Weekends are for Tea Parties

Sarah picks the bouquet...

...and friends come to drink lemonade...

...while my small one dances in a dress made by a loved one far away in Florida (thanks, GranMollie)...

...plays the perfect hostess...

...and grows up way too fast. I'm enjoying every minute.

Celebrating Letter H

If we had chow mein noodles, we'd make haystacks, but instead we are hammering...

...(Katherine really loved her hammer!)...

...sorting letters into the "leaf house" Sarah made...

and, of course, reading books!

Jennie's Hat by Ezra Jack Keats

Who Took the Farmer's Hat by Joan L. Nodset

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

Transportation Answers

An update from our SITAG colleagues A and J:

"Thank you for praying with us about how to get to the village. We have been praying too and considering options. When we last wrote, we told you about two options. There was one option we did not mention. It consists of a 35 minute flight in a small plane and then a 45 minute motor boat ride. Domestic flights here are extremely expensive, and so we normally don't even consider this an option. In addition, I have been told that it is not safe to fly in a non-pressurized while pregnant, so this trip, we did not think it was an option at all.

"However, we have been told by a doctor that it is okay because the plane takes off and lands at sea level and doesn't have time in 35 minutes to get very high. So, even though it is non-pressurized, the altitude won't be much more than 5,000-8,000 feet.

"Based on the doctor's report and the fact that God has provided the finances to go by plane this trip, we have booked tickets to go out on Monday. We have not bought return tickets as we are still trying to determine if the road will be passable for the return trip.

"We sent our supplies - food and fuel - out on the ship on Wednesday evening because you cannot carry much at all on the plane. It will arrive in the village this evening (Thursday, Jan. 13). However, that brings up another prayer request. Despite many attempts, we have been unable to contact our translator David to let him know that there is stuff coming on the ship or that we are coming by plane. Please pray that our stuff makes it off the ship when it arrives in the village. This is a challenge because David doesn't know to go and meet the ship and retrieve the stuff. The ship will arrive back in town on Sunday morning. We will go down to check to see if our supplies are still on the ship. If they are, it will be nearly impossible for us to go on the plane on Monday since we will not have any food or cooking fuel or fuel for the motor boat in the village and no way to get them there.

"We have see God provide in many ways for us to get out to the village this time. We are praying and trusting that our stuff makes it to the village so that we too can go to the village."

Transportation in the Solomons

Colleagues of ours recently asked for prayer concerning transportation woes. I asked for permission to share their request and their subsequent decision so you would have a better idea of the challenges facing village teams here in the Solomons. We are so blessed to have only a seven hour boat ride on a relatively dependable ship. If you life, you can look at pictures of Bikoi and our friend's perspective of her time on the ship.

From J and A:

"We wanted to let you know about a challenge that we are facing now, both for you to pray and also to give you a glimpse into another aspect of life in the Solomons. We are really trying to get out to the village for one more village trip before we come home for furlough in late April. We generally have two ways of getting to the village. The first option consists of a six hour ship ride to the island where we work, followed by a five hour ride in the back of a flat bed truck that is completely filled to the max with people and cargo, and then followed by a two hour motor boat ride to get to our village. It's not a joy ride, but it's doable. The biggest problem is trying to stay protected from the intense equatorial sun during the five hour truck ride and two hour motor boat ride, both of which are during the hottest part of the day.

"The other option consists of going by ship all the way to our village. This would entail a 24+ hour ride on the way to the village and a 52+ hour ride on the way back from the village. Ships in the Solomons are generally quite overcrowded. We get there four hours early to find a small space on the floor to sit down. Having cockroaches crawl over you is a guarantee; on some ships, the occasional rat runs across your leg as well. You are responsible to bring whatever food and water you need for your family for the duration of the trip as there is nowhere to buy food. Occasionally, when you stop at a village, some ladies will paddle out to sell coconuts to drink or roasted fish to eat. However, you can't count on that. The need to stay hydrated is counteracted by the desire to avoid the bathroom on the ship as the ocean swells quickly cause the contents of the toilet to slosh all over the bathroom floor leaving a mess that is best avoided. Ships, at least to our area, are very irregular. At best case scenario, a ship comes to our area every two weeks. At worst case, it can be a month before a ship comes. While ships here make Americans shudder, it is just a part of transportation in the Solomons that everyone accepts as normal.

