Gifts in Isolation

Flowers

This may be the last bouquet I pick for awhile. (To be explained later.) How many varieties can you detect?

Walks

My neighbor-friend and I went for a walk in the sunshine. In their yard they had yet another variety of daffodils, a version of the double kind.

We enjoyed conversation and observing the changes in the neighborhood. Asplundh clearance services have cut down a lot of trees and brush to open up the roadsides for the utilities. But no parting hugs this time. as per our usual custom after our weekly coffee chat.

Michael and I had a wonderful tromp through the woods again, exploring new areas. Yet another pleasure and privilege that will be put on hold for a while. (TBExplained).

Visitors

The occasional package delivery brings a human to our door. Birds, squirrels, and one bold groundhog dared to come close.

However, we have felt accompanied and visited. Almost every day there have been handwritten notes and cards in the mail box. Most of them in response to Mother's passing. They bring such cheer. I have also written more personal notes in one month than ever probably.  

Virtual gatherings are such a blessing during this time. Online opportunities for fellowship--all the communication platforms, plus more interactive programs such as Facebook Live, our church's worship service, Bible and group studies live streamed or via Zoom. 

One special treat has been the nightly piano concert by family friend from my early life in Argentina. He now resides with his family in Indiana and brings together a whole community of people from several countries who join the Facebook Live sessions to enjoy a variety of music and greet and chat with one another.

We especially miss family and are grateful for "sightings" on Facebook. 

Time

Both of us have spent considerable time at our computers doing research. Michael has prepared presentations for possible teaching sessions for the robotics community. I have delved into family history as background for writing projects. I came across some interesting pieces. But that pursuit has also been put on hold temporarily for reasons to be explained.

Michael has gone for long bicycle rides almost every day.

I even cleaned the wood floor, just in time too, before the life changing event Saturday afternoon. Michael was out on one of his long rides. I was doing my household chores, headed downstairs to water the plants. One misstep at the bottom on the last step and my foot twisted so badly that I just lay there in pain. After a while I called Michael and suggested he come home sooner rather than later. Since then his work load had increased and mine has almost come to a standstill. I spend all day in the recliner surrounded by a variety of options to keep me entertained and hopefully somewhat productive as well. 

What are the other family members up to?
--Karen and Kristie have different roles in school systems, both working from home.
--Kristie is also the "school master" for the "one-room school" functioning in their family. They each have their work area and all follow a schedule that allows them to thrive and even have plenty of fun time.
--Kayla oversees Rebecca's e-learning and leisure times, and even finds time to connect with some of the dance students that miss her teaching.
--Matt's skills as a journeyman are on demand, so he has steady work and even a few travel assignments to other states.
--Jimmy's heating and cooling jobs are quite steady as well.
--Skye still needs to find work and that is putting a strain on the family.
--Destiny is learning and coping quite well in her new mommy-role, and feels ready to go back to her part time job at Ivanhoes anytime, but the Dr. has not given the okay yet.
--Leah is hanging in there trying to keep the household running smoothly and stay on top of her health issues, but it is a very real struggle.
--Sam continues to work on the remodeling and finishing of their house, including some major changes. We all look forward to a future open house when it is done. The virtual walk-throughs of the work-in-progress promise great things.
--Stephan keeps occupied with projects: clearing, cleaning and painting the barn; building a "single person Farmer's Market" or kiosk and an Easter special requested for their church; and a couple more cooking shows: Lentil Soup and Charlie's Bread.

I will close with his Easter reflection:

He is not here. He has Risen! After so many years of carving irrelevant Easter bunnies which have nothing to do with the true reason we celebrate Easter I was finally given an opportunity to create something to celebrate the real reason for Easter: that Jesus, our Lord, died but death and the grave and sin were conquered when God raised Him from the dead. The tomb was empty on Easter morning. And then Jesus really started having fun. He appeared to several different disciples and followers but he started with the women who came to dress his body for burial.

Meeting a couple of His disciples who were walking to Emmaus is my favorite part because Jesus totally set them up and only later revealed who He was. What a wonderful surprise that was!

So because Jesus was raised from the dead we too can have victory over death through Jesus. He died, paying the price for our sin but God raised Him up again and so will we all be raised up again and death will not be a lasting thing if only we put our trust in Him!

Remembering

A week of remembrances: Holy Week to meditate on Jesus' last week on this earth; the annual Seaman memorial; ongoing condolences for friend and coworker from M/V Doulos, Em Namuco from the Philippines; photos and posts about the visit of the new OM ship, Logos Hope's visit to Uruguay; and the surprise visit of a family friend who grew up with our kids.

