Our Parents

Larry and Sandy have been married for 28 years. Larry is retired from the United States Coast Guard and has enjoyed being a hairstylist for the past 15 years. Sandy "retired" from her job as a human resource manager 10 years ago to be a stay-at-home Mom.  Both of them are very active in their church, teaching the youth and having a home Bible study.

Their greatest joy is watching their children grow and mature.  In addition to Marisa they have Leah, who is 19 years old and going to college and Elliot, who is 16 and a junior in high school. 

Larry and Sandy have been so blessed to see Marisa and Steve grow in their love for the Lord and each other.  They are thrilled to have Steve as a part of the family and look forward to grandchildren in the near future!

David, Jennifer and Marco live in Northland, New Zealand, in the subtropical part of New Zealand’s north island. They immigrated to New Zealand five years ago to experience a different lifestyle than they had in the USA.  David is an international investor.  Both David and Jennifer are actively involved in various volunteer organizations in their community.  The whole family enjoys traveling and in addition to their home in New Zealand, they own a holiday home in Queensland, Australia.

They first met Marisa when they invited her and Steve to visit them in New Zealand two years ago.  They were most impressed with Marisa and look forward to her becoming a part of their family.  In July 2007 they took Steve and Marisa to Fiji and were delighted when Steve took the opportunity to propose to Marisa on a gorgeous white sand beach.

Mark and Denise were married in 1993; old college friends who hadn't seen one another in 20 years!  Mark is a retired journeyman cabinetmaker and contractor and  Denise enjoys getting dirty, and believes her true calling is making clay sculpture!  After relocating several times after losing their home in hurricane Katrina; Denise and Mark recently moved to Albuquerque to be close to both their young adult children; Steven, and Emily. They are happy to announce that God has blessed them with their first grandson, Louis Matthew Herrera, II!  Emily gave birth on April 22, 2008!  Steven and Mark are currently working together in a home renovation business, they named it, "More than a Carpenter".

Denise remembers Steve calling her on his cell phone when he first met Marisa...it went something like this..."mom, you won't believe this girl, she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen...I'm blown away..."  And mom could tell in his voice that he was undone!  Mark and Denise have been undone ever since, regarding Marisa.  She is a poised, articulate, intelligent, little fire-cracker, with a big heart for Jesus and Steve.  They absolutely consider her a daughter.  They admire Steve tremendously, and acknowledge God using his zeal for Christ, his compassion for people, and his commitment to a simple life, to draw them into a deeper Christianity than they had been living. They extend an enthusiastic blessing on this union, and upon any and all children that result from it.  Selah.

Our Siblings