strawberries and swift sand

Hello from Illinois! We are currently living at my Mom and Dad's house. Our time has been spent with family and friends. If you want a quick view how just one of our days has passed, check out my cousin Miranda's photo blog.

Last week, all of Erik's family met in Branson for a spectacular vacation. We had a blast boating on Table Rock Lake. The top pic of Jonas sums up all of our feelings about the trip. Erik discovered he is still able to slalom with the best of them although not without considerable aches and pains after.

Yesterday after church, we had "touchpoint time" with the kids. We have all arrived in a place where brief moments of panic seize us. It is a bit of a deer in the headlights type feeling when the reality of departure hits with full force. We are so excited, but also struggle to deal with the reality of this big change.

Here are some questions the kids have asked me recently (no names are shared, in order to keep the innocent...well...innocent:))
Is it possible to get lost in an airport?
Mom, just how long do you think it will take you to get used to driving on the wrong side of the road?
If I marry a Zambian, would our children be Zamericans? or Zambericans?
Is home a feeling or a place?
Mom, how do you feel about bartering for our food in the market?
Do you think it will be easier or harder for us kids to learn Bemba than you and Dad?
Just how much will you be tightening our boundaries once we arrive? and just when do you expect to loosen them up a little?
Do you think we will be able to hear snakes crawling across the tile in our house at night?
Can you mount a fan for me under my mosquito netting? or will that not work?
Don't you think it would just be a lot easier for the Zambians to enter our culture than for us to enter theirs?

Earlier this month, Erik returned from a quick trip to the San Jose valley area in California.This area is the largest producer of berries in the state of CA. While he was there he had the opportunity to learn many of the details about raising strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. He thinks it would bore us all to tears to go into it all, but he has come away with expanded knowledge and contagious excitement to get on the ground in Zambia.

One little tidbit I picked up was this: an acre of strawberries (around 12,000 plants) has the potential to produce over 40,000 tons of strawberries per season! We are hoping for about 20,000 tons per acre at Lifesong Farms. Knowing the profits from these strawberries goes to help educate orphaned and vulnerable children makes them way sweeter! We are excited to see the Lord of the harvest at work on the farm.

Erik really enjoyed getting to know the great people working at Plant Sciences Incorporated. They have been partners with Lifesong for Orphans since 2007. The following is taken from their website: As an agricultural partner, PSI seeks to amplify Lifesong's effectiveness in serving the world's orphans by targeting and supporting specific agricultural needs such as sustainable development in food production and teaching sustainable skills to provide a future and a hope for the orphans and their communities.

During our family meeting yesterday we discussed how we feel as if we are in a giant hour glass representing departure time with the sand swiftly flowing. We absolutely love the time we are spending. We fill our hands with the "sand," relishing every moment. But...as more time goes by...our hands can't hold it any longer and we can't control how quickly the sand is falling. We rest in the comfort of the fact that the Author of time is holding us in His hands.

Lesson from a seashell

I have this thing with seashells. I am totally enamored with them. Their intricacy astounds me and always brings me to marvel at our Creator.

Did you know that what these crustaceans eat is what causes their coloring? A steady diet causes spiral patterning whereas an inconsistent diet causes spotting on the shell. Did you know that they can either be left or right shelled? (Check out the opening and you will see what I mean)

While we were in Florida, I really wanted to find a certain type of shell. As I walked along the beach, I found myself talking with The Lord. "Father, I know that You are in control of all things....I know it wouldn't be impossible for you to place a banded tulip shell right here on the beach. I really would love to find one." I walked silently, searching the sand and the incoming surf. No more than 2 or 3 minutes past when I met a woman in the surf. When I was parallel to her, she threw a shell up on the beach right in front of me. "Here!" She yelled "that's for you!"

Bet you already know what type of shell it was don't you? Yep, a banded tulip!

I yelled my thanks back over the sound of the waves and continued on my way, back to talking with Father. "Wow God! That was awesome...but I really wanted to find it MYSELF" and then reluctantly I added, "unless You've got something else You're trying to tell me."

I was able to walk in silence longer and wait for an answer. And this is what I heard Him say, "you know Carrie, this is a perfect illustration of your life right now. You can't possibly hope to accomplish this on your own. Quit rebuffing others gifts that they are bringing before you. You have the privilege of seeing the church, my body in action. 

And that, is TRUTH. We have been humbled and amazed as His people have rallied around us. We are totally blown away by the love and generosity that has completely surrounded us. YOU are an incredibly important part of a team who are serving the poor and orphaned in Zambia.

May each of our hearts be enlarged and encouraged as we join our Father to be His hands and feet.