siang!" (Have a blessed midday.)

He corrects me, "No, Mrs. It's 'Selamat sore' already" (late afternoon). What? The clock in his sentry post says it's almost 4:00.

Supper is a special treat. Friends Dr Hanna and Alice send over Chinese noodles and other dishes from Queen Restaurant.

There's SO much food that we call Melvi and Kristi down to help us make a dent in it. Delicious.

I've forgotten to send the Lenten links to the various venues so I send those after supper. What else is undone? I haven't sent W videos for Mondays in April. I prefer to record in advance (and do other tasks ahead) so that emergencies don't derail us. I'm in a(tired but grateful mood so I shoot 4 of those before sundown, too. A working birthday, that's for sure.

When the gate buzzes after dark, it's a gift of beauty and abundance from Ruth. I unwrap 60 long-stemmed roses and put them into the sink basin to soak.

There are enough for 3 big bouquets - one in the principal bedroom,

one on the dining table, and 

one in the living room. Oh my. They are gorgeous. Thank you, friend! The house is full of red velvet.

Tuesday

W walks me to the office early to record Sunday's talk for BIC Online. Every week, we get to study scripture, present the talk twice, and reflect on God's goodness. It's work of the best sort, fulfilling and transforming for us. This coming Sunday we'll discuss 2X people saw God in person - and lived to tell others about it.

One wall of the gang (lane) that borders our area is crumbling back to its original brickwork.

The wall on the opposite side of the lane backs two houses under construction. Those are taking over the empty lots at the entry to our neighborhood. Since maintenance is not a high value, the walls on both sides of the little lane may look similar soon.

Our area was once shunned by adult children who sold off their parent's old homes. In the last four years, it has become popular again. Wealthy families are moving in and building their dream homes. We watch with bemusement as restaurants open, weekend parking becomes impossible, and the neighborhood rejuvenates.

Birthday wishes arrive yesterday and today due to the time offset with friends in Canada and the USA. It's fun to read the names attached to greetings - we've made memories with people across the planet. One of my favorite parts of the day is Mom's prayer over me this morning.

The team meeting and language school are online. I snag a protein bar and fortify myself with tea. Home in the afternoon, we meet new friends on the porch for a couple of hours.

The final meeting of the day starts at 6:30. I click out afterward with good counsel and many decisions ahead.

Wednesday

W and I go for our Wednesday breakfast date. Then I head for the office while he goes home - he has errands to run in town. At work, JP and I sign the next year's contract for meetings in the conference center. He and Judy are good hosts and managers. Various training events take place on the grounds, for children through adults.

In the office to store the document in the files, I tap on a drawer. Swarms of hundreds of ants explode from the file cabinet. I spray them down, watching them twitch and fall to the floor. Ugh. That will fill a pungki (dustbin) in a hurry.

The office is quiet for now. When we start back on site, it will be livelier.

When I get home, I find a spot for the table that's been in a corner for weeks. A few minutes of movement take all the tension out of my head.

Suddenly it's 10:30 and time to head out for our school day. Kristi and I travel to class on site but return before 3:00, brains exhausted.

Ruth's roses have opened up overnight in glorious fashion. She tells me she can order 20 long-stemmed roses @$5US. What!? I arrange to have her deliver them every 2 weeks. "I don't care what color! Whatever they have." Aren't they gorgeous?

Josh and Clau are back from a trip with goodies to share. A fun thing about travel is bringing back treats for each other.

The yard man cuts the tall grass next door today, clearing away the haven for snakes. It's nice to have things neat again. The helper sprays the corners in the work-shed where ants and termites are busily chewing wood; they leave piles of compost behind. Today is already better than yesterday.

I'll have one more meeting tonight. Then tomorrow, we will clear our heads with a walk in the mountains.

