Journey to my heart….

On August 1, 2003, Ted Boers and Trish Borgdorff opened Visiting Angels of West Michigan for the first time. That day set my heart in motion in a way I could not fully understand.

Ted and Jan were friends of mine from Sunshine Community Church. Ted, about 20 years my senior, was a very successful businessman, but more than that, he and Jan were people I admired and enjoyed as I watched them blend their faith with their daily lives.

We ventured into this 50/50 business partnership. A few years later, Ted told me this business was too “constant” for his personality, and I became the sole owner.  I am grateful for Ted, who took a risk on me as a business partner when I was young and just three years out of grad school.
The past 20+ years have been filled with goodness and a few really difficult situations. I am in awe of the generous spirit of so many caregivers who will give so much to ensure clients’ care and safety.

I am so grateful for those who have served with integrity and loved their clients and families with kindness and respect. The relationships built, the tenderness shared, and the generous giving in living and dying make every day a gift.

My heart swells with gratitude for those who have navigated the daily oversight and administrative tasks with me in the office. It takes a unique mix of compassion and organization, discernment and leadership, spontaneous spirit with structured strategy, and teamwork! I am so aware of each person’s different gifts and how that has given us the synergy to meet the needs of so many individuals and families. Working with the best staff is an honor!

And for all who have invited us into your homes, for the spaces we could bring support, companionship, respite, care, comfort, and hope, we thank you for entrusting us with your loved one or yourself!

The story of Visiting Angels of West Michigan began long ago when Ted and I committed to trying a new business. But Visiting Angels of West Michigan is about a community of people who have expanded the boundaries of my heart, challenged how I think and act, and invited me to live as a business owner with a firm conviction. This conviction is to leave every space we enter into with an abundance of kindness, respect, love, and peace, making every morning an adventure and every evening a space when I say Thank you, Lord, for your provision and protection over all who give and receive care.

There are to many stories I could tell and too many names to share. But if you have journeyed with us in some way or another, you will know you are. To each of you, I say Thank. you, because I have known you, I have been changed for good!

Here is to the next 10 years,

❤️ Trish

Just a few pictures….

 

 

 

I ended my time at Synod 2024 by reading a farewell to the CRC. I spoke with my pastor, and my sister and I worked together to crystalize the wording. It was a moment we had seen coming yet had never imagined being here. Those are the most unusual moments in your heart!

There was such clarity, so the sorrow was not in saying goodbye. The sorrow was more significant in that today’s Christian Reformed Church was no longer the Christian Reformed Church we had grown up in and come to love. In the future, the Church differed from the Church of the past. That seemed clear to everyone. The division centered around churches’ various positions on gender, sexuality, and marriage.

It was not about whether one approved or disapproved. It was about much bigger things. It was about whether Church discipline is implemented, if repentance is mandated, and whether Salvation is at risk.

To that end, I read the following. I share it here because it is an essential piece in the journey to my heart. It is also because my blog is my story for my nieces and nephews and their children and their children’s children.

Grateful to God for clarity and courage,

❤️trish

This is an odd blog title for me. I don’t often start with something like that. But these words are not mine; they have guided me in the last weeks.

As I prepared for Synod 2024 in the Christian Reformed Church, I knew there would be difficult conversations. If they were only difficult, I would be okay, but they had the potential to be so much more than difficult. They had the potential to be divisive.

I prayed for clarity for the week of Synod. I prayed that God would bring peace to my heart and confidence in knowing where He was calling me to stand for His Church.

As the week started, I was overwhelmed by the unfolding clarity. I went to a meal with my Mom on Saturday night (we started Friday morning) and shared with her, “I don’t think there is room for “us” (our family, our affirming Churches, those who believe differently than the majority group) in this denomination anymore. The box seems so small and the pathway so narrow.” We wept together.

Tonight, I read this article:https://www.crcna.org/news-and-events/news/end-era-passing-peter-borgdorff

I was struck by these words, spoken at my Dad’s funeral by Joel Boot.

“It was hard and often painful work, but he did it willingly. He did it because he told me right at the start, ‘I hear God calling, and I have to obey’.’”

I hear God calling, and I have to obey. This guided me the week of Synod and has guided the Churches that took a stand this year at Synod. We did not stand in rebellion. We do not need discipline in this matter. We stood for God’s call. I do not understand what to do when God’s call conflicts between two groups of people. I will remain faithful to God’s calling and trust know that He will always be faithful to me!

 

 

 

I have been writing, even though I have not posted blogs. In some ways, I am surprised to see that my last posted blog was on June 8th. In the previous 21 days, I have missed writing tributes to my sisters Suzi and Jonna, my nieces and nephews, Hannah, Janneke, Matt., Elle, Lauren and Andrew.

I will be posting a number of posts in the coming days. They will reflect some of what the last three weeks have held. I participated as a delegate in our Christian Reformed Church Synod and it was a painful but clarifying process. It brought up so much about how do we live respectfully together in spaces where we see things so differently.

I have missed writing. I have missed the rhythm of ending my day in reflection of both the goodness and the struggles of living, but in the end, knowing God holds us all in his tender care! ❤️ trish

21 years ago, you entered our lives, and we had no idea how you would change our lives in such beautiful ways. Your gentle and steady presence is always welcome. Your curiosity and willingness to engage in questions and conversation make time spent with you enjoyable and never boring. It is fun to hear you remember and reflect, and even better to hear you dream and look ahead!

How can we not post some of our favorite pictures…you bring joy and goodness to everyone you encounter. You have a willing spirit, a good head on your shoulders, a solid heart in your soul, and a willingness to work hard! I am proud of you! I love you and believe that good things will continue to come your way. Dare to risk, be generous with your time and resources, and explore outside your comfort zone.

I love you, Peter, and am so proud of you! ❤️ aunt trish