(Written by Dusty)
In the last few weeks we’ve seen a sharp decline in Lindy’s health. She’s been so fighting for so long, that I believe her body has just had enough. I like to think of her as winning the battle against her cancer since she’ll be free of it soon. Lindy’s Hospice nurse told us she thought she has about 4 weeks left based on what she’s seeing.
At the end of August, we were able to spend some time as a family at a beautiful cottage at Big Star (courtesy of Mike and Marci Baumann). I was able to speed Lindy around the lake on a Seadoo (thank you Jon and Denise Brown and Jodee and Eric DeWitt for the use of the Seadoos). We had fires and just watched the water together. The kids played in the sand and we pretended we were normal.
We are so appreciative of all the meals, gift cards, letters and prayers; so many of you have spent time and energy to help us. Those that take care of the laundry, the lawn, groceries; we could not do it without you. Everyone has been so kind to us. Thank you to Hospice of Holland for keeping Lindy comfortable during her final weeks.
Weve been crying a lot lately and sometimes the pain feels unbearable, but we are not without Hope. Our Hope is in Jesus Christ who will bring us all together again one day.
If you think cancer sucks, and want to join The Laps for Lindy Team (Susan G Komen Run/Walk on 9/22/2012), please click this link.
If you can’t make the walk/run, you can donate online in Lindy’s honor. Together, we can make sure no other families have to go through this.
Dusty,Dusty,Dusty…..My heart aches. But at the same time I could not be more proud of you and Lindy. You both are living in the Spirit. You both are examples of true God loving Christians living your Faith in difficult times. As a Dad I could not be more PROUD !!!!! Love you both, Dad
verbeek family,
my heart aches for you all. i dont know what else to say except that you will be in our prayers as you have been the past few years. your family has been an inspiration to so many. prayers and blessings~~
You are an inspiration in the way you have handled all of this. Your family will be in our prayers during this very difficult time. Love, The Terpstra Family
Crying again….wish I could take this away!! Please know that I pray countless times every day. Praying for your peace, praying for the kids, praying you can feel God’s loving, merciful and comforting arms wrapped tightly around you all. LOVE, Jana
My heart aches so for you guys. We are lifting you up in prayer very often, trusting the loving arms of the Savior to hold and surround you with His peace. We praise Him that we are not without HOPE, like you said. Both of you guys are amazing and strong and reflect so beautifully that hope we have in Jesus… even in the midst of so much pain and suffering. Trusting that the One who is our Hope will be very real to you right now. Love and hugs from the Sluiter family
No words. Just sadness. I’m so sorry, Dusty. Know that we are praying for peace and comfort for you, Lindy and the kids. xo
It’s all part of God’s plan that we don’t understand. That doesn’t make it any easier though. Thinking and praying for your family and friends. Your family has been such wonderful role models for everybody else. So sorry…
Someday I’ll meet Lindy. On the new beautiful restored Earth. Where there is no sickness sadness or tears. And we will all worship the Lord together. The new Earth will be perfect and we will have life the way it was meant to be. Adventures love and un ending fellowship. We will talk with The Savior and the Father. I am going through terminal cancer myself. Maybe we can meet at st. Peters mailbox. I bet he’s a hoot. No fear. I will pray, rather I know, Jesus is with her and as my husband tells me, when we close our eyes, it’s Christmas eve, and when we open them in Heaven it’s the best Chritmas morning. Jesus” face will be the first one she sees. Praying for you
My Thoughts and prayers are with you. Praying for continued strength and comfort. Thank you for showing and teaching us courage, strength and love.
I am a better person because of the VerBeek family. Thank you for your witness and I join you in asking God for grace and peace, now and in the moments ahead. May He be in every breath, word and deed and may you know how deeply you are loved.
Praying you experience the peace and presence of Jesus, as He holds you close. Thanking Him for the knowing that we are not without hope.
please know that we are all praying for your family. God has His plan.
Love and prayers . . . in our precious Jesus.
Dusty, Lindy and family
Asking our Father to embrace you close to His heart as you walk down the road of the unknown. God has walked that road before you and He promises to Never leave you nor forsake you no matter what you will face. You will continue to be in our prayers and thoughts. You both have touched many lives.
He is worthy. He is our only Hope. He will carry you.
Oh, this does suck. I always hope for a different outcome when I see a new posting on your blog. The “Why?” won’t be answered this side of Heaven. But, God is Soveriegn and promises us he has a good plan for our lives. I know I personally treasure that verse despite what is going on. You and Lindy have presented an amazing testimony and I, for one, am humbled and re-evaluate my own petty complaints when compared to your unimaginable trials. Will keep praying for you all !!!!
