I Can't Believe It IS Butter

WOW! We were actually able to get butter here yesterday. They haven't had butter here since our friends came to live here 3 years ago. We bought two, they bought two, and the Australians probably bought some too. The funny thing is, it has been two days since we got the butter and they still don't know how much it costs. Maybe by the time I post again we will know how much this precious gem really did costs. Now, they do have something here that is a far cry from butter, called "Blue Band" I have no earthly idea what Blue Band is made from - but it is yellow in color but has a unique aftertaste that is not like butter at all. However, the oil is not much better so I guess you have to pick your poison. But for the next few baking experiences we will have real butter. I guess that means I need to bake some bread. I will post a pic of Alethia just for your viewing pleasure from her Thanksgiving plate.

Truly a Black Friday

The Coppenger Family had a truly Black Friday as they mourn the loss of a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, coworker and friend. She went home to be with Jesus on Friday and we all know that she was fully at peace. She was assured of her place in heaven and longed to be with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Being far away from family at this time is hard.

Aunt Anne (or technically my aunt-in-law) was such a neat lady. I first met her when she, Sharon, and Aunt Sue organized a bridal shower for me in Arkansas while Caleb was in Iraq. I could tell from the first time I met her she was a women who loved people and they sure did love her too. Then she, Aunt Sue, and Rebecca showed up again at the Rehearsal Dinner and did what only those ladies could by way of turning a fellowship hall into a room with romantic ambiance. (Complete with using the big fern to camoflage the basketball hoop!) Just before our first Christmas she sent me a box of ornaments for a new bride to start of her Christmas collection. WoW! I think it was shortly after my first Christmas as a Coppenger that we learned of her cancer. That began her battle and she battled it gracefully and full of courage. I got to talk to her about two weeks before she died and she was her same fun self.

What I remember most about Aunt Anne is her thoughtfulness. She cared enough to fly to Florida to be with Caleb, Alethia, and I at a very special time in our lives. She organized a rafting trip for us and a babysitter so we could spend some time meeting special folks in her life and enjoying nature. She would send cards and emails just to say hello. I still have pieces of a calendar she sent me because it reminded her of me and she wanted me to laugh. Even though we are 10,000 miles away she still sent us birthday presents complete with real cards using snail mail. She didn't forget Christmas or even Valentine's Day. She made Alelthia

this precious outfit and it fits her perfectly now. She even when to great links to have Caleb, Alethia and I in attendance at Chesed and Jeremy's wedding (Caleb's sister) this past August by having life size cardboard cutouts of us. But I have to say what impressed me most and touched my heart was when the only Happy Mother's Day card (besides the ones from Caleb and Alethia) was from Aunt Anne. How did she know?? You see Aunt Anne never was a biological mother but she had a mother's heart. She was one of those people who really gave you special gifts because she knew you and listened to you, not because she had to but because she wanted to. I know I am not the only one who was touched and can attest to her kindness.

Aunt Anne was blessed by God to be a blessing to all and she lived up to that. I join with the Coppenger family in saying good bye to a precious woman of God. Aunt Anne we will miss you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Just finished making my Pecan Pie and deviled eggs. I think my sister calls them heavenly eggs. It is almost 2 am and we just lost power. Since Alethia didn't have her fan - she is awake and watching me type this post so I will try to keep it short. We are celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow with the only other American family on the island. Our oven is a few centimeters larger than theirs so we are cooking the turkey that they have provided and stuffed. I have had two interesting experiences this week. This first was going to the local university here and expecting to sit in on the lecture. Instead I was the one who gave the lecture. I thought I was just introducing myself but two hours later I was still talking in Indonesian and trying to explain the differences between America and here. First of all they don't have turkeys so we had to get ours from Jakarta. It just so happened a friend had to fly out for some medical stuff and brought one back on the plane - Yummy.... and what a taste of home. There was also a smell of home today... I went to the only place to buy vegetables. - the Wet Market. Wet because all the guts and rotten food is all over the floor. After the market I stop at one of the 3 places to buy take out that is edible for us westerners and smelled this aweful stinch. It smelled just like my dad when he would come in from the turkey house (Love you daddy) and it was coming from me - but where? I realized I had been walking in something that was some kind of gross because the bottom of my pants leg smelled horrible. Like dead turkeys or chickens and then I realized it was a disgusting but nevertheless a reminder of home. So eat lots of turkey and dressing tomorrow.

Alethia has improved her eating and helping habits she now helps with green beans and whatever else I put on the green table. She is especially fond of bread dough so I have to be quick when I am rolling it out.

Wow, It has been a long time

Too much has happened this year to try to catch you up - So let's just start over. We are in South East Asia. Almost finishing up language school and getting ready to move to an even remote part of the area. You have to get there by boat. They do have an airport -but no airlines fly in there yet.

Today in Lei - Lei's world she got to make chocolate chip cookies with her mommy. We had fun and she really enjoyed licking the batter she was supposed to put in the pan. Thankfully I bought good eggs from the supermarket and not from the local market. Until next time....