A Grand Wedding

Congratulations to Roberto and Fransisca!  This also marks Jim's first time officiating at an Indonesian wedding.  It was a long day, but Mary and Della rocked it!  It was so interesting to see this wedding from start to finish and how they incorporated Chinese, Indonesian and Western traditions. 
 The wedding ceremony was held at the church at 10:00 in the morning.  There were about 100 people in attendance.  Of course, it was a Friday, so many people had to work.  The Bride, Fransisca, wore a gorgeous custom gown and veiled her face until Roberto was told by Jim that he could "now kiss his bride!"  The flower girls had not practiced with petals the night before, but were given some for the ceremony.  Mary and Della, while being escorted by five year old David, started scattering their petals.  Quite concerned by this deviation from the plan, David yelled out, "What are you doing??"  It was sooo cute!
After the ceremony, the girls and I were whisked away to a hotel downtown, where for the next few hours all the members of the bridal party and the women of the bride's family were treated to makeovers.  In the end, I was forced into a chair and got my first pair of false eyelashes!  I do prefer the more natural me, but Jim liked the look. :)

Now it was time for the formal portraits.  All the ladies changed into beautiful evening gowns as the real celebration was just starting.
 

 They continued with the traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony.  Couples came up and sat in front of the bride and groom, and were served tea.  After the couple took a sip they gave the cup back and then stood and presented the bride and groom with a red envelope (money inside.)  This scene repeated itself until all the friends and relatives had "paid" their respects.

The reception started at 7:00 in the evening and the Bridal Party made their entrance down a very long walkway and up onto the stage.  The newlyweds and their parents stayed there as the guests filed by  to greet them.  Food stations were set up all around the ballroom and a band played, although there was no dancing.  I estimate that about 2,000 guests came for the party, which is a far cry from the amount that attended the actually ceremony.

Everything was so beautiful!  The highlight for me, was watching a movie starring Roberto and Fransisca.  It was just like a big screen movie and the footage was edited from the morning's ceremony.  I just couldn't believe how it was done in time for the reception and what a great job they did editing.  First time I ever saw anything like it and thought it was pretty special.

I promised you wedding pictures and I hope you enjoyed them!  :-)

Back in Jakarta again...

We made it!  Two 25 hour flights around the world in 30 days.  Sounds like the makings of a movie to me!  :-)  The kids were great and everything went very smoothly.  It is just this terrible jet lag.  Everyone finally had a full night's sleep last night, except Jim.  So he has been sleeping since for 4pm this afternoon.  I am trying to keep awake so that I can use this quiet time to write to you.  A glass of Pepsi and some "do-si-dos", curtesy of the Girl Scouts, (yes, I stocked up while I was home) are helping to do the trick!

Trying to get back in the swing of things and I had almost forgotten how the simplest tasks are just more complicated here.  Our friend, Tim, calls this the "Land of Almost Right."  Bought a MagicJack and can't seem to get that to work.  There is always some mix up with the dry cleaning and I can't speak the language well enough to right it on my own.  A ten minute ride home from the grocery store today took two hours!  I could go on, but I will stop and look at the brighter side of things...

Anna and I had two hours together in the car because of the traffic.  Anna reviewed the 50 United States in alphabetical order and was quizzed on the times tables.   She then talked incessantly about the possibility of going to summer camp with her cousin next summer.  Oh, the questions she asked! "Mom, will I be able to chew gum?"; "Do I have to wear my hair up?"; "What happens if the lights are still on after 'lights out'?"; "Where will we go to church?" On and on and on and on and on for two hours!!!!  She worked herself up into a frenzy and hopefully it will work out for her to go.  This is why I normally choose not to tell the kids our plans ahead of time.

Mary and Della will be flower girls tomorrow and are in for a very full day.  They arrive for ceremony at 9:30am, drive to hotel downtown for hair and make-up to be picture ready for the portrait session at 3pm, go to rehearsal for the reception (I think it must be to practice for the entrance?) and finally the reception at 7pm!  These two sweeties are going to be tuckered out...not to mention the poor pride, who rumor has it, is getting up at 2:30am to start her big day.  God Bless!

Will post pics soon and give you the inside scoop on "A Day in the Life of a Grand Indonesian Wedding!"

