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.

The new-ness of life - Easter and Easter week

Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025

"Christ is risen!" and the responses: "He is risen indeed!" How we love this high holy day of celebration.

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.