Week 44

Karin labeled this bouquet "The last touches of summer." She thinks they may be the last blooms. I told her my blog readers are thankful for the beautiful flowers she shared with us over a period of months now.

I worked steadily on the chapter to present to the Writers' Bloc on Thursday. Michael, meanwhile kept the 3D printer humming away building parts to repair and/or improve pieces of equipment for the robotics shop.

This week was Eastbrook schools' fall break. Instead of the regular Basics program that Rebecca and I work on together, we went to the Fun Fest at church. She came over early wearing her cat outfit for the event. She then wanted to play the part. She was Pearl the Cat and I was to lead her around on a leash in the woods. She only responded with meows and I was supposed to distinguish a Yes-meow from a No-meow. Later, Pearl insisted on eating like a cat from a plate on the floor. I do believe she has acting skills.

We met Emily, Rebecca's Basics Jr. leader, who calls her every week after we've watched the Bible story video and worked on the activities. The Fun Fest was held outdoors, with a series of stations where kids could do an activity and earn candy and prizes. The last one was a hay ride. The evening weather was perfect for the event.

Friday afternoon, Michael and I enjoyed a hike through a nearby private glen. The course was beautiful though a bit challenging with hills and creeks.

Saturday I volunteered at the local Helping Hand store. Michael went riding as always. and after went directly to a graduation celebration for a former robotics team member, Jessica. It was an outdoor event with a Halloween flavor. 

Leah came over to get wood for her bonfire. Her Halloween costume was in progress. 

Later, on Facebook I saw the finished effect and her welcoming decor.

Our grands and greats came by later. Can you see Rebecca's theatrical skills? Look at those cat claws!

It was fun to see Skye, a.k.a. Pooh Bear,  and his little family, Kanga and Roo. I was especially pleased that Kalani remembered me, came to me and sweetly leaned his head on mine.

I failed to get a photo of Matt and Kayla. However, I dug up an old one to post for their anniversary on Sunday, November 1.

"Matthew Kern, long ago bewitched by Kayla, married her nine years ago. Happy Anniversary!" 

Week 47

This is the time of year when busyness intensifies and we have to be increasingly intentional to pause and enjoy the moments. This blog helps me do just that. I have to stop and reflect on each day and the highlights of the week.

Stephan driving off with a five-month supply of venison!

Yes, it is hunting season. Stephan has been here three times and had a very successful, well-aimed shot one day.

It is also birthday week for two grandsons: Malachi 21 on the 21st, and Zion 10 on the 23rd.

Favorite pics from years ago

Michael's second cataract surgery (right eye) was Tuesday plus two post-op visits.

And I had a third massage treatment. My friend therapist is  working long and hard on difusing the trigger points and releasing my left shoulder to gain greater mobility.

Wednesday my night to volunteer at Basics Jr..  Rebecca was feeling better, so I picked her up and while we waited there was time for a fancy braid.

Our little tapping troupe, the Dancing Divas (ha!) is wrapping up the year with a couple performances, sort of as a grand finale to our time with Kayla as our teacher. She has decided she has too much going on with the many dance classes she teaches at Cornerstone for the Arts in Muncie as well as keeping up with Rebecca's activities.

One of those was a four-week art program at Taylor. The Art Education and Art Therapy students prepared lesson plans and practiced on elementary age students from the community. I attended the 

Friday evening program to exhibit what the children had learned and accomplished.

Rebecca's art and photo opportunities 

Rebecca chose the abuela-Becca photo-background location, ha! I was running late and did not dress up for the occasion.

Speaking of "dressing up," Moriah sent photos of last weekend's Broom Ball, an annual "pick-a-date" tradition. This year four closest friends went together to play hockey on the ice with decorated brooms.

However, the main focus of the week was the "new" headquarters for the renamed East Central Indiana Robotics. Michael worked at the Matthews shop every available moment, and only rested the afternoon after surgery. The big push is to have the place in decent order for the first open house Tuesday the 26th.

Here you have glimpses of the rebuilding and the chaos and a video walk-through on the 19th.

Next time a progress report.

Week Apart

Father and son spent the week hunting in the wilds of Idaho with Jeff and Cody (Mike's brother's son and his son). Way off in the distance you can see the two blinds they were hiding behind.

