Christmas/New Year

This last week of 2021 led up to our family Christmas/New Years celebration.

I greatly admired the Nativity display at the house where our home group met Sunday, so I borrowed it for the post opener.

The weather was mild all week. I walked a couple times, once to the bridge nearby and was surprised to see how high the river was. 

One of those times I crossed paths with this handsome biker.

Rebecca and I had a delightful day together on Wednesday. She pretty near mastered one of her piano pieces. I played the accompaniment. We had fun.

Thursday, the 30th, the robotics team had a party - a movie and games. I came toward the end and joined in a game of Nerts. Great fun.

All week long the work on Stephan and Karen's new house continued steadily in eager readiness for our family get together Saturday. Here is Karen's summary:  Finishing up kitchen and bathrooms

Despite their state of exhaustion, they welcomed us into their lovely space, still in transition.

I came early with the food I'd worked on for a day and a half, and hung the stockings on the stairs.

The family units arrived one by one. Then the fun began! 

As usual, there was more than enough food. 

This was the second or third time that we I drew names and assigned one to each member. The secret gift-givers presented theirs in turn to the youngest first and in order to the oldest  (guess who).  We all watched and enjoyed each surprise and reaction  Sadly six members were missing.

Then it was game time! We introduced some to a new one, AZUL, and had two games going on at the same time, with Splendor on the other end of the table. After which we all joined in a round of Hand and Foot. Just wish we could do this more often.

Hand and Foot (the table is not really V shaped :-)

This is my Christmas loot. There is a small  . . . . . in the little box on the right, something I collect. Can you fill in the blank?

And now, blessings in the New Year to all my faithful readers and friends!

THE END

P.S.: Very seriously considering ending this weekly blog. Don't know if I can, as it's become such a habit.

Transitions

We had a few beautifully sunny days and somewhat warmer days, very inviting to go out for walks. 

Michael also took advantage of clear days to continue felling trees, cutting up huge logs, splitting wood, adding to the winter supply.

Most other days he was at Stephan's hanging light fixtures.

Son Sam worked there also installing kitchen cabinets.

Karen continues to blog about the house-progress.

I spent a few days on my various blogs. This weekly one is the least time-consuming. The two versions of my life stories, English and Spanish required more time to edit, review the translation and schedule to publish chapter 19 - Life in the Big House - for the December 1st deadline. 

Wednesday was the last Basics program for the year. Rebecca and I got to hang out together. When I dropped her off at home after, I realized I hadn't taken a picture in her holiday outfit, so she posed for me in front of their lovely Christmas tree. (Oops, her head is falling off ;-)

The robotics team is gearing up for the new season to begin in early January so they transitioned to two meetings per week. I stopped by on my way home from Muncie and enjoyed seeing how much fun the students were having putting the robot back together.

As I walked out, I looked through old photos and found this one of Sam from the time Elijah had been on the team. 

I had just spent time with Sam. He joined me at a meeting in Muncie. I was greatly relieved to hear from him the doctor's assessment of the recent MRIs. Comparing the recent ones with the previous ones taken in 2016, he did not see a significant enough change in the cyst to warrant any action. This is a great relief.

Friday evening we welcomed Bethany who is on home assignment from her work in Tanzania with Mavuno Village, a family-style orphanage.

We found out she loves to play games too. So we had a fun time playing Splendor first. Then she introduced us to a new game she had with her--AZUL.

Saturday she began her long drive to Philadelphia after more good conversation at breakfast and a quick selfie. We are truly grateful for the friends who find their way to our home, the blessing of living in the Crossroads of America.

Saturday evening we attended a Christmas performance at The Commons Theatre in Alexandria. Our friend Tamara was one of the directors (and I borrowed this photo from her FB page).

As if Michael had not done enough, at the end of a busy Sunday, he decided to make bread!

"What kind shall I make? What shall I listen to in the process?"

We slowly transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I envy those who are able to decorate the day after Thanksgiving. Somehow it has never worked for me. What about you?

Week 29

 

Karin's bouquet for 7/11/21

That was the Sunday Moriah treated us to her homemade Lemon Rosemary Chicken dinner.

I made ice cream and Michael baked buttermilk biscuits for strawberry shortcake, like we often had with the girls when we lived in the same house.

Moriah even tried out her engineering skills to repair the light by my recliner. (Thank you!) And, furthermore, this week she resoundingly impressed the hiring committee at Allison Transmssion, and will begin work in Indianapolis in less than a month.

Monday evening as usual we surveyed the progress on Stephan and Karen's house. Her parents had been there for a few days, visiting from Evansville. Dad Red (a retired electrician) began installing the electrical boxes and running wire. Mom Dolores painted door jambs.

