The shoes with 1,000 miles

I am typically not a pack rat or one that saves things. Yes, I’ve even been known to throw away those sweet little preschool drawings that come home every single day….GASP! However I do tend to hang onto clothing. Hey, you never know when it will be back in style.

So recently as I was pulling out my fall/winter shoes (not that I have that many shoes but rather very small closet space) only to find a pair of shoes that are older than my 8 year old daughter. A simple brown, leather pair of mules that I figured I have had for 10 years! How is that for usage? So I figure the way styles come and go I was “in” at least 5 of the 10 years.

Well I literally wore those shoes out. On my trip to Zambia the seams split. As we were packing up to leave camp I had asked one of the Zambian ladies if anyone would be interested in having the shoes even though they were in need of mending. She jumped (literally) up and said, “Oh, yes”. In my experience this is always the case; the African people are desperate for so many things that even “broken” items are a delight.

Not more than 10 minutes later a sweet lady named Violet approached me wearing her new shoes. So I was thinking if the saying, “Don’t judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes”, holds true than I am fair game for the judging by Miss Violet as I am sure she has already walked many miles in those shoes.

Here’s to the Bass Company for making products that last a lifetime.

A Real Bush Experience

I've seen a lot of posts on camping and I always think to myself, "I'm glad it is not me." Well it is my turn; this time it was me. Here are a few shots of my Zambia Bush experience complete with squatty potties, tents, bucket showers and rather interesting cuisine.

I did not care for the "comforts" however I must say the work with the orphans was amazing and made roughing it all worthwhile.

Celebrating My Sky

My Skyler Grace turns 8 today and it is time to brag (as a parent I have bragging rights)!

For those of you that knew Skyler at a very young age will attest to the fact that although a fun, chipper child she was a tad on the difficult side as well! She was (and I stress the verb was) my most difficult child. From the womb she was verbose, precocious, strong-willed and clever. She remains all those things but has really softened around the edges.

Today she is a sweet, generous girl with a very tender heart toward the things of the Lord! Rich and I could not be more proud of her. We get reports all the time of what a lovely, well-mannered, Godly child she is and we can’t agree more.

Even this past week in Zambia together she blew me away. It wasn’t the way she braved the squatty potties, or how she endured the bucket showers, or sleeping in a tent on rocks, or even eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches everyday (which she hates) it was that fact we were able to experience it together! What a special time and memory made! Note to self, next time let’s choose a 5* hotel for our memory making trip. Hee!

My Sky, you are a very special girl and I love you with my whole heart!
Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

My 8 year old (well she will be 8 on Saturday), Skyler and I are headed to Zambia this week. We have a team there that we will be visiting.

I am delighted to hook up with the orphanage work that is happening there, I am looking forward to seeing the team in action and I am elated that Skyler is able to accompany me. However, I am less excited about sleeping in a tent and enduring dubious bathroom/bathing facilities.

I do have a friend that lives in Lusaka, in a house with running water, so if the going gets tough I will get going over there. Of course that is only if Skyler can’t hack it….ha!

Have a great week my blog friends! Will give you a full report of my amazing camping/roughing it abilities when I return. (please pray for me..hee!)

Good Ole Pooh

The potty training isn’t going so well but at least she is getting something done while sitting there. It isn’t just one book to look at any more it is a whole stack. I thought Winnie the Pooh books might add a psychological nudge and actually she finished up with something to flush.

My new potty training slogan, “Come poop with Pooh!”

So do you think this is one of those marketing ideas I should jump on?

The Cavalry is here

Three weeks ago today an angel robed in a Northface jacket arrived on our doorstep. Anyone that leaves 80 degree weather and comes to our winter cold with no heat is an angel in my book! Her name is Marci and she is here to serve with us at Impact Africa.

Already she has taken so many monkeys off Rich’s back and much of the guilt I carry has been alleviated. I feel bad when I can’t help Rich with his monkeys. Well no more monkey business here thanks to our new superstar!

Marci you are our Cavalry (so does this mean we need to get you a horse) and we are so glad you are here! Check out her blog and learn her story. She also has a really funny crack post!

In SA News

No photos for apparent reason, read on.......

This was headline news last week in the Mother City of South Africa- Capetown....
'No go' for naked bike ride'

Now that is a title that will make you sit up and take notice. I was a little sorry no picture accomanied it. hee~

The blurb went on to say....

"Cape Town - Plans for South Africa's first public mass naked bicycle ride, to protest global warming, have fallen foul of the public service strike. "

Scary yet if done I bet it would have been effective....I'd aim more effort on global warming if I witnessed a bunch of naked people of all sizes and shapes riding bikes. That would be a scary sight and seemingly uncomfortable!

The public service strike has been a pain for so many but in this case it definitely brought us all some relief!

I thought they could have been much more creative in titling this article! I kind of like, "Bike Riding in the Buff"! What would you title this article? Keep it clean and no photos pleasssseeee!

Funky Friday African Style

The Funky part...




(As my mom used to say, "That is a face only a mother could love.")

African style....


Notice my arms bracing Tori....the blanket was really tight but I was still nervous she would fall.

Innovative Toys

I’m always amazed at all the “stuff” my kids and others like them have and yet the novelty of those enjoyments seem to wear off so quickly. My favorite is when my five year old son who has every Rescue Hero I think there is, cars galore, legos, and of course most of the Star Wars collection, claims “he has nothing to play with”.

Actually when the newness of the toys wanes is when innovation seems to kick in….plays are created, stories made up, books read, pictures painted, songs sung and of course who can forget the fun to be had with a cardboard box large enough for toddler buns to fit in.

I loved being pulled around the house in a cardboard box by my big brothers. Although the fun always came to a halt when they’d attempt to pull me down our 2 flights of stairs. The box and I never seemed to make it to the bottom of the stairs together nor in one piece and someone always ended up grounded…can you guess who?

I came across these little guys the other day while out in one of the informal settlements.

No Toys R Us or DVD’s to keep these guys occupied. Yet such joy emerged from the innovation of a beat up suitcase tied with string to a plastic scooter.

These little guys made me think about the fulfilling joy that comes with the simple things in life and a positive outlook!

Guess what came to SA...

What could be better than mounds of cinnamon and butter enrobed in a warm gooey, sticky bun with frosting on top? Okay for me Starbucks would be better however I am quite elated with the new arrival!

If you lived overseas (or if you do live overseas) what American delight would/do you miss?