Category Archives: Friends

Personal Photo Project of the Week #34


Never the Same River
Never the Same River

These pictures were taken on a floody night back in June after Sara and I ate at a Lebanese restaurant nearby. I need to thank her for her assistance on this night even though I definitely burned out all of her patience… and then some.


Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

Personal Photo Project of the Week #23 - Alternate

I will need to revisit this bridge in the near future, now that the water has gone down on the Des Moines River.

Coiffure

On Sunday I got together with Shannon to take pictures of her new haircut.

Lots of these pictures don’t show off the new do, but they were taken at the same time.


Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Coiffure

Shannon also did some turtle wrangling for me on a Personal Photo Project that will be published sometime in October. In this task she performed admirably. I also helped her buy a new camera. So I have no doubt that she will be able to contribute a picture to RWPE sometime in the near future.

RWPE #35 – Viewpoint

Perhaps the Random Weekly Photo Experiment has begun to run its course. There were zero submissions this week. I guess it will just have to soldier on for the last 17 weeks. Here is the lone picture for VIEWPOINT.


WEEK 35 - VIEWPOINT - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

The Random Generator has generated the theme for this week. I put it before you:

LIGHT PLACEMENT

There is light in every picture, but for this theme, you want to be very conscious of where the light is coming from to light your subject. Whether it is to the side of your subject. Below your subject. Above your subject. The placement of the light should effect what the picture looks like. Good luck. Hopefully there will be some submissions next week.

A late submission from Mike Vest:


WEEK 35 - VIEWPOINT - MIKE VEST

Catharsis

I witnessed something so shocking on Tuesday night that after I got over the initial numbness, I reached out to some close friends who helped guide me through the mental issues that I was having to overcome.

I should state to clear my good name and recriminate Nader, it was not my idea to go see Piranha 3-D.  I wanted to go see Scott Pilgrim, but Nader refused to see that movie because he thinks that it has the guy in it from Adventureland even though I’ve told him 100 times that it isn’t the same guy that is in Adventureland.

Since Nader couldn’t be convinced that Micahel Cerra and Jesse Eisenberg are not the same person, we went to see Piranha 3-D. It was the first horror movie I’ve seen in the theater since The Devil’s Rejects in 2005.  It might be another 5 years before I see another horror movie in the theater.

Because of the frankness of the situation, I am going to keep all the parties anonymous.

I texted Friends 2 and 3:

“I just saw a movie where a fish eats a penis in 3-D!”

I texted Friend 4:

“Is there a scene in Scott Pilgrim where a fish eats a penis in 3D, cause there sure as hell is one in Piranha?”

I texted Friends 5, 6 & 7:

“This can’t wait until the morrow. There is a scene in Piranha where a fish eats a penis in 3D.”

I texted Friend 1:

“I have to get this off my chest. In Piranha there is a scene where a fish eats a penis in 3D. I’m traumatized.”

Friend 4 texted back:

“No there isn’t.”

Friend 7 texted back:

“wtf”

Friend 2 texted back:

“”

Then Friend 2 texted back:

“That is WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! I don’t need to even ask how the movie was now.”

I texted Friend 7:

“Exactly.”

I texted Friend 4:

“I thought every movie would like to include such a scene.”

Friend 6 texted:

“Yeah, its worth sharing. First time in a while, I don’t know what to say.”

I texted Friend 2:

“There was no warning. All of a sudden it just happened.”

I texted Friend 6:

“I feel disoriented. I think I’m in shock. My body is cold, but that might be because I’m standing in the freezer section of Hy-Vee.”

Friend 2 texted:

“Obviously funded by those man haters at Lifetime Movie Network.”

Friend 6 texted:

“Maybe they figured no one would see the movie and just threw in something to make it unforgettable. Its a hell of a story, anyway.”

I texted Friend 2:

“They should put a warning label on movies that contain violence against penis. So we would know not to go see them.”

I texted Friend 6:

“It definitely worked. I will never be able to wash this image from my brain.”

Friend 2 texted:

“AGREED!”

Friend 6 texted:

“Sick thing is, I’m almost convinced I will rent it on dvd. Not sure what that says about myself.”

