"No refills" on water and good company

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Dawn arrives shortly after 5:00 a.m. I'm finally well enough to get out the door for a walk. I find some delicate flowers in the garden, which go into a brass vase from Mom.

I can feel the creativity coming back after a break. I post the first food blogs in ages. FB and IG block the posts but no one can figure out why. Someone suggests it's because it's about dates and syrup in the same post. (= DIY date syrup) Maybe?

We're jet lagged but have the blessing of household help. They cook lunch and wash dishes, change our bedding and do laundry.

In previous generations, the household manager was the wife, whether one or both spouses had careers. The household chores and errands belonged to her. Now the chore-masters and managers may be either man or woman ... or both. In our case, W and I have multiple careers: teaching, leading, writing, and speaking. Our helpers free us to do that work. What a blessing they are!

The day is full of calls and meetings. It's a delight to see our team online. Between, I sort old family pictures. Mom and I were young once upon a time.

Our parents traveled to Africa and South America to do charitable work in their 40s.

I loved my little cousins. I send them the pictures Dad took 30-50 years ago of happy times as a big family. Here they're on an auntie's porch, probably at a family dinner.

This cousin was a special favorite, with a birthday 2 days after mine.

I was bridesmaid for my older brother way back when. I thank God for good memories as I flush old emails and photos.

After a final evening call, we relax and read. It's a good night of sleep: 7 hours. (Mind you, the hours are 7:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.)

Wednesday

Another walk, another day. My energy is back, though my lung aren't clear yet. There are fresh blooms in the dirt along the road.

This tiny yellow fruit hides under its vine.

I'm in the mood to cook. I bake a potato/oatmeal/vege something-something for breakfast. Not bad with sweet soy and spicy sauces. I make a pot of soup with the white beans I find in the freezer. I'm using up stored foods since we're back to movie night and other events that need freezer/fridge space.

A friend posts wise advice about not worrying about the future. What a good reminder for me. I've never been a worrier but I've also never liked waiting for the next season. Small steps of obedience, and we'll get there.

In the late afternoon we watch the incoming American election results. Since we don't live there, we felt we didn't have the right to vote. However, as we did for Indonesia's election last year, we've been praying over the people and the government.

W and I read through Sunday's talk and enjoy the mild weather on the Porch. Coming home to 64o/18o nights and 80o/27o days? Wonderful. I'm in long sleeves and trousers because the mornings are too cool. The sun doesn't break through for long so it stays mild and pleasant all day long.

At night, rainstorms sweep the mountains, clear the air, and wash the garden. The rain and sunshine make plants like this one (4'/1.3m tall) glow. I love the bright yellow of the recent leaves at the top with the black ones near the bottom, don't you?

Thursday

W and the dogs hike in the mountains without me. Melvi makes 5 table arrangements from Titik's big Sunday flowers.

There's enough for a bigger "messy" bouquet as well.

For supper, I add some coconut cream to yesterday's soup and call it good.

It's planned as a quiet day of catching up and resting. It's not quite as relaxing as we hoped but we appreciate the prayers and both sleep well. 

Friday

Ibu Siti rubs out the kinks from last week's homecoming, a marathon of travel. Then Judy and I have coffee. She's a treasure: we can be open, honest, and outspoken or watchful and prayerful together.

An odd thing happens at #karnivor.2. I order tea. I want black tea but they have only have fancy teas so I choose the least flavored option. The tea steeping gadget is cool and holds tea leaves and a cup of water. That quickly disappears and I'm ready for more. 

"No refills," says the server. Can I buy hot water for a second infusion? He reluctantly agrees and charges me $2 for a bottle of "mineral" water (plain water) that someone apparently heats up. The bar has a hot tap! and made tea that way the first time. Why not refill from that? 

But, "cannot do." There's no thinking outside the box of instructions that servers are given. We experience that over and over, not just today.

At noon, W and I head for Ethnic. I choose rice oncom while W has pepper steak - for about the same price as the mid-morning pastry and 1 portion of sushi earlier.

We enjoy time together. We're still feeling comatose by late afternoon and wide awake some nights. Another week and we'll be completely adjusted to our time zone.

Saturday

We walk 2 miles and remark on the 4-storey apartment that's being erected in our neighborhood. Before, this was a small one-storey house. 

WhatsApp's AI produces thumbs up and other emojis from gestures. We call the grandkids and they learn how to set off fireworks in their background. They're so much fun.

Later, Maddie drops by for a visit on the Porch.

Read more:

*David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

*Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

*There are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:6

Moravian Prayer: Great “I Am”, as humans, we too often bicker and debate over how to worship you. Our experiences and preferences can get in the way of our focus on you. Rid us of these distractions and focus our attention on your mission every moment of the day.

Lord Protector, you bring life from death. With wounds healed and tears dried, our faith in you endures. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.