Winter 2013 - Christian Reformed Church of Pease

Volume 29 Issue 23
February 2013
Meet Our New Members
New Grandbabies
Austin Gregory Kiel
FloVanDeRiethastwonewgreat
-grandsonsandonenewgreatgranddaughter.
LukeJonathonwasbornon
December17,2012toSteve&
NatalieRitzemaofChicago,IL.His
siblingsareDavid&Nora.GrandparentsareDick&LoisRitzema.
LeviJameswasbornon
January21,2013toJeremy&
HeatherRitzemaofMunster,IN.
Noelleishisbigsister.Dick&Lois
Ritzemaaretheproudgrandparents.
AlyssaClaireSwansonwho
wasbornFebruary8,2013to
Jason&Katie.Sheweighed6
pounds15ouncesandis201/2
incheslong.BobandLynnSwansonandRoger&MaryVanHeel
arethegrandparents.FloVanDe
Riet&LucilleSwansonarethe
great-grandmothers.
Greg&LeslieKielintroducetheirson,
AustinGregoryKiel.Hewasbornon
September14,2012andwas8lbs.20
inches.He'saveryhappy,smiley,and
hungrybaby!Hejoinsbigsister,
Annikaathomewholovesher'Baby
Austin'verymuch.Grandparentsare
DonandCarolKiel,WayneKnudson,
andBetsyandRandyZiemer.
Lincoln Daniel Rowland
LincolnDanielRowland
wasbornattheSt.
CloudHospitalon
November20,2012to
LeahChristensenand
BlakeRowland.
Lincolnweighed6lbs.
9ozandwas18inches
long.GrandparentsareDanChristensen&LoriStewart,MartiLambert
andRandy&KarenRowland.GreatgrandparentsareDuane&Karen
Bouma&Bob&KathyRowlandand
Roger&MarianOlson.
AlanandRuthAnnKragtwelcome
their6thgreat-grandchild.Axel
TimothywasbornNovember13,
2012toChristopher&Emily.
GrandparentsareGene&Cindy
Kragt.
Michael&BrieBorntragerarethe
parentsofagirl,AdelineRenae,
bornFebruary3,2013.She
weighed7lbs.3oz.HergrandparentsareBrian&DoreenBorntrager.Great-grandparentsareJerome
&ShirleyHanenburg.
Inside this issue:
New Member
Grandbabies
Memories
Meet Our Church Family
Perspectives
Palate Pleaser
Single’s Valentine’s
Brunch
Kidz Club
WOW’s
Valley Male Chorus
VBS
Kid’s Page
HendrixKennethVillawasbornonJanuary29,
2013toSarahRuis.GrandparentsareKen&
RoseanneRuis.Great-grandparentsareMatt&
JoanneRuis.Hendrixisthe23rdgreat-grandchild
forMatt&Joanne.
Twinsisters,BrittaDanielleandKiahJoanwere
bornJanuary10,2013toBruce&Merv
DroogsmaofDelano,MN.Theyarewelcomed
homebytwinbrotherandsister,Darin&Maria.
Chuck&MaryDroogsmaaretheirproud
grandparents.JoanDroogsmaistheirproud
great-grandmotherandEdWinterstheirproud
great-grandfather.
LeahJaneLoayzawasbornOctober21,2012to
Miguel&RachelLoayzaofMinneapolis,MN.She
waswelcomedhomebyherbrotherBenjamin.
Chuck&MaryDroogsmaareherproud
grandparents.JoanDroogsmaisherproudgreatgrandmotherandEdWintersherproudgreatgrandfather.
WearesothankfultoannouncethatAikley
CarolynVeurink,daughterofTimandJessi,was
welcomedonJanuary9,2013.Aikleyweighedin
at7lbs,7ozandis20½long.LorraineVeurink
andBenandAdelineGroenarehergreatgrandparents.
OttoJefferyHjortwasborntoRandy&Joelle
HjortonDecember29,2012.Heweighed9lbs
2oz.GrandparentsareDean&LoriHjort.GreatgrandparentsareDon&MargTimmer.
Greg&VondaSchieboutaretheproudparents
ofTheodoraBertha,bornonJanuary20,2013.
GrandparentsareChris&HenriettaSchiebout
andDuane&ViSjaardemaofDenver,CO.
Theodoraiswelcomedhomeby3sistersand1
brother.
BaileyDouglasKokarrivedonJanuary1,2013.
Heweighed8lbs.14oz.andwastheBirstbaby
of2013bornattheFairviewNorthlandHospital.
BaileyisthesonofKeithandCindyKok.His
grandparentsareDoug&LaDawnKokand
TammyKok.HelenKokishisgreatgrandmother.
EstherRosePluimerwasbornonNovember5,2012
andweighed6lbs.11ozandwas19incheslong.
HerparentsarePastorMarkandLauriePluimer.
HergrandparentsareDen&SheriPluimer,Don&
DaniBahrandCarlKreller.AlicePluimerandJean
Klinearehergreat-grandmothers.EstherRosewas
welcomedhomebybigbrother,Ethan.
Memories
Dee Dee Moorlag
ThefollowingisthetributethatDylanMoorlagread
athisGrandmaDeeDee'sfuneral.ThisisacollectionofDeeDee'sgrandchildrenandgreatgrandchildren'smemories.WethinkthisisawonderfulwaytorememberDeeDee.
Grandmahadasignhanginginthehouse
thatsaid:“Onafarmsolongago,allmyfondest
memoriesgrow.”Forher6grandkidsand3greatgrandkidsthissayingissoverytrue.Thefarmwas
afavoriteplaceforallofus.Askidswewouldspend
weeksplayinginthewoods,eatingGrandma’scookingwhichalwaysincluded“EwwHotdish,”reading
storiesandpoems,coloringandenjoyingpopsicle
afterpopsicle.Whileweallhavesharedmemories
suchasthemany,manyfamilypicnicsGrandma
threw,playingscrabbleforhours,herwonderful
laughandhercooking,weeachhaveourownmemoriesaswell.
