My brother Kim and I are nine months and ten days apart. It was always just the two of us. We could not be more different (possibly the greatest understatement of my life), but we were always glad to have each other. Throughout a lifetime of very different journeys, we have had a great connection and respect for each other.
This journey with my DNA search and ancestry has brought lots of surprises. The first, finding my birth mom and meeting her. And secondly, finding biological siblings. There were a total of two brothers and four sisters between my birth parents children. One brother and one sister have passed away. I have not spoken with my brother Kirk yet, but have talked to his wife who has been very sweet and welcoming. I have not talked with one sister yet. But last weekend, I got to meet my sisters Judy and Karen.
Sisters…that seems kind of weird to say. But, it is part of my story. We met Judy, her husband and several of her children. They were just delightful and so welcoming. It was sweet to share and talk about our faith and to find out more about my birth dad, Aubrey. My niece Sarah shared a few more pictures of Aubrey. There is one of him when he was much younger, and the resemblance surprised me. I’ll include a comparison picture of us. It was so sweet of Judy and her family to take the time to meet me and include me in their family.
After meeting Judy, we drove to my sister Karen’s home on the lake. Karen and Art were so kind and we really enjoyed getting to know them. Karen didn’t actually know Aubrey was her dad, or meet him, until she was in her twenties. So it was interesting and encouraging to hear how he welcomed her into his heart and treated her with such love in the years they had together. Karen showed me several photos of Aubrey also and it was fun seeing him in his environment and hearing stories about him.
The sweetest part of meeting my sisters was something that both of them and their husbands separately spoke to me. They each told me that if Aubrey knew about me, both he and his wife Ina would have embraced me and loved me. Both Judy and Karen understand what it’s like to be on the outside. Karen, not knowing Aubrey until she was grown. And Judy, was Aubrey’s step-daughter with his second wife Ina. Aubrey raised Judy from about the age 10 and eventually adopted her as an adult.
Even more exciting than the thought that Aubrey would have welcomed me, is the story of how his life was changed by Christ. No one made him out to be a saint. But they could all point to a clear change in him after he became a believer. And that makes my heart happy.
A couple of friends have asked, “how do you feel after all of this?” Honestly, I don’t really know. There are a LOT of feelings to sort through. But as a whole, I feel like God took me on this journey. There have been some pretty low lows in finding Jean Anne. Even though I didn’t expect much, it was still incredibly painful to be so wholly rejected by her. But, meeting sisters who treated me with such love, respect and understanding is a precious blessing.
God has been sweet to me. He has walked each step with me. I know that He had a purpose in me finding Jean Anne, in faithfully praying for her. But now I can see that He wanted me to know that He is sovereign. He has loved me with a great love. That’s really all I need.
I can try to figure out Jean Anne’s heart and her motives, but that would be fruitless and make me crazy. What can I do? Continue to grow in the knowledge of who I am in Christ. Seek Him wholly. And I can make sure that the legacy I pass on to my children is different. I’m so aware of the grace that has been shown to me. I am blessed with a Godly husband who loves me despite all my flaws. And I have two children who love the Lord and who I love with my whole heart.
One of my sweet friends shared this scripture with me during this process and I have returned to it over and over.
“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
or let your holy one see destruction.
You make known to me the path of life
; in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:5-11
MoreThanAllTheNumbers 