Saturday, April 30

Aaron and Barnabas just finished the first picture book in Lavukaleve.  It's about two boys walking around a village and talking about the four different kinds of crabs.  The title is "Leim Lelemal Baere Siare" (Two Boys Visit). We took Barnabas some food to say thank you and the first copy of the book to proofread last night.  We're so excited!

Friday, April 29

Katherine threw up in morning prayer this morning.  Aaron was supposed to read the New Testament reading, but he had to duck out to bring Katherine home.  He returned just in time to find the catechist reading.  Katherine threw up again about thirty minutes later.  She has been a sweet and quiet lump in my lap most of the morning as I've read history to the kids or made bread.  We finally got some popcorn into her along with some ibuprofen, and she took a short nap.  Yesterday, she ran a temperature and didn't each much besides some papaya.  I'm so thankful that she is sick in the daylight and that the Mother's Union program for today was canceled.  Please continue to pray for rain as I need some extra water for the sheets and the clothes that caught the vomit.

Thursday, April 28

The front small rain tank ran dry yesterday, and the larger one has about 1/4 left.  Our neighbors are coming in droves with pots and buckets to get water every morning and evening.  Please pray for rain.  The new rain tank that we brought is still sitting by the church waiting for concrete to come to make a permanent base.  Everything runs on Solomon Time here!

Sarah's body is responding well to the malaria meds, and she will finish her dose tonight.  She is such a sweet sick patient, and we're thankful that this new 3-day dose has worked well for her.
Found out yesterday that the big Mother's Union program for tonight and tomorrow was canceled, so I'll have to practice my Lavukaleve while making banana cake another day!

Tues & Wed

Tuesday, April 26

Kiko and I made banana cake this afternoon in her kitchen.  As I completed each step, she told me in Lavukaleve what I was doing, and I wrote it down.  I hope to be able to repeat it back to the ladies who are coming later this week.  Part of the Mother's Union program is to share with the ladies something you know how to do - crochet, cook, etc.  The cake turned out beautifully thanks to Kiko's expertise in cooking on the open fire. 

Wednesday, April 27

At market this morning, I heard some of the ladies talking about the Bilikiki (a small scuba diving/cruise ship).  Sure enough, I looked out across the ocean and saw the ship anchored between Karumolun and Marulaon.  Some of my friends planned to take some produce to the Bilikiki and create a small market, so I asked if I could go too.  Quickly, I went out and picked a pumpkin and a papaya, grabbed some Chinese cabbage, and several of us headed out paddling as quickly as we could to catch the ship. 

Before we reached the ship, it began to move around the other side of Karumolun, so we paddled to meet it on the other side of the island.  The ship was getting ready to go to another part of the Russells, but they graciously waited for us and chose the produce that they wanted to buy.  I was able to get $17 (a little more than US $2) for the Bible Translation Committee, and I made it clear to boat's crew that the money was for the committee, not for me.  We stopped by Karumolun on the way home to visit and pick up a couple of things at their small store.  I arrived home a little before noon (thankful that Aaron was able to teach school on such short notice), with sore arms and a little sunburned, but I had a great time visiting with my friends and practicing Lavukaleve.

Marulaon Daybook

For Today...Monday, April 25

Outside my window...moonflower sprouts popping up in pots on the porch, morning glories beginning to climb up the center post on the porch

I am thinking...about Jesus' picture of a seed having to die before it can produce a harvest, especially how that looks in my role as a mother.  Maybe it's because we've just come out of Lent or because I've been planting a lot of seeds lately, but I've had verses like Ephesians 5:1-2, John 12:24, and Romans 12:1 bouncing around in my head a whole lot lately. 

From the learning rooms...Ancient Greece, Medes and Persians; continuing cohesion and adhesion; Sarah - writing a comparison/contrast essay, math review; Benjamin - journal writing, percentage of a quantity; Olivia - prepositions, dividing hundreds, tens and ones; Katherine - letter O

I am thankful for...friends like Pogo who teach me how to cook the Lavukal way so I can share with my friends.

I am remembering...my "baby" brother's birth twenty years ago this week, my sister and I were in the delivery room with my mom.

From the kitchen...using up the fish that David brought in exchange for using our canoe. 

I am reading..."Seasons of a Mother's Heart" by Sally Clarkson (thanks, Stephanie, the box finally came!)

