About Sophie & Acacia:

We are a girl family with six daughters in which Sophie (left) and Acacia (right) are daughters’ number two and three. While much is similar in their upbringing, it’s remarkable how unique each girl is and their role in the family dynamics! Both girls were homeschooled, staff camp kids, country girls who loved their cousins and friends, snowboarding, volleyball, summer camp, and hunting to name a few.

Sophie (17), our clever questioner, dreamer, empath, and writer of words in stacks of precious journals. She was selfless as a Bible Camp leader who connected with the outcast and hurting. She delighted in the simple things like blowing soapy bubbles, laughter, literature, or heart to heart communication with those who appreciated her eccentricities. Life could be captured on polaroid or by a thousand words. Sophie had just graduated with plans to move out for Bible college that fall.

Acacia (15), our willing doer, kinesthetic, renaissance girl of many talents from sewing, cake decorating, hairstyling to budding photographer. A daughter of genuine smiles and passionate prayers who was just getting her feet wet in the Bible Camp world of cabin leading. She thrived with a vexing nervousness or anticipation for the next thing – whatever it was and somehow remained unafraid of making mistakes in the midst of it. Acacia’s plans were to obtain her drivers license, graduate, and become camp leadership in the future.

They’re not here now because on August 8^th, 2021, just four weeks shy of our eldest daughter’s wedding, Sophie and Acacia, hand in hand ran ahead of us all to Heaven while in a tragic collision with a semi trailer. 

Scripture that encouraged me:

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 4: 1-8

My prayers were tears and groans. I am so much more aware of my spiritual homesickness. Not for a place I used to live but it’s an aching for a place I will live one day. A place I have never been though I’ve made a couple deposits there. My daughters are home, yet I groan along with all creation. It makes my stomach sink to think back to that summer day, but it makes my heart soar to think of THAT day – the glorious one we wait for!

How I’ve seen God’s faithfulness:

I have seen Him in a thousand ways drench our family and my heart. His expressive compassionate love has come through the thoughtful outpouring hands and remembrances of countless others, even strangers to this day. Overwhelmed by goodness. Seen and not forgotten. 

Our wounds are still wide open, but he is tending to them as the Scriptures promise. I have come to learn that nothing can replace what’s lost, or repair what’s broken, apart from Christ. And instead of the Lord soothing me by removing the pain and reversing the loss of my good dreams, He has upheld me with His attentive companionship and secure future hope.

While cocooned with my Jesus, I could be desperate, full of raw emotion, terrified of the free fall for He was my tender Emmanuel. The Psalms became a teacher in lament; Worship music a salve. And so often when sleep would evade me, tears streaming down my face, the Comforter taught me to write, pray, love and wait on Him anew.