Month: November 2011

As we move into Thanksgiving week, I find that there is an overall positive atmosphere when we are focused on thankfulness. I experience it in the people I interact with. I read about it in the posts on Facebook. I find it in my interactions with strangers. There is just something in the air and it is wonderful!

I wonder how life would be different if we didn’t just see Thanksgiving as a holiday or season, but embraced it fully as a way of life….

I wonder how life would be different if we allowed thankfulness to lead our attitudes, thoughts and behaviors…

I wonder how life would be different if we defined necessity and lived generously in offering others kindness, relationship, heart and hope!

I hope that you will take time this week to consider what you will carry into your every day of 2012. I am working on defining my vision for 2012. This vision will include aspects of who I want to be(come) and what impact I want to have in my relationships and world. I know that I want to be a woman who lives with a thankful heart AND allows that thankfulness to shape my thoughts, attitudes and behaviors!

 

Today I had the opportunity to visit with 11 of our Visiting Angel’s Clients. It is my hope to get into every one of our 175+ homes in the coming months.

It is so good to visit with these dear people in their own homes. It is good to hear about their experiences of care with our caregivers. It is good to hear about how we can provide our services in a better or different way. It is good to hear of their appreciation and satisfaction.

But most of all, it is amazing to see the spirit of those who continue to live their lives as independently as possible and in their own space. For one this is being confined to a hospital bed but being so grateful she can be home. For some this is living with family, and adoring the community that surrounds them. For another this means having a very small apartment and his wood shop combined. I have never seen such an interesting living area.

When I visited with Alice today I learned about preparing baked pears and heard stories of friendships and family who she holds dear. I heard of how much she loves her Visiting Angel and I smiled as she showed me the white slipper she has at the door for her Angel when she comes. She spoke of how she hardly leaves the house anymore because she has trouble cutting her meat and is going blind. We talked about the losses of living and how even though her mind is sharp, her body is betraying her.

And at the end, Alice shared that on October 7, she had a celebration to celebrate her 100th birthday! Yes, dear sweet Alice is 100 years old . She is amazing and kind. She has perspective on living that remains hopeful….

I enjoyed every bit of my day, but the thought that keeps coming back is I wonder what life will be like if I live to be 100….

1-11 In His Time (take a listen as you read….)

I often remember the words to this song. Sometimes I can feel the assurance of the promise and there is a feeling of peace that comes with the music and the words….

I will honestly say though, that at times, I wonder if it is really true. Will God really make something beautiful in His time. Sometimes my doubt is rooted in if it will be beautiful and other times I wonder why His time has to take so long.

Today as I hummed this song, I found myself thinking….

I thought of my tree. I wondered if the leaves will ever fall….In His time…

I thought of those I love struggling with health concerns….In His time….

I thought of families who are sitting by the bedside of a loved one tonight, saying good bye for now to love and relationship. Wondering about all the heart holds when letting go and saying good bye….In His time….

I thought of Baby Shiloh (and the other 90+ preemies at just DeVos Children’s Hospital) and wonder if they will soon know the familiarity of their own homes….In His time….

I thought of those with addictions or those who deny God’s saving Grace or those who face unemployment, hunger or losing their home….In His time…

It is my prayer at the end of this day that I will trust more and more in God’s timing.

I wonder what it is your waiting on and if you also can fully embrace that He makes all things beautiful in His time……I hope so!

 

I am wondering if you are a list maker….do you write things out in your head or on a piece of paper each day to bring focus to your day…

I often wish I was more of a list maker, but the list I often have going never seems to get done.

I have taken to the idea of a bucket list and have had some fun reflecting on what I want to put on my bucket list. If you haven’t seen the movie The Bucket List (Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die.) it is a good one!

But today I found a new list I want to live by. I hope you will consider living this list with me! Other than the ice cream, I hope to live this list with everything in me! 

Welcome to the world Baby Shiloh….

I have thought it often over the last five weeks, but tonight I had the wonderful privilege of meeting Baby Shiloh. As I spent a few hours up in the Neonatal unit tonight, I was full of wonder and very aware of God’s presence. Shiloh weighed in at 2 pounds, 9 ounces tonight. That is very little, but that is not what struck me most. Shiloh was awake and alert and seemed content and even interactive in moments, but that is not what struck me most…

I think what struck me most was how much Shiloh, who is just about 34 weeks gestation, longs to reach out and connect. She held my finger with a white knuckle grip more than once tonight. I watched the miracle of Shiloh “latching on” for the first time and begin breast-feeding. I watched Shiloh rest deeply during Kangaroo Care which is skin to skin contact between Deb (mother) and baby! I was in awe of all the touch that appears important, even for a new-born. 

Shiloh is tiny and perfectly formed. Her fingers and toes are long and narrow. Her eyes are bright and it seemed as if she smirked as we oohed and aahed at her over the incubator. Welcome to the world Shiloh and remember that you are prayed for by many and loved and adored by all who have seen your perfect being. I am filled with awe and wonder….thankful for God’s care and provision for you and your family!

To God be the Glory!

Dear Noah,

Happy Happy Birthday to my nephew who is full of wonder, life and energy! 

