We are now heading out for the CT scan.
Zion (our wonderful son who turns 5 next month) stayed home from school today. He wasn’t feeling well. I know the feeling.
Marisa ‘slept’ until just now. (she didn’t fall asleep until 5:30 A.M.) She got up and changed into her clothes. What happened next is a perfect picture of Marisa.
After putting on her clothes, she came up to Zion with her infections smile and said “look Zion, I’m wearing my david and goliath t-shirt”
Amen sister, Amen.
MdH
Life 
38 comments
Comments feed for this article
April 27, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Teresa Wunsche (Miedema)
Last night at our Praise Team practice, we had a ‘free’ night to sing any songs we wanted. This one kept running through my mind for you . . .
“Hold me close, let your love surround me.
Bring me near, draw me to your side.
And as I wait, I rise up like the eagle,
And I will soar with you, your Spirit leads me on,
in the Pow’r of your love!”
Thinking of you and praying for you today as you undergo your tests.
Teresa
April 27, 2007 at 1:42 pm
scott and val
we are praying for you as you have the scan today. may peace fill your hearts.
April 27, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Jacoba Doris
Ahhhh…..I love you Marisa!!
April 27, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Rachel Wiersma
We were all praying for you today. I hope and pray that the results are great.
Rachel
April 27, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Sheri Nywening
Marisa and Mendelt,
You’ve been on my mind, in my heart and on my lips all day (every day but especially today at the end of your big week…). Praying for God’s peace and patience while you wait for the results of todays Scan. Praying for good results and healing. Praying that both of your infectious smiles don’t fade, that the sparkles in both of your eyes don’t dim, praying, praying and praying for so many things. Peace to you both …(and the kids too … I hope Zion is feeling better 🙂 )
Sheri
April 27, 2007 at 2:47 pm
everydaymiracle
Amen.
I am praying for you guys.
sherri
April 27, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Laura DeHaan
Marisa, Mendelt,
Wishing you a peace filled weekend; and courage as you await the results.
May God’s blessings fill you and surround you.
Enjoy your little ones,
Laura
April 27, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Susanne
Oh, Marisa, we love you. You are a strong and beautiful woman.
Praying,
Susanne
April 27, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Rick and Gonda Voortman
We are praying for favourable results for you today. Tonight at dinner our 5 year old daughter prayed, “God let your hand touch Mrs. Hoekstra and make the cancer go away.” We couldn’t have said it better.
Rick and Gonda Voortman,
Alexander, Braden, Angela and Kendall
April 27, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Jess Dekker & Paige Sheils & and chris dekker
HI! hi mr hoekstra and marisa.
This is Jessica dekker i am in grade 9 and in choir and I have heard alot about you marrisa. I wanted you to know that you are always in my prayers and that i think its so awesome how strong your faith is through all of this.
Hi this is Paige sheils. I am jess’ cousin i m in grade 7. She has told me about all your going through and i wanted to say..I hope you are feeling encouraged even though it is hard and that the treatment is working and that you will get better soon!
Hi this is Chris Dekker i am jess;s younger brother i wanted wish you guys the best!!!!!!!!!!
prayin
jess and paige and chris
April 27, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Julia van Staalduinen
That’s it, Marisa! Face that giant! And you’ve got an army of loved ones here to back you up.
Praying for strength and peace as you wait for results.
There was an awesome prayer chapel at Covenant on Wednesday. It was put on by the 7/8 students and their focus was bringing your family and Ann Mary’s before God for strength and healing. It was really beautiful to see all these children lifting their hearts and voices to the One who holds our lives in His hand. (I also have a really large card to deliver from all of them 🙂 )
Emily is sad to hear that Zion is not feeling well. She’s worried that he won’t be able to come to her birthday….yes, the countdown is already on and we haven’t even reached May yet! Has Zion started yet? Shouldn’t be long now…
Hope you have a nice weekend.
Unending love and prayers,
Julia, Duane, M, Em and M 🙂
P.S. ROCK AND ROLL!!! 🙂
April 27, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Misty Frederick
Marisa, I am praying for you and your family. Keep the faith. You are a courageous woman and loving mother. I hope your scan results show the treatment is working.
Misty (Pennsylvania)
April 27, 2007 at 8:39 pm
The Thies'
We are thinking and praying for you today and everyday!
