Tribute to my folks.

Today my dear Dad celebrates his 70th birthday and together with Mom 44 years of marriage. WOW.
We celebrated as a family last month together but will celebrate today anyway.

I realize the blessing of having supportive parents. Good byes may be harder but we look forward to the Hellos. I sometimes say that perhaps the Lord only gave my folks two children because He knew how much prayer Todd and my families would need and our folks only have so many hours in a day.

We are in the ministries that we are because of our parents examples, prayers and upbringing. Back in the 70's folks generally did not pack up their 2 and 5 year olds for a couple week mission trip to Haiti. My dad still lives within a mile of where his mother grew up on the farm and where he also grew up on the family farm but despite generational roots my global view lead me back to Haiti. Now my children being the forth generation of my family to be impacted by this country.

 Through laughter and tears they support us. Even just in the last 13 they shared a lot of experiences with us:

• Good byes and welcomes-even if only 2 majors a year that's now over 26.
• Storms of life-hurricanes, political uprisings, earthquakes.
• Ups and downs of homeschooling and parenting.
• Miscarriage and minor health problems.
• 2004 Evacuation -which they shared in person!
• Teams
• Family Drama: including missionary family.
• Road trips. Family time.
• Sharing a house both in Haiti and Michigan.
• and much more....

But the biggest thing they share and live out as examples to each of us daily is their walk with our Lord both as a couple and individuals. A legacy and heritage that I'm so very grateful to have as my own and for my children. They touched and continue to impact deeply many people's lives with the Love of God through out the world.

Thank you Lord for my folks.