2013 Week 17: Joys of Friendship

As the weather improved this week, training increased. 

Mike tries to get out regularly for longer rides with friends or on his own. 

Time is running out. In little less than five weeks we will be leaving for Spain with a group. 

Half will be riding their bikes, circling the seven provinces of the Basque Country. 

The rest of us will follow in a van, visiting each of the capital cities.

Sunday afternoon ride

As we drive by the Taylor campus every day, 

we take in the steady progress in the construction of the new residence hall. 

This is the best I could do while driving.

If you read my blog you will recognize the name Sara from make music from your heart to the Lord. 

And you may remember that their son is a student at nearby Anderson University. 

That is why they occasionally stay with us when they travel all the way from Arkansas to see him. 

The Bowyers arrived Tuesday evening and left Friday.We had many delightful moments together.

They taught us a new game. Can you guess which one?

Thursday evening we all attended a wonderful concert at Anderson University. Jared plays the French horn.

Friday I opened a new blog, Doulos Days, to begin sorting and recording the memories of nearly five years spent on a missionary ship with our young children. Thirty years ago this summer we left that life and settled in small town Upland, home of Taylor University. 

Though we no longer work for the university we love being part of the community and are privileged to participate as fans and friends of students and faculty. We especially enjoy music events and theater performances. Friday night was opening night of The Curious Savage. The delightful characters kept us smiling the entire time.

Saturday was exceptionally beautiful, compared to most of the week, 

perfect for the beautiful wedding of our friends' daughter. 

Yes, Deborah Banker is now Mrs. Scott Ewers! At last! 

Their first date was October 13th seven years ago! 

And the wedding was held in the same place of the first date, 

also where they were engaged October 13th, 2012. 

However, they decided not to put off the wedding till October!

Scott and his lovely bride  Deborah. The last father-daughter wedding dance.

Dennis and Donna Banker

Some 43 years ago when we were living in Germany and expecting our first, 

Dennis and Donna came with their two little girls and the third on the way. 

We lived and worked on the same team for years and shared many life adventures together. 

The bonds of friendship are strong and sweet.

We were so honored and blessed to be with these dear friends on their special day and see the entire family, all four children married now and seven beautiful grandchildren.

Tante (German for 'aunt') Debbie loves her  nephews and nieces. 

All seven preceded the bride up the aisle. The oldest pulled the wagon carrying the babies, 

the girls walked behind each holding hands with one of the younger boys. 

The Babymobile

I think Selah reached up and touched Deslin's nose. Sweet cousins.

The wedding was like a reunion with other friends as well. Precious times.

Arlene Weber

This dear friend, also from years ago in Germany and Austria, 

is leaving in a week to visit her daughter and family in Uganda. 

Friendships whether new or from long ago are a gift from God.

These precious times of sharing here on earth are a taste of eternity in heaven!

2013 Week 8: Arizona and back

A while back Mike planned a trip to Arizona for a clay sculpturing course in Scottsdale, and also to visit three couples, long-time-friends and spend three days at a resort in Sedona, a belated anniversary celebration.

Sunday we flew to Phoenix and stayed with dear friends, the Perrys. (Fred was the best man at our wedding 43 years ago).

Can you guess what country they lived in for umpteen years by their collection of camels?

Monday after Mike's class, they took us to South Mountain, the largest city park in the USA, maybe even the world.

Tuesday, Mike and I went for a jog in the César Chávez Park near their neighborhood. Mike ran ahead, of course, and I took a turn onto an island and couldn't find my way out. Lost again, but not in a foreign country! I did, however, get to see the sun rise.

I accompanied friend Karen to the Tempe campus of Arizona State University where she goes every week to interact with international students.

In the evening we visited our friends Don and Shirley. Too much fun!

Wednesday, I was diligently working on the weekly missionary report, when a message came from my brother that from the signs the hospice nurse was seeing, Dad had only hours to live or at the most a day.
Our dear friends helped me think through what I needed to do. I was able to get a flight out that afternoon and was packed in no time and off to the airport.
Son Sam picked me up in Indianapolis and drove me to Grace Village. Mother had left her door unlocked and I found the breakfast table set for two. She always prepares ahead. It was after midnight, she was sleeping. (I didn't take this picture till the next morning.)