Stay strong as you continue to face this giant.
Love George and Janis
ps. Julia met Jacoba in sunday school….and i told Julia that her mommy was sick and needs our prayers….so everynight she prays to make Jacoba’s mommy better.
From the lips of babes….to Jesus…..hear our prayer!
April 27, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Laurie DeRoo
I’ve been thinking about the CT scan all day and what the results may be.
I have a strong hope that all is well and that it is getting better.
Marisa I’ve never met you but I can only imagine, from the stories I’ve heard, how strong and brave you are to be going through all of this and I respect you so much for that.
I hope you have a restful and enjoyable weekend together and that Zion may feel better so you can all have a great weekend!
God Bless!!
Praying For You
Love,
Laurie DeRoo
April 27, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Dee
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Marisa)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
You go girl, you go !!!!!!!!!!!!
What more can be said-Amen 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Love ya Dee
April 28, 2007 at 8:54 am
James & Shannon Dueck
*Beth Moore*, of Living Proof Ministries (author and speaker) recently prayed this prayer at a conference.
Marisa, your faith is deep and true, and I shall continue to pray these words over you as you await results…
Count it a joy, Dear One
When life gets hard.
God is doing something huge!
He is also proving
That you are NOT a fake.
Be brave, Mighty Warrior.
Your God is with you!
When waves are crashing,
Stand to your feet,
Throw your head back
And feel the wind of the Spirit!
God is painting a masterpiece
With multi-colored trials.
Go forth and display
Divine special effects
To the great glory of God.
YOU CAN DO IT!
–Shannon & James (friends of C&C Groot in Calgary)
April 28, 2007 at 10:41 am
Kim Reitsma-VanHaitsma
What a PERFECT picture of Marisa! I love it that you write things like that.
April 28, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Jen Riebot
I don’t think there has ever been a day where i prayed more then yesterday.
You were on my mind allll day, and even today when i woke up, i imagined how hard this weekend will be waiting, and wondering.
Know that you are in my prayers and thoughts.
Its as simple as that, i don’t need to sugar coat it.
You are in my prayers, and my thoughts, constantly.
Mr H- hope to see you monday.
Marisa- You couldn’t being to imagine how much i look up to you, and respect you, you’ve changed my everyday life, to one of a milllion times more prayer, and really made me realize that i am a lucky kid who tends to take things for granted, I am trying so hard to change that.
I won’t be wasting anymore time in this life of mine, thanks to you.
God bless you, and surround you with peace, patience, and love this weekend as you await the results.
I’ll be praying like mad 🙂
April 28, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Jen Riebot
also, what a beautiful blog..
mr h – your strength is awesome, your appreciation for life and marisa is awesome, your faith is awesome..
you really are awesome.
much love, and peace this weekend.
April 28, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Rebecca Stepita
Marisa, Mr. Hoekstra tells us (in his music class) so many stories of how strong you are and how you show Christ’s love shining throughout your life. I hold a very high respect for your love for Jesus as well as your incredible strength and bravery, even during times of hardships. May all of you have a sense of peace, patience, hope, and strength. May you sense Christ’s presence at all times, and know that He is always there.
We pray for you daily, and wish that you may find comfort in Christ, and hope that you may find God’s richest blessings surrounding you.
Love,
Rebecca Stepita.
April 28, 2007 at 2:49 pm
The Pols family
Dear Mendelt, Marisa and sweet Zion, Jacoba, and Zekijah,
A very “big” week for your family for sure. But Mendelt, just as you testified to the fact that in praying for a miracle in the body of Marisa, you are reminded that each member of your family is a miracle indeed. Even so, every day we live in service to our God is a “big” one too!
As you continue to climb mountains, walk through the valleys, feel like your lost in the forests and drowning in the seas, may the Spirit of God work in you mightily so that you might be strengthened to face each new day and whatever it brings!
May God continue to give you peace and courage as you await the results from yesterday’s CT Scan. Moments of anxiety, fear and trembling are sure to come upon you, but may you rest in the Lord and His sure promises. I just finished working on the lesson for our Bible study tonight, and 1 Thessalonians 5 gives warning to unbelievers in regards to the “Day of the Lord,” but incredible peace, hope, and anticipation for believers. Yes, the Lord’s judgment will fall upon the unbelievers, but for those of us that have been washed in His blood and made pure and holy in His sight, there is no greater hope than that of our union with Christ! What glory shall fill our souls when we meet Him in the clouds and He takes us into His presence forevermore. Come Lord Jesus, come.
