Family Christmas

It was very different this year. We did not host the whole family in our home We spent Christmas morning with Diane, just the three of us.

She enjoyed reading the Scripture, even when she did not understand everything.

If you missed the clue on the make-shift Christmas tree in the previous post, here it is. 

Ornament purchased at the Christkindlmarkt

Focus on the journey of the Magi led to the theme of our family gift-giving--the reflection, reenactment, and three gifts per person. 

However, the best gift was presence--time together to relax, share, laugh and get to know one another more deeply. A variety of leisure activities contributed to this family-bonding.

Interestingly, a huge set of markers, found in the building that has become the robotics shop, became a hanging-out centerpiece.

Surprisingly, some of the most unlikely members to choose coloring, sat for hours enjoying the passtime.

 Not surprisingly, this is the page I chose to work on.

The big house's four levels provided a variety of hanging-out spaces.

Loft, upstairs, main floor, basement

 The lovely setting and mild weather allowed for outdoor exercise options.

The young cousins loved spending time together.

So that was our Christmas.
What stood out from the story of the Magi, was how God spoke to them in their language, what they knew best--the stars. Similarly, to communicate with our family members we need to understand how they think, and speak their language.

Come back for the next installment--one more celebration and two more crises. 

Christmas Week--eventFULL

I sit here overwhelmed, trying to process the many events of the past week. Throughout Advent, daily meditations helped me focus on the greatest gift of all time--"the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" and "from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." (John 1:14,16) 

Truly that was our experience--grace upon grace. 

Much time was spent preparing for our getaway December 27-30 to celebrate Christmas and our 50th wedding anniversary together as a family. [Note: We were married on January 31, but that date falls in the middle of the intense robot build-season--never a good time to get away.]

Gifts wrapped and ready for the trip

Tuesday morning we picked up Diane for the scrumptious annual Christmas Eve brunch at Stephan and Karen's.

In the afternoon Diane and I baked cookies from my aunt's recipe. Yummy! Michael is happy to find something in the cookie jar!

In the evening we enjoyed the candle light service. The church was packed; always fun to see visiting family members.

Kayla invited us to join them for food after. She loves to show hospitality. They hosted several family gatherings over the holidays.

Christmas Day we were there again for Leah's chicken and noodles. The day was beautiful, mild and sunny, 60 degrees! The girls (Kayla, Rebecca, Lily and Lucy) and I decided to walk the new trail. It is so close to their house but on the other side of the railroad tracks. On the way back we chose to make our way through the thorny growth and over the tracks. The dogs were okay with that, but Rebecca was not up for the adventure.

That evening, after a delicious steak dinner (Omaha Steaks from Jimmy and Leah), we enjoyed the Walkway of Lights on the way to Diane's apartment in Marion.

Thursday, as I was busy preparing food for our outing, it was fun to see Stephan interviewed about his upcoming ice festival in Carmel.

We promised to provide the first evening meal. So I went crazy preparing a Christmas-type meal ready to heat and eat.

My first-ever pecan pie

Meanwhile, whenever possible, Michael was sorting, rearranging, making order out of chaos in the electronic area of the robotics shop. 

Friday noon we set off for our family getaway in Demotte, two or three hours away.

It seems every year we have need of a Christmas miracle. This year we experienced three crises, and again God was with us--grace upon grace!

The first was when Sam called and said their family might not make it (that's one third of our members to occupy the 8-bedroom house!). Water gushing in the garage, a serious leak under the house, had him baffled. Would he have to dig deep to find the problem? Father and son were on the phone a few times. By God's grace, the source of the problem was discovered and resolved in time for them to join us that night.

The two celebrations and the other two crises deserve posts of their own. So I leave you with only these two questions.

Our make-do Christmas tree holds a clue to the theme of this year's gift-giving. Can you guess?

This lovely decoration, also made on the spot for the surprise our children planned, is surrounded by an item I brought. What is it?

Advent Week Three

I am so grateful for Sundays when Mike does not go to the Matthews shop to work, and we get to spend time together. The Christkindlmarkt in Carmel was our destination that afternoon and we had a delightful time despite the cold. 

Pyramide and the crowds, a German village and train, ornament of the Magi, 2019 Christkindlmarkt mug

Oh, the memories that surfaced from nearly 50 years ago when we were first married and lived in Germany. Then I picked up a magazine in the Kulturecke (culture corner) and read all the way home, articles about Nurnberg and Vienna, Austria, cities where we lived in those early years.

Monday evening at Stephan's we continued the Jesse tree ornament project. Can you label each one?

