Wonderful weekend

Friday, August 22, 2025

After our walk, we have a date breakfast at #NaraPark. I order my usual oolong tea, chatting online with Mom while waiting for W to drop the dogs at home. He and I reconcile our weekend calendars  as we eat, then head home to work.

My first appointment is canceled: her child is ill. After the fading flowers are pulled from last week's arrangement, the feathery dill still looks green. I clean the sprigs and put them in fresh water. Let's see if they root. The bamboo stems left by Clau 2 months ago are finally putting out shoots.

I pull up the book manuscript. With so much data, finding patterns is a priority. Specifics will come later. As people share personal stories and their advice, I plug them into the outline.

Sigh. The outline felt so orderly before stories start to overlap from one section into the next. The rough draft is usually an initial blurt that needs to be organized. Then comes cleaning up information and writing for clarity.

The book club celebrates Anu's 50th with lunch at #CafeBrunswick. The company is wonderful, including Anu's daughter who is an Oxford undergrad majoring in Fine Arts. What fun to see the hopeful future ahead of her.

The book selections are always interesting and often international. This is the next one.

Birthday blessings come with cookies, of course.

It's back to books at home, too.

W is the king of online orders. Today four glass light shades arrive to replace the missing ones from an inherited ceiling fan. My job is specifying "get something like this" and texting him a link. He does the rest.

Saturday

It feels good to walk first thing. Dogs want to go inside the gate with us? they have to sit first. All four plunk their hind ends on the street.

IbuSiti is back for a bi-weekly unknotting of my muscles. We're updating websites, reading and writing, and making calls. Afterward, A and E arrive for their initial marriage counseling session. It's a joy to be part of new things.

W brings back a burrito (a good one!) from the student food court down the hill. Dr Tom arrives mid-afternoon to stay with us overnight. He's at dinner with a friend. We're happy to stay home with a supper of leftovers.

Sunday

W leaves at the usual time but Tom and I walk to the hall before the Gathering, where he gives a touching account of his journey of faith.

Today seems to be blue day. We line up for a photo.

Lunch at Maxi's is time for conversation and updates.

Monday

Another week rolls out with a walk and meetings. Tom joins us for breakfast at #NaraPark and after he leaves there are more meetings. A friend takes home some banana bread after we have tea together. 

Other friends send over a bed frame they purchased in an antique shop over 25 years ago. Since they're repatriating in 2 weeks, they are shedding life here.

Some days are full of tech. Others are full of people, food, and tech. That's today, a connected Monday indeed.

The tablecloths from the potluck last week are ironed and ready for the next event. They'll go back to the hall tomorrow.

Titik combined colors and textures beautifully in the Sunday floral arrangement. 

I take a closer look at here bouquet.

Look at the twisted end of a vine.

Together, it's an amazing combination. What a specialty florist - though Titik insists flowers are her hobby. We missed her while she did a 4-month trip across Asia and Europe and are happy she's back, creating beauty.

W and I relax after an early afternoon of work. I start to cull bathroom and kitchen items. We check progress on the project and then watch My Fat Big Greek Wedding 2. It's a warm-hearted spoof on family ties and traditions.

Read more:

*The Lord said, “I do forgive, just as you have asked.” Numbers 14:20

*[Jesus told his disciples,] This, then, is how you should pray:

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:9-15

*[Jesus said,] Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

*On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let 

anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38

*Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Moravian Prayer: Heavenly Father, shower us with your boundless grace and forgiveness. May we humbly accept your mercy, letting it cleanse and renew our souls. May the act of your forgiveness remind us to forgive others, too. Amen.

Tall grass and rice porridge

Thursday, May 29, 2025

We're headed into the mountains by 7:40 AM. The forest-and-grassland walk freaks out some of our non-hiking friends.

"What if there are snakes? Aren't you afraid of the snakes?!" Well, having dogs run ahead helps. Hopefully their thundering legs chase everything else off the narrow overgrown paths before we get there. So far so good.

No other dogs are coming today so we risk a first hike with Anton. Anton still pulls when we walk him in the neighborhood. So, is he ready for the forest trails? Will he run off and not come back? Will we have to leash him the whole hike? Yes, no, and no.

W wants to keep him on leash the whole way but I let him off when the other two run free. He bounds ahead with them, comes back often to check what we're doing, and returns when we call. Good boy. These city dogs love to stretch their legs and negotiate challenging terrains.

We're in the forest without the map of sections until we're almost done with our hike. We wander around, get lost, backtrack, and finally find our way out. (Someday we'll keep going where we turned around today. There must be another trek back but we haven't found it yet.)

