tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29396178043986542552024-02-07T19:08:26.148-08:00The Waters That Bind Us: A Sabbatical JourneyDon and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-32287605487850341632013-06-18T01:03:00.000-07:002013-06-18T01:03:21.792-07:00Isn't This a Surprise!
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The waters that bind us…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes you are just surprised by the ways in which we
really are all bound together. It
happened last week at church. In
the short bio they had put in the worship guide about me, pulled from the
<a href="http://www.providencecharleston.org/people/staff" target="_blank">Providence website</a>, it stated that I have been active with the <a href="http://www.teenpregnancysc.org/" target="_blank">SC Campaign toPrevent Teen Pregnancy</a>. (In all
fairness it is one of the great organizations in our country and I am so proud
of my connection with them!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, a young man in the congregation came up to Anita after
the service and said that he would like to talk with me. He was helping put together a
conference on issue around teen sexuality and wondered if I would be a
part. I took it to mean that he
was inviting me to be there, to listen and learn. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity and so quickly
agreed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVfQZ3bM6xHC96XoLP6g9Uw3y49iA-lsfCAOeM4h4ib64cPVHKF-b53mFAElD6GAEFn6VU92_G70Oo_Q2Z_Jc57XGqx6PmuQA-a0j_UWV4OBrMp2NpMkhRA1oukTdGqSyG0SuWOepyME/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVfQZ3bM6xHC96XoLP6g9Uw3y49iA-lsfCAOeM4h4ib64cPVHKF-b53mFAElD6GAEFn6VU92_G70Oo_Q2Z_Jc57XGqx6PmuQA-a0j_UWV4OBrMp2NpMkhRA1oukTdGqSyG0SuWOepyME/s400/IMG_1044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last Saturday he called to confirm, and as we talked I
realized that he wanted me to present—to the teens. Sure, I thought!
I have some stuff on my computer that I have used previously. I will just do that! With a group of 25-30 I can talk, we
can have some questions, it will be wonderful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Sunday as we were finalizing everything I just happened
to ask, to confirm my assumptions, “So how many teens are going to be
participating?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">About 300!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, it turns out that he was wrong! There were only about 250!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsEDfZrrMEoIfSGIhHHgvBptDnLvZQckWdjBHJwAyLJjuO_uV_BPc6A8Xvbg5p_2FNxJ96CY7VXSaAHiEAX24URLu2TRuV9PAeyJDKLJgU5Q_0Ri6mjAiOoFgtbX8GZbDOARNPU_8BpA/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsEDfZrrMEoIfSGIhHHgvBptDnLvZQckWdjBHJwAyLJjuO_uV_BPc6A8Xvbg5p_2FNxJ96CY7VXSaAHiEAX24URLu2TRuV9PAeyJDKLJgU5Q_0Ri6mjAiOoFgtbX8GZbDOARNPU_8BpA/s320/IMG_1034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHpQdei4T9BcU3H1ZSJeVkdfUzqNzvIjf52WnxZpA_vpYpKSeo8NF59DjRGOFMiJL4qyTzPbfcIFDYAmuGkBuaFCMPgA11X1qRHTZNT-fbdkEre1ZdP3Kdw-u7txkGqGxeu_YUyOddKQ/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHpQdei4T9BcU3H1ZSJeVkdfUzqNzvIjf52WnxZpA_vpYpKSeo8NF59DjRGOFMiJL4qyTzPbfcIFDYAmuGkBuaFCMPgA11X1qRHTZNT-fbdkEre1ZdP3Kdw-u7txkGqGxeu_YUyOddKQ/s320/IMG_1038.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So this morning I found myself in front of a bunch of
Indonesian teens (loosely termed—actually the ages ranged from 10-20!) talking
about sexuality and how to make good decisions! Fortunately, I had an interpreters, since I don’t speak
Indonesian and they didn’t speak English.
Someone asked how it went and I can honestly say, “I have no idea!” I really don’t know what I said! Oh, I know what I said, but what did
they hear??? Ask my interpreter!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, I did my spill, and then opened it up for
questions. That is when I realized
that a)I had overshot my audience.
They were really Middle Schoolers; and b) they asked the same questions
that teens in the US want to know—about relationships, and affection and
intimacy and making good decisions and friends and family. Not one question about plumbing—thanks
be to God!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpBP8A4Vp_GHudEbDA5pN0HEWXU9eCeQPl37-X7FGnT34wtDwlhCsje5DA-ys9WXOBGBpfFhO5Z0O6xHduHkQDMIa3bPbrXnpUz6BBVugjpe7P16CbNHyquHkq2uxIdZcJn_zVTGGW3M/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpBP8A4Vp_GHudEbDA5pN0HEWXU9eCeQPl37-X7FGnT34wtDwlhCsje5DA-ys9WXOBGBpfFhO5Z0O6xHduHkQDMIa3bPbrXnpUz6BBVugjpe7P16CbNHyquHkq2uxIdZcJn_zVTGGW3M/s320/IMG_1035.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One more similarity, when I asked them how many of their
parents had talked to them about sex, there were 2 hands that were raised—both
females. Indonesia has the same
problem that we have in the US.
Parents are failing to be the educators that our children so need! We need to do better—all over the
world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So if you are in the US, and have children, talk to
them! You can find wonderful
resources to help at the <a href="http://www.teenpregnancysc.org/" target="_blank">SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy</a> as well as the
<a href="http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/" target="_blank">National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancies</a>. Talk to them! They need it and want it. Otherwise they may have to hear it through an
interpreter—and who knows what he will say!</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-5986408665954500822013-06-15T00:11:00.002-07:002013-06-15T00:11:15.374-07:00One more reflection from China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DNi7QpcOOOniQ7k0UHPYmvlQ88GUyqvLWQVMIHUrGMdvj8pQUkcfJkAEijYeTOe49PTZX5W5bD4jvvgqtj3uVnsQkQoX6SCOYxvUu9nLT_mo6KgTMy5CDOuzxZ8w_Aql3MxL_rvitmQ/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DNi7QpcOOOniQ7k0UHPYmvlQ88GUyqvLWQVMIHUrGMdvj8pQUkcfJkAEijYeTOe49PTZX5W5bD4jvvgqtj3uVnsQkQoX6SCOYxvUu9nLT_mo6KgTMy5CDOuzxZ8w_Aql3MxL_rvitmQ/s400/IMG_0390.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf2_N5JmOOOd4FzKIx6RQpGI27dMYAZVJNTqo_BJVq8bK90NIWIt5tv9cdr6zawbRe-I4rNCvANXYaLAWUgkzhfkun7fc1PFItgtrgnLLeljrCvhTy8yRRlx3R4XzwxtGp0fXSOpPky0/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf2_N5JmOOOd4FzKIx6RQpGI27dMYAZVJNTqo_BJVq8bK90NIWIt5tv9cdr6zawbRe-I4rNCvANXYaLAWUgkzhfkun7fc1PFItgtrgnLLeljrCvhTy8yRRlx3R4XzwxtGp0fXSOpPky0/s400/IMG_0399.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wish I had paid attention to the calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in Tiananmen Square on June 3,
the day before the 24<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the crackdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a peaceful place now, where
several individuals came up to have their picture made with Alison—but not me
for some reason?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DNi7QpcOOOniQ7k0UHPYmvlQ88GUyqvLWQVMIHUrGMdvj8pQUkcfJkAEijYeTOe49PTZX5W5bD4jvvgqtj3uVnsQkQoX6SCOYxvUu9nLT_mo6KgTMy5CDOuzxZ8w_Aql3MxL_rvitmQ/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DNi7QpcOOOniQ7k0UHPYmvlQ88GUyqvLWQVMIHUrGMdvj8pQUkcfJkAEijYeTOe49PTZX5W5bD4jvvgqtj3uVnsQkQoX6SCOYxvUu9nLT_mo6KgTMy5CDOuzxZ8w_Aql3MxL_rvitmQ/s400/IMG_0390.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But 24 years ago it was a very different scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no commemorative markers
there, but how long did it take the US to recognize what occurred on the road
from Selma to Montgomery, at Kent State, at Wounded Knee?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We do try to hide our dirty little secrets don’t we—as a
nation, as individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do
think there is an old line that says confession is good for the soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A footnote:</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sUkiQF8_u1Fxaskg3Lzbwm469SdepvCwJQ-hgG7Ook0g0E9BvlpKApNY7brPEEwKHAqoCOsS-SxZhU0AdlRj2BGvWlSf5ky9Vn92KrgMAFOgdPhOpnkaWhuvPtNqvCOXlA_3XVm9sc0/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sUkiQF8_u1Fxaskg3Lzbwm469SdepvCwJQ-hgG7Ook0g0E9BvlpKApNY7brPEEwKHAqoCOsS-SxZhU0AdlRj2BGvWlSf5ky9Vn92KrgMAFOgdPhOpnkaWhuvPtNqvCOXlA_3XVm9sc0/s400/IMG_0396.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is good to know that Batman and Supergirl are keeping everyone safe!</span></td></tr>
