San Francisco {Golden Gate Bridge}

Our quick trip to San Francisco meant a quick trip over the Golden Gate Bridge. With Brian driving and Uncle Egbert riding shotgun, I took these snapshots with my G6 from the back seat.

These snapshots were taken along side Conzelman Road.

San Francisco { Aunt Xiu-Lian }

On Friday after Thanksgiving, Brian, Rachel and I took a quick trip to San Francisco. Brian's maternal Aunt, Xiu-Lian, died the week before and we drove up to attend her funeral. Aunt Xiu-Lian was our 'Chinese' aunt and she has an amazing story...

In China's Gansu province 1929, Xiu-Lian's parents were killed during war and was left orphaned along with two other siblings. Brian's maternal grandparents, who were missionaries, found them huddled along the side of the road, took them home and soon adopted them. In 1939, Xiu-Lian married Ji-Ming and they had three children. In 1940, missionaries were forced out and Grandpa and Grandma, with broken hearts, had to leave Xiu-Lian behind. For 42 years, Xiu-Lian and Ji-Ming endured hard times under the communist regime in China. Then in 1981, Xiu-Lian was able to send a letter to the U.S. looking for her American parents. They were reconnected with Grandma and in 1982 were able to come to the U.S. After arriving, Xiu-Lian and Ji-Ming passionately served the Lord until their deaths- Ji-Ming in 1990 and Xiu-Lian in 2009.

Here they are on their wedding day and shortly after arriving to the U.S.

After the funeral, we all gathered at Tian-en's house. I was able to get some group shots.

Chinese and American families. Uncle Egbert is sitting second from the right.

First cousins with spouses.
Second cousins.

I have a story about Xiu-Lian and it goes like this...

Aunt Xiu-Lian is a kidnapper. Brian and I met Aunt Xiu-Lian for the first time in February 1983 when Emily was only 5 months old. We arrived at the home where she had been staying and as soon as she saw Emily, she took her and left the room. A few minutes later, I went looking for them. I found Xiu-Lian lovingly rocking Emily in her arms. As I stepped closer, I could see that Xiu-Lian was crying and quietly saying "Egbert, Egbert". I found out later that before Brian's grandparents were forced to leave China, it was Xiu-Lian's job to take care of Egbert, Grandma and Grandpa's youngest child. Seeing Emily, Xiu-Lian was overcome with emotion as she remembered caring for Egbert. Four months later, we had a family camping trip where Xiu-Lian and Ji-Ming also attended. Xiu-Lian was an amazing babysitter- she never let Emily out of her sight and surrendered her to me only to nurse. In the years to come, we enjoyed our visits with Xiu-Lian and her family.

Xiu-Lian and Emily, February 1983

Here they are at the Santa Barbara Zoo, June 1983.