The Week That Was

Saurday, October 22 was a day we had looked forward to for some time,

trying to hold loosely as we do these days, 

 but the day finally came!

We met in Long Beach, CA and boarded the amazing Discovery Princess, 

which would be our home, our floating hotel, for the week. 

Anticipation ran high as guests gathered around the pool deck for the sail away entertainment

that included the original cast from the TV series “Love Boat.”

The next day, being a day at sea, we had our first formal dinner.

How fun it is to see guests all over the ship dressed up, in essence, just to celebrate life. 

It is quite amazing how the waiters keep smiling and making it their goal to please,

one table and one cruise at a time!

On Monday we sailed into Cabo San Lucas under sunny blue skies

 and an introduction to our ship's musical horn. 

At this port the cruise ships have to stay away from the shore, so the distance to the dock from where we set anchor was covered with tenders, taking us in groups. 

We enjoyed a walk  around the marina, admiring the pretty architecture

and sat down for some nachos and drinks. 

The view back from our tender. 

Tuesday we woke up to open our curtains to another sunny day and a new port.

Our Mazatlan memorable experience was a tour through town with Humberto,

one that included some shopping, a visit to The Immaculate Conception Cathedral

and a tequila tasting. Such diversity!

But my favorite part was the place he dropped us off at for lunch,

a restaurant right on the beach with picnic tables set out on the sand. 

That is also my favorite photo of Bob and Monika.

Wednesday morning we woke up in Puerto Valerta.

This is where we took a taxi for the four of us to see an out of the way town called Sayulita.

The driver dropped us off near this interesting building.

I did not find out what it was. 

Cones were set up possibly due to clean up from a hurricane that had passed through just days before.

One could see the efforts quickly made to clean up. 

It was a nice place for another sister shot. 

Sayulita is a place my H had heard about and it did not disappoint. 

It is a quaint little town with brightly painted buildings, 

tree lined cobblestone streets with rustic cafe tables set up everywhere

 under straw roofs and trees that house iguanas. 

I loved the feeling that these people took pride in making their places beautiful

with sidewalk art and welcoming patios. 

On the beach we met a woman selling clothing and we were surprised at her good English. 

She told us that she had done this ever since she was a little girl, 

but had told herself that her children would not be doing this! 

With tears in her eyes she proudly told us about her daughter and son - 

soon to be a lawyer and a doctor.

Her daughter had promised her a house with a view of the beach 

where she had worked all her life to suppport her family.

She left a memorable impression on us. 

Back on the ship there was no end of things to do or be entertained by.

One day we got called off the pool deck to a dance lesson. A first for us!

Monika and I both love to read and share books. 

I don't even know how many pools and restaurants there were,

a big outdoor movie screen, a large theatre hosting comedies and musicals.

and live entertainment from pianists and game show hosts to cooking or towel art shows.

Everyone finds their place, whether it be at the gym, the walking track, the hot tub, 

the shops, listening to a live performance or just finding a quiet spot

and be amazed at the vast expanse of ocean.

We all looked forward to dinners! 

Although Monika and I both feel very comfortable in a kitchen, oftentimes seeing it as our happy place, it was such a treat to not have a care about what to cook, 

simply choosing from a fancy menu with no prices. 

I will never forget this time together

which we called a celebration of our anniversaries,

yet in some ways became a trip in memory of our mom.

There were times, unknown to Monika, 

I had tears in my eyes looking at her and seeing our mom in her beautiful face. 

Whichever way we look at it, 

it was a celebration of family and life. 

Reminder

In some ways we have had the summer of our dreams when it comes to sunshine,

however, the drought is beginning to be a big concern.

Our air quality is dangerous, due to smoke from accidentally lit fires.

Yet, I've noticed the birds, carelessly frolicking in the fountain,

bathing, splashing, drinking

and I wonder in awe at their delight.

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, 

they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. 

And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Luke 12:24

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Luke 11:9

These words were spoken by Jesus. So simple, yet such a clear challenge to trust Him.

The fountain that satisfies our thirst and wells up to eternal life. 

I am forever grateful. 

Thanksgiving 2022

Thanksgiving has come and gone a number of times since I began to blog,

so by now it's no secret that I love to add a bit of something pretty to the table. 

