40 Days to 40 - Day Six

ESL

I've been teaching English since I was 24 years old. My first class was during college, teaching a group of high school girls, all international exchange students from South America at a most reputable private school in Winnipeg. My second semester student teaching brought me to a group of Paraguayan Mennonites, all low German speakers, in a small prairie town. From there I spent my first year teaching grade three students in China. Back in Canada I taught college EAP, business professionals, immigrant classes, private school and more. Then back to China again as a college teacher and high school teacher. From there my 10 year journey of edutainment began in Taiwan. Since leaving Taiwan, I haven't been teaching, but I'm thankful to keep in touch with students and for little pockets of opportunity God gives. I love teaching and now focus on teaching language skills to my little ones :) Though they don't seem to need much help ;)

It below comic cracks me up! I've seen it on FB before, and just saw it again and had a good chuckle.

40 Days to 40 - Day Five

I saw a pink rainbow tonight. Amazing. The rainbow reflected the incredible pink fire sky sunset we had tonight. Our sunsets this month have been nothing short of spectacular. God's amazing handiwork in vibrant form. Our apartment may be humble, but the sunset view we have makes our place feel like a mansion - and tonight a pink rainbow framed our little home.

I'm thankful for the surprises in each day - God's wonders and what wonders await!

40 Days to 40 - Day Four

40 Days to 40 - Day Three

Chicken Soup

My mom makes the best homemade chicken soup and it's something that I myself have been trying to perfect. I love making chicken soup from scratch and the reward of a bowl of that goodness. Everyone in our family loves it, too. Jeremiah always says, "My favourite!" whenever I serve it.

While at home over Christmas, my mom taught be one big step in her soup making that I've been missing - straining the broth. What a difference it's made. I make my soup with lots of ginger, and I added lots of ginger today as both kids are getting over colds. After taking the chicken out of the big pot, I strained the broth. The clarity and flavour could be seen already in the beautiful picture in the bowl after the filtering process.

I though of what a blessing it is to strain or filter things in life as that also brings clarity and more flavour. My 30s have been a decade of filtering and I'm thankful for the clarity that brings to each day. Thought of that while looking at that broth today!
The soup was enjoyed! May I continue to filter the broth of life! Lord, continue to be my filter!

40 Days to 40 - Day Two

Day two was a winter day in California. By "winter day" I mean a day of clouds, rain and what was missing the most was the sun. We have sun every day in this land - it's pretty amazing! A glimpse of heaven indeed! So on a day without sun it was nice to be lazy at home, but I'm thankful that sun is scheduled to shine again tomorrow. :)

The kids and I had a day at home because of the weather and also because they were a little under the weather. I was in nesting mode again, so I did more organizing and then organizing again. We've been in our little apartment here in CA for just over a year, but things are piling up and with a small space, I need to be on top of things.

Daniel continues to do his drawings which are such a fun memory blend of creativity, heart, insight and skill for our family. I love the one he did for today. He titled it, "It Takes 4.5 to Tango" :)

May we as a family continue to dance as God leads!

40 days to 40 - Day One

I've had this little series of posts in mind for a while now! It's 2015 and I'm turning 40! In 40 days from today to be precise :) It's a new decade to jump into, leap into, bound into and pray into! Much is on my heart.

I look back at my 30s and marvel beyond marvel at all they held. I danced into my 30s with the most incredible birthday celebration a girl could ask for. It was a decade of amazing friendships, finding love, engagement, marrying my best friend, grieving for the loss of our first child, joying in the dancing of two more children, missions and continued ministry in Taiwan, teaching on TV and the radio, writing, a new mom community, family health challenges, adventures, trips, trusting and transitions. And that's just the beginning!

Now at 39 (and I'll say that as long as I can - which is just 40 more days) the fantabulousness of a new decade awaits. My hearts beat within - that second heart being our new little baby that I should be birthing just after turning 40!

Today we went to the beach and I walked along the water gazing at God's ocean. That's truly one of my favourite things to do.

We had a family movie night and I loved watching the kids expressions and interpretation of things. We watch one movie in sections for our Sunday family movie nights. As a kid, Sunday was always movie night in our home. We'd usually watch "The Wonderful World of Disney" and I was stuck sitting on the bean bag :)

I know this is a random post, but that's what these next 40 days are about. I hope to share something each day - random, meaningful, visual or even just a word or two.

OK! Here we go!

Crazy!

I haven't posted on this blog in over a year and a half! Crazy! It's been a time of transition for our family! Transition from Taiwan to North America, to a new home in California. Transition from an incredible community to finding new community. From two kids at home to soon having three! From heart strings and heart sings! I

t's good to check on the blog again and write a few words. Below I'll post our Christmas update letter from 2014 to fill in some of the gap time. Though I've not been writing, I have been discovering purple peppers! Praying for God's help to keep finding them each day!

December 2014

Dear Family and Friends!

We send sunny greetings from California, our new home, where we find ourselves writing these words to all of you. This year however, we’ll be celebrating Christmas in the winter wonderland of Ontario! It will be our first Christmas as a family in Canada, and Andrea’s first Christmas at home in twelve years. There are many jingles of joy ahead!

It’s definitely been a year of transition for us as a family. In October 2013, after a decade of life there, we left Taiwan trusting in the Lord for a new adventure ahead. We enjoyed time with both sides of our family and got some good rest with our arrival back to North America. In November, Daniel got a job offer in California, and so God clearly directed our steps here. We bought a car and ventured to our new location. Daniel started working at Emmanuel Faith Community Church as a Multimedia Designer in December 2013. Last year we were blessed to spend Christmas in Washington State with Daniel’s family.

Our year in California has been one of fun in the sun! We are enjoying our close proximity to the ocean! Beach visits provide hours of entertainment for all. We’ve also had many visitors including dear friends from Taiwan, and family and friends in the area. Our parents have also visited. Andrea’s parents celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with a visit in April. In August we spent a week at Daniel’s big family reunion with his immediate and extended family on the picturesque shore of Cannon Beach, OR.

Daniel has been enjoying his work at church. He had many video and photography projects this year to celebrate our church’s 75^th anniversary. A challenge he gave himself for this year was to draw a picture a day on his iPad. You may have seen some of his work on facebook. The drawings are now a special collection for all of us. Andrea’s schedule is full in the title of mama! She’s been active with a MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) group and enjoys forming new friendships.

Jeremiah turned three in March. He’s growing up and becoming such a big boy! He’s into Thomas the Train, airplanes, cars, and working on his funny faces. In Sept. he started going to preschool two mornings a week – a challenge he was most ready for! Selah turned one in February. It’s been a super charged year of growth for her from crawling to walking to talking! Well, spouting words anyway J She is a joy beam shouting “HI!” to all in her path and dancing to every beat. She loves bubbles, bouncing and bananas! She’s also going to be a great big sister. Yes, we are expecting another little one! We are so thankful for this gift of life. We hope to meet our new little Bastke bundle in March 2015.

We’ve learned a lot in this past year with the challenges and the joys. Thank you for continuing to journey with us. May you have most blessed Christmas and experience the fullness of God’s hope, joy and peace in the new year.

Love,

Daniel, Andrea, Jeremiah and Selah

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.