Home Assignment 2026 - Stage 3

The last 10 days or so we have enjoyed our time with the family in California. This stop is always a bit of a warm hug in so many ways. The colors, smells and beauty of California wraps you in a warm, colorful blanket even as you arrive. If you look past the traffic on the way from the airport to where we are staying, you can enjoy all of the colors of flowering plants and trees everywhere. It is amazing to me when people say of the blooming oleander, “Oh that. That is just a weed that grows along the highway.” But its pink and white flowers - literally everywhere - make every moment of the day a little lighter. 

We saw plenty of the oleander and much more when we drove up to Mokelumne Hills (pronounced - if you can believe it - “Ma-cúllum-nee hills”) to meet Shirley’s cousin. They found each other on Ancestry and were so thrilled to share stories and histories for the day and a half that we were there. It is amazing what technology can do in these days. Shirley didn’t even know that she had this cousin - and neither did the cousin know that she had Shirley as a cousin. We unfortunately were not able to hook up with Scott’s sister-in-law and nephew in San Diego, so we missed the beautiful cactus and more down that way. Our communication efforts stranded on the internet.

We had two Sundays while we were here. Long Beach is our sponsoring church and we wanted to make sure that we were able to re-connect with everyone, especially as the church is changing. So the first Sunday Scott gave the Bible study. Afterwards a Pacific Islanders potluck was already planned and gave us both the opportunity to visit with and meet new members. On the second Sunday, the congregation moved up their quarterly Missions Sunday so that Scott could report on the work and present the thought during the Lord’s Supper. 

Around each of these meeting moments there were other chances to meet with members we knew and new members we were getting to know. You can read more about those in the post from last Monday as well. Eating together is always a good time to share life events and questions. We were thankful to spend our last evening with our hosts, Kerry and Marisol. 

Throughout this time in California, we were extremely blessed by the hospitality of so many. We had a place to stay and were welcomed into several homes or meeting places. We had the use of a car - which was essential since were in Southern California where you can’t really get around if you do not have a car. We had walks, talks, time to play guitar, time to laugh at stories and memories, time to encourage and be encouraged by new life in Christ and the grace of Christ in our lives. 

As with other years that we have come through California, we will leave with some wonderful memories. This time it will be an evening walk across the golf course, a discgolf session with a random guy in the park who had just returned from Hawaii and watching Shirley do a hula dance with several others while celebrating Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. We will take memories away of flowering trees in the golden hills, flowering bushes along every stretch of highway and hugs from loved ones that filled our hearts with the fragrance of Christ. 

We now move on to our next stop in Minnesota before beginning our road loop. But that is for next time. 

If you are interested, take a look at the pictures here.

Whensday: Memorial Day

Because we live in Europe and do not have a television, one of the things we generally miss are tv advertisements, including those that come with special days. A holiday always gives a good excuse for special deals of all kinds. And although Belgium has plenty of special days (often connected to religious holidays), the US has plenty of their own. 

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, although I was not aware of it when I planned our travels. Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May and is a day when those who died for the country are remembered. We will be traveling this weekend and will be flying to our next stage on Monday. Hopefully the fact that we are flying on Monday - when everyone else is celebrating at home - will make flying easier. 

And although we will be traveling, we will be remembering. But we will be remembering other important things. This weekend we will be driving up to get to know a first cousin that Shirley did not know she had. She is the daughter of the brother of Shirley’s father. Years ago Shirley looked into some dan results, looking for the sister she knew she had but had never really met.  She finally found the information but never met the sister, who unfortunately had already passed away. 

But we are looking forward to this cousin visit. This will be a time to remember families, share information and simply get to know each other. I imagine there will be some pictures and talk of current families. We do not have a lot of time, but it will be worth the long drive. 

If possible, we will also drive down to San Diego to visit more family and remember that we are family. Since we only come around every three years it is sometimes difficult to keep in touch or have the correct contact information. We look forward to the opportunity to share some time on the Saturday in San Diego. 

And on Sunday we of course will be remembering the most important death for all of us - as we do every Sunday. We are very thankful for the soldiers who gave their lives so that we can be free. And yet we are never truly free unless we accept the death and resurrection of Jesus who gave his life so that we could truly be free of sin and death. 

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1)

(Photo of the area we are traveling to this weekend)

Food and Fellowship

A lot of the time that we are in the US traveling we are moving from group to group, getting to know new people and getting to see old friends. When we are in an area, connected with a church, or when we are with family, eating together is a good way to spend time getting to know one another. That means lots of opportunities to try new things. And it means a lot of eating. 

In Texas we went to a fish fry and got to meet a whole family out at a ranch. We also were treated to meals prepared for us in a home setting. In Indiana we got together for a birthday celebration and met up with family for taco salad. We also shared in coffee and donuts on Sundays while we met new members of congregations in both places. 

In California, where we are currently, we took part in an Asian and Pacific Islander potluck with the congregation. Places were reserved at each table so that Shirley and I could make our way around the room to the various tables and get to know people from the congregation while enjoying delicious foods. Shirley even got to learn some hula-dancing with some of the others present. The day before we had helped prepare a potluck lunch with some of the leaders in the church.

We have also gone out to eat with our hosts and met their friends, getting wonderful opportunities for good conversations. This coming week will include more lunches and meals with old friends and even new family. We hope to drive up to meet a first cousin that Shirley found through her searches for family as well as see family down in San Diego. 

We are thankful for all the people welcoming us to their homes, preparing meals, joining us at restaurants or churches for a communal meal and simply sharing time with us. We look forward to the coming times of fellowship in the areas we have before us.