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Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-51797037440593748902013-06-13T22:11:00.000-07:002013-06-13T22:11:36.117-07:00Everyday life in Bali<div class="p1">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Anita: </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyday living in Bali is a bit different than our usual routine. Our house is on the corner beside a rice field. This week, we’ve been watching as the workers harvest the rice, first by hand and then finish it up with a large machine. (Clearly, I need to find someone who can explain this process to me a little better.) </span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a vacant lot two doors down are some Balinese cows </span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and chickens that roam the street. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our eggs come from these house chickens that roam freely in Bali. We don’t have to pay extra for these organic, free range eggs! On my walk this morning, a mother hen and her chicks scooted across the path in front of me. I wasn’t a quick enough draw with my camera to catch them before they disappeared into the bushes. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Don has said - it’s hot here - imagine the temps and humidity of Charleston in summer. Many places in Bali are not air conditioned - except for the tourist places - so by 9 a.m. we’re pretty much coated with a fine sheen of sweat that just increases throughout the day. But we’re learning to sweat gracefully. Ha!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our house is small but nice -</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> with one bedroom and an office. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The bedroom and office have air conditioning - which is helpful for writing and working and for sleeping at night. The open doors in the living room and kitchen sometimes pick up a breeze but it still gets quite hot (ok... really hot) in the afternoon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our kitchen has a two burner propane stove </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and a toaster oven - and a rice cooker. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since tap water here is not drinking water ( at least not for Westerners), we have a giant bottled water dispenser. I think we’re going to set a record for the most water jugs two people can go through in a week. </span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We share the house with a variety of small lizards. Lizards in the shower take a little getting used to. Our bathroom shower has enough hot water for me to either wash my hair or shave my legs - a lesson in clarifying your priorities. And we do have a western style toilet -even though I’m getting used to the squatty potties. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We do have internet now but instead of paying by the month, we pay by the amount used. You become aware of how much time you spend aimlessly surfing the net and just leaving the internet on while you’re off making a cup of tea or cooking dinner. The thing we don’t have right now is television - and those of you who know Don Flowers know he is going through news, sports and The Voice withdrawal. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By far, the best thing about our little house is our pembantu, Ilou. A pembantu is a house helper. Ilou has helped us do everything from paying for electricity and drinking water to cooking some fabulous Balinese food for us for lunch. She shakes her head at us when we don’t know what to do, then tells us what to do, and translates for the visitors who show up at our door. </span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's a slower pace of life here - not so driven and rushed. People take their time about life. Not a bad plan at all. </span></span></div>
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Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-15282292531667176192013-06-12T05:29:00.000-07:002013-06-12T05:29:05.453-07:00Gamelon lessons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Anita:</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s our first week in Bali and we’re headed out for music lessons. Balinese gamelon is a traditional musical ensemble that features gongs, xylophone-like instruments, and drums. Each instrument is tuned to a specific ensemble and are not interchangable with other gamelons. All the instruments are tuned in pairs, but with just a slightly different tuning on each so that when the same note is struck on both instruments, you can hear the vibration of the note almost shimmering in the air. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The notes of the scale are ding, dong, deng, dung and dang. It seems easy - just strike the right tone and mute the last one- but there is no written music.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You watch the notes the leader is playing and the signals that he gives to</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">know what note you should play next.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You also memorize the patterns the leader is playing so you know what to expect.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Playing gamelon means paying complete attention to the leader and listening in a whole new way. I think it would be much easier with a sheet of music in front of me. But playing this kind of music is a practice in listening to a different sound in music and watching carefully - especially when the leader is speaking in Indonesian! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who knew Don was a musician?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our friends, Daniel and Mary, follow the leader on the higher notes.</span></div>
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Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-70711965701027457712013-06-10T07:23:00.001-07:002013-06-10T07:23:49.816-07:00Don's No Good Really Rotten Horrible Day<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Since Alison Flowers has already outed us on Facebook, I thought I needed to share the whole story! </span> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today Anita and I decided that we would go shopping for some beach towels, get some flip flops so as not to ruin our shoes, and then go to the beach and grab some supper. Sounds easy enough, right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And we made our way to Hardy's which is like a Super Wal Mart. Bought 2 beach towels and 2 pairs of shoes for $25. Then we stopped by the church to see if Anita's internet card had showed up--it hadn't. (Note the music change to much more foreboding!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We headed back to the beach, thinking that we would eat at a resturant where we ate on Sat--right on the beach, but couldn't find it. So we walked for a while and then started driving to find it. Remember, I am driving a little scooter in the land of crazy drivers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We look and look and look for the resturant--it has become a quest--when Anita asks, "How are we on gas?" "Fine!" I say, because it is close to the end. Only, as I looked at it, it was past the E! So food takes a backseat (if we had one on the scooter) to gas. We ask people about Petrol, they send us on a quest that ended up on the traffic equivalent of Savannah Highway at rush hour, only faster. At last we see a place, make a U-turn and get in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me say that I was as stressed as I have ever been. What do we do if we run out of gas, have no idea where we are, or where a gas station is! Filled the tank up for 18000 rupiah, or about $2.00. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now with gas we can head to supper! Back on Savannah Highway, get to the light where we are to turn, and it turns red just as we are starting across. We aren't in a good space--even worse when a policeman comes over and "invites" me to come see them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They are very polite, telling me that I have the wrong license -I can't drive a motorcycle in SC. He also cited me for not backing up. The bottom line, I can either give up my license and registration and go to court, or we can settle it there for a mere 250,000 rupiah, or about $25.00. What would YOU do???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I now have a criminal record; but escaped life in an Indonesian jail. All in all not a bad day! It was a really horrible no good rotten day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know, I know! It's Bali! But can't a guy get a little bit of sympathy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And no, I didn't take a picture of the nice police officer, but I will get you a picture soon of Don Flowers, preacher and soon to be Hell's Angel! With Anita Flowers, my Motorcycle Mama! Or Scooter Sweetie--either way she has a hot red helmet!</span></div>
Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-76689103571793287582013-06-09T17:41:00.000-07:002013-06-09T17:42:13.650-07:00Have you Been Whelmed Recently?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are those places in the world that you hear so much
about that you are just certain they are over-hyped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You go because you “have to go,” but you really expect
to be under-whelmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is just
