Week 42

Somehow cousin Karin faithfully puts together a lovely bouquet every week even when she says there are few flowers left. Thanks, again!

And, somehow, Michael musters up enough strength to keep tackling the many tasks that present themselves. 

One job is almost done - the heating system at Steph and Karen's new house! He has repaired all the more obvious leak spots, but it will need to be checked with water when that is possible. Notice the well organized and labeled binder documenting the entire system. 

Photo on right shows dry wall in-progress. 

We got to see son Sam Monday night as well. He came to talk about the cabinetry he will be installing.

For further details check out Karen's weekly blog report on house progress.

Leah's place had some fun pumpkin decor. Next, some will be painted and/or eaten.

Michael and a few backpacking buddies went to Low Gap Trail in Morgan Monroe State Forrest and spent Wednesday and into Thursday enjoying the beautiful outdoors and perfect weather.

 

Friday the 15th, was another of my self-imposed writing deadlines. Again, somehow throughout the two weeks, we managed to crank out another capítulo - in English Chapter 16 "Tents and Temples", and in Spanish La Carpa. 

Saturday, Our Town Upland sponsored the second annual Fall Festival. By the time I arrived, the family members I had gone to see were already leaving. Perfect timing to admire the pumpkins Rebecca and Kalani painted, get hugs and kisses, and abuela's mandatory photo.

A couple days later this great action photo showed up on Facebook. 

Thank you Ashley Tibery and Our Town Upland!

That was all I'd come for, so I just went home, took a short nap and waited for the arrival of two grandsons coming to spend the night.

We had a fun time with Zion and Jude. I introduced Zion to a Let's Make Art watercolor tutorial. He picked the Piggy Pig out of many, many options because it had seemingly fewer lines and looked easier. It was probably more challenging than we expected but we had fun! I had missed doing watercolor, so thank you, Zion!

Jude preferred to explore the new video game he got for his birthday. We also played a couple games together.

Sunday morning Zion made us eggs for breakfast while Jude, showered and ready for church, continued to conquer some of the objectives of his game!

After church we needed to help Diane with a couple of malfunctions, so we drove to her apartment in Marion and then took her out to eat. Can you tell where?

Next week we're looking forward to a bit of travel to visit relatives in Wisconsin. It will be nice to get away. 

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.

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)

Achievements and special days

Every week, cousin-Karin shares a photo of her Sunday bouquet with us. We enjoy the Tennessee beauties and her artistry. She said this one is sparse, mostly delicate irises, difficult to arrange because they are so fragile.

 

Monday, April 26, was Kendra's 23rd birthday. Zach was here to celebrate with her. One Copeland family tradition I found out was that Mom made each of her children their favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner on their birthday. Kendra said her favorite breakfast is sweet potato pancakes. 

The girls actually made time for an early celebration meal. Usually they come upstairs at the last minute, ready for their first class of the day, wearing their jackets and heavy backpacks. They might grab something to eat on the way out. 

So, it was extra special to have a fun, sit-down sharing time. Here are three favorite gifts: a Cambodian flag from Zach; a Jane Austen mug from a sibling; and a pendant enameled by Moriah. The mug is especially meaningful because of the quote that describes Kendra perfectly.

There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others.

My courage always rises at each attempt to intimidate me.

That was not the end, when we got back home from Monday Night Dinner, a group of Kendra's friends were there decorating for a surprise party. They confessed to the many lies "required" to pull it off.

Tuesday, I had a special event, the fifth and final gathering of the Scripture Memory group. Tables and chairs had been replaced by couches, an abundance of candles, and flowers to create a very welcoming atmosphere. Each of the dozen or so who had committed to a memorization goal, courageously faced the group of guests with microphone in hand, and recited our portion, sometimes haltingly. It was a powerfully moving time. We called that an M&M day--Memorization and Momentum. Each of us was so blessed that we want to keep the momentum going.

Fellowship time with Elizabeth, Rebecca's piano teacher.

My page from the group scrapbook. Jane and Elizabeth recite Scripture.

 

In the afternoon Rebecca and I had fun drawing animals (and acting like one?).

