Miscellany

Cousin Karin cheers us with flowers from different seasons--sunflowers, roses, and lilies. They are not from her garden. The memorial bouquet arrived after her brother Ed's passing. 

The season not represented in the bouquet showed up here on Sunday--our first snowfall.

Now, back to last Sunday, the beginning of week forty-six. In the afternoon, I attended a baby shower for a young couple we've befriended since they moved back to Upland to start a new life after some difficult times. 

Monday Night Dinner at Stephan and Karen's always includes a great meal, fun conversation, and of course, a tour of the new house to check out the week's progress. The window wall is coming right along. Stephan used left over wood he had milled for other purposes.

As any homeowner understands, maintenance and repairs are ongoing. Tuesday, a blocked drain took hours to fix. Part of the problem was not knowing exactly how the plumbing had been installed when the house was rebuilt.

Rebecca was here twice this week! Wednesday after piano lesson she comes and then we go to the Basics program at the church. And Friday was an E-learning day, so she started out at the library with her mom, stayed for Story Hour and then I picked her up to spend a few hours with us until Kayla got off work.

Kayla is in charge of activities and programs at the local library, and comes up with very creative ideas. Even if borrowed from Pinterest or elsewhere, I am always impressed at how she pulls them off. The first thing she did was hand me a leaf to add to the tree with my response to "I'm thankful for. . ."

Of all the many activities we enjoyed together, I only got one photo of Rebecca. She finished several of her E-learning assignments: writing, reading, and optional fun ones--a walk outdoors gathering leaves, an art project, a board game (Splendor!) with family members (abuelo joined us!). She still loves to dance freely to music.

Michael had more time Saturday after an early morning hunt, so he baked bread again!

Callah bread

That evening he suggested we work on a watercolor project. He looked up a photo that best reminded him of his last dog. I simply followed a tutorial. I'd say he has the greater talent and patience.

For months now, my creative energy has been poured into writing, so I was grateful for his suggestion of this art activity for our leisure time together. 

Have you found time for creative activities in your leisure time? Or, do you ask "What leisure time"?

God's timing

The weekly Sunday bouquet from my Tennessee-cousin is made up of blooms that have not yet arrived in our region.

However, I do believe we had a weather event they did not experience--a heavy snowfall this late in April. Did I hear it was a 100-year record? I think Mike measured a 5" accumulation by Tuesday night

Friends with blossoming fruit trees, fear a total loss, like last year.

The tree I see from my writing loft, Tuesday and Friday

The Winter-in-Spring Wonderland was wondrously beautiful. The heavy-laden branches bent over our lane created a Narnia-like effect. Each of us commented on the snowy-branch tunnel we drove through, but none of us managed to get a photo.

Later, in the car with Rebecca, as we were listening to the song "He's got the whole world in his hands," she added "And the snow!" So true. Job referred to God's control over nature, “For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’" And the Psalmist wrote "He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes."

Snow is referenced often as the ultimate white, representing flawless purity. God's amazing gift of forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice in our place, also mentions snow: 

Though your sins are as scarlet,

They will be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They will be like wool.

Top: Tuesday night (can you see the zip line?) Bottom: Wednesday morning 

The weather delayed the cement pour on Stephan's house from Monday to Thursday. Karen tells more in her post (Un)cooperative Weather. 

Michael helped at various stages of the process. The most physically draining was to shovel snow off the protective tarps, lest moisture be trapped in the network of tubing.

The least strenuous and most fascinating was to watch the pumper truck and the crew of ten men pour the cement.

This week, Abuelo tried to teach us to play chess. Rebecca picked up the roles and rules quite well. And, of course, she is very good with certain cell-phone features as the following pics attest.

Kendra made a meal for us on Wednesday--gyro wrapped chicken marinated in tzatziki sauce.

Wednesday, April 21, was Uncle Dan's 103rd birthday. He is my only living uncle on Mother's side.

Top: Hirschy siblings and spouses in birth order from L to R.

Lower: Siblings in birth order from R to L: Joyce, Harlan, Daniel, Lois, Kathryn, Philip

Four of them became missionaries, two in Africa and two in South America.

Uncle Dan and Aunt Eleanor were approved to go to French Equatorial Africa (now Chad) in 1945 and left in May 1946.