"Our challenge now is that we have heard that part of the road across our island is impassable because of damage done from all the rain. That means that the only way for us to get to the village is to go by ship. We have done it all before, and while arduous, we have survived. However, this trip is complicated by several factors. First the time factor. A and I have commitments to be involved in a workshop in February, and we don't have the option of getting stuck in the village for an undetermined amount of time. Second, we have a seventeen month old son. While a 24 and 52 hour boat ride is barely doable for adults, trying to bring an active toddler on a trip like that is an incredibly daunting thought. Finally, being four months pregnant, still feeling nauseous, and trying to bring enough food and water for a trip like that adds an extra challenge.

"So, we don't know what to do. We really want to get to the village, but I don't know if we can handle being on the ship for 52 hours with the above factors. Will you pray that the road will quickly fixed, and pray that we have wisdom to know what to do. Also pray that we won't be able to get out unless we can find a way to get back in...."

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...Monday, January 10, 2011

Outside my window...sun, sun, and more sun!

I am thinking...how nice it is to be able to throw clothes into a washing machine and leave them until they have finished washing, rinsing, and spinning all by themselves

I am praying for...lots of missionary friends this week: a friend serving in Africa who begins teaching a new class this week, a family beginning a furlough in the States away from their language group in Madagascar, another friend settling back into PNG, and yet another family headed to Central African Republic with their two sweet boys

I am going...on a "proposal-versary" date this week!

From the learning rooms...Africa, a biography of Mary Slessor, letter H for Katherine, chugging diligently through math books and handwriting/typing, I'm sooo proud of my diligent kiddos

I am thankful for...SITAG administration that keep everything running smoothly around here. I hardly have to think about things like work permits because of our amazing colleagues.

I am remembering...this week 14 years ago when Aaron (finally) asked me to marry him

From the kitchen...to start the day, we enjoyed cinnamon rolls, mid-day we devoured leftovers, and for supper I'll prepare chicken pieces smothered in spaghetti sauce and cheese

I am reading..."Get Real" by Valarie Fish

I am hoping...that all of our friends won't forget about us just because we were without e-mail for two months

On my mind...just six weeks left to refill our inner tanks and shop and get back to Marulaon. I'm feeling pretty small and tired and inadequate right now. Thankfully, I serve a BIG God.

Noticing that...once again the sun has "moved" and the front steps are now completely in the shade. Crazy how much the angle of the sun changes here just a few degrees south of the equator!

Pondering these words..."This is one of the great secrets in connection with successful service for the Lord; to work as if everything depended on our diligence, and yet not to rest in the least upon our exertions, but upon the blessing of the Lord." --George Mueller

I am hearing...the ceiling fan on high, the saw buzzing in the hands of a Wycliffe Associate in the workshop just below the house

Around the house...snowflakes we made when Aaron was sick last week

One of my favorite things...a good night's sleep

A few plans for the rest of the week...meetings every afternoon this week and we're looking forward to firing up the hospitality fires again now that we are settled in Honiara

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Sweet Sabbath

"In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." Psalm 33:21

-for a stomach bug that has let go of my sweet husband and not grabbed any of the rest of us

-for a great globe puzzle from friends

-for DVDs of Sunday morning services from the church in which I grew up

-for an exercise buddy to get me moving every morning

-for internet, even when it's sporadic, because it means I have a way to keep in touch with family and friends around the world

-for a sweet visit and a safe trip back home for my parents

Pretending again...

As in years past, we're pretending it's cold and wintry outside. So while we sip hot chocolate underneath the ceiling fans, we're enjoying some of our favorite snow books:

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan

The Hat by Jan Brett

Missing Mittens by Stuart J. Murphy

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

The Mitten by Alvin Tresselt

White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt

Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett

Winter Poems selected by Barbara Rogasky

Snow by Roy McKie and P.D. Eastman

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

The Blizzard by Betty Ren Wright

Winter by Gerda Muller

The Jacket I wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel

Nate the Great and the Snowy Trail by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Epiphany

We are still celebrating and adoring Jesus! Epiphany has become one of our favorite holidays. Sarah always makes a "Three Kings' Cake" for us to enjoy. Some years we've hidden a ceramic baby Jesus inside, but since we've moved to this side of the Pacific we usually put a whole almond inside. We don't have a favorite recipe, though this historic recipe looks fun! This time, Sarah opted for a chocolate cake and icing from "Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey Treats for Kids". (Good thing I went back to exercising this morning!) We'll share the cake with another family for an early celebration tonight. With "Three Kings' Cake", you have to eat the whole thing at one sitting so you know who finds the almond and gets the prize!

