Celebrations

I'm writing this from my daughter's hospital room, which explains why this post is late. But that story belongs in the next blog post. Suffice it to say, she should be discharged soon.

About the week being chronicled here. . . one of the surprise lilies closed up, another beauty opened.
One of my eyes was increasingly irritated, nearly closed, and caused me some distress. I realized how grateful I am for the blessing of eyesight.

Memory Monday:
My alma mater has been posting historic photos all week.

Were you there on that snowy day in 1969 when the entire student body formed a long line from the old library in McClain to Morgan Library, passing boxes of books along until everything was moved? 

Yes, I was, though I may not recognize myself in the lineup!

I've been reading my mother's diary account of their last visit to Argentina, one month mid December - mid January, 1996-1997. This was especially interesting to me for two reasons: at the time they were the age I am now, and I was with them on that trip! So, I went looking for my photo album of that memorable month. Here is a favorite photo--my parents standing in front of their first home in La Carlota, the one I am currently writing about in my memoir.

Here is Mother at age 98 on my visit Tuesday. The many YouTube versions of an old hymn became our dinner music--Day by Day, with such an appropriate message for us all.

Michael found time to hang a couple of gifts this week. An impressive framed relief print depicting St. Francis, who is known for his strong bond with the animals, hangs in our entryway now.

And, the commissioned portrait of us,  given to us for our 50th anniversary, completes the arrangement above the dining room window.

This year my desire is to celebrate each family member's birthday with a together experience. Wednesday I took Elijah out for a shopping trip. We both look forward to that time each year. He is 15 now. I don't know how much longer he will enjoy this kind of birthday celebration. 

Friday, Kayla and I went to Emmens at Ball State University for the Shanghai Ballet performance of

"The Butterfly Lovers." Her birthday was actually back in October, but this is what she had requested.

Can you believe it, both times I forgot to take a picture? I'll blame it on my increasing eye discomfort.

Saturday, then, for lack of photos, I got one of my lonely evening meal. Michael's Saturdays at robotics are twelve hour days. I would've gone to Elijah's birthday "brinner" (breakfast for dinner) but I didn't feel up to it. Mostly I wanted you to see the bees wax candle that kept me company, Matt's creation!

When Michael is at the shop, I can watch the activity in the mechanics end of the shop live streamed via YouTube. Can you find him?

Sunday morning I enjoyed the worship service from home thanks to Livestream, again because of what was going on with my left eye.

Later, however, we did go out on a special date to Fort Wayne--an early dinner at Texas Roadhouse,

and a very special show at the Embassy Theatre.

Have you ever seen this very talented young lady?

It feels like we've been celebrating our anniversary all month long, and the day is not even here yet. Cards and gifts trickle in almost daily. Most of all we marvel at God's gift of love for one another.

June Joys

The last peonies still waft their fragrance and make me very happy.

Stephan and Karen's nineteen-year-long marriage warms my heart. Monday, June 3, was their anniversary.

We were there for Monday Night Dinner, and came back again Friday to enjoy the pool. 

It happened to be National Donut Day. Some felt compelled to partake.

We also enjoyed a couple tandem rides, 14 and 18 miles, and always the destination is a restaurant. It seems we only allow ourselves to eat out if we've earned it!
We were glad to see farmers out in their fields finally after the long rainy season.
Gardening sessions began in earnest for me as well.

The focus of this blog is supposed to be memories surrounding my current writing project. I made some small progress on the chapter about the fiestas, holidays and celebrations in the new country--several religious and pagan festivals, and family events. The latest one was my parents' fourth wedding anniversary--the first in Argentina. They were twenty-five years-old. Mother baked a special cake and tried on her wedding dress again.

Interestingly, that wedding dress reappeared a couple years ago when we were moving Mother from her Independent Living apartment to Assisted Living. A shoe box tumbled down from a closet shelf. "That's my wedding dress," she said. Sure enough, permanently wrinkled from years of scrunching, it now decorates a corner of my home.

Our weekends are full, on a regular basis, such that processing the week and its memories takes me a few days into the next before I can publish the blog post.

