Winter Joys

Snow set in this week and serious cold temperatures.

Even so, Sunday afternoon we bundled up and hiked the Upland trail in 26 degree weather. 

It was challenging due to built up icy footprints. Later in the week Michael took the ATV and plowed a more even path.

That was our 51st wedding anniversary! It was a quiet day as we had already had a special getaway earlier in the week.

A couple days ago, I came across a summary written years ago that can be so helpful to explain our love story.  

I like to have a reminder of what we look like each year. Photo credits go to our resident students. Do you have a favorite? 

That evening the girls arrived back from their short break between J-term and Spring semester, and treated us to homemade pizza and tapioca pudding for our special day.

Sadly, I wasn't up early enough to get a "First Day of the Semester" photo of our two seniors, nor did I remember to get a photo memory of Monday Night Dinner. Moriah was able to join us this time.

Tuesday, however, I did record a few of the fun moments with Rebecca. We had hoped to build a "snow-girl" but the conditions were not right. Instead we enjoyed a tromp through the woods and drawing in the snow.

Wednesday, February 3, I came across photos of my recently-widowed friend's wedding. I forwarded the memories to her before noticing the date--it was what would have been their 31st anniversary!

Thursday, February 4, was Leah's 48th birthday. We went out to lunch, and I forgot to take a picture, again! Perhaps that is indicative of our good time with no thought to interrupt it with a camera. 

Leah's dear friend Amy from Doulos days, posted a sweet memory. I love the expressions on their faces. The occasion was Trevor and Manoli's wedding (from Australia and Spain respectively). Leah is wearing the flower girl outfit I made.

Our family has had many and varied adventures, indeed!

And Michael has played many different roles over the years. Here is one of the latest--performing surgery on Kendra's foot, ha! Actually just puncturing a blister to ease the discomfort as she runs and prepares for a marathon. He also draws from his own marathon experiences to coach her. (BTW, the drama was faked. She is a film major after all!) 

Saturday's highlight was the annual birthday shopping trip with grandson Elijah (16). I enjoyed it all the more because he drove. 

It was great fun to visit with the rest of the family and have a tour of the house to see the many changes and improvements.

Jude was eager to show off his latest Tinker Crate Water Fountain. Amazing!

And I met the pets, Charlie and Todd!

Here's what Stephan was up to this week--an ice carving demo for an Amish Market in Ohio.

 

What do you enjoy about Winter Wonderland?

50th Anniversary Celebration

 An appropriate sign hung in the hall of the big house as we walked in.

Because God brought us together many years ago and kept us by His grace these 50 years, and because our children worked so hard to honor their parents, we had a spectacular celebration.
We had left the planning up to them, suggesting a festive finale to our family vacation on Sunday, our last day together.
However, when you have a professional ice carver, an event planner, a decorator, a technology guru, (and many hard working minions) in the family, the event becomes extraordinary.

Saturday some of us were downstairs working on a puzzle, playing games, watching shows.

Interesting round puzzle

We learned a couple new games during our time together. Splendor was for four players.

Playing Splendor

Another one called Shifty Eyed Spies, for eight players, kept us hilariously entertained trying to send secret signals and clues (winking) without getting caught.

Meanwhile, a crew upstairs, was busily staging the grand fiesta. Every so often someone would be summoned upstairs to contribute to the preparations.

At 5:30 or so, we were called upstairs for the evening meal. This was the surprise that awaited us.

Including a Stephan-special--an ice-sculpture that sat in a protective carrier in his car for two days [ah, that's why Saturday not Sunday!], and that Jimmy spent time decorating with a million gold stars!

Several cameras were out busy documenting our reaction. Before having our photo taken in the frame, I ran to our room to get the bridal veil I had brought for the occasion. (Interestingly, after the house fire the restoration company returned it alone, even gray and discolored, but the dress never came back.)

Others made use of the photo op.

