Adventures in Argentina

Today I realized that exactly a year ago this grandma ventured out of her cozy nest in summery Upland, IN, and flew to wintery Buenos Aires.
Why, you say, what for?
Well, a year earlier, when an e-mail invitation came to read a paper at the Fundación Internacional Jorge Luis Borges, I could not resist the urge to resurrect a favorite piece and, above all, to go back to the 'homeland'. However, I let it rest, prayed, and then with Michael's approval applied in the last hour before the deadline was up on May 25th. Ten minutes later the acceptance e-mail came back! I was so excited!
Many anxious moments followed, however. There were so many unknowns: complications with lodging, travel around the country to see old friends, which ones... Would I be able to do the necessary revisions on the paper and deliver it successfully in that august scholarly gathering?
What was this--foolishness or faith?
These were my thoughts as I waved goodbye to my husband, plus the normal fears of possible flight accidents.

To be continued...

TWISTS of Life

I heard a quote not long ago but can't remember where it came from.

"9/10 of knowing God's will is overcome when we accept what we know (knew all along?) is God's will."

All the doors I knocked on, i.e. the colleges and high schools I applied to, have closed. The school year has begun and I am still at home. So this week I must accept that fact and order my life accordingly.

Transitioning away from teaching has proven more difficult than I imagined. Maybe I never gave it much thought, I was too busy. But I have felt for some time that I should fall back on writing, ever since I took a course in Freelance Writing from Doc Hensley (Taylor Fort Wayne).

Now, here I am and I don't know what to do exactly. I have heard many times that a writer (especially a beginning writer!) should not quit his/her day job! But I have no income-generating employment.

So, should I become a translator? I signed up on a translators website and have available projects coming to my inbox daily. If I pay the $129 for full membership I can bid on them and probably end up with more than I can handle.

Or should I become a substitute teacher and contact all the Spanish teachers so they know they can count on fluency and experience and list me as their top choice?

How often will I need to make the trip to Warsaw to help Mother prepare for a move to Grace Village in a not-yet-determined future?

And how involved would/could/should I be with the grandchildren? Kristie is going to go to school full-time, she received two generous grants and cannot pass up the opportunity. Might I be able to help care for Elijah?

Last but not least, and above all: support my husband, lighten his load in creative ways.

Translate

Write

Involvement with grandkids

Substitute teach

Transition parents to retirement community

Support Michael!

Or ALL OF THE ABOVE!

If there are any readers out there, I welcome your responses.

Stay the Course

Another 5K logged. Did better this time. Once again did not stop, kept going to the end.
Debby (my consuegra and running buddy) on the other hand was really tired and had to walk toward the end. But we both earned second place medals in our age division.
Moral of the story: on good days and bad days, keep on keeping on, don't give up.

Five years ago I wrote the following devotional piece. It holds true today, even though my pace is slower and I seldom pass anyone now.

"Four years ago I began running local 5k races whenever possible. I wanted to be challenged. When I first started my goal was to complete the race without stopping. I may have had to walk once or twice.
The most recent run surprised me. After settling into a comfortable pace and rythmic breathing pattern, I focused on stretching each thrust forward, lengthening my stride steadily and surely.
As I passed a couple of women runners, I overheard one say, “Why am I doing this?” Hmmm...my same sentiments earlier that morning, there were so many things needing to be done. I was feeling overwhelmed by the demands of life.
I kept my eyes fixed on the person ahead of me, caught up and passed one runner, and another. Then I understood. There was a lesson for life in all of this. When I am in fellowship with God, and my gaze is fixed intently on what lies ahead, I will not be running aimlessly. Reading His Word, listening to His voice and responding in prayer and obedience is like the act of breathing that keeps me alive and stays my course through the maze of life.
The surprise ending to the 5k race was a personal best. I have reflected many times since, on how even infinitesimal increments can affect the outcome. Even small changes can make a difference in the future of my well being and my ability to give to those around me.
PRAYER: Lord, I want to run the race marked out for me in this life, not aimlessly but very intentionally and with perseverance. Help me to ruthlessly rid myself of every hindrance and make the right choices. Keep me from stumbling as I abide in You. And may the end of life’s race be a personal best, for the Master’s sake. Amen."

Crazy Grandma

That's my new title.

How did I earn it?

It happened thus:

On the very day of Skye's 11th birthday, July 29th, I took the two older cousins (grandsons Skye and Malachi) to the Indianapolis Children's Museum. The GPS Mike gave me for my birthday is now a wonderful friend, but "Nancy" (or was it "Cindy"?) didn't tell me how to find the ICM free parking. I drove around the possible circuit twice before I spotted it. When I did, I got so excited repeating crazily "Free parking!" What I really meant was "We found it!"

From then on, the slightest hint of funny behavior on the part of this senior citizen has been deemed insanity by the younger generation, such as LOL (my laugh has always been different), or when I bought a kiddie meal for myself, the toy was for Elijah, of course, the youngest grandson who wasn't with us.

