Galatians 4:27

For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

A surprise baby for his parents, Lee Ray and Marilyn Irene, and 1.5y older brother, Mark Lee, Kevin Allen Thurber was born the first time in Columbus, Ohio on April 20, 1965 as the hospital rang a day or two before inquiring if the Thurber's would welcome that second adopted baby now! The rest is history.

While in 1971 as a new house was being built in Marysville, OH, the family lived a year in an old farm house in Raymond, and the young boys entertained themselves ambling long country roads and train tracks as Marilyn applied her mettle at Avon, completing her accounting degree. Lee lent his hand at Scott's Lawn Care.

After about 1.5 years in the new house, the Thurber's relocated to Champaign, Illinois, called home by Lee and Marilyn for the remainder of their lives. Lee plied his trade as a Civil Engineer while Marilyn accounted for the University of Illinois. Mark, who spent most of his life resplendently maintenizing for Collegiate Cap and Gown, married Lisa, had two children, Cory James Albert and Shannon Rose, moving next door to Sadorus, IL. A set of unfortunate events bequeathed Lisa's cousin's children into their home and the Mark Thurber's grew considerably by adopting Gabrielle Wilson, James Wilson-Thurber, Jasmine Thurber, and Michele Thurber.

At 26.5, Kevin headed to Seattle, having graduated in '88 from the University of Illinois with a Vocal Performance Bachelor's Degree with emphasis in acting and dance. There Kevin acquired massage therapy skills, utilizing Bowen Therapy in his decade long private practice, singing in a few Seattle Opera choruses while adoring his red point Siamese kitties, Milan and Cimarron.

John 3:5

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Jesus covered Kevin with his blood around the time Marilyn died in August 2003, ending her 42-year marriage to Lee. Marilyn had been covered 15 years earlier, choosing not to divulge this to her children, as told to Kevin by Judy Welch, Marilyn's truest friend. Kevin's life earnestly began sanctifying, praise the Lord!

Jeremiah 29:7

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

An apartment fire New Year's Eve 2006 consigned Kevin overseas that next April to Korea instructing English for the next 5 years. He joined the faith-filled praying Yulbang Church, filling in the framework of his Methodist upbringing, where his parents had met, creating a solid rock foundation in Christ. In Christmas 2007, Lee died, having given his life to Christ the previous April, Hallelujah!

In August 2010, Yulbang Church journeyed to India for a conference where Kevin met Niru, gracing his life forever; though at the time he vaguely suspected, he didn't fully embrace it. Since then, Kevin has instructed English in Saudi Arabia and now China, where he resides.

In 2022, Mark died just after his 59th birthday before giving his life to Christ. Though in the New Testament as those who were born-again their family members followed suit, Mark did not, and as sorrowful as this is, Kevin accepts that Father God knows best.

Ezekiel 11:19-20

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws. They will be My people, and I will be their God.

Matthew 28:19-20

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Kevin prays anyone reading this will likewise be saved, pray and act for their family and friends to be saved.

In Jesus' Name, amen.