On the Family Side: Seeking, sleuthing and saying goodbye

In 2023 we were blessed to visit some of our family. Every three years we try to make it back to the US to visit with supporting congregations and family. We aren’t always able to visit all family because our supporting congregations are not really in any of the places that our family lives. The last time we visited Scott’s father was in 2010 on what we remember as our “Road Trip”. This was also the last time that our oldest son, Stephan, traveled with us. 

Last year we were able to visit Scott’s mom and even checked in with an aunt that he had not seen for more than 40 years. But we were also able to stop in to our oldest son, Stephan, again just before he became a father and we became grandparents for the first time. We hope sometime this year to be able to visit and meet Sophia in person, perhaps before or on her first birthday. 

On Shirley’s side we were working through some detective work trying to find more information on her older sister. Shirley had only met her sister once in her life. Through a DNA site, we were finally able to find more information and the news that her sister had passed away in 2020. We are still looking into more information about her father’s side of the family as well as her mother’s side. 

Unfortunately, we were not able to meet with all of our family. Some of the brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces had moved or were sick when we came through. For some this meant that our previous visit would be the last time we saw them. Scott’s brother and a nephew passed away in 2023 without us being able to visit them. 

We were thankful that we were able to see Shirley’s brother before he too passed away later that year. This year we are praying that we will be able to see Shirley’s last sister again. She is struggling with health problems. It is difficult to be so far away and wanting to be able to help. We are so very thankful for a family in Christ who continues to keep us and our loved ones in prayer. 

Thankfully, we are still able to be connected in many ways to family. We have a video call with our oldest son almost every week. Sean, our younger son, and his wife Jill, jump online with us at least once a month as well. So we can hear one another, see each other and share what is going on. Shirley emails her sister every day so that she knows what is going on and can be an encouragement. We get a picture every month of our granddaughter, Sophia, so that we know what she looks like and can see how she is growing. 

Both of us grew up in a time of airmail letters (thin pieces of folded paper filled with writing on both sides) being the only way to communicate over distances. So we know how special it is to be able to be in touch with our family that is far away. When I left for university, my mother knew that she could not expect to see me until the holidays - IF I could get a ride home at that time. 

Imagine what it must have been in the past when people moved across the globe. Even today peoples are moving far away from their families. Our young Ukrainian couple in church are far from family and friends in this somewhat strange country of Belgium. They are learning the language, but we know how they still miss family and friends. It is good to be connected in every way that we can. We are so very thankful for the contact we can have with our family, our kids and our loving church family. 

Please be praying for us for the following things we are looking at in the coming months: 

- We would love to be able to visit our granddaughter Sophia. Pray that we can find a good time in our schedule and the means to do this. Also pray that all stay healthy. 

- We would love your prayers for Shirley’s sister’s health and for Shirley’s peace of mind at this time. 

- Praise and thank God for family and for technology which makes it possible to be and stay connected.

(The picture is of Scott's mom when she was in high school)