no way the Grand Canyon can be THAT Grand!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How great can a wall in China really be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just a way after all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is a <b>GREAT</b> Wall!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXV14Oo3r3ppgCUmHkOjV1VNo-WXCs-MXuL1FRQqPtYARNuvOLb7egPKsOHgToTbEDXifFLukSS46Sz3EBLk2EXwPtlCnYuc-p8ypWbwmdAdvHFFiWX4fUlo0gaFlk_yh0GKz9SkZgEM/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXV14Oo3r3ppgCUmHkOjV1VNo-WXCs-MXuL1FRQqPtYARNuvOLb7egPKsOHgToTbEDXifFLukSS46Sz3EBLk2EXwPtlCnYuc-p8ypWbwmdAdvHFFiWX4fUlo0gaFlk_yh0GKz9SkZgEM/s320/IMG_0546.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No, that doesn’t even come close to my reaction!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was there, standing shrouded in a
mist that arose from the depths of the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(OK, in fact it was another cloud of pollution, but the
effect was the same!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We took the cable car to the top—there just wasn’t enough
time to hike to the top, nor do I think my legs, ribs or lungs could have
managed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how in the world
could an entire army managed to get up there and then fight their way over?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so let me
give you just a few thousand! Words, not pictures!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IJ8VEwv2mZxU080hjCOSnnQeid4ujF2Sog1IldFqQB9AWzPJewvadFH3H2rcQwjA_eYGiLZA07EPnPfEX_Y9Ez2GNI8gUYShoac6lIGoxX4kjA7_1C1RTFcRy7u9dVkJCN_7wNhQRUY/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IJ8VEwv2mZxU080hjCOSnnQeid4ujF2Sog1IldFqQB9AWzPJewvadFH3H2rcQwjA_eYGiLZA07EPnPfEX_Y9Ez2GNI8gUYShoac6lIGoxX4kjA7_1C1RTFcRy7u9dVkJCN_7wNhQRUY/s320/IMG_0478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIkIikOkKlSgiE5WrvesILMB-ujt0bG0DG_UvVp6NNPHLaTdR67ikVxAL5Wirz46b81OQdLOM3xK7PMHvFsgKBjoWub_Tl19G1or-r8p4vhDBs_M5uWLP5OPHcO6OM_8blTK5FdFt7KI/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIkIikOkKlSgiE5WrvesILMB-ujt0bG0DG_UvVp6NNPHLaTdR67ikVxAL5Wirz46b81OQdLOM3xK7PMHvFsgKBjoWub_Tl19G1or-r8p4vhDBs_M5uWLP5OPHcO6OM_8blTK5FdFt7KI/s320/IMG_0480.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next time we get married we are having our wedding pictures made on the Great Wall!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6DQEDjmIXANaFmVlQRQg0O2RviZlzx5nJrdJl_ZZpvqUM-bcz8gkl6n90Phq7qqZgG4ekmU8RQYPlA-Ho0e3PD4r5mbV7x3j34wpedKLMX-jH_Q1uqNOG1W-8rwluTEkQaTYKKxffns/s1600/IMG_0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6DQEDjmIXANaFmVlQRQg0O2RviZlzx5nJrdJl_ZZpvqUM-bcz8gkl6n90Phq7qqZgG4ekmU8RQYPlA-Ho0e3PD4r5mbV7x3j34wpedKLMX-jH_Q1uqNOG1W-8rwluTEkQaTYKKxffns/s320/IMG_0494.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bix3VIqenWi6ON0cqE7g_qE66tS1yoTVTafMhmx3suaHzE910OzPvEAOQyRd1aJEUCW1fGqXSZuOtLBoYFB9-JomqJZNdRqPto6KrlZAKprkUv2q-qob9UUBeis0L4voI-_LoFO53UE/s1600/IMG_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bix3VIqenWi6ON0cqE7g_qE66tS1yoTVTafMhmx3suaHzE910OzPvEAOQyRd1aJEUCW1fGqXSZuOtLBoYFB9-JomqJZNdRqPto6KrlZAKprkUv2q-qob9UUBeis0L4voI-_LoFO53UE/s320/IMG_0508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkI-V6de1XLYuxOIC7FQXrf8VeyZ1gWdQkMERy357__yHEYlEEGWS9UdKFMNNQt_ikK3nwsVguACvO34A2AWQ1OXs9GZDTQ1jGBgvaYu4Q77q7wRPXf7IxoTkTEsZgpWzMgyLobcqdlk/s1600/IMG_0545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkI-V6de1XLYuxOIC7FQXrf8VeyZ1gWdQkMERy357__yHEYlEEGWS9UdKFMNNQt_ikK3nwsVguACvO34A2AWQ1OXs9GZDTQ1jGBgvaYu4Q77q7wRPXf7IxoTkTEsZgpWzMgyLobcqdlk/s320/IMG_0545.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPafAYQfFPLhPexH14_tqye2_vsO9TUWmnU05tiGlGQTFLGQr_8qIZRS1SeKF9pPFll4LyiEBSJETA7bSIuZv-sNIIZAlQJM3FfcW6j2po2SM_hB16-M5ADO57Zr-YO7imc4WNeWPf0Q/s1600/IMG_0547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPafAYQfFPLhPexH14_tqye2_vsO9TUWmnU05tiGlGQTFLGQr_8qIZRS1SeKF9pPFll4LyiEBSJETA7bSIuZv-sNIIZAlQJM3FfcW6j2po2SM_hB16-M5ADO57Zr-YO7imc4WNeWPf0Q/s320/IMG_0547.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Reading your Nook on the Great Wall. When centuries collide!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvD8fA1QKXYZH0z7uP3aJfYHl5VL0x-31At9hsF0KwjfQ-AvpBGMTuWygaCbCAoxMqhJgPrpt9G_O90rv7YTz4u1o-b9VUOgr6iFCyPIyQHCxCCzIbNoj2Xy2Uk306ELx-EAJZpFvsZss/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvD8fA1QKXYZH0z7uP3aJfYHl5VL0x-31At9hsF0KwjfQ-AvpBGMTuWygaCbCAoxMqhJgPrpt9G_O90rv7YTz4u1o-b9VUOgr6iFCyPIyQHCxCCzIbNoj2Xy2Uk306ELx-EAJZpFvsZss/s320/IMG_0556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4gbCPNigJywhyaSQOuij5lQ9_ClNpLdGJoOZMLRY3vu01YVpDByBfwA8lQ9B1AN_H7UM0I7AiMKCwWVU80JHTxarEFEKFzlDK-f6F_du6O3f7sCQiWUDLc_LW4YkLhxSE5r-aQspxsw/s1600/IMG_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4gbCPNigJywhyaSQOuij5lQ9_ClNpLdGJoOZMLRY3vu01YVpDByBfwA8lQ9B1AN_H7UM0I7AiMKCwWVU80JHTxarEFEKFzlDK-f6F_du6O3f7sCQiWUDLc_LW4YkLhxSE5r-aQspxsw/s320/IMG_0567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGut22_bkClnuX2HDUvHqmJey6U_rdxSihzuyDripXP9Klp59jKkeZOU3VzksH6CqD2u4ZOf4aO1n3TfsDd4X5zp5i1537PqMwFgQyvl3K2CkeiiQFtHFYypXc2AssvT6vhcjC5ssnWas/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGut22_bkClnuX2HDUvHqmJey6U_rdxSihzuyDripXP9Klp59jKkeZOU3VzksH6CqD2u4ZOf4aO1n3TfsDd4X5zp5i1537PqMwFgQyvl3K2CkeiiQFtHFYypXc2AssvT6vhcjC5ssnWas/s320/IMG_0474.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If Savannah had been here the day would have been perfect! Well that, and if we could have done the toboggan down the hill, but Anita says broken ribs say no! Next time though!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A reflection:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This wall was built over centuries to keep the Mongolians
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did keep them out—but it also kept
the Chinese in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For centuries the
flow of people and idea stopped, which led to isolation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is beginning to change, but the
fear of outsiders is not a Chinese monopoly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just as alive in church as over the centuries we have
built walls to protect the precious valuable faith that we hold, but also to
keep “them” out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wonder in a couple hundred centuries if our walls will be
deemed this great?</span></div>
Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-37513107466844399362013-06-01T04:44:00.000-07:002013-06-01T04:44:45.367-07:00Beijing - First impressionsBy Anita:<br />
My first impression of Beijing was the one I really wanted to see. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe5GgM86D8Zyd0RO63zy32BbQBQzOfrrLRlmJjpwDNh7SOY3tPzQu4yrrN9t-d8X1olXh2Jlg_p8Rhr8hA47LcAfoIQrIIJdvpKiELYvrkVUaa72o4cA_tQRW7_3o9X4UWnBJMUhtl6E/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe5GgM86D8Zyd0RO63zy32BbQBQzOfrrLRlmJjpwDNh7SOY3tPzQu4yrrN9t-d8X1olXh2Jlg_p8Rhr8hA47LcAfoIQrIIJdvpKiELYvrkVUaa72o4cA_tQRW7_3o9X4UWnBJMUhtl6E/s320/0-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a>There they were...behind a large group of fairly somber Chinese people waiting to pick up friends and relatives at the air port...Alison and James jumping up and down and waving! The real reason reason for the trip to Beijing!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaawg2E38MIlZUIxF93dMv5G4CVHT7vVmv4EH5MDluH6pvV4sE1hDsglGPTPcN0U2HIm-X5vXzRzwBk-_oy06bp77txkBva4Ps1__NeX3DvrJInDZ9thaorYGH6XWwWUX3txPcgua8iQ/s1600/alimom.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaawg2E38MIlZUIxF93dMv5G4CVHT7vVmv4EH5MDluH6pvV4sE1hDsglGPTPcN0U2HIm-X5vXzRzwBk-_oy06bp77txkBva4Ps1__NeX3DvrJInDZ9thaorYGH6XWwWUX3txPcgua8iQ/s320/alimom.jpeg" width="213" /></a><br />
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Other first impressions: *When you can see the pollution in the air, it's a bit polluted. *Don't ever complain about American traffic. Beijing traffic, including cars, buses, motor bikes, bicycles, and lots and lots of people, is complete madness. And they believe in car horns. *There are a<b> lot</b> of people in Beijing.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVILjKcFlB6mzIDQ2DQTkUQ0fLCweBrWroN8AsSSgrgr-Zu97VMR8qzOKfCoy-JndCgt4P-x5M4b61rL3w1YUx-gHog-dYbKZbW1IbsmOIFtCqQFIXyr8RPrtX3S8ciyhJK7YbxxPBhI/s1600/alidad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVILjKcFlB6mzIDQ2DQTkUQ0fLCweBrWroN8AsSSgrgr-Zu97VMR8qzOKfCoy-JndCgt4P-x5M4b61rL3w1YUx-gHog-dYbKZbW1IbsmOIFtCqQFIXyr8RPrtX3S8ciyhJK7YbxxPBhI/s400/alidad.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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*It's amazing how much you can communicate without knowing a language by using gestures and context clues. And pointing at pictures. <br />
* You really only need to do rush hour in a Beijing subway once in your life. It an incredible mass of humanity. You're packed in like sweaty little sardines in a tin. <br />
<br />
As Alison says, "You have absolutely no personal space." <br />
<br />
