Tuesday, December 19, 2023
After a late meeting last night and a short sleep, it's up and at 'em. First, some creativity. I like to start the day thinking about or seeing something interesting or beautiful. These photos catch my eye as I scroll through messages.
The traditional game of stones and coordination is filled with silk flowers and pinecones for a hall arrangement (Ruth's gift last year and Titik's update.)
Ingrid's orchid lights up a corner of the outdoor plant rack.
The household is coming apart for sorting and reassembly - from porch railings to dog crates to all the junk stashed at the carport. Furniture is scrubbed, recycling is collected, and piles of broken wood and garden pots are discarded. The dogs watch us and relax. Crazy humans.
We make a run to the wholesaler for next week's cookout. We never know how many guests to expect but usually 80-100 show up for the annual Christmas potluck.
The driver drops us off in stalled traffic on the busiest street in town. We're looking for our favorite china "reject" shop but it has closed for good. We walk a few blocks toward the car, wondering where it is parked. See W in the distance? I get further and further behind, dodging groups of pedestrians and sellers.
Indonesians seem both more aware and more oblivious to those around them. They park trucks, cars, and motorcycles helter-skelter on any side of the street so that vehicles can barely squeeze between. They stand in the center of the sidewalk to discuss what to buy. In a clear spot after circling around another group, I whip out my phone for a photo of W's back.
This is typical: W and I are theoretically walking together. We find the car and get home in time for lunch with Laurel, who leaves behind the cutest cactus.
The gift exchanges have started, with people and packages arriving at the gate. Where did HaRini find the Yardley lavendar soap of my teens? And Sioe's fragrant soaps and oils? The food - pastels, chocolates, fried banana? Such sweet surprises in this Christmas week.
Sayaka's homemade Japanese cheesecake is wonderful.
Komori's sprouts are exceptional quality. I've looked forward to the weekly delivery for the past months. This one has some kind of sinking middle. Their excellence in customer service is unprecedented; they replace it as soon as they see the picture, no questions asked, though none of us know what happened.
In the evening, we drop in at the neighbors for tea and cookies. Such time is precious. It's warm enough for short sleeves as we walk home before 9:00, though a light breeze drifts by.
Wednesday
We start with breakfast at Nara. My Christmas-preparation checklist is long and detailed. We're doing much-needed maintenance this week. The house is full of helpers: G and AD are paving parts of the driveway (hand-mixing and knocking cement into the cracks). They clean the yard while we women work inside.
On my way out the gate to a mid-morning event, I have to return to the house a few times. Where are those keys? The guys catch me at the gate for money to buy more concrete/sand. Etc. I'm running so late that PakG drops me off on his way to buy supplies. At GG, the cleaning company (friends of DrH) gifts us with a cleaning and disinfection of the hall - what a kind and useful thing to do. Look at all those chairs drying in the sun.
DrH has arranged for a group of young people from the orphanage down the hill to come for lunch at GG.
Some distinguished guests join us as well.
Three overseers from the orphanage pose for a selfie in the hall.
Two other groups of children arrive an hour later and impress us with their skills. A school club of young Sunda dancers shows off their traditional choreography.
Then their classmates demonstrate Pencak Silat, the martial art of Indonesia.
Wow, these kids are flexible. The coordinated movements display balance and fitness, stabbing the air with kicks, toy swords, and bamboo "spears".
After a few short speeches to thank the children for their efforts, we pose together for a final snapshot before lunch.
The dancers couldn't eat before because it would ruin their makeup. Don't you wonder how long it takes to apply full face paint on little kids'? The Sundanese are known for their culture of beauty and the arts.
And I have to run - there's no more putting off the checklist at home.
Friday
After some calls, W and I walk to the hall to record Sunday morning's Christmas Eve message. One take and it's done. I'm grateful to have a professional speaking partner! W replaces the burned-out lights in the hall and we walk home.
One more errand on the next hill for lights, gifts, and other last-minute things. As we're sitting at the traffic light, we make a quick "Merry Christmas" video. The streets are so bumpy side to side and forward and backward that it's like riding an unpredictable horse. You can't write, read, or record a video while the car is in motion. We post it on FB and stroke another item off the list.
I'm proud of the IES Bandung family, who is on track to meet our giving project goal. Angie sends this graphic.
The groomers come over and make our dogs look young and beautiful. The dogs are retirees and/or seniors.
We pass out goodies to various people who have been a blessing in our neighborhood and other circles.
As part of my annual evaluation, I listen to a podcast by Hyatt's
Full Focus group. I highly recommend them: they offer many free resources, including this
podcast on achieving realistic goals.
Before we know it, the day is almost done. I wrap some gifts, start to sort the greeting cards in my office, and run out of steam. Tomorrow is another day.
As night falls, I read a wonderful compilation by Phyllis Tickle:
The Night Offices: prayers for the hours from sunset to sunrise. I love meditating on the scriptures and prayers in the night hours.
Read more:
*For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7
*Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5
*Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
O Lord of ancient lands and places, let your Spirit rest upon us. Help us to claim your promises of freedom and new life in your heavenly kingdom. In your name, we pray. Amen.
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