I set it the night before, so that I don't feel rushed 

and I can enjoy looking at it and anticipate the time together. 

This year I set for eighteen, sixteen of our family plus two friends.

For the centerpiece I got out a silk Christmas arrangement 

and stuffed it full of cuttings from the yard,

adding some tiny pumpkins.

I made pies ahead of time, froze them unbaked and

baked them while the turkey was sitting. 

The kids are at the age now where they come in and look to see what's for dessert. 

They know the best is yet to come!

After appies, most headed outside.

It was such a beautiful day ... another day of summer! 

Some made bead bracelets,

others played lawn games. 

Finally dinner was ready! 

Natalie with two of her favorite cousins, 

Tehya and Paeton who have rarely celebrated this day with us! 

I loved overhearing Koen's comment, as he was filling his plate,

"I like Thanksgiving more every year!" 

(a twelve year old's way of saying he was excited about the food) 

To see the family (almost all) around the table is a feeling hard to describe.

It goes something like ...

"Why me, Lord? What have I ever done, to deserve all of these?"

How we love them all! 

I found some paper in my scrap box that was perfect for table doodling ...

everyone could jot down what came to mind and pass it on. 

Last week I read that gratitude means not taking anything for granted.

On this Thanksgiving day, 

I still feel like a lot of my gratitude was tucked within my heart,

treasured ... wishing I could find a way to express it. 

Maybe one day they will understand. 

🤍🤍🤍

One Who Stayed Behind

As I look out from my kitchen sink window, 

I see the most heart warming picture.

This boy, born eighteen years ago and whisked overseas as a newborn,

is part of our lives now.

Time has a way of sneaking up on us

when days are long, but years are short.

I think of first really getting to know him when he was already walking;

 a few years later, quickly reading one more book before heading  out to the airport,

and tears (his tears) because he woke up on the plane and 

realized he'd been sleeping when we hugged goodbye.

Those 2 am flights.

I think of the parcels sent, 

 exotic river trips to watch for orangutans

and delicious food wrapped in banana leaves.

I also think of missed family gatherings,

 time difference calculations,

long awaited furloughs

 and Christmas in July.

And now he's here,

"Papa, can I come and help you in the yard"

or "Grammy, I have some laundry ..."

And we enjoy a good meal,

and his dimpled smile is still the one

of that little boy that we've watched grow up from a distance.

How we love him! 

 

The Peachiest Pie

One of my favorite pies this summer has been peach pie,  and we've enjoyed a few because the season has just stretched out this year.

So, I thought I would share my recipe.

Crust for 1 double crust pie:

1 2/3 cups flour

2/3 cups Tenderflake lard

1 teaspoon salt

4 Tablespoons cold water

1 egg separated

Filling:

7 - 8 peaches

1/2 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons minute tapioca

3 Tablespoons flour 

2 Tablespoons lemon juice 

• Cut lard into dry ingredients with pastry cutter.  
• Mix yolk into water and pour over crumbly mix. 
• Stir with a fork, until dough comes together and there is no more loose flour in the bowl. Do not add more water, just keep stirring. =)
• Press into a ball and cut in half. 
• Roll out bottom crust. 
• Beat egg white with a fork, and brush some on the bottom crust to seal. Cover with damp paper towel while it sits, so it remains moist.
• Roll out top crust. Cut a number of slits or a hole in the center. Cover with damp paper towel while it sits. 
• Mix peeled and sliced peaches with lemon juice and combined sugar and thickener. Fill bottom crust, then cover with top crust. 
• Fold top crust over bottom crust and flute. You can also to the reverse, folding the bottom crust over the top crust. Brush with remaining egg wash. 
• Bake in lower third of oven at 400 F for 15 minutes. Turn temerature down to 350 F and bake another 50-60 minutes, or until bubbles come out of the slits/hole. 

tip: if it looks like juices will be dripping over the side of the pie, you can place a cookie sheet underneath, but it's best not to bake it that way from the beginning because it may keep the bottom crust from baking well. 