The label has stuck, and again this weekend I was accused of craziness.

I can't help it, they make me crazy. After all, insanity is hereditary--you get it from your kids (and grandkids)!

Be that as it may...(as Pastor Jay says) I am crazy about them, and very grateful for the good times spent together.

The activities of this weekend included:

--visiting garden train display

One of our friends, a member of the Indiana Large Scale Railroaders, had an open house.

--building and programming a Lego robot

Skye's gift from grandpa which will keep on giving all year, and had both older boys entertained and away from video games and TV for hours.

--swimming at Taylor Lake

--racing the trike and skateboard down the driveway

The Discipline of Loss

This morning on my wog (walk till you're bored, jog till you're tired) I went to the Memorial Chapel on the campus of Taylor University. (See http://www.taylor.edu/edify/slideshow.html)


So close, so beautiful and inspiring, and I had never been. I plan to walk the 20 minutes more often and begin to memorize the powerful quotes.


The phrase that caught my attention today was from Milo Rediger (our pastor, Jay Kesler, is always quoting his prof/mentor). "...a grace-laced discipline..." I love that descriptor. He was saying that loss can become that through prayer.


On the walk home I listed mentally the various losses we've experienced. Some have been huge and incomprehensible, others of lesser import. We struggle through, some days more gracefully, yet God's grace is ever available and abundant.


Back from my meditative wog, I decided to put in an hour of yard work (following the example of missionary friends in Mexico whose family discipline over the years has been for each member to give an hour every Saturday after breakfast).


As I pulled weeds in the front garden area, I came to a cherished plant that represents one of the most painful losses we've experienced. The three branches symbolize the precious little ones that were already grandchildren to me and were suddenly removed by the agency from the home inexplicably just before they were to be adopted by our son and daughter-in-law. Grace has carried us all through this trial.


Perhaps one day I will be able to collect all the photos and memories of those many precious Meemaw Moments. For now I have a plant to tend and a discipline to cultivate.

The Rest of the Story

Day five was rainy and more restful, as much as possible with three young boys: movies; naps; a long walk to the gravel pit where the big boys unwittingly got in trouble trespassing on the sand dunes and then had to write a note of apology to Mr. Himelick; and a Lego building session.

During Bible time we learned of the torn kingdom. Jeroboam got the larger portion, the 10 tribes of Israel. And Rehoboam was left with two. He wanted to go fight, but God said "NO" and this time he listened and stayed home.

Elijah changed into his swimming trunks every time he heard the word 'camping'. So by evening we began packing in anticipation.


I think the Charles Deam wilderness camping event on Monroe Reservoir will be "Grandpa Camp." So I will sign off. The rest of the experience can best be enjoyed via Snapfish slide show.

We did continue the Jeroboam saga. Sadly, after a good start he became more concerned about his popularity and began to set his own rules--new feast dates and places of worship, priests from any tribe, and worst of all golden calves! God sent a prophet to warn him and even a sign, when the altar split in half. Haughty Jeroboam raised his hand to order his arrest and his arm began to shrivel up! Then he finally cried out for help and healing. Our prayer was that it would not take such drastic divine intervention to get our attention.

Well, Grandma camp is over. Will we do this again? If God wills...and maybe not so long!

Zoo Day

It was Diane's idea to go to the Fort Wayne zoo.

(Diane is Mike's little sister. She is in her 50's, enjoys living in an apartment alone now, appreciates the staff from Carey Services that make it possible. And most days she is OK with with working at the workshop. She writes me an e-mail every week and then calls to make sure I read it.)

Everyone was up early and excited to go. We picked up Matt, Kayla's friend, and set the GPS to take us to Diane's in Marion and then entered the address of the zoo. Off we went following the directions given by a voice we named Cindy.

The zoo was packed, or at least the parking lots. The weather was perfect and sunny. We sort of naturally separated into three groups and met back at the entrance at appointed times, like lunch and for departure.

Because I walked with Diane or ran after Elijah, my photos are of them or him with the animals real and fake.

Diane offered to take Elijah on the caroussel and they both enjoyed the ride.

A crock pot meal of green beans, sausage and potatoes welcomed us home.

Grandma was too exhausted to oversee evening activities, so the kids own creative imagination took over. The teams took turns putting on "science shows" outdoors, and later variety shows styled after the talent or dance reality programs that have become so popular these days.

One act was a song and dance dressed like Grandma (when she was young and could fit into those dresses!)

Oh, yes, we did have a pre zoo Bible talk. It was about Jeroboam, a very capable young man That Solomon noticed and chose to lead some of his work crews, but then became suspicious of and tried to kill after God let him know that because of his disobedience the kingdom would be taken from him.

It is already Thursday, day 5, and raining...

Stay tuned for the rest of the story. What does God have for us today?