First day in Bejing, we toured the silk market, visited Lake Houhai, and shopped in a houtong. But the hugs and the stories and the love were the best part.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
AF</div>
Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-51322437404718555452013-06-01T03:57:00.000-07:002013-06-01T03:57:48.220-07:00It Really is Different!
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">It really is
different!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">As I mentioned in
my last post, part of what I am looking forward to during this sabbatical is
experiencing life in a different way.
China, Bali—the culture, the history, the life is different!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And so is
this! And this was sooooo
unexpected!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Anita and I spent
Wednesday (and Thursday if you add in the time and day change!) flying! We went to Atlanta, of course, made our
connection to Seattle. One of the
little things we learned from Alison and James was that paying the little extra
to move to Comfort Coach is well worth it! And it was! We
had a bulkhead seat where we could stretch out and it was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">But we were
anxious—note the word again! We
knew from checking in that our transfer to our Beijing flight was tight—very
tight! Even worse, we knew that the
flight was overbooked. They were
already looking for volunteers to take a later flight. AND, there was horrible weather in the
middle of the country that meant we had to take a different route and were
going to get in even later!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">When we arrived in Seattle
the gates were only a few apart—good sign; they were already boarding the
Beijing flight—a sign. But when we
got to the check-in lady, she asked me to step aside for a moment! Not a good sign! Not a good sign at all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">(Wait! I have my passport! I have my visa! I have my international driver license
and my inoculation certificate! I
am still in the US! You can’t say,
“You go back!”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Wait, there isn’t
an AK-47 over her shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">She said, “There
has been a seat change.” Before I
could protest I saw the boarding pass. 1-B. Anita is given 1-C.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">As we walk down the
gangway Anita says, “Did what I think just happened really happen?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">YES!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">We are in Business
Elite! And let me tell you—IT IS
DIFFERENT UP HERE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQzhRu7dIHJuixb317HBS2vyOc3fpcecVjfXWB2V_sxJ3CgLuSz0igHjShb3hwQTFmWDieFZIV7b2Bnk3-Fj8H4ovDogKp5llw3NOajGJ6BftZ8oH1mdKHZec5N_Q3su3DSQVG3ERqBo/s1600/1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQzhRu7dIHJuixb317HBS2vyOc3fpcecVjfXWB2V_sxJ3CgLuSz0igHjShb3hwQTFmWDieFZIV7b2Bnk3-Fj8H4ovDogKp5llw3NOajGJ6BftZ8oH1mdKHZec5N_Q3su3DSQVG3ERqBo/s1600/1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The flight
attendant brought us a glass of Champaign before we left! He brought us a menu to order
supper! He brought us a napkin,
that wasn’t a napkin. It was a
small tablecloth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And the seats! They go flat and you can
sleep. All night! Anita is currently in hour 7, which means
that she has missed all the good movies available and will never get to sleep
tonight—which is when we are going to arrive! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">This has been such
a different experience! And
sometime different is good—even great!
It gives me a great feeling about the different to come!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And I could get
spoiled this way! But I don’t
think I have been that good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-54222440890517617252013-05-29T11:39:00.004-07:002013-05-29T11:39:56.462-07:00And So It Begins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH9_-GZXl3xMUoT7SGM-_VSOUjB60g1Glg7hW6ZwSbdKrjMbn6mChKfPOL4cc78F2CuTPZnwTVMZ8SBVcKGgsU8SemPHmCupHBJhHSijb5t2lR9EwRn7jX654735hxlRmlVR6zvnICkY/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH9_-GZXl3xMUoT7SGM-_VSOUjB60g1Glg7hW6ZwSbdKrjMbn6mChKfPOL4cc78F2CuTPZnwTVMZ8SBVcKGgsU8SemPHmCupHBJhHSijb5t2lR9EwRn7jX654735hxlRmlVR6zvnICkY/s320/IMG_0212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anita is over her anxiety!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The house is clean and ready for the guest who will be using
it as their home away from home—and preaching at Providence and feeding</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mike the Cat!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are appreciative of them and hope they don’t look under
that place that I was supposed to clean!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGyPOIC8exCnhi2H8fXsI8M785Ubbmuw6SSQGEPQ-6yn8mrRa7WvJoRwO-rl9fgOPSWq2zPecl8EjSAoMMGbdRc6zkiImo7Z7NPZfEDIdyj9O19kF8LLWhVIYZI32tycLKt3_jRteDGM/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGyPOIC8exCnhi2H8fXsI8M785Ubbmuw6SSQGEPQ-6yn8mrRa7WvJoRwO-rl9fgOPSWq2zPecl8EjSAoMMGbdRc6zkiImo7Z7NPZfEDIdyj9O19kF8LLWhVIYZI32tycLKt3_jRteDGM/s200/IMG_0211.JPG" width="200" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But as soon as we got to the airport, Anita relaxed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I just got more anxious!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It all comes from an incident involving a passport that
didn’t make it with me to Prague, a large man with an AK-47 strapped over his
shoulder saying, <i><b>“You Go Back!”</b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
only takes one time and you clasp your passport all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Pause while I check….yep, it is here!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The truth is however, my anxiety has been growing over the
past few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started when I
realized I had to be intentional about what I was going to wear, and what I was
going to take on the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found
myself wanting cantaloupe, because who knows if they have them in Bali.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And will I ever get a tomato sandwich
this summer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is not that I am not thrilled about this trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to discover places I have never been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just that the routine of my life
is so…. comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what
coffee cup to use on what day, what is going to happen, what I am going to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But this sabbatical?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, it has disrupted my life, my routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what day it is, or what to do, or soon, where I
am.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which was the point wasn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TO get outside the waters that bind me, that set the limits
of my life, that form the natural borders of my world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To pontificate just a bit, I do wonder how often that is the
way we live at church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have our
borders of right and wrong, proper and inappropriate, how we do things, and to
get outside that border is just too anxiety producing to even consider, let
alone doing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But what if we did?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So now it begins!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am heading into a new world (actually a very old world—going to see
the Great Wall on Sunday!) and really don’t know what to expect!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be an adventure! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yes, I am a bit anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do have my passport!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just checked again!</span></div>
Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-26650736826863201782013-05-28T06:26:00.000-07:002013-05-28T07:05:50.304-07:00It was wonderful...right up to that last moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYleoNRDY83Vs1ytT6O2IGDuflgkLFPeQ22hwoJKlC0bSpilAMmSHUjB-Hv3wguUXQeUsFQW3DSEHehJ8hjQn0h1IeyNZiudPnXnPb6MiN6zc4eKsUpW7sPbYkK0_SXzHufJ8_aSuP-O8/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYleoNRDY83Vs1ytT6O2IGDuflgkLFPeQ22hwoJKlC0bSpilAMmSHUjB-Hv3wguUXQeUsFQW3DSEHehJ8hjQn0h1IeyNZiudPnXnPb6MiN6zc4eKsUpW7sPbYkK0_SXzHufJ8_aSuP-O8/s320/IMG_0186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had heard so much about Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit
Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have you done the trail?”
