Family Travels, Fall Adventures

Summers are always a full and challenging season for us. We love being able to travel to the States, spend time with family, and visit our wonderful supporters. At the same time, it’s a long time away from home and our routine, and it’s difficult to maintain my work with UBI in Ukraine while also trying to be present in the U.S.

This summer was no exception... except for the fact that we were stateside much longer than usual. Typically, eight or nine weeks is our limit. This year, we were gone for more than three months.

Our travels were longer this year in part so that Katie could spend more time with her side of the family toward the beginning. It also allowed me to be present for two UBI dinners at the end. While there, we spent time with family and friends in California, Nevada, Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee. It was a blessed summer, but we were so thankful to return home in mid-September.

This summer, I was the busiest I’ve ever been with UBI work while on the road. Scheduling, planning, meetings, humanitarian aid work, student interviews, and fundraising dinner preparations dominated most mornings and much of my afternoons. It was a challenge, but thankfully I made some personal changes this year that helped me stay calmer and more focused than I’ve ever been during our travels.

This year was also the first time I wasn’t in Europe for the beginning of UBI’s academic year. That meant, among other things, getting up at 2:00 a.m. Central Time to join everyone for our opening chapel at 10:00 a.m. in Ukraine. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was a beautiful start to a big year for UBI. You can read more about the beginning of UBI’s 29th year here, and the dinners here. (And don’t forget this video of my trip to Kyiv in June.)

Even though work dominated our days, Katie and I made sure to set aside time for a personal spiritual retreat for each of us. For the third year, one of us goes away alone for a few days of solitude, reading, prayer, and worship while the other stays at home with the kids and some of our family. This practice has become a meaningful tradition for both of us and is something we look forward to each year.

A few weeks after arriving home, it was time to...run! Košice is home to Europe’s oldest marathon, which also includes a half marathon and a 4K “Family Run.” Each fall we’ve been here, I’ve said to Katie, “Next year we’re going to do that,” and this year we finally made it happen. On that Saturday, the four of us gathered in the city center to run the 2.5-mile family race.

Then on Sunday, I ran my first half marathon. The city comes alive for this event, with thousands lining the closed streets to cheer on the runners. Katie and the kids were out there cheering with everyone else. It was a very special experience. I finished in 2 hours and 8 minutes, placing 4,038th (out of 7,071). If you’d like to see some video from my adventure, you can do that here.

Justus had a summer of fun and adventure. Not only did he enjoy time with family, he’s now old enough to have his own friends in all the places we visit, and he really looks forward to seeing them each year. He just began third grade, and he jumped right back into baseball as soon as we arrived in Slovakia.

Eliana turned three years old on Tuesday. She loves to talk, sing, follow (and repeat) her brother, and is the ultimate comforter in the family. This precious little girl has brought so much joy to our lives, and we thank God for the amazing way he brought her into our family.

This year, I made a little video for her that we’d love to share with you.

Thank you all for your continued support for our work and your love for our family. We loved spending time with so many of you this summer. Thank you for sharing your hearts, your homes, and your lives. Even though it is difficult to have our hearts in so many places, we are sincerely thankful to know so many wonderful people.

Until next time,

Brandon (and Katie)

“I’m the best that I can do.” —Eliana