2017 Week 7: Very quiet on the homefront

It was a very different week. Mike announced at the outset that the robotics team, at least those on the mechanical side, would be working every day. That was no surprise, this happens every year  as the deadline approaches.

However, abuelo did enjoy playing with funny little Rebecca at our impromptu game night Sunday evening.

Silly Selfies

Matt farkled again!

Monday I made it through the four hours of teaching, but then the head cold that was coming on hit with full force. Several days the only way to get some sleep was sitting in the recliner, 

During those quiet days, when I was not resting, I immersed myself in a thick file folder found in my father's desk, labeled CULVER--Dad's correspondence with Uncle Bob, Dr. Robert Duncan Culver. (Here I wrote about my last visit with him.)

Grandma Hoyt and Uncle Bob, 1938

I came across a photo of Uncle Bob in his younger days with his mother-in-law, my grandmother, the one I have been learning so much about recently.

With no other distractions, unable to go anywhere, I read and took notes. so impacted and inspired by these two great men. My father highly respected the scholarly wisdom of his brother-in-law, and they shared  about life, family and travels. I discovered some precious nuggets of family history and gained a better understanding of the Culver family members. 

It occurred to me that we are placed in families to love and learn from one another, like the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1 that inspire us to run with endurance the race that is set before us.

I was fascinated by a small brown envelope and its contents. I knew Mother had always used her artistic ability to enhance Dad's handouts. In this case, back when they were both in Seminary, she helped out her brother-in-law, who was just beginning his teaching career.

I had to use google to figure out the Hebrew alphabet and lay out the letters as best I could--these patterns so well used and now, seventy years later, obsolete.

By week's end, I ventured out briefly. I like to get together with fellow writers and learn from them. But when they got me laughing I began to cough and sputter and choke. Ughh . . . lingering congestion.

Book signing at the local library

Friday, UStream was back on and I occasionally caught glimpses of the goings on in the mechanical room at MadJax. Can you see Mike making sparks fly?

And, here is a Saturday screen shot, just a few minutes ago.

The group in the back left corner is huddled around the robot, which still remains nameless.
It's 11:00 PM. I wonder when Mike will be home?

2015 Week 6: Travels and Memories

Two family deaths this week, both nonagenarians and both family historians. I feel like we are on our own now to reconstruct the past from what they left behind. More later.

Several times this week we gazed out our windows at life in our wintry woods. How many deer can you spot?

Most Monday evenings on our way to Stephan's meal we enjoy beautiful lingering sunsets.

I should clarify that this week it was a Karen et al meal. Stephan was driving back from Ottawa, Canada, where he got a First Place award in the one-man competition for "Joie de Vivre."

He made it back safely in the night, 3 a.m.Tuesday, after passing many a winter travel misfortune.

Fresh snow beautified our surroundings while making driving more hazardous.

Wednesday, February 4th, was Leah's birthday. I stopped by with lunch and gifts. She immediately tried on the new t-shirt. Which gift was she most excited about: book; window markers; heart dishes; meaningful T? Or, which ones elicited the loudest exclamations?

The same day we heard that Aunt Gerry passed away and realized that was exactly eleven years after her sister, Mike's mother. We visited her two years ago in March and took her out for her favorite meal: a bowl of chili and a cup of chocolate ice cream. Then we walked across the road for her favorite shopping experience--Goodwill.

Thursday was taken up preparing to travel to the funeral in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Mike spent the day working on the robot, making a long list of tasks to be accomplished in his absence. After the students arrived for their work-evening, he explained everything, made sure they understood what to do, and headed for home. I was waiting with everything packed and ready to leave.
We arrived at cousin Rosie's in Chicago around 10 p.m., had a wonderful visit, slept a few hours, and continued our journey the next morning.
We arrived a half hour into the visitation hour, not intentionally, but were able to talk to everyone there. At age 95 there were not too many left to mourn her passing.

Geraldine Hensel, 1919-2015

She had been a widow for nearly 40 years. Wilbur died in 1976. They had no children so Gerry greatly appreciated her nephews Terry and Mike.

After the short burial ceremony, two tasks remained: clean out her room and have a celebratory meal at Tucker's--her favorites chili and chocolate ice cream.

Brothers Terry and Mike, and Sandy

Two important visits remained: to sister Carol in Winneconne, and old friends the McMullins in Omro.

