The Story Behind the Story...

. Our Family on vacation at Maranatha - 2001.

This is one of my favorite pictures of all of us...before January 17, 2003. The picture says so much about us and about what matters most to us individually and as a family.

Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference Center in Muskegon Michigan is a favorite place of ours to go to each year. It is a wonderful place to relax, refocus and reconnect with God and with each other in the midst of great Bible teaching, challenging missionary projects, and fellowship with other believers.

Photo from left: Bonnie, Greg, Randy & Steve

By summer 2002, Greg & Steve posed for their Senior pictures in preparation of their Senior year of High School. Both Greg & Steve decided to be part of the school Co-op program. Greg worked 4 hours each morning at the local John Deere store in maintenance/parts while Steve worked at a repair shop for ATV's. They would then complete each school day with class in the afternoon. They also were co-captains of the High School Varsity Golf team their senior year.

The boys were members of the high school youth group at our church as well as another local church. At school, they were members of the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) huddle. Greg was able to attend FCA Leadership Camp the summer of 2001. We are so thankful for the teaching and fellowship these groups provided as well as the faithful preaching in our own church.

Shattered Dreams...

January 17, 2003 many of our dreams for the future of Greg and Steve were shattered in an instant as the result of a car crash when the car Greg was driving went out of control and slammed into a utility pole. Little did we know that as we said our 'good-byes' that morning we would be speaking to Greg for the last time here on earth. Nor, did we realize the painful journey that Steve would begin. We had to drive by the crash scene on our way to the hospital. As we slowly drove by we were shocked, stunned and devastated. Yet, we knew that our sons were in the loving hands of our God...Whether they were home with Him in heaven or they were still here on earth. As we found out later, Greg died at the hospital and Steve was in critical condition. Steve was transferred to a local trauma hospital where he remained for almost a month in a coma state. When he was stable, he was transferred to Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).