Last week, the Lord in His wisdom and abiding love, called home to Himself, Mrs. Maria Veenman, Ian’s Oma. It was just back in September that Oma celebrated her 90th birthday, shortly after we arrived back from PNG, and we were really thankful to be here for that milestone. But we were also struck with the realization that Oma’s battle with Alzheimer’s had been a long and a hard one, and it was our prayer (and we shared this in one of our posts) that the Lord would take her home soon. He did. And it is this reality that is so comforting, but at the same time so mind-boggling for us who still tarry here on this side of the great divide.
As a granddaughter-in-law, who didn’t know Oma very well, I felt privileged to discover more about who she was as she was remembered and honoured at her funeral:
Oma was a faithful daughter of her Lord; a loving and dedicated mother; a woman who practiced hospitality; a true friend; someone who faced many hardships in this life, but rarely complained; who bravely traveled solo for many years after the death of her husband in 1971.
What a testimony of God’s love and faithfulness she was!
It was an honour for Ian to lead the funeral service, although he was a little nervous as this was his first Canadian funeral and then before a familial audience. But the family was gracious…and the Lord gave us great comfort from His Word, especially the words of Psalm 33:18. “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love…” .
Oma kept her eyes on her Lord and now she is experiencing that unfailing love in the most perfect way. Praise be to God.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas
From our hearts to yours, we wish you a blessed Christmas. May you be filled with joy as you celebrate our Saviour's birth.
Jonathan loves playing in the snow; a little surprising considering he's spent most of his life in the tropics!
The beauty of snow-covered fields and trees is a gift from the Lord.
Jonathan loves playing in the snow; a little surprising considering he's spent most of his life in the tropics!
The beauty of snow-covered fields and trees is a gift from the Lord.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Fun in the Sun
We were recently blessed with a holiday in Florida with my parents. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed relaxing by the poolside and at the beach. It was wonderful!
With Grandpa
Should I go in, or should I just stand here....and pick my nose?!
Jono's catch of the day...can you see it?!
Just chillin'
But all good things must come to an end, so we are now back in our winter wonderland. And just in time too--they say there's a big storm brewing that will hit Southern Ontario sometime in the next 24 hours. Some schools have cancelled for tomorrow already. We'll have to wait and see what happens. Jonathan, for sure, would be thrilled to get more of that white stuff!
With Grandpa
Should I go in, or should I just stand here....and pick my nose?!
Jono's catch of the day...can you see it?!
Just chillin'
But all good things must come to an end, so we are now back in our winter wonderland. And just in time too--they say there's a big storm brewing that will hit Southern Ontario sometime in the next 24 hours. Some schools have cancelled for tomorrow already. We'll have to wait and see what happens. Jonathan, for sure, would be thrilled to get more of that white stuff!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
30 on the 30th
I just realized that reading past blog entries is a great way to reflect and reminisce. Last week I hit another milestone in my life with my 30th birthday, and I guess that’s why I was feeling a bit nostalgic and skimmed over a few of the entries from the past year. It brought back a lot of memories, as well as a range of emotions as I‘re-lived’ the experiences of the past months. It was also really neat to see how the children changed and grew, not only by the photos, but also in the things they’re doing and saying.
Our second entry on the blog was about my 29th birthday—celebrated in Lae, on a very hot day, of course. The highlight was a morning walk on the beautiful grounds of the Lae Golf Course. How different this year’s birthday was in comparison! Just a tad colder and not too humid—-it was below zero, after all! But it was celebrated with enough family and friends to warm our hearts and home!
It was special to celebrate with a couple of the little, but significant, people in my life! Here’s Allie Buist and I celebrating our birthdays…together we turned 35 this year!
And here is Lucas (the son of Ian’s brother, Tim and wife, Elissa). He turned 1 on the 30th! I remember when he was born last year, and we really felt how far away we were in not being able to meet him right away and cuddle him in our arms, like you love to do with a newborn. But then the Lord blessed us with getting to know him in PNG this past year, and the icing on the cake, you could say, was celebrating with him in person this year!
I ended my 29th birthday blog praising God for another birthday and saying that I would strive to follow Him faithfully the coming year. As I think back, I know there have been times when in my stubborn pride I’ve tried to take the lead and go my own way. Other times I’ve stumbled and fallen as I tried to race along the path. But in His grace and love, He’s always picked me up and showed me His way again. And because of this grace and by His power, I can strive to follow Him again this year, wherever He may lead. Especially with Ian still not completely well and our future plans uncertain, we need to completely surrender and trust and follow. So easy to say, but really hard to do sometimes.
In His strength, we take it one step at a time.
Our second entry on the blog was about my 29th birthday—celebrated in Lae, on a very hot day, of course. The highlight was a morning walk on the beautiful grounds of the Lae Golf Course. How different this year’s birthday was in comparison! Just a tad colder and not too humid—-it was below zero, after all! But it was celebrated with enough family and friends to warm our hearts and home!
It was special to celebrate with a couple of the little, but significant, people in my life! Here’s Allie Buist and I celebrating our birthdays…together we turned 35 this year!
And here is Lucas (the son of Ian’s brother, Tim and wife, Elissa). He turned 1 on the 30th! I remember when he was born last year, and we really felt how far away we were in not being able to meet him right away and cuddle him in our arms, like you love to do with a newborn. But then the Lord blessed us with getting to know him in PNG this past year, and the icing on the cake, you could say, was celebrating with him in person this year!
I ended my 29th birthday blog praising God for another birthday and saying that I would strive to follow Him faithfully the coming year. As I think back, I know there have been times when in my stubborn pride I’ve tried to take the lead and go my own way. Other times I’ve stumbled and fallen as I tried to race along the path. But in His grace and love, He’s always picked me up and showed me His way again. And because of this grace and by His power, I can strive to follow Him again this year, wherever He may lead. Especially with Ian still not completely well and our future plans uncertain, we need to completely surrender and trust and follow. So easy to say, but really hard to do sometimes.
In His strength, we take it one step at a time.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Visitors
Phil and Lisa Houweling and family...all the way from WA, Australia!
Their little guy, Hamish. Cute, isn't he?
Here's some patriotic MKs for you! This was our last time with Wayne and Cheronne before they left for Australia.
Our new friend, Hudson came for a visit too.
Oh yeah, Uncle Ryan (and Aunt Elissa) came with him!
Their little guy, Hamish. Cute, isn't he?
Here's some patriotic MKs for you! This was our last time with Wayne and Cheronne before they left for Australia.
Our new friend, Hudson came for a visit too.
Oh yeah, Uncle Ryan (and Aunt Elissa) came with him!
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