However, we did not get as many photos of the entire celebration as we could have. Even if we had, there is no way photos or a blog post could ever do justice to the wonderful way we were blessed.

The best was yet to come. After dinner, we went downstairs again for the family talent show, now a two-year tradition. 

The very first act was a technically-perfect 24-minute video that Matt put together--select photos of our life and family, and many tributes that people sent in (hounded by Kayla). Every member of the family honored us with beautiful words, and friends thanked us for things we could not possibly remember (and even wondered whether they were true!). 

A few of the acts that followed were part of the celebration. There may be more photos and videos still out there. But for now, and for this post, these are enough.

The ice melted considerably overnight, and several large buckets watered the lawn. But the love we were shown will ever be remembered. We came home with a couple visual reminders--a portrait (rendered by a fellow ice carver and artist) and sweet written words.

Next episode: Two Crises/ Grace upon Grace.

February 1946, A Move and More

". . . to lose track of our stories is to be profoundly impoverished not only humanly but spiritually."

Fredreick Buechner, Listening to Your Life, Dec. 10

I began to track down my life stories some time ago, but only recently became serious about writing a book. I joke about the fact that in chapter seven I am only twenty-one months old! I have yet such a long way to go, so many stories to uncover. Therefore, this goal must become my full-time job before I run out of time!

Years and years of weekly letters from my parents to theirs provide wonderful resource material. I have culled quotes and stories from these up to February 24, 1946.

In this post I will share some of what I remembered and learned as I researched the historic context. The big surprise was when I realized that Juan Domingo Perón was elected to the presidency of Argentina at that early date, February 24, 1946, and that Peronismo became a movement that endures today.

Evita y Juan Domingo Perón

Some childhood memories stand out:

• Portraits of the presidential couple hung everywhere and we regularly sang La Marcha Peronista, the Peronist rallying song, in school. I did not remember it being so long--nine stanzas. I only recall the first one and the refrain.
• The Eva Perón Foundation made and distributed clothing to school children. My little dress was a yellow flowery print. I think they were handed out indiscriminately in school. If I remember correctly it didn't fit, was not sewn well and I never wore it.
• During our return voyage after our first furlough in the US, we were informed of Eva Perón's death and asked to observe a moment of silence.

As an adult I read about Evita and also watched the musical--an artistically accurate portrayal of that enigmatic period of history and of a person who became a legend. Madonna's performance in the role of Evita had to be her best ever.

The chapter focused on the move to our first home in Argentina. I was curious about location and distances between the places mentioned and any other interesting and relevant facts. The map helped. But I find that I can easily spend too much time researching and learning and not enough actually writing.

January 10, marked a significant anniversary--seven years from the day we moved into our rebuilt home. Seven months to the day from the housefire, and after a long day of packing, we were finally home.

Home Sweet home

Memories of the housefire remind me of why I feel compelled to write. As I watched the house going up in flames, I reminded God that he was able to protect whatever was important. He did just that and because letters and photos pertaining to our life stories were preserved amazingly in the rubble, I understood that these were important to him too!

Among the ashes

Other memories that surfaced this week:

Five years ago Sam was still hospitalized after mayor brain surgery Christmas Eve and a later return due to infection, but was on the mend. Every reminder fills us with gratitude for God's protection and healing.

A year ago Stephan was carving ice on the top of a mountain in Slovakia.
And this weekend he was in Carmel, Indiana, at their Festival of Ice. We went Sunday afternoon for the speed carving competitions. Such a fun and entertaining event!

Are you tracking your life stories?

2018 Week 12: Spring Breaks

These shy primroses break through the ground in early spring. They never look up, perhaps afraid of what is to come.

Monday us siblings wanted to attend Mother's care conference at Grace Village, so that is the day I chose to visit. It was good to see Ivan and Kim. They are facing difficult life uncertainties. Kim explains in her post A Holding Pattern.

