Muddy Christmas and Gloppy New Year!

This year we wanted to have a fresh clean start to the new year. Nothing says clean like a good old fashion mud bath. This debauchery actually took place before Christmas and so we decided it would be a good early Christmas present for the girls. They also invited their friend Micaiah who was a major playah in their mud fight video last year. Which has only 50,018 views/hits on youtube thats all.

Remember doing this kind of thing as a kid? Man, it seems so long ago when one could just let loose and start slinging the mud. Then I got to thinkin how playing in the mud is alot like being a missionary. It's a stretch I know, but like a mud fight it can be exhilarating and adventurous and at the same time very messy and uncomfortable. Sometimes I feel like I have mud all over my face when I am out and about trying to speak Thai. Often I feel that Thai people are looking at me as if I actually had mud on my face. "What is he saying" "Is that Thai he is speaking"

Just like the picture here of the kids in the Charlie's Angel pose it just goes to show one needs support. Whether it is during a mud fight or trying to walk alongside people sharing your faith.


Life is messy and chaotic, but it is also can be filled with joy, just like playing in a mud puddle. What is the chaos and joy that God has put in your life?

Daniel and the Lion's den

Here is the next installment of Bible stories told by Anna.

Enjoy!

Savoring the moment

All was quiet in the house as everybody was asleep in bed except for me. I was downstairs in the office working on the last minute details for an upcoming HIV/AIDS workshop. I finally decided I was useless for the rest of the night so I headed upstairs to get ready for bed. My oldest daughter Acacia likes to read in bed by the light of her nightlight until she falls asleep. Tonight was no different. I usually go into her room to give her a kiss on the cheek and pet her cat "Lucky" who often sleeps by her side and then I turn out the night light. Tonight she must of been playing out an imaginary community on her floor. There were all sorts of plastic animals, people and make shift buildings scattered across the floor. I partially stepped on what looked like a plastic bed for a 2 inch person. My normal reaction to situations like this is to get upset at how messy her room is and especially when trying to navigate it in the dark without severely injuring myself.
But, I didn't react that way. I stopped and just looked at her peacefully sleeping and scanned over how cute and precious her pretend village looked. I kept thinking to myself that I've got to remember this moment. Remember the sweet innocence of a 10 year old girl. It was all I could do to keep from crying over the fleeting moments in life. Acacia has grown up so fast and I don't want to trivialize those truly special moments.
Someday soon she won't be so innocent and quite possibly have that cynical and somewhat jaded outlook on life like her Dad. Why can't she just stay this age forever!
I know it is selfish of me to want to keep my daughter innocent forever, but time moves at such a rapid rate and they way we live our lives now of days makes me very sad. I guess that is why tonight seems so poignant. I am stopping and taking the time to look at my daughter, really look at her and I appreciate all that she is. I love that her room is a mess and that the light is still on and that the cat is sleeping by her side. It is what being a kid is all about.

I feel sad sometimes when I think how I so often waste time on the computer or TV when my girls are right there growing up before my very eyes.

You can't go back in time to relive what you've missed. These precious moments are but a fleeting glimpse.

What are the moments in your life that are special?

Bible stories by Anna

During our morning routine of riding our bikes around the neighborhood we often take turns telling stories. Anna's stories always seem to be very animated and full of energy. She told me this story from the bible the other day and I knew I had to get it on video. She told the story with great detail and didn't miss a beat. I know the audio is a little shoddy in some spots and the video is shaky too. I just wanted to capture the way she told the story while doing an everyday thing like riding her bike.
I hope to make this a series of Bible stories that Anna will tell.
Enjoy.

Night Bazaar (Chiang Mai)

I decided to go out and try my hand at some night videography at the Night Bazaar here in Chiang Mai. I wandered around taking various clips here and there. This is just one of several shots.
In post production I added a magic bullet effect called blockbuster to try to give it that cinematic look. My arms were aching after carrying my camera around on a tripod all night.

Canon 7D
lens: Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM II
Manfrotto tripod with a 501 fluid head
Post editing with Sony Vegas Pro 10

How He loves us

I can't imagine life without my girls! Sometimes I get overwhelmed with emotion when I think about how much I love them. It amazes me when I think about how much I love them and that my love for them pales in comparison to the love that God has for us. I have to remember that when I don't feel very lovable.

Once again I've been practicing with my video and editing skills. I still have so much to learn

Don't you know

Untitled from Brett Faucett on Vimeo.

I originally shot this video to practice my skills at running while videotaping. I used my tripod as a steadi cam. I thought the shots were pretty good especially since I was running during most of it. While I was looking at the footage later I kept getting nostalgic about the girls. They seem to be growing so fast and I feel that the time I am spending with them is slowly slipping away. Pretty soon Dad will go from being the coolest guy to being the biggest dork who ever lived. I also can't help but notice how beautiful my girls are. I know I am being biased, but just look at them. They have such a sweet innocence about them that is precious. It makes them look even much more beautiful. God has truly blessed me with two beautiful little girls. How has God blessed you?