Photo of the Day... maybe

Sometimes I forget that life here isn't... normal. It's not America, and life is definitely not lived as if it were. Often, I don't see these differences. A friend had an idea, though, and I'm going to steal it. I am going to attempt to post a photo every day or so (given that I have internet) so that you can see what my life is, at least, sorta like on an everyday basis.

A glimpse into my yesterday. Guess what tomorrow's photo is going to be... 

For today: Lunch with some lovely ladies from the English club at a mie ayam (noodles with chicken) restaurant. Most restaurants have a limited menu, but what they're known for, they're usually pretty great at. With this dish, you can add however much sweet soy sauce or hot sauce that you'd like. If you can tell, my noodles are only somewhat brown from just a smidge of soy sauce and white pepper. However, if you look at my friends', theirs is red - plenty of hot sauce. No spice, no taste, right? 

There won't always be so many photos, unfortunately, but today, my internet was being somewhat cooperative. :)

 

"What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth... This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." - 1 Cor. 3:5-7, 4:1

christmas

What a Christmas.

Dinner and games with some amazing folks on Christmas Eve, homemade eggnog while introducing White Christmas to two lovely ladies, Christmas day with my family-away-from-family, clear Skype reception (for the most part) to be able to talk with family and watch them open presents...

And the grand finale - my little sister is engaged!! Congratulations, Regan and Isaac!! So excited for you two! And so grateful Skype held up long enough to be able to see this beauty!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."  

walking on water

The house seems so empty. It's crazy how loud silence can be.

Tuesday my two housemates (and partners and just really awesome friends) went back to the US, concluding a series of goodbyes this holiday season. The city is now short two single ladies, one wonderful couple, and four energetic, beautiful blonde-headed girls.

This time has been much anticipated with anxiety, to be honest. More goodbyes. Another transition. Joy.

It's easy to look at the situation and fall into worry and insecurity. And I did there for a little while (another honest moment). Who am I to be heading up the English center? What am I going to do without all those late-night motivating and strengthening conversations? What happens if (when) everything falls apart and we lose all momentum and I have no idea what to do next? Can I really do this?

But you know what? All of those questions up there, they're all focused on the wrong thing. They're all about me. Who am I? What am I to do?

While some of those questions up there may hold some value, most are just unbelief covered in worry. I'm reminded of a story about a certain someone who tried to walk on water but started sinking when he shifted his eyes to the storm around him instead of on the One who was walking towards him. Pretty humbling.

Isn't that more or less exactly what I'm doing? I am so quick to look at what's around me and flip out because I can't possibly do it, when all I'm supposed to do is fix my eyes on the One who CAN. (Haven't I learned this already? I think I'm like Peter in more ways than one.)

So here's what I've learned so far in my version of trying to walk on water:

He's our Father, our good and perfect Father. And if our dads here know how to give their children good gifts, how much more so our good and perfect Father! We are not abandoned. We are His beloved.

He knows what He's doing. It's no coincidence that we're in the situations we're in. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows how to draw us to Himself. That's what He's doing, you know. Drawing us to Himself. Making His name known. And, in the process, making us more like Him. We can't walk on water, but He can. When the wind and waves are raging all around us, all we gotta do is trust and keep walking with our eyes fixed on Him.

Let's try this whole walking on water thing again.

Recipe 2: Nina's Oatmeal Bread

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Several of you have requested the recipe for that delicious bread I posted a little while ago. I have gotten permission to post it, so in honor of the amazing woman who has taught me so much about cooking, mothering, and being a woman after His heart, ladies and gentlemen, Nina's Oatmeal Bread:

Oatmeal Bread

COMBINE INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• Flaxseed/wheat germ (optional)
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 2 Tbsp butter/margarine

POUR OVER and LET SET:

• 2 cups boiling water 

DISSOLVE:

• 1 pkg (little over 3 tsp) dry yeast
• in 1/2 cup warm water

When batter is cooled to lukewarm, add yeast.

STIR IN:

• 5 cups flour (may substitute 1 cup flour for 1 cup whole wheat flour if desired) 

DIRECTIONS:
When dough is stiff enough to handle, turn onto floured board and knead 5-10 minutes (or use mixer with dough hooks to knead).

Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about an hour).

Punch down and let rise  again.

Shape into 2 loaves, place in greased 9x5x3 loaf pans.

Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes.

Cool on rack and brush loaves with butter for soft crust.