Read more:

*The Lord will send his angel before you. Genesis 24:7

*The angel said to Peter, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real. Acts 12:8-9

*God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19

Moravian Prayer: God of wonders, whose holy message is carried on arms of wind and flame, whose marvelous works surround us even when unseen, let us sing aloud the praise of your help and ever-watchful care.

Blessed Jesus, we pray for change—real change and true transformation of our hearts and of the world we work to build every day. May your loving purposes and your holy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth and in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Happy birthday, Jono - and a walk in the park

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

March is an intermediate month. Even its journal page looks "between times." Every month I slather paint, markers, inks, or other art supplies across a double spread. Then I record the highlights of the month.

It's nice to sit outside with the breeze blowing across the balcony. But there's not much time. Mornings and early afternoons are spent at language school. Kristi and I learned about 100 words this week, but unlike the last time words were dumped on me, I actually know them.

IEP is a different kind of school. We haven't spoken this week in class. Instead, we've listened and pointed as the nurturer (their name for instructor) has spoken. And we've reviewed there and at home. We're pretty sure of what we've learned. Amazing. This is about a third of the words ...

Thursday

It's our youngest son's birthday today. We have to wait until evening to call but he's on our minds. It's hard to be far away on milestone days.

Today, the workers are cleaning the sheds next door. The ants have chewed through the doorframes. Various critters have made themselves at home so there are drifts of animal poop, dirt, and wood chips. A wasp's nest is forming outside one windowsill. I knock it off.

You can't leave a place alone for long in the tropics. The jungle and the wild things quickly take over. The rooms have stood empty for over a half-year so maintenance is a chore.

It takes the women all day to remove dust from the high shelves and wash grit off floors and walls. The windows need another pass - they're barely see-through, even with the first scrub.

Meanwhile the garden is bursting with color.

After 3 days in class, Kristi and I are happy to head into the mountain forests with W and the rest of the Thursday Walkers. I'm out of shape, puffing uphill and skittering down. Half of us fall on the trail, which is slippery with layers of leaves and compost. No one is hurt and because it's damp not wet, we're not that dirty either. The dogs have a ball.

It's our friend Monique's birthday. She's younger than ever!

The local sap-collectors are busy around the pine trees. Their little plastic cups hang from cuts in the bark, catching the sticky sap that is used for glue, paint, and other goods.

At the beginning of the walk, we're clean and rested. That doesn't last long.

Afterward, we eat lunch at Sindang Reret. The tables inside the boats are full. Other tables are available. Australia, France, Canada, USA, and Pakistan are represented in our group.

On the way home, we pass a pet store. W stops to buy a replacement LED light for a fishbowl @$4.75. At that price I might just get another for Zoom calls. (There are bright warm whites plus a blue LED.)

The shop sells fish and supplies inside and birds in cages along the street, including chickens and a crowing rooster. The hens cackle in a competitive racket. SOOO loud!

I spot an unusually-colored lovebird. W asks the seller how much: $9. "Want it for your birthday?" (coming soon.) Sure. The seller grabs the bird and sticks him in a paper sack with a few holes in it. 

S/He joins our other two, who've been with us for 3 years. They pick on him and chase him around the cage.  I would have put them side by side in cages to acclimate but the seller told W:  "No problem. Just stick him in with the others." Hmmm. We'll see how that goes.

Friday

We call Jonathan, who's still celebrating his birthday in N America. W and I gift him with the worst rendition of Happy Birthday, started too high with sleep-voices that haven't spoken many words yet. We're all cracking up. J is gracious about it. We pray over him and wish him the best of the day and the coming year.

Picking up Indonesian, W's enjoying the Duolingo app. Today is this week's last day of language school for Kristi and me. When we return home in mid-afternoon, the helper has washed some decrepit furniture from the other yard  and moved it into the sheds. The landlord says we can use the empty rooms until the place is rented out.

In exchange, our yard guy keeps the high grass cut and prunes the branches. Good for us and the landlord - it's harder for jungle creatures and snakes to feel at home in house and yard when things are trimmed. 

