Disappointing News

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s been three months since the last MRI. Gary has been taking chemo pills for all that time. We were disappointed to hear from the doctor on March 12th that the MRI taken on  March 8th shows that the  tumor is growing back. The chemo he has been on has not been able to shrink the tumor or hold it back and there continues to be some swelling.

Gary will be starting on  a different chemotherapy drug starting on March 26th .  The doctor felt his body needed time to rest before he started on the new therapy. The new drug is to be taken one day every 6 weeks. Apparently this drug  is harder on the blood so Gary will need his blood tested several times during this 6 wk period.

Gary  remains quite weak and tired. His headaches have been minimal. We now are concerned with high blood sugars.

Gary seems upbeat, taking things in stride. We know God will not leave our side. So whatever the future holds for us, we know we are not facing it alone.

Knowing that all of you and many more are praying for us daily also lifts our spirits.

God doesn't change. Not His Word, promises, plans, love, forgiveness or salvation. We will trust in Him. 

We continue to be grateful for your many prayers.

Joanne and Gary

Our First Wedding Feb.18, 2012

MR. AND MRS. DAVID VANDENBRINK!!

Just enough snow fell fresh the morning of the wedding to make everything WHITE and COLD!

We had a wonderful day celebrating David and Leanne's wedding.

Mom's Speech

David came into the world weighing  9.1,

I couldn’t  believe that he was our son,

5 and 6 pounders was all we had had.

We were not expecting such a big lad.

It  took 3 days before he had a name.

Picking his name had become a hard game.

Ryan-- or David-- which would it be?

Well, Dad won out, David Henry it would be.

David was always a determined boy.

Sensible, and kind,  giving us much joy.

He was always ready and eager to help.

Had the right tools ready before anyone yelled.

Got his first job when he was eleven.

Joined the army when he was ten plus seven.

Persuaded his parents to give him permission.

Two years paraded and learned army submission.

At seventeen he also bought his first car.

Add in his pizza job money-- and  he could go far.

Worked in a factory,-- worked with cows,

He is now an electrician as he takes his vows.

David always seemed to know what he wanted 

and didn’t stop trying until he got it.

So once he saw Leanne as a life-time prospect;

He asked for her hand and in no time got it.

Both love the Lord with all their heart.

In marriage there’s no better start.

Reading God’s word and obeying Him.

There’s no doubt you will always win.

We officially welcome you, Leanne,

To this Dutch, Vandenbrink family clan.

Like a daughter and sister from the start,

God blessed us with a talented, sweet  girl--with a big heart. 

Just know you’re both real special.

And blessed to have found each other.

May you live a long and healthy life.

That’s filled with love forever.

David and Leanne,

We love you!

A Sensible Story

We always said that David was a sensible boy so here’s the story.


When David was 2 1/2 or 3 years old he often watched his siblings, Michael and Christine, slide down the upstairs banister.  One day I found him at the top of the stairs–contemplating, with his little leg trying to reach over the banister. He was thinking hard.  Then I heard him mumble under his breathe, “Break my neck!” and he was sensible enough not to go down.


As an electrician, David works in high-rise apartment buildings and told Joanne the other day that sometimes he has to climb 25 flights of stairs to get to his work site.

I want you to know David that your mom and I pray for your safety everyday,

so...DON’T BREAK YOUR NECK!

Gary's Wedding Speech

At a time like this it is easy to find numerous poems and sayings from the internet, some of which are actually quite worthwhile. But it is in the word of God that we have the promise that His Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path, so it is prudent to use it. It would be nice to have the confidence that the patriarchs and the apostles had that whatever blessings they conveyed would come to pass. But since I am not a patriarch or an apostle, the best I can do is refer to scripture that has promises so to speak "built in" although they are conditional promises.

Like for instance Psalm 128:1 " Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
2  When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
3  Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.
4  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
5  The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life.
6  Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!"

David and Leanne,
When our kids were little I often thought of buying one of those really sturdy wagons with rubber wheels to pull you in (but for some reason we never did). Possibly the Dutch thing again?  Now I am looking forward to pulling grandchildren down the lane-way in a wagon like that and taking walks in the woods, the Lord willing.

It is our prayer and wish that God will continue to bless you in the field of your work and family but mostly that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your married life.

We love you,
Dad

More Good News

 Lots more things happening at our home...

Hi Family and friends,

Just want to let everyone know that Christine and David Calderwood are now engaged.

Not sure of the date yet, possibly this summer sometime.

We are very happy and excited for them.

