Whatleys' World: August 2010

If you are like me you:
*LOVE YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!
*LOVE YOUR MINISTRY!!!
*Are content with a meal out because sometimes ministry can't wait because it is your birthday.

As I have gotten older... hee hee hee ...my love for enjoying my own birthdate has not lessened, however, I try not to expect much. I don't expect much because life is what it is: unexpected circumstances and daily duties. I am thankful for a wonderful husband (BLESSINGS upon blessings for THAT!) who does what he can to give me a good day within our power and personal preferences. :)

For the last few years I have been content with a meal out (nothing fancy needed...) and just to enjoy myself. This year I wanted to go for coffee at a cool little coffee shop (run by a woman and her husband to help support a safe house), eat really cheap but VERY yummy fried rice at a local little house and then head up the mountain to a hotel where we can sit by their cool pool and look out over Salatiga and it's pretty lights. That was our plan.

My friend, Sherry, from Papua graced me with a way-cool bag she crochetted that are the PERFECT colors to go with a Moi bead necklace (see pic above) made by my awesome sister-in-law, Carolyn, and got taken out for coffee by an awesome friend, Amberlynne!

Now, Shane and I were going for coffee at 2. I picked 2 because the coffee shop is right outside of the High School and it could get really packed after 2:30!! :) My friend, Amberlynne, texted (we call it smsed here) me the night before to ask if I wanted to go for coffee at 10. (We were already eating lunch with them!) Well, OF COURSE I couldn't say no!! :)

When our orders came, mine arrived in one of those cool clear plastic insulated starbucks mug with twist on lid with heavy duty straw.. know which one I mean?? Wow... my Mocha Frap with extra shot of espresso NEVER tasted so good!!! :)

Before lunch, Andrew and Amberlynne sent me on a scavenger hunt! I hunted down my next note from freezer, under pop crates, microwave, under chair, in water bottle, etc... to ending with the dryer. I had picked up a deck of 'Rook' cards in my mail box as one of the clues and finished with a package of decaff Starbucks. Ah.... the things that fill our day with happiness. :) I am a very happy camper by this point! :) {I will add that I WAS getting work done between all of these activities... hee hee hee..}

Lunch was awesome too. We tried this new beef dish.. we agreed that it definitely tasted like it should have been an Indian recipe. I will be getting a copy of it!

At 2 Shane and I met at the coffee shop again for coffee. It was really nice to sit and chat.... not something we do other than over a meal, though our computers face opposite walls in this room and we see each other fairly regularly throughout the day... of course, you all who are reading this already know Shane and I so know we don't sit around chatting often. :) hee hee hee

We planned our trip to a West Java city for a board meeting mid week next week and then parted ways again until supper. Shane had to help with a language evaluation.

I picked up yummy fried rice, like as planned, from the 'Pink Door.' I got a great lesson in Javanese. I was wishing I had my recorder. I will for sure take it next time! :) She was a wealth of words and phrases... this older mind does not learn that fast.... :)

After supper we headed up the mountain. We enjoyed the city lights and the cool breeze; heading home close to 10.

I finished off the day, chatting with 2 dear friends from Clifford Community Church, who both recently found out they have cancer. One of these dear ladies is getting pain management, looking forward to meeting Jesus soon. Her and her husband have always been huge encouragements to us (who HASN'T at CCC!! :) ) and have welcomed us into their lives. The other is being cared for by another super woman in the church. We do not have a final prognosis, but she is also getting the best care ever. These ladies love the Lord and have been a blessing to us. If you think of them today, please pray for the families of Bonnie and Marie.

I am thankful to the Lord for the amazing day he gave me yesterday. His love never fails and I often pray that when harder times fall and trials come again, that the rememberance of God's amazing goodness will not change my attitude for him - no matter come what may. We serve an awesome God NO MATTER how the world looks at our circumstances.

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice."

:) It was fun having family stay with us for a month. Nathan was a super guest! Of course we always love to have guests when we are able. :)

Here are some pics of his time with us.

Having supper out.... Nasi Goreng Babi (Pork Fried Rice)

Dessert - Roti Bakar (BBQed Bread)
We ordered chocolate and peanuts. :)

Our time in Yogya...
Borobudur Temple (Budhist)

We stayed at a hotel near the airport... kind of a gallery for a nationally known artist - Affandi.

I havent decided if I would recommend it. It was cool, quiet and peaceful. We thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast by the pool! Old building - some rooms were really modern and cool others were very traditional Indonesian. Septic/black water system was not real good... I had to plug all of the drains to keep the room from smelling yucky. Bed was good, breakfast was good... a neat experience and not bad of a price for being 5 minutes from the airport.