Happy Christmas

The front and back of our 2010 Christmas card- have a fantastic Christmas.

Vintage Cameras, and, My Daughter is a Genius

I love to collect vintage cameras from dusty bins in the backs of thrift stores.  And now I have lovin' people seeing old cameras and getting them for me because they know I love them.  I am not complaining.  I've gotten three just this month.  Keep them coming, peeps, but just remember- you need to stop me if it gets out of hand.  OK?

I just love how interesting and quirky they are, and I love remembering the age of film.

ALSO on an unrelated note, my daughter is an artistic genius.

A couple weeks ago Grace brought home this painting.  She said it was abstract, and even she didn't know what it was.

I thought she was brilliant.

The Children's Shelter of Cebu (in the Philippines) is very dear to our hearts.   Tonight Jim got an email with a link to this video- a sibling group of NINE has been waiting at the shelter for placement, but wanted very much to stay together- and now they can.  I remember seeing these children online, long ago, reading their story- and now to see them placed, it's just a huge Christmas present to witness it (see the Fox News clip below).  I am so thrilled for them.  Jim is thrilled too- I express it with tears down my face, and he's just happy.  We're different that way- but we're both so excited to see this happen!

What I Read in 2010

I am all over making book lists.  I love reading other people's lists, and I make it a yearly practice to make a list of books I'd like to read every January, and I keep track and add and subtract to that master list through the year.

Here's a list of what I read in 2010-  it was a fantastic year of books.  You can see the related posts by clicking the Adventures in Literacy Tab.  I made my 2011 Book List last week and can't wait to get cracking on it in January.  If you have book suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University, by Kevin Roose
Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation With the Gay Community by Andrew Marin
Drops Like Stars: A Few Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering by Rob Bell
Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive by John Eldredge
Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of Our Daily Choices by Julie Clawson
My Life in France by Julia Child
Stuff Christians Like by Jonathan Acuff
A lot of William Wordsworth.
The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, by Timothy Keller
Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, by Eric Metaxas
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller
Becoming Jane Austen, Jon Spence
A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God, John Piper
Art & Fear, by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Permission to Speak Freely, by Anne Jackson
Making Literature Matter, Schilb and Clifford
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller
The Complete Twilight Saga, Stephenie Meyer
Animals in Translation, by Temple Grandin
The Justice Project, Brian McLaren, et al
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith, Anne Lamott
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

Leaving

The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
        John 1:14 MSG
 
At the moment of conception, Jesus Christ left the ultimate perfection of the Trinity, divine and uncontainable, to be contained- fully God, fully man in human form.  He left brilliant glory to be hungry, to be dirty, to be sick, to be lonely, to navigate every single experience common to humanity, and ultimately to lay himself down for us.
 
And so this Christmas, as I leave behind what is familiar for something completely new, and I leave the ones I love fiercely, I have that truth deep in my heart.  I'll leave on a jet plane and travel 10,000 miles away from here- and anything that is difficult about leaving my family is made softer when I experience it in light of all Christ did to come to us.

Malaria Monday

Last week I took my first Malaria pill- a series of 8 pills, one per week, to prevent contracting Malaria while I'm in Zambia- and it will last for six years.  I filled my prescription for just $16.

I knew it would be a challenge to remember to take it every week when I'm travelling, so I decided to take it on Mondays.  And call it Malaria Mondays.  See? I'm clever with mnemonic devices. 

I've read a lot of missionary biographies from the 19th and early 20th centuries.  I know I do not want Malaria.  But honestly, until this year I didn't think about Malaria's modern presence at all.

I'm leaving on Saturday- I thought I'd take this last Malaria Monday before my absence to share this clip from the documentary When the Night Comes.

The Colbert Report

I love The Colbert Report- Satire is a complex tightrope that needs to be balanced with skill in order to be quick, sharp, accurate, poignant, intelligent and very funny.  Stephen Colbert does it so well.

I watched this last week, but didn't take time to post it here.  It's getting reposted a lot online, and as I've watched it a few more times- I still think it is spot on, funny, and true.

Incredible.

A few weeks ago, after a great week of school, I took the kids to see a movie at the "cheap" theatre.  They had wanted to see the "Owl Movie" (Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole) ever since they'd seen the previews this summer, and I didn't give it a second look.  But, on this day, it was at the $3 theatre, and a quick online review check didn't reveal anything that would keep us from going, so, we went for it.  My kids were thrilled.

I admit.  I had very low expectations.  Children's movies almost always disappoint.  They scrape up weak stories with cliche "messages" thrown in at the end, they toss around gross humor and ridiculous catch phrases, and in general, they're just not typically well-done. 

