As of right now, 8:10 P.M. (EST) we have entered party city. Marisa just finished her 2nd cycle of chemotherapy.
Hopefully no more fatigue. No more sore hands. No more dry, bleeding nose. No more pills twice a day. No more chemo…for five days.
Thanks to all who leave comments on the blog, write e-mails, send meals, send cards and above pray for us.
Peace and Love,
Mendelt
Life 
29 comments
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February 13, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Janis Thies
Party on! May you enjoy these next few days feeling great! (Hopefully!) We all that are healthy realize just how much we take it for granted. Prayers continue to be lifted up!
Love the Thies’
p.s Marisa bald is beautiful, your courage and strength shines through
pss Mendelt the way you talk about your wonderful wife Marisa is very touching….she is a lucky woman! Stay strong!
February 14, 2007 at 9:09 am
Teresa Wunsche (Miedema)
Yea Party city!!!! What a great a gift of love for Valentine’s – for all of you!
February 14, 2007 at 11:00 am
Chris and Cheri
Two down and it’s time to dance. Conkio-en-sun-genesie (sp?) says “itz geud!!! ” Pumped to hear that Campden (aka: party city) is raising the roof today.
What happens in Campden, stays in Campden.
peace and love.
February 14, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Carrie
Happy Valentines Day! Enjoy the break!
February 14, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Pake
“Dat ‘s Heeren Zegen op u daal
zijn gunst uit Sion u bestraal.
Hem viere wat in groot heelal
in Jezus is en wezen zal.”
Ik wens jullie het allerbeste toe!
Pake
February 14, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Susanne Wood
Peace and Great Joy to you all! I am praying that you all have a wonderful break together.
love and prayers,
Susanne
February 14, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Jodi Mobach
Dear Marisa: Congratulations on completing round 2. I pray that the next five days will be easier on you. Jodi
February 14, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Justin Renkema
Klaas let me know about the website yesterday (we do have internet in Nova Scotia now) so I have to say is bald is truly beautiful, hope your party was loud, late, and I can’t think of another appropriate “l” word. (lewd is definitely not), and much love and many thoughts and prayers from Halifax.
Justin and Katherine
February 14, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Anita Sloetjes
Dear Mendelt and Marisa,
February 14…Most Dutch people probably would not buy any roses today because they are cheaper tomorrow!!
I wanted to share a poem with you which I have read a lot of times when I needed to be reminded about just resting in Him.
It is only a tiny rosebud a flower of God’s design
But I cannot unfold the petal with these clumsy hands of mine
The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I
God opens this flower sweetly then in my hands they die
If I cannot unfold a rosebud this flower of God’s design
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine
So I’ll trust Him for leading each moment of my day
I will look to Him for guidance each step of the pilgrimway
The pathway that lies before me only my Heavenly Father knows
I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the ROSE!!
Thinking about you and praying for you with much love from the Sloetjes gang
February 14, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Carlena Schipper
Marisa, Mendelt and children,
just wanted to wish you an enjoyable Valentine’s Day yet…and hopefully you are feeling a little better right now, Marisa, inbetween things. We read your blogs almost daily and are touched by each thing we read. May God continue to be with you all and to give you the strength to get through each day. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Ryan, Carlena and Laryssa
February 14, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Ms. Buma (a.k.a. Tine)
Dear Marisa and Mendelt and family,
It’s getting late…Time to wrap up the day. Thank you for including the photo for your growing Blog Support Group here, Marisa! Your winning smile is as beautiful as ever! And wow! What a blessing this site has become to so many readers and contributors!
A big Valentine hug to you and yours!
Blessings,
Ms. Buma
February 15, 2007 at 9:54 am
Sherri deGraaf
Hi Mendelt and Marisa
Love the photo with the hair down to the wood! My husband Remco always tells me this little Dutch saying- “wooden head ,wooden shoes,wooden listen.” What a great smile! Enjoy the party.
Love Sherri and Remco
February 15, 2007 at 9:59 am
Daphne and Tim Vaandering
Dear Marisa, Mendelt and family:
Praying your time off chemo will be a time of laughter and love. We think of you daily!!
Love
Daphne and Tim
February 15, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Annette
Hello Marisa and Mendelt,
You don’t know me… but you know my Dad, Gordon. I’m Annette and I used to live in St. Catharines YEARS ago. I, too, am battling the beast known as cancer. I will keep you in my prayers as well as you deal with chemotherapy. I have been going through chemo since last March (just finished round #13 – I go every 3 weeks) and yes, it is horrible. (And yes, BALD IS SEXY!!!) I pray that the doctors will find the medication to help you manage the nausea and the other horrible side effects. If you ever want to chat, as two people going through cancer, please email me and I’ll give you my home phone number. And if you’re into reading, I would recommend the poetry of Angelina Fast-Vlaar in her book “The Valley of Cancer”. It really spoke to me… made me cry and helped me pray when I couldn’t. And remember that God hears every prayer – even when you can’t pray anymore.
In Christ and with love,
Annette
February 15, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Dee
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Marisa, Mendelt, Zion, Jacoba and Zekijah))))))))))))))
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Well that is some partying that you have been doing cause when I woke up yesterday morning your confetti was all over the cars and roads from one lake to the other!!!!! Man when ya throw a party you sure know how to throw a party. Keep on keeping on.
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
************************************************************
***************Let it snow (yes we need more 🙂 ) *****************
************************************************************
Prayers and thoughts Dee
February 15, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Andrea O'Neill (Clark)
Marisa
I love the picture. You look amazing! Maybe you can convince your dad to shave his head too!!!