BritanilovedhowGrandmaalwayshadabighugfor
herwhensheBirstarrivedandanotherbigonebeforesheleft.ShealsoremembersthatGrandmawas
alwaystheloudestofallofus.WhenCaseywasBirst
introducedtothefamilyGrandmalaughedabout
howdifferentourfamilymustbecomparedto
Casey’ssmall,quietfamily.Britaniwasquickto
assureherthatGrandma,herself,andoneother
personwerelouderthanhiswholefamilycombined.
Grandmalaughedinagreement.Theotherthing
BritaniwillalwaysrememberofGrandmaisher
toast.BritanialwaysbelievesthatGrandma’stoast
tastedbetterthananyoneelse,andGrandmatold
hereverytimethatshewouldalwaysshareherlast
sliceofbreadwithher.
ForJonitiscatchingfrogsalloverthefarm.Grandmaalwayshadice-creambucketsreadyforhimto
keepthefrogsin,eventhoughweneverseemedto
eatice-cream.JonalsoremembersGrandma’sbonBires.
TherewaslittlethatGrandmalovedmorethanfood
cookedonaBire.Jonwasthegrandchildwhonamed
Grandma’sfamous“EwwHotdish.”Hesatatthe
islandwhileGrandmacookedcomplainingandsaying
“eww”assheputthehotdishtogether.Afteritwas
putinfrontofhim,hetookabigbite,smiled,because
itwasgood,said“eww,”andatethewholebowl.
Jackelynwillneverforgettheoneandonlytimeshe
beatGrandmainscrabblewiththeword“leftovers”or
helpingGrandmamakesugarcookiesandapplepies.
Shealsorememberswalkingandbikingtothefarm
andyellingforapopsiclebeforesheevenreachedthe
barn.AlthoughJonandDylanhaveneverletherhear
theendofit,Grandmaneversaidawordaboutthe
timeJackeegotJon’scarstuckinthemudbefore
school.Shewasalwaysreadytohelpandwoulddo
anythingforus.Jackeewasalsotheonlygrandkidto
evergetspankedbyGrandma,soIdon’tknowwhat
thatmeans.
CoriwillneverforgetthetimethatGrandmaand
Grandpacametotakehertothefarmforaweek.
Whensherealizedsheforgotherblankettheyturned
thecararoundtogobackforit.Then,onthedayshe
introducedGrandmatoTim,Grandmasaid“Cori,ifhe
lovesyouevenclosetohowmuchIloveyouIpromise
toloveTimasonemyown.”
Asforme,throughmostofmyhighschoolyearsI
stoppedatthefarmeachnightonmywayhomefrom
school.Grandmaalwaysfedme,mostofthetimeit
wasafriedeggsandwich.Thatdidn’tstopmefrom
goinghomeandeatingsupperwithmyparentsas
well.Grandmafrequentlyservedasabufferbetween
meandUncleBuddy.Ispentalotoftimewiththe2of
themandGrandmawouldlaughandlaughatthe
thingsthatUncleandIwoulddo.
ForAlexitwasGrandma’sfamiliargreetingof,“Hi
Sweet-heart,”andthesmellofherhairandcoffee.
Thepopsiclesdidn’tstopwithus,Lucas,Andrewand
AlisonalsoknewthatGrandmawouldalwayshavea
Popsicleinthefreezerforthem.Theboyswouldbeat
thefarmforlessthanaminutebeforerunningtothe
carsandtrucksanddrivingthemalloverthehouse.
Shemusthavelovedthemmorethanusbecausewe
wereneverallowedtoplaywithGrandpa’s
collectibles.
GrandmaandGrandpaalwaysfoughtaboutwhether
beingDutchorSwedishwasbetter.Hersons,and
mostofus,generallyagreedwithGrandpasline,“If
youain’tDutch,youain’tmuch!”But,Grandma,just
soyouknow,eventhoughyouweren’tDutch,you
weremuchtous.
Jim Kiel
It’sbeen4monthssinceIlostmydadandthe
woundsarestillraw,inotherwords,thisisa
difBiculttasktodo.Mydadlovedtohunt,Bish,
andwatchtheTwinsandVikings.Ofcourse,in
ordertoBishandhunt,hehadtoworktopayfor
thesehobbies-andhehadkidstokeepclothed,
fedandinthePeaseschool.Daddeliveredmilk
foryearsandIoftenhelpedhimonSaturdays
andwhenschoolwasnotinsession.Iwas
continuallyamazedathismemory.Healways
seemedtoknowwhateachcustomerneeded.He
couldalsokeeptrackofthemilkcostsinhis
head.EvenwhenwewoulddivideupBishing
costsinrecentyears(gas,lodging,gas,bait,gas
andtackle)heknewthetotalsbeforeIcould
reachforthecalculator.
Irememberalotoffoxhuntingwiththelocal
Peaseguys.Theyalwayshadcoffeeandpieat
theDutchMillandtalkedabouttheirhunt–who
missed,whoshouldn’thavemissedandwho
triedtoBirewiththesafetyon.Iwaslucky
enoughtogoonsomeofthosehuntsandthenon
thesnowmobiles(whichwerelegalforawhile)--whatablast.Speakingofsnowmobiles,uskids
livedontheArcticCat.Backthen,weoftenhada
lotofsnowandIrememberrollingthesnowmobiletwiceandbreakingthewindshieldboth
times.Dadjustgavemethelookandordereda
newwindshield.
Idonotremembermymomordadevermissing
asportingeventwhileIwasinhighschool.They
plannedtheirworkschedulearoundouractivities.Dadcoachedthewomen’sfastpitchteamin
Peaseandweneverlostagame.Dadwasalsoa
memberofthemen’sfastpitchteaminElkRiver.
Heplayed2ndbaseandwasagoodbunter,a
singleshitterandfastonthebases.
TrappingwithGrandpabecamepartofhislifefor
someyears.Irodealongmanytimesandremembersharingthefrontseatofthetruckwith
thefoxpelts.Ifthepeltsbecamecoldtheywere
hardertoskinandtheydidn’twantthebladder
pierced.
e
l
Idon’tthinkmomordadlikeditwhenwemoved
toCaliforniaandaftertheOctober17,1989earthquake(a7.1shaker)andtheinabilitytocallfor3
daysandletthemknowwewereokay,dadtold
meweshouldmovebacktoMinnesotaorrisk
fallingintothePaciBic.Ibelievedhim.Thepart
thatmadehimwonderaboutusisthatwemoved
withnojobsand2children.Godwasgoodand
soonprovidedemployment.Itwasthebestmove
ourfamilyevermade.
