The lilies open overnight into a cheerful bouquet.
We affirm the scriptural account of Jesus' death and resurrection in community. The kids put on a program - the Good News of what Jesus has done for us.
Several of us eat lunch together. We start with poutine and beef-laden fries.
I order rendang (spicy beef) noodles. Most of us take home leftovers.
I'm ready for bed when the sun goes down. We set the alarm for 11 PM last night to talk to our kids around the world. Because they live in Europe and USA, finding a good time is a challenge. It was well worth waking up to see them. But I didn't fall back asleep until after 4 AM ... and it's an early morning on Sundays. I crash out today before 7 PM.
Easter Monday
I write
the final Lenten blog post for 2025. I've slept 8 hours when I wake at 3 AM. That's plenty so why bother trying to sleep longer? Meetings start at 4:30. Mom looks happy and alert online.
When I hang up the last call, it's out the door to walk with the dogs. Roosters, hens, and chicks peck at the garbage dump.
W and I marvel over the intricate 3" (7cm) seedpods scattered across the street.
The bougainvilleas hang resplendent from the neighbor's fence.
At home, 8 pods jazz up a candy dish on the entry table. The rest will get run over by motorcycles and cars.
The lilies open to match the current slipcovers.
I promise myself, "I'm going to edit," since I've committed to 3 projects. This morning, we head out the door for a new dog leash - the pet taxi says that Anton is coming Thursday. (He was expected 2 weeks ago. But Indonesian holiday traffic jams and tropical heat = an unsafe combo for moving animals long distances.) We get a few collars since our dogs' collars are wearing. We rip the fru-fru off the collars. Away with the fake bandana, a flower, and a puffy ladybug.
I'm done editing a friend's thick document by mid-afternoon. I completed W's edit last week, so there's one more on my desk: a 200-page book. I've been assured that it's in good writing - in good English, which makes editing faster.
Tuesday and Wednesday
Walks. Then editing. The thick academic material makes my head spin every half hour. Thank God for tea and mobility - I walk around holding a mug, looking across the garden to refresh my brain.
IbuA hads a family funeral Tuesday so she's not around to start baking. We're replacing many cookies and goodies eaten at movie night and elsewhere. Super-helper IbuS is hard at work, having learned kitchen skills from IbuA. She grinds out hundreds of delicious chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies. I sneak a few as I walk through the kitchen.
We assemble recycling pails and other goods that are being loaned for a weekend potluck. IES Bandung loves eating together; we delayed the communal Easter meal until the coming Sunday when more people are in town.
The movie night utensils and trays? Yup - and we toss in new cutlery that will be washed and recycled. Indonesia is drowning in throw-away plastic.
We get a snapshot when Anton gets picked by pet transporter on Tuesday. He has a 2-day road trip ahead. He should arrive late Thursday, when our dogs are worn out from the hike.
How do you bring a new dog into an established pack? Our ease-in option has worked so far, though a dominant dog may challenge the others a few times before settling in. First up is confirming a neutral space where we can let Anton meet our creatures. Thanks, JP and Judy!
Thursday, before Anton exits the transport van, W will take our dogs on a walk. Anton can roam our yard to smell them and put his own smell everywhere. He'll be taken on his own walk before our dogs return. (A walk also helps the calming travel meds to dissipate in a dog's system before bedtime.)
"We can smell him! Where is he?" It's always fun to watch our critters trying to find the newbie. They'll sniff him in their territory and pee everywhere he has marked.
W will take our pack and I'll bring Anton to meet in our friends' fenced yard. Anton goes in first; then our dogs are let off-leash to say hello. If all goes as planned, we'll walk the pack home together. And that's that. (Plus a little wrestling over the next week or two?) A friend sends a crate our way so Anton can have his own cave.
Goodbye to one home and hello to the next.
Read more:
*Bless God in the great congregation. Psalm 68:26
*This poor soul cried and was heard by the Lord and was saved from every trouble. Psalm 34:6
*Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
*Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. Acts 2:46-47
*Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13,14
Moravian Prayer: God of comfort, you know our deep sadness and weariness. You hear our cries and see our heavy burdens. Because of your profound love for us, you offer to take our grief and pain, and in their place, give our souls a quiet stillness and a peaceful resting place until we are united with you in joyful bliss.
God of all creation, we bow before you with praise and adoration. May your Holy Spirit work within us to keep our minds and hearts focused on you. As we live in community with others, help us to reflect your goodness and love so that our entire lives can be an offering of thanksgiving. Amen. Be it so.
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