Part of Life - folding sheets

I don't know what thoughts went through my dear H as I handed him the camera and asked him to take pictures as I folded our bed sheet. I told him, "There are some people who don't know how to do this!" I guess he figured if I have this urge to show someone, he'd go along with my silliness. Now, if you really don't care if you have a rumpled mess of sheets to deal with, or what your linen closet looks like, that's okay and I won't look into it anyways. (Choosing your battles is a good thing) But if you ever do get frustrated with folding sheets, here is one way that I've found actually works and you can proudly stack your flat and fitted sheets neatly into you closet. Once you've done this a few times, it's actually very quick and you don't even have to think about it.

I hope these pictures help, because it really is harder to explain than to actually do it.

1. Take the long side of the sheet and put one hand into each of the two fitted corners
2. Take the corner in your right hand and flip it over the left hand, so that now you have two corners that are "cupped".
3. Put your right hand inside the cup and slide your left hand over to the left side, cupping those two corners as well. Now your sheet is folded in half. (picture # 3)
4. Repeat the right hand over the left hand, in order to cup the four corners. Put your right hand into the four tucked corners and slide your left hand over to straighten the fold. Now your sheet is quartered.
5. At this point you can lay it down and smooth it out, folding it over one or twice, depending on the finished size you want.
6. Now, you have a folded strip that you can fold in half once and then again.
7. Let me know how it works

Dreaming Again

My H and I have been talking about doing something with our back yard and patio. Our hot tub is broken and our cement patio could really be spruced up with some kind of outdoor tile. We talked about putting up an awning over the patio.
Oh, and then there’s me . . . one of the first things I came up with was, “It would be so fun to have a little coffee shop back there!” Sometimes I’m still the little girl that likes to play house. I imagine an Italian back porch with a cute round table and serving homemade foccacia bread with balsamic vinegar and oil, or maybe a large warm cinnamon bun or crepes with coffee, or . . . Then reality sets in and I realize what the commitment of a coffee shop would mean. My guess is that I couldn’t just put up a “Closed” sign whenever I don’t feel like getting up early or whenever I want to go and visit my grandbabies, for that matter.

We have lived in this house for almost 22 years now. If only the walls could talk of the happiness that we’ve shared in this home! Morning breakfast as a family and three kids taking off to school just down the road. School activities and stressful science projects that involved the family . . . taking owl pellets apart, building miniature forts and studying for tests. If walls could speak they would remember the piano practices, from the first 'twinkles' to the sounds of arpeggios, scales and duets that followed. Off tune violin scratches that turned into beautiful concertos! And yes, we would be reminded of the drum practices in the basement! How could we count the laughter at birthday parties, the giggles at sleepovers and family nights playing hide and seek!

I remember coming home late at night from road trips, after having checked into different hotels along the way, and my H would teasingly say, “This is a nice hotel!” To which the kids would cry out, “No Daddy, it’s not a hotel!” It was as though they felt he was desecrating our home by those words.

There came the time to move some walls and move bedrooms to accommodate our growing kids. And believe it or not, I almost forgot the late night talks, and times we wondered when they’d come home. Did I really ever worry?

These days I must say that there is something about living in a house where our grandkids can play in the same playhouse that our kids enjoyed.

Where our grandkids can swing from the trees that we planted when ours were young.

Where the yard that is old enough to produce peaches, plums and grapes.

Where the rooms have names and the old toys are still under the bed or in the toy box downstairs. A place where we can tuck sweet little ones into the same rooms we have always kissed kids goodnight in.

So, as we make plans to do our patio, we will remember the picnics, barbeques, games and fun we’ve had and will continue to have. And just maybe this summer I can invite you to come and see my (pretend) coffee shop under the awning.

A little More on the Prodigal Son

Actually it’s the brother of the prodigal son . . . can’t you just see him with his arms crossed, wondering if his dad has gone crazy? In his book, End of Religion, Bruxy Cavey points out the older brother mentality as being like the person who depends on his good works to save him. What does the brother say? “Look, all these years I’ve been slaving and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never even gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.”
Growing up in the church, I thought that this brother had it together and he was the good guy. But now, it appears he thought his father owed him something and he could not even rejoice that his brother who had been lost had come home.
Cavey says, “When faith becomes religion, people on the inside of the group begin to focus their attention on the perimeter, patrolling the boundaries to regulate who’s in and who’s out.”
That is why we are challenged to fix our eyes on Jesus as the only source and goal of our faith. When we fix our eyes on Jesus and realize how much we’ve been forgiven, we will be more forgiving of others too.

Happy Birthday, Shaun

On this, your 30th Birthday, Shaun . . .

We want to wish you God's amazing blessings for this coming decade! One of the many reasons you are special is that you actually chose to be part of our family! Sometimes you may have wondered about that part, but you don't show it. =)

We love you for the fact that you are a loving, supportive and caring husband and father. The Lord has blessed you with the gift of music and care for young people. May you continue to expend yourself on behalf of others, waiting for the "well done" from the One Whom you serve.
He is faithful.