people would ask whenever we were in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This walking/running/biking trail runs…well forever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that it runs from downtown
Greenville to Travelers Rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKLpbGSTP3INcstz5FkgyWsHIhvARiA2eMqYL7XD8MEqGVRZrJ_u0tNliQhVBVqvFmAgqMGx0g9tM_7I8GFu7BWwBTsHnoJFMuJgrPDrjQkGZ6GKiz9WfCyIf9oyHdLF5L9HZWJn12XU/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKLpbGSTP3INcstz5FkgyWsHIhvARiA2eMqYL7XD8MEqGVRZrJ_u0tNliQhVBVqvFmAgqMGx0g9tM_7I8GFu7BWwBTsHnoJFMuJgrPDrjQkGZ6GKiz9WfCyIf9oyHdLF5L9HZWJn12XU/s200/IMG_0187.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxm7jd7B3ElvUjw1IRnO4GaYB0rcRb553rqLpJcJbKILgnw9OhJrEZQ4xwxtv1mAVNMWZsZjlpRZgkiNG_85eXCFlW3cOXW9kRwtFEyEYUgblfGrRxBN_LSyPlkW9MG0VnmcnSRCI_6o/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxm7jd7B3ElvUjw1IRnO4GaYB0rcRb553rqLpJcJbKILgnw9OhJrEZQ4xwxtv1mAVNMWZsZjlpRZgkiNG_85eXCFlW3cOXW9kRwtFEyEYUgblfGrRxBN_LSyPlkW9MG0VnmcnSRCI_6o/s200/IMG_0191.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can now attest that it is wonderful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, that really doesn’t capture how
wonderful it is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last weekend
Anita and I were in town to celebrate Amy Shelley and Matt Olson’s
wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided that we would
throw our bikes on the car and go for a ride.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(A sideline, when we checked into our hotel the young lady
behind the counter looked at me and said, “Mr. Flowers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am Brett Barbare…well I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got married last month and now I am
Mrs. Flowers!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brett and Alison
were good friends when we lived in Greenville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just one of those little serendipities!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the people at the Hampton Inn
downtown took great care of our bikes—and is a wonderful place to stay I might
add!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iEpaRI-DgjqMJTawjaPUJpCahmxpdlozFHmGmELeT24LrkpAaV7h9BxI67TZpUlGUciZbZxAQUh-Jt7Pq1aAWteVo80_qX8MH46zOdDhbVDAErugqJOlaC6VS7ndmouLwGV8BgsJGLs/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iEpaRI-DgjqMJTawjaPUJpCahmxpdlozFHmGmELeT24LrkpAaV7h9BxI67TZpUlGUciZbZxAQUh-Jt7Pq1aAWteVo80_qX8MH46zOdDhbVDAErugqJOlaC6VS7ndmouLwGV8BgsJGLs/s200/IMG_0190.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So Friday morning Anita and I took off! We rode north. And did I mention that it was
wonderful. Anita turned green with
envy when she saw the rubberized running track! The trail runs through places that prior you wouldn’t have
gone, but now there are little cafes that cater to the bikers and runners. Neighborhoods put up signs that say <i>“Like
riding the Swamp Rabbit Trail?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine living beside it!”</i><i> </i>
The trail has become an economic catalyst. (Do you hear that Charleston???)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgfsiUEeh6CaazwYDOj0RnKQ37LZPqC_kwVBD6NCA2mc4UbHJoeOC3fQo6SMBpBliRyaaK7U-3CImKgTcTw8oNS6TirNKjR56BtMM3sXGnkaTvuHc6bCHTm4RACt_l_bv8apmyAxGhA0/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgfsiUEeh6CaazwYDOj0RnKQ37LZPqC_kwVBD6NCA2mc4UbHJoeOC3fQo6SMBpBliRyaaK7U-3CImKgTcTw8oNS6TirNKjR56BtMM3sXGnkaTvuHc6bCHTm4RACt_l_bv8apmyAxGhA0/s200/IMG_0179.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We made our way to Furman, took a ride around the lake which
our children had enjoyed during their college days; ran into friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ventured on to Travelers Rest before
turning around and heading back for a quick lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it back downtown and then went a little further—through
Cleveland Park.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That was when Anita said she was going to head back to start
getting ready for the wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Did I mention that I was officiating??)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rode a bit further before turning back!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I got lost in Cleveland Park—ended up down near the zoo, off
the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized my mistake
and turned around.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did I mention that it was a wonderful ride?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Right up to the point that I made a left hand turn off the
little bridge, never seeing the mud on the trail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You know, it doesn’t take long to hit the ground!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I was sprawled all over the path, I tried to catch my
breath, confirmed that I could move everything, made sure my bike was ridable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was then that I realized that my ribs really hurt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>REALLY HURT!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Short version, I saw Dr, Mathis at the reception and he told
me what I knew. If they were broken (which I think they are) there really isn’t
anything to do—just wait.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sleeping the last few nights has been difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moving heavy stuff around hurts (so don’t
do that!) I am almost looking forward to sitting on the flight, because they
don’t hurt when I am sitting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did I mention that the Swamp Rabbit Trail is really wonderful?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a wonderful time—right up to that
last moment!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See, this sabbatical stuff isn’t all wonderful! Life does go
on!</span></div>
