We were told to love our neighbor. So…these are my marching orders. I never saw where it said that I was supposed to decide whose sins were bigger or more unpardonable.
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Category: children
When our community disintegrated
The “Welcome!” sign out front was not outwardly qualified.
Dual Language Immersion done correctly answers real questions about 21st century education.
It doesn’t take an extensive literature review or an exhaustive tour of programs to see that dual language immersion programs exponentially improve educational outcomes when implemented correctly… So why doesn’t every district in the nation turn to dual language immersion? Why doesn’t every University have a rich Middle Eastern Studies department? One could get the wrong idea.
the story
because perhaps i have been here so long, the story can’t be told without the pictures. and because i have been here for so long, there are so, so many pictures. some so old, you may have seen them before. but regardless, they tell the story of lives. firsts. and of blessing granted. pictures…
August
August is a beautiful time of the year. The rest of the calendar waits for August. Like honey it arrives so slowly, and lasts never quite long enough… but while August is here the indulgences that might have to be stolen the rest of the year are welcome, right and timely. The ice cream outing…
Graduating.
Traveler, there is no road.
Make the road by going.
By going, you make the way
Playing Candyland.
When a 6-year old calls out to you, “Let’s play Candyland!”, how do you respond? Someone in our house is continually trying to throw Candyland away. Trying to convince the kids they are “too old for Candyland,” (whaaat?) Perhaps the most important part of my job these days is saying, “Ok, Candyland, not Uno?” and…
At the Trappist Abbey, my shorty ‘n me
Sunny fall Friday’s are priceless. When the wind is low, the temperature is not too cold and the leaves are all just the right color. It is the best time of year for taking pictures, no other time of year has such color and lighting. I also miss exploring new places desperately, and the opportunities…
No kids
When there are no kids, the dog gets walked. When there are no kids every drawer gets organized. When there are no kids, there are no conversations with the neighbor girl about sitting. When there are no kids, old chores, piles and details scurry from industrious mothers. When there are no kids mom and dad…
Stories from Russia: Easter
The place: One of 20 some ethnic republics inside of Russia, this one with a history going back to the Khans and Turks. Chuvashia. Where even Russian isn’t the first language. A gentle, quiet people with deep hearts. I am visiting their schools, traveling with a staunch senior lady who is first in my eyes…
The Year of Living Domestically
I guess I was about 13 or so when the movie “The Year of Living Dangerously” came out. I watched it and at that point, I pretty much knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a foreign correspondent, a journalist in another country. Well, since I foolishly believed people…
Going back…
I can’t recall how long ago it was, I realized that I really, really really needed to practice being thankful more in order to… I don’t know, fill in the blank, not be angry (long story), be nicer, be more patient, forgive myself, take time to play with the kids… etc. The usual suspects. And…
