Friday, April 17, 2026
Another week speeds to the end. Our toes are dark where our sandals kick up dirt from the road. It's muggy. Isn't April the start of dry season? Maybe. Maybe not. The green green trees prove that they have plenty of moisture from late afternoon and night downpours. I enjoy a cookie handmade by Keelee.
He chops down one big branch after another - see the one falling to the right after he axes it? (See him just left of center?)
I'm still figuring out what I did wrong in cutting the chaise fabric. The Bernina waits for me to do the math.
Sunday
I jazz up yesterday's noodles for supper. Washing up, I slice my finger on an upturned knife in the sink. W's just sharpened the knives! I press hard to stop the bleeding and wrap a bandage around the finger.
We walk in the twilight, leaving 2 dogs behind. If someone comes into the yard uninvited, the dogs bark up a ruckus. Even Anton lets us know with his deep bark and a run at the person. The dogs are good guards. No stranger sneaks in night or day without loud warnings from the big dogs.
W notes that it's almost dark at 5:45, as winter approaches in the Southern Hemisphere.
A Winnipeg relative posts a photo of the latest snow in her city. "Do you miss snow?" people regularly ask us, especially around Christmastime. Nope. Don't care if I never see another flake. Waking to summer each morning is God's gift to this oldster.
Saturday
W gets up earlier than I do. I call for him to dispose of the roach or scorpion in the corner. I can't make out what it is but drop a heavy storage box on it. He comes with a little broom and dustpan, just like he'd rescue me from creepy crawlers in the old place. We haven't seen a roach in the house and there haven't been scorpions for 2 months. Always a first time. He flicks the corpse into the dustpan.
W gets up earlier than I do. I call for him to dispose of the roach or scorpion in the corner. I can't make out what it is but drop a heavy storage box on it. He comes with a little broom and dustpan, just like he'd rescue me from creepy crawlers in the old place. We haven't seen a roach in the house and there haven't been scorpions for 2 months. Always a first time. He flicks the corpse into the dustpan.
"Rosemee, it's your bandage." Oh yeah. I flicked that off and toward the garbage mid-night. Sigh. Forgot all about it. My aim's usually better. Anyway, thanks for saving my life, hon.
The dogs were groomed yesterday so they strut to show off. Anton attracts the most attention. People point, slow down their cars for a closer look, and little kids scream, "Lucu!" (cute!) at him. They're too frightened to pet him, despite our assurances that he's like a big sheep. (But don't come in the yard or he's all over you.) Looks like he'll stay black instead of turning silver like many black poodle puppies do.
While W finishes a morning study with a group of men, I buy rice, eggs, and a few spices. We're out of cinnamon? We brought back 2 big packs of Costco (Vietnamese) cinnamon last year. With baking for special events like Tanikota3, Christmas, and event nights, it's understandable that it's been used up.
Part of the salary "bump" for our helpers is 2 sacks of rice per month. We can't afford the same quality as before since the price has doubled. I WA 2 photos to PakG from the store: "Is one better than the other?" He says they're the same. The less expensive one is priced at what we paid last year for very fragrant rice.
I spend much of the morning cooking chilli, freezing most of it. While I'm in the mood, I might as well cook! W and I eat warmed-up pizza leftovers from Miss Bee for lunch. It's Tanikota3 day today = English classes for kids and moms. I ask the volunteers to show up a half-hour before classes start so we can test if they can set up and put things away when we travel.
In answer to our prayers, the sky is blue with clouds overhead. It's been gloomy and rainy nearly every day, but this weekend like the one before, God is shining on the children, their moms, and the volunteers at the Project. We are so grateful - knowing English boosts them toward better work and a more prosperous future for families.
More kids come than signed up. There are several classes and one for moms. Eka-in-charge buys snacks, signs them in, and makes sure all is tidy when they're done.
After everyone leaves, W sits on the side swing, accompanied by 3 big dogs. He claims not to be fond of dogs, but he is swarmed whenever he's around. The critters love him and also love that perch, from which they can view the gate and the length of the fences.
The Porch is a relaxing place for breakfast, complete with Chinese jasmine tea in Turkish teacups and Italian pannetone on British china plates.
We enjoy worship and drop into #Homeground for lunch. The Taiwanese noodles are good, a deep brown broth that reminds me of the roast beef enjoyed at Uncle Erich and Auntie Molly's house when I was a youngster.
The bonus is a free chocolate soft-serve cone
PakG drives up to the garden nursery to pick up plants we purchased last week. The yardman and I set the plants in place. The dogs love having people over and watch curiously as planting proceeds. Hopefully, the afternoon rains will soak the soil so that the plants take hold. When I come out later, some of the plants are where we placed them. The others? not so much.
Read more:
* For the LORD your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24
I spot a 3" staghorn beetle on the street and W snaps a photo.
Monday
We'll host movie night this week, the first time it's been held in the Project. We know how to set up for game nights but this is different. W works on the tech setup. We'll adjust furniture placement after a few more movie nights. The first few trial runs demonstrate how the media, crowds, and the Project function. Della will cook so that I can focus on other prep.
I pull the difficult 4/5ths-sewn cover over the chaise pillow. I somehow can't wrap my head around how it should come together. My brain keeps fritzing out over the L-shaped gusset. I've got it - then, "Whaaaat?" Gone.
Seeing it laid out: "Of course." There's nothing wrong with the measurements. I used to sew and quilt a lot, zipping through the geometry of piecing without effort. Ah well, done is done (with relief).
Guests will crowd onto the sofas. Indonesians like sitting closer than Europeans or N Americans do. W sets up an extra projector and tests the sound. By day's end it looks like we have a seating solution, too.
Before our evening walk, I fry rice and cabbage left from lunch, along with marinated chicken breasts. I stir mustard and yogurt together and call it a sauce. After cooking for a big family for 30 + years, I rarely am in the kitchen now. This tastes good! Then, out the door we go in the sunshine. Feels wonderful to move after a meal, doesn't it?
Read more:
* For the LORD your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24
* And the LORD said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah 4:4 (Click the link to read all 4 chapters of this reluctant prophet.)
* Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12
* [Jesus said,] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36
* Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28
Moravian Prayer: Lord, we confess that we often believe we are right and others are wrong. Have mercy on us as you do our foes, for we often need it more than they. We pray this in the name of our forgiver.
Holy God, we do not fear the heat of your fire, for it is the source of your life in us. It is the power that makes us holy. Instead of fearing you, we thank you for your purifying presence. Abide with us always. Amen.
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