Last week of October

 We do enjoy the cozy feeling and fragrance of candles on autumn evenings.

Autumn decor

Fall changes happened almost suddenly. These two pictures of what I see out of my window as I write, compare the color differences between the beginning of the week and the last day. 

Michael went out to blow the leaves that blanketed the driveway. No longer had he finished when it was covered again. We looked out and saw them falling like rain.

Stephan reminded us Monday at his dinner table of his great disappointment when he was a small child. I don't remember this, but he said that I explained that it was the first day of fall, which is when the leaves fall. He looked longingly and hopefully at the trees, but nothing was happening. That memory stayed with him to this day.

For lack of photos, here are two oldies. Christmas cards we sent to family from those early days in Germany.When we arrived at Mike's brother Terry's, he had them sitting out for us.

Christmas 1971, and 1973

I've noticed that often when disposing of old photos and letters, they are returned to the sender. Do you do that too? In my case, I find them meaningful, the messages I wrote long ago help me put together the puzzle of different periods of our life story.

I cam across this photo last week, and it was especially meaningful because my dear cousin Ed, we called him Eddie, passed away October 29. He was only four months older than me. He was recently widowed, and leaves behind a young daughter.

In this photo taken at the time of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration, he is holding our granddaughter Kayla who is now 30-years-old.

Here is a great article and photo: Former Union College President Edward de Rosset Dies at 77.

Michael keeps busy all the time, but lamentably I have no photos to show of his work. The heating system at Stephan's house is complete now! Michael is now feeling the need to begin gathering in wood for our winter supply. Hopefully a couple weeks of decent weather will help.

Saturday I was scheduled to work at the Helping Hand store. I had fun interacting with the clients. This is a Taylor University Korean student who so enjoyed shopping and finding all kind of items that will help him survive his first Indiana winter. Here he is wearing or carrying them in bags or pockets. 

Mid morning, when the crowd had died down, I had a surprise call from a high school classmate in Argentina. What an interesting conversation after sixty years!

I had already agreed to help Kayla with the library Halloween party she was in charge of. Sadly, she was in quarantine and couldn't be there. However, she had planned and prepared so well that we seven helpers were able to pull off a very successful community event.

I was in charge of the station where kids had fun digging for hidden gumballs eyeballs in the spaghetti mess of brains.

Of course, one of my favorite moments was watching great grandson Kalani kicking around the balloons Tamara and I had painstakingly blown up. That was all he was interested in. A future soccer player perhaps?

Rebecca could not be there, of course, but dressed up anyway. I stopped by after and handed some goodies through the door. 

Sunday, we enjoyed a Moriah-meal. Ever since someone gave us these unique plates, we've enjoyed "plated" meals. 

We had a lot of catching up to do. The young engineer is "adulting" quite well! And, of course, we had to play a few rounds of Splendor. 

Week 41's Miscellany

When I looked back on Week 41 there were hardly any photos. I listed the important happenings of the week as part of "remembering, reflecting, recording." (I read somewhere it's supposed to help you live a longer and more fulfilling life.) Even so, the weekly photo-journal came together once again. (Thanks to all whose photos I've "borrowed.") 

Cousin Karin sent this photo especially for me/us, a bright zinnia bouquet. Thank you, Karin!

I had asked sister-in-law Raquel for a selfie, after failing to take a picture of them when we were there last week. I received this happy family pic. Thank you!

I promised to share more about our ultra eventful last weekend. Sunday evening, we celebrated Kayla's upcoming 30th birthday (Tuesday, October 5) with a fondue. This one photographic memory of the party reveals the serious decline of my photography, both in quantity and quality.

As always, the littlest family member was the center of attention. Auntie Kayla is so good at leading little ones in song and movement. Kalani followed right along with The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Baby Shark.

I managed to get in only one longer walk this week. 

I try to observe seasonal changes--the colors, new growth, things I hadn't noticed before. 

