I find myself missing Zambia today. I'm rarely sure what brings on the different emotions I experience lately. I'm learning about myself that I've come back from Zambia a much more emotional person. Sometimes I smile when I think of our trip to VOH. Sometimes I find myself wondering what the kids are doing at the moment I'm thinking of them. Sometimes I wonder if they remember us...
Today, I decided to take a few minutes and let myself just remember my time there. I've decided to share with you some of my thoughts from my journal the day after we returned from Zambia:
I woke at 3:30am thinking of Africa. I can't go back to sleep so decided to write in my journal. I'll plan to take a short nap today and probably go to bed early - hopefully that will be the end of the jet lag...
I am thankful. My experience in Zambia has changed me. I am thankful that I don't have to worry about our tap water making me sick. While in Zambia, we learned to be thankful for bottled water. It's nice here in America to not have to keep track of my water bottle, and if we'll have enough water at night to drink while we are at our house. I'm thankful we don't have huge wall spiders that I have to look out for... or lizards. I'm thankful for the opportunity to drive yesterday to the grocery store. Most people walk in Africa, or have to take a crowded bus to a "market". I say market loosely because of course it is probably a shack with a table of tomatoes, banana's, wood, etc. I'm thankful that all of our laundry I brought home can be thrown into a washing machine. And then if I choose to hang my laundry on the line I can do that or I can simply put my clothes in the dryer. I'm thankful for green grass. Everywhere in Zambia is dry and dusty in August. The temperature was beautiful there! It is hot and humid here 90+ degrees. But I am thankful for our air conditioning that we can choose to use to be more comfortable. It is not even an option in Zambia during their hot, rainy season. I'm sure they would think we were rich if they felt our house... I don't know what they would think of central air.
What are you thankful for? I've been encouraging my kids lately to be thankful for the blessings God has given us. They've been having to wake up early everyday for the past 2 1/2 weeks and it is hard for them. But I want them to find joy in the life we are choosing to live. We chose to participate in football, cross country and band. We are blessed to have a good school to go to. We are blessed with minds that soak in information and teachers who are willing to spend their days teaching. I am thankful for a husband who provides for our family financially so I can be at home caring for our children and home. The list could go on.
I loved Zambia and the people there. They taught me much about life...
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
You're invited!
Hi everyone,
You are all invited to Calvary Bible Church in Neenah on Sunday September 8th at 6pm to hear our team tell about our Zambia experience. We are so thankful for the way God worked through you to make it possible for us to visit VOH last month, and we would love it if you'd plan to attend our presentation.
Calvary Bible Church is located on Oakridge Rd. in Neenah. Take the Main St. exit off Hwy 41 and the church is on the south west corner of the intersection of Hwy 41 and Main St. (Main St. becomes Oakridge Rd. on the west side of Hwy 41.)
The church driveway is the first turn to the south after exiting the Hwy. Follow the driveway take the first right turn to go to the back of the church. We expect to be presenting in the music room.
We hope to see you there!
scott
You are all invited to Calvary Bible Church in Neenah on Sunday September 8th at 6pm to hear our team tell about our Zambia experience. We are so thankful for the way God worked through you to make it possible for us to visit VOH last month, and we would love it if you'd plan to attend our presentation.
Calvary Bible Church is located on Oakridge Rd. in Neenah. Take the Main St. exit off Hwy 41 and the church is on the south west corner of the intersection of Hwy 41 and Main St. (Main St. becomes Oakridge Rd. on the west side of Hwy 41.)
The church driveway is the first turn to the south after exiting the Hwy. Follow the driveway take the first right turn to go to the back of the church. We expect to be presenting in the music room.
We hope to see you there!
scott
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
my first thoughts upon returning (after 12 hours of sleep:))
So here I sit, back in my chair typing on my computer after having been away for two weeks to Zambia. I do not have any work scheduled today because I expected to need the time to get my "head back on straight." I'm glad I don't have plans other than that. Al has to leave in a few minutes for cross-country trials, I hope that goes well for her. She hasn't been training for the last two weeks. God, please be gracious to Al and help her to have a good attitude this morning. Please also help her to do well despite the lack of training while in Zambia. Ab has football practice this afternoon with his team who's been practicing for two weeks. God, please be gracious to Ab by helping him to have a good attitude and do well despite his not practicing with his team for two weeks, and please help him to fit into the team well. Erin seems to be well on her way to being adjusted to home life again. It will be interesting to participate in conversation with Erin as we let this Zambia experience percolate in our hearts. The two most prominent questions in my mind and heart as we've come back are these.
Proverbs 30:8b-9 rings true:
"give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
7
I believe that God has created us with purpose. I wonder if i've been missing out on being amazed by God because I spend so much time focused on myself. Again I wonder... Who has God designed us to be/become? What has God designed us to do?
scott
- Who has God designed us to be/become?
- What has God designed us for doing?