Thelast15yearswespentalotoftimeinaboat,
especiallythelast10yearsBishingwalleyetournaments.Dadwasnotaboisterousperson,buthe
hadastrongopinionaboutafewthings.He
thoughtKirbyPuckettwasoverpaidwhenhe
signedfor3millionayearintheearly80’sbut
thennevercommentedonA-rodorJoeMauer’s
hugecontracts.Hedidn’tbelieveinspending
moneyontrivialthings,butthoughtnothingof
drivingtoCabela’sfora$6.99rapala.Priorities,
youknow.Hisleastfavoritethingtoseewaspoor
sportsmanship,especiallywhileBishing.Irememberhimsaying“Ifyoulose,saynothing,ifyouwin
sayless.”FromthemiddleofApriluntilthebeginningofNovember,wespentalotoftimeinaboat,
sometimes8-9hoursadayand3-4timesaweek,
doingwhatwebothlovedtodo.Thesewere
specialtimesforme.Twoyearsago,whenIhadto
work,anddadcouldn’tBindapartnertogoalong
andhewasn’tsupposedtogoalone,hewentanyway.Hecalledmeatworkandtoldmehehad3
peopleintheboatwithhim–theFather,Sonand
HolyGhost.Wetoldmomayearlaterandshewas
nothappy.ThehighlightofBishingcamethispast
JulyatLakeoftheWoodswhenwewon1stplace
andalmostmissedthetimedeadline(wewere10
secondsearly)–nothinglikecuttingitclose.
Thesaddesttimecamethe1stweekinSeptember
whendadsaidhewastooweaktoBishanymore.
Wecouldn’tgototheLakeoftheWoodstogether.
Webothshedafewtearstogether.Iknewthen
thathiscancerwasreallywinningthebattle.A
daylater,afriendcalledandsaidhewouldtake
dad’splaceifitwasokay.Hereadilyagreedas
longasIkepthiminformedabouthowwewere
doing.Hewantedtoknowevery2hourswherewe
wereBishingandhowwellweweredoing.
Dadwasonlyinhospicefor2weeksand2daysbeforehedied,helookedatmeandwhispered,“Best
Friends”.Thosetwowordswerethegreatestgifthe
gavehisdaughterandsummarizedmyrelationship
tohim.Dadalsoimpresseduponmetheimportanceoffamily,beingkindtoeachother,andto
rememberthatone’sfaithshouldalwaysbeapriority.Ifyouseemewithtearsinmyeyeswhilein
church,thetearsarenotasymbolofweakness,but
unspeakablelove.Ijustmissmydad.
SubmittedbyPamRuis,Jim’sdaughter
Arlene Droogsma
OnNovember9,2012wegatheredtohonorthe
Home-goingofoneofGod’shumble,faithfulservants,ArleneDroogsma.PastorTomremindedus
torememberherforherupbeatattitude,her
senseofgratitudeandherwillingnesstoserve
wherevertherewasaneed.
Arlenehadcomehomeonceagaintothe
churchwhereshewasbaptized,publiclyprofessedherfaithandworshipedwhilesheattended
andgraduatedfromthePeaseChristianSchool
andMilacaHighSchool.AfterhighschoolArlene
wenttoMinneapolisandbeganherlifeworkof
caregiving,initiallyrockingbabiesatAbbottHospital.Arlenewasemployedatnursinghomes
mostofherworkinglife.Itwasagreatsatisfaction
forhertoearnherCNAandTMAcertiBication.
AlthoughArlenewasneveramothershemaintainedavitalinterestinherniecesandnephews.
DallasVanDenEinderemembersArlenereading
storiestothegrandkidswhiletheadultsenjoyed
theirafterchurchcoffeeatGrandpa&Grandma
Droogsma.Kathy&JimGerritsenenjoyedaclose
relationshipwithherduringherlateryearsas
theylivednearherinthemetroarea.Sherode
withthemtoFaithCRCandtheyalsowereavailabletoherforherdoctorvisits,errands,etc.The
Gerritsens’andotherfamilymembersremember
Arlene’sabilitytoshareherfaith;beitasalesperson,foodserver,medicalstafforwhomever,
Arlene’sgentlequestionwouldbe,“Doyoulove
Jesus?”andnooneremembersofhereverbeing
rebuffed.
WhenKathyGerritsenwasaskedtoshare
amemoryofArleneherimmediateresponsewas,
“HerabilitytoBindsomethinggoodineverysituationshewasin.”LauraBroberg,ElimAdministrator,remembersArlenebeinghappyandexcitedto
beginherstayasanewElimresident.
S
Arlenewasa“peopleperson”andsoonmadeher
presenceknownatElim.Shereadtoandvisited
withmanyoftheresidents,amongthemAngeline
Kamstra.
Angeline’sniece,LindaHaberman,oftenvisited
andsheandArlenebecamegoodfriends.Arlene
somuchenjoyedworshipingtogether,sharinga
meal,shoppingtrips,garagesales,etc.Arleneliked
todresswellandshelovedjewelrysoitbecamea
“funfriendship”forher.
Arlenewasanactiveparticipantinallthe
Elimactivitiesandespeciallyenjoyedpaintingand
drawingbutherfavoritewassinginginthechoir
andWiiBowlingatCountryMeadows.
Shewasalwaysgratefulforalltheopportunitiesbutshegraduallybecamelessenergetic.
Herdisabilitiesbecamemoreevidentandshebegantospendmoretimeinherroom.Arlene’sillnesswasbriefandafteronlyafewdaysatthe
PrincetonHospitalwithherfamilynearher,God
gentlytookherHome.ToHimbealltheglory!She
ismissedandaffectionatelyrememberedbyher
family.SubmittedbyArlene’ssister,ViRens
Sid Droogsma
SidwasbornJuly5,1924toHenryandAnnie
DroogsmaandlivedonafarminPrinceton.Of
course,livingonafarmmeanttherewerechoresto
bedoneandhegothisshareofthemalongwithhis
sevensiblings.Therewerecows,chickensandpigsto
carefor.Heevenbrokesomeofthehorsesforriding.
