2016 Week 50: Winter sets in

 

This week I've enjoyed a different Klaytivity centerpiece. Cheery candle light is perfect for wintry weather.
Sunday we had our first significant snowfall and Mike was out plowing. We didn't get nearly as much as other areas of Indiana. 

Monday the roads were fine and I had no problem going to the last class of the semester. I asked the students for a photo to remember our group, in different poses--una foto normal, una foto seria, y una foto loca. They said the most difficult pose was the serious one. Ironically it is my favorite.

Michael's regular Tuesday/Thursday routine involves 6 to 8 hours of robotics-team-related work, however, he often goes in other days as well. The move out of Morrison Mock into the MadJax makers' space is almost finished and they've made great progress setting up the new shop. Other positives: good working relationships with decision-makers of both MadJax and within the team; new students and mentors; timely funds.

The Tapping Divas, our new name, had two practice classes this week. We are performing the 23rd for the nursing home in town.

Kayla told us about how Rebecca loves to go to the post office. She's learned what the green slips are for and hands them to the clerk in exchange for the packages, their Amazon purchases. She colored the page they give out and now it is on display at the Post Office.

Thursday was Malachi's surgery to repair a wrist bone broken three months ago.

Pre-op and post-op

That evening, our friends, the Bowyers, arrived to move their son to Arizona. Jared successfully completed a semester of student teaching and has a job lined up in Phoenix.

Friday after packing up his college-life belongings into the two cars, we met them at a restaurant in Daleville. Our son Stephan lives nearby so he joined us, and after lunch we toured his studio. It was interesting to see the array of tools he uses, and to watch him program and cut a design in the ice with the CNC router. But, oh, it was so cold in there. Brrrrrr....

I especially enjoyed seeing his office at the back of the building with 16 years worth of awards and photos on the wall, and a long desk area (just as cluttered as mine!)

There was nothing better to do all afternoon and evening than hang out and play games with our dear friends.

Their plan was to leave fairly early Saturday morning and hopefully get back to Arizona with enough time to move Jared into his new apartment so he could visit the elementary school where he'll be teaching music before classes are out for the year.

However, when they stepped outside and nearly went flying on the ice, they thought it best to play a few more games. The news of  500+ accidents overnight in Indianapolis, was a strong deterrent.

By 1:00 p.m. it appeared safe enough to venture forth. Mike prepared the way with the ATV and put some sand down behind the cars. Just getting out our driveway and lane was a challenge. But off they went. Roads were okay at first until they came to a dead stop due to accidents ahead. They did make it safely to St. Louis that night!

I couldn't resist "borrowing" this FB photo of Meemaw's grandboys. They happened to be celebrating Christmas with the other side of the family at the Red Barn.

Today, Sunday, Michael shared with the first grade Sunday School class. Whenever they have a lesson about God as the potter, the teacher invites him to come and talk about pottery.

Christmas next Sunday, only one week! I still have decorating, shopping, cleaning and preparing to do! And all the while rejoicing in the unspeakable GIFT we celebrate--God with us!

2016 Week 14: More Surprises

A week ago we were commenting on surprise spring weather.

It happened again. We woke up to snow yesterday.

Monday morning our dear friends stopped by for a goodbye get-even game of Hand and Foot and then made their way back to sunny Arizona.

That same day we had surprise visitors from afar. Son Stephan called to say his friend Otieno, from Moody Bible Institute days, was passing through with his family on a visit to Taylor University.

The Oduor kids posing                                                Joined by parents

Otieno is from Kenya, Barbie grew up in France. So we had a lot of fun talking about language and culture. I learned the word Muzungu. Who does it apply to in these photos?

Yet another gathering, and food, on the same day. Monday Night Meal, of course. This time the delicious food was enhanced by spring flowers  and especially the lively conversation of many more guests than usual, including Kristie and the boys!

Tuesday afternoon Spanish class was very privileged to have Ignacio Aguirre visit and give a fabulous presentation about his beautiful country--Chile. He has been involved in tourism most of his life and is the co-founder and director of ChileDTour. He is endorsed as one of the best tour guides ever. We fell in love with Chile.

Sorry, these are the only two photos I captured, mostly for the different varieties and names of their fish and seafood.

