Once again we were stunned to hear that another young man in our Central Oregon community has passed away quite suddenly.
I was fortunate to spend time with Jeremy while our children participated in classes for homeschoolers a few years ago. Jeremy told the best stories and had a charming sense of humor. He was a natural with his boys and adored his wife. I know he will be sorely missed.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Jeremy's wife Jaylynn, sons Jacob, Jonathan, and Josiah, parents Glen and Rosemary, his brothers Mark and Steve, and sister Kim along with their families.
Though Jeremy's life on earth has ended, he is now living in heaven free from the pain and limitations of his physical body. It is often the loss of a loved one which causes us to realize just how precious the gift of eternal life really is.
For us, the events surrounding the birth of Jesus aren't the ingredients of another holiday story or family tradition but the inspiration of hope and peace even in the midst of our deepest sorrows and fears.
Love and peace to you all,
Beckie
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
We Lived 20 Miles Apart...
but it was Zambia that brought us together. I am talking about our dear friends Marlena and Carmelo Bellavia. It all started in 2007 when a local newspaper ran a story about our family. I received a phone call from Marlena shortly thereafter and our hearts connected immediately.
Marlena teaches French and German at Central Oregon Community College. Carmelo teaches French and Italian at one of Bend's high schools. During our first visit with the Bellavias in our Redmond home it became clear that we shared similar passions.
Both are part of an amazing organization Vima Lupwa Homes. Instead of building an institution for orphans to grow up in, a home was constructed where 14 children live and work together as family with a mom and dad. I can hardly wait to visit next week and meet them all. I encourage you to click on the link above to learn more.
Left to Right: Steven, Carlin (holding Cora the hen), Beckie, Shauna, Marlena, Sia, and Isata. Jason captured this photo just before Marlena left for Lusaka.
Marlena is here in Zambia to see the family at Vima Lupwa and to celebrate Christmas with them. We are thrilled at the opportunity to enjoy a few days with her in our home. What an encouragement and bundle of fun she is to us.
Above, Marlena and I sip cool drinks while sharing our experiences and ideas. Ahhhh, there is nothing more refreshing than warm friendship and stimulating conversations. What a gift Marlena's visit is to us.
We look forward to Friday of next week when Marlena will return to us for a last visit before she begins her long journey home to Bend, Oregon.
To my precious friends and family, I love and miss you all very much. May God bless you with lots of love, joy, and peace during your Christmas celebrations.
Lots of love,
Beckie
Marlena teaches French and German at Central Oregon Community College. Carmelo teaches French and Italian at one of Bend's high schools. During our first visit with the Bellavias in our Redmond home it became clear that we shared similar passions.
Both are part of an amazing organization Vima Lupwa Homes. Instead of building an institution for orphans to grow up in, a home was constructed where 14 children live and work together as family with a mom and dad. I can hardly wait to visit next week and meet them all. I encourage you to click on the link above to learn more.
Left to Right: Steven, Carlin (holding Cora the hen), Beckie, Shauna, Marlena, Sia, and Isata. Jason captured this photo just before Marlena left for Lusaka.Marlena is here in Zambia to see the family at Vima Lupwa and to celebrate Christmas with them. We are thrilled at the opportunity to enjoy a few days with her in our home. What an encouragement and bundle of fun she is to us.
Above, Marlena and I sip cool drinks while sharing our experiences and ideas. Ahhhh, there is nothing more refreshing than warm friendship and stimulating conversations. What a gift Marlena's visit is to us.We look forward to Friday of next week when Marlena will return to us for a last visit before she begins her long journey home to Bend, Oregon.
To my precious friends and family, I love and miss you all very much. May God bless you with lots of love, joy, and peace during your Christmas celebrations.
Lots of love,
Beckie
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Crashing Tweetie and Chicken Update
Carlin carefully scooped up this adorable little guy off of the driveway after it smacked into our kitchen window. We were happy that it wasn't mortally wounded and the accident provided a great opportunity to inspect one of our favorite creatures up close.
Do you know what kind of bird this is?
Chicken update: We knew a lady who often talked about how much she enjoyed her chickens. I just didn't get it back then. I mean, how does one "enjoy" a chicken?
Now that we have chickens of our own, I must confess that we enjoy them very much. They constantly talk to each other although they are not loud or obnoxious. They follow us around like puppies and if we leave a door open, Annie (Shauna's hen) comes right in. Although she comes in uninvited, at least she is considerate to leave nothing behind.