This movie was incredible.  Not only was it visually gorgeous, but the story arc was so strong, I left the dark theatre completely impressed.  Absolutely no corners were cut in the making of this film.  It's an adaptation from the books by Kathryn Lasky, and, no doubt the movie can contain only a fraction of the details of the series- but it does well to maintain the core themes, from what I've read.  It is a bit intense for very young children- Hudson is 3 and did OK, but some kids won't.  It's not an easy movie- it's full-bodied and quite mature.  It's a bit like Narnia meets Lord of the Rings, meets Slumdog Millionaire, meets... Owls.

Like I said, I was amazed by this movie.  My kids loved it.  As we loaded into the van, Grace looked thoughtful.  I asked her what she was thinking, and she just shrugged me off a bit.  Then 30 seconds later, from the back seat she said, "Mom.... I feel kind of ...strong from that movie."  And we had an incredible discussion all the way home. 

Why did it get to her heart?  The oath of the Guardians- and the heart of this film- is so incredible.
Mend the broken.  Make strong the weak.  Vanquish evil.

American Girl Tea

Last Monday we hosted an American Girl Tea Party with a whole lot of sweet little ladies and their doll friends.  There was lots of giggling and sipping and they were just precious.  Every girl came with an extra helping of sugar and spice, and their own special tea cup.  It was really, really fun.

Take a trip to Zambia with YouTube. It's cheaper.

It's been really fun to get introduced to Zambia via.... YouTube videos.  And it's especially great for showing my kids where I'll be. 

I'm not affiliated with this ministry, but this is a story about a boy in Macha, the place we'll be staying.



And here's a fun one displaying several of the myriad ways Zambian women use and wear chitenges-  I admit, I'm pretty excited about these.  My girls thought this was awesome.

Patie Cakes

I call her that.   Patie, I mean.  I call her Patie Cakes.  Every day or so.  Because people don't know just from reading, if you don't know us, you know, in real life, it's Patie.  Like Katie.  With a "P".

So here's what happened a couple of days before Patie's birthday.

Mom: "What kind of cake do you want for your birthday, Patie Belle?"
(I call her that, too, btw.  She has a lot of names.  That one actually really makes sense- her name is Patience Isobel.)

Patience: "I want cupcakes- with sprinkles."

Mom: "Whatever you want, birthday girl!"

So we made marble cupcakes with vanilla butter cream and lots of sprinkles.

And on her birthday morning, as we stood at the counter finishing up the cakes, I say, "Patie, these were a really good idea."

And she says, "I knew they would be easier for you to make than a cake."

I gasped a little in surprise, "Patie!  You can pick whatever you want for your birthday!  Mommy doesn't mind making you a bigger cake."

She replies, nonchalant, "It's OK.  I like cupcakes, and I haven't had any for a while."

No biggie. 

That's Patie.

This post is random but it has numbered points.

1.  I charged 8 cameras for Zambia this morning.

2. No, we did not have school today- my girls read books and did puzzles all morning while Hudson played with his tractors, and I made a final packing and shopping list for Africa- I'm leaving on Christmas Day.

3.  I just took this picture in my kitchen with one of the awesome point and shoots I'm taking with me.  They are working great!  Super quick, easy to use, and not many extra bells and whistles that would inevitably confuse the kids I'll be teaching.  I cannot wait to get there!  Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who's praying and giving for these children!

4.  Yes, I am still wearing pajamas and haven't gotten ready for the day.  At all.  But I've gotten so much done.  I don't have to go anywhere today, so progressing beyond this point probably isn't going to happen. 

5. Do you see how the wide angle of the lens, combined with how close it was to my face makes my nose look bigger and in general the proportions are off?  Or, btw, how about those catch lights?  See those?  See?  That's not photoshop,that's just light- any Point and Shoot will capture them if you've got good light.  Just wanted to point that out- people ask about that all the time- and lots of folks buy DSLRs for "the eyes" alone.

Aaaand, that's all.

After Lunch

Grace has worked so hard to achieve consistent and beautifully mature picture faces.  This is the pièce de résistance of her repertoire.

Hudson does a fantastic job of cleaning his own face.

Most pictures of Hudson in November and December feature these PJs, which Hudson wears almost daily, unless we go out.  I basically have to peel them off his body a couple of times a week to keep them clean.

And I love the way Lily buttons her shirts.

And Patience is just always so simply sweet.

Paperwhite Progress

Cats and Dogs

Winter is a cat at the window watching 100 mouthwatering birds.  It really is.

Our bird feeder provides countless hours of entertainment for Bella and Penny.