This was certainly no exception. I don't know how we were able to fit in a visit to one of our town's favorite events--the Strawberry Festival. But we did, and were so happy to meet up with daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter! And, of course, we had to savor the main feature, a strawberry shortcake!

Probably the biggest focus of the week was to prepare for the robotics team social, famously called the "Kochout," even though lately we've tried to avoid the grilling hassle by having a potato bar  and ice cream bar where everyone brings the toppings.

The weather was perfect and the kids were able to enjoy the zip-line. Michael had just finished repairing all the damage to the line and our deck caused by a very strong winter windstorm.

Surprisingly, however, everyone spent most of the time indoors playing a variety of table games.

Sam's family left that day for a week's vacation in Florida. Looks like they are having a wonderful time.

A very meaningful photo appeared on Facebok of a reunion of old friends this week out in California.
Each one of these dear friends had a significant impact on us at different stages of our lives. They range in age from mid-seventy to ninety-two.

Victor (far left), was in Spain around the time I was there (1966-1967). Although we were on different teams, our paths crossed on different occasions. He worked in Gerona, Spain for many years.

Greg and Sally Livingstone, very early OM'ers who later founded another very far reaching mission, were influential in our initial courtship and marriage by their counsel and example. You can read a brief bio here  and a brief account of his beginnings here. Their fascinating story is told in his memoir You've Got Libya.   

Margit McRostie, was married to Jonathan, leader of the European headquarters for OM (Operation Mobilization. Michael was his assistant in those early days in 1965-66 helping set up conference facilities for the summer crusade in Belgium and for the year-long in England. This was before Jonathan and Margit were married. Interestingly both Jonathan and Mike had their eye on this cute little German girl! Jonathan won. They made a wonderful contribution to God's Kingdom throughout their life together until he passed away in 2011. In 1982 he suffered a serious accident which left him paralyzed physically but that did not lessen his evangelistic zeal and outreach. You can read George Verwer's Tribute.

Dale and Elaine Rhoton, were our leaders when we joined their team in Austria that smuggled Bibles and books into communist Europe. In fact we were engaged that first summer in Vienna. After we were married, we lived in Germany still working with the same group. On one occasion when Dale, our leader was coming through, we had just felt strongly compelled to pursue adoption for our second child, our first was by then two years old. He strongly encouraged us and told us the story of another admired leader on OM. That was the beginning of Leah's adoption process.

Later, when we joined the M/V Doulos with our three children, again Dale and Elaine were there. In fact I had a Spanish conversation class with their thirteen-year-old son.

I should mention also that Elaine's journey as an author inspires me. She wrote the stories of two of OM's ships, the Logos and the Doulos. They have been through several editions and translations.

To watch Dale speak go here.

Ray Lentzch, seated, just turned 92 on June 5. Perhaps that was the occasion for this memorable reunion. Ray's one dream was to preach the gospel in every nation. He tells of his adventures in 217 countries in his memoir His Last Command - My One Desire. He was also on the ship when we were there. He used to borrow our crockpot so he could have a meal after a day of street preaching. And every time he returned it with goodies for the kids. They looked forward to Uncle Ray's treats.

This one photo brings back memories that each deserve their own chapter.

Who are the heroes or mentors in your life?

2018 Week 34: Summer Wrapping-up

I enjoy rescuing lonely bent or weather-beaten blooms. Some five years ago at a wedding we were given a little thank you gift--a cute bag with a few lily bulbs. Only one blossoms every year, but grows too tall in search of light and then topples over.

Dove's Crossing pool was open Sunday so we joined Stephan and Karen in the evening for a fun little swim. He even fed us quesadillas! Notice the lights all around the pool now. . .

. . .and the fun little pond.

As is our custom, we went to Stephan and Karens' again Monday for the weekly open meal--delicious food but not pool-side this time.

Tuesday I drove up to see Mother. I visit regularly, every other week, and notice changes each time. This week there was a new person at the table, Beverly Garber recently widowed. She and her husband Martin were missionaries in Africa for 40 years. Beverly could entertain us for hours with her many stories.