Kim and Ivan                                                 Aunt Margaret and Mother

Mother and I look forward to our reading times. She always asks, "Did you bring some letters?" I had brought a lost treasure I found last week--14 handwritten pages my brother Lynn wrote when he visited for a couple days in 2012.

He wanted to know how my memoir was coming. I had asked him long before to help me with his amazing memory. He must have realized that my part was not progressing, so he decided to work on his contribution. I can still see him sitting at our counter, diligently writing. Then he entrusted me with the 14 pages titled "What I remember."

In preparation for Lynn's memorial service last November I searched and hoped to find his writings. But, alas, they did not show up till now.

I knew Aunt Margaret would love to hear Lynn's memories, so we paid her a visit and enjoyed them together. I laughed so hard at some parts. Others made me sad. His memory for details amazed us.

Tuesday evening I attended a ladies fellowship to hear Bekah Shaffer's talk entitled "Your Story Matters." Her passion to journal and record her life story so resonates with me. For lack of paper I had to take notes on the decorative spring-theme napkins.

However, spring weather was not willing to show up on its official opening day.
The first I knew of the Wednesday snow storm was when I opened Facebook and saw a photo posted by our neighbor ". . . we wake up to 4". Oh, Indiana!"
Then I looked out and saw this:

Later at Leah's, even her cat Delilah was complaining: "First day of spring, meow? You've got to be kidding, meow!"

Thursday, only three of us got together to practice watercolor art, and with no teacher, so we played around with an idea Leah found on YouTube - Q-tip painting.

Creative projects are ongoing at Nanna Leah's house. Rebecca designed this creature and Leah put it together. What is it?

Far away in "Canadia" (as Stephan refers to our neighbor), in distant and sparsely populated Northwest Territory, an exciting winter festival was in progress. A stray, icy-cold mallard came in for a brief landing. It was "Touch-n-Go." The ice-artist himself looks ready to take off.

Saturday, in snow-buried Plainfield, the robotics team was more worried about the indoor challenges of playing a strategically complicated game - Power-Up.

I had chosen not to drive Saturday due to the heavy snow forecast, however the storm never came north of Muncie. Even so, I followed the matches online, cheering and yelling in an empty home.

Shortly after the last one, Sam called, "Mom, you have to go right now to Fort Wayne. Malachi is in ICU at Parkview hopistal and we are in ER with Elijah who broke his leg skateboarding." !!! Panic ensued, I mean LOUD PRAYING!!!

I had no idea what I would find. The three day journey that began Saturday is becoming a story of God's care in the midst of unbelievable circumstances and merits a post of its own, if time allows. Meanwhile I put together the photos in a FB album--Spring BreakS.

Day 1                                                                                  Day 2                                                     Day 3

And here is today's summary update:

Saturday 13 year old Elijah broke his leg in a skateboarding accident and was taken to the ER. While at the ER with him, their 19 year old son Malachi Koch was in a terrible head on collision at 60mph (not his fault). He was intubated and lifelined by helicopter to The hospital. He has been in ICU and underwent surgeries yesterday. Elijah also had surgery for his broken leg yesterday.

Kristie and Sam have been at the hospital with both sons while the two youngest boys ages 5 and 8 have been with family. Today Kristie had to go to the ER herself for dehydration and Influenza. She is now home caring for Elijah and is sick herself. Sam is at the hospital with Malachi who is now coming around but still very groggy and suffering a good deal of pain with movement. Little boys are being cared for by all of us in the family.

The two young ones just arrived for a couple days with us on their spring break!

2018 Week 6: Snow, ice, and delays

Snow much of the week, and today, Sunday, almost paralyzing ice.

Last Sunday was Leah's BIG 45th birthday. We had decided to celebrate today, but had to delay once again due to icy conditions. For the first time I can remember we did not make it to church, our lane was glazed over.

"We will get together yet, Leah." (I love this Mother-Daughter photo I came across this week.) 

I had so few photos of my own this week, so I'm borrowing favorites from Facebook.