The fifteenth Taylor University Chapel in memory of Richard A. Seaman was followed by a special luncheon with family and friends. We look forward to this inspirational event and to reconnecting with the family each spring. He was a beloved business professor who impacted many in his short life. He died suddenly at age 42. Ironically, this memorial coincided with tax day.

In this old photo we were celebrating Em Namuco's 35th birthday in Santa Rosa de Calamuchita, at my parent's home in Argentina, forty years ago. We were there with a team from the ship Doulos. Our children were 8, 6, and 7 months. And my youngest brother Alan, in the middle next to Em, was only 16. So many memories.

Eduardo Wojnarowicz (on right) was a member of the Doulos Singers forty years ago. Their music touched many hearts, however, the greatest impact was on their own lives. Eduardo was thrilled to be able to visit this newer ship. Here he posed with ministry leaders onboard, Randy and Kimberly Grebe. They have stayed in our home a couple times!

Kyle Doane moved away a long time ago, but he has always been a good friend to Leah, in fact he is Kayla's godfather.

So Holy Week began with Palm Sunday and a special Kiddie Kampus program with Rebecca and all her preschool friends singing excitedly, expressively. So cute!

Maundy Thursday I was thinking of one of the last things Jesus did with his disciples when he knew his time had come--He washed their feet, and urged them to do the same (John 13). I am reminded of two things: the daily cleansing available to us from taint of sin, and Jesus' commandment to love one another.

Interestingly, the 2019 calendar dates are identical to 1946, the year I am working on as I write about my childhood.
April 20, 1946, my parents wrote:

This is Easter season and a big one here in the Argentine. Last night at 6 o’clock (Good Friday) we put Rita in her cart and went up to the main street to see the big parade. It looked like all of La Carlota was there to parade the streets in hopes of saving their souls. The procession began with a boy carrying a cross. He was dressed in a fancy white cape. Behind him came about 75 children dressed in their best clothes. Next in line came men and women carrying lighted candles, chanting as they went. All the women wore netted veils. Throughout the whole procession were three images. These they bore on staves like the Israelites did the ark. The first image was of Christ, the second of Mary and the last of Christ resting at the foot of a cross after His death. The priest walked before the last image and at every street crossing he would stop the image and chant off a few lines of something. . . On a cross out in front of their church is written in Spanish “Save your soul” so I suppose they were in the process last night. . . Mrs. Dowdy told us that every year they bury or go through the act of burying Christ and some people actually think that the Lord dies every year. 

Saturday, Michael and I visited Mother in Grace Village. Brother Alan and nephew Daniel joined us in the main dining room to celebrate Easter with her. It is always good to catch up with one another. The big news was that Daniel is moving in June and will be taking up a new career--culinary studies.

On Sunday our family got together to celebrate the Resurrection. There were many precious and memorable moments. I can only highlight a few. Our little ones entertained us delightfully. 

Jude is in Kindergarten, already reading well. He read us the Easter story.

Zion loves the book I read to his third grade class and wanted to read it to the whole family. He did so with great expression.

Then Rebecca danced for us (with Kayla's coaching, of course) as a celebration response.

Michael told us of an Easter Sunday long ago, probably 45 years ago, when he and Bob Craton were in Turkey to make a documentary. Interestingly, Bob wrote about the same memory.

Christ is risen! Many years ago I celebrated Easter in an Armenian Church in Eastern Turkey. Many members of the congregation remembered relatives and friends who were martyred for their faith during WWI. One woman told me how her father, brothers, uncles and cousins had sung a hymn as they were marched away to their deaths. Christ is Risen had a meaning to that congregation that most of us American Christians cannot comprehend.

Michael added a few other aspects of that memorable experience. The host served everyone from the roasted lamb by tearing off pieces and handing them out, no utensils needed. Their home was part of the jail complex where the condemned men were held. Another memory of that march to their end, was the sound of the women making the high-pitched tongue-trilling sound for celebrations--the kelele (?) Martyrdom ushered the men into the presence of the risen Christ.

 He is risen indeed!

2017 Week 15: Focus

 

The focus of the last several weeks culminated Easter Sunday. Happy Easter messages and decor abounded, most having to do with spring flowers, bunnies, chicks, eggs--the popular seasonal themes.

I was intrigued by the window art at our local hardware store. Notice anything peculiar about the rabbit?