Joene Cover, Beverly Garber, and Kathryn Hoyt--three Grace Brethren missionaries representing nearly 100 years of service.

In the afternoon I took Mother to visit Aunt Margaret and give her the news that the Grace library archivist would like to have her many years of weekly letters from Argentina.

I sorted and organized Mother's drawers and discovered the many birthday cards she received. I had not yet seen this very special greeting from cousin Beth.

Wednesday was Rebecca's new beginning--PreSchool!

She came over later for a few hours. We had a lot of fun but  seldom was she still enough to get a photo. This was the only one. She loves to play with water.

Her little friend Sophie came to Art Club Thursday with G-Dad, as she calls him.

I was quite impressed with the five-year-old's bold-colored impressionistic piece!

Michael feels safer on the road with his "bent" than his "single" (cyclist jargon) because vehicles are not as prone to squeeze around a three wheeler. However, he needed a flag in the back to make him even more visible. Adequate enough? What do you think?

He has also been researching how to add motorized help for climbing hills, and how to make a more comfortable seat.
However, the big news of the week is that he delivered the two little stones that were causing him pain the last few weeks! Since then he's ridden his single bike with no problem.

This week, one of my compañeras (classmates) posted this interesting size comparison between Argentina and Europe.

My research this week yielded valuable information to fill out the story of my life in Argentina. A couple 1944 photos I hadn't seen before: missionary candidates; my dear friend Mirtha and her parents.

Other family news: Kristie and Karen both started their fall courses toward Masters degrees in their respective fields. These are intensely busy times for them.

Sam's family were able to enjoy a much desired getaway to King's Island Saturday.

After the visit from our country dancing teacher-friend a few weeks ago, we joined them a couple Fridays in Kokomo trying to bring back the moves after so many years.

2015 Week34: Reminiscences and changes to come

Still thinking about the many Hoyt relatives after the big wedding Saturday, I went through some photo albums and found this drawing of our house by New Zealand cousin-once-removed, Bevan, from when they visited in 2001.

Sunday evening Stan and Erin returned from their extended time with family after the wedding. We had such a nice visit, viewed all the photos they took and stayed up late playing cards with Erin. She taught us Up the hill and down the hill, and won most games.

Do I detect gloating?

Mike had another cancerous spot removed from his hand on Monday and on Tuesday went back to the dentist. On the 27th he'll see a neuro surgeon about the lumbar radiculopathy.
His advice, "Don't get old."

To avoid pain from standing too long, he has given up cooking. He still makes his wonderful breakfasts, though.

Michael spends most of his time learning about and working with the new CNC machine, often going in to Muncie to the robotics workshop. The team continues to meet once a week, on Tuesdays.

Monday was the orientation meeting for adjuncts at Ivy Tech Marion and classes begin next week. The time has come for me to get serious about preparing for the semester.

I joined the few walkers Tuesday and Thursday, with the added pleasure of Rebecca's company on the latter.
There is always something new to notice along the way, like the work going on at Taylor University,

Landscaping changes 

Construction

. . .creatures playing, and beautiful flowers.

Best of all, sweet Rebecca Rose!

Who's who?

Friday was a big day. After two desperate calls for a Spanish instructor for the Ivy Tech Muncie campus, I accepted and went to talk with those in charge, pick up a textbook, and sign the contract.
Goodbye retirement! My schedule for the next 16 weeks:

• 4:00-5:50 Monday, Wednesday--Muncie
• 6:00-7:50 Tuesday, Thursday--Marion  

Former neighbor, Glenda, was in the area so we got together for lunch at Common Grounds in Hartford City.

I was also thinking about my brother Aldo, #3 sibling, who turned 65. I came across these old photos with him in them.

 And today, August 22nd, would have been my parents 73rd wedding anniversary.

I continue to read, scan and share their old letters with my siblings, a few every day. It's so interesting to learn about my parents and their times.

Life is about to change for me. I don't know yet what all I will have to drop to keep up with my new responsibilities. There may be fewer photos, but I am still very committed to the blog--a means of communication and record keeping.