The landlord's nephew stops by to check the condition of the place, just as things are tidied. Our big dogs run around both yards. They make a ruckus when someone come near. At night, they might even take a chunk out of an unannounced visitor ...

Mom sent along a beautiful tablecloth a while back, which has new food spots on it. I take a picture so that it will be ironed back into a flat shape.

"We need your Mom to come do the tablecloth, don't you think?" W jokes. She's always found laundry and ironing satisfying work. Her linens are clean and perfectly pressed, including this one.

Hard to believe it's the weekend again. We have a watch party coming up on Sunday. Can't wait.

Saturday

The groomers make beauties of our two shaggy poodles. They loved their Thursday romp in the woods but it's time to clean up. Gypsy barks his head off at the two men and then lies down close to me. He hates being groomed and has the day off. Lucky dog.

After an afternoon walk in the drizzle, the dogs chill out on the steps. The poodle hair is already starting to curl.

At the end of the month, I write newsletters, which is my main work for today. First, IbuAde arrives to unknot the kinks in my back; she's a kind and competent masseuse. I could have a massage 2X a week here for what one massage costs me in Seattle. (But ...nope! There's too much to do and too little time already - hehe)

I pick flowers for the little umbrella stand in the bathroom. It's the perfect size for counter storage.

Sunday

W kneads pizza dough while I prepare toppings. He par-bakes the crusts before we eat. Everyone  chooses their own toppings - so good.

A group of 14 attends the watch party on the porch. We talk about our takeaways and pray together. before our pizza lunch.

Pak Danny brings organic and aquaculture greens from Tanikota Farm to share with everyone.

We tidy up, everyone pitching in and Rafael and Kirsten helping out. We're thankful for the helper who will do the final cleanup tomorrow. Then it's time for a Sabbath rest.

Read more:

*The Lord said, “When they call to me, I will answer them.” Psalm 91:15

*Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe,

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150

*The same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. Romans 10:12

Moravian Prayer; Sending Savior, bless our feet with good news, and send us to preach by faithful word and loving service. May all who hear, believe—and all who believe, call on you, that they may share life in your name and perfect will. Amen.

3 things, questions, plus one more thing for you

1. Nothing may be as sweet as where you are, if you make the best of it.

On the last leg back from a week away, we pick up bubur ayam (chicken rice porridge) from Botor, our friend's shop down the hill. We take it home. It's DELICIOUS and soothing after a day of travel.

Unpacking is a chore but not an unpleasant one. As things are put away, we thank God for a good conference and safe travels back to home.

Sunday, March 19, 2022

We walk the neighborhood just after 6:00. I forgot to task anyone with topping up the paludarium at the office. When we stop in to check, there's a bare inch of water left, along with 2 hardy fish who attack their fish food. Sorry, creatures!

I drain the last of the filtered drinking water into the tank and make a note to bring fresh bottles along tomorrow - for the fish and my tea.

My spiritual discipline and art project for the coming week is reflecting on a historical prayer: St Patrick's Breastplate. I write it across the pages of a little watercolor journal. There are colors and shapes to come.

PakG picks up a few final purchases from a restaurant-closing sale while we're away. The last unfinished space in the yard is an open shed. Broken plastic pots and tools, a sofa-swing, and a barbecue take up one half of the concrete pad while a decaying woodpile takes up the other half. 

The yard man hauled the termite-riddled branches away last time he showed up. This morning it goes from bare and spare to useful. One final sweep of the cement and it's ready for a 10-minute rebirth.

W hangs up two new-to-us rattan chairs and carries down an old table. I unroll a worn rug. We move the swinging loveseat to one side. Done.

The space is claimed by young adults by lunchtime. Their lively conversation is punctuated by laughter. We pop by to say hello.

Sam is the grill master. They share leftovers when they're done. Yum!

On the porch, a few others friends enjoy tea and pumpkin pie with us - along with the last pieces of Sam's chicken. We're all grateful for IbuA's baking skills. The cookie tins are happily depleted by both groups.

