Last week of summer.

These beautiful blooms planted in July were nearly buried in weeds.  

The lovely Blakely girls, our favorite landscaping crew, weeded and mulched the flower garden by Leah's house last week. Just received pics this week.

 

I finally picked up last week's paper that had my article.

Jane and I enjoyed our Tuesday morning walk. We explored areas of the Taylor U campus that we had not seen before.

Michael put in long hours at Stephan's every day, and stops at Menard's once or twice a day for more parts.  He is working on the radiant heat control panel at this time. Father and son are focused on the inner workings of the house (heating and plumbing), not pretty or showy, but oh so important!

For more about the ongoing progress on the house, see Karen's weekly blog updates.

My work is to write. In March I began posting two chapters each month--the 1st and 15th are my self-imposed deadlines. Wednesday was the scheduled publication of chapter 14.

The task has become more demanding as I ran out of pre-written chapters, and now my primary source, my parents' letters, has dried up. 

I try to give time each day to the process of furthering the story of my early childhood in Argentina. 

1. Determine scope, content and theme of the chapter.

2. Research the sources, historical context, relevant photos and theme-appropriate Scripture.

3. Compose the narrative, edit and revise.

4. Schedule to publish on My Argentina.

5. Send English version to friend in Argentina for translation.

6. Edit, discuss and come to an agreement on any changes.

7. Post and schedule publication on Mi Argentina querida.

So, at the beginning of the week I was working on steps 6 & 7 for chapter 14. And then began immediately on chapter 15.

Later in the day come the chores--cooking, cleaning, etc. In the evenings when we finally are together, we sit in our favorite recliners, watch Jeopardy and some other show. That's when I knit a few more rows of whatever project is on hand. Eventually, stitch by stitch, there is a finished product. I truly enjoy making something useful out of scraps. This came from a massive pile of tangled yarn I found at the Helping Hand store. Not sure where it will go now. Perhaps to a program that helps out children in foster care.

Can you see what's wrong with this outfit?

Friday was Kristie's birthday. A couple days later we were privileged to visit them in their new house and see two of Sam's pendulum paintings. Wow! He is quite the artist.

Saturday was an adventure-filled day. Michael was going to go bicycling alone. I suggested we go hiking together. I was thinking of the cross-country trail. In an effort to make the adventure comparable to his usual 80 to 100 mile bike rides, he planned a route through our woods, across the road to another woods, to the cross-country trail, then the road to another trail and walk home. I asked how long that would take. What he hadn't counted on was that over the summer the paths he knew were all overgrown. He was leading me into the jungle! When we came out on the first road, we just walked home.

Early afternoon, we had some delightful little visitors. Kalani is fascinated by the wooden duck decoys.

Three grandboys arrived soon after to spend the night. We enjoyed an afternoon of games and fun. 

They stayed back that evening when we went to the wedding of Stephan and Karen's neighbor, Jasmine. For years now she has been a regular at Monday Night Dinner, so we've all become good friends.

The ceremony took place in the front field of Stephan's property. 

The wedding arch; the couple; Boomer, the ring-bearing dog 

We sat next to this lovely lady with the golden hair. The sun shone so bright. Karen's hair glistened like gold.

It was a fun evening. And when we got home, the boys were still alive and awake. Elijah had prepared a tasty egg dish. 

Sunday afternoon, we took the boys home and toured the new house. It was wonderful to spend the afternoon catching up with one another.

The boys brought out the new musical instrument in the family, Zion's trombone. My Dad would've loved this scene.

Presents and Presentations

Baby shower decor

For Memory Monday, I chose to remember a former professor and family friend who passed away this month--Dr. John C. Whitcomb. 

How I remember him

This week also marks the seventh anniversary of Daddy's passing. How sweet to imagine them sharing stories together in heaven.

Monday was also the day Kristie received her board certification, even completing the challenging exams a week early. Congratulations! (Effects added for emphasis.)

Tuesday, my new sister-in-law, Raquel, and I had a sweet visit with Mother. We also had an appointment with the same Elara Caring Hospice representative I'd met with some months earlier. Mother's decline is noticeable and this time around they had sufficient documentation to prove eligibility.

