Since we have lived most of our married life in rented apartments or houses, I’ve not had much experience planning paint, carpet, or tiles. Though our new house is also rented it is in need of all the above (due to the reconstruction after termite damage) and our friends, the owners, are allowing us to choose. 
Before we left for 
The leaves of a mature tree are long, sickle-shaped and most often point down so that rain funnels directly to the soil at the base of the tree rather than bouncing and splashing into droplets as on Deciduous leaves; less water is lost to evaporation. 
The mature tree leaves are also tough, leathery with a waxy or oily coating and turn on edge so that less moisture is lost through transpiration. Their frilly flowers[1] have no real petals but make a show of their stamens. Flat large petals would also invite loss of moisture in a drought ridden land.
All that to say, I chose the tiles and left for two weeks in Cambodia. When we returned, the tiler had just tiled the bathroom and the first thing I noticed was that the special tiles were in upside down. For days it irritated me every time I entered the room. How could they not know that mature gum leaves hang down? They live here and see them all the time. Why didn't they just check the front door glass image with Gum leaves and a Blue wren. My eyes were drawn to every eucalyptus tree I passed, checking to see if the leaves hung down. 
When I had mentioned to the tiler that the tiles were in upside down, he said that he hadn’t known so had asked the sales person at the tile shop who said that flowers point up. I returned the sample tiles late last week and posed a question about placement of the feature tiles to the sales person. Sure enough he said, “Let's see, I guess flowers always point up.” ARG! Flowers don’t ALWAYS point up.
Do I ask for the tiles to be taken out and put in properly? Is it worth the hassle? Will I eventually get used to their unusual angle and ignore it? Should I just keep track of who notices and mentions it?
In the meantime, I started to reflect on our time in
Typical houses were on stilts to keep them above the water in the rainy season, with wooden floors, thatch roofs, and woven palm frond walls. (metal corrugated roofs were evident on larger houses closer to the major city - note the boat houses for the less advantaged or maybe for those who earn their living fishing and the shaded area for gardens) Often animals wandered on the dusty ground around the large pots for their water supply stored under or around the houses . (We heard that having animals was a sign of a better financial situation. Note the boys guiding the scrawny cattle through the water logged fields. 
These house were some of the better looking ones; many looked uninhabitable by western standards. ) Mounds of grass or hay piled around a large branch was in many yards for feeding animals. Sticks or branches formed fences for flocks of ducks or chickens and palm leaf mats provided spaces to dry red peppers (as in the photo below) or fish.
Our bus careened around hordes of bicyclists and motorcyclists, both adult and children. We heard of seeing dead bodies along the road to Phnom Penh but we didn't see any, only feared them. Mark wished that we didn't have front seats to see the close calls. (Most vehicles give a friendly toot on their horns to alert others of their presence but buses blast their horns to warn bikers and smaller vehicles to move aside.)
Our TEAR friend told us of parents going to Thailand either legally or illegally to work, leaving children in Cambodia for weeks, months or even years at a time just to provide for their families. Those children are in danger of being stolen and trafficked as laborers or for sex. One caring person holds 'school on a mat' to provide some education for such children. He rides into villages, rolls out a mat and teaches a few hours, providing some consistent awareness of the children's wellbeing and offering some instruction to avoid traffickers before he rolls up the mat and bikes to the next village.
(Of the two windows in our new bathroom, only the new one on the right is seen from the inside; the other older one is covered with plaster board and will house the mirror over our sink.)
After returning to Australia, early last week, I was tired of traveling and living out of a suitcase. I figured out that we left our place in Sutherland nearly 18 months ago and have been in transition ever since; even though we were at Seminary most of last year we only stayed for a few months at any one place. We slept in too many different beds to count. I was feeling sorry for myself that we had to wait even longer to have a place to live. Our house still wasn't ready for habitation and won't be ready until sometime in June.
(The window in the corner was part of our old laundry room but is now giving light to our study.)
God gently or not so gently reminded me that I have never been without a roof over my head nor struggled to have enough food to feed my family nor lacked in education nor lacked health care. Not only those gifts but I have been able to travel and visit so many interesting places and meet such a variety of people. I have been loved greatly and have learned much. How can I complain of upside-down tiles and times of transition?
(The mirrored doors of our new built-in closet stands open to expose the new shelves and double rods inside.)
Find out how rich you are [and this only demonstrates monetary wealth] at: http://www.globalrichlist.com/index.php
I am very rich, in the top 7% in the world. I found a short clip on Nooma about our richness given as a gift from God so that we can bless others.
So, I realize that the house isn't just for me but for me to share the blessing with others in offering hospitality and welcome. (The awning had to be removed from the front window of our guest bedroom when the new double glaze one was installed. The other large window on the back section lets more light into our study/bedroom. The double glazed windows will let in light but not the hot summer heat.)For those who like details: Friday, six trucks or large vehicles were in our drive or on the street outside our place. Yesterday, we chose wall paint. Today the plumber, two painters, the electrician and a carpenter were all at work on our house. The primer is on our walls; the toilet as well as bathroom,
toilet room and laundry room sinks are in; most of the lights, outlets and switches are functioning; our new double glazed windows and fascia are in place. A new carpet for our enlarged bedroom/study is ordered and our new built-in closets are constructed. (The photo on the left is our new toilet room with no fixtures installed; only pipes waiting for the connecting.)
Whether ready or not, over the weekend Mark enjoyed reading in the sun on our deck. 
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