Always

Aubrey Shepard is packing for Ashburn College, and her little sister Bethany will do anything to stop her - a fake rejection letter, hidden car keys, even stowing away in the back seat. Aubrey barely makes it out of the driveway before the runaway sister turns up, the timing belt snaps, and a twelve-hundred-dollar repair bill lands on the family. Convinced her leaving is tearing everyone apart, Aubrey starts unpacking, ready to give up her roommate, her classes, and her dream for a year at home. But her father Ben sits her on Charlie, the rocking horse she outgrew long ago, and reminds her that God calls people forward when a season is over... even when it hurts. So Aubrey goes - after promising Bethany that no roommate on earth can ever take a sister's place. And when the next Scrabble game needs a ruling on one of Bethany's made-up words, a phone call proves the two are still a team, miles apart or not.

Found on Lost & Found Album 45 · 12 episodes

The run See every episode

0573 Back to Abnormal Returning to Odyssey after a long absence, Eugene discovers his old jobs and skills are no longer needed - while young Grady schemes against his mother's new work schedule - and both must learn what to do when life refuses to go back to the way it was.

1 of 3 0574 Prisoners of Fear A missionary couple parachutes into an isolated African village said to be cursed, where the locals mistake the newcomer for a legendary figure who vanished long ago.

2 of 3 0575 Prisoners of Fear After learning the truth behind his parents' long-ago disappearance, Eugene defies a village's deadly curse to search for them in hostile territory.

3 of 3 0576 Prisoners of Fear Trapped in a cell in a remote jungle village, Eugene follows a trail of clues about his father's fate - and uncovers the truth behind the curse that has kept an entire tribe isolated for decades.

0577 The Business of Busyness When Eugene's new help-everyone service and the Washington family's jam-packed calendar both spiral out of control, everyone must figure out what busyness is really costing them.

0578 All-Star Witness When a former mayor and his daughter sue Coach Tom over how he treated her on the softball team, a simple conversation may be the only thing standing between friends and a courtroom.

0579 Always As college move-in day arrives, a young woman's departure forces her whole family - especially her devastated little sister - to figure out what letting go really means.

0580 Tales of a Small-Town Thug When a former gang member publishes a thinly veiled tell-all mocking the people of Odyssey, his targets must each decide how much truth - if any - to take from a hostile critic's pen.

0581 A Christmas Conundrum A well-meaning Christmas surprise at Whit's End sets off a chain of mistaken assumptions, as each friend scrambles to match a lavish gift no one may actually be giving them.

0582 Silent Night Stranded alone on Christmas Eve when a blizzard cancels his flight to a long-awaited family reunion, Whit finds his quiet house filling with memories of Christmases past.

0583 The Champ of the Camp While writing her memoir, Connie recounts the summer camp prank war that pitted her against a mysterious boy genius known only as Goggles.

0584 Dead Ends While searching for his long-missing father, Eugene follows a promising clue about the mysterious fax that led him to Africa - only to find that every answer raises harder questions about why his father has never come looking for him.

0585 The Poor Rich Guy A single Bible verse about camels, needles, and rich men sends the kids of Odyssey scrambling to save their wealthiest friends from heaven's fine print.

Featured characters

Minor characters & crew 2 more roles

2 supporting roles

Ben Shepard Jerry Houser Ellen Shepard Carolyn Hennesy

Made by

Chris Anthony Host John Fornof Writer Bob Hoose Director · Producer Allen Hurley Sound Designer · Producer Marshal Younger Producer Dave Arnold Executive Producer

The story

Read the full synopsis 3 min

Aubrey Shepard prepares to leave home for Ashburn College. Her parents hover over every detail: Ellen offers a miniature refrigerator and spare spatula for a dorm with no kitchen, while Ben checks every fluid, tire, light, and mechanical part of Aubrey's car. Their fussing reveals how difficult it is to let their daughter go.

Aubrey's younger sister Bethany responds differently. During a game of Scrabble, she invents words and becomes angry when Aubrey cannot pay attention. Aubrey has broken promises to hike Forest Mountain and visit Old West Fun World because college preparations consumed her time. Bethany feels that her sister emotionally left the family months before the actual departure.

Hoping to stop her, Bethany writes a fake rejection letter from Ashburn and hides Aubrey's car keys. Aubrey recognizes Bethany's spelling, recovers the keys, and tries to apologize for neglecting her. Bethany declares that nothing will ever be right again and runs away before the family can say goodbye.

Unable to delay registration, Aubrey leaves while Ben and Ellen continue searching. Her parents entrust her to God, admitting that she has always been in his hands. Soon Ellen telephones to say Bethany is still missing and asks Aubrey to pray.

A voice from the back seat answers Aubrey's worried prayer. Bethany has hidden in the car and plans to attend college with her sister for a few days. Aubrey is furious that she must turn around and may miss registration. Bethany accuses her of selfishly destroying the family, reminding her of her parents' sadness and the lower cost of attending Campbell College near home.

Before they can return, the car's timing belt breaks. Ben retrieves both girls and learns that the repair will cost twelve hundred dollars. Ashburn allows Aubrey to register the next day, and her parents offer their own car, but Aubrey begins unpacking. She decides to remain home for a year, earn money, and spare her family the cost and pain of her departure.

Bethany initially celebrates, then notices how much Aubrey is giving up: a promising roommate, a class she has already begun studying for, and the excitement she once felt. Ben also refuses to accept Aubrey's decision. Financial difficulty does not frighten him because God has provided before, and a parent's sadness is not a reason for a child to ignore God's direction.

Ben takes Aubrey to the garage and places her on Charlie, the small rocking horse she loved as a child. It no longer fits her. He explains that God gives people places to enjoy and grow for a season, but eventually calls them forward. If prayer has convinced Aubrey that God is leading her to Ashburn, obedience to him must come before even a desire to protect her family.

Bethany helps Aubrey pack again. She worries that Aubrey's roommate will replace her as best friend, but Aubrey promises that no one else can ever occupy Bethany's place as her sister. Distance will not end their relationship, and Aubrey promises always to write, call, and spend time with her when she returns.

After Aubrey leaves for college, Bethany plays Scrabble with their parents and invents another impossible word. They telephone Aubrey to settle the challenge, and she immediately supports Bethany's definition. Miles away, the sisters remain a team in exactly the way Aubrey promised they always would.