Four daughters and several terms of service later, they left the girls in the US and returned to Chad a seventh and final time. Here I quote from his biographical sketch:

What was to have been a four year term turned out to be four months. The government, endeavored to go back to the old ways, to wipe out all traces of years of foreign domination. All who had never gone through their idolatrous initiation rites were ordered to do so. Government spies were in the church services to see if the pastors were complying with their orders. I believe the Lord took us back to Chad to encourage the Christians to stand true to God. In the face of great persecution, they did just that. I remember messages being preached from Daniel about the three men who were cast into the furnace and Daniel who was cast to the lions. Rather than destroying the church, the persecution cleansed and strengthened it.

Eleanor and I were placed under house arrest and given 24 hours to pack our bags for eviction from Chad. But a few hours later a government car came to get us. We were taken 75 miles to Ft. Archambault where we were detained at the Bureau of the Police. . . At midnight we were loaded with our baggage on a truck. Two guards with machine guns rode on the back of the truck with us. We men sat on top of the 55 gallon drums and the women on a pile of suitcases. Following a 400 mile trip over unpaved road we arrived at the capital tired and filthy. That night we had devotions, reading Psalm 40 and tried to get some sleep on a cement slab in front of the Bureau of Immigration. We were accused of being subversive because our teaching kept the people from obeying the government demand to submit to the initiation rites.

Monday we were sent to Paris. . . We flew to NY the week of Thanksgiving. . . and traveled by bus to Pittsburgh. . . extremely tired, but rejoicing in the Lord's tender care.

They were willing to die, if necessary, to spread the message of the Gospel. 

This week the gifts I planned to give each of our families on Resurrection Sunday finally arrived, though ordered long ago. 

Goals and Accomplishments

Valentine's Day was quiet, however many greetings were expressed virtually.

I was thrilled to see "Aunt" Margaret's on Facebook. The Grace Village Health Care residents were photographed each with their own message. 

I do miss seeing this dear lady. She will be 100 in May!

He spreads the snow like wool. . . says the Psalmist in 147:16.

What He sent us Monday and throughout the week, looks like marshmallow cream or whipped topping.

The neighbor boys were playing in the snow, called out to me as I trudged up to the mail box and reminded me it was a holiday - President's Day.

The next day, a snow day, they tried out the zip line.

Needless to say, we did not make it to Stephan's for Monday Night Dinner.

There were, however, several meals together with our somewhat snowbound resident students.

Wednesday, we made it over to Leah's. Michael dug out her car from the accumulated snow and ice, while I chatted and admired a tiny little clay sculpture she had made. It's message: 

Peace surrounded by chaos.

 

Michael also has been having fun designing and printing a variety of parts. It seems that the small 3D printer in his den is always humming, turning out another masterpiece. And he can also control the larger printer at the shop in Matthews remotely. These all are meant to replace some on the robot and improve its performance.

This tiny one is one of his favorites made from a rubber-like material.

Kayla works at the local library Tuesdays and Fridays. On one or both of those days I pick up Rebecca there after school. Here she is pointing to her name bug that marks how far she has come in the reading challenge her mom illustrated so well with a giant sunflower.

Several household members' goals were significantly advanced this week.

Moriah successfully presented her team's senior engineering project on Monday.

Thursday, Kendra's script was chosen for her team's senior film project which she will be directing.

Both have much work ahead: Moriah's class must now seriously write and document, and Kendra's team has to make a film. 

It has become a winter tradition to work on a Wysocki puzzle. One evening this week Michael and I were drawn to the puzzle and made great progress as we listened to music. The fun completion of the week was when Moriah put the final 20 or so pieces into place Saturday.

Thanks to modern technology we were able to watch two online celebrations this week. 

--Frank Dietz' Memorial service, an amazing overview of his extensive leadership role and impact. We were together on the ship Doulos with Frank and Anneli. Their daughter Amy was Leah's best friend. He passed away in January at age 80. HIs last three years were spent caring for his bedridden wife.

--OM Ships 50th Anniversary, The M/V Logos launched February 18, 1971. In January of that year, Michael and I spent a couple weeks on board where he repaired the antiquated electronic equipment on the bridge. 

I was eight months pregnant at the time, so Stephan can claim that he was there as well.

Our comment after viewing the many old friends that we knew in our younger days, was: 

"They're looking old." 

Then we looked in the mirror. 

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?