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Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-21913615504384189062013-05-26T07:48:00.000-07:002013-05-26T08:18:02.368-07:00Dancing lessons from God<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Anita: </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw2y-KSiXEJo-hAGsl414tCHEC-VSLgMxHwmC5l0g86TknnNZfzgsA-y9wUF7LoG_AaswLRTwTEBNVy-i4hKggqzJl4xX-pUo7UT7YapEqSoKMabJQ8NkoRg2zKO25ZLIY1OG8fFM94s/s1600/internation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw2y-KSiXEJo-hAGsl414tCHEC-VSLgMxHwmC5l0g86TknnNZfzgsA-y9wUF7LoG_AaswLRTwTEBNVy-i4hKggqzJl4xX-pUo7UT7YapEqSoKMabJQ8NkoRg2zKO25ZLIY1OG8fFM94s/s320/internation.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Look out world! I have a international drivers license! I can drive in 179 countries around the planet - from Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria and Azerbaijan to the UK, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe. But most importantly, I can drive in Indonesia... well, I’m licensed to drive now in Indonesia. We’ll see about the actual experience. </span><br />
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYP-_Tcxl2461HuGIWiw5MqzYVMDUmoVhBzVtx3n-8vx-kAi9pp0PPH_YZeCQgVUQlspZhFQTrH92cMLM6Ao6zL7DQBNOz99G9bURHFkrqj3JUVZo-n5CpX6OABM8gIOYUKxNjGWTyHc/s1600/to+do+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYP-_Tcxl2461HuGIWiw5MqzYVMDUmoVhBzVtx3n-8vx-kAi9pp0PPH_YZeCQgVUQlspZhFQTrH92cMLM6Ao6zL7DQBNOz99G9bURHFkrqj3JUVZo-n5CpX6OABM8gIOYUKxNjGWTyHc/s320/to+do+list.jpg" width="238" /></a><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That’s just one of the many details I’ve checked off my very long to do list. Trip prep has taken up a lot of my time in the last few weeks. The reality is that we’re leaving the country for two months. We’ve done visas and immunizations. What do we have in the way of travel clothes and what do we need? Most of our suitcases have wandered off to Texas and China. Do we need new ones? What about phones, money, insurance, bug spray, contact solution? How do we get Don’s “must be refrigerated” medicine (in needle topped syringes, no less) to Bali? And the big question.... do I pack my running shoes? </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then there are the practical matters on the home front. How am I going to pay our regular bills while we're gone? Who’s going to cut the grass - and how do I pay them? What about my finicky ferns on the back porch? Several friends will be vacationing at our home in Charleston and feeding Mike the cat so, of course, I’m in serious cleaning mode. Details. Details. Details. Not what I do best. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But it will be worth it! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Kurt Vonnegut once wrote “Bizarre travel plans are dancing lessons from God.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> My unfinished to-do list reminds me that I can't arrange and manage every tiny detail for every minute that I'm away. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s almost time to begin the dance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">AF</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-49460959188212505942013-05-22T19:21:00.001-07:002013-05-22T19:21:03.147-07:00It's Not Just About Me<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I will be the last
person in the world to ever say that the opportunity to take a sabbatical is
not an incredible gift, perk, benefit, extravagance—you pick the word! It is wonderful!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">But it isn’t just
wonderful for me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">It is also an
incredible gift to my family. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1SaP6IvPuPXthK9lN7uUgzD52lfSaI3-B_aCMBJBZTamen1EfawIVPHrBeTk1R7V5qGfyXi7Hk3vhVJdUEh9dDyeIs7176QpMY5OsRh8uJthqcAU8RjQv4SmUSaGCEpLs6-VV3Y2slw/s1600/DSCN7423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1SaP6IvPuPXthK9lN7uUgzD52lfSaI3-B_aCMBJBZTamen1EfawIVPHrBeTk1R7V5qGfyXi7Hk3vhVJdUEh9dDyeIs7176QpMY5OsRh8uJthqcAU8RjQv4SmUSaGCEpLs6-VV3Y2slw/s200/DSCN7423.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /><o:p></o:p>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I am aware that I
have a lot of flexibility with my weekly schedule. If I have a doctor’s appointment I just go. If I need to run out to the bank or the
grocery store during lunch, I can.
That is wonderful. I often
wonder when normal people go to Wal Mart.
(OK, lets be honest, I don’t go to Wal Mart anyway. Anita makes that run, but you
understand what I am saying!) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">But the flip side
is that I work during normal “family time.” Weekends are full—either with weddings or more often just
getting the sermon finished.
Sundays are full. We can’t
plan a trip away…because Dad has to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">But a
sabbatical! It is extended family
time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I realized that the
first time I ever took a sabbatical.
The girls were young then, but as the time came nearer they got more and
more excited. They looked forward
to the time. “You mean you won’t
have to go to work?” they asked.
“You can come and have lunch with me at school?” “You will be here when we get home?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Kr0N1uGLo_He_7EAIkeG5KZMPkzmUaMiYtZ-pPnC4w9X44N3f2G7qvgDvhU9GyhZObcXEs0htnsSoYCMEs4X_YA06a38_UhLT68HePM1ovlf8IQAjxKmJ2eoxWxHl7-Dj9u9IcuoOUU/s1600/DSCN2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Kr0N1uGLo_He_7EAIkeG5KZMPkzmUaMiYtZ-pPnC4w9X44N3f2G7qvgDvhU9GyhZObcXEs0htnsSoYCMEs4X_YA06a38_UhLT68HePM1ovlf8IQAjxKmJ2eoxWxHl7-Dj9u9IcuoOUU/s200/DSCN2138.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">During one of the
most memorable sabbaticals we have ever took the whole family went to
England. We got to see so many
sites, created memories that fuel stories that we still tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">That was gift! It is gift! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vCJ48aA_vub8Xz-xSdLW7PKmc13G3egQ702lKxw71SF88koBL_GYUZ1oMjXVMB9hBiIMgQqP32WYQnfjXFAMNgGnwZGNxbsyomX6BRPg9bsHuuEck1FBhefVf9C28_KcEG4yc4HkvBY/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vCJ48aA_vub8Xz-xSdLW7PKmc13G3egQ702lKxw71SF88koBL_GYUZ1oMjXVMB9hBiIMgQqP32WYQnfjXFAMNgGnwZGNxbsyomX6BRPg9bsHuuEck1FBhefVf9C28_KcEG4yc4HkvBY/s200/IMG_0002.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Even now…now that
the girls are all grown up. This
sabbatical is gift to them!
Savannah was home from Austin last week. We laughed and went to the beach and had fun and never got
interrupted with “work.” </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Next
Wednesday we will leave to head to Beijing for a few days with Alison and
James. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">It is even
more! I spent a few days this week
at home in Cherryville. I mowed
the “Lower 40” (actually just about 2 acres) helped Mom make some decisions,
and just relaxed in the old homeplace.
