Return Visit

Back to the island for a 4-day visit. Good times.

Trying to learn how to weave a mat. Not sure why I never tried before. (or did I?)

K brought a bunch of bandanas from the U.S. as gifts (and stickers). They were a big hit.

The babies are growing up so fast!

Our landlady and neighbors enjoying K's pictures of family and her new boyfriend. Gathered on our old porch.

Ready, aim, fire!

The new team problem: crabs.

It used to be things like monkeys, wild boar, and water buffalo. But apparently crabs are a terrible nuisance to a garden as well. K taking a crack at one.

(FYI, it's an air gun, folks)

Web Stops

This is just a couple things I've been touched or amused by on other people's blogs or facebook posts.

My friend's husband (also my friend) passed away very unexpectedly a few years ago at age 29. I love her blog because of the honesty/transparency that she not afraid to display. I was intrigued by her thoughts on Boaz that she posted last month (skip down a few paragraphs to the part on Ruth). I'm curious what my single girl friends think? Are men these days prepared to be a Boaz?

The importance of the involvement of fathers: a 30-second ad. This manicure one is cute, too. Warning: it might get addictive.

Words, words, words

My friend wants to become fluent in English. So last week I declared to her that I will only use English with her from now on. I am constantly running into crazy idioms and things I can't explain! What a language. Then last night these girls taught me: menjilat ludah sendiri. "Licking up your own spit???" I asked, ready to

vomit at the image. "It's one of our idioms," they said, and described something like going back on your word. Whew!

While listening to the Bible on audio this year, I have been struck by the power of words. On their death bed, fathers often spoke blessings over their children (Gen 27:27-29; 49:1-28), and what they said came to be! People pronounced both blessing (Rut 1:9, 1:12, 1:13, 3:10, 4:11, 14-15; 1 Sam 1:17, 1:18, 2:20, 25:33, 26:25) and curses (Gen 9:25; Num 24:20-24; 2 Sam 3:28-9; Ps 69) on others, and they came to be! Jabez asked God to bless him (1 Chr 4:10). And He did! Over and over again I hear "May you...." and in following up with whatever the story is, indeed it comes to pass. And may I not fail to mention that when God spoke, it definitely was so. I want to speak more blessings over people this year.

And so, passer-by, may you search for truth this year and find more than you could have ever imagined.

and, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

(by the way, anybody know the origin of "the cat got your tongue?")