One Last Time

I have looked at the tiny video edition of this over and over ...

in a way making the cycle complete, 

remembering the first time Tehya  (three years old)

came running to us at the airport.

In between there have been many happy first hugs, 

such as the visit when Makenna decided to dress in her prettiest dress 

to meet us at the airport.

And now it was a similar run in her torn jeans, just as beautiful,

Paeton in tow with the luggage. =)

Another sweet lasting memory to keep.

There were happy greetings at the door the next day.

Twin cousins in age (17 days apart) compared growth.

And I flipped crepes for ten while Papa made sure everything flowed. 

There are always some who think it's a race to see how many they can eat

and the variations to create ... 

plain sugar, cinnamon sugar, apple filled,

jam, nutella, bananas, strawberries and whipped cream to top.

No one asked for syrup. 

One more pick up and then everyone will be home. 

Let a new season begin. 

🤍🤍🤍

 

All Because Two People Fell in Love

Since we had not had an extended family gathering on my H's side for seven years,

there was a decision made by some that it was time -

and it's always good to have those in the family who make things happen.

Honestly, it can be daunting to plan for over 100 people.

It was up to the old guard to reserve a venue,  

and then some nieces and nephews got involved, 

by planning the meal and decorations, sending out the invitation, planning games

and a program with an MC. 

Kristal and Natalie came over the day before and we had fun

making garden flower arrangements.

I decided that this was a good time to update our family tree 

and found out that we are now186 people in the family,

not counting those who have gone home. 

This would be nine Friesen siblings and their families

who extend out from the tree in clusters. 

This tree became a grounding point for many who studied it.

 

We were four generations together ranging in age from 87 down to 6 months.

The farthest away came from Prince Edward Island,

others from Calgary, Kelowna, Vernon and Bellingham. 

Pretty special to see them make this effort. 

Need I say ... there was a lot of food! 

I won't have everyone on my pictures, but these nieces

grew up with our girls, they were like sister/cousins. 

We sat with our oldest nephews and some of their family,

some of their grandchildren now in school with our grandchildren. 

How does one explain that relationship? 

After some singing and sharing of memories, the kids were happy to head out to be entertained with games while the adults brought out lawn chairs and caught up with each other. 

And if the only thing the littlest ones remember is chasing the candy man,

it will still be worth the memory of being part of this. 

We ended our time with a true Mennonite Faspa of lunch leftovers, 

Zwieback and lots of desserts. 

What a blessing it is to be part of an extended family,

not perfect, but working things out,

praying for each other, 

caring and reaching out where we can. 

Some have lost a dear family member in the last few years,

making us so much more aware of seizing the time we have. 

Until we meet again, 

happy times like this are the best way to meet. 

Seasons

 I just want to say how I love this season of blooms in my garden. 

Every week as I go out to prune or dead head, 

I have the joy of collecting a bunch to put into vases.

It's June. 

We've watched Landon, Koen and Jack play their respective sports ...

 soccer, flag football and baseball.

And let's not forget Lacey playing vollleyball, 

Evy singing  in a spring choir concert, 

Teddy participating in track and field

and winning a speach contest.

Also, as the school year is ending, 

Natalie came home with a drafting award. 

It's a season to embrace as all of them find their place. 

As I'm writing, I'm also pondering the end of a specific season,

one that I have not been able to put in writing yet.

But know for sure that I've been treasuring it in my heart for a while.

Our Indonesia family has decided that living apart is not ideal,

and so Tehya and Paeton, who were babes when they left us, 

have now paved the way for all of them to return.

In just a few weeks, they will all be here ...

And there will be no goodbye to follow anytime soon. 

Somehow I just never imagined processing this. 

One day I may write about how this missionary life has impacted me

and how I can say it's been good!

What I find hard to believe is that, now that the time has come,

I tear up for them as I see them taking care of last things ...

last class taught, last day of school, last flight.

Letting go of their dreams, but having fulfilled them well.

 

Our jungle pilot is coming back. 

Our daughter is coming home.

All of our grands will be here! 

♡♡♡

A Precious Call from Indonesia

When Tehya finished her studies in mid May

she followed through on plans for a final visit to her home in Indonesia.

Her special friend, Rahul, whom she met at CBC in her first year here,

 decided to go with her, to see how she grew up

and to live her memories with her. 

Well, and for one more reason, 

to ask her parents the important question in person! 

When the call came, we were surprised at that exact moment, 

but not totally taken off guard.

Their smiles, together on the screen, 

we knew this was momentous even before she showed her hand.

I can't help but think how well he knows and wants to know her,

to be willing to travel to this remote place,

to live with her family for a month and to experience her happy place. 

These kinds of experiences are hard to understand unless you experience them!

Even for us, seeing this photo, takes me back 

to landing on that strip and being welcomed in a way that brought tears to my eyes! 

Tehya, our precious firstborn grandchild,

I think back to when you were born and 

how I was afraid to love you because I'd have to let you go.

But you never let go. 

From running toward us, ducking through airport guardrails

to secret conversations on the old fashioned phone

and, in these last years, making yourself at home here, like our fourth child,

how could I have ever dreamed that coming to this part of life

could be so rewarding and sweet! 

We love you both, Tehya and Rahul,

and wish you God's richest blessings 

as you enjoy this time of planning for married life. 

Papa and Grammy

♡♡♡