Being thankful feels good

Thursday, November 24, 2023

It feels good to be home. It's turned into rainy season in Bandung, with water pelting from the sky during midday or afternoon and again at night. We spend a relaxing day - it's American Thanksgiving and we are thankful to rest after the trip earlier this week.

Friday

The roses from last week's bouquet are fading and the sunflowers have lost all their petals but it's still beautiful.

Would you guess that between these houses is a jalan tikus (mouse alley) going to a whole neighborhood?

When you turn in, the lane between the houses is a veritable highway for motorcycles and pedestrians.

We have mango shaved ice.

A stream flows under the steps to the food stall.

Saturday

I go into the garden after our morning walk. The wonderful greens from last Sunday's arrangement have been accidentally tossed out so we start over.

The stems soak in the sink for an hour or two. Then the greens set the shape.

Next are bromeliads.

Then berries. I almost wish I'd left it alone at this stage.

But finally the amaryllis stems are held in place by chopsticks.

Sunday

We're celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend. We put leaves with something to be thankful for on the bulletin board.

The last group of free music books is sorted through in the office. The remnant will be donated elsewhere. Thanks to BAIS for their generosity in clearing their libraries toward us.

Some of next's week's volunteers for Health Day get together when the Community Table is done. They're planning to serve the city and it's a thrill to see their anticipation.

After lunch with a friend, we come home to a group on the Porch, the biweekly Hangout.

The flowers settle into the living room. They'll last a few more days but the ferns are already fading.

Our guests take the first seasonal selfies.

Monday

After a walk, it's off to the eye doctor. My eyes began flashing lights and some new long floaters appeared on Saturday. Better to be safe than sorry. W gets his eyes checked as well. We see a  wonderful doctor, the husband of a friend, and we are both doing fine.

W feels even better when he pays the bill for both appointments, consultations, and the eyedrops. We get an email confirming the transaction:

I pick up the groceries needed on the way home. I'm in the mood for Korean ramen.

Supper is the first time I use our Christmas plates this year.

PakG takes the last of the Christmas supplies to the hall.

The trees are sparking in several rooms in the house.

All kinds of treats lie on the ground. We've seen these fibrous balls dried and spray-painted silver or gold before being hung as ornaments. Free and pretty.

The street sweepers light fires with the leaves and garbage, producing smoke that drifts across the streets.

Anytime the dogs see us with a leash, they're delighted. See how patiently they wait for us?

Read more:

*Do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor. Zechariah 7:10

*God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Psalm 68:5

*In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7

Moravian Prayer: Generous God, you have provided every blessing in abundance. As we acknowledge your gifts with thankfulness, we hear your call to share what we have received. And so, we pray that you give us glad and generous hearts and lives that abound in your service.

Loving Christ, you were the master of doing remarkable acts of kindness—feeding the masses, healing the leper, loving the unlovable. Today, we resolve to reach out to a person we do not know and treat them with kindness in your name. Thank you for letting us know how to express compassion. Amen.