I've also been preparing the outdoor potted plants for wintering indoors. I rescued some little spider plant starters and had fun using Michael's pottery experiments to grow them in. 

I discovered that the mums planted last fall came back and blossomed. I was taking a picture of them at the same time that my friend in Argentina sent me a pic of their spring flowers. 

There was one more birthday in the family this week. Friday the 8th of October Jude turned nine.

Stephan was in Holland, Michigan, over the weekend, carving pumpkins for a fall festival. I love this fairy tale ensemble. How many of you know the story? He was surprised that some passersby did not. Most onlookers complimented his work and preferred it to the typical scary Halloween themes.

Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum . . . 

During the week the spray foam insulation was installed in Stephan and Karen's new house. They tell me it was fun to watch. Next comes the dry wall.

Moriah came Friday evening to spend Taylor Homecoming here. She drove straight from work and looked very professional. She brought and cooked a wonderful meal for us. It is hard to believe that I did not take any pictures that day of such a splendid occasion.

Saturday morning I woke up early enough to go for the Homecoming 5K. Moriah wanted to join me, but had to go to Dollar General when it opened at 8:00 and buy appropriate shoes. The good news was that the race was scheduled for 8:30. The bad news was that they changed the route from in town to the Taylor cross country trail, and she couldn't find it. Nevertheless, she persisted and arrived 10 minutes after the start of the race, ran it backwards to meet me and we wogged (walk/jog) together! Wasn't that sweet!

I saw this dad ahead of me carrying his child but never knew if and when they finished. I was the last one and by that time the party was over, everybody except the organizers had left. 

Meanwhile, Michael was at Stephan's place in case the dry wall delivery and crew had any questions or needed anything. But, in the evening we were all home again and managed to play Splendor together like old times. I finally remembered to capture the moment.

We even took a selfie before she left Sunday morning. Ah, but I still regret missing the lovely plated meal and Moriah's professional engineer look.

Visits and visitors

Cousin Karin's end-of-August bouquet includes her last gladioli standing proudly for all to enjoy!

As August was coming to an end, we noticed weather changes, relief from stifling heat. But, I don't know if I'm ready for summer to end.

Twice at church, and again during Monday Night Dinner, we enjoyed many stories of God at work in Honduras. Wes and Cindy Williamson lived and worked there for many years. Their four children grew up in Honduras, and are now finding their place as adults in the US.

Interestingly, when Wes was a 17-year-old freshman at Taylor University, he worked with the church youth group and was one of Stephan's leaders. That's where he met the girls' leader, Cindy!

 

Tuesday was the eagerly awaited overnight visit from Kendra, passing through on her long trip to California to participate in Taylor University's Los Angeles Internship Program for outstanding film and media students.

Moriah, who works from 6 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., was able to join us for dinner. 

Both seen here with strawberry pie instead of our customary shortcake dessert.

Wednesday, bright and early, we said goodbye to Kendra for her days-long trek across the US, Road Atlas in hand. Later that day, a good friend joined her for the rest of the road trip.

Thursday afternoon we visited Moriah's new living situation, a lovely apartment in Indianapolis. And, of course, had a Splendorous evening. But left before her early bedtime. 

She showed off the features of her new furniture, but actually does sleep in her bed at night! 

It was fun to hear about the life of an engineer.

The week was very full. These are only the highlights. 

Michael goes to Stephan and Karen's almost daily, plodding along with all the intricacies of the electrical installation for the new house.

Here is a Spanish homonym question: How many wires are in the circuit breaker box, cincuenta or sin cuenta?

The circuit breaker box

Karen had this lovely photo in her blog of one of the first results of Michael's diligent work--light!

Kalani, an early Saturday morning visitor, was fascinated by these ducks different from the ones he feeds at the Gas City park. The family came to pick up the four-wheeler for the Labor Day weekend festivities.

Shortly after, I left to volunteer at the Helping Hand store with these two ladies. I soon discovered that Ethel, on the right, was Malachi's babysitter, oh so many years ago.