I thought you may enjoy seeing our hens. I snapped these photos yesterday. The other two "ladies" were foraging in another part of the yard.
Does anyone have snow yet? I know that my mom and brothers in Colorado certainly do.
I need to get back to math. I am brushing up on my algebra skills. Boy am I rusty!
Blessings and joy,
Beckie
Do you know what kind of bird this is?
Chicken update: We knew a lady who often talked about how much she enjoyed her chickens. I just didn't get it back then. I mean, how does one "enjoy" a chicken?Now that we have chickens of our own, I must confess that we enjoy them very much. They constantly talk to each other although they are not loud or obnoxious. They follow us around like puppies and if we leave a door open, Annie (Shauna's hen) comes right in. Although she comes in uninvited, at least she is considerate to leave nothing behind.
I thought you may enjoy seeing our hens. I snapped these photos yesterday. The other two "ladies" were foraging in another part of the yard.
Does anyone have snow yet? I know that my mom and brothers in Colorado certainly do.I need to get back to math. I am brushing up on my algebra skills. Boy am I rusty!
Blessings and joy,
Beckie
Monday, December 8, 2008
Quick Update
Hello everyone! I've missed blogging something fierce. Life has been extremely busy around here as I'm sure it is for you as well. Our school days are always full and it seems that I enjoy our classes more and more with each passing year. I love to learn right along with our children. I've heard it said that if you really want to learn something, you need to teach it. Truer words were never spoken.
Which brings me to another update. We now have five laying hens (pullets). Several months ago, we had the joy of watching a pair of chickens increase into a small flock. We were pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was to watch the little chicks grow all the way from hatchlings until they began to disappear one by one around the Matambos supper time.
Not only are chickens fun to watch, they devour loads of bugs and lizards. We have really missed having a pet since leaving our golden retriever Scout behind. So these new chickens of ours are kind of red like Scout's mother (I know, that's kind of a stretch but you learn to do that while living on another continent).
We didn't want a rooster because they are LOUD all day and all night. So after taking everything into consideration, we decided laying hens will still give us food in the form of eggs AND they will eat lots of bugs and small critters which we have an abundance of now that the rains have come.
The only problem is. . .their beaks were chopped off! We were stunned to discover this. I guess the purpose of that is to keep the birds from hurting each other while confined in small cages as they are on commercial farms. But obviously we are not a commercial farm! It is extremely difficult for our hens to forage around the house without most of their beaks. Actually, it made us all very sad.
Of course our children named all five hens. They are Cora (Carlin's), Penny (Isata's), Annie (Shauna's), Shirley (Steven's), and Lucy (Sia's). Jason put different colored bands around each bird's leg so we can identify them. So far Cora, Annie, and Penny are laying eggs daily. The other two haven't started yet.
We want to add to our little flock as there is nothing like farm-fresh eggs but we do not want de-beaked birds. I will keep you posted if we find any laying hens with their beaks still attached.
It's getting late so I must make this post a short one. I miss you all so much.
Blessings and joy,
Beckie
Which brings me to another update. We now have five laying hens (pullets). Several months ago, we had the joy of watching a pair of chickens increase into a small flock. We were pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was to watch the little chicks grow all the way from hatchlings until they began to disappear one by one around the Matambos supper time.
Not only are chickens fun to watch, they devour loads of bugs and lizards. We have really missed having a pet since leaving our golden retriever Scout behind. So these new chickens of ours are kind of red like Scout's mother (I know, that's kind of a stretch but you learn to do that while living on another continent).
We didn't want a rooster because they are LOUD all day and all night. So after taking everything into consideration, we decided laying hens will still give us food in the form of eggs AND they will eat lots of bugs and small critters which we have an abundance of now that the rains have come.
The only problem is. . .their beaks were chopped off! We were stunned to discover this. I guess the purpose of that is to keep the birds from hurting each other while confined in small cages as they are on commercial farms. But obviously we are not a commercial farm! It is extremely difficult for our hens to forage around the house without most of their beaks. Actually, it made us all very sad.
Of course our children named all five hens. They are Cora (Carlin's), Penny (Isata's), Annie (Shauna's), Shirley (Steven's), and Lucy (Sia's). Jason put different colored bands around each bird's leg so we can identify them. So far Cora, Annie, and Penny are laying eggs daily. The other two haven't started yet.
