How Do We End Up Where We Are ?

Many of us have traveled down a twisting pathway forged by our parents or grandparents that was shaped by economic, political and religious circumstances. I live in the Seattle, WA area today because of some missionaries who came to Indonesia in 1938. The Reverend R. A. Busby from Bethel Tempel (which still stands in downtown Seattle) came to Batavia (now Jakarta) as a missionary for the Assembly of God. My mother and her family were converted by the Pentacostal ("Pinkster" in Dutch) missionaries when she was a young girl. After fleeing Indonesia in 1948 to The Netherlands, some cousins went ahead of us and emigrated to the USA sponsored by the Busbies of Seattle. We followed in 1962 and eventually in 1964 were sponsored by those cousins and moved to Seattle. Each move was a stepping stone to the next.

Photo on right is circa 1945. My mother is the one sitting properly on the first row far right with the white shoes (age 27). This was a Bible School class in Indonesia.
click on title to access link about the missionaries for further history

Our Furry Companions

Paco is our little Chihuahua who is pure joy and a wonderful little companion.
Pico is the little cockatiel on my shoulder looking down at Paco. Unfortunately we lost Pico about a month after this photo was taken. He flew away outside. They were just getting to know each other as Paco came as a little 7-week-old puppy (all 1-1/2 lbs!). Animals have feelings and moods. My husband used to give neck massages to Pico (the bird). It got to the point that Pico would nudge him with his beak whenever he wanted a massage. Animals respond to energy. In some of my darkest moments, little Paco sensed my sadness and would stay by me quietly just looking. I consider pets as a gift from God.