A blessed Indonesian Independence Day to our friends!

Friday, August 15, 2025

Early afternoon unfolds after a morning of putting furniture and home accessories back where they belong.

Reclaiming the details of the house is a challenge after stripping out the rooms for movie night. Nature provides its own combination of details and beauty to inspire us.

After a few hours, the furniture is in place, art sits on the picture rails, and the dishes are in the cabinets. I check the paintings stored upstairs and add one to the wall. The shelf makes it easy.

The library chair was previously covered with a quilted batik blanket made by my friend Kim. When we shift the chair back into place, I wonder: how about a pink sarong to cover the chair? Why not?

Then, would the former batik cover look good on the black loveseat?

Yes, as it turns out. The blue, red, and gold combine into a calming pattern.

The velvet cushions that formerly disappeared into the black upholstery match, too.

W and I walk to #WaroengEthnic for lunch. I can't face a third run of leftovers. My stomach isn't happy anyway. The narrow alleys which are the front streets to village homes have been decorated for Independence Day. Homeowners extend their square footage by building over the paving. Since there's no building code, we walk warily under the overhangs.

On the next street over, an African tulip tree blazes with orange blooms.

The vine at the restaurant's entry lights up in pink a few times a year.

My choice is oncom and spicy beef rendang. The basil sambal (spicy sauce) is delicious. W decides on deep-fried mushrooms and rawon soup that is made with beef and candlenuts.

We're surrounded by plants and the sound of water splashing down the far wall of the courtyard. I feel my soul begin to unwind. "Sometimes," we say to each other, "we still can't believe we live in a place where this is just around the corner."

Coming home isn't a hardship either. The Porch is quiet after buzzing with people for the past two days.

W has coffee and a good discussion with someone who is struggling with the logic of faith in Christ. W loves to learn about God and talk about him with friends.

Saturday

We get pics of my "best uncle"'s 95th birthday. His friends celebrate him - and of course the china is on the table and homemade German baking is outstanding. That's how things are done.

It's refreshing to have a walk in the morning. An impromptu call to my WPPR friends connects us across continents. We get updates and pray for each other.

We swing by the project to meet the contractor. I'm tracing the arch of the sun so we know where to plant things.

For Indonesian Independence day, the owner brings a crew to clean the yard and paint the entry, which goes from this,

to this. Much crisper. The owner asks what we'd think about planting a pink vine on one fence. Turns out it's the same one we admired yesterday @WaroengEthnic! Sure let me ask if we can get clippings to root.

Rooms get very dusty because homes are not airtight. Time to clean lamps today? I hang them near the window. With bright sunshine outside, it's easy to see and wash off grime and dirt.

I update the checklist for what will go where when we move. The tenant here before us took the faucets, shower fixtures, and lights. They left 3 bulbs and mostly empty light sockets, along with some fading furniture. We replaced what was missing and gradually filled the house with our own acquisitions. Now it's time to consider what to leave behind and what to take along.

Sunday - Hari Merdeka. Indonesia's 80th Independence Day

Before the IES Bandung Gathering, tables and a shade cloth must be set up for the potluck. We've brought the tent, plates, cups, cutlery, flowers, recycling pails, and more to the hall from our stash of hospitality items. W unloads the car, thanks those who run over to haul items from car to hall, and calls for help in setting up the shade cover. It's black so the temperature heats up underneath it.

There aren't enough tablecloths so I walk home to get some. A man calls out from behind the gate of the project: the night sentry has locked himself in. I don't have a key with me but promise to send W when I return to the hall. W walks down the street to let him out so the guy can go home to celebrate his freedom, national and personal.

Angie organizes a few games for after the Gathering. Indonesians mark their national day with an abundance of play.

There are snacks for the winners.

At the food tables afterward, there's plenty for everyone. Alan and Jani (@Roadrunner) have made 200 pieces of chicken! an abundance of good taste among other fine dishes. I made overnight potatoes and a big green salad.

It's so hot in the bright sunshine that shade is needed, even if self-made.

We are from 17 nations this morning, appropriate in Indonesia which has 17,000 islands.

We enjoy the Family company and warm mood. Conversations are noisy and friendly. Afterward, once things are cleaned away, we pack up and unload our stuff at home. W and I are content to rest in the quiet house after the 3 big events.

Monday

The flowers are ready to be moved around the house. Each table had its own red and white arrangement: mums and dill from the garden at the potluck yesterday.

After some morning alls, we drop off light fixtures at the project. Deciding on details is part of the process, like, "Where do lights go in this hallway?"

I'm starting to think about window coverings, which means more measuring. Old buildings have custom and handmade shapes and sizes.

It's not uncommon to have someone drive down the center of the lanes between cars. Today "someone important" has a police escort parting the waters for them.

W picks up a hiking backpack and I find some $20 storage baskets on clearance for $6. I record everything in our itemized notebook.

We host afternoon company with tea and banana bread. They bring a cake to share as well. It's Anton's first family who gifted him to us. They're visiting family in Bandung. He's all bouncy when he sees them. And we are happy to meet them for the first time in person. Thank you, Adam and Akmal.

Read more:

*I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. Psalm 63:4

*All the people saw the one [who had been healed,] walking and praising God. Acts 3:9 (Click on the link for the story)

*Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Moravian Prayer: Divine Creator, pour out your abundant blessings upon us. Guide our steps, illuminate our paths, and fill our hearts with gratitude. May your blessings overflow, touching every aspect of our lives. Amen.