Wednesday I dropped off some personalized coloring pages for Leah. This is her current favorite hobby. The back story is that she has been so tempted to color her dress!

Coloring page in the making

The rocks Leah paints come to life when Rebecca is there.

Friday evening was the kick-off of the Barton Reese Pogue Poetry and Arts festival with a workshop led by Shari Wagner, the current Indiana poet laureate and poetry readings around the theme of "Love is in the Air."

In other years I was involved in the planning and participated more. This time I only helped judge the adult original poetry and interpretive readings on Saturday morning.
Our church was transformed for the occasion with art displays throughout, various sessions, and the closing ceremony in the sanctuary.

Top left--winning youth art piece; Musical entertainment by Victoria Markum; Love is in the Air; High School ceramics

Michael had another very full week with robot workdays and another promotional luncheon midweek. Even so, he took off several hours to go with me to the Latin Night season finale of the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra--¡Viva la música! My students and I were offered complimentary tickets. Only two were able to make it. ¡Qué lástima! The others missed out on a wonderful evening.

Pam and Victor Fancher, and Sarah Ramos-Torres

Sadly, Michael had to go all the way back to Muncie to finish off the evening with the PhyXTGear-faithfuls who continue to do necessary repairs and improve the performance of Sir Plus in preparation for the upcoming State competition, April 14-16, in Kokomo. He didn't get home till 2:30 a.m.!

Can you believe we are retired???

2016 Week 13: Spring Surprises

I finally completed what Rebecca started last Sunday. It is, in fact, my first adult coloring project. I learned about Lorien Atwood's art through this blog post. I purchased a license to print 10 for our family Easter celebration and later sent for her coloring book called Meditations.

It was a regular week for the most part, as far as Monday Night dinner, teaching and robotics routines. . . and Michael was able to sleep normally every night!

We read in our textbook about ropa tradicional in different parts of the Spanish-speaking world, so Tuesday I showed them my huipil, a very special gift from a friend in Yucatán. I did not model it for the students. This is a photo our hosts took after they had us girls dress up and they adorned us with flowers and accessories.

Then, as usual, there were the extras--appointments, surprises and special events.

Michael attended two luncheons, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Sir Plus and his team to promote the robotics program. They gratefully received enough monies to pay their dues to attend the State competition next week--April 14-16.

Sir Plus--the prettiest robot!

Wednesday, not picture-worthy, I went to an oral surgeon for a consult regarding a molar with deep decay, and ended up having it extracted then and there! Ugh!

Our friends, the Bowyers arrived that same evening.What do we do when we're together? Yep, play Hand and Foot and conversate.

Let the fun begin!

They spent one night here before their whole family gathered in Anderson to celebrate Jared's up-coming graduation. He preferred they all come to his senior recital rather than the commencement.

Friday evening we were so honored to be included with the family at an Olive Garden dinner. That's when we met the members we'd only heard about, especially the grandbaby, who of course is always the center of attention!

Coincidentally, Sam and Kristie had invited us to a movie screening at Anderson University that very night, so we had to eat and run--Brennan  (movie trailer).
We were very impacted by the story of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and the backstory and presentation by the director producer and main actor in the Brennan movie. Two very broken people whom God loved relentlessly, even furiously. The message of their lives repeated over and over: "God loves us just as we are not as we should be, because none of us is as we should be."

Saturday was Jared's big day. It was a regular robotics workday for Michael, but I was able to attend the superb performance. (Thanks, Sara, for the photos.)

The proud family surrounding the relieved performer!

Very strong gusts of wind, accompanied by sudden showers, snow or hail, made me quite nervous as I was driving on the highway both going and coming. I experienced a near white-out near my exit.

Upon arriving home                                                                An hour later

The next morning

Everyone was lamenting the fallen daffodils. However, I went out and gathered three beautiful bouquets.

Indiana weather is full of surprises. Such is life.

2014 Week 49: Visitors and holiday music

Monday, December 1st, I intentionally began to prepare my heart for the Christmas season by reflecting on the Verse of the Day (a Bible Gateway app on my cell phone).
Day 1: John 1:1-2, 14--the Eternal One became human. He chose to live among us!

