Sunny days, rainy afternoons.

The sun shines in most mornings.

 On the street, the snake plant (mother-in-law's tongue, etc.) is in full bloom.

A day or two have come and gone. Well, maybe it's been a few weeks since I blogged ... with new babies, a few hospital visits, and friends speaking words of encouragement between.

Tuesday
In the evening, I go to a Young Adults farewell for Jakob and Dayana. Over 25 people are hanging out. It's a wonderful time!

Wednesday

It's a joy to recruit a team lead - she's gifted, willing to experiment, and already hard at work. Doesn't get better than that.

Thursday

Another evening farewell party, this time a birthday for Rueben and a farewell for Jakob and Dayana, who have worked with them for several months. It's a delicious meal, complete with the traditional nasi cunning (yellow rice).

Sunday
After speaking on Noah, I pop in on Josh's class about what it means to follow Jesus. He does a good job and the class is attentive.

We pray together for our friends, who head home to Austria this week. Parents of the youth group have brought cakes today.

We sing Happy Birthday to a sweet 7-yr old, who even gets to blow out a candle (one of the anti-fly ones we light near the food).

Afterward, several of us go for lunch, talking about a future project. And at 5, one last and pleasurable meeting = supper with dear friends, one Chinese teacher who's returned to Indonesia from her homeland, and the other a head of an English center.

WuJin has brought back a lovely clay pot, with the artist's chop on the bottom, and some hand-painted teacups. Perfect for a good cup of tea.

Monday/Tuesday

The beautiful flower arrangement livens up the room as people come and go. We have a morning study, a meeting, and some guests over for a busy day.

Tuesday morning, I make a quick trip downtown to Pasar Baru (New Market), the central Bandung market for clothing, household goods, and other necessities. Many wholesalers purchase from vendors here. I'm looking for upholstery fabric to cover a few chairs. Shall I get this, or this, or this?

None fits what's in my mind. I go home empty-handed and worn out from the noise and color. Whew - nice to pull into the driveway, that's for sure.

The dog's been biting himself - he gets nervous from thunder and lightning that accompanies rainy season. He tears the hair off a 6"X4" patch of skin. We order a flexible dog cone online. American friends have offered to bring us a favorite snack next months on their visit, but they're happy to bring the collar instead.

Our Jakarta friends are in town for a conference. Between sessions, they come up the hill to Miss Bee for supper. Love these faces! I walk to the restaurant and back, a few minutes from the house - which helps make up for sitting much of the day.

Wednesday
Meetings - good ones, productive and positive. What's not to love? I finish editing my book and send off a copy to my editor.

A few squiggles to mark up the page for the day - and leaves from the garden = a touch of art and beauty.

Read more:
*I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. Psalm 138:1-4 NIV

*I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them. Ezekiel 37:28

*Christ Jesus came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. Ephesians 2:17

*Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

Moravian Prayer: Holy compassionate One, who restores our souls—please hear our prayers, forgive us, and keep us in your care.

Christ Jesus, you bring your proclamation of peace to all the nations. We pray they listen to your voice and abide in you. Amen.

What's next?

Monday, January 7, 2019
Friends of our celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary today. The world has changed since their wedding, no doubt about it. Congratulations, Dave and Gigi!

I always look forward to a Monday morning call with my friend and mentor. We haven't talked for a few weeks and both of us are weary. So it's nice to relax, catch up on the prayer list, and thank God together that the holidays have come and gone.

W and I have the privilege of listening to Jakob and Dayana, who are speaking next Sunday. I feel enriched, tuning in to what's coming up for the BIC family.

A new Indian restaurant has opened in town. You'd think, with about 5 million hungry people plus Jakarta coming here on the weekends, that Bandung would have the best pick of restaurants. There are a lot of Indonesian choices, but few truly great foreign ones.

We all meet with Dr H, Josh and Clau over lunch at Spice Affair. It's a cousin restaurant to our Jakarta favorite Queen, so of course it's delicious. And the food tastes authentic. Most restaurants here end up tasting similar since many local chefs never travel abroad; they use spices familiar to them.

Tuesday and Wednesday
Our errands Tuesday morning take longer than expected, but we're home for a late lunch with some kitchen purchases. A generous women's organization sent funds for house set-up. A few months ago, we purchased a huge pot (saving me over an hour each month in movie-night prep) and other essentials. Sometimes I feel like we run a restaurant. We finally decide on a buffet heater. Here, most food is left out to cool (in 80+o ambient temp) after cooking, probably not the best plan for healthy digestion. I keep running out of big serving dishes, so this - thanks ladies! - will take care of that.

