…shine on Marisa, shine on.
Late this morning, December 6, Marisa took her last earthly breaths in my arms.
She went to a mansion. With many rooms. Probably pianos.
Visitation is going to be at Fruitland CRC (fruitlandcrc.com) on Friday night 7-9 and Saturday 3-5 and 7-9.
We will bury Marisa Monday at 9:30 and the celebration service for Marisa will be on Monday at 11 at the Mountainview Grimsby Christian Reformed church. More details to follow.
Don’t be sad for Marisa. She doesn’t have cancer anymore.
Shine on Marisa, shine on.
MdH
42 comments
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December 6, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Jerri
Marisa is healthy again. She has no more pain. She is now in a position to pray for us. I will continue to lift you and your family in my prayers.
December 6, 2007 at 2:38 pm
everydaymiracle
I am sad, my friend, for you and your sweet children. The God who is able to raise Marisa to life eternal is also able to offer transcendence and provision for those of you so dear to her that are left behind.
A few months ago, I attended the funeral of a friend who had cancer and who was also adored by husband and children. Her husband spoke at her “home going celebration” and said, he figures that since a thousand earthly years are but a day in Heaven that his wife would get there, turn around, and he would be right behind her.
I will be praying for you and your babies in the days, weeks and months to come.
Christ’s Peace,
Sherri
December 6, 2007 at 2:40 pm
patti from California
Oh Mendelt, I am truely sorry for your loss. I will pray comfort and peace for you and your little ones.
December 6, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Henry Lise
I was saddened to hear that Marisa is no longer with you. I wish you much strength as you deal with that empty spot in the coming days, weeks, etc. May you feel the continued support of all around you, Mendelt!
Henry (Christy’s principal)
December 6, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Janis
In mansions of glory
and endless delight
I’ll ever adore thee in Heaven so bright
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow
if ever I love thee my Jesus tis now.
This is from my favorite Hymn My Jesus I love Thee…….whenever I sing this song I get tears in my eyes when I sing this verse……I just imagine myself in Heaven with the glittering crown on my brow, and how wonderful that will be………I’m seeing Marisa with it on now…..and its a beautiful sight…….shalom my sister……you are painfree now…..Shine on!
Continued prayers of love, peace and comfort to you Mendelt, Zion, Jacoba and Zekiah
December 6, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Faye
thanks again Mendelt for sharing parts of this journey with us.
Jenn and I have been reliving the many beautiful memories we have shared. I can see Marisa playing piano already in that mansion.
I think of our last visit with Marisa and think she must have been determined to give us some last beautiful memories because she made us laugh quite a lot with various anecdotes. What an amazing woman. There is a hole in my heart, so I can’t imagine the pain in yours. Our prayers will not stop for you, Zion, Jakoba, & wee little Zekijah. You are loved
Faye
December 6, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Dee
Oh Praise God. The sun is shining so brilliantly this day. It was an honor to have know Marisa. The cancer may have resided in her body but never did it reside in her Spirit. Zion, Jacoba and Zekijah saw Jesus in their own home when they looked at their Mom. Blessing, Hugs, Love and Prayers Dee
December 6, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Ann @ Holy Experience
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; . . . For I am but a sojourner with you, a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.
Psalm 39:13-14
We are all sojourners. Wayfareres headed Home. So Marisa already is.
Yes, she is celestial.
Happy, happy, happy, for Marisa…
~tears~ for us, who linger longer here… but us wayfarers, we are coming too… coming too…
Much, much love…
December 6, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Paulette
man, I am not sad for marissa I am sad for you Mendelt and your little children who will miss there wife and mommy oh so much. I am so sorry for the huge loss you must feel. My best friend died exactly 2 years ago December 6th of cancer as well. So it is a sad day for both of us. I am so sorry mendelt.
December 6, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Gina Taylor
You have my deepest condolences.
December 6, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Gina Taylor
Go Down, Death
by James Weldon Johnson
(A Funeral Sermon)
Weep not, weep not,
She is not dead;
She’s resting in the bosom of Jesus.
Heart-broken husband–weep no more;
Grief-stricken son–weep no more;
Left-lonesome daughter –weep no more;
She only just gone home.
Day before yesterday morning,
God was looking down from his great, high heaven,
Looking down on all his children,
And his eye fell on Sister Caroline,
Tossing on her bed of pain.
And God’s big heart was touched with pity,
With the everlasting pity.
And God sat back on his throne,
And he commanded that tall, bright angel standing at his right hand:
Call me Death!
And that tall, bright angel cried in a voice
That broke like a clap of thunder:
Call Death!–Call Death!
