The four of us were driving home today when Zion decided to start quizzing Jacoba about a variety of topics.
First it was Batman. Then it was chess. After a few more subjects, he decided to see what Jacoba knew about heaven.
He first asked Jacoba who went to heaven.
Jacoba answered “mommy”. Zion said she was right.
Then Zion asked Jacoba if God went to heaven.
Jacoba said “God never went to heaven, He was there already”
Zion then complimented his sister. He said, “Jacoba, you are smart for a kid”.
Yes Zion. Yes.
MdH
Life 
27 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 16, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Ann @ Holy Experience
Marisa was right.
Zion is a wonderful escape.
And Jacoba *is* pretty smart. For a kid, and all.
Both shine like their Mama… and Dad.
January 16, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Francine
wow wow wow
it is all I can say.
You are an amazing family. Your strength wow.
I shake my head every day in disbelief for what you have to go threw. I can’t imagine. You are an amazing person and I gain strength and wisdom from you threw these blogs. Keep it up, and keep sharing your journey with us.
Peace and prayers
Francine
Cochrane, Ontario
January 16, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Lauren Heinen
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
January 16, 2008 at 11:25 pm
J.J. Bylsma
Children can be such an amazing blessing…they have such wonderful insights that can make even a “cloudy day” bright…thanks for sharing.
January 17, 2008 at 12:41 am
Irene Geleynse
Dear Mendelt,
My heart aches for you. Thank you for your blog. I love the way you write, and the way you are able to express yourself so well. I love what you write about your kids, and what they say. This particular “quiz” of Zion’s made me smile; what a delightful conversation!
I used to work at DCCS when Marisa was there, and she was also our youngest daughter’s Grade 5 teacher. (Now I’m teaching Grade 5 myself.) Two of our older children sang in the choir that she accompanied, and we have the CD on which Marisa plays. She was a kind and loving person. It’s not fair that she died at such a young age, when she was so happily married and a loving mother to three young children who still need her (as does her husband!). Like you wrote, the pain is deep, but so is God’s love. May his love and comfort sustain you every day.
January 17, 2008 at 8:47 am
Leanne Vanderkolk
Yes indeed, Jacoba is very smart – but she’s also had wonderful teachers in her parents.
Leanne Vanderkolk
January 17, 2008 at 9:13 am
Mem Hoekstra
Faith through the eyes of children, so clear, so true.
Shine on, little ones
Mem and Beppe
January 17, 2008 at 9:16 am
Joan
Dear Mendelt
I needed inspiration this morning and headed straight for this blog. I have discovered so many times that children are filled to overflowing with inspiration. Zion who lumped batman, chess, and heaven together – pure inspiration – Jacoba, who answered with such great insight – FOR SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN!
A little story – I was teaching Sunday School at the age of 17, a time when I was grappling with my own faith. I asked this group of 5 year olds – “Why do we pray?” A little girl looked at me as if to say , isn’t the answer obvious? and proceded to say matter-of-factly, “So God knows we love Him.” I have never heard a more inspirational answer to that question.
Oh, how I love children! Oh, how I love Jesus!
Mendelt may God give you all that you stand in need of today.
Love, Joan
January 17, 2008 at 9:44 am
Yolanda Platt
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
January 17, 2008 at 9:50 am
Bas en Hinke
Absolutely brilliant!
January 17, 2008 at 10:53 am
R&G
Hi Mendelt! Your children are so….. amazing! Where do they get that from? So beautiful how they get along so well! Is it like that ALL the time! Actually I thought it was so neat how they can openly talk about heaven. What comfort it brings knowing that Marisa is there- and yet so missed in ALL our hearts. May God help and give you strength and hope thru all this. Love and Prayers R&G
January 17, 2008 at 11:56 am
Erica L.
WOW!! Zion is as….. profound as his dad when it comes to “insight” and Jacoba when it comes to child like faith and knowledge. They are well on their way Mendelt. You are an awesome dad!! Keep sharing.
January 17, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Samantha Pellegrino
I love the faith of children! Jesus wants us to have that faith too. Infact, he was stern about letting the children come to ‘me’. Praise God for your little mustard seeds.
January 17, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Mark & Laura Bassie
Beautiful . . . so beautiful . . .
I pray their child-like faith will remain in them for always!
Zion – you are full of wondering and questions – an amazing young man! 🙂
Jacoba – you are very smart and soooo sweet.
Zekijah – you are beautiful and so blessed to have such terrific siblings.
and Mendelt – you truly are a godly father.
Keep On!
Thanks for continuing to share.
May the Lord bless you and keep you
the Lord shine his face upon you and be gracious to you
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace!
Laura
January 17, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Jacoba Doris
Jacoba is a smart cookie. She told me that God is the boss of everyone, even Jesus. We always talk about who is the boss and she always says Heit is the boss but this time it was different. Smart girl.
January 17, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Trevor Westerhoff
Keep up the good work, buddy!
January 17, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Frances
Those kids are precious.
What they said was absolutely beautiful.
I’m speechless.
January 17, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Harriett
Hi Mendelt – Just to let you know that our prayers are still with you and your children every day. May God give you strength and these precious moments with your sweet children to comfort you and give you joy.
January 17, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Susanne
Precious beyond words!
Susanne
January 17, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Anita L
Over the last year that Marisa and I talked, she often said how important it was to her that your children grow up to be christians, loving God and serving Him. Well its evident that what she wanted to happen is happening!!
January 17, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Mark & Laura Bassie
I heard a story at dinner time today about 3 eggs and $100. LOL 🙂
Oh, boy!!!! 🙂
It’s a good thing that Jacoba is feisty and smart!!
All I can say is watch out for those Hoekstra boys!!
Thanks for the laugh, Mendelt — Niesje was grinning from ear to ear — I think you made her day!
Laura
January 17, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Danielle
Who couldn’t say it better?
Precious little miracles….who give us precious insight into the Kingdom of heaven…Praying that you will continue to experience God’s rich peace and love.
In prayer,
Chuck, Danielle & David
January 18, 2008 at 7:41 am
Roads
Yes, that proves it. They’ll be just fine.
And they’ll be wise beyond measure, too.
January 18, 2008 at 9:29 am
Kim Reitsma
I was thinking how you probably wanted to go home and tell Marisa that story. But I’m glad you shared it with us. I love Hoekstra kid stores. I still laugh when I think about Zion walking in your bedroom backwards.
January 18, 2008 at 12:31 pm
j&j
yesterday while i was babysitting the kids zion, jacoba, zekijah and i were getting ready to read 3 books, 2 dinosaur books and they wanted to read one penguin book, but we couldn’t find it.
i sat back on the couch with zekijah and watched zion and jacoba search for this penguin book..
zion was getting frusterated because he really really wanted to read it..
jacoba was looking through a bucket full of books..
then jacoba said ‘zion, keep looking, we have to do this together, we cant find it if we both dont look, we have to work together’
zion said ‘i know that jacoba’ (of course he did : )
when jacoba said that, i thought about you mendelt..
you can’t do this alone, you’ve got God backing you up..
thats pretty awesome, because finding the penguin book wouldn’t have been possible if zekijah and i didn’t start looking..
getting through life without Jesus wouldn’t be possible either..
i will see you all soon..
peace and love**
January 18, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Samantha Aantjes
I can certainly tell who they get their brilliance from
peace be with you
always praying, Sam
January 19, 2008 at 12:59 pm
trinda
This is totally a miracle….
Only the healing of God brings forth such…
Thanks from all of us for letting us witness how God really works….