We choose to live in community with whoever shows up at our Monday night group to enjoy the friends and food. Stephan prepared a delicious curry, and always freshly baked bread.
David and Mike played a long game of chess and ran out of time. I took a picture so they can start up where they left off and finish it next time. Any advice for Mike (white)?

Day 2: Hebrews 1:1-2--the Creator Himself came to reveal God to us!
Reflecting on the Creator and the creativity within each of us made in the image of God, I came upon this photo of Stephan posted recently on facebook, taken when he taught at an ice-sculpting boot camp in Ohio a couple weeks ago.

Day 3: John 6:35--the Bread of Life promises we will not hunger if we come to Him!

I think of how often this little one has to be fed in order to be satisfied and grow. Even so we can go to Jesus continually and be filled.

I did get to see and hold this muñequita (baby doll) Wednesday but didn't have my camera or cell so no photos. I borrowed these from Fb, however, she was also wearing a dress and leggings that day, so cute!

Sleeping Beauty     Bright Eyes & Conversing with Nanna

The occasion was that Kayla restarted our tap dance class and was showing off three month-old Rebecca to the group before Nanna Leah came to take her away.

Day 4: John 8:12--He came into the world as the Light. If we follow Him we need not walk in darkness.

I am so grateful that our grandchildren have the opportunity to learn about Jesus, the Light of the World. 

More borrowed photos of the young uns and their delightful expressions

Day 5: John 10:7, 9-10--He came to give us life more abundant!

Our friends from Arkansas came Thursday and we spent three wonderful days together sharing so many stories of God's faithfulness.

Selfie: Rita & Sara

Friday morning we walked in and around the Taylor University campus and met friends at just the right times and places. Thus we got to see some beautiful hand-built ceramic pieces in one professor's office and later the biology teacher stopped to talk to us about 'her birds' as we admired the aviary.

It was like that the entire time. The Lord, our Good Shepherd led in every detail of our visit together.
Day 6: John 10:14-15--our good shepherd knows us and came to lay down His life for us!
In the evening we attended the annual Candles and Carols concert at Anderson University. The main purpose of our friends' trip was to see their son perform.

We enjoyed the beautiful music and dancing.

Jared and proud parents--Sara and Steve

Saturday was a very relaxed day: games, movies, food.

Multi-tasking our way: Hand & Foot and  Ivanhoe's food

The grand finale was the annual favorite musical program at Taylor University--Sing Noel: Christmas Around the World.

As if that was not enough, this morning's service at church was the Christmas cantata, yet another very moving presentation of the story of Jesus' birth.

Day 7: John 11:25. He came that we may have life eternal!

Truly the most beautiful story every told.

2014 Week 26: On the road again

Monday we arrived home after a very looooooong day.

Mike and the young folk only got a couple hours sleep because they stayed up the night before to watch the US play in the World Cup.

The remnant in Indianapolis airport

In Europe I enjoyed reading the newspapers when available. I bought one with a special insert all about the World Cup. We referred often to the schedule of games. For entertainment on the flights back I purchased a historic issue of ¡Hola! covering the proclamation of the new king of Spain. 

I remember as a child how fascinated I was with the National Geographic issue of Queen Elizabeth's coronation.

A couple days later Mike went out for a long ride again. Look what jersey he chose! The gift that Amaia brought on her first visit in 2009. The Euskaltel, Basque professional cycling team, no longer exists, but our adventures in Basque Country, inspired back then, are ongoing.

Thursday the Greenlees (old friends from our years in Europe and on the ship Doulos) came through and spent a few hours visiting. Can my faithful readers guess where we took them for lunch?

The very next day we were on the road again on our way to Little Rock, Arkansas, for a wedding.

On the way there and back I read out loud from two very special memoirs, both about friends of ours from years ago.

 We were very honored to be invited to the wedding of two Taylor grads, our young harpist friend and a young man in our community. We were also very privileged to stay with blog-friends Sara and husband Steve. They've been to our place several times because their youngest is a student at Anderson U.

They taught us to play Hand and Foot a couple years ago, and still delight to beat us whenever possible!

Saturday morning Sara showed us how she makes green smoothies with her Ninja.

She also helped me find the perfect outfit for the evening wedding.
No photos of that beautiful event.

Sunday morning we said goodbye to our good friends. We don't know when or where we will see them again as they may be moving soon.