WHAT are you?

So, I am introducing Still Life to my high school students.  We went though the still life paintings preserved by Vesuvius near Pompeii.  Then, went on to the Protestant Reformation and consequential ban on all religious artwork, which created the need for Christians to express their beliefs through allegory and symbolism as oppose to traditional religious iconography.  Thus, the "vanitas" or symbolic still life paintings of the 17th Century: 

Willem Claeszoon Heda, Breakfast Table with Blackberry Pie (1631)

We discussed the meaning behind specific flowers and objects often used in these paintings.  Then, we looked at and discussed some more modern still lives and what they may mean.  

Paul Cezanne, Still Life With a Basket (Kitchen Table) 1890-95

Audrey Flack, Wheel of Fortune, 1977-78

Last, we wrote about what we would put in "our" still life, to represent the life we live right here and now...which got me thinking - what would go in "my" still life?  And, while birds are not typically in still lives, I just couldn't help myself.

What would represent you today?

Busy Week!

I just got home from the "Jumble Sale" at school!  It is SOOOOO hot today!  I was disappointed to read on the weather channel that it is only 94 degrees - but it says that it "feels like" 104 - I thought it felt more like 204!  Here are some students - so cute!  I always love seeing students out of school - when I don't have to be so "teacher-y."

And here are some of the teachers!

This week at the orphanage, we talked about texture and did some "rubbings" of different things.  We used these really cool multi-colored crayons that Dad sent me from J&M!

The eighth grade is working on a really cool project! They have come up with characters for a "movie" and a scene that they belong in.  After they were finished, I put them in random groups to come up with a "script" based on only the characters and scenes in their groups - I can't wait to see what they come up with!  Here is the class and some of the characters and scenes:

So, they look pretty cool!

Also.....I think that my sisters are coming to visit me!!!! Please pray that their visas, passports, and tickets all come through in time!!! Yay!

"The heart of a man 

plans his way,

but the Lord 

establishes his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

This proverb changed something about the way I pray.  I think I have always asked for the Lord to show me that one exact path that He "set apart" for me.  I've spent too much energy trying to find that one specific place that He wants me to be in.  I am learning to give more credit to the choices and freewill that God has given me.  I think there are lots of ways my path can go that will glorify the Lord.

"The PATH of righteousness is level;

you make level the way of the righteous."

Isaiah 26:7

"Your word is a lamp onto my feet 

and a light unto my PATH."

Psalm 119:105

Now, I need to keep my heart and mind focused on Truth, let my heart plan the way, and wait and trust the Lord to establish my steps.

"I will WAIT for the Lord...

...and I will HOPE in Him."

Isaiah 8:17

Video from Spring Musical!

Untitled from Lauren Johnston on Vimeo.

Just another day...

You know, Kindergarten this morning...

We made abstract paintings last week, 

...and scratched the Spring rain (or just the "rainy season" here) and flowers :)

Sixth grade is finally finished with their heaven sculptures! They wrote about them, and presented to the class.

One student wrote: "In Heaven, there is no awkwardness."

Another:

The sculptures are now complete with golden streets,

beaches(do you see the lounge chair?!),

mini churches,

Skateboard ramps over the buildings,

elevators, motels,

and floating houses!

My high school classes are working on integrating drawings of their hands into a "Surrealist" scene.  They are turning out pretty cool.

Happy Tuesday from Ghana!

My Rights!

"Am I not FREE?....

This is my DEFENSE, 

to those who would examine me.  

Do we not have the right to eat and drink?

...BUT...

we endure anything rather than put an obstacle 

in the way of the gospel of Christ.....

For though I am FREE from all, 

I have made myself a SERVANT to all, 

that I might win more of them."

-Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:1-19

Paul writes about giving up his rights.  Just because we are FREE, and "all things are lawful" that does not mean that "all things are helpful."  I am trying to think more about my choices, knowing that I will have the opportunity to explain my actions at school.  I won't ever HAVE to, but students ask me tough questions, challenging questions, questions based on scripture -- everyday.   

"But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." (1 Corinthians 8:9)  

Here's one first grader who practicing to carry things on her head, like the Ghanaians all around us.   These kids are sponges - they soak it all up.  They are watching, learning and copying what they see.  Who is watching you today?

So - "Why should my liberty 

be determined by 

someone else's conscience?"

It shouldn't be - just be sure that -

"whether you eat or drink 

or whatever you do - 

do it to the glory of God!" 

(1 Corinthians 10:29-31)

"Why are they so excited?"

-you might be asking yourself?  

Well, I'll tell you why: It's because in Ghana we eat this:

(Chicken and chips)

(Chicken, red-red, and plantain)

(Red-red and rice)

(Chicken and Gari-fotor)

Basically, we eat LOTS of starch, with a little something spicy to make it eatable.  Sooooooooo...... we get really super excited when we get together to eat food like this:

(Homemade chicken, and veggie pizza - with REAL mozzarella cheese from the States!!!)

(And should-be brownies - turned soupy chocolate in a dish because we don't have an oven and were trying to bake in a toaster oven - even that can't mess up chocolate - MMMmmm!)

Also last night, was the AIS Spring Musical!  It was Country/Western themed - so fun to see all the kids dressed up!  It was also fun, since I am from ALABAMA!

Here is Barbara Kalb (the music teacher, and 30 year veteran missionary in Africa!) and myself - did I mention I got a little burned at the pool earlier?!

It was a really nice show - the kids had fun!