We've read Longfellow's "The Three Kings", and we've already enjoyed our family favorite "Amahl and the Night Visitors" while my parents were here. We love both the book and the opera by Gian Carlo Menotti. Aaron has performed so many of the parts that our family viewing inevitably turns into a sing-along.

"The Best Chocolate Birthday Cake Ever"

3/4 cup natural cocoa powder

1 cup boiling water

3/4 cup sour cream

1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper rounds. Set aside.

Sift the cocoa powder into a small bowl and stir in the boiling water to dissolve and make the cocoa "bloom". Whisk together until completely smooth. Let cool completely, and then whisk the sour cream into the cocoa mixture.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars together with an electric hand mixer set on medium speed until light and fluggy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the cooled cocoa mixture and the vanilla.

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt over the batter and fold in gently, using a rubber spatual, until the flour is completely combined into the batter.

Divide the batter between the two prepared pans and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

To frost, invert one layer onto a cake plate, and remove the parchment circle. Spread 1 cup of frosting over the surface of the cake. Invert the second layer over the first, and remove the parchment paper. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining icing.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chocolate Frosting

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup unslated butter, cut into 8 pieces

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

large pinch of salt

1 pound confectioner's sugar, sifted

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet and milk chocolate chips with the butter. Heat on high for 1 minute. Stir the mixture together. If the butter is not completely melted and the chocolate chips do not easily stir smotth, heat again at 15-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Using a hand mixer set at low speed, beat in the sour cream, vanilla, and salt. Gradually add the confectioner's sugar until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.

Overheard...

A couple of hot peppers got mixed in with the little bell peppers that we can buy at the market. After cutting them up, then touching his face before washing his hands:

Benjamin: "Mom, what can make this stop burning?"

Me: "Time"

Benjamin heads straight toward the pantry and asks, "So, where's the thyme?" I love that boy!

Honiara Woman's Daybook

For today...Monday, January 3

Outside my window...clouds rolling in, time to move the clothes to dry on the porch

I am thinking...about Eph. 2:1-5 and being amazed all over again

I am thankful for...my parents who saved money and vacation time to spend a whole month with us here in the steamy Solomon Islands

I am wearing...a white t-shirt and a green/turquoise/blue swirly patterned long skirt

I am (SLOWLY) remembering...the meals I usually cook in Honiara

I am going...to have a Messiah sing-along tonight in my living room!

From the learning rooms...back to school on Thursday after almost a month off

I am currently reading..."Play: The Foundations that Supports the House of Higher Learning" by Lisa Murphy, one of the books my mom brought, and I LOVE it!

I am hoping...to contact the dentist in Brisbane soon to arrange a quick trip to get my wisdom tooth pulled

On my mind...the doubling of postage rates that just went into effect in the Solomon Islands

Noticing that...it feels so good to be back in Honiara

Pondering these words..."Sitting still and being quiet is not a marketable job skill." --Diane Trister Dodge, The Creative Curriculum

From the kitchen...date nut ring for breakfast, lunch in town while we shop, and a farewell dinner of pizza pasta salad (Gayly, thanks for the mini pepperoni) with Sarah's carrot cake for dessert (love it when Honiara has carrots and cream cheese!)

Around the house...almost finished unpacking, tomorrow we'll switch bedrooms after my parents leave

One of my favorite things...the quiet part of the afternoon when kids are reading or sleeping, the CD player is softly seranading us with Handel or Bach, and the candle is delighing our noses with some sweet scent

From my picture journal...the "ladies' toilet" in Karumalun that we used on Christmas day

And the winner is...

Lori! Please e-mail me at joanna underscore choate at sil dot org so I can get your snail mail address. The model is not included.

Sweet Sabbath

"But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 13:6 ESV

-cooking together wearing cute Christmas aprons

-eating waffles with blueberries from a bloggy friend and pecans from another bloggy friend

-singing hymns together and learning their stories from "Then Sings My Soul, Special Edition: 150 Christmas, Easter, and All-Time Favorite Hymn Stories" by Robert J. Morgan

-sharing it all with my parents

Happy New Year

The New Year

by Horatio Nelson Powers

A Flower unblown: A Book unread:

A Tree with fruit unharvested:

A Path untrod: a House whose rooms

Lack yet the heart's divine perfumes:

This is the Year that for you waits

Beyond Tomorrow's mystic gates.

"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."

Psalm 40:5