Without a Heart

First and second grade work.

That's a very depressing way to start a blog, so, I don't think I'll write any more about that today. Sometimes, a lot is left out in these blogs. My main goal in starting this blog was to share my excitement at making and teaching art in Morocco. Things should be happy, upbeat, boy aren't we having a blast kind of jargon. The medinas are fascinating, the tea delicious and the people amazingly friendly. There ya go, much better.


Then there is the other life I lead....
And yet, you know what? I have had a blast teaching art this fall in Morocco. The kids are really happy in class, some girls ask me every day to start an art club, and I just love passing along a love for creativity. Kids run up to hug me or say hi all day long. They run to me to show me something they have drawn outside of class. Every day I hear a student say, "We get to do it in our own unique style." Bravo! They get it.

Third Grade Camels.

I do want to mention the most hurtful comment expressed to me today. Humor me, it's just a teeny, tiny venting. Basically, it went something like this: "She must have all kinds of free time if she wants to start an art club." I wish we could pause the tape, and someone who is more articulate than I could speak to that spurious, cruel comment. But, life doesn't seem to work out that way, does it, and we don't get to have superman save our day or spiderman wrap the villain in slime and then explain how hard an art teacher really works. Where's that movie?


Where is my wonderful grandson, Caleb, who is Bumblebee Transformer? He'd help his Gigi in a painful situation. 

First Grade portraits.

Tonight, I put up a little artwork of the children with wonderful, grace-filled help from Judy and Karen. They are excellent women  who love Jesus and who are a part of my grace map. I love and thank them for speaking worth and value into what I do and in me tonight. I was in no position emotionally to put up any art tonight, but they gave me the lift I needed to do my best. The show was in conjunction with the "Winter" musical concert. I was invited to show work of the students by the music teachers about 10 days ago.


I didn't want to miss a chance to show off what the kids have been doing.


Bless you, ladies. Even if they didn't mention you from the stage -here's to you tonight! I had a heartless day, but filled with grace from friends.

"The birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it." ~ Frederick Buechner

Enjoy the show!

I have more photos, but I just ran out of storage with blogger.com....more to follow.