And the echo sounded down the streets of heaven
Till it reached away back to that shadowy place,
Where Death waits with his pale, white horses.
And Death heard the summons,
And he leaped on his fastest horse,
Pale as a sheet in the moonlight.
Up the golden street Death galloped,
And the hooves of his horses struck fire from the gold,
But they didn’t make no sound.
Up Death rode to the Great White Throne,
And waited for God’s command.
And God said: Go down, Death, go down,
Go down to Savannah, Georgia,
Down in Yamacraw,
And find Sister Caroline.
She’s borne the burden and heat of the day,
She’s labored long in my vineyard,
And she’s tired–
She’s weary–
Go down, Death, and bring her to me.
And Death didn’t say a word,
But he loosed the reins on his pale, white horse,
And he clamped the spurs to his bloodless sides,
And out and down he rode,
Through heaven’s pearly gates,
Past suns and moons and stars;
on Death rode,
Leaving the lightning’s flash behind;
Straight down he came.
While we were watching round her bed,
She turned her eyes and looked away,
She saw what we couldn’t see;
She saw Old Death. She saw Old Death
Coming like a falling star.
But Death didn’t frighten Sister Caroline;
He looked to her like a welcome friend.
And she whispered to us: I’m going home,
And she smiled and closed her eyes.
And Death took her up like a baby,
And she lay in his icy arms,
But she didn’t feel no chill.
And death began to ride again–
Up beyond the evening star,
Into the glittering light of glory,
On to the Great White Throne.
And there he laid Sister Caroline
On the loving breast of Jesus.
And Jesus took his own hand and wiped away her tears,
And he smoothed the furrows from her face,
And the angels sang a little song,
And Jesus rocked her in his arms,
And kept a-saying: Take your rest,
Take your rest.
Weep not–weep not,
She is not dead;
She’s resting in the bosom of Jesus.
December 6, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Victoria
*Thinking and praying for you and your three beautiful children*
“A Letter From Heaven”
To my dearest family, some things I’d like to say,
But first of all to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I’m writing this from heaven, here I dwell with God above.
Here, there is no more tears of sadness, here there’s just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I’m out of sight,
Remember that I’m with you, every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and he said “I welcome you, its good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they’ll be here later on.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do, and foremost on the list was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day’s chores put to flight,
God and I are close to you in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years,
because you are only human they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain
Remember there would be no flowers; unless there was some rain.
I wish that i could tell you, all that God has planned
But if I were to tell you, you would not understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is through,
I’m closer to you now than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking on day at a time
It was always my philosphy, and I’d like it for you too,
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who’s in sorrow and in pain,
Then you can say at night ” My day was not in vain.”
And now I am contented that my life was worthwhile
Knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody SMILE
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick them up, as on your way you go.
When your walking down the street and you’ve got me on your mind;
I’m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it’s time for you to go, from that body to be free
Remember your not going, your coming home to me.
December 6, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Mike Vahrmeyer
Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Today we do both with you Mendelt, Zion, Jacoba and Zekijah. We rejoice with you that Marisa “doesn’t have cancer anymore”, and yet we weep with you in your loss. May our prayers go with you, that the Lord give you strength and surround you with His peace.
Mike, Sara, Mady, Corey, Lauren, Tayah
December 6, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Julie DeVisser
When I was first told about Marisa having cancer my only thought was “how can something that huge happen to a family so blessed by God?”. But as the weeks progressed and support from the community grew to thousands, I’m sure, the only thing that gave me any sort of peace was the verse in the Bible where is says that God does everything for a purpose.
Mendelt, I will continue to pray for you and your kids that you will have the stregnth to keep going, even it’s it’s only one day at a time.
God Bless
Julie DeVisser
December 6, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Linda Smith
My thoughts and prayers are for you, your lovely children and your families. May the peace of God and the love of the many, many people around you that care, carry you through these difficult times.
December 6, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Kate Eliza
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of such an amazing woman but am so happy that she is no longer in pain. My thoughts are with you and your family and hope you know how much she meant to people she didn’t even know. Take care!
Kate
December 6, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Nicole Wicke
We are grieving with you, Mendelt.
December 6, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Annette and Rob Schreuders
Dear Mendelt, Zion, Jacoba, and Zekijah and families,
Shine on dear Marisa.
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns in heaven above and Marisa is playing “King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Glory hallelujah” on the piano with the most brilliant smile I’m sure. My memory of her that really stands out is of her playing that song, over and over, faster and faster and we couldn’t keep up, during the DCCS singing time.
