Thursday

Today was a good day here at the Potter house. Actually we weren't at the Potter house in the morning and I think that's why it was a good day. We got out this morning for our orientation time and got to see a bit of the place we live in. My coworker Jodi, took me to the Pasar or the market where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables and meats and an assortment of other things. It was actually much nicer than the one where we lived in Java and so I was much less intimidated by shopping there. I have always had my house helper go for me because the crowds and mayhem really wasn't very enticing to me. But here, it was so orderly and clean that I thought, "I can do this!". What a boost today! Something I feel adequate to do!

Then we went up to the International school to get a tour. Hillcrest International School is amazing and is so geared toward serving missionaries. WE have full access to the grounds and they are beautifully situated high up above the town. Its cooler up there and clean and just a wonderfully relaxing place to go. There is a playground that Jack can use at any time, a gymnasium, tennis courts, soccer field, and also a library there that we now have access to with current magazines, books, videos and even a huge kids section that Jack will love. It was good to see where he and Owen will go to school one day and to know that even though that's ways off in our future, we can already begin to reap the benefits! God bless those who have sacrificed good jobs at home to come and teach our kids for no monetary reward!

Joel also has been accomplishing big things at our house. Yesterday, he finished up a project of cutting a hole in the concrete and brick wall in between our room and Jack's room so we can put a fan in to pull some of the cool air from our room into his. This will make naptime so much nicer for him! Today he began to tackle our bathroom to take out the "bak", a four foot high tub with four walls that holds water. The Indonesians fill it full with water and then stand in the middle of the bathroom floor and dip water out and over themselves with a ladle. Not our idea of a good shower or bath so he is knocking down the walls and extending it out so we can have a proper shower. Right now we have a shower head that is attached to the wall in the middle of the bathroom, soaking everything in reach, including the toilet. Again, not our idea of what a bathroom is. So… he's been chisling away at cement and brick once again. Johnny, you'd be proud! His hands now look like yours! (the photos are: #73 – the bathroom he is working on under construction, #81 – the current guest bathroom that is still completely Indonesian style. Want to have a toilet like this at your house?)

It's now 9 pm and like the carriage in the Cinderalla story, we are going to turn into pumpkins at any moment. When the sun goes down at 5:30 each night, 9pm feels like midnight! So with a good day behind us and hearts so incredibly grateful for all your prayers and notes of encouragement that truly lift our spirits, we bid you goodnight.

Bethany