Rebecca having fun at Nana's

I have a favorite life-verb--to plod (to work or act perseveringly). This 1000-piece puzzle could represent that concept. We kept coming back to it in spurts, at odd moments, or placing a piece here and there as we walked by. And now it is finally complete. I also finished listening to three books--Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, and a couple Madeleine L'Engle novels.

However, other projects are still in progress.  Michael's all-consuming focus is the robot. In fact, he went in to the shop every day this week and spent hours there, if not all day and into the night. The end of the six-week build season is fast approaching. Next Sunday other teams will join them for a practice scrimmage.

Stephan had way too much fun carving amazing pieces for yet another festival, the Culver Winterfest.
Thursday, he and his helper set up many logo ice sculptures for local businesses.

What do you think? A fair ice-replica of Norman Rockwell?

I had to chuckle when I saw this one. We joked Monday night about "Karen's roses", a bouquet on the table, only the leftovers, the best were for freezing in an ice sculpture.

The ice ping pong table was in use the entire time!

Toward the end of the festival there was a speed carving competition. (Click on the link to watch the excitement.)

Who do you think won, the giraffe or the butterfly?

Meanwhile on the homefront we kept plodding on with necessary chores. Saturday, Michael was gone from 9 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., so Moriah fed the birds. Mike and the birds say, "Thank you! chirp, chirp."

Have a great week plodding on purposefully!

2018 Week 5: Memories

I suppose you could say the last two weeks have been majorly taken up with sorting through memories: my Mother's things she no longer needs; the old letters we read together; the Facebook posts from my recently-discovered high school classmates; old photos; and even a friend's oil painting that hangs in our living room remind me of old times growing up in Argentina.

Stephan's travels with stopovers in various European airports, reminded Leah of her favorite Brittish candy, so he obliged.

Tuesday, my brother and I finished moving the last items out of Mother's apartment and turned over the keys.
She is quite content as a resident in the Health Care area of Grace Village and involved in the various activities they offer. Saddly she does not see her friend Margaret much anymore.

"Aunt" Margaret; the two friends in April of 1997; Mother

While Mother was busy in Craft Hour, I dropped in on Margaret for a short visit. she had an envelope of old photos waiting for me. She knows how much I treasure all those old memories.

These are from 1950, the year when the Marshalls lived next door to us in this big old house.

Side view of house, I was 5 or 6 years-old
"Uncle" Jim takes turns giving my brother, Lynn and me, rides on his bicycle

Among the photos, was this old one of Mike and me. Wednesday was our 48th anniversary, and I did not get the customary yearly anniversary photo, so this one will have to do.

It was a special day, indeed. Our son Sam wrote a wonderful tribute on Facebook. True or not, it garnered over 200 responses, lovely congratulatory comments. Some from old friends that we hadn't heard from in forever.

 And our resident student made us a really cool card.

Yet another photo of my high school surfaced this week on Facebook.

Two views of Escuela Normal Mixta de Quilmes Almirante Guillermo Brown

Thursday we resumed our little art class. The teacher invited us to his apartment for a surprise project, different from watercolor. Can you pick out mine, Leah's, and guess which of the others won a token first-place prize?

My parents owned two other Juan Colle oil paintings. Ours, pictured above is titled "Arroyo Toledo."
I don't know about the other two, but all three were inspired by the area where our church camp was held at this time of year.
I shipped the one on the left to my brother Aldo in Denver, and brother Alan in Warsaw is taking the other.

Stephan has been extremely busy making ice art. This weekend he designed and carved 20 logo sculptures for a festival in Auburn.

In this interview he explains the process--Auburn Main Street

Not to be left out, here is son Sam's artistic expression for the week--the skateboard he designed, crafted, and shipped.

What about Michael? He spent most of his time on a variety of activities related to the robotics team. It is, after all, build season and the deadline is only 15 days away!

How do you express your God-given creativity?