"No refills" on water and good company

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Dawn arrives shortly after 5:00 a.m. I'm finally well enough to get out the door for a walk. I find some delicate flowers in the garden, which go into a brass vase from Mom.

I can feel the creativity coming back after a break. I post the first food blogs in ages. FB and IG block the posts but no one can figure out why. Someone suggests it's because it's about dates and syrup in the same post. (= DIY date syrup) Maybe?

We're jet lagged but have the blessing of household help. They cook lunch and wash dishes, change our bedding and do laundry.

In previous generations, the household manager was the wife, whether one or both spouses had careers. The household chores and errands belonged to her. Now the chore-masters and managers may be either man or woman ... or both. In our case, W and I have multiple careers: teaching, leading, writing, and speaking. Our helpers free us to do that work. What a blessing they are!

The day is full of calls and meetings. It's a delight to see our team online. Between, I sort old family pictures. Mom and I were young once upon a time.

Our parents traveled to Africa and South America to do charitable work in their 40s.

 

I loved my little cousins. I send them the pictures Dad took 30-50 years ago of happy times as a big family. Here they're on an auntie's porch, probably at a family dinner.

This cousin was a special favorite, with a birthday 2 days after mine.

I was bridesmaid for my older brother way back when. I thank God for good memories as I flush old emails and photos.

After a final evening call, we relax and read. It's a good night of sleep: 7 hours. (Mind you, the hours are 7:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.)

Wednesday

Another walk, another day. My energy is back, though my lung aren't clear yet. There are fresh blooms in the dirt along the road.

This tiny yellow fruit hides under its vine.

I'm in the mood to cook. I bake a potato/oatmeal/vege something-something for breakfast. Not bad with sweet soy and spicy sauces. I make a pot of soup with the white beans I find in the freezer. I'm using up stored foods since we're back to movie night and other events that need freezer/fridge space.

A friend posts wise advice about not worrying about the future. What a good reminder for me. I've never been a worrier but I've also never liked waiting for the next season. Small steps of obedience, and we'll get there.

In the late afternoon we watch the incoming American election results. Since we don't live there, we felt we didn't have the right to vote. However, as we did for Indonesia's election last year, we've been praying over the people and the government.

W and I read through Sunday's talk and enjoy the mild weather on the Porch. Coming home to 64o/18o nights and 80o/27o days? Wonderful. I'm in long sleeves and trousers because the mornings are too cool. The sun doesn't break through for long so it stays mild and pleasant all day long.

At night, rainstorms sweep the mountains, clear the air, and wash the garden. The rain and sunshine make plants like this one (4'/1.3m tall) glow. I love the bright yellow of the recent leaves at the top with the black ones near the bottom, don't you?

Thursday

W and the dogs hike in the mountains without me. Melvi makes 5 table arrangements from Titik's big Sunday flowers.

There's enough for a bigger "messy" bouquet as well.

For supper, I add some coconut cream to yesterday's soup and call it good.

It's planned as a quiet day of catching up and resting. It's not quite as relaxing as we hoped but we appreciate the prayers and both sleep well. 

Friday

Ibu Siti rubs out the kinks from last week's homecoming, a marathon of travel. Then Judy and I have coffee. She's a treasure: we can be open, honest, and outspoken or watchful and prayerful together.

An odd thing happens at #karnivor.2. I order tea. I want black tea but they have only have fancy teas so I choose the least flavored option. The tea steeping gadget is cool and holds tea leaves and a cup of water. That quickly disappears and I'm ready for more. 

"No refills," says the server. Can I buy hot water for a second infusion? He reluctantly agrees and charges me $2 for a bottle of "mineral" water (plain water) that someone apparently heats up. The bar has a hot tap! and made tea that way the first time. Why not refill from that? 

But, "cannot do." There's no thinking outside the box of instructions that servers are given. We experience that over and over, not just today.

At noon, W and I head for Ethnic. I choose rice oncom while W has pepper steak - for about the same price as the mid-morning pastry and 1 portion of sushi earlier.

We enjoy time together. We're still feeling comatose by late afternoon and wide awake some nights. Another week and we'll be completely adjusted to our time zone.

Saturday

We walk 2 miles and remark on the 4-storey apartment that's being erected in our neighborhood. Before, this was a small one-storey house. 

WhatsApp's AI produces thumbs up and other emojis from gestures. We call the grandkids and they learn how to set off fireworks in their background. They're so much fun.

Later, Maddie drops by for a visit on the Porch.

Read more:

*David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

*Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

*There are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:6

Moravian Prayer: Great “I Am”, as humans, we too often bicker and debate over how to worship you. Our experiences and preferences can get in the way of our focus on you. Rid us of these distractions and focus our attention on your mission every moment of the day.

