December 20 (the day of diagnosis) seems like a lifetime ago. As tomorrow approaches, it will mark the road that has been 8 months long.
When I think about the past 8 months, a few things have become clearer to me.
1st, the communion of the saints means something that it has never meant.
2nd, the Will of God will never take us where the Grace of God can not protect us is something that is both true and incredibly hard to swallow at times.
3rd, speaking to Marisa about death is healing and less scary everytime.
and 4th, Marisa is a daily inspiration. You know those small square calendars that you can buy that have daily inspirational quotes from people that you don’t even know? Living with Marisa is like that but in the flesh.
I’m reminded of the Paul Simon song that says we’ll “continue to continue” and as if he was writing about Marisa that “flowers never bend with the rainfall”.
Peace, stay strong.
MdH
28 comments
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August 19, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Mem Hoekstra
Amen, my son
August 19, 2007 at 12:55 pm
G & R
Hi Marisa and Mendelt!! You are such an inspiration to us!! May you feel God’s loving arms around you and may He give you strength, courage, love and healing through this!! You are deeply thought of!! Love and prayers R & G
August 19, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Robyn Bezuyen
How many times don’t we look back and say “What if…” or look at today and say “Why now?” And then we finally look to the future and say “Praise the Lord” for He has created a house with many rooms and there is space for all who love Him.
Thank you for showing that love through your journey.
Words seem insignificant sometimes especially when we can not find the right ones. So, FAITH HOPE LOVE, be with you this week.
Love The Bezuyen’s
Robyn Terry Katryna Emily and Mackenzie.
August 19, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Susanne
The peace and love of Christ to you, dear friends.
Take courage, take courage!
Susanne
August 20, 2007 at 12:23 am
Chris and Cheri
Marisa, you are truly inspirational. I see God revealing himself through both of you as you continue to continue. I guess that would make you revelational. Whatever it is, it’s amazing. We love you guys and will continue to pray for healing and strength.
August 20, 2007 at 9:50 am
Sonya Eikelboom
Dear Marisa,
Sorry to have missed you at the impromptu family gathering…it sure would have been nice to have seen both you and Julia…but regardless, I am so thankful that both of you have such a beautiful testimony to life and faith which you so freely share with others. I do hope to get a chance to see you soon, though! We shall continue to pray for your walk through this time. It’s amazing to see things learned and fears being conquered, and the brave hearts that you both possess – even when you don’t feel so brave. Thank God that He provides especially in those times! We shall continue to pray for peace and strength…all our love, Sonya & Randall
August 20, 2007 at 10:36 am
everydaymiracle
I am still praying, friends.
Christ’s Peace,
Sherri
August 20, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Audrey Reitsma
Mendelt & Marisa,
I was making spaghetti sauce this afternoon and my thoughts turned to you, as they often do, not just when I’m in the kitchen. So I went to your blog and was so moved by the four things that have become clearer to you on this journey, Mendelt, and your love for Marisa. Taking out my Bible, it fell open to Psalm 3 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” verses 5,6 These verses also happen to be our wedding text from July 22’72 so they are circled in my Bible. I hope they are an encouragement to you today.
Love, Audrey Reitsma
August 20, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Teresa Wunsche (Miedema)
Mem said it all.
You are a wondrous couple, and a blessed family.
Teresa
August 20, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Amalie and Kevin Ritskes
Marisa and Mendelt
I’ve been thinking about you and praying for you, though lacking the words to encourage you. Thanks for being real and honest, and for sharing that with us. Thanks for putting words to my thoughts: “the Will of God will never take us where the Grace of God can not protect us”.
Take courage
Amalie Ritskes
August 20, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Rachel Cook
I seems like a gift when you give your processed thoughts on your situation. We all bear different cups, and so it feels like you are allowing us to at least try to understand yours a bit. Thank you.
You both inspire me as you journey through this.
I hope that the communion of saints and the grace of God will continue to give you the strength you need. We love you so much. You are often in our thoughts and prayers.
August 20, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Betty
Marisa and Mendelt Words are so small and cannot describe our inner feelings…it is difficult and sometimes painfull to be in the Potter’s Hand. He continues to mold us and hold us for His glory.
Remember and experience that GOD’S GRACE IS ALL SUFFICIENT!