We want to add to our little flock as there is nothing like farm-fresh eggs but we do not want de-beaked birds. I will keep you posted if we find any laying hens with their beaks still attached.
It's getting late so I must make this post a short one. I miss you all so much.
Blessings and joy,
Beckie
Friday, November 28, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving full of feasting, fellowship, and of course giving thanks to God for it all. We celebrated a day early with the Mwila family and ohhhh did we have a glorious time as you will see by the following pictures.
Our meal was made extra special by the spices so many of you lavished upon us during my trip to the USA. I now have enough sage to last for several months and trust me, I treasure it greatly. I use it almost every day and vow to never take the precious herb for granted. Although I returned with many jars and bags of various spices (all of which are heavenly), sage is one that is not available in Zambia at ANY price. It just doesn't exist here. Well it does now thanks to several of YOU.
The Mwila family thoroughly enjoyed mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and baked chicken all cooked American style. After dinner, well actually even before dinner, the music played and everyone danced as is customary in Zambian gatherings. We laughed, sang, danced, ate, and thanked God for our friendship and all His goodness. A glorious time was had by all.
Pastor Mwila tapped the side of the drum as Charity pounded an African beat. The rest of us clapped our hands as some of the girls danced a traditional step.
Carlin and Steven shared their camera with Emmanuel. He enjoyed watching all the action through the view finder.
Above, Idoxi dances to the beat of the drum. Notice the wrap around her hips? These are attached in preparation for the dance.
Immanuel never let go of the camera. Very few Zambian adults own a camera particularly one that is digital with immediate playback. So this was a big deal.
Now it's time for careful instruction. (below)
Let the fun begin!
We laughed until our sides hurt.
I wish you could hear these pictures. We had loads of fun watching Jason "find" his rhythm.
I captured this group shot (below) just before the Mwilas returned home.
Back row left to right: Sia, Katherine, Naomi, Nancy, Idoxi, Jason, Pastor Mwila
Middle row left to right: Isata, Shauna, Charity, Gloria, and Sarah
Front left to right: Charles Jr, Carlin, Steven, and Immanuel
I thank God for each of you for your love and generous support of our family and ministry. We are filled with gratefulness and thanksgiving for God's abundant blessings of genuine friendships that continue to deepen with each passing year. Truly we are rich in all the ways that matter most.
Love and prayers,
Beckie
Our meal was made extra special by the spices so many of you lavished upon us during my trip to the USA. I now have enough sage to last for several months and trust me, I treasure it greatly. I use it almost every day and vow to never take the precious herb for granted. Although I returned with many jars and bags of various spices (all of which are heavenly), sage is one that is not available in Zambia at ANY price. It just doesn't exist here. Well it does now thanks to several of YOU.
The Mwila family thoroughly enjoyed mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and baked chicken all cooked American style. After dinner, well actually even before dinner, the music played and everyone danced as is customary in Zambian gatherings. We laughed, sang, danced, ate, and thanked God for our friendship and all His goodness. A glorious time was had by all.
Pastor Mwila tapped the side of the drum as Charity pounded an African beat. The rest of us clapped our hands as some of the girls danced a traditional step.
Carlin and Steven shared their camera with Emmanuel. He enjoyed watching all the action through the view finder.
Above, Idoxi dances to the beat of the drum. Notice the wrap around her hips? These are attached in preparation for the dance. 
Immanuel never let go of the camera. Very few Zambian adults own a camera particularly one that is digital with immediate playback. So this was a big deal.Finally, it was Jason's turn. Pastor Mwila vowed to teach him everything he needed to know about dancing like a Zambian man. It was loads of fun and tons of laughter filled the room.
Now it's time for careful instruction. (below)
Let the fun begin!
We laughed until our sides hurt. 
I wish you could hear these pictures. We had loads of fun watching Jason "find" his rhythm.
I captured this group shot (below) just before the Mwilas returned home.
Back row left to right: Sia, Katherine, Naomi, Nancy, Idoxi, Jason, Pastor MwilaMiddle row left to right: Isata, Shauna, Charity, Gloria, and Sarah
Front left to right: Charles Jr, Carlin, Steven, and Immanuel
I thank God for each of you for your love and generous support of our family and ministry. We are filled with gratefulness and thanksgiving for God's abundant blessings of genuine friendships that continue to deepen with each passing year. Truly we are rich in all the ways that matter most.
Love and prayers,
Beckie
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