Celebrating with you and sending these wishes with love,
Mom and Dad

Rambutan

On our way to the 'wood' store Tehya pointed out a tree with her favorite fruit.

Have you ever tried a rambutan?

I will keep my eyes open for it here.

Julene added some to her fruit purchase while we were there.

The peel looks prickly, but it's kind of rubbery, soft.

You crack it open.

Inside is a large, juicy fruit that tastes like a grape.

Unlike a grape, though, it has a large pit.

I can see why it's Tehya's favorite fruit.

Of all the new fruit I tried, it was my favorite too.

Happy Birthday, Landon

It was one year ago that we got 'the call' and a very excited grammie flew south to meet the newest addition to the family!

Landon Shaun, we are so excited to wish you a very Happy Birthday today! Your sweet nature and your smiles bring joy to all of us! A very special gift you are and we give thanks to God for you and for this day! Love, hugs and kisses from Papa and Mimi

In a Most Unlikely Place

We decided to walk to a place close by where one could find some gifts to take home. The city we were in was not a touristy place, so it wouldn't be the kind of store you would find in the main city or at the airport, trying to sell souveniers.

We walked down the street and around the corner twice, past ditches, roosters, bored men sitting in front of their shops and so on. I wonder how Julene found this hole in the wall. It looks like a garage filled with furniture and clutter.

At the very back of the store were some shelves with wood carvings. Aha! this is what we came for! When you try to imagine them set up in your home, they look like something from a nice home decor store at home.

Don't you agree? All we had to do is get out a small amount of money. The happy store owner slowly wrapped each piece in newspaper. After all, this was the sale of the month! He had to savor the moment.

Thunderstorm

I woke up one night to a crash that involuntarily sent me deeper under the covers! As I lay there, I continued to see the room lit up with lightning and hear the loud thunder that followed. This was definitely a storm that we have never experienced in our part of the world! The thunder had this loud crashing sound that just shattered the air with resounding echoes.
I was actually scared. And then I started thinking about the shacks I had seen along the river the day before. I thought about how scared those children must be, as they hear the sounds so much louder yet and get blasted by the rain coming through their roof and windows. Many of them don’t even sleep on a mattress, and surely don’t have much to even cover their bodies. I could not imagine what they must feel like.

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars . . .
the voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning . . .
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood . . .
The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
(excerpts from Psalm 29)

I wonder, will they know the God who creates the thunder and lightning as a God who desires, and is powerful enough, to save them?

Rich and Poor

After several centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia gained its independence in 1945, but you can still see some of the influences in their homes, food and language. I have been surprised to find out that we have more in common than one would think.
Chris and Julene’s home is large, with wooden windows and carved detail that reminds me of Europe. Some of the words in the language are similar to our German/Dutch heritage and some foods also have similarities.
Having said that, it is still a country very much of its own, with diversity that is hard to fathom and, as you know, it has had its challenges with natural disasters and corruption. As a visitor, one wonders about what could be dubbed as “unfair” division of its spoils. A country rich in natural resources, but so much poverty alongside those who are also very wealthy.
I think that this makes it difficult for 'outsiders' like our kids to know exactly how to live there. What is the balance? How can you have the best positive influence on those around you?
Julene took me to her neighbor on one side. It was one of the 'wealthiest appearing' homes I’ve ever been in. As I held their new infant in my arms, I prayed God’s blessing on this little girl . . . wondering what her future would hold. They send their little boy to Julene for English lessons.
The neighbor on the other side is living in exact opposite conditions. Julene has hired her to do yard work and in Julene’s words, “Mama Eki takes such pride in her work.” I have seen this for myself now too. She is poor, but oh so rich in character. She faithfully does her job even when no one’s home to see. There is a person (whose name will remain anonymous) who regularly sends money for Julene to buy milk for Mama Eki’s little girl. It is much appreciated.
When you hire a national worker to help you in the home it is a good income for them and it is so good to be able to interact with them and learn things from each other.
I really enjoyed getting to know the pembantu (helper) in the home. She comes most mornings to mop all the floors. This really helps keep the bugs away. She takes in the laundry and does some shopping, often bringing fresh meat and vegetables from the market. When she brings fruit, she also peals it and prepares it so it’s ready to eat. I was fascinated by the way she peeled and cut the pineapples, so I asked her if she would teach me.

You look for a good diagonal line of 'eyes' to begin with. Then, using a good serrated knife, you cut them out forming a v shaped indentation.

Keep following the lines in a diagonal fashion.

Until you end up where they all meet.

I tried it too! When you go to slice it for serving, you ignore the diagonal lines and cut straight.

The finished slices will look like flowers. (of course, I would like that!)

Thank you, Ibu Yunike!

Flying Backwards in Time

We left Jakarta around two in the afternoon on Sunday, flew five hours, (mostly north - a bit east) and had about a three and a half hour layover in Taipei.

