A healing week

Friday, May 8, 2026
W's back home with a cold, caught at an organizational convention earlier this week. Because he's saving his voice, we've texted but not called. Being opposite on the clock doesn't help. As I'm getting up, he's getting to sleep.

During the day, the streets are empty as I look across to Austin below. The streets are as wide as Indonesian highways. The paved cul-de-sacs are big enough to let a moving van make a U-turn.

In the evenings, cars fill the driveways and park all along the streets. Most homes have 2-4 cars coming and going.

The trees W planted in K's yard last year have begun to grow. Every home has the same wood fencing.

Someone's car had an unfortunate encounter. The car parts have been shoved inside the rear passenger area, with a fleece-lined blanket draped over the hood.

One of the black-painted houses has a vibrant floral shrub up front.

One of the colorful grasses has crisp pods.

Its flowers are dainty, in contrast.

Other grass plumes wave in the constant breeze across the hill.

A 130cm (4') plume, weighed down by a thunderstorm, grows undaunted.

A cactus is energetically putting out new growth.

The wildflowers are bright and cheerful in several front yards.

The leaves tend to be narrow and light-colored, with small blossoms.

I crash into bed in the early evening. Even with 2 1/2 hours awake in the middle, I catch up on rest with almost 10 hours of sleep. Yahoo!

Saturday
On the Indonesian side of the world, the kids come for English lessons.

On our side, K and I enjoy conversations, renovation shows, and good food. In mid-afternoon, I'm drooping enough to take a nap.

Most of my writing is editing the work of others: students' dissertations, professors' journal articles, and leaders' books. Between, it's refreshing to do something non-theological or non-cultural.

I've been assembling a creative project for the past year: a Before & After blog. Tackling the Project started by defining the empty spaces. It went from ruined, abandoned spaces into useful, beautiful rooms. 

At first glance, this room could have become a reception area, a dining space, or a living room. The huge space had possibilities. We host large groups as well as a few people at a time so the room became a serving/dining space. We put in two tables to seat 4 or 12 people.

"Oh, that's not what we would do," said a Chinese-Indonesian friend, walking into the almost-finished room. "We would put our entry here. (We found a different space for that.)

One end had big drop-boxes on the ceiling (with no practical function) so they were removed. The little hallway had awkward steps on one side.

A tea station and a dresser for linen storage landed in the hall behind the 7'X3' (2.2mX1m) wooden screen found in the backyard. A storage wall of bookshelves holds vases, bowls, and art.

A buffet area evolved on the side opposite the big windows. An old dresser blocks off the jutting step. The library tables are topped with limestone slabs to make a serving island. It works as well for many as for a few guests.

Sunday
I'm walking morning and night, circling the neighborhood in various configurations. During the short time I've been here, someone's plants are taking over the sidewalk. The path gets narrower each morning as sunshine and rain boost growth.

K and I attend an online morning service of Red Rocks Church, Austin. Our lunch is excellent. Stuffed peppers with Parmesan tapenade plus melted brie on toast make a great combination. Some of our kids call, and I talk to my mom, friend Martha, and some others.

Monday-Tuesday
K changes bandages and takes her first shower. The medicine in the nerve blocker runs out, so it comes out of her leg. Her knee starts to ache but she walks outside for the first foray into the cul-de-sac. Good food and pots of tea accompany the home repair series we watch.

She props her leg up and ices it so that the swelling goes down. Ouch.

Wednesday
K is tired today. My first walk is early. The fragrances of shrubs and herbs along the sidewalk pop most in the morning and at sundown.

Back in Bandung, W is painting over the tired and stained tiles in the primary bath. He is working through the checklist of remaining updates to the house. I remember something from my childhood: each time Mom traveled to see her sisters, Dad would surprise her with home projects.

We nap before making mala noodles for lunch. Both of us love the pop of numbness from the prickly ash. We mix it with corn salsa and bahn mi vegetables.

Read more:
* I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;  turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. Psalm 17:6-9

* He will regard the prayer of the destitute and will not despise their prayer. Psalm 102:17

* The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Moravian Prayer: Comforter, you hear every prayer: from the smallest whisper to the loudest cry. Remind us that prayer is powerful and brings us closer to you. Help us trust in your presence and find strength in lifting our hearts to you. Amen.