space

Last night Kaylor and Donny came over for dinner. Tonight Juliana
came over for dinner and to watch a movie - ended up watching a
couple + a couple shows! And, instead of walking home at 9, she's
spending the night.

It's so funny to be in such a big house. The kitchen is clear across
the way from the TV/internet room - of course where I spend most of
my waking hours!

It's been a busy day. I haven't begun to unpack. But, I have plenty
of time to do so. And, I'm sure I'll be settled in by the time my
mom comes out to visit at the end of March!!!! YIPPIEE!!!!

A Bittersweet Moving Day

Are all moving days bittersweet? I didn't move around when I was a kid. But I have made plenty of friends who have, and who continue to do so.

Friends went home early this morning. We will meet back in California in July. This afternoon, I moved to house sit for them. A 5-bedroom house, though I'm not completely alone. Kaylor and Donny come over for lunch and dinners. And a family of 5 visit on the weekends. The school is across the street. Tonight, from across the street, I can hear the guards laughing and chattering away. 24-hour internet access, a month of free cable and even a bathtub. Simply spoiled.

Sunday Afternoon

See "One FULL House" Below

The Strategy of Card Stock

I brought just a few cards with me. No doubt those supplies were quickly used (It is a creative outlet for me, especially during homesick moments).

I found "buffalo paper" - a textured card stock at the nearby book store. And for Christmas in August, I received a ream of card stock.

After teaching for 2 months and taking art supplies up to the villages in Kalimantan, I had bought out the store's supply of colored card stock! So I went into my personal stash, only to learn that I should have saved a few sheets for my own creative outlet.

A couple months later, I received a ream from Christina (See "Yay Mail!"). This time, trying to ration what I had, I began by simply making cards for birthdays and baby showers here, Thanksgiving and a few fun things with Lina (See "Little Lina"). And I've already received 2 inquiries about custom cards!

Last week , I received another ream from my parents and began to think, "What am I going to do with all of this card stock!?"

We had Sunday's events (See "One FULL House") and used up most everything I had put out and dipped a little into my "reserve stash". I had learned that I needed to after the first experience and I am glad I saved a little chunk for myself this time.

Today, I received a ream for Lori! I am pleasantly surprised that Someone knew I would want to make more cards. That the option of colors matters to me. Indeed, what a luxury. Abundant colors, abundant gifts, abundant love. Thanks for all the mail!

One FULL House

Sunday afternoon, we invited kids from Polehan to our house for lunch.  We were expecting 7 kids plus 1 family.  We ended up having 2 overly-full car loads.  Over 20 kids packed into our small house!  Some of the girls helped to cook.  We lined our porch and served spaghetti for lunch.  Many of the kids had never tasted spaghetti before and didn't like it!  We ended up ordering Bakso (meatballs) from the street vendor.  Here, generally one of the least favorites of Westerners is clearly one of the favorites of local children! But how precious that some of the boys stepped in to wash plenty of dishes!  I think that was one of my favorite sights of the day.

We had art projects galore, of course!  Card making, painting, rubber stamping, markers, crayons, colored pencils and stickers.  I got to teach them how to make pop-up cards! We even had a photo session in my "studio" - a.k.a. the laptop on my side table.  Thanks to Photo Booth!

After nearly 5 hours, it was time to go home.  Juliana, Wenny and I were exhausted from hosting, but it was the "good" kind of worn out.

Fun Stuff to Send

I love getting mail. So, in case you have some spare time to run to the market and the post office, here are suggestions!

Things to Send:
- Chocolate: 3 Musketeers, Snickers, Reeces's Peanut Butter cups
- JELLO instant chocolate pudding
- Grape jam/jelly
- The latest magazines: Fashion/Cooking/Interior Design/Rubber Stamping/Card Making
- Notes/Pictures from YOU!

Use padded envelopes.
Allow approximately 2 weeks for arrival
Know that it's sooo much appreciated!

Warna Helm

The color of my helmet... I never would've guessed. It's totally girlie! They had red, black, blue, copper, white and green. Just felt fun to get PINK! Ahaha. At least we know that my head is protected.

Day after Thanksgiving shopping

So, here, my shopping consists of my brand new motorcycle helmet! That's right! We're working out details for my bike, probably just renting one for the next 7 months. You'll never guess what color my helmet is... Any guesses? Click on "_ comments" and add your guess. I'll post a picture as soon as I can.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I survived my presentation! And Lori, I used the fall leaves you sent - a perfect reminder and visual for Autumn at home! I've been asked by the principal to frame and put up my artwork around the school!

Over a huge turkey feast, we shared stories about past Thanksgivings. Gary shared that for some reason, he always pictured a live turkey walking in to the house through the front door! While growing up in Indonesia, his mom called to order a turkey. They delivered a live turkey! They had to slaughter and pluck that thing in their back yard! We had a hilarious night. It felt so good to have a pseudo-family here. Grand feast, decorations, favors and all. Our fresh pumpkin pie, made from a real pumpkin, turned out well! Or so
I'm told!

