New Beginnings

For new beginnings some things must end. The 2019 sticker-calendar came to an end. Our family getaway ended.  

I was going to title this blog post "The End" and questioned whether it was time to discontinue this habitual blogging--chronicle of our lives. However, the need to process and tell the story of our family adventure, led to not one but four posts. And here I go again, at the start of a new year. 

My desire, is expressed in Hebrews 12:1: "Let us put every thing out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should." Is this blog one of the works God has prepared for me to do, or is it a distraction from what I should be doing?

Meanwhile, I will keep on keeping on with what I know until God redirects. Reader, He may use you to give me advice.

Life is a daily keeping on, often tedious. Michael jumped right back into the work of sorting and settling into the Matthews shop after our trip without much of a break, still so much to do to prepare for Kick-Off.

I was happy to see the art that had graced the walls of the Muncie shop now had a place in the new team headquarters.

Meanwhile, I kept busy unpacking and finding a place for the new gifts as well as taking down Christmas decor.

The pour painting Leah gave me found its home. This technique allows colors to flow with little control. Imaginative minds can see into the fascinating patterns and sometimes add their own touch to bring out a theme or image.

In this piece I can see a cat, a couple birds, a dog, and many eyes. How about you?

Leah, and other members of her family, came down with a bad cold, had no voice, and still recovering from the accident, and more bruises popping up. She badly needed some Jewish Mother's antibiotic--chicken soup. Instead I took over some of  "Dad's turkey soup." It worked just as well.

Vestiges of Christmas outside Leah's door

Kayla, also under the weather, needed a Grandma-visit. Can you see four faces in this silly pic?

We had a fun New Year's Eve get together with a small group of friends. Each brought a gift, but not to give away,that was different. The idea was for each to pick an unmarked present, guess who brought it, and then hear the story behind the item. We learned a lot about one another.

I spent a lot of time preparing food to add to the varied and abundant options for the Kick-Off. Surprisingly, or maybe not, there was not that much food left.

Two other area teams joined us, so it was a very full house. There was the anticipation for the long-awaited reveal of the 2020 challenge, after the usual long speeches and introductions. Finally, the game animation, Infinite Recharge, followed by a lively discussion of the new rules, strategies, and initial ideas for building this year's robot.

So, here we are, off and running. And again Hebrews 12 has timely advice: "Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us.  Let us keep looking to Jesus."

Week 42

Fall is in full swing! I am enjoying the welcome decor that came together. 

Ha, notice the reflections in the photo. Smile. 

The lovely tree sculpture Stephan carved is gradually deteriorating, but still draws the attention of all who stop by. This week alone I handed out two pamphlets--a trifold with original photos and an explanation of all the icons that tell the story of our lives.

Taylor University's fall break was over the long weekend. Moriah went home for four days. 

Five international students, who'd remained on campus, came with us to Stephan's meal. It was fun to have a larger crowd.

Michael puts in long hours daily at the Matthews future robotics shop. His undivided focus (I suppose that is the definition of focus) reminds me of the three years he spent building our house before we could even move in. He said NO! to any and every other commitment other than his job and the house project.

One evening a few team students from the Indiana Academy came and helped hang studs and cut wood inserts.

The studs go up first, next spacers are fitted between them mid wall (notice on right of photo below). 

The metal sheets are attached above and screwed into each board for stability.

The various necessary cutouts take the most time.

Michael is working very steadily because he leaves next week on a hunting trip out west.

His work is paying off. It's looking good!

Wednesday night was Family Night at Basics, so I got to walk around and observe Rebecca's participation in the program. 

Moriah, no longer sick, was there for the first time this semester.

Saturday morning was the opening/dedication ceremony for the new Upland trail. It was a beautiful day. 

Lot of people came out to celebrate and try out this wonderful addition to our community.

This was a very exciting week for two of our friends from the Writers' Bloc--Dan's book came out and Tamara's play debuted! 

Although we'd read and critiqued some of Dan's chapters in our group meetings, to read the novel straight through as a whole, is far better. 

It is hard to put down!

I was so glad to be able to attend the final performance of Tamara's play--well written and directed and with a strong message. I certainly hope it is not the last time it sees the stage.