“Those who wait upon the Lord,
Shall renew their strength,
They shall mount up on wings,
As eagles —
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint,
Help us Lord, Help us Lord, in Your way.”
Love and fervent prayers in Christ,
Cheryl, Andrew, and sons
xoxo
April 28, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Samantha Aantjes
waiting and praying…
April 28, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Brian + Nicole Breukelman
Praying
April 28, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Mel and Betty Andree
Dear Marisa and Mendelt and your precious little ones:
What an awesome picture that Mendelt painted of you Marisa. My minds’ eye can see you wearing your “David and Goliath” shirt. It’s a picture of, ‘I know where my strength comes from’.
This week is a “big week” and our prayer is that your treatments were effective. As you wait, there may be times of tears when thoughts and words fail you, but just let them flow. Tears have a language of their own, flowing from some secret reservoir and I know they will not cause any rustiness within. God sees every tear that falls and will tenderly hold you in these trying times.
I just want to thank you again for setting up this site. It kind of reminds me of a devotional I read. It said “seldom do you see redwood trees standing alone because high winds could uproot them. When they grow in clusters, the roots intertwine to provide support for one another. Even Christ looked to human support in His hour of crisis. How much more do we as Christians need each other’s support.” I believe our roots and hearts are intertwining in these blogs.
With love and God bless,
Mel and Betty
April 28, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Rose Tamming
What does your David and Goliath shirt look like?
I feel a bit like a trembling Israelite watching on while you face your giant…
with an uneasy mix of fear and trembling hope!!
What is God thinking right now? All these prayers for you!!!!! Just a simple nod in your direction and those CT scan results could be tumour-free!! So simple for God… like sending a pebble from a shepherd boy’s sling shot to slay a giant…
I hope your Sunday is special…that there are moments when you forget about cancer and CT scan results…that Zion’s tummy feels great…that Zekijah takes a nice long nap…that Zion and Jacoba use only happy words with each other for the whole day (OK, that might be a bit over the top)…I hope the sun shines…and that God shines his face on you and showers you with His blessing of true peace and unending hope!!
Lots of love to each of you…
RT
April 28, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Lori Hulst
Dear Marisa,
I was looking up old friends on “Facebook” a week ago (closet facebook addict)and decided to seek your name out from good ole “blast from the past” Redeemer days….what came up on my screen was your blog. My heart nearly dropped to read this journey you are on and I suppose God meant for me to find it, I don’t know… I want you to know I have been praying for you and your family ever since. That is one more person you can add to the list of people praying for you..I really enjoyed your friendship back in school days and regret to leave a note like this after so many years apart…
LORI
April 29, 2007 at 10:50 am
Laurie DeRoo
Hello!
Its a beautiful Sunday and I hope all of you are feeling well to enjoy the GORGEOUS weather as a family!
I pray that you feel Christ’s presence throughout the weekend as you await the results from the CT scan.
Praying constantly!!
GOD BLESS!!
Love,
Laurie
April 29, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Kyle LeDoux
Hello Marisa,
My name is Kyle and I am a cancer survivor. I came to this website because one of my friends discovered it and wanted to share. I came across your blog and just wanted to empart some words of encouragement to you. I am 22 years old right now. In December of 2004, I was diagnosed with a high-grade B cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. My chances of survival according to my oncologist were not great, but by the grace of God I am still here. I also had a bone marrow transplant in 2005. I know that you must feel weak with chemotherapy. Never give up fighting. You must allow your body to go through the chemo, but set your mind on the end goal of healing. I have been in the company of many miracles lately, and you will get through this. Just stay strong, focused and determined and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.
With love & prayers,
Kyle
April 29, 2007 at 4:51 pm
shoolessjake
I’m new to the world of blogging and yes I did come across your site. My heart go’s out to Marisa and family, if prayers and genuine heart felt thoughts mean anything, with all the nice comments I’ve read Marisa will pull through just fine. I will say a prayer for you tonight. God Bless you.