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS8ZdvU3wIoMYniUBjIim9Zkc7tcAfj3v-_gQhs_Ui2PBMpGO08ZcZSe3DhMKGi3T3bSrvlP03WpUcxoslVhGBC9sZkB3wdwPCFXBo0LXFl3tv5pxa3MLEv2yWe7xMcrlgriD7s1PZf4/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS8ZdvU3wIoMYniUBjIim9Zkc7tcAfj3v-_gQhs_Ui2PBMpGO08ZcZSe3DhMKGi3T3bSrvlP03WpUcxoslVhGBC9sZkB3wdwPCFXBo0LXFl3tv5pxa3MLEv2yWe7xMcrlgriD7s1PZf4/s320/IMG_0146.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">On the way back to Charleston I stopped by to see my father. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">All of that would
be next to impossible during “Normal” time. But sabbatical time…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">So on behalf of my
family, thank you! It is gift to
me, but also to them! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-86903027461071326512013-05-15T12:27:00.001-07:002013-05-15T12:27:56.790-07:00The visas have arrived!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qwUuUGiGcfyDZ_BjUXaX6IQ10dkDaYIA61DfKTPOCOcvZ6_F2qbImSH91fAS4BPc6YOHT88v1Z_rQQFLgZVrZKFDJMaOOS1lRVMbCabv_5jN9HyWncjrqDcvDGY5qU7f3aZEfGDZGew/s1600/passport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qwUuUGiGcfyDZ_BjUXaX6IQ10dkDaYIA61DfKTPOCOcvZ6_F2qbImSH91fAS4BPc6YOHT88v1Z_rQQFLgZVrZKFDJMaOOS1lRVMbCabv_5jN9HyWncjrqDcvDGY5qU7f3aZEfGDZGew/s400/passport.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Several of you have asked if I (Anita) will also be blogging about the trip. The answer is yes... Don and I will be co-blogging from this website and hopefully, our marriage will survive it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We're prepping for a two month trip to the other side of the world - China, Indonesia and Australia. Until you are in the middle of it, you don't realize how much work it takes to get there!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I spent several mornings talking to the Indonesian consulate and Chinese visa service and locating the documents we needed. Because we’re going to be in Bali for six weeks, we had to apply for a social-cultural visa for Indonesia, which meant we had to send in a thick stack of paperwork - including a letter of invitation from a sponsor in Indonesia, that person’s identification papers, our travel itinerary, a copy of our bank statement, a U.S. letter of employment, and our U.S. passports. Mailing off our two passports to the Indonesian consulate in NY just weeks prior to a trip was a little anxiety producing - and we were going to have to do it twice! You can’t do it too far in advance because you have to use the visa within 90 days. Thankfully, the Indonesian visas arrived back within a couple of weeks, stamped neatly inside our passports. The next day, I loaded a second mailing envelope with another stack of papers and, again, our passports, bound for the Chinese consulate in Washington, DC. And today, the wonderful FedEx delivery person showed up at the front door with our passports and Chinese visas.<span class="s1"></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Thanks be to God that Australia has entered the digital age.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For an Australian visa, we just had to log onto the Australian government website, fill out a form with our passport information, give them our travel dates and our credit card number and Boom!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">electronic Australian visas.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visas done... and then there were the shots!</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We spent an afternoon at the <a href="http://www.muschealth.com/travelclinic/index.htm" target="_blank">MUSC travel clinic</a> and found out again that the medical staff there really know their stuff. We had used the clinic before we traveled to South Africa in November and were very impressed with their knowledge and helpfulness. So, there we were again, getting immunized against everything from typhoid fever to hepatitis. Don hates getting shots so he was relieved to find that the typhoid vaccine is an oral medication that you take over a period of days. We also were given prescriptions for anti-diarrheal medication and assured that we would definitely need it. The travel clinic gave us recommendations for mosquito repellent, a list of places where the water is not safe for wimpy American stomachs (pretty much everywhere we are going!) and other travel recommendations.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visas done.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Immunizations done.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Packing.... well, that's next.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">AF</span></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*********************************</span></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-89489156814072182052013-05-12T09:07:00.000-07:002013-05-12T09:07:05.187-07:00The Waters from Which I Came
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a few wonderful months while I was in seminary, I had
the great privilege and joy of having <a href="http://www.gradynutt.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Grady Nutt</span></a> as my Sunday School
teacher. Words just can’t describe
how much we laughed, and learned. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One Sunday, as he was finishing up he became very
serious. He looked at us and said
something that I so needed to hear, and something I have never forgotten. He simply said, “I have never met a
mature person who was ashamed of where they came from.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXset51jwP2m9LKqfKLfdfAK2-hOyhZjRG0YFfTN1ApWXASaIYyBsE54wemEmlqueZ5Qe2mu9QLCNmNorhxUxNmc8HmBE4_NeswpMn_tQ43gOfnyz8tKsNGVdSi_Cz5IISLXmLYDLnhfM/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXset51jwP2m9LKqfKLfdfAK2-hOyhZjRG0YFfTN1ApWXASaIYyBsE54wemEmlqueZ5Qe2mu9QLCNmNorhxUxNmc8HmBE4_NeswpMn_tQ43gOfnyz8tKsNGVdSi_Cz5IISLXmLYDLnhfM/s200/IMG_0037.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday night, I took the time to go “back to where I came
from.” Oh, I didn’t go home to
Cherryville, NC. I went to
Darlington!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You need to understand. I was a NASCAR fan
before being a NASCAR fan was cool. It was hereditary. My father and uncles would make pilgrimages to Charlotte and
Darlington and Daytona and the stories of those trips have become family
legend. I remember the first time
I went to the infield of the World 600 in Charlotte, sitting on towers that
would never be deemed safe by OSHA or my mother or any sane person! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I met the King as a young boy (and if you don’t know who
that is you will not understand anything that follows!!!) and thought I might
as well die then! Could anything
better EVER happen??? I can talk
to you about Fred Lorenzen, Fireball Roberts, Tiny Lund, Junior Johnson, and about
Cale Yarborough and his infamous 1979 fight with the Allison brothers at
Daytona—a race The King won I might add!. I learned early in life that you were either a Ford man or a
Chevy man or a Chrysler man and you didn’t change! (I still can’t buy a Ford, although I recently rented a Taurus
and it was incredible!!!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few years ago Richard Nunan, made me an offer. We would go to the Saturday night race
at Darlington and he would drive home so I could be ready to preach on
Sunday. (That is a Sunday in which
I PREACH REAL LOUD!) It has become
a tradition. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUl77Fp8uexxejmzIg2P74CGoGCfg-SNuo_NFmyrU6KLMDbLhqTLY9eegiLFJ9s4mMXkKZI4nplSSfy7jq9bH96kgJvSPyB3w0gBCwxSL42kQHmh_liewAnItQMsjiXWshCIxz-6igrA0/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUl77Fp8uexxejmzIg2P74CGoGCfg-SNuo_NFmyrU6KLMDbLhqTLY9eegiLFJ9s4mMXkKZI4nplSSfy7jq9bH96kgJvSPyB3w0gBCwxSL42kQHmh_liewAnItQMsjiXWshCIxz-6igrA0/s200/IMG_0059.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You have to understand that Richard is the <u style="font-weight: bold;">last</u> person in
the world that you would suspect of being a race fan. He teaches philosophy at the College of Charleston, is prone
to wear a T-shirt to the race that says “This is what a Feminist looks like”
and brings wonderful vegetarian pizza to eat. Last night we had a wonderful conversation about time travel
and the philosophical implications.
He is teaching an honors course next fall that you really should
take—even though you can’t! Richard
grew up near Hueytown Alabama, a point of contention that I have gotten
over! (How could you pull for the
Allisons???) He is a Mark Martin
fan and dreams of living long enough to see him win again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sorry Richard!
You’ve been outed!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am a Baptist minister who serves a church on Daniel
Island, drives a Volvo and loves going to the ballet. I have a degree from Wake Forest, Southern Seminary, and
Emory, and have been accused of being rather liberal in my politics and
theology. Not the kind of people
that you would expect to be sitting in the Pearson Tower at the Track too Tough
to Tame on a Saturday night listening to country music, Republican senators and
the roar of engines!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVR8_ERbp8Bw53sltZiIRf6FBzAckp8R77ZX9OBD0DjKbpHE-QmX0JyErvhD7FK69ENa8hPj3lzJYSRKmuDyMbaIsnp4X9EObFX6ynlP-38hkyLQZ0iL-idqnhHxYkpzq74w6IMry3xc/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVR8_ERbp8Bw53sltZiIRf6FBzAckp8R77ZX9OBD0DjKbpHE-QmX0JyErvhD7FK69ENa8hPj3lzJYSRKmuDyMbaIsnp4X9EObFX6ynlP-38hkyLQZ0iL-idqnhHxYkpzq74w6IMry3xc/s200/IMG_0042.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But there we were!
Pearson Tower. Section H,
Row 24, Seats 23 and 24. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We’ll be there again next year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes you have to dip your toes in the waters that
birthed you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes you have to remember not to be ashamed of where
you came from. </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-84830409351380573852013-05-11T06:02:00.000-07:002013-05-11T06:02:49.253-07:00What I Have Learned/Admitted So Far<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just before my first sabbatical, which was delayed a year
due to moving into our facility, I had a very poignant dream. I was at a going away party that the
church was giving. We were moving
somewhere. There were nice
decorations and cake and punch.