I am hoping...and praying for rain.  It's been almost two weeks without significant rain, and the small tank in front of the house is dangerously low.

I am creating...pots full of seeds to transplant before we go back to Honiara.

I am hearing...fans, children playing outside, a neighbor hammering on his new house

Around the house...letter O paintings by Sarah and Katherine made with lids,

One of my favorite things...my ten-year-old's big dimply smile

Pondering these words..."Contentedness is learned by accepting life each day as God gives it to you, and adjusting your expectations to life's limitations."  - Sally Clarkson

A few plans for the rest of the week...cooking banana cake on the fire with Kiko Tuesday afternoon, going to my garden to take out the rest of the umalau and clean up the ground in preparation for more planting, teaching a group of Mother's Union ladies how to make banana cake on Friday IN LAVUKALEVE (just reading the directions so far, but I would still appreciate your prayers)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...none this week, it takes about 20 minutes to send a condensed picture from the village

Fri–Sat of Holy Week

Friday, April 22 We enjoyed Sarah's Hot Cross Buns for breakfast this morning.  She made them from a recipe in "Queen of the Castle" by Lynn Bowen Walker.  The whole community has been feeding the two visiting catechists this week, so we shared some buns with them for breakfast this morning after morning prayer.  The community had a service at 9 a.m. and then another one at 12 p.m. to celebrate different aspects of Good Friday.  Then a bell rang at 3 p.m. to remind us of the time of Jesus' death.  While our family waited for the bell, we made Easter basket cupcakes (thanks, Mama, for the ingredients).  Then the whole community gathered for a farewell for the two visiting catechists.  Just as we were leaving, Katherine knocked a flower pot off the porch rail.  Unfortunately, it was the pot with Chinese cabbage seedlings awaiting the end of Holy Week to be transplanted.  I was able to save about twenty seedlings, so I transplanted while the rest of the family went to sing and dance and say thank you.  Nothing quite like my three-year-old's voice sweetly asking, "Mama, will you please forgive me for climbing and knocking off your Chinese cabbage?"  We had hoped for an early bedtime, but the choir decided to practice since no evening prayer service was held.  So, our family was serenaded as we lay in bed and listened to our neighbors practice for Easter Sunday's celebration.

Hot Cross Buns
Dissolve:
    1 package dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp.)     in 1/4 cup warm water
Set aside.  In large saucepan, heat until almost boiling (small bubbles will appear on sides of pan):
    1 cup milk
Remove from heat.  Add:
    1 stick butter or margarine (can cut it in pieces) and stir till it melts.
Add:
    1/2 cup sugar
    1 1/2 tsp salt
Combine yeast mixture with milk mixture once the milk has cooled.  Add:
    3 beaten eggs
Stir in:
    4 3/4 cups flour
    1 tsp. cinnamon
    1 tsp. grated lemon peel
Stir until dough is smooth.  (Note:  dough will be very sticky; no need to add extra flour.)  Add:
    1 cup raisins, if desired
Cover pan with damp towel and let rise in a warm place until double.  When double, stir down.  Turn dough onto a floured board.  Shape into balls the size of eggs.  Place on greased cookie sheet, two to three inches apart, and let rise until almost double again. Brush tops with:
    1 beaten egg white
Bake at 375 degrees twelve to fifteen minutes, until nicely browned.  When cool, pipe frosting across the top in shape of a cross.  Makes twenty four.
Frosting:
In medium bowl, stir together:
    1 cup powdered sugar
    1 TBSP melted butter or margarine
    1/2 tsp lemon or orange extract
    enough hot water to make desired consistency (probably 1-2 TBSP)
Pipe a cross on each bun; with leftover icing, pipe a circle or two around each cross.  Use all of the frosting, especially if you've omitted raisins, because the buns benefit from the added sweetness. 

Saturday, April 23 I was just out lining up help for cooking food to bring to the community breakfast tomorrow.  As I walked in the door, Aaron asked me if I felt the earthquake.  He and Sarah were in the house when things started shaking, so they felt the motion, but those of us who were outside never felt a thing.  Just wanted to let everyone know we are okay!