Lord Protector, you bring life from death. With wounds healed and tears dried, our faith in you endures. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Oh Canada, land of the free (and our moms)

Thursday, July 11, 2024

We pass the beautiful Everett station and arrive in Edmonds mid-afternoon. Terry picks us up and discusses the theological nature of sin with W on the way to the house.

Melissa has cooked a turkey dinner ("an early Thanksgiving"). Turkeys cost $100/bird in Bandung so it's a special treat. The kids play a few songs for us afterwards.

We give the gleaned flowers a snip of scissors at the table.

Friday

At 7:00-ish, Kim and I visit at Third Place Commons. After, I whisk off to pick up W, who wants to go shopping. He deposits me in Woodinville to meet with the WPPRS. We four friends used to meet every 3 weeks. Now we live across the western USA and the world so we haven't met in person for at least 7 years.

Levi loves to bake. He's baked a breakfast loaf of bread, sending along a slice for me and two for my mother. We enjoy them as toast the next day.

After my meetings, W and I are off to Canada to see our moms. At the Abbotsford airport, we pass a jet perched near the street.

W drops me off in my hometown. My brother comes by to say hello while W drives to see his mother in a neighboring town. She sends along some family rings: I choose one with pink gold and quartz. I'll pray for her each time this family treasure is worn. Thanks!

I meet Mom's homecare-r Tracy. What a nice person. She prepares Mom's lunch of turkey (sent along by Melissa), fresh-cooked (and mashed) potatoes, and vegetables. She puts a second portion and an extra sandwich in the fridge for tomorrow. Mom and I spend the day together. 

W comes back at night to sleep at Mom's: there's nowhere to sleep with his family.

Saturday

W and I start the day by walking along the Hope Slough.

We run into a friend from 50 years ago, also strolling beside the river. Nice to see you, Ingrid! She drops in on Mom sometimes with a pot of soup and takes time to pray together.

All is calm after the winter runoff is over.

The trees are enormous and green.

W asks if he can stand by one for scale. Why not?

There are not many flowering trees at this time of summer but there are fruits and berries aplenty.

A new weeping willow has been planted in the park as well. That will grow as wide as high (at least 10-20 m) within a decade.

W drives off again while Mom and I visit. Tracy has organized Mom's meds and food so Mom's job is to fill in a checklist as she finishes each item. W returns in mid-afternoon. His sister is in the middle of moving house; they call each other but can't meet. He brings a burger for supper, while Mom eats her sandwich. Neither of us ate lunch but a half burger is enough. We wrap them up for another time.

We hug Mom, pray together, and say goodbye at 6:30 pm. We can't remember when there was no other car at the border crossing, coming or going. That happens this weekend. With the hot summer season, apparently everyone has fled to the lake or gone camping. We stop at a nearly-empty Bellingham outlet store to stock up on shoes and trail bars. We arrive in Seattle before 10 pm.

Sunday

M and Kinsey are on the worship team at church so they leave after a breakfast of Levi's home-baked bread and other goodies. I adjust McK's bow as I used to do for our daughter. 

It brings back fond memories. Within the hour, the rest of us are off to church as well.

The friendly congregation (Freedom Church, Woodinville) hears a solid message: the topic is God's plans for healthy marriage. T and M lead the children's church, exploring what it means to be a trustworthy servant of God.

The guys lunch elsewhere while Melissa, the kids, and I enjoy lunch in the church-yard after the Gathering. The feast of chicken, salad, chips, and pies is shared around shaded tables. Oh, we miss this food.

By 2:00, we're home again and ready for a nap. When the guys return, W wakes me at 4:00 pm. I get to hug Jonathan (our youngest) and chat for a few hours. After Jono leaves, T and W carry down the Chinese carved horse that was a feature in our old living room upstairs. Guests would be sitting and chatting when they'd suddenly spot the statue and exclaim, "Is that a horse?!" Every room needs one of those surprises.

Monday

I get up late, color my hair, and eat breakfast with the family. McK is creating sand art at the table. K reads and the boys play with magnetic triangles. They build all kinds of interesting structures.

Downstairs, we clear off the coffee table, setting aside the bronze lizard, mossy branch, and coco pods on the table chandelier. W lifts the suitcases onto the table so we can fill them. Time to pack. My suitcases aren't full before they're at weight capacity. 

We eat the second half of our Saturday burgers for lunch before W heads to coffee with a former faculty colleague and friend. We lay out our travel clothes, make calls, and send the e-mails we need to finish before we arrive home in Indonesia ... and the day flies by.

We have one last supper with the kids and grands before we finish packing. What a sweet trip it has been: work combined with connections with family, partners, and friends. And it's over. In a few hours, we fly home.

Read more:

*Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Psalm 71:17-19

*We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.

To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’” No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. Psalm 75: 1-7

*In the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, "Children of the living God.” Hosea 1:10

*So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir through God. Galatians 4:7

Moravian Prayer: O holy God, whose arms are wide open to all your children, we offer praise and thanksgiving. Lead us to extend equally open arms to those from whom we are separated by the barriers of prejudice, mistrust, resentment, and fear. In Jesus’ reconciling name, we pray. Amen.

