The 50 Year Gift

This last weekend we had the opportunity to travel out to Wisconsin and meet Jeff's biological dad, half sister, and their extended family for very the first time. It all started when Jeff's dad in CA purchased a DNA test through Ancestery.com for Jeff in spring 2018 to find out more about his ancestry. 4 weeks after we sent the test off, we received some surprising ethnic information, along with a notification that there was someone in the system @ Ancestry.com that shared Jeff's DNA. This linked us to his aunt Lynn. She had always known about Jeff and had prayed for him many times, but never thought it would be possible to ever meet him. Lynn reached out to Harv (Jeff's biological dad) and we connected. That was over a year and a half ago, but this  last weekend, Jeff and I flew out to meet this new WI family that we are connected to sharing time and stories and to learn a little more about Jeff's backstory in the process. We're happy to have been met with hospitality and kindness in WI. It was a very special weekend that we are so thankful for. We feel like a new branch of  our family tree has sprouted and we are forever connected to some wonderful people.

As we sat around Lynn's sun room listening and sharing stories and learning about the history of the V. family, pictures came out and we were finally able to see the missing pieces of who Jeff really looks like and about his heritage. Jeff's biological family hale mostly from Belgium via Canada, but his grandmother was Polish through-and-through and as we looked into her face, we felt connected her. It was strange and surreal to  see the connections and similarities with our own eyes, and to know that Jeff had always been loved. We are so thankful for the family and  parents that he grew up with  in CA but at the same time are excited to have a better understanding of why he was placed for adoption and the family history that we now share.

Just like everything else right now, we are convinced that God is directing our steps and leading us. We didn't understand how going to WI could prepare us to leave for Kenya, but now we know that this pre-planned trip was a bit about healing and discovery. God receives the glory for how he has brought all these pieces and people together.

Off on an adventure together!!!

Jeff and Harv.

Jeff's biological Grandparents. 

Jeff and his half sister Angela.

At Lake Michigan

Jeff's Cousin Ryan...See the red connection?

Harv and Jeff.

Family Breakfast as a group before heading home.

Obligatory stop at  Lambeau Field.

Harv, Jeff, Mandy, Ann, and Angela.

                                         Jeff,Mandy,Angela, and George (Angela's fiance)