Small moments of daily life

Great Wall

Vocation, Service, Blessing of Life

Inspired to make something quick.
This verse continually resonates in my memory.
Every unsure transition in life. (Coming home.)
When I think of people in my life who feel lost.
Every time I feel a little useless...
We are not lost or useless. 
We can and should find certainty in HIM.
 Our lives are a gift.
A gift we can give back. And shine.
Whatever we find ourselves doing,
we can ask HIM for help to bless it
and to give us the strength to persevere.
So serve and shine on.

.

Children of G-d

These are forever in my heart and pr-yers.
I will miss them.
We know we will see each other again.

Saturday Evening Song

Dog pile of pictures (2) Life is life

Illustrations and Imitations

Somehow, this got sketched on the whiteboard
during a social studies group presentation.
I may or may not have encouraged the creativity...
only after class was over.
Kids know just what to write to make me smile sometimes.

One of my students gave this to me.
It's me alright. "Just go."
Now I know what I sound like to my students
during class time..."let's keep moving guys"
Pretty creative, Sally. Keep on.

 

Pre-Thailand Vacation Music

Funny what happens when you adjust the speed and pitch 

of a recording like I did for the second one.

The first recording is clean and edit free!

It's a good thing I'm about to fly off to Thailand

otherwise this cabin/city fever I'm feeling
will produce more songs than pictures.

Much love. Be well.

Hot Pineapple Tang

A normal school night...
Niemi family, this one's for you.
There's nothing that feels so Chinese, 
yet so American to me
as drinking hot pineapple TANG from
my baby Thor party cup, all the while, thinking of you
and wanting to play liars dice.

Art Wednesday!!!

We worked with different levels of light/shading.
Light, Meduim, and Dark.
I printed a halftone poster out onto 16 sheets of paper
and gave each student 2 sheets to color
with 3 different crayons.
Yellow (light-small dots), Orange (medium sized dots),
and Blue (dark-big dots).
When they are done, I will put all of the pieces together.
Should be a unique experience for them.
Until then, they get to stare at my example piece, hmhm. 

I've always like to imagine and create.
I hope that it rubs off on my students.

Cheers!

A wee bit of music

Don't worry, I didn't tune the guitar...
Be sure to listen up for a phone ding somewhere in the middle...

New Year...Old Summer Palace

Shenma? You rented a car?!

A friend of mine, took me on a quick trip
outside the crazy Beijing city limits for my birthday.
So cold. So bright. So fresh. So good.

A time or two ago, I took many pictures to document 
places HE's allowed me to see and experience. 
Time to bring the foot photos back around.
Thank you, Creator for your/my life
your love and your light.
Continue to guide me feet in your ways.

Parties, Programs, and Praise.

Friday night entire school program.
My kids (5th and 6th) are middle-front
saying their lines.
I'm kneeling down in the front,
trying to lighten the mood and ease their nerves.
They did a super job. It was such a ble.ssing
of an opportunity for all involved.

Saturday night program for all of our
Chinese friends from studies.
We presented the Chr.stmas story in dual language.
It was also another amazing thing to be a part of
and witness through to friends, brothers and sisters.
I was one of three musical (uke/cajon playing) shepherds.
We were a bit of comic relief. It was way fun.
PRAISE HIM.  

A small Beijing Chris.tmas

Student made (teacher hung) classroom decorations.
My kids did a beautiful job brightening our little room
and keeping our moods cheerful in the long days before vacation. 

A package from home.
I could feel the love and smell
the sweet fragrance of home during the holidays.
Never without a "Happy Birthday Je.sus!"
Thanks Mom and Dad. I love you.

Feeling festive at school.
A recess shot of our Beijing winter so far...
no snow, just cold.
It's snowing a little in our apartment. :)

Hill and my tree in the apartment.
Festive graphic.

Mom, one of these little cast iron squirrels is for you.
I'll keep him hostage with me for now.
I'm alive and well...
Hope you and your loved ones are warm,
 filled with love, joy, and peace
and are reminded of the greatest GIFT in days to come.