Healsolovedtoridethosehorseshimself!
HeservedintheNavyfrom1944-1946.In
1947hemetandmarriedJeanetteVanDyke.They
raiseeightchildren.Hehasbeenalifelongmember
ofthePeaseCRCandservedasanElder.
HelovedtoBish,huntandtravel.Heworked
atvariousjobsandespeciallyenjoyedservingasa
deputy,keepingtabsonteenagersandothers.HealsoworkedinthePostOfBicefor33yearspriortohis
retirement.Hehadacountryrouteandlovedit
becausehegottoseewildlifefromtimetotime.That
wasalwaysaplus!
Heenjoyedmakingthingsoutofwoodfashioningthemintotables,chairsandtrellises.This
becamehispassion.
Hewasadevotedandfaithfulhusbandand
providedwellforhisfamily.Godtookhimtohis
HeavenlyHomeonDecember27,2012.Wemisshim.
SubmittedbyJeanDroogsma
Meet Your Church
Family
Eventhoughourchurchisalargechurch,oneof
thegoalsofRelectionsistofostertheconceptof
“God’sFamily.”TheNewsletterTeamhasheard
commentsfrommembers,oldandnewalike,“I
don’tknowmanyofthepeoplewhocometoour
church.”Inanefforttocorrectthatcondition,we
continuethiscolumnwiththe“S’s.”Someofour
membersdidnotsubmitanintroductionso
therefore,onlytheirnamesareincluded:Curt&
AmberSonnek,DianeStobandChad&Peggy
Swenson.
Carol Smith
IamCarolSmithandIreturnedtothelandofmy
birthnearlysevenyearsago.
IleftPeasewithmyparents(Buck-the-bus-driver
&AnnSmith)andsiblingswhenIwas9yearsold.
WemovedtoSanJose,CAwhereIgrewupand
beganmybusinesscareer.
Throughoutmycareerinthecorporateworld,I
wasblessedwithmanyopportunitiestotraveland
relocatetoGrandRapids,MI,Oakland,CA,Pittsburgh,PA,Irving,TXandFoxboro,MA.I’mnow
workingonmysecondandthirdcareersintheofBiceatCommunityChristianSchoolandattheSt
CloudPostOfBice.(Thisiswhatretirementlooks
like)
GodplacedmeinlocationswhereIcouldBinishmy
degree(earningmyBSdegreeinManagementat
LesleyUniversitywhileinMassachusetts)and
whereIfoundwonderfulchurchhomes.
GodhasaplanandHeisfaithful-evenbringingme
homeaftermanyyears.IliveinPrinceton-myfather’shometown.IamjoyfultobewhereIhave
roots!!Ifeelespeciallyblessedtobeapartofthe
communityofthePeaseChurchwhereIwasselectedtoserve3yearsasaDeaconandamcurrently
onthePastorSearchCommitteeandendeavorto
serveasaFacilitatorfortheGoodnessGroup.
Maynard & Fannie Smith
MaynardSmithlivesintheirtownhouseinMilacaand
attendsourchurchregularly.Duetofailinghealth,
Fannie,(age90-1/2)iscurrentlylivingattheSothman
FosterCareHome,nearBock.
Maynard&Fanniemournthedeathoftheir
oldestson,Stephen,whopassedaway2yearsago.
Theygreatlyappreciatetheweeklyvisitsoftheirson,
Mike,wholivesinBurnsville.Their24yearoldgranddaughterwholivesinMinneapolisispreparingtotake
thebarexamination,priortobecominganattorney.
HerolderbrotherisattheUofWisconsinworkingon
histhesistowardreceivinghisPhDinMathematics.
Maynard&FanniearegratefulforGod’scare
intheirlivesandwouldenjoyvisitsfromtheirchurch
family.
Susie Smith
Iwouldliketointroducemyself,Susan
WoodSmith.Woodismymaidenname;Itookit
totellmeapartfromalltheotherSusan
Smiths.MyhusbandDanieldied4-5-12.IdependedonhimtotellmewhichPeasepeople
wenttogether,forhelivedoutsideofPeaseinthe
1940's-50's.Imisshimbutheisnowwithhis
1stwife,Arlene,whichisgood.
Mymother'sparentswerefromScotlandand
EnglandandlivedwhereDanwasbornandgrew
up(SouthwesternMNbyPipestone).Myfather's
parentswereEnglishandhismotherwasbornin
France;theylivedbyWinona,MN.Myfather
wenttocollegeatWinonaTeacher'sCollegeto
becomeateacherandlateronaschoolSuperintendent.MymotherwenttoBeautySchoolin
Mankato,MN.andownedherownshopinFulda,
MN.(SWMN),whereshemetthenewHistory
teacherandcoach.TheywerebothPresbyterian's.Duringmyfather'scareertherewasn'talwaysaPresbyterianchurchavailablesoatConBirmationtimeIwasaCongregationalconBirmant
(thepastorwasreallyPresbyteriansoagainwas
Presbyterianbased).Weendedin1959inEden
PrairieHighSchool;whenEdenPrairiewasasuburbsouthofthecitiespredominantlycomposed
ofpotatoandcornfarmers;alsoafringetown
fromwhichonecouldcommutetoMpls.Ilived
oncampusattheUofM;wentthescienceroute
tobecomeaMedicalTechnologistandonly
workedtwoplacesbeforeImetDan-(UofM
Hospital,MemorialBloodBank).
Danofferedmethechancetotravel;forhewas
alreadyretired,soIquitmymiddlemanagerjob
(muchtomypeer’sdisbelief)andmarriedhim
BirstinHawaiiandtheninBloomingtonatCalvary
CRC.