As I'm writing this out, I realize that the amounts in this recipe do not allow for any waste. If you prefer to have room to play, or are using a deep dish pie plate, use 3/4 cup lard and 1 3/4 cup flour. Same amounts for the rest. If needed, add an extra tablespoon of water but no more. 

For a lattice top, roll out a circle the size of the pie and cut strips. Taking every other one, lay them across the fruit going in one direction. 

Lay the rest of the strips the other way, lifting the bottom ones to braid or weave them in. This does not take long at all.

Fold strip ends into the side. Cut longer ends and fill where needed to create a good edge to flute. A small 'trench' will help keep the juices from running over. 

Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with a dusting of sugar.

At this point you can freeze the pie, (uncovered until frozen)

and have ready to bake another day, from freezer to oven. 

(Increase baking time by about 10 minutes.) 

Pie is done when it bubbles in the center. 

Allow to sit about 1 hour before serving. 

🤍🤍🤍

Aufwiedersehen and Lingering Memories

 

Once again we have said our goodbyes, the number leaving, down to three. 

This may be easier for us, but more difficult for them,

knowing there is no shortcut to Indonesia or back.

As parents we have felt the emotions of letting go, 

and now we see our kids going through the same. 

On September 3 Paeton moved into the dorm at Columbia Bible College nearby

and on September 11 Tehya moved into housing with Lifeteams.

Meanwhile, the rest were in moving mode as well,

joking that our place looked like a refugee camp. 

The scene of bins, suitcases and hockeybags spread out 

always sets off some emotional triggers, as it shows the reality of what will be,

a process that one could compare to labor,

giving birth to new life yet again. 

But before we head into what will be, 

I want to go back to some special moments this summer.

We celebrated Julene's birthday at Revive Social House,

a dreamy setting for a special occasion.

At this moment I'm so thankful for any and every opportunity we took 

for a quick walk around the block,

for a trip to HomeSense or Ikea and a simple lunch out that includes scones. 

She also loves her coffee. 

One day we went to the cemetery

where we visited both sets of grandparents' graves. 

Missing Oma's celebration of life this past January was hard. 

Makenna ... what can I say, but that it's been the best summer with her ever!

We have loved getting to know her as a teen!

My first memory is of when we snuck off to the mall, almost immediately,

and how much fun she had selecting a few things at Ardene's.

I enjoyed seeing her express how we have so much available to us,

feeling it strange to hear people speak English,

and especially not to know everyone who is white. 

I loved seeing how she quickly became good friends with cousins closest to her age.

There is something about family. So much fun they had! 

One Sunday afternoon we took her to the local sunflower fields.

This too, was another way of just seeing who she was.

It seemed like she took in everything with the thought in mind 

that soon we cannot do this, so we will just enjoy everything while we can. 

This girl is also a wonderful baker, always eager to help!

She's a painter, plays the guitar and has a beautiful voice,

You'll see her doing cartwheels almost any time she runs out the back door. 

She and Papa had fun going for bike rides.

She and I got our nails done together

and enjoyed episodes of Downton Abbey whenever we could. 

These memories are like a take home bouquett

that will not fade too soon.

A favorite meal is Sunday afternoon Faspa. 

On this Sunday we made it more of a casual charcuterie style dinner on the porch.

A special memory now. 

We celebrated more birthdays

and a taste of Thanksgiving just before they left. 

My view here filled me with so much joy and gratefulness,

sitting with all of our grown kids around the table

while taking peeks at what was going on at the next. 

After dinner the adults went to sit outside, partly because it really was loud inside.

Wouldn't you know it ... the kids soon followed us out,

figuring they would 'surround' us with a rap/song they had just made up.

The photos are blurry because I took screenshots from a video, posted here 

but the memory is another one I laugh about and cherish for all it tells me. 

Furloughs have become a part of life for us,

 a time when we are happy to put some of normal life on hold,

to be intentional, seizing the days.

It's a time for them to get in their medical appointments,

and restock on items they can't get where they live,

to renew relationships, 

to share with their sending churches and supporters,

and to rest from the stress that comes from living in a foreign culture.

 

Despite goodbye tears,

I'm learning just how blessed we are

to be able to share in this venture as a family

and to experience God's amazing grace in all of it.