Terrific two!

Our granddaughter and her parents moved into our place on Saturday. What a busy girl she is!

We're reading Make Way for Ducklings. I "read" it in German, of course. We're practicing coming when called: "Look at how the ducklings come right away when Mama Duck quacks! When Oma calls, Kinsey comes right away." Well, that works in theory.

Talk about a culture shift. In the 1941 book, the kids ride a swan barge in around a Boston lake with their extended families. The boat has no siderails, but no one falls in or drowns. The policemen are willing to drive over to stop traffic for ducklings, and no one seems aggravated by the delay. And people are allowed to feed the ducks, too. imagine!

Making sure Oma understands

We've been up to the nearby park a few times. Kinsey is resigned to walking up our hill and through the neighborhood.

"Oma, Up-We-GO! Up-We-GO!" she hollered at me the first two times. I'm thinking, hey, sweetie, let's both work on our leg muscles. She trots along, pauses to drag sticks from the side of the street, and tosses pebbles into the drains. "Plop!"

Since watching a caterpillar move dirt near the park, Kinsey's been scooping up dirt, mulch, and gravel. She tips it out of her hands with glee. "Look, Oma!"

We had a nice surprise for her today: a little dozer came down our driveway, moved a bunch of gravel, and made a ramp and landing pad for our basement suite.

We went outside to say hi to the guys and admire the dozer up close. Of course, she had to get her hands dirty by showing me how the shovel scoops mud. Happy girl!

Kinsey explaining Snuggle
Puppy glasses to Oma

Another treat has been reading Snuggle Puppy. We've put on glasses, held an umbrella, eaten cookies, and worn hats, just like Snuggle Puppy. It's all I can do not to giggle but we're trying to be serious about our imitations. HAHA

Though our lives are in full transition, the small things may bring the biggest joys. Ordinary moments pile up to create extraordinary memories and a memorable life.

Read more:
*The king said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings." Daniel 2:47 NLT

*I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NLT

*Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV

*All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

Moravian Prayer: Our King and Master who reigns over all of creation, you have promised us that we are the ones who will not be separated from your love. We pray that we may spread your love to those who still need it. Amen.

A delay and a pit stop

Our afternoon flight out of Springfield is cancelled due to thunderstorms and fog to the north. By then, we've had lunch with our friends and said goodbye, packed up the house, and taken a taxi to the airport.

The next flight is delayed, so we sit at the airport for 7 hours. Of course we miss our connection to Seattle. W makes sure Delta rebooks our flight for Asia for a day later. We wouldn't even have turnaround time at home, and our teaching supplies have to come with us.

Though W's a Platinum flyer, Delta refuses to pay for our hotel room. W goes online to find a place to spend the night. He gets an excellent rate at a boutique hotel: the Hotel Indigo. We just miss the shuttle and have to wait a half hour for the next one.

We get to the hotel  at midnight, close to the time we expected to be home. There's a long line at the hotel counter. Everyone else in line has vouchers. (Delta gave all the regular passengers a voucher but not W with all his miles? Hmmm. It's their prerogative: the delay was weather-related, but it seems kinda cheezy and arbitrary, especially when we're tired.)

Oh well. We're exhausted and happy to find a nice place to sleep. Beauty feeds my soul. And the room is beautiful, the bed comfortable. There's a tea tray on the end of the bed. The furnishings are gorgeous and modern. The spa-like bath is enormous and clean clean clean. (Not to be taken for granted, at this point and going forward!)

We're up by 5:30am and once again, have to wait for the shuttle. It fills up and takes off without us, before its departure time. But the driver comes back as quickly as he can to get those still waiting. Within a few hours, we're on an uneventful flight.

Seattle is cold and rainy after the humidity and heat of Missouri. Our d-in-love R picks us up, has lunch with us, and waits while we run an errand. It's good to see her face. Family!

Finally, we make it home. We do laundry, repack, and prepare what we need to teach for a month in SE Asia. There's no place like home. Even if it's just overnight. And our granddaughter is bringing her parents over for a quick evening visit. Doesn't get better than that!

Lesson for the day: this is the beginning of inconveniences. This little one, with a blessing of such a lovely space to enjoy, is NOTHING. Our desires are not comfort or ease. We really do want whatever it is that brings God glory.

Waiting is good for us - and teaches us that we are not the center of anything. And the extra day at home? What a treat! I am grateful.

Read more:

*The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. Ecclesiastes 12:11 NLT

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Psalm 20:1-5 NIV

*O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105:1 NLT

*Paul said, “I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 NLT

Moravian Prayer: Great God, we know even our finest words of praise and our great hymns of thanksgiving can never fully express our gratitude for your sacrifice. May we share your love with the whole earth! Amen.