On the way, we spot wild ginger, a beautiful flower that pops out of the ground without leaves.

The mossy trees are full of mushrooms and lichens after the extended rainy season.

Many trees have fallen across the trails - we climb under, over, and around. My ribs are still sore so I bend with more care than usual.

The kids notice the long stems on leaves.

And we find cones and other interesting botanicals.

One pine tree has slashes across it, roots growing over it, and peeling bark. So much texture!

The kids perch on a fallen log.

We head down from the mountains for lunch. A cat casually walks across the cart inside the Sundanese restaurant where we eat. Cats are everywhere.

Congratulations to Lyong, who graduated from her university with top grades. She finished 2nd among the top 5 students! Wow - that is no small feat with +1500 graduates! We're so proud of her.

Her brother Eki accompanies their parents into town for the event but she has only one ticket, which her dad uses to watch her graduate. The rest of the family waits outside during the 6-hour ceremony. 

We host the family overnight. What an honor when our "kids" introduce us to their parents. Shortly after they arrive, the heavens open with a heavy downpour. Good timing, you guys.

Friday - Happy birthday, Isaac! 

Far away, our 3rd grandchild celebrates his special day. He's sometimes speaks or acts so much like his dad and his grandpa that I just stop and blink a little to take it in. We get to talk to him later in his day.

After the morning dog walk, we eat breakfast with our guests. Before going home yesterday, IbuA and IbuS prepared rice and the main course for supper. (I cooked side dishes and set the table.)

The women also cooked bubur ayam (chicken and rice porridge), which warms in the rice cooker overnight. Yum - Eki's mom used to sell bubur and she pronounces it delicious in Sundanese style.

Good thing I didn't try to cook that! haha Indonesian and Western tastes are far apart. While we have gradually grown accustomed to local food, a Western breakfast of pancakes or toast and eggs would be unsatisfyingly foreign to most Sundanese.

I finally finish the initial edit of a book its publishers are waiting on. Then I print out a 2-pages-per-sheet paper copy for the final edit = 204 pages of small print to pore over one more time.

Adik sends over homebaked artisan cranberry and cheddar rolls. They smell good. We're supposed to heat them but before we see that instruction, we enjoy them fresh out of the box.

Our water dispenser gave up the ghost so W goes off to buy a new one. I work on the Porch, enjoying warm breezes and the company of the dogs. I give up at 4 PM, with my head full of words.

I use a spoonful of "Better than Broth" from USA Costco to flavor 2 c of boiling water, toss in ready-made dumplings, chopped beans and carrots, and leftover sausage. Voila: supper. Though W initially refuses it, the smell is tempting. We both enjoy it.

Saturday

The house is quiet when we leave for the walk. We check on a nearby project and shoo away a slumbering cat before Anton can chase it. W has a study so we only do one loop (2 km). The big dogs are happy to accompany us.

Potholes may be ignored, deepening for weeks or months. Eventually, the repair is messy and organic. This is the driveway repair nearby. No need to have a smooth surface, which gets slippery with molds and mosses in the constant humidity. Instead, the cement is beaten level with small rattan brooms and left with ripples and grooves. If they've cleaned the pothole first, it may stick. Otherwise, the new paving will soon lift and ... be repaired in a few months?

God's work is more precise - and prettier. The flowers bloom in the neighborhood.

Right beside it is this perky golden display.

Our own garden offers only frail yellow flowers but it's time to make the Sunday bouquet. The live leaves and alliums from 2 weeks ago act as structure. I add silk flowers. The back is as riotous as the front.

This is probably - maybe - the front.

It's a slog going through the printed copy of the book edit. I make it through Chapter 3 before I need a break. "Why are you doing this?" W asks. Because I committed to it before I realized how long it would take?

Read more:

*Jesus said, “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32

*The Lord said, “I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid.” Leviticus 26:6

*In days to come nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 22:4

*Jesus said, “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:20

*Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

Moravian Prayer: Forgiving God and Lord, gird us to seek peace daily with our neighbors and those whom we see as foes—for whatever reason. Help us to offer the olive branch in our hands, and the love for you in our hearts.

Ascended Lord, we wait for your return, but we are not idle. Gift us with fearlessness and acts of love, proclaiming salvation through you and life eternal with you. Your kingdom come. Amen.

Too tired to get really mad ... but close

Saturday, May 3, 2025

It's an early morning with a walk - and another walk in late afternoon. On the way, a group of young boys is gathered around one kid who is sitting. We stop to check what's going on. The youngster is crying - he's skinned his knee badly. The other boys are sympathizing, not making fun of him. The satpam (sentry) down the lane waves the boys over to wash the knee and put on a bandage.

