Remembering an Amazing Grandpa

The summer before I came to Ecuador, I went to visit my grandparents in Ohio. As I said goodbye to them, I broke down crying. It was the first real time that I noticed their frailness and vulnerability—probably because I was aware of how long it would be until I saw them again. The horrible thought went through my mind of “if I see them again.”

What an amazing God I have when I think about the time I was able to spend with them during this past summer when we were able to visit from Ecuador. The most painful process has been watching my Grandma continue to decline as she goes deeper into dementia. My Grandpa, on the other, despite his almost blindness and his struggle to walk, has a huge smile on his face when we saw him, making jokes with people passing by and sometimes taking a cheerful jab at my Grandma. I don’t think I thought of losing him first.

On Monday, November 7^th, my Grandpa went to be the the Lord. As my sister reminded me, he has a new body now in heaven. He can walk with no pain, see for miles, and most likely is playing beautiful hymns and praises to God. What a comforting thought. Yesterday morning when I shared with my 7^th grade students that I was sad about my Grandpa dying, one of my students pointed out that a praise for our morning prayer-time should be that he’s in heaven. It’s hard to rejoice during this time, but I’m thankful to know he’s free of pain and joyful despite the loss that we feel.

My most vivid memories of my Grandpa are as followed:

-Playing board games with him and my grandma

-The car rides with him every Wednesday when he came to pick me up

-His friendly and joyful singing voice

-His laughter

-His sometimes awkward and inappropriate jokes (more of this in his older age, I think he was losing his filter…haha)

-His music –this, of course, is what I will always remember.

-His all-caps emails

-His reminder to me that him and my grandma prayed for us every morning

When I visited him after being in Ecuador, he told me how proud he was to see me go and serve the Lord. He told me it was honor for him to have lived to see such a special thing.

It is our intent to go home for my Grandpa’s memorial service, but we need your help. Please prayerfully consider assisting us with this added and unexpected cost of airline tickets. We are looking into our options of traveling home for this time to support my family and to help with closure.

Please also pray for my family and I during this time. I’m finding it even harder to be here in Ecuador and away from the familiar while I’m grieving. Clinton has been wonderfully caring and supportive through my uncontrolled emotions these past two days. I am thankful, however, more than ever to know that I have a community of faith both here and at home supporting and praying for us.

Thank you to numerous friends who have encouraged me with verses. This one especially stood out to me from Isaiah 43, reminding me of God’s faithfulness and care:

But now, this is what the LORD says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

² When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

³ For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush and Seba in your stead.

⁴ Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you,

I will give people in exchange for you,

nations in exchange for your life.

⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

I will bring your children from the east

and gather you from the west.

This is one of my favorites: Dad and Grandpa playing music together.

Keeping up with life...

I was sure that I would do better this Fall with keeping up my blog. I have found a true blessing in having a little extra time on my hands. The funny thing is, despite that extra time, I still feel like I’m bustling around and keeping busy.

Last year I took on a huge responsibility of teaching high school English with a total of 6 different classes over the whole year. I am thoroughly enjoying the lack of papers to grade and not having to plan for hours after school each day! My new position as ESL coordinator has been challenging but enjoyable. I am working on creating a stronger department and requirements for the ESL students at our school. I am also loving my 7th grade ESL kids that I teach. They are energetic and fun to teach!

Last year Clinton and I chaperoned the 7th grade trip to the cloud forest, Mindo. This year I went again. Clinton had to stay back because of coaching. My biggest triumph during the trip was zip-lining upside-down! It was called “el murciélago” or “the bat.” Unfortunately I didn’t have my picture taken but here’s a picture online I found of a similar position (again—this is not me! Haha).

At the butterfly garden in Mindo....

Me and one of my students....



I have been doing a lot of cooking because Clinton comes home around 7 each night after coaching. That’s been keeping me busy with trying to find new things to cook with ingredients that I can find here. My favorite find recently has been butternut squash soup. It’s been a great Fall reminder even when there are no changing leaves or cooler temperatures here. I use something called “zapallo” which is what we use here in place of pumpkin for recipes—but essentially it’s a squash shaped like a pumpkin!

Here's the recipe:
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/10/butternut-squash-soup/

Clinton continues to stay busy with work and coaching. The volleyball season is almost over, but soon basketball will start. Clinton has his moments of feeling overwhelmed and stressed, however he continues to go strong and especially enjoys coaching and teaching a business consumer math (anything that involves spreadsheets—if you know Clinton—he loves!).

I have been taking Salsa lessons with three other friends once a week. It’s been an enjoyable form of exercise and a little bit of culture thrown in! We’ve shared many, many laughs during our lessons and even try to practice once in a while on a Saturday.

Today is the last day of our first vacation break of the year. It was the day of the dead and also independence day for one of the cities in Ecuador. Our first day off was Wednesday, so it was a sizable vacation. We traveled to a nearby beach with three other couples and had a relaxing time out there! I love November because of Thanksgiving and how close it is to December break! Clinton and I will be coming home for Christmas, most importantly to attend and be apart of his brother, Ted’s, wedding. We’re flying in on December 15th and will spending the first half of vacation in PA with Clinton’s family and then on to the NY area to be with my family. I am literally crossing off each day on my calendar in anticipation for this trip!

At the beach..

The Boys....

The Girls....