So, for now, in the middle of loving it here, but still having my own issues, I watch this video sent from Matt. It simply gives me peace and release... at least enough to sleep for tonight. Thankful to be abundantly loved. And, with the little that I am able, to love.

From a land that doesn't celebrate it, Happy Thanksgiving!!! Indeed, I'm thankful for the freedom I know.

Or so they say

They say I'm growing, but for some reason, I don't really see it.
I see it happening all around me.
I see it happening in others.

Are my expectations high?
Am I walking around partially blind?

I'm just tired, frustrated, scared and still angry.

--0-0-0-0--

I finished my 3 page paper about painting. Mind you, it's all in
Indonesian.

Thursday, I'll share this paper and my paintings with Charis staff/
teachers. I'll make pumpkin pies with Ibu Tatik. And friends here and I will enjoy our Thankgiving dinner!

Little Lina

Ibu Tatik's daughter has been on vacation from school yesterday and
today. And since her nanny is pregnant, Lina now hangs out at our
house after school.

While Juliana was studying with her mom, yesterday, we painted. And
today, we were just exploring and being silly.

Almost like dancing

the beauty of shattered dreams

I'm fighting to find enough courage to eventually have a little more faith. if a mustard seed of faith can move mountains, why is my faith not enough? I'm not seeing things happen. i keep hearing "wait". it's simply making me weary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aokh6_6hBM8

In case you can't get to it, the lyrics are here (wish I could write like this!):

letting all of this go

letting all of me show

i've got nothing left to lose

getting tired of the fight

God, I need a place to hide

i've got a broken soul tonight

and the silence is so thick

it's filling up my life

it's coming from the crevices

and it's spilling out the sides

and I'm left

all these lines

plaguing my mind

can you do what you say you can do?

take these shattered dreams and make them new

can you be who you say you can be?

a friend for me

a friend for me

letting all of this go

letting all of me show

i've got nothing left to lose

Franklin the Turtle Rides a Bike

Found this book while I was in Bali! Inspired by the turtle costume
and learning to "naik sepeda motor" - ride a motorcycle. :D

Wellsprings

The Word: a wellspring of life. a firm foundation. steady in the
midst of the storm.

Tonight, Paul shared about the Word, being a wellspring of life. I
was able to paint during our gathering. And it was really fun to
have Katie, next to me, keeping me company! I was able to share this
with many people there. A little reminder of the freedom that I have
at home, and now here.

High School Camp @ WIS

I'm reminded of my senior year of high school, when I couldn't go to summer camp because I would be leaving early for college. My small group coordinated a camp for us. It was a simple weekend in a home, but absolutely memorable. They coordinated food and KP (kitchen patrol), games, devotions and even transportation. Even then, we pulled pranks and tped our counselor's car in the garage. But we bonded. It was definitely the overflow of love.

Yippiee! So I was a counselor for only a day and a half, but it was so refreshing to my soul! I had a cabin of 5 girls. Mind you, our cabin was the Kindergarten classroom. But what an honor to be a part of this event.

I'm not sure what bonds we formed, as our time together was really short.

Overall, it took a lot out of me. I keep having my faith stretched in my own journey. But I am so encouraged by my time with them. I even took 4 girls on a short hike - to get my pillow at my house, literally down the street. It was fun to have them see my place, just before I get ready to move.

Yay Mail!

Back from Bali. Yippiee! I got markers and card stock from
Christina! Love it!

Sanur and Ubud

I had a slight detour from Malang to Bali. Those flights
have been canceled, indefinitely, due to a recent
accident (no complaints!) They put me in a taxi for a
2-hour ride to Surabaya. And a flight out to Bali,
arriving 5 hours later than planned.

Rachel and I spent a night in Sanur at the nicest hotel
I've been in since my arrival here. We had an outdoor
bathroom, with a tub/jacuzzi! SOOO kewl! I enjoyed a
peaceful morning at the rocky beach. Crabs, larger than
my fist, captured my curiosity. I was surrounded, almost
360 degrees, by cool, clear water lapping at my feet.
Simply refreshing...

We came to Ubud and are staying at a shady hotel. The
doors are locked with a padlock! But it is cute overall.
We visited the Monkey Temple and had great conversation
over dinner. It's been fun, but mostly a much needed
vacation...

Quiet in the Office

I'm enjoying a quiet Saturday night at the office. Usually, it's
bustling with kids and teachers, video clips or sound bytes. And
occasionally a wild cat will stroll in. That usually freaks me out.

But pictured here, is a glimpse of our day to day setting. 1) You can
see Pandu's desk and Samuel's is in the corner. Then 2) in the
center is our meeting table, though I'm rarely at meetings. And far
in the colorful corner is Indra's desk. 3) Raymond's desk is with
the high shelf, and then Goteng's is with the sound equipment.

I sit across from the main door. And between that door and the
filing cabinet, you can see the frame of the doorway for the studio!
See "inSPiRING"