Almost unthinkable - our kids away from cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents



Coral and Emma: Girls sticking together

Won’t it be difficult for your kids to adjust to a new home away from family and friends? Gulp. I always get a lump in my throat when asked about this aspect of our move. Our kids’ best friends are their cousins. If they had it their way, they would live half the year at "Grampy and Grammy’s” house, and the other half at “Wama and Papa’s” where the fun and love never ends. It will be extremely hard to say farewell and a big adjustment for all involved.



Wama doesn't stand a chance of
staying dry

Two weekends ago I watched my boys join in an all-cousin squirt gun attack on Wama. My mom never looks better than when she is soaked from head to toe surrounded by her nine energetic grandchildren.  Then the following weekend we spent all day picnicking at a soccer tournament where my boys just come to life making their little cousins giggle. It hurts my heart to think of taking them away from such amazing childhood relationships.



Cousin Squeeze: Glace, Skyler, & Grampy

My kid's time with their extended family is one of the first costs I count when I think about moving overseas. So why do it? With much prayer and Bible searching, we have made the decision to go despite this big challenge of leaving family and friends. It boils down to the fact that there is no better place to be than in God's hands, and this is where he is leading us at this time.  

Tickle war with Aunt Alissa
 & Uncle Alex

We also know many individuals who have benefitted from growing up amidst two cultures, and we will do all we can to help our children reap the richness of this experience. Influenced by Bolivian and American lifestyles, our children will fall into a separate category called third culture kids (TCKs). Living a cross-cultural life away from family and friends will surely impact our children to some degree as they constantly work through transitions and goodbyes. Many TCKs also struggle with identity as they try to find a sense of belonging in cultures in which they live. Because Glacier, Canyon, and Coral won't be exempt from such obstacles, Chris and I have committed ourselves to helping our children work through and even grow from the challenges ahead. We pray they will see that the benefits of being a TCK outweigh the negatives. An expanded world view, learning multiple languages, and developing a love for peoples of other cultures are a few of the rich outcomes that many TCKs experience. Furthermore, studies have shown that TCKs often emerge as adults who are able to solve problems, mediate conflicts, and can relate well to a variety of people. We are praying for our kids’ transition every day as well as those who have to see them move so far away. We covet your prayers for us, our children, and our precious extended families.