Dear Rannie,
As one of my older, "California Cousins," I always looked up to you. We were so happy to be part of the Schilperoort clan and part of, "the 39," first cousins. It was a blessing to have you part of that "band of relatives" and we were blessed whenever you could join together with us in the family celebrations and reunions. While we may have been distant in some ways, what we shared in common helped unite us, even for what on the surface now may appear as just a few small moments in time.
As an eight year old, bug-eyed boy, it was very special of you to "play hostess" to our family on my first trip to Disneyland, not far from your folks home back in 1968. Thank you! I can barely remember, but I also think you went along for the ride to Long Beach for the "Wild Maus" wooden roller coaster.
https://rcdb.com/2425.htm For the, "every now and then" that we Redfields returned from East Asia, the family reunions and times with cousins, aunts and uncles whether in California or Washington were deeply enjoyed. These were great, "times of refreshing fellowship" with each other. I recall "fun times" singing together perhaps an old Young Life camp song, a hymn chorus, or a pop song or two when we gathered at Uncle Gerrit and Aunt Dee's living room after a scrumptious potluck.
We are so blessed to realize that no matter where we are, He is present with us. Wherever we are going, He has already gone ahead of us and has prepared a special place for us. We all truly desire a much greater and grander reunion where once again we can express our wonder for His grace, and our love for one another as part of a much larger family; a family where all the nations are represented. What a blessing that will be! I look forward to joining with you there again in song.