Everyone was coming by and saying nice things to me. In my dream Joe Goodson, who was our
moderator and a friend with whom I had shared many road trips to SC CBF
meetings came up to tell my how much he was going to miss me. I remember looking at him and saying,
“But Joe, I don’t want to go. It’s
just that I am so tired!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKlgnFT5weVZa0UJzunvo_EqlYvTdgExo-PSqQ8IWVaCfqytGh3yZ3bkgArydqenQTTRv80RVHraV47G8efClbhyQVPgkPsAoD6OEKW5sut1AUSrKuTOMUZe7RtDsN2qmKiOVA5xXRCg/s1600/IMG_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKlgnFT5weVZa0UJzunvo_EqlYvTdgExo-PSqQ8IWVaCfqytGh3yZ3bkgArydqenQTTRv80RVHraV47G8efClbhyQVPgkPsAoD6OEKW5sut1AUSrKuTOMUZe7RtDsN2qmKiOVA5xXRCg/s200/IMG_0210.jpg" width="193" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was our view--if I had been awake!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Already, less than a week into this time I am recalling
that. A friend asked me what I
have done and I replied, “I have slept.”
Anita and I went to Hilton Head for a few days—and I slept. 2 naps in one day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It isn’t just getting old. (Well, it might be!) I think that most of the time I never allow myself to admit
how tired I am. There is always a
sermon to be written, phone calls to make, articles to write, a wedding to
celebrate, a funeral that you didn’t expect. There are always people who stop by “just to talk.” That is what I do! That is my job! That is what I love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I never admit how tiring it is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don’t think any of us do. Especially now with our cell phones and laptops and IPads,
it is easy to work at home, on vacation, while watching TV. Just stopping and doing nothing? We just can’t. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Admit that we are tired? Not going to happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But right now, with nothing else to do….I can. I have.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-784581596746518092013-05-09T15:00:00.000-07:002013-05-09T15:00:57.615-07:00You Get What??!!!
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are times when I am almost embarrassed to tell
colleagues that I get a sabbatical.
The envy is almost more than I can bear! It is even worse when I tell my “non-clergy” friends. Their reaction, even if in jest, is
always, “But you only work one day a week now!” (I remind them that I also work on Wednesdays, thank you
very much!) </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What many want to know, however, is how.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How did I get a sabbatical?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was very easy!
I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a bit more to it. I moved to Providence 17 years ago from a position at First
Baptist, Greenville. At that time
I was granted a 2-month sabbatical every 4 years. So when we began having conversation with Providence, I just
asked for 2 months every 3 years. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can only imagine their thinking.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“He is taking a pay cut to come here, so we should be
nice.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But seriously, the average
tenure of a minister is barely 3 years, so this probably won’t ever cost us
anything!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let’s throw it in!”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm66KrN3XvpgrvPEMqrMUDhR43GwcEl-4Y1o7BrdGLSusoIM-sMF4cKk1jsQ6YbCITYE0aRXVzb1bfU-UoSBBq4q1O4SxaEN5UdP7LU0qzwke0TG7lBZEJAJH4q1ohtUQfC0zZ3zVkMwk/s1600/sabbatical1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm66KrN3XvpgrvPEMqrMUDhR43GwcEl-4Y1o7BrdGLSusoIM-sMF4cKk1jsQ6YbCITYE0aRXVzb1bfU-UoSBBq4q1O4SxaEN5UdP7LU0qzwke0TG7lBZEJAJH4q1ohtUQfC0zZ3zVkMwk/s200/sabbatical1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This will be my 5<sup>th</sup> sabbatical! It is the secret to my longevity. (Well that a an occasional walk on the beach and fresh shrimp.) In all seriousness </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I cannot imagine doing this job without the knowledge that there is a time when I will be able to just set everything down and just be...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A sabbatical is gift from our church to my family and me. These weeks give us time to just be, to reconnect, to
vacate. But it is also a gift to
our congregation. Providence is
unique in that we have 21 ordained ministers in our congregation. (We only have about 350 members, so you
do the math!) While I am away our
congregation gets to hear a different voice. This time we also have the gift of several friends “from
off” who are coming to lead in worship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But this sabbatical is also a gift from the Lily
Foundation. Several years ago they
became concerned about burnout in ministers, how many were just walking away to
do something else. They created a
program that would allow ministers time away to renew their souls, to do things
that would make their hearts sing.
I had applied several times before, but to no avail. I applied again this year (actually
last year) expecting the same result!
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But surprise!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So over the next 12 weeks (I am using all my vacation time this
year) we will be resting at home, and then off on a wonderful journey. We are going to Beijing, China to see
our daughter and son-in-law; then to visit/work with friends in Bali and then
home via Perth, Australia where we going to check up on church members. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">None of that would have been possible without this grant,
for which I am so grateful; without the gift of the time from Providence;
without the extra work and ministry by my colleagues. It really is gift.
I really am grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My guess is I don’t know how grateful yet. That will come over the next few weeks.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939617804398654255.post-62190745904215518992013-05-09T10:40:00.000-07:002013-05-09T10:40:26.539-07:00The Waters that Bind Us
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LL_f2EDNNjqOfpnUZ0IdvkHoJsl_W7O9cvEe-e7bZnhe_vVNEZ3Q5lt-Eiz6rKChZBtsiZFrQc0a72iZZpRcjvFMEmqHGfM5a6FB50pdyrukjWbTnBhM4UiU-IQP9qatrYpv4zPh0JM/s1600/facilities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LL_f2EDNNjqOfpnUZ0IdvkHoJsl_W7O9cvEe-e7bZnhe_vVNEZ3Q5lt-Eiz6rKChZBtsiZFrQc0a72iZZpRcjvFMEmqHGfM5a6FB50pdyrukjWbTnBhM4UiU-IQP9qatrYpv4zPh0JM/s200/facilities.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsvUJGNgWJ15eKUfZ0nNOWi-1RYgyyDicF1Mw0GSTLDVMjznpfdjZVeRnk273XcTlADZRGSFZwh0a1Xvh69KHCdVBM8spKnfzsXa1lvcndanR4khO7OvSGuoYuPILtl0gMNDJJ7aUHwo/s1600/baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsvUJGNgWJ15eKUfZ0nNOWi-1RYgyyDicF1Mw0GSTLDVMjznpfdjZVeRnk273XcTlADZRGSFZwh0a1Xvh69KHCdVBM8spKnfzsXa1lvcndanR4khO7OvSGuoYuPILtl0gMNDJJ7aUHwo/s200/baptism.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I am the pastor of a Baptist Church on Daniel Island,
SC. My world is defined by
water. Geographically, we are
surrounded by the waters of the Wando and Cooper Rivers. Spiritually it is where we begin, as we
go down to the Wando for baptism.
Water binds us together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> But it also binds us.
The rivers around Charleston not only give us beauty, but also
boundaries. You live East Cooper
or West Ashley or James Island, or Daniel Island. The waters give us a geographical, social, and many times
economic identity. Providence is
on Daniel Island—an absolutely wonderful setting. We live in Mt. Pleasant—east
of the Cooper River. We have
talked about making the 6-mile move to Daniel Island. It would be so nice to walk to everything, to get rid of a
car, to be more a part of the community.
But my fear is that if we did move, I would never leave the island! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Which is why this sabbatical journey is so important! During this time we are going to explore
the waters that bind us—in ways both good and bad. How do we allow barriers to bind us into routines that keep
us from one another? What are the
commonalities that bind us together—even when we don’t recognize it? For the truth is we are all bound
together by water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> A few years ago I came across a wonderful little book by
Maruso Emoto called <i>The Hidden Messages
in Water.</i> He writes, <i>“We
start out life being 99% water, as fetuses. When we are born we are 90% water, and by the time we reach
adulthood we are down to 70%...In other words, throughout our lives we exist
mostly as water.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This is a journey
to break out of the confines of my life, to go places both physically and
spiritually that I have never gone, but also to discover the ways that we
really are bound together—by our common humanity, by water. It will be the journey of a lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">DF</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Don and Anita Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16331103898362778938noreply@blogger.com1