This unassuming little pot of pansies has been through quite a lot. It's spent the entire winter on my deck and thus has endured multiple heavy snowfalls, weeks of temperatures in the teens, incessant rain and endless heavy morning frosts. And yet, here it is, blooming its little heart out. I am inspired! I see this pot every morning as I stand at the kitchen sink and ponder what may lie ahead for me and my family in the next 6 months. Our state budget is a disaster and cuts to our schools are going to be deep. Jess is only a "provisional" employee. In Oregon, teachers must have 3 years under their belts before they have a "continuing" contract--this is only her 2nd year. So her job will most likely disappear. My job, as well as Wally's, may very likely disappear. We are committed to "not being anxious about anything" and we will endeavor to "give thanks in everything" and by His grace will bloom in spite of our circumstances.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hope Springs Eternal
This unassuming little pot of pansies has been through quite a lot. It's spent the entire winter on my deck and thus has endured multiple heavy snowfalls, weeks of temperatures in the teens, incessant rain and endless heavy morning frosts. And yet, here it is, blooming its little heart out. I am inspired! I see this pot every morning as I stand at the kitchen sink and ponder what may lie ahead for me and my family in the next 6 months. Our state budget is a disaster and cuts to our schools are going to be deep. Jess is only a "provisional" employee. In Oregon, teachers must have 3 years under their belts before they have a "continuing" contract--this is only her 2nd year. So her job will most likely disappear. My job, as well as Wally's, may very likely disappear. We are committed to "not being anxious about anything" and we will endeavor to "give thanks in everything" and by His grace will bloom in spite of our circumstances.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Math in Action
Several years ago I made Jess a quilt from some fabric that had assorted tea cups as its theme. I did some "fussy cutting" to adapt the fabric to a quilt pattern. Tea time is a favorite ritual for her and I thought this would be a fun thing to curl up with as she sipped tea and read her current book pick. Little did I know it would be used in a classroom as an example for a math lesson. How cool is that?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wake Up Call
Winter in the Pacifc Northwest is long and dark....very, very dark. I am just beginning to see a hint of daylight cresting above the horizon in the mornings when I arrive at work at 7 am. Of course this will only last for about 2 weeks because the powers that be have chosen to set our clocks ahead an hour a month earlier than in years past. So when I arrive here at 7 am, it will really only be 6 am and I will be plunged back into darkness yet again. But I'm not bitter...much.
This morning as I got out of my car, I was delighted to hear several birds singing heartily in the stand of trees next to the parking lot! Spring is on its way! But will the time change cause them to rethink their concert? I hope not. It's music to my ears.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Happy Anniversary...
No, not ours...Boomers! Everyone in Bellingham knows that February is Boomer's Anniversary sale, all burgers on the menu are only $2.89...all month! Boomers is the last of the "old style" drive-ins left in town and is a treasured Bellingham icon. So Saturday we stopped by for our annual burger/shake deal and then walked it off at Lake Padden. It was a beautiful day, cold but with hints of spring if you were looking for them!
Fungus Among Us
Sun on the water!
Yin and Yang....Up or Down!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Mission Field
Missions Fest Vancouver '09 took place this last weekend. This is a yearly event held at Canada Place which takes place over 3 days and brings together Christians from all corners of the world for the express purpose of informing each other of what amazing and powerful things God is doing around the world. It is a highlight of our year. We spend all day Saturday there, from 7 am until 10pm listening to speakers, attending workshops and visiting the plethora of booths and chatting with the workers who are living out their faith in very practical ways. I always come away with mixed feelings: encouraged by the knowledge that God is truly at work and somewhat discouraged because I want to do more than what my circumstances allow.
The highlights this year were the plenary sessions and seminars of Mark Buchanan, Joseph D'Souza and Marie Ens. http://www.missionsfestvancouver.ca/plenary.cfm
Mr. D'Souza was a passionate, articulate advocate for the Dahlits (the untoucables) of India. It is his goal to "free" this generation of Dahlit children from this entrenched scourge of slavery that has held them in its grip for 3,000 years. No small task, as this involves educating and employing 40% of a population that has never had access to either of these things until now. And it requires a monumental shift in how India's people view their creation. They are taught that God creates people according to a caste system into which one is born and from which one can never escape. Join me in praying for him, for them and for India.
