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.

Catching up on history as we chart the future

Saturday, July 12, 2025

So good to be home! The creatures are happy to see us, though Lyong has done a marvelous job taking care of them.

When we arrived home, there was a new-to-us sofa in the entry. W helps me position it across from our existing one. Two faded black pillowcases, casualties of windows that admit tropical sunshine for the past 10 years, match the dark grey upholstery. Perfect size and color. We pop them on the couch for a more finished look.

We walk out to breakfast, admiring the fruiting shrubs that line the lanes.

At our favorite breakfast courtyard, orchids are tied to branches.

We love to sit in the open air to eat.

The server brings a pot of tea while we decide on breakfast noodles.

DrG sends over a delicious cheesecake. The delivery motorcycle, complete with little fridge, meets us at the entry to the neighborhood and hands off the treat.

It's catch-up time, but what better place to sit and work than overlooking the garden? The green is restful for screen-weary eyes.

After a day of preparation and settling back in, we walk up to Homeground Szechwan for a spicy supper.

As usual, groups are lining up for selfies.

Sunday

The Gathering is such a blessing. We rehang artwork by David, who lives in Japan with his wife Georgina and their two kids. In the short time they were with us, David produced some lasting beauty in the hall, including the mural.

IES supports Indonesian families in Berlin and Taiwan, too. The latter family joins us and Ps Kornel speaks. We host them and our team for lunch at Nara. The kids love all the animals: owls, hedgehogs, tortoises ...

They walk to the project with us to pray a blessing over those working there, as well as the renovations. A group is picnicking under the trees. What a great space.

Monday

We walk a short few blocks, taking Anton out for the first time since his tick infection. He's pulling like an alligator again. We return 20 minutes before our meetings start. That's enough time to cook a plate of crepes. W and I enjoy them at the table on the Porch.

It's our last lunchl with Vieiras, good friends and coworkers with Alice and us. They move to Panama later this week. We've watched their teens grow from little kids. Josh gives us a copy of his method book, a labor of love.

Clau passed her dissertation defense Saturday - so is now a Doctor of Architecture. Hurrah! They understand hospitality and the kindness of strangers as we do. We drop past the project with them to pray a blessing on the spaces and people who will come and go.

A door has been knocked through a wall to provide access to a room. We are amazed at how easily and quickly spaces can be amended here.

Tuesday

Our morning walk is beautiful and uneventful - the best kind.

There's a great variety of blooms today.

This two-toned plant opens little mouth-shaped pods with white "teeth" inside.

Renovations of the #PadmaHotelBandung are going full steam ahead. Construction crews are erecting temporary housing and offices in their parking lot.

It's a people day. Dyna and her two boys come in early morning to hang out on the Porch.

We need new passport pictures so over the noon hour, we head for #JonasPhoto downtown.

School pictures are not taken at the school but at a photo studio. 

Some high-schoolers pose on the staircases for selfies. Giggling and pushing, they examine the knicknacks in the shop before their teacher walks them back to school.

The team shows up in early afternoon for conversation, tea, and baked goodies. As they're leaving, a good friend from Jakarta arrives. Tirza tells us funny stories of college days with our son.

Alice joins us for a spicy Szechwan dinner at #HomeGround just up the hill. Darknss falls while we eat; the cafe windows glow as we walk back to our house.

Tirza and I discuss the utter joys of leadership as women. There can be challenges in male-dominated settings, too.

"People automatically turn to my husband with leadership questions," I tell her. "It doesn't matter that I'm actually leading the team." I've become used to it. Typically, a man - including W - doesn't even notice when it happens.

I think about the common obstacles women face as leaders. Most are called "bossy" or "demanding" when they participate equally, so they must gauge when it's safe to show up as fully present. It's distracting if we're ignored when we are responsible for charting the future and making decisions for a company or team. Sometimes it gets downright weird.

Women around the world (and across cultures) have observed to me that guys rarely notice when women are sidelined. Typically, when a man is addressed when his female team leader is also present, he jumps in with a response rather than referring the question to her. It can also be frustrating to be excluded when the boys' club heads out together, assuming a female leader won't want to join. Sigh. Human interactions are complex.

Wednesday

W and I take Anton on his first full loop with the other dogs. He's bouncy and eager but sits immediately when we stop. "Good boy."

The dogs are happy to come home and sleep off the walk.

W and I make some big decisions (plans for next summer, cabin repairs, and renovation updates) before he heads to a meeting. In the backyard, I spot massive plants against the back wall. The leaves are 3-4' (+1 meter) and the blooms are 6-8" (+15cm) long.

Tirza and I enjoy breakfast on the Porch. I make scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage. Later, we walk down the hill for lunch, passing more beauty. This strange little plant catches my eye along the curb.