Still praying for you and your family.
Andrea
February 16, 2007 at 10:08 am
Sandie Narsansky
Hey there Hoekstra family,
Thinking of you and praying for you continuously. I hope you can feel my hugs !
Stay strong and enjoy the next few days Marisa. You are truly amazing. Now I understand why Mendelt’s face lights up so much whenever he speaks of you at work.
Sandie
February 16, 2007 at 10:15 am
marlene langendoen
Marisa and Mendelt,
Wishing you strength and renewal in the coming days! Enjoy the party! God Bless!
Stan and Marlene Langendoen and family
February 16, 2007 at 10:31 am
Bev Boden
Marisa, Mendelt and family,
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers daily. I am so encouraged by your strength and faith!
Bev
February 16, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Darryl Andree
Dear Marisa! (and Mendelt and the kids!)
I know you are aware of how many people are praying for you! Please add me to that list!!
When I was 5 years old, my parents “forced” me to take piano lessons! My teacher was Miss Marisa Vanderveen. I am pretty sure that the only reason I did it for almost 2 years was because of her!
Marisa, you have taught me something very important about my musical ability…. maybe I should stick to singing!!
Thinking of you and the family!
Darryl
February 16, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Lynn Colyn
I just wanted to drop a short note to say I’m thinking of you guys everyday. Marissa you look so good. You have a beautiful head. I hope these party days are good days where you find strength, rest, and are able to eat, eat, and more. I will continue to pray for you. Enjoy this time.
February 16, 2007 at 3:10 pm
B. nattress
Marisa
Today the sun is shining. We hope the sun is shining on you and your family. Enjoy your party days off!
All our love and prayers.
David and Barb
February 16, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Julie Oosterloo-Pilling
Hello Marisa & Mendelt
2 verses to share today…very familiar ones:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose….If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:28&31b
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Phil. 4:13 NIV
I also like the Message version of that “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am!”
Last year when I was living away from home…and it seemed like everything was just too much, I would just keep repeating “I can do all things through Christ who strengtens me….” It’s a wonderful mantra..try it out on the days when you don’t feel particularly strong. I’ve used it in joy…and when the tears were running down my cheeks.
Love and hugs as you enjoy your days of freedom!!
Jules
February 16, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Corrie
Dear Marisa & Mendelt: Well a lot has happened while we were away. How good to know that no matter where we are our prayers are heard by our Heavenly Father. And yes, you were in our prayers and thoughts a lot! What a journey you’ve been on again these last few weeks! May God hear our prayers and give you relief and release from the pain you’ve been dealing with. What a blessing to know that he uses the hands and feet of so many, especially Mendelt (candy striped uniform…looking forward to that picture…that should be something to behold!). You are such a witness on this site that even those who don’t know you send words of encouragement. You may never know how you might reach out to someone who needs a Saviour. May He continue to give you REST as you go into this time of “no more’s!” Hope it will be like a breath of fresh air and of enjoying time together as much as you can.
“There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Saviour meet, Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us, who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God.”
May He hold you and your family near! Luv & prayers – Corrie
P.S. Re: Bald is BEAUTIFUL – Yup a true Vander Veen from way back – the picture says it all. The smile is still radiant!
February 16, 2007 at 4:01 pm
The Pols fam
Dear Mendelt, Marisa and kiddletjes,
You guys really know how to party hardy because you haven’t entered a comment on your blog since Tuesday! Wonderful. 🙂 Hoping that your hands will feel like a jar of Nivea, your nose will stop its dripping, the fatigue will blow off with the wind, and you’ll be able to play your piano and shout for joy as you enjoy some relief from the chemo treatments this weekend. All the best!
Continued love and prayers,
the Polsies
xoxo
February 16, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Kimberly (Osinga) Oliver
Party time is happening just in time for Mardi Gras! How fabulous for you!
I was reading Ben his bedtime story tonight and he chose “God Cares for Claire” — I think because the book is shaped like a dog and its fun for his little fingers to get around. Anyway, the book takes you through different events in Claire’s life — playing in the sandbox, going to the farm, going on vacation and getting lost — and Claire asking the question, “Can God help me (insert appropriate situation here)?” The answer is always “God cares for me everywhere I go.” I immediately thought of you, Marisa, and that God is caring for you and your family where ever you are, and through everything that is happening. I hope you feel his presence constantly.
You’re in our prayers,
Kim, Matt & Ben
February 16, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Mike and Karen Carmody
I wish I could party in person with you – but that ain’t gonna happen! Not to worry, we’re partying over here too – because of a chemo break and many other things . . . God is so good!!!
Love you lots.
Karen
February 17, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Curt and Heidi Winter
Hello Hoekstra family!
I happened to notice my brother (Darryl Andree) wrote a comment about taking piano lessons with Marisa. He neglected to mention that he had a serious crush (quite a crush since it went on for 2 years) on Marisa and when my parents finally decided to stop wasting their money on Darryl’s lack of committment, he was devastated and cried that “I’ll never see Marisa again!” because Darryl was quite convinced that he was going to marry Marisa.
Hope you have a great day-you are all in our prayers every day.
Heidi Winter
February 17, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Walt and Nancy Hartholt
Dear Marisa, Mendelt and Kids,
It has been way too long since we last blogged to you guys. Walt and I just want to let you know that you are in our daily thoughts and prayers. Have a great week of partying and thanks for the picture, you certainly are beautiful.
Walt, Nancy, Lucas and Kendra