WewenttoSunCity,AZ.tovisithisbrother,
Maynardandwife,Fannie,andrentedfor6months;
onlytoendupthere,buildingahouseinSunCity
West.Wereallyenjoyedlivingthere;becamephysicallyBitandbecameinvolvedinthecommunity
andtheCRCChurchofSunCity(WestValley).I
alsosanginatriothatdidWWIIsongsatthe
variousgroupsinSCW,sanginthePresbyterian
Ensemblethatentertainedatnursinghomesand
didpraisedanceatthesehomes,too.Wetravelled
primarilywithWitteTravelfromGrandRapids,MI.
andthePresbyterianChurch(bothinSunCityand
SunCityWest).DanhadattendedCalvinCollege,so
knewofWitteTravel.Wewentonaninlandcruise
inHollandandreallyrecommendthispluswe
spentafewextradaystoenjoyDan’srootsherein
PeaseCRC.
IjustgotbackfromFL.,whereIwasvisitingmy
sister,whomovedthererecentlyfromCoonRapids,
MN.Wegiggledthedaysaway.Wesawlotsof
placesaroundPortSt.Lucie(oneastcoast)butleft
Miamiandotherfunspotsformynextvisit.I
helpedhertogothrougholdpictures,hangthem
onthewallandtodecorate.Shehasapoolsowe
christenedthat.HerneighborsfromEnglandwere
sofriendlythatweBirstinvitedthemoverandthe
nextweekweenjoyeddinnerwiththem.
I'mbacktolivinginmyMilacahome(onthe
Rum)helpingoutmydaughter,anursewith3
boys.MyhouseinSunCityWestjustsoldsoIcan
startconcentratingagainonregainingmyPease
churchinvolvement.It'stimeforvolunteering
whichIwasverybusywithinAZ.I’mlookingforwardtobeingactivein2013.
Louise Spoelstra
IamLouiseSpoelstra.IwasbornintheMilacaarea
andattendedPeaseCRCuntilIgraduatedfromMilacaHighSchool.IwenttoCalvinCollegeandthen
toIowatoteachsecondgradeinOskaloosaChristianSchoolforfouryears.WhileinOskaloosaImet
andmarriedmyhusband,Gerb.WemovedtoDes
Moines,IAwhereGerbworkedinsalesandservice
foracommunicationsandsoundsystemcompany
for45years.Itaughtatapre-schoolfor18years.
Wewereblessedwithtwochildren.Jeff
(Laura)wholivesinSanJose,CAandConnie,who
livesinEagan,MN.IhavetwograndchildreninSan
Jose.
Asafamilywelovedtotravelandalso
mademanyenjoyabletripstothePeaseareafor
familyvisitsandspecialoccasions.
InSeptember2004theLordtookGerbhometolive
withHim.IlivedinDesMoinesfourmoreyears,then
Idecidedtomovebacktomy“roots”tobecloserto
family;KarenBoumaandWarrenKamstraaremy
siblings.
Itrulyenjoyandappreciatetheloveand
friendshipIexperiencefromthischurchfamily.May
GodblessthePeaseCRC.
Rose Stob
IamRoseMarie(Groff)Stob.Igraduatedfromhigh
schoolinBraham.WemovedtoMilacaandthat’s
whereImetthemanImarried.Hepassedaway
about20yearsago.Wehavethreechildren,2girls
and1boy.Lauriehasonegirl,whogoestoBethel
College.Dianehas3childrenandDonhas3.I
workedinMilaca,buthavebeenretiredforseveral
years.
Teunis Stob
Hi,IamTeunisStob.Iliveonafarmwestof
Pease,andIhavebeenamemberofthischurch
allofmylife.IhaveastrongfaithinGod,and
thathascarriedmethroughthetoughtimesin
mylife.
ThetoughesttimewaswhenmywifeMabel
passedaway11yearsago.Imissherevery
singleday.Wehadagoodlifehereonthefarm,
milkingcowsandsellingeggs.Wewereblessed
with2daughters,MarthaandCathy,and3grandchildren.MabelandIweremarried54years.We
wereneighborsbackthen,thatishowImet
her.Shewaswithinwalkingdistance,which
workedoutgoodsinceIdidn'thavemoneyfora
car.
Ienjoyhavingcoffeewiththeguysatthe
cafe.Ihaven'tbeenabletogetoutmuchthis
winterbecauseofthecoldandice,soImissthe
cafeandgoingtochurch.Idoenjoylisteningtoit
ontheradio.Thedaysgetlongandlonesome
hereathomeeveryday.Ilovetovisit,soifyou
feellikevisitingalittle,callmeat294-5477.Let
thephonering,ittakesmeafewminutestoget
there.
Adam & Dawn Stout
Adam&DawnStoutaremembersofPeaseCRC
buthavemovedtoCedarSpring,MI.Adamgrew
upinCedarSpringsandDawngrewupinLowell,
MI.TheymetwhentheybothworkedforRockford
ambulance.AdamisaParamedicandDawnwasan
EMT.
Theymarriedin2003andnowhave3
children,Riley,9,Olivia,5,andPaige,3.Oliviaand
PaigewerebothborninMinnesota.Theymoved
outherein2005andAdamworkedforMoraambulanceandthenforNorthMemorialAmbulance
inBrainerd.
In2010theydecidedtomovebackto
CedarSpringsandAdamnowworksasaparamedicinMuskegon,MI.RileyandOliviabothattend
KentCityElementarySchool.Rileyisin4thgrade
andOliviaisinyoung5’s.
Dawnisastayathomemomatthistime.
InNovemberof2012Dawnwasdiagnosedwith
TTP(ThrombolicThrombocytopeniaPurpera).
Thisisablooddiseasethatwasveryseriousand
Dawnspent7daysintheICUinveryseriousconditionandthenanotherweekinthehospital.
Dawnhassincethenbeeninthehospitaltwice
withotherbloodissues.Dawnandherfamilyare
verythankfulforalltheprayersofferedupforher
andherfamilyfromthePeaseChurchcongregation.Dawncontinuestohavealotofbackpainand
musclepainfromthediseaseandthiscantake
monthstoresolve.
TheyenjoyedtheirtimeinMinnesotaand
theyenjoycomingbacktograndma’shouseto
visit.Rileyenjoysseeingthekidsthathewentto
CCSwith.
Thankyouagainforyourcontinuedprayer
support.
Adam,Dawn,Riley,Olivia&Paige
Perspectives
Inconsiderationofthetraumaticoccurrenceof
schoolshootingsinAmerica,theReBlectionTeam
contactedseveralpersonsregarding:“DoChristianshavearesponsibilitytowardguncontrol?”