We left Taipei just before midnight on Sunday, continuing east, crossing the international date line on Monday morning, but suddenly it was back to Sunday morning. Mind you, I don't know exactly what time we crossed because I was squirming around in my seat trying to sleep. But that is how the international date line works, when you cross it going East you stay in the same time zone, but go back a day. So we landed in Vancouver on Sunday evening. How do nineteen hours of travel only add up to five? Strange feeling for someone for whom the numbers always have to add up and make sense or balance.

Did you know that when you follow the International date line south it goes right by New Zealand? It somehow surprised me.

Well, as you can see, we're home and if my geography lesson is boring, I'll blame it on jet lag.

I also have to tell you that Vancouver airport is one of the nicest airport to land in!!! Maybe you have never landed in the International Terminal - take a trip and find out how wonderful it is to come home . . . or visit!

I'm done loading my pictures onto my computer and will definitely be posting some more about the great time we had. But for now I will just list some things I'm grateful for in our part of the globe:

- driving on the right side of the road - in orderly fashion

- steps on a stairway all being the same height - with no surprises

- being able to run my toothbrush under the tap water

- blending in with everyone else

- not being taken advantage of or stared at because I'm white

- honest business transactions

- everyone (even if the government has to help) can sleep on a mattress in a dry place

- knowing the eggs you buy in the supermarket will be fresh

- clean streets and garbage removal (no neighbors looking through your trash either)

- knowing that when you head to the grocery store to pick up mayonnaise or butter or whatever you need, it will be there

- no random power outages

- no little lizards (cheechuks) making themselves at home in your house (perfectly harmless -yes, eat bugs - good, but . . .)

- an overall feeling clean, rather than sweaty and clothes stretching and sagging with the humidity

- quiet nights

A Moment We Didn't Miss

She knows us! We have been so blessed by her smiles and outstretched arms! Our hearts are filled with so many good memories once again!

I lay awake for a long time last night. It had been an emotional day . . . but in the end I couldn't help but realize, once more, that God truly does not intend to withhold any good thing from us! I thought about those of you who understand from experience about the heart wrenching pain of these kind of goodbyes and I prayed that God would multiply your joys ten times over when you do get to see your loved ones.

Then I also thought about those of you, our friends and family, who also understand even though you have your loved ones close by. I have so appreciated your love and your genuine rejoicing with us and for us in these times! Thank you.

Indonesia Playground - Phase II

This is the view out of Julene's kitchen window . . . the playground that Papa had a big part in building when we were here in 2005. The men used local ironwood, which is supposed to last for 100 years even in water. It is used for docks in the waterfronts.

This time around the kids were promised a teeter totter. We packed the seats and handles (donated by our local school facilities/grounds at home). The groundbreaking was very exciting!

Daddy and Papa went to shop for the remaining materials here in town and went to work . . . cutting, welding, drilling and painting.

While this was going on, the work on the basketball court also began. Digging up the lawn, putting in re-bar and pouring a concrete pad. I think the neighbors thought we were crazy!

The men figured out a way to build an adjustable basketball hoop. So good!!!!

These Canadian grandkids may not learn to play hockey in Indonesia, but they will learn to shoot a basketball.

Happy Birthday, Ben!

On a day like this, memories of past birthdays come to mind. Recently, while the four of us were driving home from a hockey game, you mentioned a special cake that I made for you when you turned 10 years old! I thought I’d scan it and let you have a look at it again. It's a little blurry, but you remember the little hockey player on the cake and this was his number.

Does anyone else remember which Canucks Player wore this number in 1993? )

Ben, lots of things have chaged since you were 10 years old! You’ve grown into a tall, handsome, hardworking, friendly and caring guy. Actually, looking at that list . . . it’s only your size that has changed . . . And checking out the most recent picture I have of you . . . no, not much has changed!

Ben, your name (Benjamin) has two meanings: “youngest and dearly loved, son of my right hand.” You truly reflect the meaning of your name! For me you’ll always be my youngest and dearly loved and for dad you are the son of his right hand. We are both so proud of you! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Makenna!

It is such a joy to see how loved you are! A little princess who is pampered and adored by your older brother and sister, carefree, content and happy, smiles ever ready! We are so blessed to be able to share this special day with you!

Since we are a bit confused as to what day to celebrate, because your exact day does not appear on the calendar this year (and being in another time zone) we just kind of celebrated for more than one day. It's actually a good deal!

For part of our celebration we rented a river boat that took us along a local river where we saw the life along and on the river. It was a beautiful late afternoon, overcast and not too hot. Kids were bathing in the river, dads were going home from work on their motorized canoes and moms were taking in their laundry or cooking their fish.

If it wouldn't take so much time to upload here, I would post more photos...but you get the idea.

Near the end of our trip, we were hit with a huge rain storm! That was quite the experience and we had no choice but to get soaked as we dashed to our car, laughing and tucking another wild memory away.