Ramadan

so we are a week into the fasting month. for us, this doesn't mean too much change, other than we have to move our bed from our bedroom (in the front of the house) to the boys room (in the back of the house). their room is able to be closed off and has AC so we don't hear the mosque across the street AS MUCH...at different times throughout the night. it's hard to watch movies at night because the mosque is going off pretty much the whole time so we fight to hear. last night we just turned up the tv so we could hear but then gavin came out and said he couldn't sleep for all the noise! ho hum...what to do?

as for the preferred religion here, they fast from sun-up till sun-down. i remember growing up in small town iowa and the supper bell would ring about 6pm. the same kind of bell rings here during ramadan so that all know it's OK to eat again. then all night long they are able to eat and drink and swallow their spit and brush their teeth and do all the things they can't during the day. work is slower because people are more tired. many are relaxing in the afternoons to try to save their energy. as the month goes on, people get a little more irritated and little less patient...but in the end, they believe this is what they have to do to have a clean slate...sins forgiven and debts forgiven or paid up. all is well for the next year. how sad to live under 'law' and not to have grace to carry them...

and now...alas...i am sick AGAIN...this is just indonesia for me...or is it? i don't know? today i tried to 'just buck up' and go out this morning with mr greg and get a few things from downtown. i must have a fever again cuz i was getting hot and cold and had to quick dash to the toilet. i thought it was just a cold...but i don't know? seems deeper in my lungs and deeper in my head...tuesday it will be 4 weeks of sickness....today marks 4 weeks in indo...but others have the same thing...it just lasts a long time...even with meds...

i know i have more to write about but those things will just have to wait. my heart is with so many different people who are struggling in these days. peace and blessings to you in your stretching times...