Marie Ens was nothing short of delightful. At 74 she has returned to Cambodia where she and her husband served for 40 years until his early death. At 65 her missions agency asked her to retire, which she did. But she decided to return to Cambodia on her own because she felt God was not done with her yet. She now oversees an orphanage which cares for and educates the millions of children who are abandoned or rescued from sexual slavery. She is often referred to as the "Mother Teresa of Cambodia." Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious.
And Mark Buchanan painted a very different picture of China than what we viewed during the Olympics in Bejing. Every culture has its dark side, and China is no exception. Because of their "one child" mandate, their country has a huge population of men who will never find a mate. Orphanages are full of abandoned children who receive little or no care. The needs are overwhelming.
I am convicted. I live a life of ease and comfort and like most Americans, I have imagined my "retirement" would fit the common mold of living out my remaining years puttering about. I'm rethinking this view and wondering if God could use me somewhere else. I can hold and comfort and love babies. There are lots and lots of them all around the world desperately needing these very things. Although our resources won't go very far in this country, we could easily live in other countries on the small retirement income we will have. We shall see what transpires. All He asks for is a willing heart!
The highlights this year were the plenary sessions and seminars of Mark Buchanan, Joseph D'Souza and Marie Ens. http://www.missionsfestvancouver.ca/plenary.cfm
Mr. D'Souza was a passionate, articulate advocate for the Dahlits (the untoucables) of India. It is his goal to "free" this generation of Dahlit children from this entrenched scourge of slavery that has held them in its grip for 3,000 years. No small task, as this involves educating and employing 40% of a population that has never had access to either of these things until now. And it requires a monumental shift in how India's people view their creation. They are taught that God creates people according to a caste system into which one is born and from which one can never escape. Join me in praying for him, for them and for India.
Marie Ens was nothing short of delightful. At 74 she has returned to Cambodia where she and her husband served for 40 years until his early death. At 65 her missions agency asked her to retire, which she did. But she decided to return to Cambodia on her own because she felt God was not done with her yet. She now oversees an orphanage which cares for and educates the millions of children who are abandoned or rescued from sexual slavery. She is often referred to as the "Mother Teresa of Cambodia." Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious.
And Mark Buchanan painted a very different picture of China than what we viewed during the Olympics in Bejing. Every culture has its dark side, and China is no exception. Because of their "one child" mandate, their country has a huge population of men who will never find a mate. Orphanages are full of abandoned children who receive little or no care. The needs are overwhelming.
I am convicted. I live a life of ease and comfort and like most Americans, I have imagined my "retirement" would fit the common mold of living out my remaining years puttering about. I'm rethinking this view and wondering if God could use me somewhere else. I can hold and comfort and love babies. There are lots and lots of them all around the world desperately needing these very things. Although our resources won't go very far in this country, we could easily live in other countries on the small retirement income we will have. We shall see what transpires. All He asks for is a willing heart!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Hats Off To Spring....
I know, I know, it really isn't spring. And if I were in doubt, all I have to do is open the door and let in the raging, bitterly cold wind that's currently blowing its top out there.
But inside, it's toasty and warm and I just finished my newest knitting project: a fun "flower" hat, and it appears I finished it just in time!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Times They Are A'Changin'
Last week my school district sent over an "accounting" expert to brief our staff on the district's new "energy savings" policies. Gone are our coffee makers, small fridges, space heaters, etc., and we've made an arrangement with Joe's Garden down the hill to use all their old corn husks for TP! Just kidding...about the last part, but not the first!
With all this knowledge in mind, John and I arrived on Tuesday morning to find that the temperature in the library was a balmy 52 degrees! Apparently, they are also cutting back on heat. By then end of the day (3:30 pm) the temp had risen to a steamy 64 degrees. Shades of things to come.....
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