Our seven children and two children-in-law are far-flung these days, but of course no one actually flung them. They are where they are because they made plans to be there. Many have asked, “Where is so-and-so now? What is he/she doing?” So here are the answers:

Nelson – After leaving our cottage last December 31, he joined the leadership of Youth With A Mission on what’s called an Around the World Discipleship Training School (DTS), based in New Zealand. He helped prepare students over a three month period for their global journey pursuing various mission projects in the months following. They began in South Africa and worked their way north to Morocco, ending in Jerusalem. They debriefed in Egypt, and this week Nelson is in Amman, Jordan. After a stop in England, he’ll arrive back at the cottage on Labor Day weekend, planning to lead another Around the World DTS in 2011.

Lars –When we learned of Nate’s cancer last September, he accepted an offer to transfer from his San Diego insurance company to a branch office in the Chicago area, in order to be near us. Working hard in a difficult sales market, he visits me often and frequently entertains friends from San Diego. He’s been my mainstay on paperwork and personal financial stuff, having a head for numbers that I don’t have.

Linnea and Adam – Living in Florida, they have visited me often since Nate died and will return again in September. During that month they’ll celebrate their 7^th anniversary. Adam continues to work in the family contracting business, which is bouncing back after the difficult days most builders have experienced in recent years. Linnea is a stay-at-home mommy to Skylar and Micah, who will be the subject of tomorrow’s Part II update.

Klaus – Logistically closest to me, he lives one mile away and pops in regularly, asking, “Need anything done?” It’s reassuring to know help is nearby, when I need it. He works for a cousin-in-law in the building industry and is enjoying the extended family relationships that come along with the job.

Hans and Katy – They’re busy around the clock caring for three babies who all arrived in the same 15 month period. Hans is a gardener with more work than he needs, and also a school drum teacher. He teaches privately as well, with students coming to their house for lessons. Katy stays home with the little ones, who will be part of tomorrow’s Part II update on grandbabies. They’ve been married three years.

Louisa – This week she’s working on moving from Chicago to Michigan before leaving the midwest for a nine month school of intensive Bible study in Kona, Hawaii. She’ll be studying at the University of the Nations, which is the main campus of Youth With A Mission. Her coursework at the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) will finish in June of 2011.

Birgitta – Now settled in at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, she has begun an academic journey toward a degree in art therapy, a new and growing field of psychological counseling. After her year of working and living in Chicago near the Loop, school looks good again.

And those are our kids, Nate’s and mine. Although I started to write “those are my kids,” that just doesn’t seem right. Despite Nate’s absence, these 7 + 2 will always be “ours”. They have filled our coffers to overflowing.

”May the Lord bless you… all the days of your life; and may you live to see your children’s children.” (Psalm 28:5a,6a)