Blessed in Borneo

Ok, properly speaking, it is now called Kalimantan.  But me thinks Borneo sounds better!
The kids and I were invited to spend Chinese New Year with a very lovely family from church that lives part of the year in Samarinda, Kalimantan.  We flew out of Jakarta on February 8 - Della's third birthday - and then boarded a twelve passenger plane from Balikpapan to Samarinda.  While a bit nerve-wracking, it was a great way to see the beautiful landscape of Borneo. 

The weekend was packed with celebrating Della's birthday and Chinese New Year!  Highlights of our visit included a trip to the local wet market, where the meat is butchered right in front of you. (As if that wasn't gross enough, a bird pooped on my head!)  We enjoyed the trip up the Mahakam River and the interesting scenery, especially the grand and ornate mosques.  We stopped at a coal mine, a fish hatchery, a museum displaying a deceased crocodile that had eaten someone, and a royal palace!
I think our favorite "touristy" thing was seeing the native people, the Dayaks, performing their tribal dances for us in a traditional long house.  Yes, of course, Della and Mary were also main attractions that day, but we are getting used to it.  The Dayaks charge money to get your picture taken with them and I think I might have to start doing the same.  I could be a millionaire already!

Let me try and share a really cool story with you about the Dayaks and The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church (CMA.)  The CMA was the first mission group into Borneo and during WWII, many of the missionaries and Dayak people died at the hand of the enemy.  But during this time, there are many stories of  sacrifice and heroism.  Read "The Airmen and The Headhunters" for an amazing account of one such story.
Jim, his mother, and his grandmother have all grown up in the CMA church and are familiar with many missionaries that have served in Borneo with the Dayak tribes.  Because of this heritage, Jim felt a curious connection to the people of Borneo when he visited last Easter.  When the kids and I visited the Dayak Pampang (village), of course souvenirs were purchased.  The Dayaks are known for their bead work and Anna was attracted to a beautiful Bible cover, hand beaded with a pitcher, a cross, and a chalice on the front and the word "Alkitab" (Bible in Indonesian) on the side.  When we were home in Jakarta and Jim saw the Bible cover he asked who had made it.  He was amazed to see that the cover had the symbol of the CMA on it (unbeknownst to me) and that the connection between the two groups was still alive and strong.  We can't wait to bring it to the states to show Jim's mom and grandmother.  Forgive me, this just really touched our hearts!
I look forward to sharing a lot more stories and photos with many of you when we are back visiting in a couple of months!

Holiday Highlights

Howard and Esther Long (Jim's parents) are en route to JFK Airport as I type.  Their visit was much anticipated, very much appreciated and way too short!  Some highlights from their time with us:  treating Esther to a cream bath, which is a hair moisturizing, scalp massage.  I asked her how she enjoyed it, and she responded "that was awful...I kept praying she wouldn't go near my temples again!"  Her scalp had sore spots for days and we all laughed about it for days!  We showed them around the church and took them to our favorite mall for groceries.  Howard got a chance to preach in morning chapel and to share about his Truck Stop Ministry.
The Second week of their visit, we set out for Bali!  Just making our flight and enduring a harrowing nighttime car ride through the mountain pass to the north shores of Bali, added to the now growing thought that I might be an agent of torture!  When we awoke at Lilin Lovina Beach Resort, we felt it had all been worth it.  I mention the resort by name, because I want everyone to go vacation there.  It was marvelous!  The view of the ocean from our villa was beautiful and the breakfasts served every morning on our verandah were simply scrumptious.  We were pampered in every way for three days.
Now, in case you were thinking that I would never purposely torture my in-laws, you would be wrong.  On George's birthday, I "porpoisely" took us all on the adventure of a lifetime...we went dolphin watching!  Seriously, I didn't realize that the boat was about a foot wide with planks resting (not nailed in) over the top of it with bamboo outriggers to keep us from tipping over in the waves.  An hour out, putting along with a strained motor, and we were joined with the other dolphin watchers that early morning.  I prayed the entire time for safety, long-suffering and that we would actually see some dolphins!!  And then it happened, the other boats had gone on a chase the other direction and we sat by ourselves as the sea grew calm.  You guessed it... a school of dolphins surfaced and one did a flip on his tail - a birthday flip for George!  We watched and wondered as these gentle, playful creatures of the ocean enjoyed their morning frolic.  I tried to get pictures, but realized that I should put the camera away and enjoy the moment. (I was also scared that I would drop my camera into the water or that Della would slip off my lap into the deep blue as I was trying to capture our experience on film.)  Here are my two best pictures:

We arrived back on shore safe and sound, but with shaky legs and sore behinds!  Later that day we saw a waterspout and a gorgeous lightning show over the ocean that night...very cool.  Our trip ended and we flew back to Jakarta and the dreaded traffic.
Christmas preparations ensued and soon Christmas Eve was upon us.  We attended a service with five thousand people and Dr. Tong honored Howard by inviting him to give the Benediction.  Midnight was heralded in around our Christmas Tree together with new friends singing "Joy to the World!"  What memories for our first Christmas in Indonesia.
The holiday week ended with a couple of day trips to the mountains of Bogor to visit a fruit farm, botanical garden, safari and a beautiful villa.
The kids cried as Grandma and Pop Pop left for the airport, but I soon distracted them with watching fireworks out our window.  We live on the 22nd floor and have the most amazing view of Jakarta.  Fireworks are not illegal here and so everyone sets them off...all night long.  Not the little sparklers, but huge, beautiful rockets.  I stood alone at the window at 11:55pm and for the next five minutes beheld the most amazing sight.  Flashes of color sprayed across the sky above the city dazzling the mind and eye.  2013 was here and I was thankful that I got to spend it perched at my window in Jakarta.
May your 2013 be blessed with Love and Light!

A Christmas Card for You!

Countdown to Christmas

First artificial tree and Anna just decided that it doesn't seem like Christmas because the house doesn't have that pine tree smell. 
The stockings are hung over the bathroom door with care.  Questions abound about how Santa is going to get in to fill the stockings! 
Started Advent Scripture Chain and the kids are remembering the chocolate filled calendars they used to open each day as they anticipated the 25th.
Loved looking at Christmas lights around Millbrook.  Hoping that the glow of the city lights of Jakarta will manage to be an acceptable substitute.
Made my first batch of cookies for our Annual Christmas Eve Cookies and Punch.  Anna will not let this tradition die!

In the midst of missing our fireplace, snow, pets, loved ones, etc... I found a moment of true focus on the season.  Thanks to the internet, I was singing along to "Here With Us"
"Hallelujah, Hallelujah!  Heaven's Love reaching down to save the world.  Son of God, Servant King, here with us."  I had a blessed moment of peace and joy.  And as I was choking back tears of thankfulness, with a heart overflowing, Anna tapped me on the shoulder.  I looked up to see Della singing away with her eyes closed, head swaying and her face tipped to heaven.
 Christ is more than a tradition.  He is our Christmas, our Hope of Eternity, our all.  The trappings of Christmas are fun and special and sweet, but nothing to remember in light of His Birth, Death and Resurrection!

I'm back...blogging that is!

Wow! I can't believe it has been over a month since I last blogged.  That could mean a number of things. 1.  I''m just lazy  2.  nothing has happened  3.  we are getting settled and life is getting busier

While some may vote for #1, I'm going with #3.  We have been on the go and busy, which is a good thing!
Jim spends most of his time prepping for Bible Studies, fellowships and sermons as well as attending meetings and enjoying face time with students and parishioners.
This week we became a home school family!  Our first couple of days went well and I look forward to discovering new things with the kids as we continue.  If you home school, please send me your advice!
A friend just got back from the states and brought us lots of "essentials" like microwave popcorn and canned pumpkin (pie for Thanksgiving!)
We are also grateful to "the twins" for taking us on an overnight excursion to the mountainous cities of Bandung and Bogor.  It was fun to see new places and the kids got a chance to swim.
Our apartment is finished, but we are still not moved in.  We need to have internet and water delivery set up and to make sure the elevators and security are in place.  I decided to go ahead with some purchases before we move in.  I bought everyone a set of towels and I purchased a crock-pot!!  Yesterday we enjoyed corn chowder after the kids carved pumpkins.  We then roasted the pumpkin seeds and it smelled like home.  We considered turning the air conditioner to near freezing temps to complete the scene, but didn't want to put a chill on our bowls of soup!
We attended a night of Mozart presented by the Aula Simfonia Jakarta with Dr. Tong conducting and met the solo flutist on the elevator.  She is from Taiwan and was amazing!  Still hard to imagine that we don't have to leave the church premises to enjoy this type of world class production.

We are praying for those that are facing Hurricane Sandy and will follow everything as best we can on the internet.  We miss you all and love hearing from you!