We had a significant snowfall at the beginning of the week. I was grateful that it did not keep me from traveling to Winona Lake Tuesday. I visited Mother and attended her care plan conference. She is doing her best to hang in there and enjoy what she can at her age and with her limitations.  However, there've been moments of confusion lately. We're grateful for the caring people who look after her, and for a new roommate, someone she knew from church. 

Milder days followed. I spend a lot of time at the computer. This was the view one day, the snow gone and a colorful visitor at work, also pecking away.

Most writing has to do with the Christmas season--the wonderful connections and communication that takes place this time of year. And, of course, preparations for the holidays take up most of my time. However, our little group of writers still got together on Friday, shared finger foods and another delightful chapter by one of our members.

Immediately after, I rushed to the nearby elementary school for Rebecca's performance in the Christmas program. Parking was crazy and the gym was overcrowded with all the doting family members, grandparents, and great grandparents (that's me!). 

I followed Rebecca's Kindergarten class to her classroom and met her teacher, whose parents serve on the current O.M. ship and have stayed in our home!

Rebecca and Mrs. Shively

Did you know that Saturday was National Short Girl Appreciation Day? I didn't till after the fact, but it was a very appropriate day to act as one of Santa's elves that day to and help deliver Christmas gifts and food to struggling families. Our church has been involved in this program for many years, but this was my first time to participate in the very well organized process--choose a name, buy appropriate gifts; join a fun evening of gift-wrapping with friends, and cookies; a morning of delivering to homes, our CARriages filled to to the max.

We are not hosting the whole family at our house this Christmas; perhaps that has allowed me to be involved in other experiences. Add to that the fact that Michael is gone most of the time. 

Sunday afternoon, we stopped by the shop and he showed me what he's been working on as the deadline for build-season draws near. Hopefully everything will be in order and working by January 4 so they can take off running.

Michael installed additional heaters and built a whole dust collection system with intakes for each machine.

Heater; dust collection system

After all the rest of the stuff was brought in from storage, everything needed to be sorted and allocated. So, the place was a mess again, after the initial very presentable look for the open house events.

Machine shop 

I was impressed with the organization achieved so far.

Assorted materials, belts pulleys, and wheels

And I asked a lot of questions about the machines accumulated over the years--an impressive amount of tools.

Mill; wood band saw
sand blaster, powder coat spray booth and oven

To think that only three years ago, the shop moved into a newly built facility in Madjax. We trust there will be no more rushed seasons like this. We are really appreciating the closeness of the new headquarters, only 10 minutes for us. Unfortunately for several other mentors, it's their turn to make the longer drives.

Wishing you all a joy-filled Christmas!

Advent Week Two

More symbols of Christmas came out this week and found their place on window sills.

The week began with more seasonal events: the beautiful choir rendition at church; fall dance recital at Cornerstone for the Arts where Kayla teaches many classes; and the Taylor University Chorale and Symphony Orchestra concert. Whew, that was a lot in one day! Michael didn't go to the dance recital, but I just couldn't miss it.

To watch Kayla herself dancing a contemporary number with her students, go HERE.

The after-Monday-Night-Dinner Jesse-Tree project has been so much fun. I wonder what creative activity we could do after Advent. . .

Jesse Tree as of December 9. Mike and Rita's contributions.

The story of another family-member's creative passion and skills aired this week on Journey Indiana. Watch  Handcrafted in Indiana to learn more about our son Sam!

Wednesday, at the last minute, we attended Delta High School's fall concert. We had a front row seat, but couldn't see Elijah. This is the one glimpse of our handsome grandson walking off the stage carrying his trumpet.

Jude was sick with the flu, couldn't go to school. Sam and Kristie both had to work, so I spent the day with him. The chimney cleaner was due to come. I was rather fascinated with the process and his stories. He found a long-dead duck and explained that when travelling they tend to rest on chimneys because of the warmth, but they are clumsy and if they fall in often cannot get out.

Chimney sweep at work and the dead duck he retrieved

Strangely, I have no pictures of Jude, but we had fun playing games, piano duets and watching some shows. He seemed to be on the mend.

Moriah's last final was due Friday at 10, then she spent the day with us sharing work, meals, and fun. She cut wood with Michael in the morning, helped me decorate in the afternoon, and packed her things. We even watched a movie together before she left that night.

La despedida (The farewell) 

Michael continues to work every day at the shop in Matthews. Robot build-season begins in a mere three weeks and there is still a lot to do. Saturday was a work day and those present managed to finally move everything in from the storage building next door. Now they must sort, arrange and find a place for each item.

I had errands to run, but also was able to watch Rebecca's last day of a four-week basketball camp. Her group of the youngest did not play games, only practiced skills such as dribbling the ball and jumping (by far her favorite).

Advent anticipation accelerates as the days go by, so does the busyness. May we not lose sight of the wonder of the Incarnation--God with us!

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!