Exciting Events

The iris explosion has begun!

They are so delicate and beautiful!

And the color to match Taylor graduates!

Moriah with her engineering friends

Sunday we attended Moriah's open house and once again marveled at the well-organized party in every detail. Note the famous cake-pops. Of course, we enjoyed most of all meeting and talking to many friends.

Monday was a very rainy day. 

Six guys converged at Stephan's and, defying the weather, "raised the barn"! They worked till dark putting up the trusses.

Meanwhile, here, the girls were packing their accumulations of years. Julia, Moriah's mother came along to help make her room ready for the next occupant!

We hosted two of Stephan's helpers, our dear OM friends from decades ago!  The young guys they brought from MI stayed at Stephan's and the two ice carvers from NY slept in their huge RV.

Breakfast with Dennis and Phil

The sun came out the next day and work progressed much more pleasantly.

Tuesday was also my birthday. The day before, Moriah had given me a turtle to add to my collection. It was made by one of her engineering friends with a 3D pinter. Very clever, indeed!

Kendra took me to a coffee house I'd never been to and we shared a huge brownie. 

Here I am debating whether I should go across the street and get a tattoo! Is she telling me to go ahead?

Stephan invited me to join the gang for dinner that evening to celebrate my birthday together. I marveled at the house progress as I drove in.

Stephan enjoys cooking for the guys since he cannot do as much of the work due to his fractured shoulder. It was a wonderful meal!

Early Wednesday we said goodbye to Kendra on her way to Massachusetts and later Pennsylvania. She faces exciting and overwhelming life transitions: Friday she welcomes her family from Cambodia after two years apart; Monday she begins an internship; and in the fall heads to Hollywood for her last college experience.

The four men from MI left Wednesday evening.

Thursday, the New York helpers and Stephan wore their Ice Boot Camp shirts for the farewell pic.
 

Somehow Stephan managed to find time to engrave this board for all to sign at the wedding. 

All day Friday and Saturday morning, he baked a dozen different cakes.

We had front row seats to this amazingly beautiful and meaningful event!

Lexi and Malachi Koch!

The beautiful couple run off into the sunset!

We did not stay to see this grand finale, so are grateful for all the lovely photos posted so far. One more collage of a few other family members present.

The groom's proud and grateful parents; best man Elijah; Uncle Stephan and his lovely wife;
usher Zion, flower girl Rebecca, ring bearer Jude; Kern family  

Can life get any more exciting?

Commencements and Celebrations

Karin's floral surprise for 5/16--blue hydrangeas, some allium, and lilies.

Every Monday evening dinner, I enjoy the surprising progress on the house.

Joists here and rafters later in the week.

Tuesday morning I walked to my friend Jane's new house and had a wonderful visit. We are Scripture memory accountability partners. I found this happy little greeting on the way. 

That evening was the anticipated screening of Kendra's team's narrative film - Jack, the Town, and I. Ivisa Huber, the owner of This Old Barn B&B where much of the filming took place, hosted the event. It was planned for family and friends who could not attend the official screening at the university, but also to celebrate the accomplishment of the crew and cast. She served a wonderful meal. We had a delightful time getting to know the young filmmakers. I was thrilled that my dear friends Jane and Patryce could be there.

With every viewing I become more accepting of "Miss Holly" (smile) and able to appreciate the story.

On my desk I have a lovely reminder of the experience - a small canvas that captures one of the many learning scenes where director Kendra was walking me through the emotions my character was experiencing.

Michael is forever learning and trying new things. He cooks breakfast most mornings. I just had to take a picture of this experiment--egg in meringue. And he does not give up. His first attempt failed, but he came back another day, and look at this beauty! Tasty too.

Thursday evening the girls prepared a meal for us and we hung out together the entire time, even to the extent of going to the store together. Then we played a game, a 3" race to see who could write down the most words and phrases that represented memories from our time living in the same house. We gathered the many memories on a poster.

 

The Mother's Day balloon provided for hilarious helium-voice farewell messages.

This is what happens after  finals week, very little sleep and then commencement rehearsal. Notice mortar board and gown, and backpack. Can you find the graduating senior?

Unfortunately, major packing and moving comes next. Rebecca got to say goodbye to "Pancake," Moriah's little pet, a Robo Dwarf Hamster.

The BIG day arrived! Our resident graduate allowed me a couple photos of her outfits.

Because of the growing cold (a two-day sore throat and headache) I stayed home. This allowed me to watch two commencement ceremonies simultaneously. 

Malachi's graduation began at 9:00 and Moriah's at 10:00, so I was able to watch the important segments of each livestream.

The highlight of the day was when I recognized the student speaker for the Grace College and Seminary Commencement, our grandson Malachi Koch!  I was very moved, not only by what he shared, but also as I reflected on God's  hand upon his life.  He was a gift from above to two very lost young people. God delivered them and gave them a beautiful family. Then when Malachi was in his freshman year God spared his life when he suffered a serious accident! 

I was reminded of my graduation from Grace in 1966 when President Herman Hoyt (my uncle, Malachi's great great uncle) handed me my diploma.

And fifty years later

Award ceremonies

Another Sunday bouquet from cousin Karin in Tennessee--rhododendrons and a couple irises peeking through, peach and purple.

Sunday afternoon, we hiked part of the Three Falls Trail by the Salamonie River.

There were lovely spring blossoms along the way, very different from the last time we were in the area.  I believe we tromped through snow then.

Monday, Kendra allowed me to help set up and arrange her table at the film majors exhibit. Fun! 

Monday Night Dinner was not cancelled, Stephan and Karen pulled it off yet again with another tasty meal. The fractured shoulder and bruises are still causing Stephan considerable pain. However, he remains unstoppable.

