Shane's Birthday

Every year I try to make sure Shane has a fun birthday. I know nothing about fishing trips in this part of the world or something fun to organize for him.

































































































































































































This year I just had folks in for meals. (our pastor and family for lunch and 'old' friends and one of our families.)
















We ended the night with Balderdash with a crazy group who totally knew what they were doing!! :) Oh, it was sooo hard to pick the right definition!






























Lisa and Amber had made mulled cider and brought some of their prized possession to share with us! It was very yummy!!! :)





























Also... leave it to Lisa, but she found these AWESOME 'Birthday Candles' (YES, that is what it said on the packaging!! :) ) that were sparklers! .... and she had made the pie. (Well, either her or Amber.)































































Eden seems to love Shane. (Often says..."Hi, Shane.") It is quite funny actually. :) She is such a cutie.... anyway, Briana was saving this picture of Eden on our way home from our Pacitan trip (months ago...) where Eden had on Shane's Panama hat. (Shane was driving his motorbike but our stuff was in the van.) It was the funniest thing. :)







































































Eden taking a ride in the lid...

Christmas Festivities

Christmas Baking

Like last year, I made cookies for our neighbors, neighbor leader, and a few others. I made 3 batches of sugar cookies, gingerbread stars, and checkerboard cookies. Snacks and meals that are meant to give as a gift or to take home are given in boxes. You can buy them anywhere are they are really fun! Allows me to enjoy being creative! :)



























For our families I made chocolate dipped biscotti and cinnamon sticks and Shane and I drove around and delivered them Christmas Eve.















Christmas Eve

We picked up a ham from a local man who seems to acquire them each year. It is a nice treat once a year.

We invited a fellow co-laborer and his wife to enjoy a Christmas dinner! :) Seems it was their first ever ham and mashed potatoes. Brilly and Nuru head back to North Sulawesi the first of January. As they have adjusted to being married they have been a blessing to us here! We will miss them.















Christmas Morning

Our first year here in Indo we attended the Christian gathering in the town square (or oval :) ). We have not gone since. This year we attended one up the mountain along with our church.

We were up at 3:10 to be there at 4AM
















The stage after it was getting light.













































































We drove up with our pastor and family so they invited us for breakfast before they took us home.




























And.. what you see quite often.... :) {Maybe this happens back home already... but a few weeks ago we were out with some friends. We were in this restaurant and beside us was a family of 4. They were each playing on their cell phones, the mom was even watching a nightly sitcom show! Where has family time gone??? :) Whoever's 'Love Language' is to spend meaningful time together is probably finding it more and more difficult these days to feel like they are getting enough human interaction! maybe... :) }

Current Painting Endeavors

In my spare time this Christmas I've made time to finish up an order of 3 paintings for Amberlynne. :) The paintings will hang in our orientation centre/center and mission home until they head off to another island.

The theme is cultural drinks.

L&P - out of New Zealand


































Starbucks - :) (no need for explanation...)













































Twinings Tea... is my current, tedious project.














Amberlynne says she has found 2 more for me to do. :)

Getting Ready for Christmas

:) With my voltage regulator fixed (I was using a dusty voltage regulator to try out the dehydrator we inherited from Tim & Kathy... the v.r. began to burn... thought I fried it....) we were finally able to decorate our wonderful tree!