Raquel showing Mother photos on her cell phone; Mother re-reading Dr. Whitcomb's obituary

Every time I visit there is some significant change. The surprise this week was that Mother is now eating in a different dining room with aids that help the residents by feeding or cuing. Mother has lost interest in food and/or her brain/swallowing muscle connection is failing.

I greatly missed sharing the mealtime with her former table mates: Margaret, fellow-missionary in Argentina; Bev, long time missionary in Africa; and Vi. The last time I was there we had so much language fun--Bev teaching me phrases in Sango, Margaret saying things in Spanish. The papers that wrap napkin and cutlery are useful for little notes. "Aunt Margaret" has always amazed us with her prolific correspondence. And lately as her friend Kathryn could no longer use her voice, she'd write notes and shove them across the table.

Margaret's note; Bev's Sango lesson

January Taylor University Lighthouse mission trips gave their reports this week in Chapel and individual presentations in the evening. I was able to attend Thursday when Moriah and her team shared about their time in Central Asia.

 The culminating event of the week was to host a baby shower here Saturday for our second great grandchild--Kalani, Skye and Destiny's baby boy due in a couple of weeks.

 

Little shoes, booties, and a beanie

 For weeks now I've been having fun combining yarn scraps with interesting results. This creative outlet all began trying to knit items for the baby. This activity keeps my hands occupied late evenings when we finally sit down together to unwind and watch something before bedtime.

 

As competition season draws near, Michael spends more and more time at the shop. Saturdays are always very long work days. 

After the baby shower and everyone had left, Moriah helped get the house back in order. I think she took pity on me knowing I still had many alone hours ahead. We went for a walk together in the woods, and later she even took me to a very popular concert at Taylor--Nostalgia Night. Thank you, Moriah!

This was the exciting day when all the robot parts came together and they were able to produce a video for Robot Reveal. Teams all over send in 90"clips of their progress in anticipation of the competitions. 

Can you detect any resemblance to an animal?

Sunday afternoon we went to another presentation. Hannah, a Ball State student and PhyXTGears alum, needed an audience to witness her talk "Antibiotic Resistance"in order to pass a class. So, her good friend Moriah, arranged for that to happen in the Euler Science building (Moriah's second home!).

We had to show Hannah the unique features of Euler--the huge rotating mirror that lights up the mosaic four floors below.

And, of course, we had to take our visitor to Ivanhoes!

Family Christmas

It was very different this year. We did not host the whole family in our home We spent Christmas morning with Diane, just the three of us.

She enjoyed reading the Scripture, even when she did not understand everything.

If you missed the clue on the make-shift Christmas tree in the previous post, here it is. 

Ornament purchased at the Christkindlmarkt

Focus on the journey of the Magi led to the theme of our family gift-giving--the reflection, reenactment, and three gifts per person. 

However, the best gift was presence--time together to relax, share, laugh and get to know one another more deeply. A variety of leisure activities contributed to this family-bonding.

Interestingly, a huge set of markers, found in the building that has become the robotics shop, became a hanging-out centerpiece.

Surprisingly, some of the most unlikely members to choose coloring, sat for hours enjoying the passtime.

 Not surprisingly, this is the page I chose to work on.

The big house's four levels provided a variety of hanging-out spaces.

Loft, upstairs, main floor, basement

 The lovely setting and mild weather allowed for outdoor exercise options.

The young cousins loved spending time together.

So that was our Christmas.
What stood out from the story of the Magi, was how God spoke to them in their language, what they knew best--the stars. Similarly, to communicate with our family members we need to understand how they think, and speak their language.

Come back for the next installment--one more celebration and two more crises. 

September slipping by

 Since I began driving again I haven't walked as much. I miss that. I have also really missed watercolor sessions, with friends or even on my own. On one of those long walks weeks ago I picked up a beautiful luna moth (dead, of course) and determined to follow a tutorial I had seen to paint one.
Weeks went by, the poor moth was falling apart, the outline was sitting there, even a jar of water and the brushes. Still I couldn't find or make the time. Finally this weekend it happened.

