Giving Thanks

 

. . . for two grandsons who had birthdays this week. I borrowed the latest photos I found on FB. Malachi turned 23 on Sunday the 21st, and Zion 12 on Tuesday, the 23rd.

. . . for the ladies Bible Study titled God is for us, Romans 8. Tuesday evening we had our final gathering and shared what we'd learned--stories, testimonies and memory verses.

MeeSun shares concerns about her upcoming trip to Korea to care for her parents.

. . . for Michael able to spend a few days spray painting walls in Stephan and Karen's new house. Their goal is to be in by Christmas.

. . . for Michael being in charge of the Thanksgiving meal. Our family gathered on Friday, which gave us two days to prepare the feast.

. . . for God's providence evidenced in the story of that first Thanksgiving.

Rebecca put together the reminder of the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving
and read the story.

. . . for each family member, those who came and those who couldn't.  I was busy enjoying them and took fewer photos than ever. Wish I had gotten a picture of Michael sharing his thoughts on the Thanksgiving Psalm, Ps. 100. And also of him carving the turkey and serving each person.

. . . for all the family sharing--the good, bad, and the ugly--"in everything give thanks."

 

. . . for the game of Nerts, our family version, the rowdier the better! We hadn't played it in years. Sam is now the champion (sorry, Leah).

. . . for the many expressions of thanks that filled our Thanksgiving Alphabet.

 

. . . for once again being able to meet my next chapter publishing deadline! 

. . . for the discipline and time required to research and write Chapter 19.

What was the highlight of your Thanksgiving?

Rescuing the Old

My plants are all in for the cold weather ahead. I even rescued these from the window boxes, but I don't know what they are. Hmmmm, got it free from the florist's trash.

The rescued memories from my childhood continue to emerge and come together in these bi-monthly installments on the blog My Argentina. Chapter 18, Moves, was published Monday, November 15.

Another ongoing rescue is that of old photographs of Michael's side of the family. When we went to Wisconsin to visit his older brother Terry, we acquired two big boxes of Aunt Gerry's saved photos and documents of all types. I am having fun learning about Michael's family and childhood.

Top left: Jane (Mike's mother) Terry, Aunt Gerry holding baby Mike?
Bottom left: Mike; Right: siblings Terry, Mike, Barb

Top left: Mike, Diane, Barb; Right: teenage Terry and Mike
Bottom left: fun times at Uncle Wilbur's cabin by the lake

BTW, anybody notice something fairly constant about Michael?

Meanwhile, time marches on, cold weather is upon us and Michael is diligently re-purposing dead trees, cutting and splitting wood, preparing for winter. 

I was so glad to see that the first house we lived in is being repaired, renewed, rescued! It sat empty and in disrepair for years.

This week a package arrived containing a set of books that we grew up with as part of our Hirschy heritage--the Little Colonel series. Has anyone out there heard of Annie Fellows Johnston? A prolific children's writer, born in Evansville, IN, in 1863. 

Does anyone else have a penchant for rescuing things?

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"?

Daily Grace

If you came right now, this is what you'd see as you drove in. We welcome you, however you visit, whether in person, by phone, or the internet. I've enjoyed a variety of interactions, and thank you who comment or respond to my posts. It is that time of year when I ask myself why I continue communicating via this blog Is it worth it? Would my time be better spent? Still questioning. 

One purpose is to record the events and highlights of each week.

Tuesday evening, the robotics team had a very successful Open House. The program is ramping up for the 2022 season with several new members. The increased interest is very encouraging.

Michael never lacks work, problems to solve, things to fix here in our house or our kids'.

We got away for a theater performance Friday at Taylor University--The Women of Lockerbie. It was amazingly well done and the bonus of that evening was to hear from the playwright herself. The story was inspired by the events following the crash of Pan Am flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988. I had forgotten that  terrorist attack and had never heard about the "laundry project" that took place seven years later when the women of the town stormed the warehouse where all the effects of the 270 victims were stored, and undertook the task of washing the items and returning them to the families. The play in the tradition of Greek odes, was a very meaningful reflection on grief in its various responses, and emphasized the healing power of community.

Most of the week I worked very diligently on the next chapter of My Argentina story. That is hard work. I am grateful for what I learn from fellow writers. We have a Zoom meeting every Thursday and take turns critiquing one another's writings. This week we looked at a couple Christmas children's book proposals. 