He will continue to surround and protect you..as He promised to.
Bob & Betty
August 20, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Lauren Heinen
Wow. You are both provided with so much strength from our Father through such difficult and trying times, and you find something to be positive about no matter what!! I do not even know how to put into words how amazing of a couple and family you are, and how you inspire me. I don’t even know you in person, but this blog has been a witness for Christ. When you said, “the Will of God will never take us where the Grace of God can not protect us” you provided inspiration once again…along the path of life are many obstacles, but God will always be there for us…someone we can count on no matter what.
Thanks for posting with such incredible honesty. I pray for continued strength, faith, optimism, and love as you “continue to continue”.
In Christ,
Lauren
August 21, 2007 at 2:33 am
Constance W-White
Dear Marisa,
My family has been touched by yours through Frances. Over coffee is a warm way we share “love of life”. The many stories that teach us how great life is. Lifes sorrows that allow us to gain strength. Lifes aggrivations to “train” our patience and tolerence that ties up our indiferences. As we experience life in our physical form it is those few joyous fleeting (chiros) moments of God like elation that occurs between in and around all the rest, that gives us the most; grattitude.
“It is all the little things in life that make life BIG.”
My 4 year old little person Ellisa and I have ‘you and yours’ in our daily prayers. GODS GRACE be upon you. PEACE Thank You for being you. MS SNOW WHITE
August 21, 2007 at 10:59 am
James & Shannon Dueck
The image of Marisa as a strong and beautiful flower struck me, and I meditated on the passage below. Your family is a fragrance unto the Lord!
Isaiah 35 ‘Joy of the Redeemed’ (vs 1-4)
1 The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of *our* God.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
August 21, 2007 at 12:00 pm
gary
M&M……..….so we were having our morning devotional and it was on “partnership” and we end up having a disagreement!! – I left this morning, (not in the best frame of mind), but by the time I got into the office I laughed at the irony of it!
I pray your “partnership” continues to sustain you all as you continue to battle through – see you soon.
Mendelt – you mention conversations on death in your entry. I often think about death, the passage of time, missed opportunities. I love the movie in Field of Dreams where at the end, the black journalist, Terence Mann, gets a little giddy when Shoeless Joe Jackson asks him to walk “out” into the corn field where all the players come from – the heaven metaphor” I guess. I hope when I am invited that I am ready and a little “giddy” about taking that step into the corn field – I think it will be amazing…
I often reflect on the quote from John Donne “ask not for whom the bell tolls it tolls for thee”. In that sense death saddens me because it tears at the fabric – at the tapestry God graced us to weave…..and once torn the fabric is never the same.
I pray Marisa lives long so that God can continue to weave a wonderful tapestry with you together.
GT
For Whom the Bell Tolls
…..by John Donne
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
sort of like “communion of the saints” I suppose………..
August 21, 2007 at 2:37 pm
The Pols family
We continue to keep you in our daily prayers, and are so glad that you have been upheld through the past eight months. God certainly doesn’t give us more than we can handle, thanks be to His Son, Jesus Christ, and the hope that lies in Him.
May God continue to strengthen you as a couple and as a family and may you continue to rely upon Him for every good thing. God is good and greatly to be praised! He shows Himself faithful generation after generation. We are His children and He holds us in His loving hands until one day He calls us home where we will remain in His perfect presence forevermore. What comfort! What joy!
Enjoy these last two weeks of summer holidays before the routine of school begins once again. Play with your kids, enjoy their laughter, and above all, enjoy each other as a couple!
Love and prayers continually,
Cheryl, Andrew and boys
xoxoxoxoxoxo — gotta make sure you get one from each of us
August 21, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Heather Struyk
Marisa, I was told about your blog at school and i have been reading it ever since. Your words and your faith are such an inspiration to me. I am praying for you and Mr.Hoekstra and your family daily. I pray that God will provide you with strength and comfort. I hope that you will have continued strength.
August 21, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Samantha Pellegrino
M&M, I’m so moved. I feel like I’m reading your love story.
God Bless You both deeply.
Amen and Amen.
S
August 21, 2007 at 8:53 pm
widdlepuke
Please read this http://www.watercure2.org/cancer.htm and just give it a try. I have been reading your blog for a long time, but never knew what to say. But I just hope you will give this water cure a try. It is free, and you have nothing to lose.
