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Ver Beek Blog

Our young family battling stage IV breast cancer one day at a time
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Hello 35

posted by:
Lindy

It’s been a while since I’ve updated, but we’ve had a few things we were celebrating. 

First it was Thanksgiving.  The kids were going to have a Thanksgiving camp-out in the basement.  It never happened.  They got scared and slept in their own beds.  Oh well.  Maybe next year..

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We made cinnamon ornaments with my mom.  They smell SO good!

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We celebrated Dale Ver Beek’s (my father-in-law) birthday.  Happy Birthday again Dad!

This picture is from Christmas, but it’s the most recent one I have of him.  Besides, he’s holding a really cute kid.

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The kids saw Santa.  Yep, his beard is real.

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We had a lot of nice Christmas parties with our extended families and our own family.

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Overall, we had a good Christmas and New Year.  I’m so happy I was able to do it off chemo. 

About a month ago, we booked a trip to Florida.  So we’ll take off for that soon.  We can’t wait!  The kids can’t wait and Brooklyn is counting down the days.  I look forward to the warm air, warm sun and the salt water ocean breeze.  We were planning on going to Disney for a day while we were there too. 

For those of you who know me.  I’m a kind of a control freak.  I’m a planner.  I like to have my ducks in a row.  I like to know what to expect. 

When I realized our plane doesn’t assign seats.  I bought them.  I bought row 6.  Why row 6 you ask?  Because I don’t want my family in the back of the plane.  Why?  Because they board back to front.  I would prefer our three-year-old twins to board last.  The less time they spend sitting on the plane while it’s not moving, the better.  The quicker they can get off the plane, the better.  Was it worth $80.00 round trip?  I don’t know.  We’ll have to wait and see. 

So for Disney, we weren’t going to buy tickets at the gate.  Oh no, I was going to buy the tickets on line so I can have them in my hand when we get to the gate.  But each time I went to click on the “check out” button something interrupted me from buying the tickets.  My phone rang, one of my children started crying, there was a knock at the door or I wanted to ask Dusty if he wanted me to book a meal plan with them. 

As you can see, I have a bit of a control/planner problem.

I have everything prepurchased, planned and we are starting to pack.  Except we don’t have Disney tickets.

Here’s where God comes in.

Around the same time we were planning a trip to Florida, we also filled out an application to Inheritance of Hope.  www.inheritanceofhope.org.  We sent it in and forgot about it. 

On Christmas Eve, I got a message from Jill at I.O.H.  When we connected again, she told me our family was chosen for their next retreat….drum roll please….to…….. Disney World in February!  I was shocked.  Completely speechless.  Mouth gaping open.  Never in a million years did I think we would have been chosen so soon.  Still sitting there with my jaw on the floor, she went on to say it’s all expenses paid, airfare included with four day Disney park hopper passes for everyone in our family.  Then she said to talk to my husband about it and let her know.  I picked my jaw up off the floor and said I would call her back in the morning. 

Dusty and I talked about it.  We decided that it’s doable with his vacation time.  Herman Miller has been wonderful to us.  They’re a great company.  The timing works well with my next scheduled appointments at U of M and it’s a long weekend so Brooklyn won’t miss a lot of school.  Then with me being a woman and needing extra support, I called Jill and my mom who both, without hesitation, said “GO!  Do it!”.  So….We’re going.  We’re doing it. 

Now here we are.  I’m packing the family to leave on what I thought would be our last great family trip.  I could lay eyes on the ocean at least one more time.  Pick up shells with the kids.  Watch the sunrise.  Who knows.  But God had something up his big giant sleeve.  A second trip to Disney!  Back-to-back Florida trips!  We are blessed.   

I think God made my phone ring.  He had someone come to the door.  And yes, had one of my kids cry.  It was His way of saying “slow down My little control freak, planner girl.  I have something better for you and your family.”  

Maybe you think that sounds a little crazy.  That God doesn’t work through Disney.  Even I think that sounds a little silly.  I know He worked through Inheritance of Hope.  Being able to do two Florida trips with my family before the next round of chemo is amazing.  I think that has God written all over it. 

P.S.  It’s my birthday on Saturday.  Happy Birthday to me.  Hello 35.

24 Responses to “Hello 35”

  1. dad ver beek says:

    Lindy….. Thank you Thank you !!!!What a wonderful posting. Like I said in my prayer on Christmas day at Ross and Shelly, God is doing and will do Amazing things in our lives this year. You are at the center of our beautiful family and His grace will pour out over you and everyone that loves you. I am in awe of God and you….. Love, Dad

  2. julie s says:

    Happy Birthday! Praying daily for you! What a great story of God’s hand planning the whole thing! Have fun escaping from Michigan 2 times!

  3. Anonymous says:

    That is very exciting, Lindy! I hope you have two wonderful and relaxing vacations with your family! Continuing to pray for you each day… for strength, healing, hope, and peace. Love to you! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Amy

  4. holly heeres says:

    LOVE IT!! I heard this and thought….GO GOD!!! So cool, have a blast and we will be praying that you will have extra-ordinary energy to enjoy these vacations!!! God is so good and you bet your booties HE had a hand in it all!!!!

