People we love and beautiful places

Friday, September 12, 2025

It's overcast in Chilliwack this morning. I admire the snapdragons in a flower border.

We're renewing our acquaintance with Western comfort food - and oh my, this one's good. I make a traditional breakfast - 

GrandmaD taught me how she made scrambled eggs: the most tender scramble ever.

- Heat fat (bacon, butter, oil, or?) in a saucepan on medium or low heat.

- In a bowl, whip together equal amounts of flour and milk (up to 1 Tbsp per egg). 

- Then whisk in the eggs. 

- Fry with the lid on, slowly , stirring gently and occasionally. 

My tip: when it's almost done, turn off the burner, and sprinkle 1-2 Tbsp water around the edge of the pan. Pop the lid back on and let it steam a minute or two. It will rise like a quiche.

W stays fast asleep until 10 AM, after taking the night shift with Mom. (He can fall back asleep when he wakes, unlike me.) He eats the second half of the breakfast while I make Mom a snack and coffee. W gives her a Bible lesson which she enjoys. I take pictures of family memories, including funeral bulletins for my sister-in-law

and a dear nephew. Gone so soon - we talk about them and keep their memories alive.

I take Canadian cough drops to Indonesia (Buckey's). I can't find them until the fourth try: only a less-used pharmacy has them in stock. I also zip to the butcher for my favorite smoked sausage. Three rings can keep me happy all year: they're eaten when I'm craving non-Indonesian tastes (not often).

I'm back before noon. Mom and I check old photos, organize her tabletop items into little Indonesian woven baskets. She uses her foot massager ... and all the while, we chat. Before she heads for an another nap at 1 PM, I heat the pillow for her hip and straighten her blankets. "I'm not like I used to be," she says, creaming the dry skin on face and forearms.

I make a late lunch at 3 PM, put the leftovers in the freezer for future meals, and clean up. Mom eats like a sparrow but I'm happy when she eats at all.

W and I walk past a neighbor's yard, where the flowers are as pretty as the ones in Mom's yard used to be.

Saturday

We sleep in the room that was mine as a teen. It's full of family photos and memorabilia.

On our last morning, we talk, eat, and pray. Norm drops by for a howdy, too. Mom is the queen of photos so we take pictures together.

We leave before noon: W is hungry for a 5 Guys burger so we split one on our way to see his mom. So greasy. But good flavor.

40 miles (60 km) away, W's mom has communion with us and blesses us on our journey.

When we cross the border from Canada to the USA, we're in farming country. Some American things we never see in Indonesia: dune buggies, anyone?

How about shiny farming equipment of all sizes? I tell W I'd rather have a tractor of my own than ten gold rings. Much more useful!

We need to run errands on our way back to Seattle and get in about 7 PM. 

There's one last chore tonight. We grunt and groan, swapping the pianos in the entry and my office. Our Kawai has moved back from our daughter's place in TX and then a son's WA apartment. Someone has purchased the old Weber, which has a wonderful resonance and the original ivory keys. It's going to an 8-yr-old who wants to learn to play.

Sunday

We're on the road at 7 AM. Breakfast is at a pub restaurant; we invite the couple at the next table to join us at Montesano Assembly, where we're speaking.

One of Kirsten's dearest friends Leanna made the connection for us to be here. It's a delight to meet her husband and boys.

People are responsive and kind. I like the sign tucked in a corner:

We watch the kids participate in worship with a spontaneous circle dance.

Dustin, who we met years ago on a Middle East tour, is the pastor. He and his wife Rebekah take us for lunch at a good taco place. We haven't had Mexican food like this since we left the USA. So yummy. And what rich conversation.

We head out at 3 PM. On the western side of the state, tree farms line the highway with rows and rows of pines, firs, and other winter greens. These will be cut for Christmas and shipped to city vendors. People will carefully choose the tree to suit their homes and budget at Christmastime.

We drive across the state, almost 5 hours. I read an email: friends of our have been accepted as leaders of a sister congregation in Jakarta. Others are preparing to return to their homeland. It's both a thrill and a pang: things change and people move here and there on the journey of faith.

We pass through beautiful mountain country.

The hills turn dry and brown as the high plains fly by.

Apple orchards are being harvested on the eastern mountain ridges.

The sun lowers and reflects off the lakes and rivers.

A double rainbow dazzles us for many miles as we get approach our destination: the Tri Cities.

We reach the hotel at 8 PM, ready for rest. Goodnight, all.

Read more:

*In God I trust; I am not afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me? Psalm 56:11

Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. Acts 9:31

Moravian Prayer: In you, O God, we place our trust. We trust that you will guide us to salvation, like a shepherd guides his sheep home. May we always remember to turn to you in prayer. Amen.