Wed & Thurs of Holy Week

Wednesday, April 20 Seems like our mola (canoe) came just at the right time to be the community taxi.  Yesterday, David, Eileen's husband, came and asked to borrow the canoe and our paddle because he could see the tuna running.  Last night, he brought us three nice tuna!  This morning at market, Isabella asked to borrow the canoe so she could go to her prenatal checkup.  So thankful we have the mola to share with our neighbors!

Since this is Holy Week, we have our normal morning and evening prayer services, but the catechists have added an extra service each night at 9:00.  The bells ring each day just like they would on a Sunday, so we get about 70 bongs somewhere between 5 and 6 a.m., then a double bell about half an hour later, then a single bell immediately followed by the drums about 20 minutes before the service actually starts.  Around 3 p.m., we get a whole bunch of bongs again, a double bell around 4 p.m., and a single bell around 5 p.m. followed by the drums.  At least for the 9 p.m. service, they only beat the drums to call everyone to prayer.

Thursday, April 21 Katherine's eyes continue to respond to prayer and the meds we brought out to Marulaon.  She has been so great about keeping her fingers out of her eyes and so sweet when her daddy puts medicine in her eyes that makes them fuzzy.  This morning when she got up, she asked if we could get the "skunks" out of her eyes!  Evidently, we've been using the word "gunk" to describe the yellow stuff oozing from her eyes.  I usually eschew baby talk, but I think I'm going to help her wipe her skunks away until this infection clears up.

Watching Katherine grow (both in body and mind) delights our whole family.  She recently drew a picture on the chalkboard.  Benjamin was first, then came Mama, much taller.  Then she drew herself, seemingly floating in space.  Lastly came her Daddy, standing on the ground with Benjamin and Mama, but taller than everybody.  When I asked her about the picture, she told me that she was standing behind me.  I was delighted and shocked at her perception of space. 

She's also really good about recognizing authors and illustrators.  Right now her favorite is P.D. Eastman.  I was reading her "Robert the Rose Horse" the other day, and as usual I read her the title followed by the author and illustrator.  When I told her that the book had been illustrated by P.D. Eastman, she beamed at me and said, "Just like 'Are You My Mother?'!".  That girl could read books all day!

Tuesday, April 19

Aaron is LOVING these mini-workshops!  He has been able gather all kinds of language and culture data.  Today, one of the tidbits he learned (while recording some impromptu dramas in Lavukaleve) was that when male and female cousins meet on a path, the female steps off the path to let the male pass.  After the two have passed each other, then they carry on a conversation without looking at each other while standing a little ways apart on the path.  Aaron has been compiling all sorts of phonological data, creating dialogues and scripts of common interactions, working on picture books, so very many things!  Start praying for God to send a full-time scripture use or literacy person to the Russells, PLEASE.

My cookie baking with Kiko went so well.  I think we have finally figured out the kind of wood to use and how to make the fire before we want to cook.  We cooked two dozen beautifully browned gingersnaps and made some very happy neighbors.  Next week, we are going to try baking banana cake on the fire.

Katherine's pink eye is progressing.  Both eyes are now showing signs of infection, but she is providing some good language learning opportunities for me.  When she came down to help us bake the gingersnaps, her aunties all expressed concern about her eye.  They taught me a little saying (which is also a children's song):  "Ngolem tetelako ena siviroko visi eose,"  which loosely translates into, "One of your eyes looks like a bird flew up and pooped into it."  I have a great video of three of my friends singing the song - it's hilarious!  Pink eye is such a common infection here, that I will have lots of opportunities to use this phrase.

Marulaon Daybook

For Today...Monday, April 18

Outside my window...sunshine!  We continue to have a great balance of sun for the solar panels and rain for the rain tanks.  Thanks to all of you who are praying for God's gifts of sun and rain for us!

I am thinking...about my sister who has a birthday this week.  Happy birthday, Rachel!

