photos for next post...

hey it's late and i'm sleepy. but when i look at my last post suddenly the photos aren't there. so here's the photos. if they're a repeat sorry. if they don't work again, sorry. if you don't like them, sorry. :)
i'm going to sleep. i'll fix it in the morning.
:)

:) i don't know if you'll ever need to know this, but just in case you do:)

I'm going to show you what you need to know should the occasion ever arise that you need to take a bucket shower and are unsure how to proceed.

Step # 1: Make sure you have the essential pieces for your shower. The 3 items in the photo, plus the usual cleaning products should all be nearby.

Step #2 Locate the bucket. In this case, it's a lovely bright blue color, very cheery. Fill the bucket about 2/3rds of the way with tap water, or pumped water, or rainwater...for best results it's try not to use the toilet water (though it might be tempting if you're having to go far to collect this important ingredient).

Step #3: When you've accumulated enough water, locate the water heater- in this case the bright yellow plastic thingy with the fashionable brown cord. <Please read all of step 3 and 4 before plugging in this stunning piece of technology to avoid being electrocuted in a cartoon-like moment you'll be embarrassed to admit later.> Place the heating element (the yellow part) into the water to the point that it is submerged, but not all the way to the bottom of the bucket. This ensures optimum water circulation. Using your best girl/boy scout technique, wrap some of the brown cord around the faucet to hold the plastic in it's position. Now it's time to plug in the water heater and then go make some coffee, check your email, pick your nose...

Step #4: After about 30 minutes return to check on your bucket. Please do not thrust your hand into the bucket to see if it's hot enough. You will die. Or smoke. Or at least it will hurt. Alot. Simply feel the outside of the trusty blue bucket. If it's warm, you're ready to unplug the heater and move on to step 5. If not, wait longer. But remember: a watched bucket never boils. :)

Step #5: Check to make sure the water heater is unplugged.

Step #6: Now you're almost ready to take your nice hot shower. Locate the dipper, in this case a marvelous, ladylike fuschia pink plastic scoop. <Please note that anything that scoops can be used if you can't locate this exact item. Things I've used: coconut husk, bottom half of plastic liter bottle...my friend Susie tried to use a live turtle, but that's another story. :)> It is imperative that you check the water temperature before dumping water on your head. Start by touching the water with your finger. Then mix it with the scooper, assuring that the heat has been thoroughly distributed. Add cold tap water as needed to get your preferred temperature.

Step #7 You are now ready for the actual shower. Squatting works best, since the water is limited. Soap up. Rinse. Wash hair. Rinse. Condition. Rinse. Rinse. Rinse. Rinse. Please note that at the bottom of the bucket you might find chunks of what looks like clay. It's gunk from the water heater. It's best to not use that for rinsing. Cause you just end up full of chunkies...which is I think what might have started this process in the first place. So, as tempting as that warm water looks, don't be drawn in...walk away. Find your towel. You've just accomplished your goal. Congratulations!

At this point I think you should know that tonight, after almost 5 years of bucket showers, for the first time I stuck my hand in the bucket to test the water while the heater was still plugged into the wall (220volts). It hurt. I didn't like it. But I did laugh at myself. And I thought maybe some of you would laugh at me too. Which led me to this post. :)

Little Man

today was one of those days....

where nothing "bad" happened...

but. it was hard. just because...

and then i went and played with Andrew Hull for a few hours while his parents went on their second anniversary date.

have you met that kid yet??

he's very cute. and has a pile of personality.

he makes me smile.

and Tom and SoonIm are so happy! that makes me smile too.

how was your day?

ungrateful

for the last few weeks i've been struggling with food. i've had no appetite, no desire to eat. the truth is that i've been thinking about all the food i can't have. i want mexican food... tortillas... i want pizza factory... i want summer fruits...like blackberries and peaches and nectarines and melons... i would kill someone for arby's (ok that's a little drastic...but i would slap someone real hard...:)) i haven't been really dwelling on the foods, but my attitude in my heart was changing towards the foods here. nothing sounded good. it was all blah. i was having to force myself to eat...

and then i accidentally went to the base worship last wednesday morning. (ok, it wasn't really an accident...we have staff meeting every wednesday, and before each meeting we spend an hour worshipping...) the worship leader, bamshak, from nigeria, began sharing what God was speaking to him about... which was how ungrateful bamshak had been being about the cross, taking for granted the sacrifice of Jesus...

stay with me....

i asked God if i had been ungrateful... and He gently kicked me in the head and said YES. that i had been ungrateful about food...

i realized that i COULD walk into SM (the largest supermarket in Baguio) purchase whatever i wanted. i COULD go to any restaurant in Baguio and order anything i want off the menu, and pay for it. but there are people TODAY who haven't eaten because they have nothing. and they won't eat tomorrow because they don't have the money.

BUT my Faithful Loving Father has abundantly supplied all my NEEDS according to His riches in glory. so who am i to complain or grumble about not getting to eat the things i really am craving right now? i have food to eat. a place to sleep. and people who love me.

i have been ungrateful, and i repented. last week i made a choice that i would be grateful because i want to honor God with my attitude and praise Him for His faithfulness to me. and you know what? the food tastes so good right now.

i found some black plums at the store. tonight i had a sort-of taco salad that was amazing (lettuce and ground beef and cheese and olives). did you know that since i live in the mountains that we have amazing produce? piles of cabbage and green beans and broccoli. and so many fruits (some imported).

my God has supplied all my needs, according to His riches in glory.

ps. don't worry, i would only slap someone's hand and give them a high 5 (referred to in the Phillipines as 'apir' which sounds like 'appear', for those of you who are wondering ) for the Arby's. i'm a missionary, we aren't supposed to be violent. :D