Getting old is kinda fun

Friday, March 27, 2026

We're planning new things for the season ahead. We love these friends and coworkers, Yoel and Ester. Time together is a great blessing to us. We have lunch at #MissBeeProvidore .

Of course I have to try something new: barbecue chicken, anyone? Pretty good.

We come back to the Project to visit on the porch overlooking the garden. It's relaxing: we pull out Keelee's birthday-candle cookies, plus maple leaf cookies and toffee chocolate from Trader Joes. It's a pleasure to pray together over people we care for and work we are passionate about.

They gift us with the most beautiful handmade ulos, fabric woven in North Sumatra. It's just what this corner needs. W and I left the chairs from games night since we have another event coming up soon.

I wake an hour before midnight and get up to write what I remember in my last hour of being 60-something. God's faithfulness runs through every line. When I've struggled, he's been good and very patient. 

I cross into the new day, writing hopes for the next decade. This pretty much describes it all.

Saturday = 70X around the sun
W brings out gifts. It's a delight to open a calendar featuring grandkids! (Oh Melissa, where did you have time to bring that joy to my heart?) and some Forte teas.

He hands me 2 flat packages. Kirsten has assembled a photo/message book -> twice. The first company couldn't get the photos sorted online so gave K a refund. She recreated and edited it using another firm so W could bring it back in person. Surprise: the first company fixed things and sent a good copy ... now I have two different books, with some editions to the original.

I saw the post on a second FB account when K asked for participation. And then I put it out of my mind. So it's a complete surprise to me, too! I tuck it away to read when my mind is less busy. (When I do, I am overwhelmed. I shake my head and wish I were the person described in it. Lord have mercy!)

Tabitha calls from Malaysia. She's been dear to us since she was a youth leader years ago. We met while we taught in Singapore and Malaysia. She knows good food. We anticipate seeing her on the rare occasions we make it to Kuala Lumpur. It's wonderful to catch up and get a sense of how to pray for each other in the coming months.

Sunday
It's our final weekend of leading people we love SO much. The volunteers are ready to serve.

#TitikBadudu's flowers bring such joy. "The orchid is for you," she explains. Can't wait to enjoy it on the Porch.

This week she has made 2 bouquets.

Plus a mound of roses and lilies from our "big sister, " IES Jakarta. My heart is full.

They pray for us. 

We pray for them by team and over the entire Family.

A birthday cake is waiting at the potluck. The Filipina teachers bring me a plate of their special cooking, which is good because so many want to chat that we don't get to the buffet.

There's also a cone of yellow rice called nasi kuning, surrounded by delicious sides. I'm told how to cut it and then that I need to feed it to a loved one (W of course). Half the onlookers moan, "Ah, like a wedding!" Smiles.

Angie has assembled a memory book of our time at IES Bandung, with community notes and photos, plus her creative artwork. Wow! That's a treasure I'm not going to rush through.

After many Auf Wiedersehen's, PakTota and his family drop us off at the shuttle station, from where we head to some much-needed rest.

Read more:
* Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant. Psalm 86:16

* Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. John 16:23

Moravian Prayer: Your promises, loving God, are never-ending. You give us strength, wisdom, and courage. You are as compassionate as a loving parent when we fail. You are above all, gracious and merciful as we seek to do your will. Thank you. Amen.