- When someone has more than me, I despise God's grace in giving me what I have because I don't have everything I want.
- When someone has less than me, I puff out my chest for my skillful living and choosing (not God's grace) has secured my life for me.
Proverbs 30:8b-9 rings true:
"give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
7
I believe that God has created us with purpose. I wonder if i've been missing out on being amazed by God because I spend so much time focused on myself. Again I wonder... Who has God designed us to be/become? What has God designed us to do?
scott
Sunday, August 25, 2013
We are home...
We returned home today at 3:30ish pm. We are so thankful that all of our flights went well and God showed our team much grace as we spent two weeks at the Village of Hope.
I truly do not know what to write tonight, but wanted to let you know that we continue to be so grateful for the opportunity God gave our family. We are continuing to process (and probably will take a lot of time these next few weeks) to see what God is teaching us through this trip. I am so tired tonight. We spent 36 hours traveling and I did not get much sleep. This is true for most of our team.
I thought I would take a couple of minutes to post a prayer request from this past Thursday. I thought I might be able to have access to the internet, but it wasn't meant to be. The post still rings true for me though. I know that our team left a piece of each of our hearts at the VOH. I do not know how the kids feel about us leaving, but it was very difficult for us to leave...
Written on 8/22/2013
We have had limited access to the internet. Right now I am typing a note that I hope to post later today. Thankfully God is timeless and whenever you see this prayer request God is faithful to answer. I would like to ask for prayer as our team prepares to say good bye. We have been asked to not be emotional as we say our good byes. The kids here have experienced so much pain in their lives they don't need to experience it once again because of us leaving. So, our goal is to say good bye in a positive fashion, like how we might say good bye to a friend that we plan to see again soon. This is a difficult idea for me because of course there is no guarantee we will be able to come back soon... maybe not ever. But we do want to honor the request and I do understand the request.
We have all developed relationships here that have touched our hearts, with the children, Mama's, Aunties and workers. It is going to be hard to leave, so if you could pray for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and faces so we can smile and love on the children as we say good bye on Friday we would greatly appreciate it.
Today: Saying good bye was very difficult for me. I made many connections with the kids, but especially with the children in House 6. We had the opportunity to visit with the kids each night after dinner in their homes. We each picked a house and then continued to visit with the same kids the whole 2 weeks. So when it came time to say "See you later"... I know I had a couple of tears in my eyes. I hope the kids know that it wasn't necessarily a sadness, but more of a thankfulness that God allowed us to be together... If you would continue to pray for the children as they adjust to a more structured schedule this week while they finish up their "holiday" from school, I know they would appreciate it.
Blessings ~ Erin
I truly do not know what to write tonight, but wanted to let you know that we continue to be so grateful for the opportunity God gave our family. We are continuing to process (and probably will take a lot of time these next few weeks) to see what God is teaching us through this trip. I am so tired tonight. We spent 36 hours traveling and I did not get much sleep. This is true for most of our team.
I thought I would take a couple of minutes to post a prayer request from this past Thursday. I thought I might be able to have access to the internet, but it wasn't meant to be. The post still rings true for me though. I know that our team left a piece of each of our hearts at the VOH. I do not know how the kids feel about us leaving, but it was very difficult for us to leave...
Written on 8/22/2013
We have had limited access to the internet. Right now I am typing a note that I hope to post later today. Thankfully God is timeless and whenever you see this prayer request God is faithful to answer. I would like to ask for prayer as our team prepares to say good bye. We have been asked to not be emotional as we say our good byes. The kids here have experienced so much pain in their lives they don't need to experience it once again because of us leaving. So, our goal is to say good bye in a positive fashion, like how we might say good bye to a friend that we plan to see again soon. This is a difficult idea for me because of course there is no guarantee we will be able to come back soon... maybe not ever. But we do want to honor the request and I do understand the request.
We have all developed relationships here that have touched our hearts, with the children, Mama's, Aunties and workers. It is going to be hard to leave, so if you could pray for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and faces so we can smile and love on the children as we say good bye on Friday we would greatly appreciate it.
Today: Saying good bye was very difficult for me. I made many connections with the kids, but especially with the children in House 6. We had the opportunity to visit with the kids each night after dinner in their homes. We each picked a house and then continued to visit with the same kids the whole 2 weeks. So when it came time to say "See you later"... I know I had a couple of tears in my eyes. I hope the kids know that it wasn't necessarily a sadness, but more of a thankfulness that God allowed us to be together... If you would continue to pray for the children as they adjust to a more structured schedule this week while they finish up their "holiday" from school, I know they would appreciate it.
Blessings ~ Erin
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Ready to be amazed.
Today is the day! I am excited to travel and see what God will do in and through us. I'm a little nervous too. We've never travelled internationally with 4 kids in tow. I think a good picture to capture my feelings is this: we're sitting in the first car of a roller coaster train, at the top of the first big rise, and we're facing down waiting for the train to get half way over the peak so that our plunge can begin.