No words are adequate, no amount of tears are enough, no answers for “why”, no amount of time long enough to keep pleading on your behalf, yet, no God wiser and more faithful than our God. Lindy is, and always will be, no more than a breath away as she will always be living in the same Spirit that you continue to. In the strength of God’s Spirit, we continue to breath in and out prayers for love, peace, hope, mercy, and grace for all your family. All our love & prayers, Aunt Carole
Oh Dusty and Lindy, I am so very sorry. You have been so strong through this and I just pray that God will give you the peace and comfort you need for what lies ahead. I wish I could take this nightmare away. You have fought for so long and the only comfort is knowing Lindy will be in the arms of Jesus soon. I dream about that moment. That is the ultimate prize! You are always in my thoughts and prayers!! Praying for all of you through this time. God only gives us what we can handle, so you two are amazingly strong.
Praying for all of you…
My heart breaks for you all and I continue to pray for you all daily!
I continue to pray for you all daily…peace and comfort from God the Father!
Just sent a card out today, thinking and praying for you and the family! We love you all so much and are here for you all! through it all!! May the Lord grant you the wisdom and guidance as you guide your children though this very difficult time and may He grant you both peace and comfort for each day!
Oh, Dusty, I just read your blog posts! I will be praying for your family during this difficult time. I don’t have the words to express! Your faith in God is very visable, which is wonderful. May you have peace and some good family time!
Dusty and Lindy, my heart aches for you all. Lindy you have been through more than any person should ever have to, yet you remain so strong and full of faith. What a witness! Dusty, you have been the support that God calls a husband to be. What a witness! We are praying for you all through this time. Praying for peace, comfort, and special family memories. Praying that God’s loving arms will continue to encompass you all.
The Amayas
Dustin and Lindy,
My heart goes out to you and your family. I pray that God will give you peace in these next few weeks and months to come. Lindy you are such an inspiration such a strong loving person. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
My prayers are with all of you! I didn’t know Lindy well, but fell in love with brooklyn when she befriended my son Brandon in first grade. Lifting you all up in prayer!!!
Dustin,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Lindy and the kids. This past June, my wife Tina passed away after a three battle with stage 4 breast cancer. She was only 45 years old. We have two girls and would have celebrated 24 years of marriage this coming October. I understand completely what you are going through. I will say a prayer for all of you.
God Bless!
David Miller
Lindy and Dusty,
I haven’t seen or spoken to either of you in many years, but you and your family are on my mind and in my prayers every day. Bless your hearts for your strength and courage. May God help you find your peace and comfort.
Am keeping all of you on the front burner of “praying without ceasing”. Yesterday afternoon I was especially moved to intercede. Yes, winning is it — she’s got it. Amen.
My heart aches for you and your family. You’re on my mind all the time. We don’t understand, Lindy. Everything else I want to say is either totally obvious or too hard to write. Just know that you’re family is surrounded in love and prayers by people you know and many you don’t. Praying for quality time for your family, strength and energy, and an abundance of comfort. Loving you!
Praying for Peace & comfort for all of you….
do you know that prayers are going out for Lindy and your family from Arizona. We are so sad to heir that report from you.Praying for you and the
kids and Lindy mather and dad
Dusty And Lindy;
You are indeed, “Winning The Battle”. The continuous fighting is not worth it. love and prayers from the depths of my heart!!
This brings me to my knees. I pray that you each feel a peace that only God can offer. A peace that passes all of our understanding. May you find hope in our risen Savior. May our Lord bless you and keep you. May you feel His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May you feel the Lord hold you gently in the palm of His hand and may you feel His peace.
You have a whole school praying for your family.
Seeing Mel sitting in the aisle at church during baptism this morning with the twins (perhaps more of a kid than many of the kids up there) made my chuckle and yet be overwhelmed for you all at the same time. Love and prayers to your family. I have no words, just love and prayers.
Praying you feel your Heavenly Father’s everlasting arms surrounding you as he holds you in the hollow of his hand. Much love to all of you!
Praying for you and your family daily. May you have peace in this storm.
I can not begin to imagine what this pain feels like for not only your family but also Lindy. I beleive there is a reason she is being called home so soon, and I could not be more proud of the courageous battle she has went through. I know I will be a better person because of who she is.
I trust in her family, both immediate and distant to stay strong and focused on GOD during this time. He is a faithful GOD and will always remain.
Dear Verbeek family,
Sending you my constant prayers and thoughts from Connecticut. Dusty, we went to the same high school though we didn’t know each other well. Mutual friends from Zeeland have been posting your blog on Facebook. Having been through cancer with a family member, my heart aches for your family. May God give you all strength through faith…as you wrote, Faith is the only way through something like this.