August 22, 2007 at 4:06 am
Briggie
You show your strength and fragility in every post and it touches the very depths of my being. I cannot help but look at my family and wonder would we have the faith to bare the burden that you are carrying? I know that they only way to shoulder such a heavy thing is to allow the Lord to do it for me, and as I read your posts, I know you have given your burden over to the Lord. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
May you find rest in Him, may His peace be your peace and His strength be your strength.
Ever praying and believing for you all,
Briggie ^i^
God said in His word in Matthew Chapter 11 verses 28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
August 22, 2007 at 11:38 am
Natasha (Van Eyk) Postuma
Thinking of you often! Love from our family to yours!!
Natasha Postuma
August 22, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Jody Roest (Vandeputte)
Just want to thank you again for blogging so faithfully about how things are. I thank God every time I remember you, and like many others, I feel so touched by the things you write.
This summer we had a chance to go to Calgary. We went to the Dinosaur Museum in the badlands around the Red Deer River. Just before we got there, we stopped at Horseshoe Canyon and hiked down to look around. From the top, there was no sign of the canyon–just wind and grass until suddenly the ground dropped away to reveal this vast valley of sculpted rock.
It was an incredibly harsh and beautiful landscape. The path was narrow and steep, full of drop-offs and slippery spots. Wind and water had formed the layered rock into mysterious shapes, and many of the plants and bushes hid thorns and spines.
Yet, on every little bit of soil that had collected, prairie grasses and flowers bloomed cheerfully, as if they had no clue about their harsh environment. A tiny prairie dog came up to us with its bright little eyes, and our kids stared back in wide-eyed wonder. Finally, we glimpsed some splashes of pink and yellow in the distance. We followed the path through another fearsome dip, and there they were–cactus flowers–fragile, rare, and gorgeous. I felt a little like I was on holy ground, witnessing this special wonder from God.
Maybe this is a little like we all feel, witnessing you and your family, Marisa and Mendelt. Blooming your hearts out along such a difficult path.
With humble gratitude,
Jody
August 23, 2007 at 7:04 am
sharon Vanschie
Just wanted to let you know, I’m praying for you daily. May God hear our prayers.
August 23, 2007 at 9:46 am
Rusty and Leona
Jeremiah 32 :37 “I am the Lord, the God of the whole human race. Is anything too hard for me?”
Have been reading but, for some reason, haven’t been writing.
Peace and Love
August 23, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Jen Riebot
thanks for sharing..
i have thought about talking to both of you about death and such things, it hasn’t exactly came up yet, but i thought about it, and realized that.. i talk to you about every other thing ever, so i feel comfortable enough to talk about that with you too..
and that feels really good, to know i can confide in both of you, which is wierd because you are the ones going through something so tough..
you are amazing people, God given to me, for sure..
thanks for all you do, and especially your care, interest, and the things you say..
you mean alot to me..
praying, thinking, fighting and hoping right along with you..
peace and love*
August 24, 2007 at 6:46 am
Annette and Rob Schreuders
Beautiful Mendelt. Thanks for sharing what the journey so far has taught you. Amen is right.
Your journey has also taught many, many people to take a fresh look at their/our own lives and to begin closer journeys with the Lord. We need to thank you for that.
Continue to continue, take courage and the communion of the saints continue to uphold you as best we can.
We pray that God’s strength will be yours as I’m thinking that you will prepare for a change in the daily routine soon with school, work and a new routine for your school age kids too.
Always in our thoughts and prayers,
Great is His faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies we see.
Love, annette and rob
August 25, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Leanne Riebot
Hello, Hoekstras,
I was just gone for a week to a Christian Camp called Camp Shalom, and i have been gone for quiet a bit, But you were still in my prayers. I am so happy to come back after such a long time, and see how much you are progressing. Christ is working his miracles day by day.
Wow 8 months. God has brought you a long way, but this whole time you werent in it alone. There is hundreds of people who are in this with you.
I dont think a night goes by that you arent in someones prayers.
The school year is beginning, fresh and new, I hope that you are fresh and new for a start so that God will comfort and heal you in the time to come.
You both make my faith stronger and stronger everytime i read something that you have posted. You are an amazing example of Christs miracles.
Peace and Love,
Leanne*