 So, what fills my time? Most people are happy to see that my arms are free, no sling or cast, and so they assume I am all better. However, I am still working on gaining back pain-free full mobility with the left arm. It takes time to go to physical therapy twice a week and do the exercises every day. This week I was especially discouraged as there seemed to be little progress. A friend offered me a massage which loosened up some of the tight muscles. I am more encouraged now.

An article came out in the local paper that explains a little what Michael has been up to every day. Cleaning, fixing up, and outfitting the old warehouse, new home of the PhyXTGears, requires a huge amount of work. The goal is to have it ready for an Open House the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
A couple of friends have given of their time to work with him.
I am very happy that this robotics team headquarters is only 10 or 12 minutes from our home. I enjoy being able to take him a lunch and observe the daily progress.

Diane's 66th birthday was Wednesday (9/11). She has come to really look forward to and even expect the annual getaway, a "tradition" begun last year when I took her to Amish Acres.
This year we went to Shipshewana--the Blue Gate Classic package--inn, restaurant, and theatre.
"I really liked that," was her most repeated phrase as she commented about each and every experience.

Notice her "knight in shining armour" She can't decide which ride she prefers.

She was enthralled by the walls and walls covered with photos of country singers and performers.

Ah, the Amish covered buggy was the best. 

So many photo opportunities

Michael took off all day Saturday to enjoy a long ride with his bicycling buddies. The beautiful weather won't last long.

Kristie had been training for a mini marathon and amazed herself:

"I ran my first #halfmarathon in 9.5 years! My time wasn’t what I had hoped for (1 hour 55 minutes and some seconds?). I hoped to do it in 1:53 or less. But I started WAY too fast and ran the first mile in under 7 minutes. I reminded myself that I need to run my race, not theirs. So I fell back, but still kept an 8 minute mile for half the race... then at 9 miles the lactic acid began to turn my legs into steel beams. I hit a hard wall at mile 10 and prayed and willed myself not to walk. I didn’t, praise God! Somehow I got 2nd overall! I was shocked... there wasn’t much competition. Except - The winner was in her 20s and was phenomenal! I am grateful God has given my body the ability to do this again at my age. In a couple days I turn 41!"

Today as I write this it is her birthday! We are so grateful for you, Kristie, and for the health that has been restored to you after many years of struggle.

The book I am working on is a neglected area in my life lately. That has to change if I ever want to be a "finisher."

Do you have an unfinished project that calls to you incessantly?

Grateful

--for two arms and hands! Not being able to use them fully makes me appreciate them all the more. And with both arms injured, I am less likely to overuse them allowing the bones to rest and heal.

--for friends who care and help

--for restful naps out on the deck enjoying the beauty of summer.

--for long walks around the Taylor University campus, and good books to listen to on the way.

--for very practical help with household chores. April and her daughters gave us a couple hours of their day to do whatever we needed and spoiled us with a treat from Ivanhoe's and flowers to brighten our home.

--for meals delivered and many more to come. Kristie set up a Meal Train schedule that soon filled up, others begging for the opportunity to bless us with food.

--Kristie also noticed the need for weeding and stopped by after work. She enjoys getting her hands  in the dirt and the instant gratification of a tidy garden. She just doesn't know when to quit!

--for my faithful caregiver and loving husband who keeps his promise of nearly 50 years ago, "in sickness and in health, for better or for worse."
I am especially grateful that he is in good health and able to get away for the long bike rides he enjoys so much.
On the 4th, he stopped to check the corn growth. Even after a very wet and difficult planting season for the farmers, the corn seems to be on schedule.

"Knee high by the 4th of July"

I have been following the news from the visit of our sister-ship, the Logos Hope, to Buenos Aires. Earlier this year I had toyed with the idea of combining a visit to the ship with a reunion of old friends in the land of my youth.
Though the winter in Argentina has been unusually cold, the welcome the ship received there has been a very warm one. The Vice President had offered very kind words during the official opening. This article tells more: Vice President's Endorsement.

--for technology which allows me to stay connected and involved even from home. It was wonderful to participate in the Sunday worship service via Livestream.

Although I haven't attempted to paint since the accident, I did add words to the most recent piece as a way to say a big thank you to all.