Little Cabin in the Woods...

One of our staff members here frequently gives art classes for the staff.  Seeing the amazing art they produce, I have often wanted to join in, but never seemed to be around when a class was announced.  Thankfully I was there when they announced this one - a painting of a cabin in the mountains.  Mountains happen to be my favorite thing to doodle, perhaps it comes from growing up in Colorado :).

The class took many weeks, and at the end of each one I took a photo of my progress for my family to see.  Since it is fun to see how things come together, I thought I'd share it here as well.

Day One: paint wood white, sprinkle sand on it, paint it white again, sketch the outline

Day 2: Mountains and sky

Day 3: Cabin and ground

Day 4: Foliage and texture

Day 5: A bit of greenery and clouds in the valley.  This was the day I began to see clouds as my nemesis. ;)

Day 6: Redo the mountain on the left and the clouds, add some rocks

Second to last day: flowers and grass.  Went back once more after this to touch up a few things and add my "signature" :) but then I had to dash off to the airport, so our teacher added the varnish for me.

And once again, the final product with a camera that is not my cell phone :)

I'm very thankful for a great teacher on my first venture into painting - and for a great God who created such beauty in creation to inspire us.

Growing Pains

"You are probably going through a real growth spurt in the place God had put you. Those times can be painful. Lean on Him."

These past few months have been greatly challenging for me personally and as a leader.  I have come to realize that a lot of what I feel is similar to growing pains, but instead of the physical sort, these are more... spiritual?  So the above message I got in an email the other day was very accurate, and encouraging.

For those who more faithfully check my blog, I apologize for my lack of posts lately.  But as I reflect on these past few months, I realize that it hasn't been due to lack of experiences or ponderings to share.  Rather, I think it might be because there is so much I am processing and figuring out - but, akin to the physical growing pains of an adolescent, it's not something you really want to broadcast.

However, in thumbing through my journal, I did find an entry from a couple months back that expressed one part of this journey I seem to be on.  I share it in hopes that it might help someone else and/or that you might help support me in prayer as I go through this.  Thanks in advance :)

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I'm once again disappointed to find myself identifying with Saul.  While I don't want the responsibility of power of attorney for the mission - at all - I do see the need for me to take it on.  This morning I listened once again to the story of Samuel anointing Saul - but it stood out to me that he didn't tell anyone and then he hid when the time came to be named.  I think I've been acting in a very similar way.  I think fear has combined with some misconception of humility that made it seem ok for me to withdraw from this responsibility.

As I reflected on this, I remembered yesterday the lady from fumigation came to give her talk and how she put the microphone up to the kids for answers to her questions.  I remember being disappointed in how one preteen moved as far away from the microphone as she could when she answered.  I wondered what she would think if she knew how that looked.  And I realized that I have been taking the same awkward position towards my responsibilities as the administrator.  I need to stop.

I think 2 Timothy 1:7 may become my verse for this year: "For the Spirit God gives us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

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The journey seems to be far from over, as God slowly pulls back the curtain for me on ways I still need to grow.  It is hard, very hard some days, and I desperately want to give up from time to time.  But at the beginning and the end of each day, I choose to continue to trust in Him and his ways.  

This is my computer wallpaper for the moment, and a good reminder for me.  Image credit to Velvet Ashes.

Winter/Spring Photos

The time has come once more that my cell phone told me I better get my act cleaned up because I was running out of storage space.  So, here are some photos I'd like to share with you from the last three months, in no particular order.  Enjoy!  

A new addition to the mission property.  I also love the purple jacaranda (ha-kah-rawn-dah) tree in the background!

The elementary school put on a puppet show!  (Video: YouTube Pinocho)

I began to regret my lack of a welcome banner when I went to pick up our executive director from the airport... ;)

I had no idea the Aunt Jemima packaging was so cool until I saw it set up like this in the store.

Some out-of-season rain made for nice rainbows!

An ice-cream advertisement in the produce section. "We're cool too." :)

Beautiful place to call home.

Interesting question....

These Great Value dryer sheets have wondered into the tissue section. Seems like it could be problematic...

For a few weeks our water filtration wasn't working right, so we ordered water from town.

Global Leadership Summit in English - this was when the snowbirds were here and it was a big group.

Painting class I took a part of.  Elaine (striped shirt) is a great teacher and it was great to learn from her.

Cuteness spotted on the commute home. :)

David and his men hiding from Saul in the cave.

The kids always want to read while we wait for the adults to get out of church.

I have a few movies (or... a lot) and the kids come by to borrow them on the weekends. :)

Boys over at my house making cookies and watching a movie.

Valentine's Day festivities in the Dining Hall.