Day Three-Grandma Camp

Our youngest member was the first one up, even after a bad night--crying for mommy and daddy, wetting the bed and a hard time falling asleep. There was time for a rock in the hammock and even a nap with Grandma before waking the others.

Bacon, eggs and a waffle made everybody happy this morning.

Our Bible reading was about the second time God appeared to Solomon (I Kings 9:1-9) in a dream to give him a strong warning (like OJO in Spanish, "Watch out"): If you are honest and follow Me, Iwill keep my promises and more, but if you turn away from Me and my commands and follow after other gods, then...

So, we talked about choices, and things like 'other gods' that could draw us away, trap us. We mentioned the danger of addictions. Skye said, "It's like we should be addicted to Jesus."

Later, this evening before bed we read about Solomon's downfall (I Kings 11: 4-11).

"How could the wisest man on earth go wrong?" asked Malachi.

"Even knowing the right thing to do, he still had to choose," I said.

We talked about the the alliances with foreign nations, the many women from other countries that slowly turned his heart away. He had a "largeness of heart", a very open mind, accepting and tolerant and allowed himself to be led away.

Skye explained about the God-wall illustration at camp and how taking one step at a time toward something that seems no big deal at the time, pretty soon one could have walked away from God. He does not walk away from us.

Well, our adventure of the morning was to explore the woods. And sure enough one step at a time we wandered into unfamiliar territory and could no longer recognize the landmarks. We were lost and did not know which way to turn. Finally we came out on a road and realized we had cut clear through to the other side of our block and would have to walk a mile and a half to get back around.

I, Grandma, decided to jog ahead and drive back for the others. Uncle Stephan arrived when I was almost home and came to our rescue.

The other special visitors came all the way from Denver, Colorado--my brother Aldo and wife Alice. We had a great visit while Elijah napped and the big boys played at Taylor Lake.

Then we all went to Ivanhoe's. Oh, and Aunt Karen and Grandpa joined us too.

So another good day is over.

Tomorrow we go to the Fort Wayne zoo. A big day, we need our sleep. Good night.

Grandma Camp--Day Two

Few and precious are the moments alone, but enough to get ready for the next act.

No sooner was I off the computer, a quick look at any incoming messages, when the big boys came upstairs and began to play dodgeball.

But soon all were up and eating breakfast.

After that the best part of the day--Bible time. We read I Kings 3:4-15, the story of young king Solomon when God asked him in a dream "What would you like me to give you?" (When asked for their response, Skye said a four wheeler and Malachi wished for a good day at the lake.) Each read a verse in turn and we all gained much from the discussion and acting out the story. Here Skye "Solomon" having his dream.

After chores, the activity of the morning was a scavenger hunt in the woods, planned by Kayla.

They set out in teams: the big boys on one, and Kayla and Elijah on the other.

Surprisingly they both arrived back at the same time! Elijah ran the whole time and kept up!




So it was a tie!

And all got treats. Next we went to Taylor Lake for a picnic lunch and a couple hours of water fun.

Then a very needed R & R and serious nap time before going to Stephan's Monday Meal.

This is when the trouble began. Elijah began to miss Daddy and Mommy and cry. At the meal he was distracted by the many children present and they played happily. But soon after the homesickness returned and he had trouble falling asleep.

Will we make it through a week???

And what will we do tomorrow? Taylor Lake again? What else?

More importantly I ask myself at this juncture in my life, if God were asking me "What would you like me to give you?" what would my answer be???

Grandma Camp

Years ago I read about grandparents that invited their grandkids for a week in the summer and carefully planned for their special time together.
This year it just happened. Sam and Kristie are gone to Cornerstone and we have the boys for the week. So why not turn it into a camp-like experience with all four grands. Malachi and Skye experienced their first Miracle Camp earlier this summer, so we will try to follow some of the routines they are familiar with: the Early Show, a devotional time in the morning after breakfast; R & R, which here means Rest and Read; chores, activities and free time.
Today being Sunday, we all went to church and Sunday School. All enjoyed the lesson and fun time. Skye wants to come back next Sunday.
As soon as we walked in after church, the aroma of ribs and potatoes wafted from the oven. Chores went smoothly: the big boys emptied the dishwasher and Kayla and Elijah set the table.
And after the delicious meal it was time for R & R. Skye and Malachi surprised us by reading quietly for more than the required time, and staying in the hammocks set up in the solarium for over an hour! And they had chosen rather challenging chapter books and were able to summarize what they read.

The one who needed to sleep, did in fact have a good nap. Kayla, 16, can be her own boss and is such a help with Elijah.
The afternoon planned activity was the matinee movie and popcorn at Alex Theatre--Wall E complete with a free limited edition of Wall E watches for all children under 12! Lines were long and the place was crowded. It was great fun.
Pizza for supper, hide and seek, showers, stories and now it's bed time. So far so good.
Oh, a few accidents: some broken vases (not the most special ones) and the Christmas tree that was stored in the solarium where the hammocks are, fell twice so we packed it away; and water spilled on the carpet.