I liked the concept of a Jesus Tree decorated with ornaments that symbolize aspects of Advent--the coming of God into our world to dwell with us in our humanity. Then Saturday at a craft sale, I saw these unique decorations. Perhaps I'll try to have a Jesus Tree this year.

I've been thinking much about the gift of God. Sunday was Reformation Sunday, remembering the great event when Martin Luther took a firm stand against the prevailing religious system which taught earning forgiveness through works or buying salvation. 

Grandson Malachi, gave his first sermon based on Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."

In our own church, I was touched by the message of God's grace in Romans 5:10 "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, . . ." To think that we do not have to fix ourselves, clean up our lives before we come to Him. Indeed we cannot do it on our own. He has already made a way for us while we were still sinners, far from Him. And, not only that, the verse continues, . . . "much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." He helps and enables us to live life fully here and now by His grace. An unspeakable gift indeed.

Speaking of gifts, Samuel our youngest was God's gift to us 43 years ago. I came across this memory. Sam called it "our first picture together."

We were invited to their home for the birthday celebration. 

Probably the best gift of the evening was a very moving song by an old friend who recalled how a memory of Sam-u-el got him through a tough time. Quite a tribute to what God has done in and through Sam.

There were some other sweet moments: Diane enjoyed playing cars with a little guy and his mother; seeing the Hoch family after many years; and, my favorite, the interaction between six-year-old Winnie and Stephan, and her reaction to his jokes, "You're a weird man."

Winnie is quite a spunky little girl. She commandeered my phone to take some of the photos, like this one of the birthday man during the crazy Koch song.

How have you experienced God's grace this week?

Last week of October

 We do enjoy the cozy feeling and fragrance of candles on autumn evenings.

Autumn decor

Fall changes happened almost suddenly. These two pictures of what I see out of my window as I write, compare the color differences between the beginning of the week and the last day. 

Michael went out to blow the leaves that blanketed the driveway. No longer had he finished when it was covered again. We looked out and saw them falling like rain.

Stephan reminded us Monday at his dinner table of his great disappointment when he was a small child. I don't remember this, but he said that I explained that it was the first day of fall, which is when the leaves fall. He looked longingly and hopefully at the trees, but nothing was happening. That memory stayed with him to this day.

For lack of photos, here are two oldies. Christmas cards we sent to family from those early days in Germany.When we arrived at Mike's brother Terry's, he had them sitting out for us.

Christmas 1971, and 1973

I've noticed that often when disposing of old photos and letters, they are returned to the sender. Do you do that too? In my case, I find them meaningful, the messages I wrote long ago help me put together the puzzle of different periods of our life story.

I cam across this photo last week, and it was especially meaningful because my dear cousin Ed, we called him Eddie, passed away October 29. He was only four months older than me. He was recently widowed, and leaves behind a young daughter.

In this photo taken at the time of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration, he is holding our granddaughter Kayla who is now 30-years-old.

Here is a great article and photo: Former Union College President Edward de Rosset Dies at 77.

Michael keeps busy all the time, but lamentably I have no photos to show of his work. The heating system at Stephan's house is complete now! Michael is now feeling the need to begin gathering in wood for our winter supply. Hopefully a couple weeks of decent weather will help.

Saturday I was scheduled to work at the Helping Hand store. I had fun interacting with the clients. This is a Taylor University Korean student who so enjoyed shopping and finding all kind of items that will help him survive his first Indiana winter. Here he is wearing or carrying them in bags or pockets. 

Mid morning, when the crowd had died down, I had a surprise call from a high school classmate in Argentina. What an interesting conversation after sixty years!

I had already agreed to help Kayla with the library Halloween party she was in charge of. Sadly, she was in quarantine and couldn't be there. However, she had planned and prepared so well that we seven helpers were able to pull off a very successful community event.

I was in charge of the station where kids had fun digging for hidden gumballs eyeballs in the spaghetti mess of brains.

Of course, one of my favorite moments was watching great grandson Kalani kicking around the balloons Tamara and I had painstakingly blown up. That was all he was interested in. A future soccer player perhaps?

Rebecca could not be there, of course, but dressed up anyway. I stopped by after and handed some goodies through the door. 

Sunday, we enjoyed a Moriah-meal. Ever since someone gave us these unique plates, we've enjoyed "plated" meals. 

