Little Moments

My last post describes wanting to capture precious moments through photography. Let's see if was remotely successful:

The sunset from my roof.

The classroom of angels I teach English, acing their quiz on "city words."

At the end of the day, I realize it's not the photos that really mean so much, though. It's the experience of being in the moment, rather than the capturing of the moment, that is so valuable. For this reason, it's not every day that my co-teacher Leah brings her camera to class, or that I go to the roof for a sunset photo shoot. Most of the days are full of just the things I described before: work. laughter. play. study. research. spanish. patience. dirt. sweat. sun. rain. patience. love. frustration. ...did I say patience? I'm growing in respect for all teachers as I attempt to drive the bumpy road of education in español. And while these kids rocked out their English quiz, new lessons bring new challenges.

And as for the sunset, as for those beautiful, jaw-dropping, everyday moments of glory...those are the ones that make me sit back and send up prayers of thanks for what I am here on earth to enjoy. God's gift of nature is one that continues to thrill me, enchant me, and romance me, no matter where I go. Be it in Nashville, walking around the beautiful Vanderbilt campus in springtime, be it on a glistening lake in Middle Tennessee where I watch the fireflies shine their reflections on the surface as the day fades into night, or be it here in Nicaragua where I can let my mind reflect on the day gone by and the days to come as I stare into tiny peepholes in the night sky, my fellow PD Amelia leading us in rooftop ashtanga yoga...these moments of respite allow me to function. breathe. give. These times of rest prepare me for those which necessitate patience. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow...