Remembering and Celebrating

More beauties from Tennessee. Our few surviving tulips (from the 100 bulbs planted then ravaged by critters--moles? deer?) have not bloomed yet.

It's fun to see the house-building progress every Monday evening when we go to Stephan and Karen's for dinner. This time I took a picture of the floor plan on the wall to help me visualize what's coming.

Michael spent more time at Leah's this week. Do you notice the progress? Father and daughter seem to be on the same page regarding every aspect of the design. 

Lest we forget Michael's ongoing work with the robotics team, here is an action shot from my visit Tuesday evening. It was taken shortly after a group of visitors stopped by from the nearby 

Avis Industrial Corporation.

We are truly grateful for the donors that make possible this great learning opportunity for young people.

Filming continued Tuesday with an evening shoot in the loft, my writing area.

And again Wednesday for a daytime scene.

My final acting bit was at the clinic nearby, where I "crumpled" at the news of my adoptee's death.

That was the end of my acting career and the crew applauded. I tried and failed to get a picture of that moment. But here, for posterity, is a photo of the team squeezed into my loft.

Thursday I was privileged to meet with a friend and colleague from some thirty years ago. Such a wonderful time of reminiscing and catching up on our growing families.

Another special reunion took place Friday, April 2. In honor of what would have been Dad's 100th birthday, we met with my youngest brother Alan and his wife Raquel.

I had recently come across my sermon notes from when Dad spoke at the first missions conference of their young church on his birthday in the year 2000. Maybe you can help me draw more meaning out my scant notes. I'd love to hear it again if per chance it was recorded.

Saturday was all about preparing to welcome the entire family for dinner on Resurrection Sunday!

Here you see some of the festive outfits worn for the occasion.

Various family members left early to celebrate with their other families, so we weren't able to act out the story from Matthew 28:1-10 as planned. 

However, the two boys were prepared and performed for us the part of the guards who trembled and became like dead men when the angel appeared at Jesus' tomb.

They had also made a video of the story with narration and moving crafted characters about. 

Wish I could post it here.

What a memorable day!

BTW, a"remembering" of a different sort happened as scheduled when I published chapter 3 of my book, Christmas 1945. Next episode comes out April 15.

2018 Week 16

Time for another weekly look back. Hardly any photos on my phone. Many more lovely flowers popping up outdoors. Is it really true we did not have snow this week?

Monday I enjoyed some time with the Muncie Kochs. I was there for Zion when he got home from school. Kristie and Malachi had gone to one of his first appointments. They came back with three free pizzas, actually Zion earned them by meeting reading goals. Unfortunately he can't eat them (not GF). 

Both boys are still hopping around on crutches, though they've graduated now from casts to boots. They took advantage of their injured status to race around Target in scooters for the disabled. 

Love this kid, and his T-shirt!

The robotics team is focused now on preparing for WORLD Chanpionship in Detroit next week! In their regular Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday work times they repair, improve, adjust the robot and practice. Beyond those hours there's some fundraising, even a radio interview: https://soundcloud.com/wlbcwakeupcrew/wlbc-phyxtgears

Indiana State finalists

I had two fun Spanish related events Wednesday. I interpreted for a parent-teacher conference at the high school, and then met a former colleague and friend from when we both taught Spanish at Ball State.

Also, that evening Michael and I went to see the film I Can Only Imagine, based on the true story of how the song was inspired. We highly recommend it.

Thursday, appropriately for TBT, this very old photo surfaced on Facebook and along with it many comments and memories. 

The young man on the right became the pastor of the church when we left Don Bosco to come back to the US in December of 1963. The other three young men grew up in the church; we were in youth group together and were very involved in the ministry. 

Interestingly I heard from two of them this week. One recalled when he was about five years old, my dad was going door to door inviting people. His father was acquainted with evangelicals and took his son to the Sunday School. That's how it all began for him. Even now at age 73 he recalls the wise answers.Pastor Hoyt gave to the difficult matters they discussed.

  

I revisited other memories this week as I prepared for a storytelling session Saturday where I had offered to tell the story of our housefire and how the community came together and surrounded us with so much love.

One friend wrote and recorded this beautiful prayer-song. I could listen to it over and over. Wish you could too.

Unseen Hands

Lord, I come to your throne room

Where I know you abide

I know Christ is there close by Your side.

I’m askin’ and I’m prayin’

Holy Spirit, interpret me

Cause I’m comin’ on behalf of friends in need.

Chorus:

Open heaven, rain down on them

Your amazing, unbounded grace from heaven

And we’ll know it could only flow

Down from heaven

From thine unseen hands.

There are problems they face

That need your touch

They’ve worked and they’ve labored

Oh, they’ve given so much.

There are strongholds that only You can break

So I’m askin’ for your unbounded grace.

 All for now from our neck of the woods.
I'd love to hear from you!