I love how you are willing to live life fully….

I love your wild sense of adventure and reckless abandon….

I love your determination to give 150% to whatever you are involved in…

I love your sensitive and kind heart to those around you…

I love your commitment to being you!

I love your ability to move and dance….

I love how your mind is full of fun facts, sports facts and amazing tidbits of info….

I love how you take all those bits of info and create wonderful conversations…

I love how you are loved and enjoyed by your friends, family and cousins!

I love how you are a protector of your sisters and a wonderful brother to your brother…

I love your smile, your eyes, your laugh, your humor, your passion, your excellence and your heart! In one simple statement ~ I love you!

Happy Birthday Noah….hoping this year is wild and wonderful in every way!

All my love,

Aunt Trish

My Dad was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

I sometimes think about this young boy living in the time of war.  I do wonder at times about the pre-teen who left the Netherlands and came to Canada and learned about a new land, a new language and a new way of living. And then there was the young man who had a career as a tool and die worker but opted to leave secure employment to go to Calvin and enter the ministry. And then there was a young adult who married a beautiful woman from Sussex New Jersey.

And then there was making a way while studying and working, and then parenting one son, and then another son, and then a third child and in 1969, a fourth child and his first Church in Salt Lake City, Utah….and on and on and on it goes…and then one more child and a few more moves…but all the time, there was connection to family, friends, and the Church community in our every day life. 

My Dad is a man who lives out of his  calling and convictions. He speaks what is on his mind and is very gifted in leadership.  He understands entering into chaos and finding purpose in the pain. My Dad is a leader, an advocate, a husband, a parent, a Pastor and a friend. I am thankful that my Dad has been one of the most influential people in my life. He has taught me about living true to my convictions and being compassionate with those around me. He has shaped my views of spirituality and theology and reminds me that our faith does not bring answers to everything, but leaves us room to wonder and grow in faith.

Our family is far from perfect. We struggle with real life issues and have battle wounds from the journey of life. But one thing I know for sure, my Dad and Mom have taught us about being loyal and true to one another. My Dad and Mom have taught us to laugh and enjoy one another. My Dad and Mom have modeled to us that it is important to save money and more important to be generous in our ways. In my adult years, I have found that my Dad and Mom are always ready to welcome  and embrace us back home!

Happy Happy Birthday Dad. May this next year be one of deep satisfaction because of what you are able to give and also because of what you receive. May you experience rest, relaxation, purpose and productivity. It is delightful to not only see you grow and change in your role as husband and father, but to delight in being a Papa to Janneke, Henry, Anne, Karolyn, Ellie, Andrew, Ryan, Olivia, Noah, Sonta, Jean Marc, Peter, Isaiah and Johanna!

Thank you Dad for being you,

All my love,

Trish

I grew up in the days of the food pyramid. It didn’t mean much to me then.

I am thankful for the fresh perspective of “My Plate….”

I find it takes some real planning  to have a full plate!

I find “My Plate”  is a reminder to me of planning and balance…

It is a good picture to have hanging at my desk as I work through my cravings…

It is a good picture to have on my fridge when I am feeling rushed and tempted to grab something and go…

It is a good picture to have when I plan my meals out…

I would encourage you to print a picture of “My Plate” and allow it to inspire you. Remember beyond the Vegetables and Protein, the Dairy Grains and Fruit is a healthier you (and me)….

Tonight the girls (my mom, aunt, and two sisters and I) took my Dad out to celebrate his birthday. We ended with dinner at Great Lakes and had a great table in a quiet spot. Conversation was good and covered a wide array of topics.
I believe one of the best thing that happens when we are together is that we laugh.

We laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh. Often, after we laugh at something that really seems funny, we find ourselves laughing at our laughter.

Perhaps the funniest thing is that we may not even be very funny, but we sure all think we are.
We may have only been a mile or two from home, but this quote sure rings true:

Laughter is an instant vacation.  ~Milton Berle

I hope you have someone with whom you laugh…be sure to spend some time with them this week. It is good for the soul!

There is so much in the news today about Penn State and the awful reality of child abuse and silent adults. A clip from one of the many reports includes the following:
(CBS) – The question many people are asking in the wake of the sex abuse scandal at Penn State is simply this: Why didn’t anyone call the cops?
The explosive grand jury report found that at least eight people at Penn State had either witnessed former coach Jerry Sandusky molesting children, or been told that others had witnessed abuse. And yet, it seems, not one of them informed law enforcement authorities.

I find when I read just that, I feel sick in my gut. And then there are more details that add to the sick feeling and reinforce the tragedy of this situation in the lives of the children (who are now young adults) who were abused and the people who love them.

There is so much press surrounding this case and often I am struck by who is being spotlighted and how at times, the true victims are missed in all the conversation and activity. There are many lives that are drastically altered in the last days. There are many people who need our prayers, some for healing, some for wisdom and discernment and some for repentance.

May all of us learn from what surrounds us. We may not be directly impacted by those who chose silence in the Penn State locker room or football program, but I wonder where silence is affecting you or someone you love. It is my hope that we do not choose to be silent about things that matter.