May God be your strength and comfort now and always. You continue to be in our prayers now and always.
“What is our only comfort? That I am not my own, but that I belong, body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ…
December 6, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Lesa Rapp
I am sorry about your loss! May God lift you up and give you strength in this hard road you are facing. Your family is in my prayers!
Lesa
December 6, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Marianne Bailey
I am not sad for Marisa but I feel very sad for you Mendelt and the children. Although I do not know you, I wish you strength for the difficult times ahead and comfort in this time of sorrow.
December 6, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Roads
I’m so sorry to hear this news.
If it’s any small encouragement, then I can tell you that I trod your hard path myself some few years ago now.
You’ve got this far, and you can make it all the way. All strength and resolve to you, my friend.
December 6, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Wayne & Sharon Porty
I’ll be praying for YOUR strength in the days & weeks to come. May the Father give you everything you need, and more.
December 6, 2007 at 7:20 pm
claire
I am so sorry for your loss. Marisa was clearly an amazing person. Wishing your family peace and comfort…
December 6, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Darrell Buys
Dear Mendelt, children and extended family
When we heard that Marisa had went to be with her heavenly Father we were sad for you and your family still here on earth that have to go through a time of grief, emptiness and change. We are thankful for the witness that Marisa, you and your family were and still are for many people including those that don’t have a relationship with Jesus personally. Following this blog through the ups and downs was quite a journey for many, many people and something that won’t soon be forgotten.
God’s closest blessings and comfort in the next while – from what we have read and experienced on this blog – God WILL be there for you….
Darrell & Christine Buys
Claire, Reuben and Petra
December 6, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Anne
Our prayers are with you and your family. May the God of peace be with you all. May you treasure the many wonderful memories of Marisa.
December 6, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Astraea
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. How wonderful Marisa must feel right now with our Savior. May God always bless your family.
December 6, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Susanne
Mendelt, Zion, Jacoba and Zekijah,
We are so sorry for your great and indescribable loss of dearest Marisa.
After I read you post, Mendelt, I listened to the CD Marisa and I made with the DCCS choirs. It was heavenly to hear her playing the piano. And I imagined what you wrote — of her being in the mansion of heaven trying out the pianos.
I don’t have to tell you, because you knew more than any of us, what a beautiful gift Marisa was to all who knew her. Christ shone so brightly in her. And now she continues to shine and shine and shine as she is held in His almighty arms.
We pray that you, Zion, Jacoba and Zekijah feel those loving arms around you as well as you mourn the loss of your beautiful wife and loving mother.
With many prayers for comfort and peace,
Susanne and family
December 6, 2007 at 9:19 pm
The Pols family
Dear Mendelt,
God Himself mourns with those that mourn and rejoices with those that rejoice. He commands His people to do the same.
Mendelt, we mourn with you, your dear children and your families over the great loss of your loving wife and your children’s loving mother. But we do not mourn as those without hope. Not a bit! We rejoice that Marisa no longer suffers from cancer. We rejoice that she now reigns in the heavenly places, enjoying unbroken fellowship with Christ Himself.
Marisa will indeed shine on. She will shine in the lives of your little ones and in your life as well, Mendelt. My sister-in-law Anita shines on in the lives of her boys, and in the life of brother Ken. Marisa and Anita – beacons of His light with the most contagious smiles and both taken to glory in what we would classify as an “early” age. God is in control and His will is done. We are but dust, and as we learn from Book of Job, we are not to question God and His plans. He is GOD! Rather, we are to rest in the promises of our faithful God, the salvation we have in Christ, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives each new day. Let us rejoice because God blessed the life of Marisa and He blessed the lives of countless others through Marisa’s God-glorifying life of service.
” O taste and see that the Lord is good;
how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
O fear the Lord, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him, there is no want.”
~Psalm 34:8,9
and verses 17-19 read,
” The righteous cry and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous;
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.”
May you experience an extra rich measure of God’s strength and peace.