Wednesday evening we had set aside for a last "Household Hurrah"--a fondue. I spent the afternoon chopping, cutting, preparing for this last "family" celebration before the girls leave us in a couple of weeks.

Thursday

Lest we forget Michael's ever faithful and ongoing dedication to the robotics team, I captured a screen shot of the live view. I check in sometimes to see what's happening, hoping he will be coming home soon. Here, after team meeting hours, he is checking on something. What is it?

I worked on revisions of the Spanish version of chapter 5 of my book scheduled to publish Saturday, May 1.

Friday, Kendra headed to Missouri with her marathon class to the event they'd been training for all semester.

Zach drove there later after his work day. All week he kept up with his job online, including a major presentation on Thursday. 

Zach was there to support Kendra throughout the run as well as her brother and sister-in-law recently arrived from Cambodia. That was a real surprise! Well, once they took off their monkey disguises!

Back in Indiana, while she was running, I enjoyed a day with the grandsons. Elijah drove us for the first part, a stop at Chick-Fil-A, and then to his girlfriend's place in Daleville.

I drove on with the younger two.We were so close to Stephan and Karen's that we stopped and Karen gave the boys a tour of the new house in progress.

Next stop was Minnetrista for the Bob Ross Experience and his art exhibit in the Oakhurst House next door where we also learned about the George Ball family's contribution to the world in difficult times--recipes and teaching people canning and preservation methods. I was especially interested in their hobby of collecting children's books.

Then we proceeded to the main building for other exhibits and much more fun.

When I am late posting the weekly blog you know we've rolled into another very full week. Much more excitement to come!

One final NOT-so-fun note for the week: 

Wednesday, Stephan fractured his left shoulder and suffered some serious bruising when a short ladder collapsed under him. We are thankful that it was not worse, and saddened for the pain and the delay it means for the house-building project.

Remembering and Celebrating

More beauties from Tennessee. Our few surviving tulips (from the 100 bulbs planted then ravaged by critters--moles? deer?) have not bloomed yet.

It's fun to see the house-building progress every Monday evening when we go to Stephan and Karen's for dinner. This time I took a picture of the floor plan on the wall to help me visualize what's coming.

Michael spent more time at Leah's this week. Do you notice the progress? Father and daughter seem to be on the same page regarding every aspect of the design. 

Lest we forget Michael's ongoing work with the robotics team, here is an action shot from my visit Tuesday evening. It was taken shortly after a group of visitors stopped by from the nearby 

Avis Industrial Corporation.

We are truly grateful for the donors that make possible this great learning opportunity for young people.

Filming continued Tuesday with an evening shoot in the loft, my writing area.

And again Wednesday for a daytime scene.

My final acting bit was at the clinic nearby, where I "crumpled" at the news of my adoptee's death.

That was the end of my acting career and the crew applauded. I tried and failed to get a picture of that moment. But here, for posterity, is a photo of the team squeezed into my loft.

Thursday I was privileged to meet with a friend and colleague from some thirty years ago. Such a wonderful time of reminiscing and catching up on our growing families.

Another special reunion took place Friday, April 2. In honor of what would have been Dad's 100th birthday, we met with my youngest brother Alan and his wife Raquel.

I had recently come across my sermon notes from when Dad spoke at the first missions conference of their young church on his birthday in the year 2000. Maybe you can help me draw more meaning out my scant notes. I'd love to hear it again if per chance it was recorded.

Saturday was all about preparing to welcome the entire family for dinner on Resurrection Sunday!

Here you see some of the festive outfits worn for the occasion.

Various family members left early to celebrate with their other families, so we weren't able to act out the story from Matthew 28:1-10 as planned. 

However, the two boys were prepared and performed for us the part of the guards who trembled and became like dead men when the angel appeared at Jesus' tomb.

They had also made a video of the story with narration and moving crafted characters about. 

Wish I could post it here.

What a memorable day!

BTW, a"remembering" of a different sort happened as scheduled when I published chapter 3 of my book, Christmas 1945. Next episode comes out April 15.