Joanne and Gary

 

Another new member of the family :)  

The deal was when Christine got engaged, Jess would get a puppy. Christine will be taking her own dog, Dixie, with her to Goderich. 

Jessica wasted no time in finding one!!

Jessica and Sadie

More parties..... Pennings  Bridal shower held at Diane Postma's home for Leanne

Oma presenting another grandchild-to-be with her painting on a tray

A Quiet Recovery

Happy 55th Birthday  Gary

Dear Family and Friends,

Gary is having a quiet recovery. He had his staples removed Dec.9th and has healed well. He has been taking it easy, getting up late and resting a lot. The only symptoms are a consistent weakness in his legs and low energy.

On Friday Dec.16th Gary had an appointment with his oncologist. He started a new chemotherapy routine that night. He is taking the same drug he took last year but instead of taking high doses for 5 days and resting for 3 weeks he is now taking one quarter of the dose everyday for as long as is necessary to stop the regrowth of the tumor or keep it stable. Hopefully he will tolerate the chemo as well as last year.


Gary has been spending some time each week working on projects in the barn and the garage with Rick Fintelman his brother-in-law. However, his level of energy is not like it was last time after his surgery. With the help of Rick, his brother Steve and his sons they cut up enough firewood for another year. Don't worry, Gary is taking it easy, doing only as much as his energy allows, sleeping in and resting as needed.


We thank God that He brought Gary safely through the surgery and pray He will bless the means of the chemotherapy and grant him another good year ahead of us.

We like to thank you all for your continued prayers, calls, emails, and words and acts of love and care.
Joanne and family

The next MRI is booked for March 8, 2012 until then he will see his oncologist every 4 weeks and continue on daily chemotherapy.

On Christmas Eve / Gary's Birthday we enjoyed time with our immediate family.
On Christmas Day we had a delicious turkey dinner at my brother Ron and Marilyn Pennings' home.
On Dec.29th we had a house full of family and friends to celebrate his 55th birthday.

Michael and Ryan entertained us on Christmas Eve

Relaxing, feet up and reading

We love spending time together as a family

Oma's 80th and Second Surgery

As My Brother in law Rick Postma posted for me a couple of days ago, I had my second surgery Wednesday, November 30, and I am thankful for the way it went.



Surrounded by beautiful young ladies Michelle Schuit, Christine and Jessica

At the start, it was thought that the second surgery would be
-not as successful
-more dangerous
-more complicated.

The surgeon, Dr Steven, saw us the evening before I was discharged and said the surgery went well, being able to take more of the tumor then he thought he was going to be able to. In reality,  it might have the same result as the first surgery.  The first surgery in July 2010 was very helpful, allowing me to have a year in which I could do my work and many other projects I had been wanting to do for years, with energy to spare. I hope that I will have another good year which is in the hands of the Great Surgeon.

I found that having an armband gives a person access to
-porter services in case of needed scans
-food (If you are going to be in the hospital, make sure you have an armband!!)
-recognitions as a person. ( ask me about it some time)


At the Pennings Christmas Dinner with Ryan and Jessica

One thing the surgery has already allowed me to do is to attend this year's addition of the Annual Pennings Christmas Dinner, which focused on Oma Pennings turning 80.


Getting flowers from Dad!

We had a good time playing old-fashioned shuffle board, crocinole,and monopoly.

There was a lot of fun and fellowship all around

Gary's Surgery

Dear Family and Friends,

My wife Diane, who is with Joanne, just called to say that the surgery went well.  The surgeon used the word "uneventful".  This means that as much as the cancer was removed as possible resulting in a very similar scenario to the first operation which took place in July, 2010.

We can all thank the Lord for this and for how well Gary has done since the last operation until just recently.  May the Lord restore him once again to a similar measure of good health so that Gary can continue to use his considerable talents in providing for his family and serving the Lord in his church.  May He also continue to graciously provide the contentment that is so evident in Gary and Joanne as they, along with their children and all of us  travel long this path that He has laid out for them.