Love and prayers,
Cheryl, Andrew and sons
December 6, 2007 at 9:50 pm
alice bokma
My sincere condolences. I have been following Marisa
s blog since the beginning of her journey. My dear husband John was diagnosed around the same time with terminal pancreatic cancer He [passed away in April John loved music and singing I can just see them around God’s throne singing and making music. The journey to continue on is very difficult But God’s grace will uphold you as He does me each day
P.s Sonya Eikelboom is a member of our church
December 6, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Alannah
wow Mr. H
this blog is a great piece of work that will shine on as ..
i do not know how to put it, but it will be something that all people can read to know your love for her, and your families love for Christ
praise God she is in heaven now with no more pain
December 6, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Samantha Pellegrino
I have no words to express my sadness to complete strangers…and yet, your not. It’s so weird this blog thing…I think people all over the world will miss Marisa through you. I hope you’ll keep talking to us, telling your story in your time. I’m so sorry that this happened to your family and I’m still encouraged by your joy in Marisa, your love of your children and your faith in a Mighty Awesome God. We’ll still pray for you every day, the words might be different, but as our brother in Christ, you’ll be covered. My two children who met you in VBS this summer are so moved by your story, and God willing, they(and I) look forward to meeting you again this summer. So, I pray you’ll pick a star from the sky and name it Marisa and you can shine with her…
Shine on Mendelt, Shine on.
December 6, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Julie Vos
Dear Mendelt,
Thank you for sharing with us. I am so sorry that you are facing such a difficult trial in your life and I pray that you will feel strengthened during this time of grief from our Lord! I hope that you will continue to write on the blog and I hope that our comments will also be a source of comfort for you.
You and your beloved children, Zion, Jacoba and Zekijah are in my prayers, dear friend!
Love, Julie
December 7, 2007 at 12:37 am
Alec Home-Douglas
Mendelt, you and your kids are in my deepest thoughts … i want to cry for Marisa but i guess it is best her ordeal is over for her
i don’t know what i can do, but if there is ever anything, please just ask
i love you
December 7, 2007 at 8:23 am
Rose Tamming
Check out the Everyday Miracle blog and read the most recent entry “Dear Cancer, This Is Not The End”… a second letter to cancer, this one to honour Marisa…
…have your Kleenex box nearby…
RT
December 7, 2007 at 9:56 am
Jenny de Vries
Below is a link to the song we sang at our grade 12 graduation; “Friends are Friends Forever”. It has beautiful piano and I can only imagine your friend forever, Marisa, playing this in heaven. The song has encouraged me through my tears for you and your family. I am thinking and praying for you and your family.
Shine on Marisa.
December 7, 2007 at 10:27 am
Margaret
Dear mendelt
my heart goes out to you , Zion, Jacoba and Zekiah.
We met with our quilting group last night, we were all there.
commenting that marisa was stil with us last week working with her last strenght on the quilt she was making for Jacoba.
That quilt will get finished.
There were many tears and also laughter talking about things Marisa had said and done in her quiet humorous ways.
We read Marisa’s Psalm 91,and other parts of the Psalms.
A Dutch psalm has been singing in my head for the last two, three weeks
a psalm I haven’t sang for over 50 years. But the words all came to me.
“Ik zal dan gedurig by U zijn,
In all my noden angst en pijn.
U all my leifde waardig schatten. while gij myn rechterhand woud vatten.
Gij zult my lijden door uw raad,
O God myn heil my toeverlaat,”
en my hiertoe door U bereid ,opnemen in uw heerlijkheid”
It is followed by
“Wie heb ik nevens U omhoog.”
these words you will find in Psalm 73 :23-26.
we have been very blessed by having known Marisa,
She will live on in our hearts
but will miss her terribly.
Love margaret
December 7, 2007 at 10:48 am
Julie Pilling (Oosterloo)
Til’ we meet a Jesus’ feet, Marisa…
December 7, 2007 at 11:05 am
Karin Maag
Sending love and prayers for comfort for all of you. May Christ’s presence and peace surround you at each and every moment over the next days.
Karin Maag
December 7, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Angie Van Berkel
I’M FREE
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work and play.
Task left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Oh yes, these I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.
December 8, 2007 at 9:11 am
R&G
To a special family who are so heavily in our sad thoughts. Mendelt, may God carry and give you strength in all that you have to go through. God help you as a special dad to your beautiful lovable children.
May I share this with you:
Remember Marisa is no longer in your past- but she is now in your future-waithing with open arms to see you again once you enter into heaven. And once you enter into heaven you will never be separated from your bright and beautiful Marisa AGAIN!
May God lift you up in all that you go through. You are such a special person to many! You are not alone in this! Lots of love and prayers R&G
December 8, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Carlena Schipper
Mendelt and family,
Our hearts are feeling torn…we can not fathom what you are going through right now. May God grant you all comfort as you continue down this road in your lives.
Praise God for such an amazing woman, she fought until the end and now she has won the battle…looking forward to meeting in heaven!
Love the Schippers
December 12, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Christina Hogeterp Vugteveen
We rejoice and we weep with you. May you feel the power of prayer surrounding you. May you feel wrapped in arms of love. We will continue to pray for you all.
much love
Christina and family