TherearenoeasyanswerstothisdifBicult
problemandwethankthemfortheirinsightful
response.
The question was asked, “What is our responsibility,
as a Christian, on gun control?” We feel gun control
has nothing to do with being a Christian or not. We as
Christian parents, grandparents, have the responsibility to teach our children the Sanctity of Life and the
respect of guns. We feel a better background check
before selling a gun would prevent some of these
mass killings. It is our duty, as a Christian, to teach
the value of life God has given us. We need to instruct
our children in the safe use of firearms through hunting and target shooting. The government is slowly
taking our freedoms away if they ban semi-automatic
firearms with large clips. Where is it going to stop?
Jerry & Peggy Baas
ManagingSin
ShortlyaftertheSandyHookshooting,thetragedy
waspostedontheInternet.Withinminutesa
troubledmomcalledmeabouthowsecureCCS
was;twomorevisitedwithmebeforetheendof
theday.
RecentlyweinvitedFrontierCommunicationsand
aTwinCitysecuritycompanytoseehowwecan
improvein-schoolcommunicationandprotect
ourselvesbetteragainsttheunthinkable.We
quicklycametorealizethatwhileimprovements
couldbemade,apartfromcreatingafortress,we
couldnevertotallyprotectourselvesagainst
someonebentondoingseriousharmtoothers.
TheNRAsaidthe‘onlywaytostopabadguywith
aguniswithagoodguywithagun.’SomemissionariesinMali,Africa,nowholedupintheUS
Embassy,recentlyunderscoredthatpointwhen
theyreportedthatwhilethecountryisstillintact,
itisbecause‘thegoodguys’(Frenchtroops)avertedthecollapseoftheMalianarmy.IftheMalicapitolhadfallen,manywouldhaveBledthecountry
Someperspectiveontheguncontrolissuemay
behelpful.It’sbeenseveralgenerationssinceour
SupremeCourtbannedprayerandBiblereading
ingovernment-Binancedschools.LoisandIhave
servedChristianandpublicschoolssincegraduatingfromcollege.Inthattimebothofushave
seensigniBicantdownhilltrendsonmanylevels
sincethe70’s,allthiswhile(since1973)over
50,000,000childrenweresnuffedoutinthe
womb,apracticealsoendorsedbyourSupreme
CourtandPresident.
Whatcancomeofanationthathasturnedits
backontheGodwhowasacknowledgedand
honoredasourConstitutionwasframed?Weare
witnessingsomeofthefruitofGodlessness.
ThecallforaChristiantodayisthesameaswhat
itwasforEsther,DanielandPaulintheir
cultures–wemustbesaltandlight.Beingsalt
andlightincludesprotectingourselvesandthe
vulnerable.Italsomeansspeakingoutforjustice
andmercy,asweretainahumbleposture
(Micah6:8).
Doesthatmeanbarringwindowsordoors,or
trainingteacherstocarryguns…justincase…?
Maybe.WhiletheScripturescallustoturnthe
othercheekwhensomeonehurtsus,theyalso
tellustodefendtheweakanddefenseless,a
teachingthathassprinkledAmericantroops
aroundtheglobe.Romans13remindsusthat
governmentdoesnotcarrytheswordinvain.
ButwhatdoschoolofBicialsdowhenitcannot
protectchildrenfromSandyHook-typeassaults?
Weprayforwisdom(James1:5)inmanagingthe
fruitsoftheFall,ourownshortcomingsandsins
aswellasthosewhoseheartsrageinhell-bent
darkness.
DickRitzema,Principalof
CommunityChristianSchool
Iwasaskedtogivemyperspectiveongun
controlasIworkintheschoolsystem.Ithink
thatChristianshavearesponsibilitytopray
forourcountryandcontinuetodemonstrateGod'slovethroughouractionsand
words.Thereisalotofevilandsinintheworld,
butIbelievethatloveandkindnessoutweighs
theevil.Unfortunately,newreportsemphasize
theevil&horriblethingsintheworldandrarelytalkaboutthegoodintheworld.
Irarelywatchthenewsduetothis,becausewhat
welistentoandseecaninBluencehowwethink
andact.So,shouldtherebelawsorgovernment
controlonguns?
Maybe,however,ifsomeonewantstogetaholdof
agun,theywillBindawaytogetagun.Gunsdon't
killpeople,peoplekillpeople.So,Idon'tthinkwe
shouldmakeitmoredifBicultforanhonestperson
topurchaseagunforthesportofshooting.Iam
notawareofallthelawsandamnotsureifmore
lawswouldmakeitanymoredifBicultforsomeone
togetagun.IdeBinitelythinktheyshouldnottake
awaytheconcealandcarrypermitsortheability
forindividualstopurchasegunsbecausethatallowspeoplefreedomtocarryarms.Shouldthere
begunsallowedintheschools?Ithinkthatif
someonehasaconcealandcarrypermitthenthey
shouldbeabletocarryagunintoaschoolsetting.Thepeoplethathavethepermittocarrya
gunhavetakentheclassestolearnaboutwhen
andhowtousethegunindifferentsituations.It
mightalsodeterschoolshootingiftheyareunawareofwhomayhaveagun.Idon'tthinkthatit
shouldbemandatoryforaprincipleoranyother
schoolemployeetocarryagun,becauseiftheyare
notproperlytrainedorafraidtocarryagun,then
theywillbemoreofadetrimentthenabeneBit
shouldaproblemarise.Whatisourresponsibility?Weneedtosupportourgovernmenttomake
appropriateandsafedecisionsonguncontrol.But
mostofall,Ifeelthatweneedtocontinuetoshow
ourloveandkindnessbyouractionsandwords.
MichelleSchluender
Everyonecanagreethatthemassacrethat
happenedatSandyHookwasabigtragedyin
Americanhistoryandourthoughtsandprayers
goouttoeveryoneaffectedbyit.Itishardto
comprehendhowsicksomeonemustbetobe
abletocarryoutanattackonkidsthatareso
innocent.