Friend 1 texted:

“EWWWWWW!!!!”

I texted Friend 6:

“You might not want to after I tell you the full story. I will tell you tomorrow at dinner.”

Friend 4 texted:

“Now that’s a groundbreaking movie! I’m thinking Oscar. I that that piranha is Lorena Bobbitt’s pet. BTW, what did Nader say to that?”

I texted Friend 1:

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to have nightmares.”

Friend 6 texted:

“Ok”

I texted Friend 4:

“I swear to God he said: ‘Look at that cocksucker!'”

Friend 1 texted:

“I hope U aren’t permanenty traumatized!”

I texted Friend 1:

“You will have to forgive me if I get distant and weird(er).”

Friend 1 texted:

“Indeed I will, and I will completely understand.”

Friend 2 texted:

“Did u have sympathy pain?”

Friend 4 texted:

“Spoken like a true critic! Awesome job channeling Gene Siskel’s spirit. Couldn’ have said it better myself.”

I texted Friend 2:

“Not yet, but I think I might when I come out of shock.”

Friend 4 texted:

“I agree, that now makes me wanna see the movie.”

I texted Friend 4:

“It was the goriest horror movie I’ve ever seen.”

Friend 4 texted:

“From you that’s saying something.”

I finished the long drive  home knowing that my bed and the nightmares to come would be there to greet me.

The Taiwan Times – August 2010

The Taiwan Times

By Mark Wolfram

Reporting on God’s mission in Taiwan

August 2010

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,”

Ephesians 2:19

Back on the island

Hello everyone. I am back in Taiwan, after a busy, but refreshing trip to the United States.  It’s always nice to be back home with family, friends, American food (especially BBQ), and so many other parts of my native culture.  Being here in Taiwan, it is easy to feel like a foreigner or alien.  The culture, language, educational system, and so many other things provide stark contrast from American life.  However, the above Bible verse reminds me that our true citizenship is neither in Taiwan nor America.  Rather, our citizenship is in heaven with God.  It does not come through a test or application process, but through God’s love as completed in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  We were outsiders to God, but have been made members of God’s family, no matter if we live in America or Taiwan.

The new year

Today we had our annual faculty meeting, to start the new semester, and tomorrow will be the first day of school.  This year I will be teaching 7th, 10th, and 11th grade students.  Of my 10 classes, 9 of them will be English classes, and one of my 7th grade classes will be Bible class.  In addition to the teaching I have begun some new administrative work as Concordia Middle School Liaison between the missionaries, the school, and LCMS World Mission.  This past month I have helped to organize and implement orientation of our 2 new teachers:  Graham Guenther and Rachel Sekki.  Praise God that they were able to make it over safely and have already begun adjusting to life in Taiwan.  In addition to orientation, I have also been working on organizing paperwork for work permits and green cards for the American teachers.

Fundraising

The trip back to America this summer was wonderful.  Praise God that I was able to meet up with so many friends and family members, in addition to travel to several churches.  I am elated to report that, God has provided the funds needed for this year’s service.  In fact, I am already 1/3 of the amount over what I needed, so this will be applied to future years of service.  Praise God for your prayers and financial support which have helped to make this possible.

I do want to let you know about one change for mailing in of donations.  From now on (for those of you who pledged support), please send any checks to the address below.

LCMS World Mission
Missionary Support
PO Box 790089
St. Louis, MO 63179-0089

Baptisms

Jeff being baptized

My first Sunday back in Taiwan was truly a blessed one, as we had three people baptized.  One of them was a CMS student named Jeff, who I have known both from classes and from Salvation Lutheran Church Youth Group.  Along with Jeff, his mother and his brother were also baptized.  It was such a joy to welcome new brothers and sisters in Christ, the very first Sunday I was back in Taiwan.

Teachers needed

I know I have written it in the past, and talked about it this summer, but CMS is still looking for 4 teachers for this school year.  The positions are all for elementary level English and Bible teaching.  Even though the semester starts on Tuesday, we have had teachers join mid-year in the past.  If you or anyone you know are interested, please contact me and I would love to give you more information.  Even if you don’t know of anyone, please pray that God will provide the even more teachers to help share the love of Jesus with the students here in Taiwan.