I celebrate both of my writer-friends. They inspire me to work steadily on my story. 

Michael models the focus and dedication I need to bring it to completion.

Homecomings

 Loving the early morning walks this fall.

Enjoying the few seasonal decorations.

Ivan (Hoyt sibling #4) and Kim's Indiana business trip allowed for several visits with Mother.  Monday morning, the last time, they joined her in the ARTcare studio.

In the afternoon, on the way to the airport to head back to Las Vegas, they had enough time to drop by for a visit and even stop at the shop where Mike spends every day plugging away at the huge restoration project.

I go every day, for a short visit, with a lunch to share, and to see and document the progress on the building. Michael looks very tired, but doggedly determined to persevere to the end. Occasionally a friend comes by to help.

Friday was Grandparents' Day for Royerton Elementary. Jude is in 1st grade and Zion in 4th. Sadly, Zion was sick and couldn't be there. Strangely enough, the same thing happened last year. Pobrecito.

And, poor Jude also! Grandma (that would be me) wrote down the wrong time, and didn't make it in time for the planned classroom activity and tour of the school. He had been so excited anticipating my visit. So sad.

I did, however, arrive in time for the entire first grade program in the auditorium. He must not have seen me make my grand entrance across to the left side and wave to him. He looked so sad throughout, like he didn't care about any one else in the audience.

After their music performance, the classes were dismissed. I followed Jude's line closely all around the school, trying to catch up with him. He was up front close to the teacher. As I was approaching, I heard him say, "I wonder why my grandma didn't come." Just then I caught up with him and said, "Because your grandma made a mistake." 

The kind teacher allowed me in the classroom and we completed the fun activity with questions such as, "What was your favorite lunch when you were in elementary school?" I had to explain that we did not have lunch at school in Argentina, we either went to school all morning or all afternoon. Then I got to take home this sweet note.

For Kayla's 28th birthday, October 5, she asked that we have a Friday evening Waffle and Game Night. I made a high protein waffle mix (1 cup cottage cheese, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup flour . . .), Leah prepared bacon, and we had a grand variety of fruit, jam and syrup toppings. The The waffles were a big hit, especially with peaches.

Kayla brought some favorite games. A long Monopoly session took precedence. Unfortunately, the birthday-girl was the first one out. Matt, her brilliant husband, won.

Rebecca and I went for a walk through a path in the woods, and Winnie the Pooch, our neighbors' dog, followed us back.

Saturday I attended two Homecoming events: bright and early, the 5K at Taylor; and later the Golden Gathering at Grace.

Immediately after the last physical therapy session, I returned to the year-long InVitATION (Inspiring Vitality and Transformation in our Neighborhood) program which I'd begun in January and discontinued temporarily after the accident. 

One of the goals I'd been working on was to build in more movement into my schedule, and increased intensity. Specifically, I had wanted to challenge myself to participate in a 5K race once a month. That has not worked out as I hoped, but I just couldn't miss the one opportunity so very close to home and on a beautiful day. I was the only female in my age category so I received a First Place medal.

However, the best part of the experience was that a former student recognized me and I got to meet his family! He was a Freshman in my Spanish class at Taylor.

Carter, J.R., Bennett, Megan Briggs

After lunch I set off for Winona Lake, visited with Mother and Aunt Margaret for a bit, and then at 4:30 joined a few dozen Grace alums from 45 years ago or more. 

Apart from the great meal and learning about the latest developments in the story of Grace College and Seminary, the best part was meeting up with a couple who were missionaries in the Phillippines with whom we had stayed in touch for many years a long time ago. So much to talk about.

Jake and Lillian (Thiessen '64) Leyenaar

Michael worked all day with a few other members of the robotics team to clear everything out of Madjax. Sadly, it meant a lot of heavy lifting, not enough help, and the task is not finished.

Jude's 7th birthday is coming up, October 8. Sam and Elijah worked three days on an-impossible-to-keep "surprise."

And Saturday afternoon there was a birthday celebration for family and friends, but we could not be everywhere.

Enough excitement for one week! How was your week?