I'm eating heating healthier. That means a few evening hours of prep - cooking grains, looking at healthier recipes, and thinking ahead to meals. Usually, it's one meal to another, but trying to eat more whole foods means more deliberate foresight.

Breakfast is good: a homemade whole-grain waffle with fruit. The blackberries come from the freezer at a SDA store; the mangoes are local.

 I'm also planning the next year, starting with the new few months. This is a natural and comfortable activity: I like to look back at what's happened, lay out possibilities, and dream of what might be accomplished. Next step is putting those intentions into workable habits.

Can't remember where I found this, but it's an ideal bird to-do list, isn't it? Wish my list was this short and succinct. At the turn of the year, I think about what is done and left undone - and what is coming.

One of my friends encourages me to spend a few hours thinking about doors possibly closing in the future. That way, we are not caught off guard by redirection, but move ahead whether opportunities materialize, morph, or disappear entirely. She's a genius, I think.

For those of you who are stuck or not sure you can accomplish what God seems to be asking of you, here's a hint from Chandler Bolt, whose blog I appreciate and often read:

Truth be told, I can't quite wrap my head around wanting to hear my own voice every day, but oh well. Maybe.

We're happy when visitors stop by the house or office for counseling, and for non-profit stuff. There's so much going on - so many people are serving locally and globally that my heart just sings.

Seems like a lot of people have been sick lately with dengue, typhoid fever, asthma, and other conditions. Most locals blame their low resistant to disease to the transition of weather, from dry to wet and back again.

We drop by to say hi and pray for those we know.

Read more:
*Take care, or you will be seduced into turning away, serving other gods and worshipping them. Deuteronomy 11:16

*A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:1-4 NIV

*You have looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses. Haggai 1:9

*Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11

*For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

Moravian Prayer: Holy God, whatever you command of us, let our whole heart be joyful, ready, and willing to do your work to your glory. Let us go forth this day and shine your light to others. 

Breaker of oppressions—destroy our allegiance to the lesser gods of our world; prevent us from submitting to yokes of affluence, pride, fame, or power—enfold us in your love which frees us to live forever. For yours are the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Ah, relax!

Thursday, January 4, 2018
We're at Gracia Resort for 2 days and 3 nights, courtesy of (a gift) from our study groups. W and I don't realize how much we need to leave town - even to go an hour away in the hills. The road in looks unpromising.

The resort is beautiful. The Christmas decor is a bit over the top, especially since I put all of mine away this morning.

 The foyer is red from top to bottom.

We have time while we're away to reflect on how much we love the city where we live. I also think through the coming months. When the pressure's off, ideas fly around my head and land in good order.

The hot springs are clean and well-maintained. It's another world, quiet and cool. Practically perfect.

Friday
The breakfast buffet is pretty. There is rice porridge, fruit, and breads. And the main course is from a menu.

Breakfast looks as expected. Since Muslim restaurants serve no pork, the beef bacon changes the taste.

I love chicken porridge - but later, I walk by the plate of eggs I put in my bowl. I guess a few flies never hurt anyone. They must have been chased away by the people just before me. I wish the restaurant would cover the food.

Waldemar is happy repairing the menus - he tightens the screws with his spoon.

We go for a walk through the nearby town, where we see all kinds of interesting things.

The cauliflower fields have just been harvested. And there's a Dutch-style house with plaited bamboo siding.

We swim in the afternoon. I've always loved to relax in the water. It carries me, soothes me. We stay by the pool as the sun goes down.

The crew lights the bonfire for the evening. They sprinkle the wood with a heavy gas - bbq lighter fluid - for a fast flame. The smoke drifts over the pools and hangs over the swimmers in the water. Wow. I'm glad to be sitting on the side.

The young girls  and women are covered from head to foot, while their brothers and fathers wear Western-style shorts, some with T-shirts.

Saturday
It's our last morning. We take advantage of it with a restful soak in the hot tub, scooping out the little flies that land on the water every few minutes. We bought a bamboo bird's nest at a shop yesterday and it works great at catching them.

Beside the swimming pool, I quickly sketch the fountain that we love to sit under. The page is bent and I have only a few minutes. I'll remember this memory though.

We will miss our private little teras with the hot tub off our bedroom.

 And we'll miss the perch above the resort pools, where we ate our breakfasts.

We say farewell to this beautiful spot. We have happy memories to go with the place. (Thanks, friends. What a lovely surprise this was.)