We had a lot of catching up to do. The young engineer is "adulting" quite well! And, of course, we had to play a few rounds of Splendor. 

Wisconsin travels

 A small detail of nature that caught my eye as we strolled through a park during our travels. The pine and colors reminded me of Christmas. The thought comes often now that we are only nine weeks away. It's time to think of the traditional year-end later, greeting cards, and the family calendar I put together each year. Or is it time to give up some traditions?

Meanwhile, preparing for our trip to Wisconsin filled the early part of the week and meant rearranging some routines, but most definitely worth the getaway and the good times we had visiting family and even less known relatives.                                                                                                                                                                                

The main purpose of the trip was to visit Mike's older brother and a sister. However, I put out a message on Facebook offering to meet with relatives in the area. Two first-cousins-once-removed responded eagerly. Both were mere acquaintances and felt like we'd never met, but we realized in conversation that we'd attended a couple family funerals ages ago. We truly enjoyed getting acquainted, sharing family stories and common interests.

Wednesday night we spent at the Ohlingers. Jenn is the granddaughter of my 103-year-old Uncle Dan. 

Pete, Jenn, and Eliana

They have an adopted daughter. She and I enjoyed drawing together and later watching her favorite show. I also watched a Zoom math class in progress. They have nine fun pets too.

Thursday morning we proceeded on to Steven's Point to the older of the Koch brothers. Their cute little Riley gave us a very energetic exuberant welcome. It took him quite a while to settle down. Family fellowship was wonderful. The older we grow, the more precious these times become.

Terry, Sandy, and Riley

Friday's family visit was also very special. We were sad to find Nan in a lot of pain, but glad to bring her some hours of cheer and distraction. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy sharing family stories. We pray for relief from the pain and wisdom on how to proceed. 

Nan and Don Rumlow

If it weren't for the back and knee pain, Nan would be up and about caring for her unusual array of plants, shrubs, and blooms, and her beautiful home.

Purple Essence grasses                             

Saturday morning we strolled along the shores of Lake Winnebago, the water was clear and calm. We could see the other side which reminded Michael of his mother and aunt walking along that ridge and other memories. 

The weather was perfect for the installation of many light displays and wooden figures, the early seasonal decoration of the lakeside park.

As we walked along we came to a statue of Chief Oshkosh. Was that who Mike's late sister Carol had painted? Nan made sure we noticed the treasured painting before we left their house. We miss Carol. Many of the shared stories were about her. 

As we left the park I had to get a picture of the former hospital across the street where both Michael and Sam were born. It is now an apartment complex.

Speaking of son Sam, I liked this action pic that showed up this week on Facebook,  and also a paragraph about his skateboard business.

Life skateboards is the culmination of years & years of hard work, trial & error, jig building, tool design and build, testing, low tech engineering, skating, creating. Years and years in limbo between trying to make Life full time or keep relying on my woodworking, cabinetry, construction background. Life skateboards is literally two dudes in a workshop trying to make the best possible skateboard for every rider, every age, ever . . .

We had some time before the meeting with another little known cousin. Michael wanted to look for the house he had lived in for a time when a young boy, 190 Boyd St. The problem is that so much has changed, including the numbers of the houses. We stopped to ask a gentleman working outside. He'd lived there fifty years and was not aware of different numbers. They talked about Oshkosh places and people they might know in common. As a boy, he remembered going to Koch Sales (the family discount store) in Omro where he got his first maple candies! When Michael mentioned being involved in FIRST robotics as a mentor and his acquaintance with Oshkosh's winningest team, Wave Robotics, the conversation really took off. It happens this man is a mentor on that team! 

Finally it was time for our last visit. Heidi's grandfather, my mother's older brother Harlan lived in Neenah. He was the first of the Hirschy to leave us in his early 70s of a heart attack as he was mowing. Her father, Harlan II, my cousin, also passed away at a similar age and circumstances while shoveling snow. 

Needless to say we had much to learn about each other's lives and families. Surprisingly, we could relate to one another in many areas, and the visit proved delightful, hopefully  only a first. 

Heidi Wyn and Dan Milner

 We headed home and arrived after midnight enjoying a good read, No Compromise, the life story of Keith Green. The entire trip I read aloud, even so we are only 70% through the book. It is captivating and convicting. Now we've begun to listen to his music. We were probably out of the country when he became a sought after Christian musician. 

What are your memories of the Keith Green era and his music?