Week 42

Somehow cousin Karin faithfully puts together a lovely bouquet every week even when she says there are few flowers left. Thanks, again!

And, somehow, Michael musters up enough strength to keep tackling the many tasks that present themselves. 

One job is almost done - the heating system at Steph and Karen's new house! He has repaired all the more obvious leak spots, but it will need to be checked with water when that is possible. Notice the well organized and labeled binder documenting the entire system. 

Photo on right shows dry wall in-progress. 

We got to see son Sam Monday night as well. He came to talk about the cabinetry he will be installing.

For further details check out Karen's weekly blog report on house progress.

Leah's place had some fun pumpkin decor. Next, some will be painted and/or eaten.

Michael and a few backpacking buddies went to Low Gap Trail in Morgan Monroe State Forrest and spent Wednesday and into Thursday enjoying the beautiful outdoors and perfect weather.

 

Friday the 15th, was another of my self-imposed writing deadlines. Again, somehow throughout the two weeks, we managed to crank out another capítulo - in English Chapter 16 "Tents and Temples", and in Spanish La Carpa. 

Saturday, Our Town Upland sponsored the second annual Fall Festival. By the time I arrived, the family members I had gone to see were already leaving. Perfect timing to admire the pumpkins Rebecca and Kalani painted, get hugs and kisses, and abuela's mandatory photo.

A couple days later this great action photo showed up on Facebook. 

Thank you Ashley Tibery and Our Town Upland!

That was all I'd come for, so I just went home, took a short nap and waited for the arrival of two grandsons coming to spend the night.

We had a fun time with Zion and Jude. I introduced Zion to a Let's Make Art watercolor tutorial. He picked the Piggy Pig out of many, many options because it had seemingly fewer lines and looked easier. It was probably more challenging than we expected but we had fun! I had missed doing watercolor, so thank you, Zion!

Jude preferred to explore the new video game he got for his birthday. We also played a couple games together.

Sunday morning Zion made us eggs for breakfast while Jude, showered and ready for church, continued to conquer some of the objectives of his game!

After church we needed to help Diane with a couple of malfunctions, so we drove to her apartment in Marion and then took her out to eat. Can you tell where?

Next week we're looking forward to a bit of travel to visit relatives in Wisconsin. It will be nice to get away. 

Summer's Eve

Karin has so many flowers that she made two Sunday bouquets. Do you have a preference?

I always liked calla lilies because they were abundant in Argentina, but had only ever seen white ones.

I continue to go for a walk most days.

 Monday, I was taking this picture from the bridge when Michael drove by on his way to work at Stephan's.

This is what the house looked like as I drove in that evening for the weekly dinner.

Tuesdays, my friend Jane and I walk for an hour. The daisies were everywhere.

I accomplished some bigger cleaning projects this week. One was the deck. We enjoyed a couple meals outdoors in the beautiful weather.

Michael stayed home most of the week and began tackling the big project of repainting the house.

Wednesday, I picked up Rebecca from the library. She wanted to visit Kalani, so we dropped by briefly. Later we painted rocks and went out in the neighborhood to distribute or hide them.

Thursday was like a date-day. Michael and I hiked the Taylor U cross country track, went for a swim in Dove's Crossing pool (Stephan and Karen's), did some shopping and ate dinner at Applebee's.

Saturday, my brother Alan and I flew for a weekend visit to a very special relative. 

Can you guess from where we took off and where we went?

Much more to tell about our wonderful time.

Now, I must publish this, last week's report, before it's time for another one!

Highs and Lows

The fragrant dahlia, snatched from a bush by the side of the road, and placed in Leah's colorful decoupaged vase, brought me joy this week.

I have been accused of  portraying an unrealistically positive family life in my blog. True, I may be an incorrigible optimist. However, I must admit that we lived a most difficult and painful week, the kind that one does not talk about openly. 

I thought this post would consist only of the different wildflowers I discovered on my walk each day. However, as the week unfolded, meaningful memories surfaced, and serious struggles led to major victories.  

Monday evening as I drove into the Dove Crossing lane (Stephan and Karen's), I had to stop to admire the poppies and cornflowers (?) [Please add or correct names as we go along.]

Next, of course, is to notice all the progress on the new house, the work of father and son, including some tricky laying on roof maneuvers pictured in Karen's blog post More siding.

On our Tuesday walk, Jane and I admired these azalea bushes.

Wednesday, Rebecca and I walked through the woods. She wanted to get as close as possible to the pond in the back.

Thursday, was grandson-in-law Matt's birthday, which always reminds me of our house fire, June 10th 2011, ten years ago already! 

After the house fire, a post I wrote describes the clean up that followed and includes a photo with tall Matt in the back. We had paused for a wonderful lunch our friend Dane brought us from the annual Strawberry Festival going on in Upland--tenderloin sandwiches and strawberry shortcakes.

Leah posted this memory: among the ashes a reminder that God was with us.

Leah's most recent painting also reflects the concept of a stable core amidst the dancing fighting emotions we experience.

On my walk that day on the Detamore trail I encountered so many beautiful reminders of God's hand in nature and only wish I could also post the fragrances I enjoyed along the way.

Friday, I observed how death and new life coexist all around us.

In the afternoon we attended the memorial service for a well loved woman, our former neighbor, Hope Robinson. The church was packed with some of the hundreds of people she helped and cared for over the years, especially the foreign students she welcomed and provided for. They called her Grandma Hope.

Saturday, as usual Michael left to ride his bicycle with the group from Muncie. He was wearing the jersey from eleven years ago when he attempted the very challenging French Pyrenees. This time it was the 94 degree heat that was too much. Mid afternoon he called to be picked up in the neighboring town after completing 75 of the 100 miles.