The sun sets before we hear the last click of the gate. When everyone's gone, W heats milk for a special treat. Two Trader Joes hot chocolate packs were a gift from our kids last October on our annual trip to the USA. It feels cooler outside (72o F/22 C?) today so it seems the right time to indulge.

QUESTION: What makes you feel grateful and content? Why not share that with someone.

2. Pray for those who suffer. You never know when you will be the one in need of prayer.

This week we are consumed with the misery of refugees in Indonesia, around Asia, Africa, Europe, and elsewhere. What must they be experiencing, torn from their homes, neighborhoods, and countries by famine, drought, fading hopes ... and war?

God invites us to care for others, to bear their burdens with generosity and intercession. A school class led by Teacher Bernadette sends a donation for BIC's distribution. We gratefully receive their their kindness and concern and will pass that along.

QUESTION: Who are you praying for this week? Do you have resources to share? How might God be calling you to share his lovingkindness with those around you?

3. Things worth doing may still be difficult. This week I start language school again. It's my third "start." The greatest disappointment and stress of living abroad hasn't been what I expected. It's not the food, the people, or the culture. It's not speaking the language. As the child of immigrants, growing up in an immigrant community, I know in my heart of hearts how vital language is. Not speaking Indonesian has been crushing.

The first time W and I went to language school was a 3-month semester. We spent 4 hours, 4X a week and ran errands until evening. I was exhausted from not sleeping (termite frass dripping on my face and the sheets is not relaxing). We had vocabulary, phrases, and exceptions poured over us. Some days I wrote down over 100 new words.

In class, we asked a lot of questions, read from the workbook, and never spoke beyond a brief Q&A. Our accents seemed ok since German vowels are similar (and we know some German) - so the instructors assumed we knew what we were reading about. Nope. Needless to say, I learned almost nothing and could barely remember how to say "Good morning" by the end of 3 months. The school closed their language program within a year.

The second time, I loved the school and my instructor. I learned a lot of words in 1 hour/week for 2 months. That vocabulary became the foundation of my bahasa Indonesia. Then travel and teaching intervened, we came back to a tight schedule, and the instructor's calendar had filled up in the only spots I could attend.

Now it's Start #3. I'm learning with a beginner, right from the beginning, 10 hours a week ... as long as it takes. Prayers appreciated.

QUESTION: What is a hard thing you are considering, praying about, or tackling? I'd love to pray with you about that.

One more thing: take one day at a time. Last week, our view looked like this between meetings.

This morning, it looks like this. Both are sweet spots, depending on what God is unfolding.

For you to think about ... Is there anything you are resisting or avoiding with 

• "I wish ... , so I could ..." 
• "If only ... , then ..." or 
• "If this happens, then I'll ..."? 

What would your day look like if, instead, you did everything you could, with all your might?

Read more:

*Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1

*By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6

*Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”Mark 4:38

*God is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17:25

Moravian Prayer: Gentle Persuader, fanning to flame our little faith, we do not doubt your power to rescue and redeem, only ours to walk together and work the Father’s will in your name. Help us see and trust in the good you see in us.

Spirit of God, loving and holy, let our prayer today be for others: for their needs, their struggles, for your merciful intercession. Help us see how we may be used by you as instruments of care and grace. Amen.

Bali - never a bad day

We live a short flight (and a cheap one!) from Bali. This week we attended a conference with more meetings than expected and more people on outings than we thought. For an introvert, that's not the most restful combination.

I stretch my feet out thrice on the porch, swim twice and take a couples of hot baths in a real tub. We had hot running water from the faucets. (That in itself qualifies as a holiday.)

The hotel is beautiful, from the foyer with its "3 Kingdoms" ceiling painting 

to its grounds and ponds

to the shoreline. Even mornings with swirling clouds are relaxing.

Some vignettes take our breaths away as we walk by.