We are praying for you, Lindy, and the whole family. Remember that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ Jesus!
Cancer totally SUCKS!! I know we tell our kids not to say that word but there is just no better word to describe it! I want you know that are a pure inspirationto soooo many people, so many strangers that may or may not know the Lord! I speak to a lot people through out the day and God has given me so many chances to bring you and your story up in my conversations. People with health issues are so scared, but when reading your words, you can hear Jesus through you and feel the comfort of His arms wrapped around you and others long for that and want what you have, our Lord Jesus! Stay strong Lindy, we love you!
The VanKoeverings
I am praying for all of you and for comfort, peace, and strength.
Thinking and praying for all of you! May you feel God’s constant presence!
Dear VerBeek Family,
We are covering you in thoughts, silence and prayer. There are just no words. You inspire us all.
Love, The Adams
No words….just praying…and praying..and praying.
Lindy, you are loved! God loves you and will keep you. He will watch over your family. I am praying for all of you. I will always be here for Brooklyn if she needs someone to talk to, cry with and remember her mom.
We are praying for you all! May you feel the peace and comfort from our faithful father, Jesus Christ.
Lindy continues to rest at hospice. Her battle with cancer is nearly over. We know the place she is going does not include cancer, pain & misery. Lindy is ready to live again…. We thank everyone for prayers, support and love! Lindy is surrounded by love.
Praying for you Lindy and the whole family. Love you!
Dusty,Lindy and family. May the Lord be with you in this difficult time. Just know many prayers are going out to you and everybody who loves you.
Dear Lindy, you changed the way I live my life. I have a feeling you changed a lot of people for the better. You and your family are in my prayers.
May the peace of God which passes all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Praying for you to sense His presence. He has arms of welcome for Lindy,
Looking forward to that Glorious Day when Jesus comes again and “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord will wipe away tears from all faces.” Isaiah 25:8
Praying without ceasing, with tears welling. The Hospice house is a beautiful place of peace and rest, and I hope and pray that all of you feel the miraculous calm and peace that only faith can bring in a time like this.
Prayers for your family Dusty. Looks like you have many people lifting you up, but the most important thing you all have is your faith, which is very apparent. I will keep you all in my prayers in this most difficult time for your family.
Praying for you ALL!! May God bless you with comfort and peace.
I am praying for you daily, sometimes hourly. Your Dads comments are very touching. I also am praying for the Vander Zwaag family.
Im praying for the Vander Zwaag Family.
you’ve never met me, but i have been following lindy’s blog almost since it began. my heart is breaking for your family. i was so hoping and praying for a miracle. i’ll be praying for comfort and strength for her, you,your kids and family. words can’t express how sorry i am.
Continue to pray for you all that you feel God’s provision, offering His peace, comfort, and strength, in a time that is impossible to find that on your own!
Dusty, Maybe you don’t remember… I am Bryan’s mom. Praying for you and Lindy and the kids. This is very sad but the end of Lindy’s pain is near and she will be in Heaven. May the spirit of His comfort fill you and your family with peace at this time.
thanks for your update, your honesty, and sharing your heart.
your family is in my thoughts and prayers. You have been, for such a very long time. I can only pray you feel God’s arms around you and know that He is with you every step of the way. Your commitment to each other, your family and your Lord is beyond what most of us know on a daily level. Blessings to you all.
God has a purpose for all of this and in the midst of the deep deep pain he will pave the wave for healing, restoration, and happiness again someday! Lindy will soon be whole, healthy and without pain, she is such a special person and God needs her…know that in the midst of this unbearable pain and suffering God has never and will never let you fall! God WILL provide the peace you need to endure all of this…He loves you so much and has chosen this path for you, your kids and Lindy….TRUST HIM even when it seems impossible to do so. I am praying hourly if not more for God to provide what each of you need. I more than anything pray for LIndy’s comfort in her final days. We love you guys so much, you have made me a better wife, mother, daughter, friend! and I know that your example has and will change many other lives.
Your family has been in my prayers for so long. I continue to pray for comfort and peace for you all.
My heart aches for your family but rejoices in Lindy’s homecoming with Jesus! Big prayers for your family.
Heaps of prayers going up for all of you. Peace, comfort, love from so many, I hope you always feel wrapped literally and figuatively in love. May God have mercy on all of you and give you the peace that passeth all understanding. The entire family is thinking of and praying for all of you.
Praying for you and the family during this difficult time, but I know that God is walking with you each and every step of the way lean on him for his strength love and mercy.
She won the battle!!!
Lindy is celebrating at the feet of Jesus today. What a remarkable legacy she has given to us!