Camping... Indo Style

It has been a while since my last post, so I thought I would freshen things up with one of my most intense experiences yet. A few days after Christmas me and about 15 other friends packed up our gear and headed to a mountainous area about a half hour from my home. I've had some good camping trips back home... but none like this. It was a trip that wont ever be forgotten. As rains began early we realized camping in the mountains right in the middle of rainy season might not have been the best idea. On the second night the winds and rains picked up and we all moved into one tent (seen cuddling below). Some of us thought perhaps the winds were reaching speed of up 70 - 80 mph. After we realized the weather conditions weren't going to let up any time soon we decided to leave our gear and head down the mountain in search for some better shelter. As a few of the first ones began to head down, some rather large trees and branches were falling on the path. Fortunately no one was hurt and all in all we had a great experience and a good story to tell.

Wet and tired... but still smilin'!

Rice is even better when your camping!

During the storm some thought it was funny while others cried as they feared for their life. OK... so I was the only one that cried.

The next morning... I'm going to go ahead and say it was a good call to head down early!

The beautiful mountain side. This was taken 20 feet or so from our camping spot.

Christmas In Indonesia

A while back Jordan and I were doing a little traveling around Eastern Java and found this Christmas tree decked out with ornaments and all. I had to do a double take when I first saw it thinkng my mind might be playing tricks on me. But sure enough there it was in all its glory... a beutifal 7 ft plastic pine tree. Turns out people don't use Christmas trees here so I wanted to capture the image in my mind hoping it would last a while (the picture helps too). My first Christmas away from home has left me a little sad and missing family, but I am learning a great deal. I'm trying to learn what it means to be content in where I am and with what I have. At times it seems like I don't have much but I'm often reminded I still, and always will, possess what is most important to me... my faith. I believe the most important adventure anyone will face is the adventure of ones pursuit of spiritual truth and understanding. For now the path I have taken in my adventure has led me to Indonesia... and when I return I get to marry my best friend! I must say, I owe a great debt to the one who leads me in this adventure and the one who I will never stop following!




I thought I would throw in this picture too from Jordan's birthday party. It was a pretty big bash! I left with Jordan for a bit on the night of his birthday and a handful of our friends were waiting at the house for us to come back. Jordan felt pretty honored as they learned how to sing Happy Birthday in English for him! This pic is taken from our living room.

My New Wheels!

Not to long ago I bought this sweet ride pictured below. It is a 1991 Honda GL Max. Back in '91 this would have been one hot ride. Almost twenty years later it is not quite so flashy... but I'm having a blast riding it around. It has been so much easier to get around as Jordan and I no longer have to use taxis and various other forms of public transportation. I never rode in America so i'm still trying to get used to the bike, and the traffic here doesn't exactly help the situation. A few close calls but no crashes yet! Only 6 trips to the repair shop in the first week... and I think she is finally running smooth!

For those of you that like action shots...

Thoughts from Life In Indo!

It's almost been a month now here in Madiun, Indonesia. (Eastern Java, I'm guessing many of you have never heard of the city!) I am feeling more at home every day. Some adjustments have been difficult but for the most part I'm loving my time here and learning so much along the way. Friendships have continued to grow and I feel like I have had enough experiences in just one month to last me a lifetime! I hope the things that I will pull away from this adventure will change my life forever. I have actually made that my goal here in Indonesia, to try to never be the same as I was the day before. I have learned that in life our next day is never a guarantee, therefore I want to live out each day as if it were my last. We are all faced with thousands of decisions each day and it is how we act on those decisions that will shape our life. I hope that when I come to the end of the road I will be able to say with all my heart, "I didn't waste a minute."

So far I have spent much of my time learning language, helping teach English in a local High school, traveling and sightseeing with friends, and trying not to get myself lost. A favorite time for Jordan and I has been our friends coming over just about every evening to hang out on our porch. Jordan and some of our friends play their guitars... while I occasionally sing, and realize I have no musical talent whatsoever.

That past few Saturdays we have been woken up to clanging sounds of this marching band. This was taken from our bedroom window and as you can see the little dude up front seems more interested in Jordan and I then waving his flag!

"Tidur Sebintar Siang!" Also known as our afternoon nap time!

This is us after we slammed a delicious Indonesian dinner! Mmm... I love rice!



I got to do a little fishing with some friends and pulled in a 6 inch 5 ounce whopper on my first cast! This has actually been a highlight so far, as one of my favorite passed times is fishing. I guess I'm not too far from home after all!

I think I may have upset the one on the left.

For Thanksgiving Jordan and I got to meet up with a dear friend of ours living in another city. We enjoyed our time together... catching up, eating some good food and wearing dresses together! Just kidding those are actually called "sarungs". Many of the men here in Indonesia wear these in the evenings before they go to bed. They are actually quite comfortable, and our friends all get a kick out of us wearing them!

My new home!

Well, I arrived in Indonesia almost one week ago and I'm now settled in to my new home! Adjustments have been difficult and I definitely miss those that are close to me back home. Everything has gone smooth so far, except a minor flood that left an inch of water in about half of our house! I've really enjoyed my time here so far and its been a joy to reconnect with old friends from my time spent here two summers ago. I am amazed at the quality of relationships here in Indonesia, as so many here still remember me and have expressed how much they have missed me! So many treat me like a best friend, a brother, or even a son. Its really quite an honor to be treated in this way and definitely keeps me humble and feeling blessed! Some of the pics below are of my new house. I'm living with my friend Jordan and two Indonesian high school aged guys. We should have some good times together over the next year! I'll keep you posted!

Our sweet crib!

These will get replaced with king size water beds sometime soon!

No, that is not a bath tub! My first experience with one of these I actually got in! (the one on the left to clarify)

This is from the flood. The picture was taken from our front porch!

Goodbyes!

I leave for Indonesia just one week from tonight. I've said a lot of goodbyes lately, and have a lot more to come. I'm starting to realize how hard it is to leave the ones I love the most behind. I feel like I have realized how blessed I am in the relationships that I have...maybe because the time I have left with them is running out. Goodbyes give the perfect opportunity to share the depths of our affections for one another. There are those here that I will certainly miss, but I hope to make the kind of relationships in Indonesia that I have here... the ones that will make it hard to leave there and return home. In the adventure of life goodbyes are a necessity but with goodbyes come hellos.... and I can't wait to say hello to old friends and new future friends in Indonesia. Sampai Jumpa Nanti Indonesia! See you soon Indonesia!

Friends in Colorado!



Being attacked in the woods!

Plane Tickets

Its official... there is no turning back now! I just got my plane tickets ordered a few days ago and it's looking like Jordan and I will be flying out the evening of October 29th. Almost 3 weeks! It's been over a year now since I have desired to return to Indonesia... and the day is almost here! I must say I caught myself in a moment of hesitation right before I verified the purchase. Sometimes things don't quite become a reality until steps are actually taken in that direction. It's hard to imagine that in three weeks I'll be leaving American soil... not to return for a year. Im anxiously awaiting the adventure of a lifetime. I hope the cultural experiences the challenges and the trials and i'll encounter will change my life forever!