It's cold outside- but the afternoon sun seems warm through the glass, and they are content.

Bella, the alpha, sits off to the side of the window- hidden, crouched low, and silent. 

Penny sits on the table, smack in the middle of the window in full view.

Cackling incessantly at the hungry birds.

They remind me a little bit of Pinky and The Brain.  And you can practically hear Bella's thoughts, "Penny, we are NEVER going to catch ANY of these birds if you don't KNOCK IT OFF."

Of course, after photographing the cats for several minutes, Bebo felt needy and jealous, and came to sit pathetically at my side.  He really played it up.

Pippen followed for good measure with some of the same.  See?  Here he's acting so bored and neglected it's as if he would just nod off to sleep.

So while I was at it, I went and found Bacon, on our bed, of course.

Update. Again.

Thanks so much to everyone who's partnering in this with us- I can't wait to finally get to Zambia, to get a whole week with these kids, and to share it all with you. 

I've got an update!  As of right now, I have 8 out of 10 cameras, and my final stretch fundraising goal is closing in.

With your generosity to date, I was able to get a smokin' deal on FIVE of these awesome Nikons today.  And as a bonus to that price, each one comes with a FREE 4 GB SD card-  was that perfect or what??  I'd love to grab 2 more very soon, assuming the sale will last a few days more. 

SO-  I still need about $400 more for 2 more cameras, and other related purchases- like power strips, camera bags, etc.  We want to set them up right, amen?

Do you want to help?  See this post with all the info you need for giving.  At this point, with time so short, dollars toward purchases are best.  Email me with any questions.

I'm very grateful tonight for a chance to give to these children, and for the chance to partner in it with so many others.  Thanks!

Update.

Read this recent post to get caught up.

To update everyone- thanks so much for everyone who's offered to pray for our trip and these children we'll be with in less than 2 weeks- it's incredibly important, and encouraging, to hear from you.  If you want to be placed on our official prayer list (and receive updates as we go) email me at megankoch@yahoo.com .  I'd love to add you to that list.

I've gotten tons of memory cards- THANK YOU!  That is awesome!  It really is a huge relief to know I'll have plenty of storage so I can keep all of my files in 2 places at once.  I do still need at least $550 to be fully funded for this photography project- to bless the ministry in Zambia with all the equipment they'll need to offer photography as a creative outlet and a possible source of income to orphans and at-risk youth for years to come- with as little expense to them as possible.  I want to stress again, this is not for me- it's for cameras and equipment.

You know how much I care about this- and I know it's not up to all of us to give.  God is fully able to do whatever He likes without our help- but amazingly, He lets us be a part of it.  So if you are someone who wants to get directly involved with this ministry in Africa, or if you're someone who's been feeling a nudge, but doesn't know exactly what to do- I'd say go for it. If it's the right time for you to give to this project, see here for how to do so. 

I was telling someone last night that I'm not surprised I haven't met my goal yet, because it's not the last minute- and God always does things at the last minute-  so I'm confident.  Because the last minute has always been right on time.

Grateful 2010: November Edition

Fresh Breath. Heat. Open Windows. Good Neighbors. Real Love. Upswings. Comfort. Warm Faces. Inspiration. Oranges. Helpers. Future Hope. Openness. Nights Out. Maturity. Life. Scarves. Paperwhites. Sunlight. Pumpkin Pie. Standards. Paper Turkeys. Daughters. Great Stories. Gratitude. Games. Singing. Rest. Halfway There. Power.

The Wonder of the Worth Less

I'm amazed every year at Christmas- any holiday, but especially Christmas- at the swift changes in perception of worth.

We recklessly consume finding gifts, decorations, food, what have you.  And we spend and spend and spend.

And suddenly, at the strike of midnight on Christmas night, all the sparkling, shining wonder that was worth great expense turns into piles of leftover clearance thrown on shelves at the back of the store. 

It was worth so much.  Now it's worth so much less.  What changed? 

The date changed, and somehow, with it our perceptions.  Now it's not important to us anymore, let's move on to the new thing. 

From the outside looking in, American consumerism must seem absurd.

After I wrote this, I listened to a great podcast with Robbie Seay- you can listen here.

Light Up

I've listened to this song over 100 times in the last couple of weeks.  Over and over and over.  I've always loved it, but, for whatever reason, I'm just sitting in it right now.  Like, I don't need lots of answers, I don't need to know what I'm supposed to be doing, I don't know what I need- I just want to dwell in the knowing that God is fully here.  It's like I can't get enough of knowing it.

Download it for free here.

Ginger House

These extremely convenient all-inclusive kits are amazing for people like me.

