Tis the Season

Advent season has begun. A time of waiting. A time of preparation.
In our home this year, seasonal symbols and decor begin to appear one by one.

At Stephan's Monday evening meal we had fun drawing and coloring a week's worth of ornaments for a Jesse tree.

I finished a program this week and also started something new. For nearly a year I have been involved in InVitATION (INspire VITality And Tranformation In Our Neighborhoods), a program created and led by Taylor University health science professors and students. 
The need to incorporate movement into our daily schedule is stressed repeatedly. Writing tends toward a very sedentary lifestyle. I am hoping that what I finally started this week, will become a lasting practice, a habit. I walk (or get dropped off part-way) to the Taylor University library carrying my laptop and relevant materials in a nifty new backpack, and spend a couple hours writing. This has been very productive and enjoyable.
The weather this week allowed for the long and pleasant walks. I see interesting things on the way, for example these students enjoying the sunshine. Can you see what the guy is doing?

Once in the library, I am drawn to the various pieces of art. This first one is a fascinating sculpture. Can you see what materials were used? It interested me also because it was created in honor of a community friend when she retired after many years as librarian. 

I found a corner that became my own nook each time, and finally my writing got "unstuck" and I had something to present to my critique group on Friday.

Michael, of course, is still very focused on the robotics shop in Matthews. A second open house on Tuesday, was very well attended and we hope will result in more students for the 2020 team.

Shawn VanNess (team president) giving one family a tour

Mike Koch (lead mentor) talking about the New Year's Eve ball designed and created by team years ago

The rest of the week Michael worked steadily on the still-long to-do list, ticking off one task after another. For example, he installed four ceiling fans that will help distribute the warm air trapped up high in this large warehouse-type building. Thankfully, the heating system is working now in time for winter.

Kayla's days as our tap instructor are coming to an end. Wednesday we had the first of three final performances of the season.

The Dancing Divas at the Senior Activities Center

Taylor University's Silent Night basketball tradition has become very well-known nation-wide. Friday was the day! Each dorm wing chooses a costume theme. Off-campus students like Moriah are adopted by a dorm and participate in all their events and activities. Her wing chose to represent the cleaning crew.

Can you find Moriah?

Saturday afternoon was Zion's postponed celebration for his 10th birthday. He was sick on the earlier date. The delay worked in his favor weather-wise. He wanted to share the amazing "jungle gym" (I don't know if Sam's multi-faceted play structure has a name). I tried one or two of its many features. Kristie climbed the rope. The younguns, of course, had more fun trying out the numerous challenges.

In lieu of birthday cake, Zion requested an ice cream bar. And Sam made cotton candy for everyone.

The grand finale of our week was the now famous performance of the Messiah at the First Mennonite Church in Berne, the home of my maternal ancestors.

First Mennonite Church on the corner (right)

You can see/hear Handel's Hallelujah chorus in the video, but we were there in person!

Find us (if you can) on the end of the second row, right side of the balcony 

And that's only the beginning of this wonderful season of Advent!

2018 Week 49: Christmas Cheer Everywhere

The Christmas star went up this week and other lighted specials such as the deer in the woods nearby, the wreath on the house, and two Christmas trees. Thank you, Michael!

Upland's annual Olde Tyme Christmas festivities happen the first Sunday in December with  carol singing and a tree-lighting ceremony. The same day, Kiddie Kampus puts on a special program in the morning at the church that hosts Rebecca's preschool. We were all there to watch and hear these cuties sing Christmas songs.

The weather, appropriately cold, helped to adorn our surroundings for the season.

Indoors, Christmas decor is slowly taking shape, reflecting the message of God's gift.

At our ladies-group brunch Wednesday we reflected on:

• Mary's gift - TRUST. "I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you've said happen to me."  
• Joseph's gift - OBEDIENCE. "And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife."

Thursday we were able to meet again to do art. This time we painted tiles with ceramic paint, a bit more serious and lasting. Leah finished both of hers before any of us even had one. We hope to complete ours next week. 

I attempted the Argentine shield or coat of arms, intending to pair it with one of the US on my second tile. However, looking at the image, I'm not sure I'll be able to replicate it on a tile!