I had first stopped in Health Care to look in on Dad and he was sleeping peacefully. The nurse had beautiful music playing, "Leaning on the everlasting arms." Very comforting.

Thursday before 10 a.m., the hospice nurse called to say she was on her way, so Mother and I made our went over to Health Care. What happened next is summed up in the poem I wrote.

The rest of the day was a blur of activity--phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, a meeting with the funeral director, arrangements, travel plans, program ideas...

 The obituary 

Son Stephan came to pick me up that night so I could have one day at home to get ready for the intense weekend ahead, and also welcome Mike back from Arizona. He flew back the day after his course ended.

Saying goodbye to my cute little mother

Friday, was a quiet reflective day getting ready for what lay ahead.
Stephan and Karen had planned to attend the musical Godspell at Taylor, so I invited  them to eat dinner with me. I got this cute photo of their funny and typical expressions.

Mike did not get in till after midnight. Mid-morning Saturday we left for Winona Lake in time for a meeting with the pastor. Stephan and Karen came that afternoon, as it was his only opportunity to be with the gathering family. He was scheduled to fly to Alaska the next day.

All family members present and nearby came together that evening to eat, share and prepare. We were amazed at how everything was coming together. Mother had worried about this moment and was now at peace. Niece Tina took over as event planner which is decidedly her gift. We are so grateful.

2013 Week 3: Visitors and Visits

Sunday slipped by photoless.
However, I discovered some lost photos from the previous Sunday taken at Gina's house. These two are my favorites. Her new front door by Sam's Custom Woodworking inscribed in Hebrew: Barak shem Yehovah (Blessed be the name of the Lord.)

 DIL Karen and one of the sweet little guests at Gina's 3 King's Day party.
 

I'm on my own now most evenings during these six weeks of robot build-season. I was glad to have several  dinner opportunities. Monday night, of course, it was at Stephan's.
Nanxin entertained us with more Chinese stories. She says there are hundreds because their culture is so very old. The ancient stories are reduced to four word sentences. So when someone says "Fox borrows tiger's power" everybody knows what it's about. The mighty tiger walking through the forest had never met the fox. When fox claimed to be the king, tiger challenged him. But clever fox said, "I'll prove it to you, just walk behind me." As they went all the animals fled.

Tuesday we had two visitors.
Mike S. from OM (the mission we worked with for many years)  stopped by for lunch and fellowshipon his way through from OH to Indy. Of course we took him to Ivanhoe's.

He brought us some OM materials including a bracelet made by women rescued from trafficking. I love it.

We were delighted to have Sara's husband Steve spend the night after dropping Jared off at school.
Sara sent delicious pumpkin bread, at Mike's request ;-), 'cause she's always posting food photos.

Steve left the next morning after we wearied him with many questions and stories, but no euchre this time.
We were having such great conversations that I didn't get the camera out until it was almost too late.

Leah invited me for dinner Thursday--fun time, delicious food, house redecorated. She has been digging out old treasures and hanging art on her walls.

 

I brought one portrait of Skye home to frame it.

My mother invited me to join her Friday for a church dinner and missionary speaker, so I drove up to Winona Lake in the afternoon.
When I visit her church I reconnect with people from the ancient past. The Covers were missionaries in Argentina when I returned as an adult and taught in a Christian school for several months. He helped me start a journalism club and guided in the production of a few school periodicals.

When I visit my mother I stay overnight in her extra bedroom. As I was driving away Saturday morning I realized I had not yet taken a picture for TLMacdonald Photography's weekly challenge--this time a panoramic, so I stopped and tried that feature on my camera.

Winona Lake on a wintry sunny day

And now it's good to be home again!

One more thing, I promised to let you know about the YouTube video of the chapel service where Mike spoke. It was posted this week: January 7, 2013 Taylor University Chapel.

Crossroads of America

Do you know your state emblems?

Recently we had a quiz and I was made aware of the Indiana state motto, Crossroads of America. This month will prove it true as we welcome visitors coming through almost every week. 

I so enjoy the fresh flowers we get to pick at the community farm.

Sunday was Karen's birthday, but we didn't celebrate till Monday night meal. I made her favorite--peach pie.

Tuesday evening we had a dear family over for dinner and fun. They are a family of artists.

 So, where's the mom?

