This is a memoir about a marriage that bridged time, distance, and the serious cultural differences of a young biracial couple. Having met through an incredible set of circumstances - going back to their parents in the 1930s and living through the years of World War II - Edward and Monika want their children and grandchildren to know their love story, lest they forget their origins during this century's wild cultural changes. Above all, it is a story of God acting behind the happenings in their lives, as they learned to understand and trust His love, faithfulness, and the process of recovery from gambling addiction.

Chopsticks and Chocolate:

This book is an inspiring and intimate look into the life and times of a remarkable couple, Monika and Edward Lumsdaine. Their story is a chronicle of the events that occurred along the way toward their goal of living the American Dream. From a middle-class family in Switzerland and a slum boyhood in Shanghai these two somehow met in Ventura California and their amazing journey together commenced. Sometimes things just seemed to fall in place, but it wasn't always easy. Their future was ultimately earned by their own strength of character, hard work, integrity and perseverance. Yes, the story is compelling by itself and in a real sense a love story. But it's more than that.

Most of us living in America have enjoyed a life of abundance. This has made it easy to overlook the existence of God. We can now believe in our own "self-sufficiency". A story like this makes the existence of God impossible to intellectually or spiritually ignore. Were all of the significant things that helped make Monika and Edward's life so remarkable just coincidental? That's not so. The loving hand of God was with this couple throughout their lives even before they knew it. Every American should read this book.

Jim Arber

Journalist, US Navy, Analytical/Technical Writer, GM

Other writing adventures

Edward Lumsdaine grew up in Shanghai during the war years with an American father and Chinese mother. He worked his way to the US on a Danish tramp steamer, followed by four years in the US Air Force. He earned his doctorate in mechanical engineering, then advanced from professor to Dean of Engineering in several universities. Edward taught and directed research in solar energy, engineering design, and entrepreneurship before retiring in Tennessee, where he now plays Appalachian music.

Monika Lumsdaine came to the US to study math as an exchange student, sponsored by a Rotary family. As an avid learner, she constantly found new ways to challenge herself which included getting her pilot's license in both Switzerland and America. At the end of their freshman year, Monika and Edward were married. The couple raised four talented children, while simultaneously continuing their studies. Since then, Monika has worked on a variety of projects, including designing passive solar homes -- one going on to win a national award.

Her consulting work involved creative problem solving and whole-brain team development. Now, she loves to photograph Smoky Mountain wildflowers.