Rick Postma
On behalf of the Vandenbrink family

Psalm 34
 ¹I will bless the LORD at all times;
   his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
²My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
   let the humble hear and be glad.
³Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
   and let us exalt his name together!
 ⁴I sought the LORD, and he answered me
   and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him are radiant,
   and their faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
   and saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps
   around those who fear him, and delivers them.
 ⁸Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
⁹Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
   for those who fear him have no lack!
¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger;
   but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
 ¹¹ Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
¹² What man is there who desires life
   and loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil
   and your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Turn away from evil and do good;
   seek peace and pursue it.
 ¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
   to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
   and delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
   and saves the crushed in spirit.
 ¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
²⁰He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
²¹ Affliction will slay the wicked,
   and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²²The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
   none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Surgery Wed. Nov. 30, 2011

The following is the email sent out by Joanne on Nov.7

Dear Family and Friends,

The date for Gary’s surgery is now booked for Wed. Nov. 30th at 9 a.m.
He is doing o.k. and keeping busy. I’m sure he will make good use of the extra week he has before his surgery.                                          


After Gary's First  Surgery (July 16, 2010)

                                                                          
Please pray that Gary will continue to remain healthy and that nothing will get in the way of his booked surgery for next week. You can also pray that we will feel at peace and trust that God has all things in His control and that we can leave the future in His loving care.

Joanne


Recently at a parent teacher meeting I met two people who asked me how I was feeling. This is not unusual- I find that the amount of concern shown and the promise of prayer for me has been very humbling.
At that time to explain how I was feeling I related an event that happened recently that sort of showed the type of thing that is difficult for me.


Ryan and Danny the Cat

My son Ryan and I were walking out of the woods when he said to me, “I am looking forward to coming back here 15 years from now to see how my little oak tree is doing.” (This is a realistic expectation for him), but tears sprang to my eyes, because barring a miracle, I will not be there to share that with him and I do not even know of any way to ensure that our family will still own this place so that he even has opportunity to go and look. It’s not that I fear the unknown or the illness- I believe that as Romans 8 so eloquently promises, nothing can separate me from the love of my Saviour.

What I regret is missing the fellowship and camaraderie of Ryan and the others of my family, especially in some of the things we have been working on so closely together.

David  in foreground working on the bridge

To answer the question I referred to Revelation 22:1&2 where it refers to the river flowing out of New Jerusalem and the tree(s). Compare with Ezekiel 47:1-12.  I think some versions refer to the tree as plural (certainly in Ezekiel).
If this is so, I hope there will be oak trees as well.


C.S.Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia are among my favourite books

C.S. Lewis, in his book The Last Battle, relayed an idea that has always held fascination for me.

When the children go into Aslan’s country (the new heaven and earth in that story) they recognize their beloved country Narnia.

"Listen, Peter. When Aslan said you could never go back to Narnia, he meant the Narnia you were thinking of. But that was not the real Narnia. That had a beginning and an end. It was only a shadow or a copy of the real Narnia, which has always been here and always will be here: just as our own world, England and all, is only a shadow or copy of something in Aslan's real world. You need not mourn over Narnia, Lucy. All of the old Narnia that mattered, all the dear creatures, have been drawn into the real Narnia through the Door. And of course it is different; as different as a real thing is from a shadow or as waking life is from a dream." 

Ancient British Oak Woods

"It was the unicorn who summed up what everyone else was feeling. He stamped his fore hoof on the ground and neighed and then cried: ”I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked a little like this.
Bree-Hee-Hee! Come further up, Further in!”

All this was quoted directly from C.S.Lewis's book without any permission, something I hope that I do not go to jail for at this time in my life. I hope "Jack" would understand.

I cannot say with absolute certainty that the idea portrayed in this section of Lewis’s book, the idea that any good or worthwhile thing in any place or country is only a shadow of something real in Heaven is accurate biblical truth, but I do find the idea immensely attractive, and not incompatible with what we are taught in scripture.

If this were true, I can picture some day walking with my family along The River and seeing an oak tree (or maybe even an oak woods) and saying “doesn’t that look like the place where Ryan planted his little oak in Anderson?”


Our little creek in Anderson

                                                                             
To all my children and dear wife, Joanne, my brothers and sisters, my fellow Christians in Bethel Free Reformed Church, and the dear people who have become good friends, it has been a great joy to have had fellowship with you here. I hope to have more time for this, if God spares my life for another year like He did with the last Surgery.

If that is not the case and He calls me home at this time, it has become my firm belief that we will know each other and will be able to fellowship and do things together in the new heaven and the new earth. I will look forward to meeting you along The River.

I relayed this to someone recently and he said : I think maybe it will be more like Samuel Rutherford conveyed in one of the the last stanzas of his hymn “the sands of time are sinking”:

"The Bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom’s face;
I will not gaze at glory but on my King of grace.
Not at the crown He giveth but on His pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel’s land."

This brings me back to the very first blog I wrote about the words of this contemporary song:

“I can only imagine
what it will be like
When I walk
by your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I do not know whether Lewis’s vision or Rutherford’s will be the one that I will encounter.  I hope it is a combination of the two, but I firmly believe that it will be glorious.

Thanks for your prayers,
Gary