Lidya Meseret Ostyn

Lidya Meseret Ostyn was born September 11th, 1995 in Harar, Ethiopia. She was the much loved daughter of Meseret and Yallo. The birth of her sister Zeytuna in 1998 began a lifelong friendship. Lidya's dad would take them to his work at the police station and proudly show them off to work associates. Birthdays were celebrated with pictures and cakes.

After the death of their first parents, the girls were adopted by John and Mary Ostyn in 2007 and were instantly engulfed by a happy pack of four brothers and four sisters.

Lidya's cooking skills impressed everyone. The first time she walked through her new family's garden, she asked permission to harvest a cabbage. She then went inside, found the biggest knife we owned, and briskly chopped and cooked that cabbage to serve at our next meal. She could handle herself easily in the kitchen and even showed her new mom the secrets of making authentic Ethiopian injera.

That first Christmas, Lidya managed to talk her new dad into covering every gable of their house with lights. Snow was a new and amazing thing. For about two days. Then she decided winter was not her thing.

Coming to America wasn't easy and learning English as a third language is crazy hard, but she never gave up. Lidya was a determined student and worked hard. She made friends easily and was adored by all. Her smile and sharp sense of humor brought laughter from every group she was in.

Summertime brought camping trips, fishing and friends. Yearly trips to the ocean were spent exploring beaches, tidal pools, lighthouses and once the California redwoods. Lidya learned to drive and worked hard for her Grandpa Ron to save money for a car. In 2015 she even took a trip back to Ethiopia with her mom, sisters, and Aunt Sophie.

Homeschool graduation brought new experiences. Lidya worked at the Hong Kong restaurant in Kuna for a time saving money for school at C.W.I. She joined the dental assistant program and studied hard getting her associates degree and graduating at the Taco Bell Arena. There was much noise and cheering from our end when she walked across the platform and picked up her diploma.

Lidya loved her dentistry career and regaled us with stories. The people she worked with adored her and she was a favorite among patients. Her dad teased her to watch out for the guy who would come in to get his teeth cleaned weekly just to see her. She would only laugh.

During this time her love for Lord, always present, really blossomed and grew, bringing her parents great joy. We were extra blessed when she'd take time off work to come to the coast with us. There was always much laughter and fun. She also really enjoyed her little nieces and nephews.

Sadly, Lidya went to be with our Heavenly Father November 9th after going to bed at home, suffering a seizure, and dying in her sleep. Twelve years with Lidya was not enough. She is survived by nine heartbroken siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lidya would not want us to remain heartbroken though. Her faith is in the Lord, and in the salvation offered only by Jesus. Her story isn't done. She is in heaven, and we look forward to seeing her again. That's what Lidya would want each and every one of us to know. In Christ alone our hope is found!

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