I try to gather and wear items that speak to the events we remember and celebrate this week--the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Hobby Lobby is where I find the most meaningful decorations, like the cross on the shelf above our dining room window, and the candies and jelly beans with a message.
I can't remember where I got the cross necklace. I love the prayer written on it, "Señor, guía mis pasos." (Lord, guide my steps.)
The  GRACE bracelet is actually from my alma mater and reminds me of the school's theme verse: Ephesians 2:8,9--the free gift of eternal life.  And the Psalm 23 bead bracelet speaks to me of the life-long living-out of that life--the daily walk with the Good Shepherd.

One day this week we had a surprise visitor! While they were out running errands, Rebecca begged her mom to stop by abuela's house. Happily both abuelos were home to enjoy her company.
The first thing she asked for was my cell phone to take pictures of us! She didn't do too badly--a budding photographer. Then we picked flowers together and it was her turn to pose. She's quite good at that too!

Resurrection Sunday, we all gathered (except Matt who had to work) to celebrate together and enjoy one another. I was too busy hostessing so I only got two photos of the lovely girls--Cassie (Skye's girlfriend) all dolled up for Easter, and Rebecca in her outfit picked out by Papaw (Jimmy) and riding her tricycle which lives here.
I'm so glad I thought to pass the phone over to Karen for a pic of our fun game time! Unfortunately, there is no photo of her nor a few other family members.

BTW, congratulations are due Karen who won a Teaching Excellence award last week!

So, I've been thinking a lot about focus  this week, hence the title.

Michael's focus lately reminded me of the absolute dedication he exercised while building our house over a period of three or more years. All other interests were set aside for a time, except his day job!

Now his focus is on mentoring the robotics team. Very little else draws him away (except taxes this past week). He is an expert at time management and never wastes time.

I have much to learn from his example. My focus is on those God has given me--family, friends, students--and the writing goals he has put on my heart.

This week our town paper ran a front-page article written by team members.

The opportunity to go to St. Louis and compete with and against the best teams in the world is truly awesome, though not entirely deserved. Spitfire did not have a flawless performance. There were electrical, mechanical, programming issues, as well as human errors, and even playing-field failures.

I like to think that God has His own purpose and plans in allowing the team to go. This unique view of the PhyXTGear trailer through our front door brings to mind God's different perspective. We want to eagerly and humbly do our part. 

P.S.: Kristie's surgery is now scheduled for April 25th.

2016 Week 12: Amefufuka

Daffodils, narcissus, jonquils in abundance, 

deer enjoying the green grass

spring weather warms our bodies and hearts.

Kayla and Rebecca's visit midweek also brought cheer.
Rebecca wasted no time in finding her toys and favorite things, like anything that resembles an animal--the duck decoy, the knights on the chess board. She found her tricycle on the deck and immediately knew what to do.

Mike had a difficult week! He went to the clinic Monday, but the antibiotic prescribed contained sulfa and he suffered an allergic reaction that made him even more miserable and unable to sleep when he most needed it during the robotics competition. I don't know how he made it through other than sheer determination driven by loyalty to the wonderful group of students, and strengthened by God's grace!

My commitments did not allow me to cheer them on from the bleechers, but I did yell at the TV as I followed  them closely online. Here are a few of my screen shots:

• Before each match the alliance teams are introduced with great fan fare. Each team has their own unique salute in response. I especially watched for Michael to know if he was coping.
• At the end of qualifying matches, team 1720 made it to selection round. The top eight teams are eligible to choose their own alliance. Captain and driver John, wearing the distinguishing head gear, announces his selection for the third team to round out their alliance.
• Again this week PhyXTGears won the Judges' Award for their smorgasboard of talents, impossible to categorize!
• Every single team member high-fives each one of the judges. After the numerous awards, when it was all over, I watched the judges one by one file past the hand sanitizer!

Sitting next to Kenyan friends in church yesterday, I learned their customary greeting on Resurrection Sunday and beyond: Amefufuka! Yesu amefufuka! (He is risen indeed! Jesus is risen indeed!)

When I went home I found that Michael had risen indeed. . . from the bed! For the first time in weeks he was able to sleep through the entire night (with the help of Nyquil)! After another intense competition week and very little sleep, struggling with a sinus infection and coughing constantly, he was very grateful for the good rest.

Half of the family were able to join us for Easter dinner (Jimmy had a vicious headache, Matt had to work, and Sam's family needed to rest after their spring break trip.) The center of attention was. . . again. . . the little princess!

She had her own safe markers and coloring book, but took over Nanna's special He is Risen coloring page. That didn't last long, however, so they went outdoors for lots of different fun activities.

Queen of the Rock

She earned the title by walking all the way up the lane!

An early start on the skateboard!