The first words out of our little guy's mouth to his sister this morning were, "I'm excited." The first words out of our oldest son's mouth were, "We're flying half way across the world today!" I asked him if that was his "wow" moment, and he said with a smile, "I don't know."
Ready to be amazed,
scott
The first words out of our little guy's mouth to his sister this morning were, "I'm excited." The first words out of our oldest son's mouth were, "We're flying half way across the world today!" I asked him if that was his "wow" moment, and he said with a smile, "I don't know."
Ready to be amazed,
scott
We're off!
Today we depart for Zambia!
Our neighbors stopped by last night so we could go over some things they are going to take care of for us. We appreciate them so much. For the first time I started getting teary eyed. As we were talking about how great God is, that He has provided for us to take this trip, it is so humbling and we are so thankful, I started getting a little bit emotional.
I wish I could say I wasn't nervous. I know God provided this trip and I don't need to worry, so I am continually putting my worries at Jesus' feet. I didn't sleep well last night (wondering if I have our house in order, flying over an ocean, taking kids to a different country, losing my passport, etc.). I couldn't fall asleep so I read my Bible for awhile. And this morning I woke up early... thinking about Zambia :) So, I'm glad we don't leave until this afternoon, we are mostly packed and I may even get a nap in. We'll see.
Emotions are a weird thing. The other night at supper our oldest son said he hasn't had his "wow" moment yet. :) We keep waiting for him to have it and when he does he is supposed to write about it in his journal. He hasn't been so involved in the packing scene because he keeps going out to play with his friends, so we wonder if that could be why he hasn't had his moment yet.
On the other hand, our youngest son will just occasionally come into the room and tell me how many days until we leave. He will have a smile on his face sometimes and sometimes it's just very matter of fact. I do wonder how much he is comprehending. I pray that God will even work in his little heart. I think it will be incredible to watch him interact with the children at the Village of Hope.
And my girls are different too. My oldest daughter is so excited! She has a countdown app on her ipod, and she's been watching it for a couple weeks now at least :) Pray for her as she loves the people in Zambia. I don't know what God will teach her while we are away, but she is sensitive to Him right now and I want her to be able to hear Him with all her heart.
And my youngest daughter is nervous. She said she's excited too, but mostly she'll say she's nervous. I'm not sure what she is nervous about but I want her to enjoy her time and not be thinking of things that she doesn't have control of (I guess she takes after her mommy). She's so fun to be with and the kids will just love her and she will love the kids.
And Scott and I, well, we aren't sure what God will teach us either. We do pray that our hearts will be softened though. That we will be available to the people in whatever way God asks us to be. And that this will be an incredible growing experience.
Well, I best get onto my last minute "to-do" list! Woo-Hoo, we're off! :)
Our neighbors stopped by last night so we could go over some things they are going to take care of for us. We appreciate them so much. For the first time I started getting teary eyed. As we were talking about how great God is, that He has provided for us to take this trip, it is so humbling and we are so thankful, I started getting a little bit emotional.
I wish I could say I wasn't nervous. I know God provided this trip and I don't need to worry, so I am continually putting my worries at Jesus' feet. I didn't sleep well last night (wondering if I have our house in order, flying over an ocean, taking kids to a different country, losing my passport, etc.). I couldn't fall asleep so I read my Bible for awhile. And this morning I woke up early... thinking about Zambia :) So, I'm glad we don't leave until this afternoon, we are mostly packed and I may even get a nap in. We'll see.
Emotions are a weird thing. The other night at supper our oldest son said he hasn't had his "wow" moment yet. :) We keep waiting for him to have it and when he does he is supposed to write about it in his journal. He hasn't been so involved in the packing scene because he keeps going out to play with his friends, so we wonder if that could be why he hasn't had his moment yet.
On the other hand, our youngest son will just occasionally come into the room and tell me how many days until we leave. He will have a smile on his face sometimes and sometimes it's just very matter of fact. I do wonder how much he is comprehending. I pray that God will even work in his little heart. I think it will be incredible to watch him interact with the children at the Village of Hope.
And my girls are different too. My oldest daughter is so excited! She has a countdown app on her ipod, and she's been watching it for a couple weeks now at least :) Pray for her as she loves the people in Zambia. I don't know what God will teach her while we are away, but she is sensitive to Him right now and I want her to be able to hear Him with all her heart.
And my youngest daughter is nervous. She said she's excited too, but mostly she'll say she's nervous. I'm not sure what she is nervous about but I want her to enjoy her time and not be thinking of things that she doesn't have control of (I guess she takes after her mommy). She's so fun to be with and the kids will just love her and she will love the kids.
And Scott and I, well, we aren't sure what God will teach us either. We do pray that our hearts will be softened though. That we will be available to the people in whatever way God asks us to be. And that this will be an incredible growing experience.
Well, I best get onto my last minute "to-do" list! Woo-Hoo, we're off! :)
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