Monday, December 8, 2025
Everything about this month is rich with memories. As I connect with Mom before our walk, she talks about how meaningful family and the love of God are to her. It's encouragement for the whole week. The streets are quiet on the 3 km/2mile stroll.
Someone has been letting their dog/s poop around the neighbourhood so there is a new sign at the entry: no pooping or peeing by pets. Dozens of cats roam freely, but cats are exempt from any and all rules - here and everywhere, right?
There's only one morning meeting but that is life-giving. The living room is mostly disassembled. The floor is empty where crowded shelves sat. The stacks of art and big furniture will shift in a week or two. It's a messy meditative process. The pixels are one of my favorite DIYs, taken from books of paint chips from Home Depot. (We buy paint there also, when in the USA.)
W is leading a Monday group study while I write next week's talk: Joy - the response of the shepherds to Good News given by the angel. What a story and what Good News!
Click here to read what happened.
Tuesday
I get to talk to Mom, walk, and then it's a working morning. W works on the gutter at the street. Gravel, leaves, and garbage wash down from the hill each time we have a hard rain. Several neighbours walking by stop to say thanks to W for the work, which keeps water flowing downhill as well. The men who should be cleaning it disappear as soon as W starts shovelling. Seems like they don't want their job.
I'm sorting, packing, and unpacking. The curtains go up in the conference room before we break for lunch. We hope the flooding has been resolved - or everything inside will have to be cleaned and dried.
Oh no, the meatballs taste old at lunch. (Too long in the freezer?) The dogs don't mind the bonus snack. They're trained to run over when I whistle - because they always get a pat on the head and nearly away earn a snack if they quickly sit in front of me. "Good dogs!"
There's a team meeting in the afternoon. How we value each member. We hear their heart and calling expanding each time we catch up.
As we walk by GreenGate, the satpams (guards) call out a hello. We shoot a video of greeting for the managers who expatriated a year and a half ago. JP and Judy are still missed.
I'm selling off what we no longer need or I've outgrown. Someone claims a beautiful suit with memories of Singapore. Another asks for a formal skirt that I haven't worn in years. The sorting goes on.
The helpers take home dresses and other things. "You can wear, sell, or give them away," I tell them. "Once they're given they belong to you to do with what you like." My father taught me that philosophy of generosity and release. Because it takes the pressure and accountability from the giver, it makes giving a great pleasure.
.
Wednesday
An eye migraine starts as we walk. The halo in my vision expands and contracts through meetings and consultations. I set multiple timers in case I drift off while waiting for the next appointment. Once I eat my vision begins to ease.
One non-negotiable for healthy leadership is accountability. I meet an advisor to run through the transitions swirling around us. It is life-giving counsel that gives clear next steps and focuses my heart on gratitude and anticipation, while recognizing the things we leave behind.
A chat with Mom is another blessing. "I'm still here," as she now starts every call. She seems to have rallied somewhat and is both cheerful and thankful.
"And I'm glad I still get to talk to you!" I reply.
Lunch is with the head of a volunteer program. We talk through their next steps, and he receives advice as I did earlier. We're all better together.
We pull together a few more things at the Project. Configurations change and morph as they shift from ideas to physical space.
Dr Ingrid sends over the most luscious bread as a pre-Christmas treat. W and I sample it and declare it delicious.
The hoyas, +20'/6m long at this point, are bursting with blooms once again. Their roots are in 6"/15cm pots that have the soil mostly washed out of them. "Don't replant them," our gardening friends warn us. They bloom best with less care."
In late afternoon, another pretty package arrives via motorcycle delivery.
We sample Felix's family lasagna. Soooo good. (He's part of Waldemar's Saturday morning group.)
Three transitions - all waiting in the wings - remind us to be grateful for the beautiful years we've had in this place and the many people who have eaten, hung out, or slept here. Aren't we blessed to share God's abundance?
Thursday
No hike, for the third week in a row. We're waiting for the remodel to finish so we can move in, while the contractor is waiting for water heaters to come in. We've cancelled December's movie night: there's no time with Christmas 2 weeks away. Movie night takes an entire week each month and I haven't even begun to decorate, which is another half-week of work. Oh well. We're disappointed but such timing is up to God.
After walking the dogs, we eat our date breakfast at #MissBeeProvidore. Their winter room is the setting for this year's casual Christmas pics. The photographer elongates the rest of the photos, so we're left with this one: a bit tilty, a washed-out background, and 2 smiles. Good enough.
I enjoy an omelette sandwich while W orders Eggs Benedict. It's a very Western breakfast but we find that in seasons where we miss our families and friends, we choose food similar to what we grew up with.
Mom's cheerful greeting warms the heart and we pray together. Sandy, leader of Mom's caregivers, pops on the call to say hi. She's a jewel who keeps the team doing an amazing job of hospice care. She's become dear to us as we pray for her and her family each day, along with ours.
Read more:
* Do not fear or be dismayed. Joshua 8:1
* Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! Isaiah 2:5
* No longer shall they teach one another or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord. Jeremiah 31:34
* Jesus touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith, let it be done to you.” And their eyes were opened. Matthew 9:29-30
* When the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did and heard the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became angry and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?”
Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself?’” Matthew 21:15-16
* In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:1-4
Moravian Prayer: Gracious King and Savior, we delight in your promise of living in your kingdom when our days are done, and we sing your praises evermore. Equip us with gifts for service here on earth so that we are deemed ready at your call.
Almighty Healer, the balm that you offer to the world is soothing and comforting. Why are we so often afraid to accept it? Help us to trust and believe in you whenever we experience the struggles and storms of life. In your name, we pray. Amen.
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