Rebecca's first Easter egg hunt

Food is gone; Delicious desserts; Time to go

One more Easter-related anecdote:
This week one of my students said: "I always thought Good Friday was a Jewish holiday because they are the ones who killed him."
"Well, I see your point. But can you think of something good about Jesus' death?"
"Maybe the sin-thing," he said.
"Yes, He took our punishment. What a gift! And then He was raised from the dead, otherwise it would not have been valid."

Yesu Amefufuka!

2015 Week 14: Holy Week

A week set apart to reflect on Jesus' last days: torment, trial, torture, and triumph over sin and death!

I went back over photos taken in Spain of some of the stations of the Cross in the Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar, and found Scriptures that related to each scene. This is one of many. It represents termination, "It is finished."

We watched the first episode of AD: the Bible continues. The scene that stuck with me was that of Joseph of Arimathea, "a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went in to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph." (Mark 15) Did Joseph realize in giving up his own tomb that Jesus would rise and that this burial was fulfilling prophecy? "they made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death." (Isaiah 53:9)

The week moved on at its usual, if not fuller, pace. 

Monday, we did not have dinner at Stephan's as they were in Madison, Wisconsin, attending a Tiny House convention.

We needed to pick up a piece of equipment in Yorktown and saw a wood carving Stephan started after cutting down a tree for a friend. 

Heron Bench

 Then we dined out at Red Lobster, perhaps my first time, and really enjoyed the Lobsterfest.

Tuesday, the robotics team was allowed six hours to work on their robot. The plan was to make changes that would improve the speed. Again, I could follow the goings on in the workshop live.

Intense and risky indeed. By the end of the six hours, the robot was not completely put back together and functioning, such challenges and deadlines like engineers face all the time. Next, they were allowed five work-hours at State championships Thursday evening before qualifying matches on Friday.

Wednesday, the Tapping Nannas had their second performance at the Senior Center lunch.

My computer suffered serious damage this week. Mike spent hours restoring it. I had to locate and reload programs to meet my writing deadline for the week. Amazingly, the task was finished in time.

No wonder, my friend Alma prayed for me so I could drive her Thursday to the orthopedic doctor in Fort Wayne. She hoped to be released to drive, and she was! After multiple bone fractures and surgeries, it is a miracle she can still walk, even if a cane must remain her BFF!

We ate lunch at Las Cebollas.

Thursday, for TBT, I posted this on Facebook:

Today would have been my father's 94th birthday. I revisited this photo of my graduation from Normal School, my high school in Argentina, 1963. I pinned a flower on his lapel and he an emblem on my guardapolvo, school uniform. 

My handsome Daddy looks so intent on performing his duty.

That same night, Mike's stepsister Carol ended her battle with cancer. They were best buddies growing up. Mike spent summers with his Dad's family and the two of them had many adventures together.

We are saddened, yet grateful that we had one short last visit some weeks ago.

Friday and Saturday were big days for Team 1720. They played a total of 18 matches and made it to the semi-finals!

I listened online as I cleaned house, stopping every time PhyXTGears was on to watch intently barely breathing until the stack of six totes and a recycling bin was safely delivered to the corresponding platform. 

Drive team assembling and setting up the robot                                                           Human player helps carry it off the field

John, the drive coach, strategyzing with alliance driver

To learn more about the team and how much these young people are learning you can listen to this excellent radio interview: Robot Battles.

Two big surprises awaited them in the award ceremony:

Michael the last team member to make the round and be congratulated by judges and referees

The invitation to World Championships in St. Louis later this month, took them completely by surprise. Now, they must decide whether they can come up with the money and make plans to go!

Driver Ryan is beaming!

Meanwhile, I was in Greentown attending the wedding or our close friends, the Cratons, daughter Elizabeth. We've known Bob and Linda since before they were married and reminisced on their wedding over thirty six years ago when I was eight months pregnant!

Mr. and Mrs. John Bahler

Resurrection Sunday! A day to celebrate! "just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life." (Romans 6:4b)

Stephan posted his latest ice sculpture on Facebook with this explanation: 

The tradition of painted Easter Eggs continues. When an egg opens it brings forth new life just like Jesus coming out of the grave. Happy Easter!

To enjoy and laugh listen to the radio interview with Stephan, click on Ice Man.

We celebrated as a family, all except Sam's gang. I just couldn't wait till next week to share some pics.

Easter bib and dress, smiling eyes, but Rebecca insists on chewing fingers or toys

Matching Mother-Daughter outfits

Our Easter hats

Afternoon entertainment: Take One; Farkle at the other end, not picture; and the ever present smart phone.

Reader, if you made it this far you are truly a good friend! Bless you! But there is one more photo:

Jimmy's new teeth and new smile!

Okay, caught up at last! ¡Hasta pronto!