Last Winter Blast

Our week ended with a sudden blanket of snow, one last glimpse of winter beauty lest we forget in the euphoria of spring blossoms and scents.

The most powerful memory that surfaced this week was the anniversary of the horrendous accident our grandson Malachi suffered March 24, 1918.

Son Sam, ever intentional to remember anniversaries of God's gracious goodness, wrote:

Hard to believe it’s been a year, it’s been a whirlwind! This day was by far the scariest and hardest day of my life and yet a day filled with the hope and peace that only comes from the Holy Spirit. Not to mention the amount of support and prayers we received that were absolutely felt and tangible......So thankful looking back for our older sons and the work God has done in their lives since then. I am humbled

The event was complicated by younger brother Elijah's skateboarding accident within the same hour!

God's presence, grace, protection and healing covered our family, like the blanket of snow abundant and beautiful. 

A year later, the family is intact and active. And there is the promise of a new member--Malachi's fiancé, Lexi Meacham (above lower right).

Another anniversary remembered--Tuesday the 26th, Jimmy's 45th birthday. I love this photo of Papaw with his favorite little person.

Wednesday, we introduced Moriah to a movie that stood out in our list of meaningful thought-provoking films. How many have seen The Mission? If so, what was your reaction?
For me it has the added attraction of taking place in Northern Argentina, in the area of Iguazú falls.

Sunday evening we enjoyed a meal with our home group from church. There is so much to learn and gain from sharing in community. We love getting to know these friends. And Michael's idea of a potato and ice cream bar was perfect. Everyone brought a topping for each, and a favorite ice cream.
Son "Chef" Stephan's directions for the perfect baked potatoes worked beautifully.

Thus ended the month of March, one quarter of the year, and another page of my sticker calendar complete!

Starting over in a new country

 I came across this bumpersticker message, a perfect question to answer in this blog post. 

I know it is in the making; it is in progress, slow at times. I am digging up the stories from the past, distilling them from the vast collection of letters, discovering them in old photos, and researching the historical context.
In 2019 I am serious about pursuing this goal, and even willing to announce that I am writing a book,  a daunting task that requires discipline, focus, time!

Snow days help. Cancelled appointments, changes of plan that keep me grounded can become opportunities--extended time to write!

The snow is so beautiful to look at and wonderful to play in--that is for the greats and the grand!

Daddy Matt helped Rebecca build this jolly giant!

This week I worked on chapter 7 which tells what my parents went through to set up housekeeping in a small town in the center of Argentina in 1946.

I learned about the process of having a mattress made. I found a blog post that told the story of the family business of a colchonero (mattress maker) and how it came to an end when synthetic materials replaced raw wool. 

I also found a bit of trivia--why the players from Atlético of Madrid are nicknamed the colchoneros.

My mother wrote about having to cook over one kerosene burner, a calentador, for six weeks while waiting for a kitchen stove they had ordered.

She mentioned her frustration trying to get food on the table in a timely fashion for a little girl who seemed to have hit a growth spurt and cried and protested that she wanted to eat! Perhaps that is why she gave in and let me lick the beaters before dinner.

It appears I also had a distaste for boiled (non-pasteurized) milk and could only get it down with Toddy--the popular chocolate-flavored energy drink powder.

They had only an ice box to preserve food. During the summer an ice delivery man came around, but in the fall as the weather cooled down, his clients were fewer and he could no longer afford to make the rounds. Dad had to find ingenious ways to carry back blocks of ice from the market, such as take me along and balance the ice on the back of the push cart.

He and his missionary colleague seriously contemplated making a refrigerator. I haven't read far enough to know whether that is what they ended up doing. I do know that Dad spent a lot of time in the workshop making pieces of furniture and fixing things.
As they say often happens, "you marry someone like your dad." Michael is the ultimate handyman and a self-taught expert in many areas. He is not happy unless he is designing, making, building.
As lead mentor for Team 1720, the PhyXTGears, he spends much of his time in the Madjax shop in Muncie during build-season. The clock began ticking January 5. They have a very strict deadline, 52 days, to build a robot to play the 2019 game: Destination: Deep Space.

That is yet another factor that allows me alone-time to write, if I do not get distracted. I am striving to make this a priority, like a full-time job would be. There is a high learning curve. Your advice, encouragement and affirmation may help keep me focused on the task.