Sunday
W and I speak together in the morning - our topic is Creation. This month we're examining "New Beginnings," appropriate for the New Year. Next week, Jakob and Dayana will speak on Adam and Eve. Can't wait. After that, we'll talk about humanity's fresh start with Noah, and recovering from tragedy with Job.

BIC has finished raising a Christmas gift for two charitable projects. They are disbursed today. We are so proud of the community.

In the afternoon, I get an art surge. Usually that happens after an idea floats around my head for a few days. Then I get up-and-at-'em. Oh oh. I've been pondering how to decorate the back bathroom. I haul out my lovely MOLTOW acrylic markers and write all over the walls with whatever pops into my mind. Makes me happy - and I don't have to think about those walls again.

Read more:
*Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

*“O that my people would listen to me.” Psalm 81:13

*Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’  Isaiah 45:23-24

*The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly. Titus 2:11-12

*“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

Moravian Prayer: Almighty God, you truly are the one and only who can forgive us and love us unconditionally. We pray that we will always praise your name to everyone we meet. Give us strength for the day.

O Guardian of our very being, we strive to hear you, though our thoughts go astray. Please help us to have the self-control to listen when you call. Amen.

Out with the old ...

Wednesday, January 2, 2019
I wanted to update the Advent art map from a few years ago, but I didn't find time for that. I didn't have energy to paint the 12 Days of Christmas.

But I feel good about the personal challenge of illustrating the day in January. I've let myself off the artist hook: "you have to do something special." I've decided to be happy with whatever happens. Yes, a quick sketch is fine. I tell myself, "It doesn't have to be "good" or artsy - it just has to describe the day, beyond words." I hope you enjoy it with me.

First thing on my to-do list is taking down all Christmas decorations. I waited an extra day (NY Eve with the neighbors) and then was too tired yesterday. So today's the day.

The tree and decor feels festive and warm when we put it up in late November. By the time January rolls around, I'm ready for calm, less colors (mostly black and white), and less stuff. Everything flies into the boxes. We go from this to fully loaded (6am) to a plain ACE lit tree by the time the sun comes up and the helper arrives.

Off come the wreaths, the furniture is cleared and dusted. W blows the tree free of dust with a shop-vac nozzle and packs that away, too. Ibu Sumi carries two big boxes to storage upstairs.

By the morning meeting at 9:30, it's all gone. Hurrah. Even the nook feels peaceful--I break off a green stem from a flowerpot on the porch and pop it in a vase. (Well, maybe the cushions on the wood bench are a bit wild but they are black and white.)

The meeting confirms our direction on a new project. We'll get together again next week - it's good to be thinking and in motion.

Thursday
We take the dogs along on the walk to W's regular study group at Ethnic - good food, pretty courtyard. I talk to the owner while W finds a spot to park the dogs. She chooses a table near the fountain. Thanks, ibu! Our friends arrive soon after, but the dogs bark on and on - at dogs passing by, motorcycles parking a few cars away, and people walking along.

It's no longer the dog-friendly parking spot we had before the restaurant redid their gate. Now there's nowhere to hook up the leash. We loop it around a tree, but the dogs will have to stay home next time.

Our friends gifted us with a trip to the hot springs above the city (close to the volcano) - so we enjoy it. The driver has malaria so I send him home. He insists he can drive us up and be back in plenty of time for a nap. I make a quick sketch upside down since that's the way the book is open. It looks ... well. It tells the story and it's done.No judgment pls. Celebrate the wins, R. Pat pat (on the back).

One of the joys of non-profit work is paperwork. Or maybe not. W and I are tied up most of the morning, just catching up.

New year, sunshine, and there's green beauty outside the window. I have no complaints. A friend sends good advice (the proverbs below). Thanks, Tillie.

And Happy New Year to you all. Let's let go of the past and move with joy and hope into 2019.

Read more:

*Joseph said to his brothers, “Do not quarrel along the way.” Genesis 45:24

*David prayed, “And now, O Lord God, as for the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, confirm it forever; do as you have promised.” 2 Samuel 7:25

*The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. Proverbs 9:10-12 NIV

*Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other. Colossians 3:13

*In Jesus Christ every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

*Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Moravian Prayer: Holy Savior, it is difficult at times to forgive each other. Please be with us during these times to spread your grace and understanding to each other.

Great Amen, again and again you affirm everything good; lead us to say, “Yes,” to life, “Yes,” to love, “Yes,” to wonder, “Yes,” to redemption, “Yes,” to healing and, “Yes,” to community. Lead us to your “Yes” every day. Amen and Amen and Amen.