I visited Mother Friday to coincide with her art studio time. I asked for a project to work on next to her. I also picked up all the orders for family and friends--prints and card sets from her 2018 art collection. As always we had a good visit together. She showed me letters, photos, cards that had come in. We rearranged her bulletin board. At meal we laughed and chatted with the other ladies at the table. 

I also approached Dr. Homer Kent at another table and engaged him in a very interesting conversation. I asked him about his memories of Uncle Herman.
"Oh, he hired me!" Then went on to tell me much more.
His father moved the family, from Washington DC where he was a pastor, to Winona Lake where Homer would attend Grace Seminary. There were no mega churches back then, so when the church grew from 88-500 during his father's pastorate, that was significant.
Homer was not happy about the move. He had enjoyed growing up surrounded by historic sites.
He had an undergraduate degree from Bob Jones University and had done exceptionally well in English Composition. So when Dr. Herman Hoyt, Grace president, looked over the transcripts of incoming freshmen he picked him out as a potential teacher in their new collegiate division. At that time men were returning from the war and wanted to go to Seminary but lacked sufficient college training.
At the end I said, "So you ended up staying forever. How many years?"
"Fifty years, ten of those I was president."
He succeeded Uncle Herman as president of Grace College and Seminary from 1976-1986.

Saturday, our little tap group of mature women, the Dancin' Divas, had our first performance for the residents of the University Nursing Center. We failed to get a group photo there, but I had taken this one at our practice session wearing our new uniform, these shiny silver vests that flow and help cover up our bumps and bulges ;-) .



Other family members' art forms this week:
--skateboards, a Christmas collaboration

These limited Christmas Collaboration decks are now available. Pressed in Cincinnati by hand in #fickleskateboards studio & hand shaped right here in Muncie by #lifeskateboards in-house graphics by @benjamin_blakely $70 plus shipping, get them while you can! #midwestbluecollar #madeinmuncie #skateboard

--ice sculptures, Stephan's many pieces and demos for various festivals. 

Watch him in action here.



How are you celebrating this wonderful season?

2018 Week 9: Tell me more . . .

Look what sprung up this week? A hint of much more to come.

Last Sunday we tried a new game. Diane has been talking about it ever since. She especially referred to the question about a bad habit you'd like to overcome and decided hers was sleeping too much during the day.

We enjoyed learning more about one another and hearing what others guessed about us.

I stopped by Monday to take a peek at Rebecca's dance class.

Ready for the routine to start :-)

Strangely, that evening both Michael and I felt chilled and achy all over. 

I had intended to go visit Mother on Tuesday, but instead slept a lot. Michael was feeling well enough by late morning to go in to robotics. Thankfully whatever it was, passed and we were able to keep up the rest of our weekly commitments.

Thankfully Moriah has not succumbed to any ailments even though extremely sleep deprived.
Ha! Looks like Michael has not slept much either. I was trying to capture the scene Thursday night when the three of us were going over the paper she had asked us to read.

Friday we had a make-up tap class with a special little visitor. Rebecca surprised and entertained us with how well she followed and imitated her mom. Here you can watch the video of Rebecca's first attempt, and our umpteenth!

With all the comings and goings I was unable to watch Billy Graham's memorial service live on Friday, only some highlights later.
Saturday morning I went back and watched the replayof the entire service--enthralled, blessed, and so grateful for the technology that allowed all of us in on Billy Graham's funeral.

A comment was made that "everyone has a Billy Graham story." An old letter from November 1962, confirmed my vague recollection that I had attended one of his crusades. In fact, three times even during a busy school week. According to this article it was his largest crusade to date.

Do you have a Billy Graham story?

2017 Week 50: Lights and trees

Upland Depot Park

The week began with one of my favorite events: Kayla's students' dance recital at Cornerstone for the Arts in Muncie. She was directing and/or dancing with her students in thirteen acts.

One of Kayla's favorite dance classes is musical theatre. This year they performed Mary Poppins.

"Let's go fly a kite"

Our own Kristie was in the adult ballet class, a first for her! 

It was college finals week. I met with each of these students individually one last time.

That evening we enjoyed another of Stephan's meals with friend Gina and her cute and boisterous little grandsons.

Finally, Tuesday, when grades were turned in, I dragged out all the Christmas stuff from the attic and decorated one tree.

The "anorexic" tree

 Meanwhile, Moriah spent the entire day completing assignments and studying for finals, with very few breaks or interruptions. Way to keep plodding, Moriah! That takes grit!

What a fun surprise to look out my writing area window in the loft and discover that Michael had put together the lighted deer. He says it was the only one he saw this season. Not a successful hunting year.

Michael also put together our big Christmas tree and strung new lights. (Photo of decorated tree will come next week.)

Thursday I took off for Winona Lake again to spend time with Mother and encourage her in the long recovery phase. That evening they had a carol sing and devotion in the activities room across the hall from her. She'd had her hair done that day. That makes her happy. Can you believe that at 96 she still has a reddish tint?

This time I spent the night in Ivan and Kim's guest room and had a nice visit with them.
Friday the 15th I was reminded that 60 years earlier was our grandmother Hoyt's funeral in Winona Lake, IN. We were living in Evans City, PA, that year. Mother was great with child, Ivan, due in a few weeks, so we did not travel with Dad.

 I was able to enlarge the photo on my phone and show Mother the various ornaments including the new one in the center, a house to represent their current occupation HP Home Rescue.

Our favorite activity together is to read old letters. This time I had the last batch from Aunt Margaret to finish up, a smattering from the years 1963-1966. I learned many interesting details, such as the exact date of my final departure from Argentina, December 20, 1963, a very different Christmas that year.

Meal times I join Mother's table. The long waits allow for fun interaction with the residents. The lady on the left was also a missionary in Argentina. And once upon a time I taught their daughter in the third grade of the Escuela Cristiana Evangélica in Río Cuarto, Córdoba.

 From one nursing home to another. . . Saturday, back home, the big event for me was the Dancin Divas' (or was it the Tapping Divas) performance at the University Nursing Center nearby.

 I think we agreed we'd take a better photo if we planned on it before the performance instead of an afterthought. At least we are all smiling, like we should be while dancing, which is hard to do when you're concentrating on the steps!

2017 Week 38: Chores and more

What's happening at the Koch's?

This week I want to focus on Michael as I didn't include any of his activities last week.

He has accomplished a great deal this summer: painted sections of the siding; sealed the driveway; cared for his beehives. (Sadly one of them became infested with wax moths and didn't make it. There are five colonies left.)

The evidence

The latest project: felling dead trees, making sure they'd fall in a safe direction; loading and moving them; splitting the logs and stacking the pieces. 

Our resident engineering student giving advice

This is an ongoing project. Four trees down and four more to go. 

Stephan will pick up several of the right-sized logs suitable for the timber frame house he is preparing to build.

Not to mention all Michael's other ongoing involvements: robotics; pottery at the Red Barn; the satellite project; and very regular bicycle rides.

What's happening in other Koch households?

Last Sunday was Kristie's birthday. I'm borrowing this sweet photo of the royal treatment she received that morning. This weekend, the college boy came home so Sam and Kristie could get away.

Wednesday tap class was quite a mental and physical workout--trying to learn new steps and a new dance routine as well as remember the old one--but very entertaining as well.

Big teacher, little teacher

I popped in to visit mi hija Thursday and got some good pics of the family pets.

Top: Zeus; lower left, Ruff; lower right, Cleo

Signs of autumn greet me on gray days and sunny days, but the heat wave we are experiencing (several days in the 90's) tell me summer is loathe to leave.

Grading was my focus. Tests and homework packets were spread out on the counter most of the week. I discovered that listening to audio books makes the task bearable, even enjoyable.

I finally learned how to use an app to access library books, and now I'm on a roll, three in one week. At this rate maybe I'll catch up on all the recommended reading.

I lean toward memoir and biography. There are so many life lessons in these stories.
I'm curious, do you enjoy audio books?

The week ended strolling hand in hand with Michael through the numerous vendor booths, rows of rebuilt old cars, and food concessions at the popular and chaotic event in the neighboring town, the Ducktail Run. We settled on a sweet treat to share.

Looking old but happy