You know, people who are terrible at making things with their hands.

Don't laugh.

(I'm terrible with this stuff)

I did the frosting work, the kids did the candy.

These kits make it pretty painless. 

6 More.

I'm leaving for Zambia on the 26th.

After a team meeting tonight, I know very clearly what I still need.

Lots of things are going to happen at camp.  But for my part- a group of 10-15 students will be selected (out of a group of 500) to take a 5 day photography course with me.  Basically, I'll be with them all day.  We'll divide our time between learning lessons, working hands-on, enjoying some free time- and going out to put our skills to practice together. 

Every camera is property of the mission, stays in the possession of the mission, and is given to these children to use with great care- and supervision- this keeps the cameras, and the children safe.

In America, "everyone" has a camera.  In Zambia, "no one" has a camera.  This will blow these kids' minds- and I can't wait to finally get to them.

They will learn and discover- gain technical and creative skills, have the exhilarating joy of finding and creating photographs- and they'll be loved and empowered. 

Their photographs will be saved and organized as much as possible (by me).  We'll show them off at camp, and I'll bring them home.  We will share and print them, perhaps even raise funds via their sale to directly fund back into this ministry.  The students can also earn income by photographing weddings, funerals, and events as well.  They don't need to be experts- any pictures are valuable to the people of Zambia.

Because in America, "everyone" has a camera.  In Zambia, "no one" does.

I have 4 cameras.  I need at least 6 more (like this one).  And each with a 4 GB memory card.  I also need 2 additional 4 GB SD cards.

We leave in a few weeks- time is short.  Time for shipping and receiving, especially around the holiday is short.

I've learned over and over that when we're waiting on God, it helps to get down and real and make a specific list. 

I'm making my list public and throwing a pass to you- maybe this is for you right now.  Either way, before hundreds of people...

1.  I need as many people to become prayerfully involved as possible.  If you would like to be placed on our email prayer list, you'll receive updates before, during, and after this trip, keeping you informed, and giving you specific prayer needs.

If you would like to be placed on this list, email me at megankoch@yahoo.com . 

2. I need $900 by December 20th, or six more cameras with memory cards (see camera details here)  if I'm going to be able to purchase, order and receive the cameras and equipment I'll need to properly equip this ministry to offer photography to these students for many camps to come, and possibly open doors for some to earn income with the ministry's help.

Cameras or checks may be dropped off or sent to:

The Ransom Church
5209 W 41st St. Suite 101
Sioux Falls, SD 57106

If you'd like to make a donation toward the purchase of cameras for this camp (this is the ideal option right now since time is so short), send your tax deductible donation to The Ransom Church, with Cameras for Zambia written in the Memo line.  Send them to the above address or hand it to me.
For those who have asked, if you would like to shoulder some of the burden of my own personal trip costs, send your tax deductible donation to The Ransom Church, with Megan Koch Zambia in the Memo line.  These checks may be sent to The Ransom at the above address.

I have some awesome information about Zambia and this camp I'd love to share with you.  Just send me your email address and I'll pass it on.

6.

Patience you are velvet
and strong.
You are selfless and
determined.

You are a head of curls, a
Little nose
And a sweet expression.

You can't wait to be a Mom. You
Talk and imagine about it
All the time.

You put others before
Yourself so easily,
But you hold a quiet, firm confidence
And carry yourself tall.

You have reached the age of
Self Awareness and
Now try very hard to control how
You look in photographs, like
Grace does. 
So Cheesy Little Kid smiles are nearly
Gone and you've reached the age of the
Awkward Smile or
The Serious Face in an attempt to
Look older and in control of
How you look. Which breaks my
Heart a little but, you have to
Grow up.

You read voraciously. Everything
You can get your hands on.
Afternoons are you wrapped
In your pink blanket like
A cape,
On your belly, propped on elbows,
Feet in the air and a
Cat by your side.
Chapter by chapter you're
All caught up in it.

And every day you give
Me a reason to stop and
Stare at you.

We love you Patience.
Happy Birthday Pinky Pie.

Love,
Mom

A Top Ten Question.

People ask me for photography advice often.  Because of this blog, and because once someone has taken one of my classes I have an open door policy welcoming them to ask for help on their journey, I answer photography-related questions a lot.  Usually it's about cameras, photography skills, photoshop, reviewing images- and sometimes people ask me for help in starting a business.  (Those questions are welcome, by the way.  I love answering them.)

My friend Rachel writes rocking tutorials that have made thousands of hobbyist photogs better all over the place.  This week she's starting a series on how to (and how not to) start a business.  Her first installment is honest and excellent. 