These contrasting colors and shapes can't be missed.

Ethnic serves a good tenderloin for $8. No rice for me today!

When they came to NU, Tirza and Kristi were the first Indonesians we'd met. We thought if every Indonesian was as nice as they were, it must be an amazing country. (It is.) Tirza shares a photo of their first autumn in Seattle, when we took them to Snoqualmie Falls.

She catches the high-speed train back to Jakarta and home in the afternoon.

There's one final meeting at 8 PM and then it's time for sleep. It's been an active and busy week and I think I need the hike tomorrow more than ever!

Read more:

* Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4

* Lord my soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. Isaiah 26:9 NIV

* But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them come, if they can save you, in your time of trouble. Jeremiah 2:28

* In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35

* My beloved, flee from the worship of idols. 1 Corinthians 10:14

Moravian Prayer: Compassionate God, we often find ourselves slaves to our possessions, our money, our jobs, or our own wants, forgetting that these things are temporary. You are permanent, everlasting, and eternal. May we always remember this. 

O God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to save us and to show us how to love and offer grace to others. In the morning, in the evening, and all day long, we are reminded of your steadfast love for us. With gratitude, we pray. Amen.

Food is a common denominator for meeting people

Saturday, January 25, 2025

It's a quiet morning so after getting our work done, W and I walk out for lunch. It's often cheaper to eat out than to buy and prep things. #HomeGround features Chinese-Indonesian food. My beef scallion dish is tasty, with its small bowl of rice on the side. Note the water bottle for scale. Portions are reasonable = smaller! here.

The flowers are happily blooming around an old flower pot in the garden.

An overnight guest arrives late in the evening and will stay for a few days. JD is a former team member and beloved friend to many.

Sunday

We have to leave early. I leave JD some breakfast options. Overnight oats? Breakfast bars? Or?

As the community gathers, W and I relax. Martin is leading worship and speaking. It's a Round Table Sunday this last weekend of the month, when we discuss questions around the table. Today's questions are: "How do you grow up into God's DNA as his child?" And, "How can you serve others as a child of God?"

Several families take home the table arrangements. DrG and IbuT pose with flowers that match their outfits.

The team has a lunch meeting afterward. JD joins in and gets to know the current team.

I order #MaxiResto's Chinese New Year special @$5: duck. Very good.

Hanny comes over to grab study books for starting a women's group.

We set the beautiful arrangement from #titikbadudu on the coffee table. The afternoon is filled with writing and revisions. 

Monday

The world is full of surprises, isn't it? This cute "dog and kennel" art on the street catches my eye on the morning walk. Oops, W points out that it's actually garbage and a discarded latex glove.

PakG has painted bright sienna on the re-sealed flower pot. The color will fade to "clay" color in the sun. It's quickly filled with water, as well as plants and fish from other pots. The water must still be contaminated by the paint: all the fish jump into the garden. Sorry, fishies. We'll give it another day or two for the plants to detox the water before trying again.

The bougainvillea blooms from its stump. That thick bare stick was thrust into a pot a few months ago.

W admires the "blue hairdryer" he ordered. It's a cheap, for drying Bailey after he gets washed. (That usually happens after each hike). The delivery driver has thrown three packages over the top of the gate while we are away. The glass jar W ordered smashes into 100 pieces, despite good packaging.

Overhead, the bamboo hedge towers 25'/8m tall. The bright green is energizing.

We meet Shibli at #HomeGround for his birthday lunch. As part of our team, he faithfully leads the groups that teach English in village neighborhoods.

Tuesday

Between meetings, there are walks and conversations. Oh oh! What happened? There are many dead fish in one of the Porch fish tanks. They're tossed into the garden, while the remaining 3 fish are rehoused into other tanks. The fishes in the office vase are doing well.

 I love spending time with Judy over coffee. W joins lunch with JD. The world of expats is small - many of us know each other from other settings.

This morning, it's helpful to share ideas with Keelee. After that, Nancy gives me good counsel. I'm pretty sure she'd tell these kids to get in the car ... but their parents seem ok with them hanging out of the skylight.

The #MissBeeProvidore pasta is deliciously SPICY. I pick out some of the hot red peppers. W helps me finish it.

We're home by mid-afternoon and would be ready for a break - if W wasn't working on a book with a looming deadline.

Read more:

*Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

*A bruised reed [the messiah] will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench. Isaiah 42:3

*Jesus said, “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones.” Matthew 18:10

Moravian Prayer: Loving Spirit, as a mother cares for her young, so you care for us. You nurture us, especially when we feel down. A light, you will not dim; you only seek to help us shine brighter. Help us to encourage our youth, ourselves, and the world with your light. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.