The house-building has not come to a halt. Stephan does as much as he is able. See below how he picks up and carries heavy boards with only his right arm. 

Progress was notable throughout the week with helpers, "the Young Apprentice, the Father-in-Law" (as Karen refers to them in her blog), and a few others that drop by. 

I am learning new terms: purlins, joists, rafters. 

We rushed home from the dinner so we could watch the livestream of the 2021 Senior Show of the Film and Media Production department. Kendra's speech went very well and she was recognized for academic excellence among other things. Both girls won leadership awards.

Twice in the week Moriah talked about her role in the senior engineers' project - the Mars Habitat Printer. Michael was able to attend the in-person event, and got these photos.

Who would've thought this kid from the robotics team would soon be among the elite group of female engineers working in an industry (still TBD)!!! 

Wednesdays after lunch at the Senior Center, I have fun visits with Leah. I like to keep busy while we chat, so she assigns me an area or task. This week we cleared off the table and washed it down. Later she decorated it with a bouquet and candles.

Michael spent long hours at the team shop this week as they prepared to attend a competition this weekend, the only one so far this year. 

Saturday was a very full day. Michael left at 4:10 a.m. for the Ram Robotics Invitational in Hamilton, OH, and arrived home after 11:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. was my starting time tor the World Vision Global 6K for Water. One hundred from our church participated in the event and we had beautiful weather.

As soon as I got back home, I found the schedule and link to watch Team 1720's performances throughout the day. They were running behind so I had only missed one match. 

The rest of the day, I managed to keep track of most of the wins and losses in between attending a bridal shower and watching Lexi's graduation online. 

Most exciting was when final scores were announced and Team 1720, the PhyXTGears' alliance won!

The grand finale of the day was to be allowed to attend the official screening of the films produced by the four teams of majors in the department. 

It was not easy, however, to watch Miss Holly in Jack, the Town, and I. My performance may have been adequately believable, but I sure looked old!

2021 Film majors (Kendra far left)

Finals next week, then graduation, and the end. Goodbyes are what some students dread the most.

Achievements and special days

Every week, cousin-Karin shares a photo of her Sunday bouquet with us. We enjoy the Tennessee beauties and her artistry. She said this one is sparse, mostly delicate irises, difficult to arrange because they are so fragile.

 

Monday, April 26, was Kendra's 23rd birthday. Zach was here to celebrate with her. One Copeland family tradition I found out was that Mom made each of her children their favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner on their birthday. Kendra said her favorite breakfast is sweet potato pancakes. 

The girls actually made time for an early celebration meal. Usually they come upstairs at the last minute, ready for their first class of the day, wearing their jackets and heavy backpacks. They might grab something to eat on the way out. 

So, it was extra special to have a fun, sit-down sharing time. Here are three favorite gifts: a Cambodian flag from Zach; a Jane Austen mug from a sibling; and a pendant enameled by Moriah. The mug is especially meaningful because of the quote that describes Kendra perfectly.

There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others.

My courage always rises at each attempt to intimidate me.

That was not the end, when we got back home from Monday Night Dinner, a group of Kendra's friends were there decorating for a surprise party. They confessed to the many lies "required" to pull it off.

Tuesday, I had a special event, the fifth and final gathering of the Scripture Memory group. Tables and chairs had been replaced by couches, an abundance of candles, and flowers to create a very welcoming atmosphere. Each of the dozen or so who had committed to a memorization goal, courageously faced the group of guests with microphone in hand, and recited our portion, sometimes haltingly. It was a powerfully moving time. We called that an M&M day--Memorization and Momentum. Each of us was so blessed that we want to keep the momentum going.

Fellowship time with Elizabeth, Rebecca's piano teacher.

My page from the group scrapbook. Jane and Elizabeth recite Scripture.

 

In the afternoon Rebecca and I had fun drawing animals (and acting like one?).

Wednesday evening we had set aside for a last "Household Hurrah"--a fondue. I spent the afternoon chopping, cutting, preparing for this last "family" celebration before the girls leave us in a couple of weeks.

Thursday

Lest we forget Michael's ever faithful and ongoing dedication to the robotics team, I captured a screen shot of the live view. I check in sometimes to see what's happening, hoping he will be coming home soon. Here, after team meeting hours, he is checking on something. What is it?

I worked on revisions of the Spanish version of chapter 5 of my book scheduled to publish Saturday, May 1.

Friday, Kendra headed to Missouri with her marathon class to the event they'd been training for all semester.

Zach drove there later after his work day. All week he kept up with his job online, including a major presentation on Thursday. 

Zach was there to support Kendra throughout the run as well as her brother and sister-in-law recently arrived from Cambodia. That was a real surprise! Well, once they took off their monkey disguises!

Back in Indiana, while she was running, I enjoyed a day with the grandsons. Elijah drove us for the first part, a stop at Chick-Fil-A, and then to his girlfriend's place in Daleville.

I drove on with the younger two.We were so close to Stephan and Karen's that we stopped and Karen gave the boys a tour of the new house in progress.

Next stop was Minnetrista for the Bob Ross Experience and his art exhibit in the Oakhurst House next door where we also learned about the George Ball family's contribution to the world in difficult times--recipes and teaching people canning and preservation methods. I was especially interested in their hobby of collecting children's books.

Then we proceeded to the main building for other exhibits and much more fun.

When I am late posting the weekly blog you know we've rolled into another very full week. Much more excitement to come!

One final NOT-so-fun note for the week: 

Wednesday, Stephan fractured his left shoulder and suffered some serious bruising when a short ladder collapsed under him. We are thankful that it was not worse, and saddened for the pain and the delay it means for the house-building project.