Scott
April 29, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Mem Hoekstra
Dearest Mendelt and Marisa,
Sleep my child and peace attend you, all through the night.
Guardian angels God will send you, all through the night.
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping, hills and vale in slumber sleeping,
I My loving vigil keeping, all through the night.
All my love, Mem
April 29, 2007 at 9:08 pm
gary
M&M:
I ran to your house today but your neighbor said I just missed you. On the run I listened to a “new” artist Godfrey Birtell – and one line I sang with him as a prayer for you…
” This I know – just one touch from the King changes everything”.
And then in another song …
”an enemy seeks to kill what it cannot control…”
As you do battle here in the very real physical world there is that other battle and I am sure Satan has you in his sights……. In that running prayer for you this word came to me – STEADFAST – I do not know what tomorrow will bring but I pray that Satan will continue to face a formidable foe in Mendelt and Marisa and that you both remain STEADFAST in Him.
Rest in His shalom tonight and be steadfast
Love, GT
PS – do you remember the scene in Return of the King at the black gates of Mordor
ARAGORN…
“I see in your eyes the same fear that would
take the heart of me. The day may come when
the courage of Men fails; when we forsake
our friends and break all bonds of
fellowship; but it is not this day – an
hour of wolves and shattered shields, when
the Age of Man comes crashing down – but it
is not this day!!! This day we fight! By
all that you hold dear on this good earth –
I bid you stand!”
…………..Steadfast………..
April 29, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Corrie
Dear Mendelt & Marisa: As I was reading the emails a song came to mind and I thought I’d send it. However, as I came to the last comment, I saw that “Mem Hoekstra” beat me to it. All I can say is, Amen, and Amen. May God grant you that gift of rest & sleep and the knowledge that God is watching…all through the night!!
You are in my prayers – often. May God, the great physician, hear the prayers of His people. You are loved – very much. cJz
April 29, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Esther
A boatload of people are praying for you. You will soon see!
April 29, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Grace and Norm
Continuing with our prayers . . our hearts are with you . . love . .
April 30, 2007 at 7:24 am
Diane Bakker
Dear Marisa & Mendelt,
So we wait with you………and pray that the Lord will slay the giant, not by our strength, but by your power Oh Lord!!
Love and blessings
Diane
April 30, 2007 at 8:27 am
Gina VandenDool
I was tossing, turning, waiting and praying all night. As the clock turned 2…4:30…6… I prayed for peace for you. May you be strengthened and encouraged by the glorious sunshine this morning. May you feel its warmth as God’s arms carrying you and the love of his people surrounding you as you listen for the results today.
Shalom,
Gina
April 30, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Robyn Lamb
Marisa,
You have much courage! A strength that is above most people I’ve ever met, and a sense of humour that seems to go with it. It’s a relief to hear that the words that people are sharing are bringing you comfort, courage and all that good stuff. However each time I log on to your “life” and read the thoughts/hearts of others, I am more convinced that it is YOU that brings US all the comfort, courage, hope and humility! You are an inspiration, truly!
David and Goliath!! That brought me to tears! I am currently re-reading a book about David…(great book!) And if I have ever thought that someone had the spirit of David, it is you! I’ve thought of you while reading about his character, and this post that you’ve shared has confirmed why!
Today, I stand with what I know is a larger army than one, and pray and fight!
It might be a bit funny to say this, but it reminds me of the “Verison” commercials, where the cell phone carrier goes to met, what seems to be a mob type guy and his surrounding thugs- out in the middle of no where…to have a “meeting”. And where it would be 1:5 ratio, the mob man says something to the nature of “I thought I told you to come alone!”. The cell phone man says , “Oh them, they’re my network” And behind him is an army of people, as far as the eye can see!!! What a GREAT Image of you, as you go to face that Giant!! And to think that GOD is even bigger! Take Courage~Robyn
May 14, 2007 at 12:50 pm
DORENE
Mendelt and Marisa:
Happy birthday to your beautiful Zekijah. Her smile must be a combination of both of you! even strength and determination shine through, funny how our precious children bring Gods light into our everyday lives. Mendelt , tell Zekijah what a courageous mother she has! May our Heavelny Father fill your week with His gooness.
Dorene and Charity