Tea Party in a Box

 I'm going back now to the week that our kids left for Indonesia.

With new restrictions, plans for that week got changed again and again,

as we tried to figure out how to say our family goodbyes.

One of them, being a surprise cousin tea party for Makenna.

I decided to put together the ingredients needed

and send them along for a party with her friends overseas.

It was actually a lot of fun, given the initial disappointment, especially when I realized that her friends there had never had such a party. I had a large tin box. Inside I put three teacups with wrapped cookies tucked into the inverted cups, tea and sugar cubes.

For a craft, I bagged dried flowers and pine cones etc. from our garden.

Two different combinations, one woodsy and one floral.

Also, essential oils to enhance the scent and small organza sacs.

I did a practice run of what they could create.

It all fit into the tin like it was made for exactly that. 

The note included a recipe for scones and ideas for tiny sandwiches.

We both teared up when I handed it to her,

realizing that out of an initial disappointment,

something maybe even better had come about. 

Coming Full Circle

Looking at them as we made our way to the gate and last farewell,

it looked like they were ready to go once more as a family of five,

Tehya carrying someone's carry-on on her back,

willing herself to let her family go.

I felt a subtle shift I can't quite put into words,

my daughter being the mother -

in the goodbye that spans the ocean.

Of course a mother can't forget

the feeling that seems like it will be forever,

so it came as a surprise to me that 

life has truly come full circle.

Tehya came home with us.

She and Papa cleaned up leaves and then put up lights.

On Sunday we went for a hike in the rain.

It's so surreal to me that the toddler we left at the gate in 2004

is now a young lady,

adventurous, confident, thoughtful, beautiful

and she's happy to spend time with us.

I keep saying it, like I'm surprised,

She knows us!

Even with the passing of time,

this college girl will keep us young

as much as she loves that we are old,

a paradox of sorts.

We love this girl who made us Papa and Grammy.

 

Wrapping up our Family Time

The corona virus has thrown us all into an ocean of oncoming waves, paralleling our emotions. Earlier this year it called for people to return to their home country. This is what brought our Indonesia family home at the end of March,  We prepared a place for them to quarantine and waved to them as they drove up with a truck that had been left at the airport for their use. A strange welcome home.

Spring time had us learning new ways to communicate. There was the first zoom meeting, the delivery of Easter baskets to each home, gathering around the fire pit in family units. Mother's Day came around and we thought we may be almost through this time. My best gifts were hugs from my family in just another outdoor setting.

As time moved on we had one of the best summers!  With several family members working together, we had a lot of contact with each other anyways, so our home was a good meeting place - I can say it has been well initiated! Chris and Paeton had numerous projects going here, including a pickle ball court, a skateboard ramp and a tree house. Never before have all of our families lived so close to us for such an extended time and we made the most of it. I truly have many times felt like I was surfing the crest of a beautiful wave, enjoying one day at a time.

The highlight was that we could end our time together with a Thanksgiving meal, all at one table. We did not know at the time that the visas were on their way and that rules for getting together would also be changing. Yes, this farewell week is reminiscent of early spring, yet with hearts full of so many memories. By now we all understand that the call for our missionary family to return is embedded in their being and it's only right to keep doing what we can, some of us giving, some of us going.

I'd like to think that one day we will think of this year as standing out in a unique way, one of being creative and intentional even in our masks, awkward waves and bubbles. I want my grandchildren to remember that special days were not forgotten. A drive by birthday parade, cookies or meals at the door, backyard parties or tea party ingredients packaged in a box ... for all the ways we found replacements for plans that had to be changed and for all the ways that love found a way, I am most thankful and blessed!

A Year Later - And Window Views

 

One year ago we were very happy to see the house taking shape

and looking forward to getting it closed in for the winter.

Every new stage had it's own excitement. 

I look back now and realize we were in a different world,

no idea how many things would change.

In saying so, I have to say it's been a year in which we've faced

many joys and good surprises. 

We've also faced hard and unusual things,

disappointments and fears.

We all have. 

I believe that we have had to learn not too think that we know

what will happen.

Seasons in a new home take on new views as well.

I see the dining room from the kitchen and 

continually my eyes fix on the beauty just outside the window.

God's art displayed. 

His faithfulness in the seasons.

There is something about them

that allows me to rest in His promises.

And my heart fills with gratitude for all the good I've been given

even in a time of questions, things I don't like,

and unexpected events.

These are my window views

into the beauty of this season.

A Happy Fortieth for Kristal

It was probably late summer when Shaun asked if he,

 with Kristal's friends, could plan a surprise party in our back yard.

It all sounded great when the weather was nice,

but seeing how it changed so quickly, we ended up adding a tent to the back shop

to open it up to a large space. 

The day of the party there were many hands involved, coming and going,

putting up lights and  decorating.

A friend of Kristal's lent her decor pieces, which filled up the bare walls.

Photos were strung in frames and onto bunting banners.

The shop/tent was dramatically changed just with that!

Add the food

(with a tong for each guest)

and we were ready!

The kids could hardly wait for mom to arrive,

blindfolded, not knowing where she was being taken.

The blindfold was taken off on the driveway 

and as she came down toward the tent

we sang Happy Birthday ...

raindrops feeling like happy tears in that moment.

It turned out to be a beautiful night, celebrating our girl, 

born on our fifth wedding anniversary.

It makes me smile how she has always loved parties,

starting from the day she was born.

She is one who reaches out to everyone,

and makes friends wherever she lives.

I always feel special when they find out I'm her mother

because I know she is loved.

Photo credits for most of these shots go to Chris. 

 

Forty Five Years

I'm beginning to see how one day, when it's all been said and done, 

we'll wonder at the brevity of it all ...

but for now I'm grateful for forty five years and even more!

God has been with us each step of the way,

catching us when we fell, 

sometimes having to carry us ...

growing, stretching and strengthening us to this day

where we see He's given more blessings than we can count.