If you love photography, having a business is probably not for you, no matter how many people in your life tell you to start one- but figuring out if it's for you is very important- because if it's right, it's very rewarding.  But- it is a business, not a hobby. You have to be comfortable with that- being a business person with integrity and running your business responsibly isn't the same as enjoying the thrill of shooting for the art and skill of it.  You may love  mothering your children, but would you love to be a nanny or run a daycare?  Yiiiiiikes.  And yet, that comparison is spot-on.  A business is different.  You have to be prepared and comfortable with that.  You have to be ready to be vulnerable, and put yourself out there- and also to be strong and confident in a world of competition, that's full of potential clients that (just like you) are looking for products for as little expense possible (with prices from poor-quality discount chains in their minds), without a real concept of the time and investment it takes to create great custom work.  Are you prepared to field those situations?  You don't have to know everything right away, but be prepared to learn from experience, and be ready for these types of issues.

Frankly, I'm organized.  I found the business side of my business to be work, but manageable.  And I'm good at setting boundaries.  And I'm very good at saying no.  I loved everything about having a portraiture business, other than the busy-ness of it.  That was the thing I enjoyed the least-  I had the freedom to say no to any clients I couldn't take, which I had to do so often it drove me crazy.  It sounds perfect to have the freedom to turn away any more work than you can handle, but, for me, it was counter-intuitive to running a business, and drove me nuts.  And now that I've simplified, I can enjoy teaching photography, and let portraiture go (which still stings a little- but thanks for all the support, everyone- I really was encouraged last week as I "went live" with my decision).

So- do you think you want to start a business- in anything?  Link over to i ♥ faces and read the series- I'm sure it will help you figure out if it's for you.

Wii Were Wrong

Since the beginning of Wii, I thought all that warm propaganda about a video game could not possibly be true.  No way can a virtual game be as fun as a real one around a table.  And no way is virtual tennis that fun.  No way an electronic device could foster family unity.

But, we were wrong.  Slowly, I came around.  And this year, our family is at a point where everyone can enjoy a Wii.  So, to simplify things, that's what they got for Christmas.  And since I'm leaving the 26th and the kids will be back and forth with Grandma after that, we opened it early.  So we could all have some fun and enjoy it together before then.

Last Saturday we surprised the kids with it after breakfast, and for reals, it's been awesome.

Much to my distaste, we got the RED one (black is so much more discreet- though it's hidden behind a book against a bookshelf anyway). Jim was really excited to have Super Mario Bros, without buying it separately.  We haven't played it much, but it's a HUGE nostalgia-inducer for both of us, and someday the kids might enjoy it.  I thought it was awesome when I was a kid- now, I think it's pretty boring- but it's fun to play with Jim like we're 10 year olds.

We invested in three extra remotes (All four kids can happily bowl at the same time) and several other pieces of Wii gear too....and some extra games. 

Like Just Dance Kids.  Which is super fun- and if you put your heart into doing it right, it's a great bit of cardio...  It's hilarious to do together.  And the dance moves? Very, very Bieber Fever.  It's a good time.

And we also bought Disney Sing It.  Absolutely fun to do together.  And, if you work at it, it really does improve your voice skills...

And (I waited a bit for this one but couldn't stop thinking about it...getting gift cards put me over the top...)

Ahhh! I. LOVE. IT.

Advent

We're counting down days door by door,

sweetness behind each one. 

And as we wait and prepare for Christmas, Africa is there. 

I leave on the 26th and, while I have a whole range of emotions, and the pile of things to prepare before I leave- like, "Wait- I need to show Jim how to pay the bills!" -is building, my heart is also building.

I don't know the stories I'll have when I get back, but for now knowing I should be there is more than enough.

And it's strange, this trip- it's a bit like asking someone to please break my heart.  That's what I've prayed and asked for countless times over the past year.  For a long time, I kept my heart at a distance when it came to children without parents.  It's just one of the things I can. not. take.  The problem feels too large, I feel too insignificant, I don't know how to process it.  I knew God wanted me to embrace it, but, I made choices to keep at a distance, to guard my heart.  I'd go to a certain point, and then I'd say, "Not any closer"- and I'd take a step back.

About a year ago, I made a choice to stop closing myself off when a book, article, or photograph seemed like it was too much.  When I felt the urge to turn away, I'd stay and let it seep in.  I'd keep my heart open and raw to it.  It was not easy.  And it only made everything seem even larger, and myself even smaller.  But I finally decided to agree with God that turning away is the last thing I should do.

And now I'm waiting for Zambia.  I'm preparing to get broken. 

And I'm trusting that the will to keep my heart wide open is going to be there waiting for me.