Step sister Carol and Mike were best buddies growing up. As a boy, Mike spent summers at his Dad's and the two of them, closest in age. had many adventures together.

 We are so grateful for the brief opportunity to visit Carol in spite of having just been through a second round of chemo for the cancer she's been fighting the last few months.

As we drove through Omro we spotted the little church we attended the year we lived there.

 The people there were very good to us when Sam was born and we left to join the ship Doulos shortly after.

Our dear friends, Randy and Marlene McMullin and their boys became like second family to us. They have been gone now over five years. But we had a sweet visit with two of the sons in the old homestead and also a couple of their kids and little grandchild.

 We could not linger, however, as Mike needed to get back for the Saturday robotics work day as the deadline for completion is only days away and he is the only mechanical mentor.


We received news today of Uncle Bob's peaceful passing Saturday after two days in the hospital.
He was my father's sister's husband, a well-known theologian. I last saw him in June of 2013 and wrote about it here. The Old Man and His Big Book is a wonderful article that tells his story.

Of course, the post would not be complete without a Rebecca-sighting. I did not get to see her so again I am borrowing from Facebook, and thrilled that the photo includes Daddy-Matt.

A techie like Daddy?

In the days and weeks ahead I have many photos and things to sort through and process.
Perhaps my blogging commitment will make it easier for Rebecca to look back and make sense of her family background.

Home Again

For five years now I have faithfully participated in a photo-journaling effort to summarize each week by linking up with a circle of bloggers who aimed to take a photo-a-day, hence the name Project 365.

I am now four weeks behind and somewhat overwhelmed, wondering whether to continue the effort or not.

In the meantime, while that decision is brewing, I will jump back into blogging mode by talking about the present, this past weekend.

I could have titled this post Home Alone. Mike and some of the family members and friends left today for a few days of camping in Michigan. It was decided last week that I would stay back because I was sick, healing slowly, and feeling overwhelmed after our overseas travels.

Mother and her friend Emma, waiting for their ride to evening church

However, yesterday I was coughing less and felt up to going to Mother's. The timing of the visit was significant--to coincide with the visit of my 96 year-old uncle and his wife, an opportunity I could not afford to miss.

Bob and Celeste Culver

We had a delightful visit. Uncle Bob was married to dad's sister Arlene who died suddenly in 1974. He later married Celeste who has been a wonderful helpmate.They were invited to speak in the Winona Lake area and drove all the way from Minnesota.

In the evening service I was able to attend, he was questioned about his own story and teaching career, issues pertaining to the history of Grace College and Seminary (my alma mater), and his memories of Dr. Herman Hoyt (his brother-in-law, uncle Herman to me). He  is the last survivor of the class of 1942 and was present in those early beginnings in Ashland, OH.
Afterwards, he gave a short message from the heart relating to the times we live in. All very fascinating to me!

He is a brilliant scholar and author. One of his major life accomplishments is the 1258 page Systematic Theology, Biblical and Historical.

The synopsis on Amazon reads:
Robert Culver says this is not a book of general interest to casual readers but it is for those who read well. There is no previous knowledge of theology demanded but a serious intention to learn is required. Students in seminary classes, Bible colleges and mission schools will find it of great value. This is a guide, which aims to meet minds where they are now and focus them on biblical and historical matters essential to the subjects covered in a uniquely attractive and readable way. Subjects included are The doctrine of God, the doctrine of man as created, the doctrine of man as fallen, Christ - His person and work, the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of last things. 

However, uncle Bob is also a farmer. Not too many years ago he sold the last of his cattle. They have gradually cut down on the amount of gardening and tending of the 130 acres of forest and pasture.
As he told his story, I understood better why he does what he does. Farming is in his blood. He comes from generations of farmers. He was well acquainted with the shepherding expertise of the Basque people. Some of his ancestors hired 'vascos', as he called them, to be their shepherds in the mountains of Washington, in the NW.
After his second year of college, he was unable to continue for lack of money. Recently married, he and Arlene drove back to Washington to work on his dad's farm. His father offered to raise whatever calves he bought and all the profits would go to further his education. So Bob invested in fourteen calves that in the end  brought in sufficient funds for him to continue his schooling.  
Meanwhile, he'd been asked to do pulpit supply and ended up pastoring the church for two years. At that very early stage he already showed great promise as a Bible teacher and caring pastor.

P.S.: SIL Kim found and sent a link to an excellent article about Uncle Bob: The Old Man and His Big Book.