The hotel takes good care of us. Upon arrival, one of the hotel staff writes your name in the sand. The next day, it's swept clean and he writes down the names of newcomers.

The meetings and collective worship are inspiring.

The women have a few hours to ourselves one afternoon.

Another day, our friends are ordained to Christian ministry.

All week, I'm stunned by Bali.

I love the unfolding of God's world, from enormous leaves to grasses and flowers. We watch this lotus bloom mature

into a seed pod.

Every corner offers a new view.

We spot this decaying boat hull along the shore.

Nearby, the storms have washed out the paved walkway beside the bay.

Whether we're on the hotel grounds or walking along the beach, Bali is its own world.

We are surrounded by ponds and greenery, even at meals. Most conference attendees choose air-conditioned dining, but we're used to air flow in Bandung. (Our house doesn't have air-con.)

There are many food choices.

We eat familiar Western meals and delicious Indonesian offerings.

 Posted above the egg station, this sign makes me laugh at breakfast.

After conference attendees help themselves to the goodies, the shelves are emptier. But the food supply seems endless!

One night, the whole company heads to Jimbaran for a seafood supper on the beach. 

There were one or two restaurants open on the strand the last time we were in Bali. Now, most of the restaurants along the beach are lit. There are not many people though.

The nights are warm and peaceful.

One evening, I eavesdrop on a group of musicians with their Balinese instruments and traditional tunes.

We have 1-1/2 days to explore Balinese culture and art - like this glass recycling and glass-blowing in Ubud. The cups, glasses, and vases are stunning.

I shouldn't complain about washing dishes: these ladies laugh and chat as they wash broken glass day after day before it's melted and shaped.

A bubble of molten glass is taken from the furnace. As it expands and drips, the glassblower tamps it onto little branches. The glass shapes itself to the wood before it is blown into a bowl that will sit atop the branch. The wood smokes and occasionally catches on fire. It's clever - and beautiful. It's hot work. Bali temps are in the mid-90s. Add in rows of furnaces blazing at the edges of the open-walled room, and you can imagine.

We admire ceramics ...

rayon sarongs ...

pre-sewn quilt tops and cottons ...

handmade carpets ...

wood and stone carvings on the smallest details, like these rope fasteners for outdoor blinds ...

whether big pattens carved on the walls ...

or examining the wood up close ...

the brick walls carved into traditional scenes ...

The colors are intense on the life-sized murals.

Even the recycling bins are artistic, like this 12' (4 meter) turtle along the path.

Every neighborhood has Hindu-style temples. There are statues in most yards and in front of businesses. Every morning, little squares of rattan are filled with flowers, seeds, and other offerings and placed before the statues. The birds are well-fed, picking up rice and seeds from these trays.

In town, bricks and blocks are stacked along the streets. They're redoing the sidewalks.

There are miles of work, which will be done by hand.

The ladies snuck away for a $20 massage in Ubud. The "sit-at-your-desk" kinks of the last months are gone. What a relief.

The knees I fell on before leaving home were multi-colored most of the week. The massage helps them heal. By the time we fly home on Saturday, they're sore to the touch but getting better.

We're on the flight home to Bandung on Saturday afternoon. Everyone has said goodbye until next time. We pack away memories, renewed relationships, and fresh information, along with a few souvenirs.

It's a joy to walk into the house and unpack. And sleep in our own beds. No matter how comfy the mattress elsewhere (and the Melia has the best), there's no place like home.

Read more:

*Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

*Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:1-5

*Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record? Psalm 56:8

*This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

*And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? Matthew 6:27

Moravian Prayer: God of hope, living word that makes us free, deliver us from the fear of grief and grave. Let our hearts endeavor, instead, to look trustingly to you and lovingly to our neighbors.

Almighty God, ever-present and all-knowing, we cannot thank you enough for being ALL to us. We thank you for your kindness, bearing our sorrows, and holding us in your heart. For that, we are forever grateful. Amen.