Happy Birthday, Shaun

Since your birthday is a great time to reflect back to how you came to be part of our family, I thought I'd go a bit further back to January 1994 when the San Fernando Valley, on the north end of LA, was hit by a major earthquake. Estimates of the number of people displaced ranged from 80,000 to 125,000.  Your family was part of that number, but of course we did not know.

A couple of months later we drove to Palm Springs, taking a detour because of the earthquake damage, not knowing that our future son-in-law had been woken from his sleep and rescued from his burning home. All I have learned since, is that it was an experience that deeply impacted you and has become a part of who you are today.

In the fall of 2001 we drove down to LA again, this time to drop Kristal off at the university where you and her first met. She says that you pursued her, but we all know it was not a long pursuit.  Your convincing nature won over any questions we may have had, as at the end of that school year there was a ring on her finger and you came up for your first visit. Since that time we have seen in other ways that when you set your heart on something, you follow through on it.

The wedding took place during the Christmas break 2002 and you both finished your education as a married couple.

We remember the trips to the places you called home, as you ventured out on your music career and, more specifically later, that of taking on the role of worship pastor. Scrolling through the photos now, made me realize what an adventure it's been to connect as a family in so many different ways and places.

In April 2006 you became the proud daddy to Natalie, born in LA, and a few months later you took on a job in a church in Phoenix, and made that your home.

This is where Landon was born in March 2008.

In the next three years there were moves to Vegas and then Durango, 

where Koen was born, September 2010. 

Each place we visited you, we were happy and proud to see you doing what you loved doing yet, we also saw you struggle with the fact that these positions were short lived. Your desire really was to provide a more long-term home for your family and to be closer to extended family if possible.

Early 2011 we got the call that ended up in a move I'd been afraid to hope for. You and Kristal decided it was time to pick up your stakes and make a move to BC, even if it meant a change of career. We know this was not an easy time for you, Shaun, but we appreciate your desire to follow through on what you felt best for your family, even when it meant sacrifice for you.

It's been three years and we have been the benefactors of having you all so close! We have watched you grow into a job that seems to offer the best of two worlds for you . . . that of working with teens during the week and still leading a worship band.  Your outgoing and persuasive nature are a great asset in what you do and we pray that God continues to guide and bless you in this.

Seeing your commitment to your family and your love for God 

is what makes this day one that we celebrate with much joy. 

Happy 35th Birthday, Shaun!