I got my audition for "Joseph" and was cast as Benjamin's wife, that made me think of home, but I loved working with all the other actors. Once the movie was released, I bought a copy. It was good. I saw it from a whole new perspective, and I saw parts with other actors that I hadn't seen before. I LOVED IT!!

Anyway, around Christmas a few years later, I got a call from my brother, Joseph. I hadn't spoken to anyone in my family in so long. I didn't pick up, but he left a message.

"Hey, Kristene. It's Joseph. I, um, I wanted you to know that we're getting together for Christmas. Just us siblings and our kids. Judah, Rachel, and I are coming with our families. Leah will be there this year. Mom wants you to come, but she won't call you. She wants you to come back when you're ready. But we're ready for you. Benjamin disappeared a few months after you left. He's back, and he says he needs to talk to you. Please come home." Joseph talked about how they would have some fresh deer meat that he and Judah shot this year, instead of turkey. Well, if they could get one. Otherwise, we were having ham.

After listening to the message, I decided to go. I pulled into the driveway at 10:26pm the day before Christmas Eve. I'd already bought presents for everyone. I had all my bags in my hands, including my one suitcase. I rand the door bell, and Judah opened the door.

"Hi," I said in a small voice.

"I missed you," he said, taking my bags and settling them inside the door. He gave me a hug. He was so strong, yet so gentle. He would be a good father. Then, to my surprise, he picked me up bridle style and carried me into the living room, where the rest of the adults were talking and laughing.

"Behold," he said, in a deep voice that made everyone turn their heads,"the lost daughter has returned."

Joseph jumped up and ran over, and took me in his own arms for a hug,"Kristene! I'm so glad you came! God, I've missed you so much. Gone a few years, here a few days, then gone again. And for three years! You can't do that."

Then Rachel came over and gave me hug, and the my mom, who had so many more worry lines than I remembered. She kissed my cheek and held me tight. Rachel's husband, Jacob, gave me a hug, and so did Jami and Leah (Judah and Joseph's wives). I was told that Jami and Judah did have a child. A little girl named Rebecca. All the families were staying in that sibling's room. I was going to be alone in my room. The kids were already all in bed.

We all stayed up a while longer. Then, I put all my presents under the tree and took my suitcase up to my room and went to bed. Right before o went to bed, I sent a text to Benjamin.

It said,"Meet me @ Baker's Nook @ 9:00am X-mas eve. -Kristene."

I went to sleep soon. I woke up around 7 'o clock. I got dressed ate a banana and waited. Soon Dinah, Michael, and Jackson ran down the stairs.

"Gosh, I can't wait to eat something. I'm hungry," announced Michael.

They ran right past me into the kitchen. They came out with some toast and eggs, like they were going to eat and watch TV. But they stopped when they saw me.

"Aunt Kristene!" they called in unison. They set their plates on the coffee table and jumped on me.

"Hey, guys," I said, and, finally, I got free. "Okay, who's how old?"

"I'm 10 Aunt Krissy," Dinah said.

"And we're 12 Aunt Kristene. How old are you now?" Jackson said.

"Well, I'm 25." Then, Rachel and Jacob came downstairs, followed by everyone else.