Ithinkitisimportanttorememberthatthe
shooterwasresponsiblefortheshooting,nothis
guns.Obviouslygunsthemselvesareanamoral
object.Thefactthatsinnersusetheguntocommitsindoesnotmeanthatthegunistheproblem.Sinistheproblem.Sincethebeginningof
timepeoplehavebeenkillingpeoplewithor
withouttheuseofweapons.
Theideathatthenewproposedlegislationwill
stopschoolshootingsisnotrealistic.Itisunfair
tosaythatnobodyneedsacertaintypeofgun.I
knowalotofpeoplethatuse“AR”styleriBles,
myselfincluded,forhuntingandtargetshooting.
Justbecauseyoudonothaveoneanddon’twant
onedoesnotgiveyoutherighttosayIdon’tneed
oneandshouldn’thaveone.WouldtakingmyAR
styleriBleawayfrommeandotherresponsible
sportsmanmakeourschoolsmoresafe?The
truthisthatstoppingthesaleofARstyleriBles
andlimitingmagazinecapacitywillhavezero
effectonthenumberofschoolshootings.This
willonlylimitthegunsthatgoodguyshave.
Thereisnowaytokeepgunsoutofthehandsof
badguys.Iftheydon’thaveone,theycanjustbuy
oneoffthestreetsorjustsimplystealone.
IworkedatScheelsinStCloudfor8yearsand
havesoldgunsseveraltimestopeopleaftertheir
lifewasputindangerandtheywereunarmed.
Sometimesintheirownhomewiththeirfamily,
sometimesoutinpublicwheretheywouldnever
expecttobeputinthatsituation.Ifyouwould
likeIcangiveyourealstories.Whichbegsthe
question.Ifyouandyourfamilywerecaughtina
situationthatyoufeltyourlifewasindangerand
Iwasnearbycarryingaconcealedgun,wouldyou
wantmetohelp?Wouldyouratherwaitforthe
policetocome?Theoldsayinggoes,“Whensecondsmatter,policeareonlyminutesaway.”
JayGoslinga
EversincethedisasterinNewtown,CTtherehas
beenmuchtalkaboutguncontrol.ThePresident
hassuggestedabanonassaultweaponsand
highcapacitymagazines.TheVice-Presidenthas
chairedapaneltodiscussguncontrol.OurSenatorsandRepresentativesallhavedifferentideas
onguncontrol.OurlocalofBicershavedifferent
ideasonwhatshouldbedonetopreventdisasterssuchaswhathappenedattheSandyHook
school.TheNRAhassuggestedpermitting
teacherstohaveweaponsintheclassrooms.It
alsosuggestedhavingarmedpoliceofBicersinall
schools.Ifeelthatallthesesuggestionswillnot
preventfuturetragediesinschools.Idon’tbelievethatgunlawsandregulationswillprevent
peoplefromobtainingguns.
Manypeoplealreadyownthem,andpeoplemaysteal
themiftheycan’tobtainonelegally.Inthelastmonth,
talkofbanningcertaintypesofgunsasonlyincreased
gunsales.Inthelastmonth,moregunshavebeen
soldthanintheprevioussixmonths.Thequestionis
howcanwepreventthesetragediesfromhappening?
Willstricterbackgroundcheckspreventthetakingof
innocentlives?Idon’tthinkso.Therearenoeasysolutions.InChicagoalonelastyear,thereweremore
than500murders.Isoursocietybecomingmoreviolent?Wheredowelookforanswers?
JimKragt
Iwasaskedtowriteashortarticleonmyopinionof
guncontrol.SinceIworkataschool,thisisan
importantissuetome.Aswewatchthenewseach
evening,therehavebeenmanytragic,heartwrenchingreportsonschoolshootings.TheSandyHook
tragedyseemstohavebecomethespringboardfor
thelatestdebatealloverourcountry.
WhenIthinkaboutguns,Ithinkaboutallof
thethingstheyareusedfor.AsIwasgrowingup,
manyfamilymembersusedgunsforhunting.
Huntinghasbeenenjoyedbymanyaswayoffeeding
thefamily,butitisalsoagreatsportofferingrelaxation—atimetoenjoythenatureGodhascreatedfor
us.
Gunsareatool.Theyareusedforhunting,
entertainment,anddefense.Theyareownedbygood
people.Somebadpeoplealsoownguns,oftenillegally,andtheydobadthingswiththem.Gunsare
capableofkillingpeople.Soarecars.Itisthedriver
ofacarwhodecidestodriveafterconsumingtoo
muchalcoholwhocanbecomeakiller.Itwasn’tthe
caralone.Inthesameway,gunsarenottheproblem.
Theshooteristheonewhotakeslives.Almostno
onewouldsupportgettingridofcarstosavehuman
lives.
Wehaveabigprobleminourworld.Butit’s
notourguns.Theproblemisevil.Tryingtogetridof
gunsdoesnotevenbegintosolveevil.Whywoulda
personwhoignoresourlawsonmurder,robbery,
rape,andassault,obeyguncontrollaws?Itmakesno
senseatall.Doesanyonethinkthatsomeoneplanningtorobabankwouldbestoppedbecausethey
wouldBirstberequiredtoregistertheirgunsbefore
theystartedthejob?
Ourfoundingfathersbelieved...”Awellregulatedmilitia,beingnecessarytothesecurityof
afreestate,therightofthepeopletokeepandbear
arms,shallnotbeinfringed.”Therightforpeopleto
beararmsshouldnotbetakenawaybecausewhen
respectedandusedproperly,gunsarenotadanger.
CarolKragt
Overthelastfewmonths,allofusknowaboutthe
shootingmassacreatSandyHookschoolsinConnecticut.Ihavealsoheardinthenewssincethen
thatweneednewgunlawsandbanningofassault
riBles.Iusedtothinkthatthiswasabsolutely
wrongofbanninggunstous,theaverageU.S.citizen,butthenIthoughtmoreaboutit.
Theyarethinkingmoreofwhatkilledthe
kindergartnersandteachersatthatschoolinstead
ofwhoshotthem.Aftertheshooting,theyinvestigatedandfoundthattheteenagershooterhad
mentalhealthissues.Also,theyfoundoutthathis
mothergavehimaccesstothegunsandammo,
thoughsheknewhewasmentallychallenged.It
wasthekidthatshotthegun,butitwashismother
whoneglectedhisdisabilityandwantedhimtobe
“normal”bygivinghimagun,whichwasafatal
mistake.
