What an eventful summer this has been! We’ve been on the road (or in the air) since May 26th, and it all looked something like this:
North Carolina (one week)
– Charlotte
Texas (one week)
– DFW area
Oklahoma (two weeks)
– Broken Arrow
– Glenpool
– Ada
– Coffeyville, KS (just over the border)
Texas (one week)
– Midland
– Andrews
– Lubbock
– Lockney
– Idalou
– Plainview
Idaho (one week)
– Meridian
– Caldwell
California (two weeks):
– Rescue
– Placerville
– Point Reyes
Nevada (three weeks)
– Reno
– Lake Tahoe
North Carolina (this Wednesday)
– Charlotte
It was a blessing to spend time with so many people we love so much. Most of them we hadn’t seen in over two years. It was good to share with so many churches about our work in Ukraine, and it was wonderful to spend time with so many of our friends around the country.
Family Transitions
Before we flew to California, we got word that Katie’s grandmother was having health problems. It quickly became clear she would no longer be able to live on her own. Over the course of just a few days, a care facility was found and preparations were being made to sell her house and property in order to afford it. As soon as we arrived, Katie jumped right in to help her aunt, mom, and sister care for her grandmother and get things done.
It was a very heavy and emotional two weeks for everyone. Even though her grandma’s health has stabilized, this move marks the end of an era in Katie’s family, and this kind of transition (and foreshadowing) isn’t easy for anyone.
We were thankful, however, that we were got to be there during this time. We often struggle with guilt for living so far away from family, and unexpected changes in family health while we are gone is something that we think about more and more. We are grateful that God allowed us to be present during this difficult time.
Covid in Reno
We had decided we’d drive to Reno on Friday as scheduled but that after the weekend, Katie would return to California to spend more time with her grandmother while Justus and I stayed the next week with my parents. On Friday night, Katie had a scratch in her throat. On Saturday morning, she was officially sick and, it turns out, it was officially Covid. On Monday, I came down with it. On Tuesday, my mom did. Then on Wednesday, my dad.
Katie wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was I. My trip to Tennessee was cancelled. Our departure date to Ukraine was pushed back and several other flights had to be switched around several times.
Katie, my dad, and I all weathered the virus fairly well, but my mom ended up in the hospital due to unrelenting nausea which was keeping her from eating or drinking anything. After three days, she was home and doing much better.
Katie’s sister, mom, and grandmother all came down with it as well (thankfully they’re all doing better), so instead of spending our last days with them in California, we drove the two hours to pick up the things we had left there and say a quick goodbye. Goodbye to family, and goodbye to Katie’s childhood home. So many emotions, so little time.
The change in plans has kept us in Reno for several more days, which has been a blessing because our week and a half of sickness wasn’t quite the quality family time we had planned for. Justus is finally getting some play time with cousins and good reading time with Grandma Gayla.
Heading Home (Hopefully)
Two-and-a-half months is a long time to be on the road, and a vacation this was not. (It’d probably be best not to mention to Katie that the list of places we visited also roughly reflects the same number of times she repacked our suitcases.) Justus has expressed several times now that he’s ready to get back to his own room and his own toys. Amen to that.
We fly from Reno to North Carolina on a red-eye Wednesday night. Then, Lord willing, we fly to Ukraine on Saturday. However, we must present a negative Covid test in order to fly and we’ve been told that a positive result may stick around for weeks after infection. We are praying we don’t get stuck in North Carolina waiting around for negative test results.
Which is important because UBI’s 25th year begins in less than three weeks. We’ve got a lot of work to do to prepare for the first day of school. I’m excited that we have several guest teachers on the schedule to join us in person this year. I’ve been praying all summer that we’d have at least ten new students, and we have exactly ten applying.
In Closing
This has been a saturated summer. It’s been full of blessings, both enjoyable and challenging. We praise God for His faithfulness through it all.
It was such a joy to see so many of you during this year’s travels. Praise God for you and your constant love and support. Thanks for your prayers, your cars, your spare rooms, and your air mattresses. Thanks for the coffee dates, the meals, and the little surprises for Justus. Thank you so much for always believing in what we do.
Until next time,
Brandon and Katie
In other news…
Birthday Dress 2021
Katie’s birthday landed right in the middle of our Covid struggles. We hung a banner and blew up balloons, but that was it. It wasn’t until over a week later that we finally were able to get out and do our annual Birthday Dress photos shoot. See the pictures on our website here.
Grandude Steve
Grandude Steve is a special member of the family, and because of everything going on with Katie’s grandma, we stayed with him this trip to California. Grandude keeps bees, and Justus was very excited to get out there and check them out.
Grandude also took Justus, his cousin Finnley, and me to the coast for a couple days while Katie and her sister got to spend some important time together.
Katie: “Why are you wearing socks? You don’t need socks for bedtime.”
Justus: “I just wanted to decorate my feet. With camouflage. Just to make me fancy.”
Katie: “Justus, you crack me up.”
Justus: “Like a peanut shell.”