From the learning rooms...Ancient Greece (we love our paper dolls that follow the chronology beginning with the Cretans); Sarah - beginning Teaching Textbooks Pre-algebra, dialogue, attributions, & appositives; Benjamin - percentages, using adjectives in descriptive writing; Olivia - mulitplying ones, tens and hundreds, choosing between "a" and "an"; Katherine - Easter story and activities

I am thankful for...the ban on work this week so Aaron and I will have extra help with language learning this week

From the kitchen...oatmeal, stroganoff, and leftovers, sounds boring, but the stroganoff was certainly a treat as we used some of our rations of ground beef and cream (for the sour cream)

I am wearing...village clothes

I am reading..."Little Lord Fauntleroy" by Francis Hodgson Burnett

I am hoping...that Katherine's pink eye (they call it "red-eye" here) clears up soon

I am creating...cookie dough so I can practice cooking with my friends

I am hearing..."School House Rock"

Around the house...on the porch, freshly planted morning glories and tomatoes next to Chinese Cabbage and peppers waiting to be transplanted after Holy Week

One of my favorite things...azaleas.  They should be blooming about now in my Mom's yard.

Pondering these words..."Happiness is a thing to be practiced, like the violin."  - John Lubbock

A few plans for the rest of the week...trying to bake cookies again with Kiko on Tuesday afternoon, three church services a day to celebrate Holy Week, Aaron holding mini-workshops every morning to learn language and to take advantage of all of the people around Marulaon this week, making hot cross buns, resurrection cookies, dying Easter eggs, and baking Easter basket cupcakes over the long weekend coming up

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...the forest of fungi growing on top of the stump I use to reach munu leaves

Easter Sunday in Maruloan

(Just a side note: Because of the way email has been working, the next few posts will be a little out of order. We’re going to start with the Easter Sunday post today and then go back to last week over the next couple of days.)

Rest Remaineth by Robert Browning

Easter day breaks!
Christ rises!  Mercy every way is infinite --
Earth breaks up; time drops away;
In flows heaven with its new day
Of endless life --
What is left for us save in growth
Of soul to rise up...
From the gift looking to the giver,
And from the cistern to the river,
And from the finite to infinity,
And from man's dust to God's divinity.

Fish and lelenga – part of our church potluck.

Pogo teaching us how to cook and parcel rice: mixed with cooked cabbage and canned tuna, then spooned into leaves to make a neat parcel.

Easter Sunday dancing was part of the celebration.

We enjoyed visiting with our neighbors and loving on the babies.

Saturday, April 16

We spent the day cooking:  tuna fish, Chinese cabbage, and umalau in a curry coconut sauce for lunch, lelenga to go on the fire before Evening Prayer, and pumpkin leaves to serve to the visiting catechists after Evening prayer.  While I was picking the munu leaves off of the branches Aaron had hacked down for me, I found a huge red spider.  Needless to say, it surprised me, and I hollered.  Aaron heard me from the house and called out to make sure I was okay.  I left the last few leaves on the branch where the spider was hiding, and stacked up the leaves, thinking I would come back and take the last few leaves (munu amane) after the spider made its exit.  I put the lelenga on the fire and went back for the munu leaves.  First I shook the branch really well, then I took the top leaf.  Much to my chagrin, the spider had merely moved underneath the leaf!  So, I left the last few leaves and carried the big branch to the brush pile, spider and all.

Sunday, April 17

Tulava kekeran rorongea nuv
Soso makom na oveor efi
Mamifouea ga taroiare ove
Ehon gakoi lea God na ukeam

The children playing on the shore
The sounds of laughter which we hear,
Their love increasing more and more,
Remind us that our God is near

Friday, April 15

Today instead of an hour's silent penance from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., our whole village worked for several hours in a massive village cleanup.  Making noise was okay this time, and I enjoyed hearing people sing and visit while they worked.  It was certainly easier for the kids not to have to be silent, and I liked being able to ask questions when I didn't know exactly what to do.  Each of us worked a little, then came back to the house to do math or get a drink or punch down the bread, but the whole community worked until almost noon.  Now our village looks so much better!  We have a grass knife (the village version of a lawn mower), two bush knives (his and hers), and several rakes that we have brought out to Marulaon to help with cleanup, and all of these were put to good use this morning.

After the kids finished school, I headed out to see who I could find available to visit.  I met Grace Delight (isn't that a great name?!?), Kiko's sister, as I was coming down the hill toward her house.  We visited on the path for a little bit, then she actually asked me what time it was.  Our neighbors NEVER use clock time - in fact, they joke about "Solomon Time".  I told her what time it was, then she said, "Oh, it's too late to get any work done now.  Let's go story!"  So we went down and sat by her house and talked for more than an hour before I had to go back to the house for radio sked.  What a great afternoon!