This week, Michael worked steadily at the Switch Up and finished installing the climbing wall.

I continue to walk almost daily, grateful for the resolve that gets me out to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Meanwhile, Sam's family is experiencing the chaos of a major move from Muncie to New Palestine. Can anyone relate? Does this bring back memories?

Friday, Michael drove the robot and the drive team to Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis to set up the pit and practice for Saturday's off-season FRC event. 

FINite Recharge was a much smaller event, only 24 teams, not nearly the hype of pre-COVID competitions. And our robot (Infinite Horsepower)'s performance not nearly as stellar as seen in the video still playing on the PhyXTGears' website. However, a good time was had by all. I was blessed to be able to attend and meet parents and students. The new team members, all quite young, had the opportunity to experience a FIRST robotics competition, to learn and grow in their understanding of the robot and their enthusiasm for the game.

I got a ride down with Moriah and her dad, who after our team's loss in quarter finals, continued apartment search to get her situated before the new job begins next month.

With Moriah and Mee Sun in the stands. Who wins the eye-smiling competition?

Infinite Horsepower and the drive team exiting after their final game.

Group sharing after Arby's meal

I rode back to Muncie with one of the new families and learned of several experiences we share, including Spanish speaking and teaching, travel to same place in Mexico, and common friends there. We concluded that El mundo es un pañuelo i.e. "It's a small world."

Oh, chapter 10 kept me quite busy this week. Nevertheless, it published Thursday: Fiestas.

Beauty in Progress

Cousin Karin's garden continues to provide the varied bouquets she gifts us with each week. We, here in Indiana, are also enjoying the seasonal surprises of God's creation, though somewhat delayed.

Every Monday evening at Dove's Crossing (Stephan and Karen's place), I get to see the progress on the new house-building project with my own eyes. Michael helps when he can and I see pictures on FB or in Karen's blog. Here is my own photo of the window wall. Can you see how many windows there will be?

This week, however, Michael spent more time at Leah's assembling furniture and adding some final touches to the art studio. It is beautiful! I can see my daughter and I spending time together there making art!

West wall                                                        East wall

Michael had several very long days away till midnight. The robotics team, or some of them, met three evenings and tried diligently to meet the Thursday deadline for submitting a video of the robot in action. 

Meanwhile, I spent much time alone. Kendra persuaded me to attend "Shop the Loop" event at Taylor. Moriah just happened to meet me there and we went around to all the vendors together. She introduced me to a fellow engineering major we'd heard a lot about over the years. Kevin has a very unique form of art using a 3D printer. Can you guess which item I was drawn to?

Speaking of turtles (or was I?), I was finally able to successfully wear the one Michael crafted for me last Christmas.

Saturday, I joined Team 1720 and the Lion's Club joint bottle-cap-sorting party. We spent hours going through mountains of bags-full. I was mostly picking out the paper inserts while Michael poured avalanche-like torrents of lids on our table and scoured them rapidly for non-acceptable items. I'm sure we won in two categories: fastest and messiest! It was a fun time working together with team members, parents and friends.

Any of you locals who'd like to help out, may donate all your bottle caps. These will be made into benches. 

I was reminded of an art piece I saw years ago in the Art Pilgrimage of a Cornerstone Music Festival It was made entirely of bottle caps--Living Lilies.

At Sunday dinner with the girls, we noticed that Moriah's colors perfectly matched the food served. 

Michael made the wonderful meal, we all enjoyed it, then I rushed off to a bridal shower while the girls cleaned up the kitchen. (Hmmm. . . we will miss them when they leave in a few weeks.) 

Lexi's bridal shower was lovely, as is she--Malachi's bride-to-be! Rebecca will experience another first as "flower-girl" on May 22. 

It happened to be a very full day as we hosted a TU MuKappa event called Chai Chats. Looks like they are a tight-knit group! 😄 How many bodies can you count?

The conversation was directed toward sharing their widely varying experiences growing up as MKs (Missionary Kids), TCKs (Third Culture Kids), or CCKs (Cross Culture Kids).

I realized that I was probably the only one in that crowd with a higher degree of assimilation to the culture where I grew up, in that I attended the public schools, graduated with a teacher's degree and even taught there for a short time. To this day I have deep lasting friendships, and feel "one of them."

I am currently writing about my early childhood, and publish another chapter every 1 and 15 of the month in English and Spanish. I spent a good deal of time this week on Chapter 4.

This fifteenth week of 2021, was very full and hasn't slowed down. That's my excuse for the lateness of this post. 

Keep plodding on, enjoying the beauty in progress around you!

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.