Our Four Grand Sons!

The Orphanage in Tiraspol

Starting n June and continuing to 2010, Susan and Sarah have started a new project: supporting the Orphanage of the Church of Christ the Savior in Tiraspol, Transnistria. Where is that you ask? It's a long story but it started with Steve and Sharon Judah, as did so many things in our lives. Actively supporting an orphanage had been their dream for many years and over time, it became our dream as well, through pain and loss and joy and rebirth. The orphanage (photo) is operated by a vibrant group of dynamic believers in this non-country of Transnistria . Here is a video about Anna - one of the children they rescued from the sex-trafficking business which abducts so many orphans in this poor region. World wide there are over 100 million orphans so the challenges seem overwhelming, but there is at hand something you and we can do about it, especially together!

Want to get involved? Like to hear more? Just let us know, we would love to share more about what is happening. Love, David & Susan.

Springtime 2009

Spring Fever hit the E's quite severely.....

Matthew introduced the 3 Musketeers to the beauty of the outdoors and the thrill of camping.

While Susan and David went hiking in the North Carolina woods, Blue Ridge Mountains, Smokey Mountains and the Pisgah National Forrest.

While Charity and Sarah went through the Cinque Terra.

Jon and Tessa, being the more rational of the clan, remained peaced-out in San Antonio.

Summer 2008

In the summer of 2008 we had the priviledge to all be together in the Texas Hill country and enjoy some relaxing time together.

Summer 2006

Habitat for Humanity is another passion of ours.

In July 2006, we were priviledged to visit 3 of the cities in Romania where habitat is building homes and repair homes damaged by flooding in the fall of 2005. The Romanian people that we met were poor but also very determined, kind, and appreciative. We visited multiple building projects in Pitesti, Comanesti, Radauti before driving around the extensive countryside to experience Romania first hand.

The natural beauty of Romania was everywhere we traveled, especially in Transylvania.

We would like to encourage everyone to consider helping Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) and considering what you can do to provide decent, affordable housing for families around the world. No matter what country or city is dear to your heart, most likely Habitat is there, working to eliminate substandard housing. Give them a helping hand at this important task.

Whether it is $$ or swinging a hammer, they will find a place for your time and talents. God will bless you for your caring for others.

Espenlaub Family

This Family Reunion photo was taken in Balzholz where 72 of us gathered at the biennial gathering at "the home place" which is a wonderful farm where so many of us have common origins and where all have fond memories of days gone by or are touched by the magic of hearing about them.

We Texas-Espenlaubs are descended from the "Posey County, Indiana" line of Espenlaubs, from Johann Conrad Espenlaub (born in Grunbach, Germany and came to US in 1853 or 1852). Johann was the brother of Gottlieb, ancestor of Espenlaubs in Kansas and beyond. Another one of their brothers ( Carl Friederich Espenlaub) also came to southern Indiana (Evansville). These adventurers had 3 other brothers and 3 sisters back in Grunbach, some of which died young. Their father was Wilhelm, who died in Grunbach, but their mother (Elisabetha Friederika Maierin) came to the US with the 3 young men and started a new life. She died in Evansville, Indiana in 1855, only a few years after coming to the US. She must have been an amazing woman, 9 children, immigrating and traveling like that.

The three big groups in the US are the Kansas City, the Pennsylvania-Florida and the Indiana families. The Pennsylvania group is from a common branch in the family that goes back to the early 1700's, but they just happened to immigrate to the US in about the same time frame.

We have a great family history and we are all proud to be in the Espenlaub Stammbaum.

Sarah (Espenlaub) and Matthew Gibbins

Sarah and Matthew have a growing family.

Grandsons #1 and #2 shown here at Christmas 2006 and #3 shown here in Summer 2008.

Dad loves to do the "texas" thing outdoors with the boys.

Including camping and all the discoveries thereof...

Mighty Men in the Making

Wilfred & Weltha Espenlaub

Mother and Dad lived in Plano, Texas for about one and a half years before deciding to move back to Indiana where the roots have grown deep.

Susan and David's Love for Chamber Music

In (a lot of) our spare time we promote and get others to support Chamber Music International: http://www.chambermusicinternational.org. This most beautiful form of music is, from time to time, intimate, subtle, romantic and intoxicating. Getting to know the real person side of these very talented artists is one of the great joys of working with this group, which brings artists from all over the world to perform in Dallas and Richardson. Most notable to me has been the Mozart string trio: Divertimento in E Flat, K 563. For anyone who loves math and beauty, it is a thrill. I am wondering how Mozart and Ravi Shankar would have related to each other, as I immensely enjoy the common elements. Hope you enjoy this too, David.


Once in a while we get cleaned up and take a snap to make a record of it....


















We hope you and your family are blessed in every way possible,

David & Susan