On September 30th at 8pm Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan time, I got the phone call that no one ever really expects to receive...that their 63 year old mother had passed away suddenly in her sleep.
She had had surgery just three days before, so it is assumed there were complications and yet, it was definitely a blow!
The next few days were a blur as we made plans to return to America to be with family. Everyone stepped up and helped us out, we truly could not have made it happen without our family in the US getting our car ready (thank you so much, Jon and Maria) and taken care of so many details for us (thanks, Dad, we love you) and helped here locally as we had to get someone to watch the dog and the house (thanks Ilgiz and Rakia) and get our visas back in a hurry (thanks Tilek) and everyone that just smoothed the path for us to attend (can't even list you all, but thank you!)
The emotions were all over the place, we were tired, we were sad, we were happy to see family; I can't really explain it, even now, two months later.
Suffice it to say, the next year, as we have our firsts, will be difficult...first Thanksgiving and wedding anniversary where Mom didn't call or write, my first birthday without my mom saying anything to congratulate me, and now, we're coming up on our first Christmas without a card or message or video call with her. We're making every effort to love our family well, to be present and available and enjoy this peaceful time that the Lord has blessed us with!
I hope you enjoy seeing some of the pictures from our two weeks visiting in America!
We're so thankful for our families.
The weekend we flew into Chicago and spent with our family in Valparaiso, Indiana was their local homecoming. Our kids had never been to a homecoming football game and so it was fun for them to see all that entails.
They had a great time hanging out with their cousins.
Never did take a picture at the game with all of them together, but, here is 6 out of 7!
Then, we drove to Arkansas for the week. There was a visitation at the funeral home and also a funeral at the church for my mom. Here is my dad outside of my parents' house, following the visitation.
This is most of the family that came in to visit, following the funeral at my parents' church.
Me with my sister, Kate, and my brother, Ben.
Two of the USAFA cadets that we sponsored back in the 80's came to my mother's funeral. What an incredible thing; Tom Highsmith came from Texas and Tom and Dina Allison came from Colorado for the day! Thank you guys, so much!
The only picture we got with my Aunt Vana and Uncle Chuck before they had to leave to head back to North Carolina. Love you guys and we're so happy you made it!
Before some of the other family and cousins had to head out, we did a breakfast get together at IHOP. Cousin Michael was heading back to Florida and the horrible hurricane that was coming in there while Kate and Austin had to drive back to Colorado.
The guys outside of the restaurant.
Family picture with Dad.
The ladies.
Me with my sister and brother again.
As we drove back to Indiana, so we could fly back to Bishkek, we got to stop for a meal and floats at an old family favorite, an A&W Root Beer restaurant.
Sissi was really missing our puppy, Vera, so being able to hang out and cuddle with Calvin (the cousin's dog) was a neat thing.
Before we flew back to Kyrgyzstan, we got to do a traditional fall activity and hit the pumpkin patch!
And take a hay ride!
Sissi picking out her pumpkin.
More pumpkin choices.
Group picture.
These pumpkins had some good seeds, also. A bit of olive oil, some salt, and low temp for 8 hours in the oven and we had a great snack.
Picture time with Grandma Stamp at the pumpkin patch.
The final product after the three younger girls got done with the carving.
In the process of carving the pumpkins.
Indy and I with his mom.
All the cousins with Grandma Stamp before we left for the airport.
When we arrived back in Bishkek we received a package that my mom had mailed, the week before her surgery. In it was a book that she had had since she was a child. She had sent it to Sissi.
There was a sweet card and several notes inside. Such an awesome memory for my girl to keep with her, always.
There was also a pink elephant t-shirt, since Sissi loves elephants.
Oddly enough, there was another package that got mailed, that had stuff in it for the boys, but for some reason that package has never been received. We're thankful for what we did get though, and we praise the Father in all things!
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