Movement and movie night

 Thursday, July 4, 2025

We decompress after movie night with a hike in the mountains. Last night, the house was full of fun and young people. Once they get dinner from the kitchen, they head onto the Porch or into the living room to eat.

We've gotten to know some of them over the years.

This lovely gal is moving to Jakarta to join her identical twin, who has found work in the big city of 30 million.

It was a late night with the last guests leaving at 11 PM. We woke early to go hiking in the forest. The mushrooms are out in abundance.

It rains overnight but we decide to go up into the mountains anyway. It clears up - before the clouds roll across the tea plantations.

We have a very pleasant walk - 

There are new grass heads along the trail, wildflowers, and branches to duck under in the forest.

It starts to rain as soon as we're in the car. Thank you, God, for wonderful weather on the trails.

For lunch we return to a restaurant with a good Chinese-Indonesian menu. We haven't been there for over a year. I step back to look at the beautiful setting. So many of these places are destinations for weekend tourists but we pass them each Thursday on the way to and from the mountains.

Our friends know people in common from 35 years ago. It's amazing how small the expat community is.

It's faddish to have animals in a restaurant, and this one is no exception. There are bunnies, lizards, and a small crocodile.

This creature is about 6' long (including tail) and roams around his cage before climbing back in.

After, we take friends to the project. A little booth and drop ceiling have been removed from a corner.

The pillar remains for support.

A flimsy wooden wall is being replaced by bricks. The window and frame are repurposed from the little booth. 

It's satisfying to remove barriers, like the wall between these areas.

Having the cooking area and laundry open to each other will be useful.

W takes Anton to the vet for a kidney and liver checkup after his many meds! The dogs need worming, which is routine here both for people and creatures.

Friday

We're on an old-style (for us) date: to the building center to look at taps, tubs, and tools.

I spot a few new styles of lights.

We have lunch at Mom's Bakery, where the best sandwiches are made.

Saturday

We pack and prepare for the next trip to a conference. "It's gorgeous there," says everyone about our destination. But we meet only one person who's actually been where we're going.

Meanwhile, our loop walk isn't that shabby either. A tree is putting out its new leaves.

I enjoy the colors of nature as we walk.

Sunday

We serve with a fine group of volunteers. It's first Sunday of the month, so we celebrate with Happy Birthdays to July-born friends and guests and pray for a blessing over them.

Read more:

*Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:1-12