Sunday, after another very full day, we attended a marriage celebration reception for this lovely couple who wed earlier this summer. Christian and his siblings were on the robotics team for a while. Emilee has had a very adventurous life and has been to other countries, including four months or so in Cambodia. They are now working in Bozeman, Montana.

We are very privileged and honored at our age to enjoy relationships with the younger generation.

Vacation, the chapter published this week, led me to think about the theology of rest. We have not had an official getaway this summer, but we do find moments of renewal in the midst of busyness, and are especially grateful for the health we enjoy. 

Week 35 Highlights

Sunday, August 22, another Tennessee bouquet to brighten this post. Thank you, Karin!

It was also a very special day for my brother Aldo and his wife Alice--their 50th wedding anniversary!

We couldn't be with them in Denver, CO, so I was very happy to see this photo.

Asha and Joanna, both juniors, had already moved into their dorm and were preparing to welcome new  students during International Orientation. Sunday evening they came back for a special meal and brought another friend from India, Sumana. Moriah came to visit as well. Later that night we welcomed our fourth Indian guest, Amy. 

Asha and Enoch Eicher, Moriah, Mike, Joanna V. and Sumana

Joanna came back to spend the night and welcome her sister Amy into this new world of college, Taylor University and America!

Amy and Joanna Vasudevan

Amy and Enoch could not move to campus until Tuesday, so they went with us to Monday Night Dinner. 

Someone is swimming. Oh, it's Enoch!

Tuesday noon, our last two Indian visitors were welcomed on campus by their older siblings, official IO (International Orientation) greeters. We haven't heard from them since.

Amy, Enoch, Asha, Joanna

Wednesday we were invited to meet up with OM friends from eons ago in Berne. As always, so much reminiscing and catching up, so many stories.

Mike, Rita, Vreni and David Greenlee

Apart from these highlights, our life routines continue--Michael works most days on the electrical installations at Stephan's new house and I on my priorities: WWW (writing, walking and the Word). 

I've been using an app called Seek to identify various plants on my walks. 

It was fun to get away Saturday evening and watch  Elijah (#42) on Greenfield Central's soccer team, beat Yorktown 4-0. However, the sun was very intense!

I had spent much of the day restoring our guest spaces, readying for another visitor.

In Enoch's room I found he'd protected the clay sculpture, I smiled. 

But am sorry to hear of the virus still affecting people here and there. Our youngest grandson had a fever today and tested positive.

Transitions

This week I was made aware of a these lovely pink lilies popping up everywhere, Lycoris squamigera, rightfully referred to as Surprise Lily or Resurrection Lily, also naked ladies ;-).

All of our family young ones are in school now. Sam and Kristie's boys in Greenfield system, where she works as an ABA (Applied Behavior Analyst), began in July. Karen started a new teaching job, 8th grade English in Alexandria, on  August 4, one day before her birthday.

July 29: Elijah (11), Zion (6), Jude (3)

Rebecca enjoys riding the school bus this year.

August 10: Rebecca (2)

A good article appeared in the Chronicle Tribune a couple days later. Surprise, Rebecca on the front page!

Students, staff, smiles return to Eastbrook

She also started ballet lessons. Piano has not begun just yet because her teacher just had a baby! 

Wednesday we did meet little Reuben and delivered a meal and gift. 

Thursday was Moriah's final move, the last items out of her room here and all into her own apartment in Indianapolis. Her job at Allison Transmissions begins Monday the 16th.

Friday I took Leah for her long delayed hernia surgery. And, surprise!, the surgeon found a second hidden one nearby. The double repair was successful, no mesh needed. Leah is glad to have that over, but she's dealing with the pain now.

Saturday, the 14th, was Rebecca's 7th birthday. Matt and Kayla are wonderful party hosts. The occasion has become an annual ALL family gathering with cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, several great grandmas, even one 91 year-old great great grandparent!

As life moves on from one season to another, through many transitions and changes, both good and bad, joyful and painful, I am reminded that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Heb. 13:8)