Prayer Time:

1.     Please pray for the start of the new school year for me and all of the teachers as we start back into the teaching routine.  Please pray especially for Graham and Rachel as they adjust to a new culture and new responsibilities.

2.    Praise God for my fundraising goal being met and exceeded.

3.    Pray for my Chinese language acquisition.  I will be using it more and would like to be more intentional and focused with lessons.

4.    Pray for more teachers to come and serve here Taiwan.

May God’s love and peace be ever present in your daily life!

Mark

RWPE #34 – Food

I had a submission for last week’s theme from Becky Perkovich, but during some computer swapping it has been temporarily lost, but I’ll post it as soon as I am able to locate it. Here are the other submissions for FOOD:


IMAGE LOST
Dawn Krause

WEEK 34 - FOOD - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 34 - FOOD - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest

IMAGE LOST
Julie Johnson

Dawn’s Poem of the Week

Food For Thought

Rich and creamy French silk pie
Makes me glisten with devilish eye
Perhaps an apple for my health
Wise choice yes, but not for wealth
Maybe celery to trim me down
Without peanut butter makes me frown
Popcorn then my snack shall be
But alas, none on the shelf I see
Crackers then will be my way
Hope they last me through the day…

The Random Generator has spoken and the theme for this week is:

Viewpoint

So get off of your feet or get up high. Look at something from a different perspective than you normally see things. I’ll be excited to see the submissions.

State Fair Trip 2 – Collection 2

Here are a few more pictures of my trip to the State Fair.

Last year I had only 1 goal and that was to see The Blue Band. Instead of getting to see The Blue Band I was nearly killed on a midway ride and spent the rest of the night trying not to vomit up my innards. This year I was able to see The Blue Band.


Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010
Nader’s First Turkey Leg

Iowa State Fair - 2010
A Happy State Fair Memory

Iowa State Fair - 2010
The DNR Building – One of my favorite buildings.

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010
I would consider putting a pond in my yard, just so I could have water lilies.

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010
Nader wanted his picture taken with the Story County flag.

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

State Fair Trip 2 – Collection 1

A few pictures from my trip to the State Fair with Nader. We met up with Mom, Carla and Alexis. Later we met up briefly with the Baiers. I won them some Upper Iowa University band aids. I’m guessing their “Thank You” is in the mail.

At the end of the day Nader thanked me for the best day he has had all year. Quite frankly I wonder why more people don’t thank me for such things.


Iowa State Fair - 2010
Alexis’ cheerleading group ran through their routine, but didn’t do any of the actual dangerous stuff.

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010
Star Boars

Iowa State Fair - 2010
This sand sculpture is actually more interesting than the movies.

Iowa State Fair - 2010
I love this painting! I want it hanging in my house. Just not for $300 smackers.

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010
Alexis won a medal in a tumbling competition that didn’t look the safest to me.

Iowa State Fair - 2010
Nader seemed to think this sculpture was of him.

Iowa State Fair - 2010
In one of my favorite buildings Pioneer Hall.

Iowa State Fair - 2010

Iowa State Fair - 2010
A “Mark Twain” style storyteller.

A few more pictures coming on the morrow.

RWPE #33 – Silence

The submissions for last week’s theme SILENCE:


IMAGE LOST
Dawn Krause

WEEK 33 - SILENCE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

IMAGE LOST
Carla Stensland A

IMAGE LOST
Carla Stensland B

IMAGE LOST
Carla Stensland C

IMAGE LOST
Carla Stensland D

IMAGE LOST
Becky Perkovich

WEEK 33 - SILENCE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest

Dawn’s Poetry Submission:

A Thought on Silence

Not every moment needs to be filled
Solid connection we quietly build

No words need expressed
Nothing needs addressed

Content calm fills the air
In it I hear you care

The Random Generator has been kicked on and it has kicked out a tasty theme for this week:

FOOD

It is a shame that this theme didn’t get generated during the State Fair, but I still think there should be plenty of submissions. After all, everybody eats and almost everybody owns a camera. Or even a camera phone.