April 30--May 6, 2017

April 30--May 6, 2017

Church in Jakarta and President and Julia Smith came to our apartment for dinner.  On Monday we took a Preparation Day with them and visited the largest Mosque in Jakarta--it's the third largest in the world.  Smiths left for Jogyakarta and met us later in the week for  Zone Conference in Solo for Jawa Tengah Zone.  Surakarta Stake Conference May 6 & 7, 2017 with Elder & Sister Funk.

 Caught in a huge downpour!

Zone Conference in Solo May 4th & 5th, 2017

April 23--29, 2017

April 23--29, 2017
Zone Conferences start again this week!  Jakarta Zones first from the 26th--29th.  And then a Coordinating Council after Zone Conference on the 29th.  Grateful to have a visit from our wonderful friends, President Barry and Sister Julia Smith from Phoenix.

April 16--22, 2017

April 16--22, 2017
Happy Easter or as we say here Selamat Paskah.  We were in Manado for Easter and they had a big pot luck dinner afterward.  On April 18, we met in Mission Leadership Council with our Zone Leaders, Sistere Training Leaders and Assistants.   For dinner I made Cafe Rio (or as close as I can get here!)

 Comparing tan lines...

 I get the honor of choosing new wallpaper for the mission home!  This is where they took me to choose it!

Another corner of the wallpaper store!

This is in the Jakarta Airport--Stacked beanbag sculpture!!

April 9--15. 2017

April 9--15. 2017

Said goodbye to Dave and Candace and Griffin and Trent.  There was a huge downpour on the 11th as we were getting ready for our departing missionaries to leave for home.     Traveled to Manado on the 15th for Sister Ratunuman reunion.

 Departing Sister Stringham, Elder Cravens, Elder Marianus.  Also Jakarta Stake President Djarot.

 President loves to take the missionaries to his favorite warung "restaurant" Coni's.

 We took Sister Ratunaman and her companion, Sister Hyde, to Manado.  Sister Ratunuman's parents were born in Indonesia but left for the USA a few years after they were married so their children could have a better life.  They left two daughters there in Manado with their grandparents.  Sister Ratunuman and her sister and brother were all born in the US, and had never met their sisters or grandparents.  They were able to stay in contact in recent years through Skype.  When Sister Ratunuman was called to Indonesia, she felt it was an answer to her prayers to some day be able to meet her family.  Even though Manado is not where Sister Ratunuman is serving, President felt inspired to have her visit her family for a few days.  Her grandfather was quite ill and died a few weeks after her visit.  It was incredible to be a part of this sweet reunion of this great family.  Her mom's side joined the church a few years ago when the Ratunuman's bishop's son in the US was called to Indonesia for his mission.  He served in Manado and brought the gospel to this family.  Miracles every where this weekend!

April 2--8, 2017

April 2--8, 2017

Church in Jakarta with Dave, Candace, Griffin, Trent and the Birchalls.  Thanks for visiting us!

We spent time in Yogyakarta at Borobudor and at Lombok Island.

 Lombok waterfalls.

 Fancy private resort we stayed at in Lombok.

 Dave and Griffin threshing rice.

 Planting our coconut tree.  We are supposed to come back to Lombok at this villa to visit it!

 We will miss these monkeys and their sister and parents.  Thank you for visiting us! Love and miss you all!

 The monkeys at Uluwatu Temple stole and broke G'pa Pablo's glasses!