They experienced a series of adventures, including four flats in three days half-way up the mountain, and the worst cold ever. But they kept going back for more!

Hunters--Michael and Stephan

That is, more fun and fowl. The guys packed a great supply of frozen duck and pheasant in the middle of their luggage, which did not thaw out on the long way home! And fortunately, their baggage arrived with them!

Our adventures on the home front included high winds which tore the umbrella off the table on the deck and carried it way down to the edge of the woods.

Mighty Moriah rescued the item we should have stored away sooner.

Both Moriah and I volunteer at Basics Jr. and were on duty Wednesday evening for the annual Fun Fest. My main role was as abuela, following Rebecca around. She was so cute. Please forgive me for going overboard with the photos.

The Princess and the P (Picachu)

Our first snow fall came very early this year, on Reformation Day (most commonly called Halloween), and it lasted into the next morning. It was beautiful.

Snow-covered hydrangeas

Despite the snow, many families were out enjoying the "trick-or-treat" tradition. I only had one family visit--little Picachu and her parents.

I gave them their early anniversary gift, an acrylic based on their  wedding-ceremony kiss eight years ago on November 1st.

The Kerns--Matt, Kayla and Rebecca; The Wedding Kiss

Saturday I joined the UCC Hikers and Walkers to try out the newly opened Upland trail.

(Am I really that short?)

Group photo, minus our fearless leader Bob Meadows

Our hunters made it back safely later that evening. Michael came bearing gifts for us two stay-at-home women. 

Which one was my gift? 

Third Week

Friday marked three weeks since the accident. Life moves on slowly. Days go by one by one, each brings its own pleasures and diversions. Flowers on the table make me happy.

We learn coping tricks and grow more accustomed to the helping routines that get me through this season of being "lame in both arms." (As opposed to Mephibosheth who was lame in both feet, 2 Samuel 9:3)

The Meal Train ended Friday as well, but we are well supplied with frozen extras for the future. Each contribution this week was special in its own way. We enjoy when the givers can also partake the meal with us.

Sunday, rather than delivering a meal to our house, our friends Dane and Laurie invited us to their home after the service (they live next door to the church). To our surprise, they had asked several other to join in "Rita's meal." We had a great time of fellwoship, wonderful food, and a fun game--Suspend.

Notice the Suspend challenge in the center

Monday, Leah took me to our local nail salon, Polished, andI chose a bold color for once.
And after we enjoyed our favorite foods at The Bridge Cafe across the street.

BLT sandwich (Leah), South African salad (Rita)

I continue to enjoy long walks, listening to books, observing nature, and exploring new spaces on the Taylor campus.

Tuesday, I hired three sisters who do landscaping to help restore order and beauty to our overwhelmingly overgrown surroundings. They worked wonders in four hours of steady hard effort even through a torrential cloudburst! "We loved it. I always wanted to play in the rain,"  one said.

That evening I attempted Sarah Cray's live tutorial, the weekly Paint Along, and was pleasantly surprised to be able to join in even with hand limitations.

Evenings we relax (and often fall asleep!) watching movies. This week a series of food-related ones: East Side Suchi, Tortilla Soup, Love's Kitchen; and a couple others, A Castle in the Sky, and I Dreamed of Africa.

Michael has been working steadily, bit by bit, on a major hardwood floor repair project, to replace a whole section damaged by our previous leaky refrigerator. He had to work some "magic" to fit the new-sized boards in old grooves. Friday he was able to say, "It is finished!"It is beautiful!

Friday afternoon we went to the our local Farmer's Market, always a fun commjnity event.

On this occasion, Matt and Kayla were there selling honey, always such a joy to interact with them.

A couple of Upland Farmer's Market vendors: Upland Honey, from Kern's bees; wreaths by friend Debbie Manganello

Skye and Destiny posted the big family news this week along with a first photo of our next great grandbaby due in 2020.

The weekend marked the end of the Logos Hope visit to Buenos Aires and also the closing of the Alumni retreat onboard. After the event, our Argentine Doulos shipmates, gave the leaders a replica of the Doulos as a token to represent the wonderful memories of our time involved in the ship ministry and the ongoing impact of the experience. View the moving response here.

So it is that life moves on and we find purpose in every day, every moment. "For in him we live and move and have our being ."  (Acts 17:28)