Every other year, the Kern family reunion occurs at Camp Lone Star in LaGrange, Texas. My grandfather on my second dad's side was one of 11 children who grew up in a small community called Swiss Alp...just 5 miles outside of LaGrange. This is why we have the reunion in LaGrange...it makes for an easy pilgramage to the homesite and church where Karl Kern and his wife Katerina made their life and carried their calling. This church is the second oldest Lutheran congregation in Texas and my grandpa was the third pastor here. During the course of our time at the church, we get to hear stories such as the one about the boys (in their michevious years) drinking all the communion wine Katerina made from wild Mustang grapes leaving none for Sunday morning. Or the one about my grandpa, Hans, having to smack a runaway horse in the face just to get it to stop...it had some of his younger siblings in the wagon. That horse fell flat but the children were all saved :)This weekend was so special as we were all reminded of the responsibility to cultivate a sense of longing for understanding our faith. Even planting the seed of wondering is what we are called to do whether it be with our children or our friends.
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