  5. Aunt Carole says:

    Lindy, Lindy, Lindy! What a praise! God is not only at work in the big things, but He is also a God of the details-the doorbell, the kids crying, and the phone ringing. He wasn’t just telling a planner girl to slow down, He was asking you if He has your attention, and telling you to hang on and get ready for the ride of your life in 2012. Then He added on a P.S. reminding you, in a whisper, that He is a little more in control than you are-actually, a lot! Keep your eyes opened & focused, and listen close – I have a feeling you’re going to keep on hearing a lot from Him! LOLUV & Prayers!!

  6. Stacy Wiersma says:

    Yay!! It’s nice to read some good news for you and your family. I hope that everything about both trips is WONDERFUL for you all!! Enjoy!

  7. Betsy Kikstra says:

    Awesome! Praying you have a couple of wonderful trips- praise God!

  8. Christina Adamski says:

    Lindy,
    Happy Birthday!
    I am so happy to hear that you are being blessed by God with this trip to Disney. God knows our needs and our hearts. Have a great trip (both of you trips).
    Thank you for your honesty and always helping me remember what is important in life.
    Blessings,
    Christina Adamski

  9. Jana Ver Beek says:

    We had a sermon on Sunday in which Pastor Scott reminded us “In the beginning God”. In all things God….get up in the morning, God, crying child, God, family trips to Florida, God, you being off chemo right now so you can REALLY enjoy this with your family, God!! In His way He is trying to take some of your control of things away and show you He can do it all by Himself. Just sit back and enjoy!!
    Praying for you constantly! Love you, Jana

  10. Joann says:

    I think that is so cool. God does love to surprise us. I live down here in FL. It’s been very nice weather. I hope you have two fabulous times!

  11. Deb DeYoung says:

    Lindy!

    What a perfect gift from God – He knows exactly what you need, even before you do. Enjoy every minute of it.

    Every good and perfect gift is from above! James 1:17

  12. Amy Sluiter says:

    I hope you have two wonderful trips with your family. Praise God for such a cool gift! I also wish you a very happy Birthday! With love and prayers for you every day, Amy

  13. Megan Van Kampen says:

    That’s so God! How fun to take two trips to Disney. 🙂 Happy Birthday too Lindy!! Have fun!!

  14. Anita says:

    Thank you so much for the update of what your family has been up to and I especially appreciate you sharing your God moment with us all! God comes through with some pretty great surprises! We pray you have an awesome trip. Love you and hope you have a fantastic 35th birthday.

  15. Deb Van Heck says:

    This is so exciting. I can’t wait to hear about this from Brooklyn at Rhino club…I just love how she tells stories!! God is so good and sometimes we just need to SLOW DOWN and let God take care of those controling things in our lives. So happy for you. We pray for you and your family daily…and…enjoy your birthday…CELEBRATE BIG!!

  16. Tina Amaya says:

    I totally believe in God and Disney!!! How else could this have possibly happened. We are so happy that your family will be able to enjoy TWO special trips – quality time to spend together! Enjoy your time away, and especially enjoy your 35th birthday! Sending you blessings and love and hugs!!! The Amayas

  17. Michelle says:

    God works miracles, Disney works magic. Nothing wrong with either of those!!! Enjoy your trips. And HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!!

  18. Joy Koning says:

    I’m so happy for you!! I hope you guys have such a wonderful time as a family! So good that God is in control and we aren’t. Happy Birthday to you!! Praying for you and thinking of you daily…

  19. bev says:

    So God! Believing with your Dad VerBeek about this year. Praising God for His amazing love. Wishing you and Dusty and fam a wonderful time in Florida — both trips! — and a very happy birthday and year, filled with blessings!

  20. Betty says:

    Hi Dusty and Lindy; I just think that maybe you need someone to do your ironing while you are in Florida??????
    Anyway, have a wonderful time and have a wonderful birthday. God REALLY is in control. Even of all the interupptions.

  21. Deb Nienhuis says:

    Thank you for the update! How exciting! Have FUN!! Happy 35th Birthday!! We will be praying for safe travel, good health, awesome weather and short lines at Disney 🙂 Take lots of pictures! God Bless!

  22. Patty Spykstra says:

    Everytime I read your post I have tears….this time tears of joy!! Enjoy! Laugh! Stick your toes in the sand! Sing and Dance! Sooooo happy for you and your beautiful family! Oh and HAPPY, JOY-FILLED, AMAZING BIRTHDAY to YOU!
    Hugs to all of you!
    Patty Spykstra

  23. Marcia Davis says:

    A very belated happy birthday to you! And enjoy your trip to Florida!

  24. Joann says:

    Thinking about you. Going to have some quiet time with God and do some praying. I will be lifting you and your sweet family up today

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