Meanwhile, I put in my monthly shift at Helping Hand and afterwards enjoyed food, music, vendors at the Strawberry Festival.

Earlier Leah's family walked her dog Zeus in the puppy parade.

Oh, and I also attended the ceremony to honor two deserving members of the Upland community.

Later at home I watched a livestreamed Celebration of Doulos, our home for five years, 1978-1983. A good end to a difficult week.

Week 40

I wonder how long cousin Karin is able to provide a Sunday bouquet for her church? 

In our area there was a frost advisory early on in the week so I began to bring in the many plants. Relocating them, finding the right spot for each one, is a challenge each year as they grow and multiply throughout the summer. This is the beginning of the houseplant migration.

Sunday, September 27, marked a milestone in our youngest grandson's life. Jude will be eight years-old next week. His heart has been tender toward the things of God. From the time he invited Jesus Christ into his heart, he has been wanting to make this life choice public through baptism. The family learned there would be baptisms that day when they arrived at church!

This was the last week of daily 30" trips to Marion for Leah's 3" radiation treatment. It was also when the skin burns appeared and multiplied. Though painful, Leah's attitude was one of gratitude that her skin had held up that long, and that the end was near!
Indeed, graduation day was Friday!

I will miss those times together sharing about our days. And will have fewer opportunities to see Kalani. We stopped by the kids' place a couple times on our way. On one occasion, "little man" (as Leah calls him) was waking up and just stared at Nana and then abuela, and back and forth. I had labeled this pic "Sleepyhead and His Sweet Mama." Destiny corrected me, "struggling mama" she said. How many of you remember those demanding days with little ones?

 

This week was my alma mater, Grace College and Seminary's 2020 Stay-coming, Throughout the week we could watch interesting videos highlighting programs, people, and progress. I participated in two events: a virtual 5K, and a 45+ Year Class Reunion Zoom meeting.

Wednesday, a writer-friend joined me for an enjoyable walk/jog 5K. Notice, I am wearing Grace colors!

I have no photos of the Zoom meeting, only good memories of faces and stories, new and old, and praise to God for all that He has been doing through the many lives impacted by the training we received at Grace.

Michael is making the most of the Autumn weather and extra time before robotics starts back up. He went camping twice this week! Wednesday, another solo hike to Salamonie's primitive camp sites, same trail as last week. He loves being out in nature but was surprised to find out that he quite enjoys the solitude as well.

Meanwhile, I went to Elijah's last soccer game, watched him for awhile, chatted with Sam, and then left early. We were increasingly cold as the sun went down,

 

Thursday, Rebecca came over to watch the Basics Jr. Bible story video and work on the activities together. We practiced the theme verse and framed it.

Michael's second overnight camping was with a church group, 13 men and boys. He cooked their Saturday morning breakfast.

Saturday morning I walked the Upland Greenway trail and enjoyed the weather and the variety of wild flowers.

"Autumn. . . the year's last, 

loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant, nature poet and long time editor of the New York Evening Post

Thankful

Another 2019-month comes to an end and we are grateful for health and strength to do all that comes each day.

November's sticker art--Venice 

Moriah has surprisingly had more free time lately and suggested we put together a puzzle now as she will be gone during January for an experience abroad. Both previous J-terms we've worked together on a 1000-piece Charles Wysocki Americana.
The problem is that I find puzzles quite addicting. As Thanksgiving drew near, I was in need of an intervention so I could get preparations under way. So the project rested on Moriah's bed a couple days while she was gone for Thanksgiving break. I have to confess to a relapse--the first evening I brought it back upstairs.

We finally finished the puzzle Sunday night after Moriah and her pet hamster came "home."

Pancake

Tuesday evening was the first open house for the "new" East Central Indiana Robotics team. This walk-through video the night before shows the amazing transformation of the dingy old building.

When I went over in the afternoon to set out refreshments in the reception area, Iwas astounded at the progress even in the last 24 hours. 

Top right: welcoming bling in the front window and some of the numerous trophies
Top left: Caleb and Isaiah giving a tour, explaining the robot to our staunch supporter.
Lower left: Julia, team treasurer explaining the program and application process to potential student.
Lower right: Michael and Gary (woodworking mentor) talking with a very interested new mentor.

The Fall 2019 magazine from my alma mater, the GRACE Story, arrived this week. What a surprise to find this photo in the inner cover. I recognized eight members of the '43-'44 academic year. It is even possible that I was present as well, in utero! Can you pick out my three blood relatives?

Friday we drove up to Winona Lake and surprised Mother as she worked away in the ARTcare studio.

I had ordered sets of cards of Mother's paintings  (8 for $10). They were waiting for me, neatly wrapped packets in red ribbon. 

Top: Seasonal Theme
Bottom: Florals

We then had dinner together with my youngest brother and his new wife, Alan and Raquel.

Wedding pic borrowed from Facebook
Happy selfie with my new sister-in-law

We (Mike, his sister Diane, and I) also stopped at their house on the way home and got to meet Raquel's parents, and then had a tour of Alan's shop. We were impressed with nephew Nicolas' contribution. His design and decorating skills are evident. 

Global Auto reception area wall

Saturday evening was our own Koch family Thanksgiving. We are glad ALL could be present, so grateful for each member and for the love we share.

The younguns: Rebecca, Jude, Zion

Michael exhausted, worked all day; Matt; Karen and Stephan; Jimmy and Sam 

Top left: Malachi and Rebecca playing Mancala
Top right: Destiny and Skye (Kalani in utero)
Lower left: Proud Mama/Nana Leah
Lower right: siblings--Kayla and Skye

So much to be thankful for, including the hardships of the past year, God's presence and goodness always! 

In everything give thanks!