Extended Family-Richard

My Parents, Maureen and Ken

My parents were introduced by their parents, and had a mostly long-distance courtship, before getting married in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1970. 43 years later they have 13 children, 15 grandchildren, and one dearly departed pet, the dog Wiglaff. They also both spent time as volunteer missionaries before they met, a passion for serving those less fortunate that they passed on to their children (12 of 13 carried on the tradition, spending 18 to 24 months each as volunteer missionaries in various regions of the world). 

Philip and Odemaris

We have a widely varied multicultural extended family, and you can hear Thai, Spanish, and Chinese mingling with the laughter and music that fills family gatherings. Many siblings, nieces and nephews live close enough for get-togethers several times a year. Regardless of what your child’s race or ethnicity is they will fit right in with our family! Who are all incredibly excited about our adoption plans!

John and Dou and Eric

Mark and Ma Shengnan

I fall exactly in the middle of the 13 children at #7, but I had three brothers on either side of me, so what I knew about women before I met Letty might have filled up my pinky finger. My parents have lived for the past 33 years on the 7 acre property in rural Iowa that I grew up on. My mom, Maureen is a retired school teacher, and My dad, Ken, is a retired engineer. 

They have a massive garden and orchard, and Maureen regularly cans enough food to feed a small army, which she donates to her children, people in her congregation, or the local homeless shelter. They have a house with at least one construction project underway at any given time, and a garage with several cars in it that Ken is working to fix in his free time. Ken and five of my brothers are active or reserve U.S. military, so army surplus everything can be located (and frequently re-purposed) throughout the house. 

One of the strongest impressions I have from childhood is how important it was to work hard and do your part, and to uphold the family honor. We all knew that no matter what our various differences or talents, above all, we were Goerings, and our actions were to bring honor to the name. In the summer AND winter we can be found outside running (yes, recreationally) target shooting, singing around the piano, creating a sibling band to serenade the neighbors, or staying up late discussing life. And always drafted into participating in some home-improvement or building project that one of the siblings or my parents has dreamed up. There will not be a board game in sight.