One of the many chalk art masterpieces in the driveway

Michael, my very own resident artist, had a very sad thing happen to one of his prized pieces.Ready at last to be bisque fired, it suffered a fall in the kiln and the lovely dancer broke off of her pedestal, lost a leg and a few fingers. I think she is still beautiful. Venus de Milo lost a few limbs as well.

What's left of "Abandon"

Thursday we prepared for overnight guests from New Mexico. Nocha and I met in college and our paths crossed many times as we both served with Operation Mobilization. Our last stint together in the same community was on the ship Doulos where she met Dallas.

The Myers with granddaughter

I had never heard of music Fake Books and was very impressed with the results of this method of learning to play the piano when I heard seven-year old Trinity play after only four lessons this summer.

Friday evening, after a long day of many errands for me and golfing for Mike, we decided to stroll the festival in a neighboring town and eat fair food. It was unusually windy and cool so we did not linger. We did, however, stop in to visit the youth center they are working on, a vision patterned after the mission of the Red Barn in our town.

I went back Saturday morning for the Kernel Klassic, their popular 5K race and fortunately the weather was very pleasant.

Before

After

Mike was riding as usual with his cycling club, only four today. They stopped by here to see the house as it was on their route, but were gone before I could get a photo.

Well, these are snippets and snapshots of our week.

Busy Anticipation

You'd think our one big focus of the week would be preparing for the long planned-for and anticipated event--the Open House on the anniversary of the house fire. But NO, somehow our week was filled with other God-planned happenings. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 2:10. I know I can trust God, that He will lead and give strength for whatever He puts before me!

So, Sunday we were still away from home, relaxing, enjoying our surroundings and our time together.

After breakfast stroll

Getting ready to get back on the road

The 40 mile return trip was longer and harder due to riding against the wind. We had a minor accident while coming out of an Arby's parking lot turning onto the main road. Mike said I panicked seeing the oncoming traffic and stopped pedaling which didn't allow him to unclip and put his foot down. I wasn't aware of this. So much for pedaling by sight and not by faith! Fortunately, we just toppled over gently, got a couple of scrapes and unfortunately lost the sun-clips for my glasses. I didn't realize this until a couple hours later. When I called the restaurant, they were kind enough to search and even go out on the road and look. They did find the mangled and broken remains. I believe that was only the second time we've fallen over the years and hundreds of miles of tandem travels.

Monday I bought flowers to fill the window boxes Mike built.

 We enjoy them from the outside and from indoors.

Michael was mowing and sprucing up our woodland over a period of several days.

He continues to be involved with ceramics at the Red Barn over the summer but only two days--Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00.

One of the more experienced students is bent over the wheel carefully shaping a piece. Reminds me of us as clay in the potter's hand, Isaiah 64:8.

So, where did Thursday go? I can hardly remember. Probably a blur of further preparations and errands.
We were getting ready for overnight guests, an informal gathering in our home Friday night and the Strawberry Festival in town Saturday, as well as the Open House Sunday.

We met Randy and Kim Grebe two years ago at the OM Ship's Partner weekend in Bermuda.They served for three years on the Logos Hope and now represent the OM Ship ministry and are based in Florence, SC. Their daughter and son-in-law live and teach in our local school system.
We invited people to come hear amazing stories of God at work in many lives in other countries through the unique platform of an ocean-going vessel carrying 400+ Jesus’ followers.

We found that our home is very adequate for such gatherings and had a wonderful time.

Saturday dawned bright and beautiful for the town festival. Mike went over early to set up the tent and ceramics display, and then spent most of the day practicing his latest interest, sculpting faces, this time with a live model, the above mentioned student. She loves throwing on the wheel, enough to sit and work in the heat for hours. She accomplished quite a lot before she had to leave for work at the local pizza place, eight pieces or more.

The Strawberry Festival will always remind me of the day after the house fire, our first time back to survey the mess and begin the rescue and restoration process. Our friends, Dane and Laurie, worked with us. At noon Dane went downtown and picked up huge tenderloin sandwiches and strawberry shortcakes for our lunch. We sat back in the picnic area away from the ugliness and enjoyed a wonderful meal together.

It is Monday already, I am late again. We are still recovering from and basking in the glow of our wonderful Sunday event. But you will have to wait for that story, which actually deserves a post or two of its own, if I can find the time.