I spot a new-to-me kind of bulb blooming.

Outside the gate, the avocado tree is dripping with fruit.

There was a wind-and-rain storm overnight and many trees blew down. Cleanup is underway. I snap off 2 branches and drag them home from our walk - then get a few flowers from the garden to finish an arrangement. I'll pull it into place tomorrow. PakG drops it at the hall after noon.

While I send Anton on energy-draining "fetch"es, a snake quickly winds across the lawn from one flower bed to the other. I spot him on the edge of the pond the next day, too. He's thin and 3-4' (1 meter) long. He slithers off into the flowerbed when he spots me.

Between dog walks and work, W and I eat lunch at Homeground Restaurant where a full meal with sides costs $3-5.

A bowl of fried Cajun-ish chicken is good, too ($3.50).

I carry on with Duolingo day by day. You'd think I'd know more Indonesian by now ...

Kirsten and I call - we compare our dogs' sizes to our feet. She.

We. 

We rack up 11,000 steps again today. Every day, Anton understands more of what I'm asking of him and becomes more willing to obey.

Hendy comes over on his way to the Hash dinner. Where did he get full Mexican gear, a sombrero and jacket for Cinco de Mayo? W walks a few blocks with him and his friend to the Hash's Taco Special. The runners finish their trek and join in.

After a few games of fetch, the dogs are ready to "go to bed" = a run into the crate with a treat waiting. I close the doors behind the dogs, each in his/her own crate. They settle down for the night and so do I.

Except, I stay up an extra 2 hours to take the fresh panettone loaf out of the breadmaker. It's a dismal failure. The machine hasn't even stirred in the currents. And it hasn't risen. Ugh.

Sunday

I cough my way through the night and should stay home. It feels important to show up at GG to pray over JP and Judy on their last Sunday in Bandung. They have managed the hall we rent and become dear friends. Now they are embarking on a new adventure, life in a foreign country (to them) ... the USA.

I walk home after prayer and join the Gathering online (cough cough). Feibe, our outstanding STTB intern, is speaking today. I can pray over her and enjoy the talk via livestream - but I wish I could cheer her on in person. (Makes me smile: she's wearing heels instead of comfy shoes she's in when leading the children.)

W jumps in to host the team meeting afterward. Good to have a strong partner when you can't lead. The morning is dark and gloomy. It starts to clear up before noon and then goes back to overcast - and wet.

Monday

Martin and Sayaka are gifted as pastors. They naturally and sacrificially think of others - and this morning they send a dark healing tea to help me recover. It immediately starts to soothe my throat.

This week's dog assignment is teaching Anton to sit when I stop. He hardly pulls when we walk and is paying attention (more and more) when on leash. Before he comes home, he has to sit outside. That gets him lots of affection and praise. Then "pulang" (go home) and he bounces in the gate after me.

Look at all the colors on this flower! orange, blue-black, pink, white, and greens ... 

We give input on a crowdfunding video. W teaches a study while I open my book survey = so much good information to sort through ... before we shop for food. For lunch, we try a Chinese place that our friends highly recommended. Very good food at a reasonable price - and we have leftovers for supper. 

W drops by friends while I go home for the last dog walk. I'm exhausted from being out but the training session is a real hassle. I gave express instructions to W and PakG not to walk Anton at all, never mind with the other dogs, until he can obey without question. Anton is too big, strong, and willful to be let loose.

However, this morning while I'm busy, the driver clips Anton to the other dogs on the group. I don't see them go out the gate or I would have stopped them! Anton predictably pulls like a Komodo dragon, runs all over the place, and is almost unmanageable. I sternly warn the driver afterward again, not to take Anton out without my permission. (It will take a few weeks until he's ready for that group walk.)

I'm angry: when I walk Anton in the afternoon, the uncontrolled morning walk has undone almost a week of obedience training. He will hardly focus, stubbornly jumping around, pulling, and refusing to listen. We wait for almost an hour in one alley until Anton agrees to sit. Sigh. I've been sick all week and don't have the energy for nonsense, whether with person or beast.

But we'll do it all again in the morning. How does God put up with our willfulness, day after day, and year after year? 

Read more:

*Lord, turn my heart to your decrees and not to selfish gain. Psalm 119:36

*In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8 

*This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Moravian Prayer: Lord God, you know our hearts. Our impulses are not always pure. Forgive us, please. Make us aware of our falling short, so that none are lost, but all are found. Amen.