Updates (Hope, Quimby, etc)

Lots going on in the Driesenga household lately!

Hope: We had our Early On evaluation this morning at 10. A very nice young woman, Janine came over & sat on the floor to play with Hope and talk with me as she observed. She had Hope do a few simple tasks, like take blocks out of a tub and put them into a cup, color, stack a few blocks, point out animals in a book, throw a ball and a few others. We talked about where she's at with her motor skills, emotions, speech, understanding/comprehension.

It was quick - only took 30 minutes. The end result? A referral to the school district for weekly home visits rather than monthly home visits from Early On. That means a few more weeks of waiting while all the paper work goes from them to Ken-O-Sha, then another evaluation and we'll find out that day if she qualifies. When I asked Janine about her chances of qualifying, she said she wouldn't refer her if she didn't think she would. She's quite confident.

Hope is currently about 1.5 months behind in motor skills, which isn't too much of a concern especially because some of those skills have been developing in the last few weeks (using a fork/spoon, take a few steps backwards, etc). Her comprehension and emotional expression are right where they should be. Her speech - well - that's a different story. Hope is 19.5 months old. She is communicating at the level of an 8.5 month old. Almost a year behind. Janine really wants Hope to get started as soon as possible so that gap doesn't increase.

So a little more waiting and then hopefully starting up with some home visits with a speech therapist!

Quimby: We were supposed to close on Thursday at 4pm. This is after over a 2 month delay because of some paperwork the buyer had to resubmit. Then, it got changed to 'probably Friday'. Now, it's 'hopefully Monday'. If it doesn't happen on Monday, it's a dead deal. Monday is our deadline. Our short sale approval has been extended 2 times already (again, due to buyer delays) and this is the 'drop dead deadline' where they will not approve another extension. So we'll see what happens on Monday.

I'm really at peace whatever happens. We have prayed and prayed and prayed. We have talked with family and others whom we trust to get opinions. We have evaluated all options (moving back into Quimby, renting it out again, torch the place...okay, maybe we haven't talked about that one, but I can't say I haven't prayed for it!) and we feel like following the short sale and possibly foreclosure path is the only options for us. It sucks. It's humbling and kind of embarrassing. But in the end, my identity is not wrapped up in our credit score or how much money we have or don't have to throw at the situation. My identity is in Christ, and we think and hope we are following what he has asked us to do, as backwards as it may seem. Trusting we are really tuned in and doing the right thing, but it's hard.

Parsonage: Three weeks from today Kerri will be moving into her apartment in Nashville, Tennessee. She's moved out before, but it's been about 5 minutes away. It's going to be very different to not have her around at all. We're sister -in - laws, but we're also dear friends. I truly enjoy living with her and will miss her tremendously. I know Isaac and Hope will too. Then, about 2-3 weeks after Kerri moves, Young will be heading home to Korea for the summer and then probably to New York next fall. He has lived with us for 2 1/2 years and is a part of our family, too. While I know both Kerri & Young will come back over holidays and vacations, it's going to be quite a transition for us to have them both gone within a few weeks of each other.

Preschool: Why is figuring out preschool such a hard decision? I do not feel a peace about either option we have for Isaac right now. I had to turn in the enrollment form today, and did it, but still don't feel good about it. In the back of my mind I wonder if my lack of peace is going to translate into a new option that we don't know exists yet - maybe we'll be moving for a job for Marc? Maybe he'll get a job closer to GR where we'll get free preschool? No idea. Maybe I'm just supposed to bite the bullet & make a choice and be content with it. I'm just so used to feeling a peace about decisions that when I don't, I can't help but obsess about it and wonder why.

Summer: I'm wrapping up my early Sunday mornings this week and have about 4 more Sunday evenings before my Sundays are completely free for about 3 months! I LOVE my ministry, but I also truly value having Sundays that are a bit more like a true sabbath. I'm looking forward to the Colorado Trip and SERVE and we're figuring out a week for our family to go camping this summer, too. Also searching for a summer job for Marc. Any suggestions for him?

So that's what's happening around here lately!

THIS SONG 

has been on my heart and sung from my lips more times than I can count in the last week. It's fitting as I continue to hear of heavy and heart sinking things happening to those around me.

I find myself grieving for others, and unable to imagine the grief they must feel themselves as they walk the road I am merely watching them walk.

Please pray for the My friends B & T as they wait and wonder about when the Lord is going to take home the little one that B is carrying. Her blog is Sprinkles & Wrinkles on my blog list - please read & pray for them.

Please also pray for the Kurrle family - AU grads and missionaries in Paraguay. They were in an accident that took the life of Julie (mom/wife) & her 6 year old son, Timmy. They leave behind Norberto (dad/husband) and 1 year old daughter, Anahi.

There are a lot of weary souls around us - and we all need the only one who can offer peace, comfort and hope in the midst of trials & suffering. Thank you, Jesus.

Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul 

1. Dear refuge of my weary soul,
On Thee, when sorrows rise
On Thee, when waves of trouble roll,
My fainting hope relies
To Thee I tell each rising grief,
For Thou alone canst heal
Thy Word can bring a sweet relief,
For every pain I feel 

2. But oh! When gloomy doubts prevail,
I fear to call Thee mine
The springs of comfort seem to fail,
And all my hopes decline
Yet gracious God, where shall I flee?
Thou art my only trust
And still my soul would cleave to Thee
Though prostrate in the dust 

3. Hast Thou not bid me seek Thy face,
And shall I seek in vain?
And can the ear of sovereign grace,
Be deaf when I complain?
No still the ear of sovereign grace,
Attends the mourner's prayer
Oh may I ever find access,
To breathe my sorrows there

4. Thy mercy seat is open still,
Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet,
Thy mercy seat is open still,
Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet 

©1998, Kevin Twit Music.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

A reflection on Church Education

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him; Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” - 1 John 2:3 - 6

Throughout my elementary and middle school years, I regularly attended our church’s Sunday School classes. I remember learning the basics of Bible stories, singing songs, hearing stories of missionaries and studying figures in church history. When I was in high school, I attended classes that focused on different books of the bible, and was introduced to theology. I fondly remember one class that engaged Scripture as we worked through the TULIP acronym. It was my first formal exposure to doctrine and it was extremely formative for my faith development. As an adult, I am involved in an intergenerational Bible study which allows for some fruitful, challenging and encouraging conversation as we dive in to Biblical and theological themes. The specific objectives for educational or discipleship ministry may vary, based on age and maturity of the class, as is apparent through my experiences thus far. The purpose and role of providing education and discipleship ministries within the church is clear: to help believers in Jesus Christ become disciples of Jesus Christ.

To be an obedient disciple of God requires knowing God. God allows us to know him through his written word, the Holy Bible. While individually reading God’s word can prove beneficial and devotional, many of the lay people in our congregations have limited Biblical or theological training. Educational and discipleship ministries must instruct our congregants in what the church believes and why. We do a disservice in our churches and communities when we swing the pendulum to the side of ‘doing’ and neglect ‘knowing’. It is a blessing to have more than enough volunteers to help at the mobile food pantry, but are the volunteers also engaged in ministries that feed their own soul?

Educational ministries are often focused on children. We understand this, as Sunday school originated in order to reach out to uneducated and poor children by teaching them writing and reading with the Bible. Beginning the discipleship process with children is still essential, and Biblical. We are told in Deuteronomy 6 that we should be passing down our faith to the younger generations. And in Ephesians 6, fathers are instructed to bring up their children in the ‘training and instruction of the Lord’.

A few weeks ago I heard Dr. Kara Powell speak about the rate of students who abandon their faith after graduating high school. She states that the figure is as high as 40% - 50% within eighteen months after graduation. There are several factors that contribute to this, but I have to believe that one reason is that students leave high school not really sure of what it is they believe or why they believe it. It’s easy to leave a faith you don’t really know and understand. We need to properly train our children to help them foster a deep and rich faith that lasts a lifetime. 

Church education and discipleship should not neglect the adults in the congregations, however.  All followers have things to learn about God’s word, character and will. Sanctification is a process, and continually growing in our knowledge of the Lord and his word is a part of that process. No adult in the church, no matter their training or background as fully ‘arrived’ in their faith formation.

Educational and discipleship ministries are essential facets of a healthy church, for all ages and stages in faith formation. We must always remember, however, that Biblical knowledge and understanding does not always equal a faith that is alive. Therefore, we would do well to consider ways to ensure these ministries go beyond head knowledge, and penetrate the heart and lives of those engaged in them.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God” Philippians 1: 9 - 11

Home

We are home. Home from our trip. Home with our kids. Home to our work and ministry. And I'm left pondering where my home really is. I went on this trip thinking that surely God would confirm a big move in our future...maybe across the country or even the world. I left with more peace about the possibility of staying in Grand Rapids. That completely freaks me out and confuses me more than I can say. I'm not sure if it was the fact that I felt sick most of the week, and longed for my own space and bed, or truly a leading in my life, but I'm still trying to process it all. I'm scared to settle. I feel like I've talked and desired something 'big', and staying would be failure. Life elsewhere seems more noble for some reason. Life elsewhere seems more adventurous, exciting, fun. But is that what I want? What is it I'm looking for, and why do I think I can't find it in Grand Rapids? Is my continual longing to move based on fear or following? I'm not sure.


I'm waiting for God to speak clearly to me about our future. He's being silent. Or maybe my ears are plugged. I'm frustrated in not knowing our next step. Will we be in the same place a year from now? And how can I go see the brokenness, poverty, joy and beauty of another country and be content in Grand Rapids? I don't mean that people cannot be happy here, but I've never sensed this was my final destination. Maybe all this discontent is more to do with this world and the fact that I'm just passing through. Maybe the longing of my heart is more for my heavenly home than another location while here on earth. I don't know.

We'll see where all this processing takes Marc and I. I'm thrilled Marc was there to share the experience with me, and that we can process these things together. Praying for discernment.