Iliveinahousewhereeveryoneknows
wherethegunsare,andmostknowhowtogetinto
thesafe.Wehavealsobeentaughthowtoloadand
shooteachgun,butareonlyallowedtotouchthem
withadultsupervision.Myparentswouldnothave
givenuskidsthatkindofresponsibilityunlessthey
knewwewouldtakeitseriouslyandnotabusethe
privilegeofhandlingBirearms.
Peoplekillpeoplewithguns,buttheguns
can’tdothekillingbythemselves.Moreregulations
couldbeputintoscreeningthosethatwantguns,
butbanninggunswillnotBixtheproblem.
ColePatten
Palate Pleasers
Youmayenjoythisrefreshingdeserttofollowa
heartywintermeal.WethankJoyceKielforsupplyingtherecipe.
LemonLust
Preheatovento325degrees
Mix1cupBlourand½cupsoftbutter.Pressintoa
9x13panandbake12-15minutes.
Cream:1cuppowderedsugar,8ozcreamcheese,6
ozCoolWhip.Mixwellandcovercooledcrust.
Mixwell3cupsmilk,2packagesinstantlemonpuddingmix.Letsetandthencoverthe2ndlayer.
Topwith6oz.CoolWhipandchoppednuts.
Refrigerateacoupleofhoursbeforeserving.
Serves15.
Single’s Valentine’s
Brunch
‘What’s in a Name?’ was this year’s theme for the
Single’s Valentine’s Brunch held Saturday with
about 60 in attendance. Canadian Red Green
[impersonatedbyTomKittok]joinedusalongwith
Professor Tracey Finck from Phoenix University
[Minneapolis Campus]. As each shared their perspectiveonthetheme:“GodKnowsYourName.”We
alsoheardmusicfromoverseveraldecadesviathe
World Wide Web. Sharing jokes, riddles, and door
prizes was topped off by a delicious brunchserved
by Brenda and Kelly. Thanks to all the volunteers
who helped make this event a success! Thanks to
the students at Pease Community Christian School
whomadeValentinesforourguests.
wish to thank the following who donated towards this
We
event:
Pease Church, Bremer Bank Milaca, Kiel’s Appliance,
Anonymous
Donors, Jeannie’s Serenity Salon, Kristi Santema
consultant
for: The Pampered Chef, Pease Produce, Premier
DesignsJewelry,K&WFarmsOrganicFoods.
Kidz Club
KidzClubishavinganexcitingyeartraveling
aroundtheworldandlearninghowfamiliesand
communitiesthrough“FreeAFamily”areimprovingtheirlives:nutritiousfood,cleanwater,
goodhealth,increasedincome,andbettereducation.WeareusingWorldRenewsChildren’s
GivingProject”materialswhichalsoteachesus
aboutservice,dignity,andstewardship.
OurannualfundraiseratChristmashas
beenverysuccessfulduetothesupportofour
churchfamily.Wehaveraisedenoughmoneyto
helpourCompassionInternationalfriend,
AhmedininEthiopia,foranotheryear.Weare
alsosupporting10families,eachfor1month,
throughFreeAFamilyfromourfundraiserand
theofferingsfromtheKidzateachmeeting.God
hasblessedusandwearethankfulwecanshare
ourblessingswithothersaroundtheworld.
WeaskedafewoftheKidzwhattheylike
aboutKidzClub:
Stephanie:“Iliketolearnnewthingswithmy
friendsandjusthangout.”
Alyvia:“Ilikemakingcrafts.”
Lucas:“Weworshipandlearnaboutkids
aroundtheworld.”
Jack:“IlikemakingthegoatsandseeingAdam
atKidzClub.”
Alexis:“IliketheBibleStudies.”
Gracie:“Igettoseefriendsanddocrafts.”
Adam:“Ilikemakingcraftsandeatingsnacks.”
IttakesagroupefforttoprepareBible
lessons,crafts,andactivitiesforour31Kidzwho
cometoKidzClubeachtimewemeet.Weare
blessedtohave9leaderswhoarewillingtouse
theirtalentsandtimeservingGod.Abigthank
youalsotoBrenda&Kelliwhohelpedwithour
fundraiser,Philwhomadetherhythmstickswe
gavetothechildreninGuatemala,andEddywho
madewoodenheartsforourcraftinFebruary.
Youarewelcometojoinusatourmeetingsandshareanactivityorpassionyouhave!
PeggyB,Jayne,Dennis,Kris,Sharry,Debbie,
ShirleyD,Danielle,CarolL.
WOW’s
AnInvitationtotheWOW’s
(akaWomenofWorth)
TheWOW’sarenotanorganizationsponsoredby
PeaseCRC,however,manyoftheattendeesare
partofthiscongregation.TheWOW’sareacommunitybasedgroupofwidowedwomenwhoenjoy
thefellowshipofotherswhohavesharedtheirexperienceandhavefoundtheirlivesimmeasurably
changedbythedeathofaspouse.Muchofsocial
lifeisformedaroundcouples;thereforeweno
longerseemedtoBitin.Thatwastheimpetusfor
beginningthisgroup.
Ifyouarenewtothischurchandarerecentlywidowedorifyouhavebeenaloneformany
years,youmayenjoysharingafewhourseach
monthwithus.Wearealooselyknitgroup;there
arenomembershipdues,noofBicers,meetingtimes
vary,aswellastheactivities.Anexample,last
monthwemetinourFiresideRoomforagameday
andsnacks.InDecemberwelunchedtogetherat
EmbersRestaurantinMilacaandweretheninvited
toMaryKyle’shometoseeherbeautifulandextensivecollectionofnativitysets.
Wehavetakendaytrips,launchrides,musicalevents,theaterproductions,etc.andwecan
personallyrecommendseveralgoodrestaurants.
Weloveto“eatout!”Wehaveformedfriendships
withmanywomenofourcommunitywhomwe
mayhavenevermetorsharedourwidowedjourney.
HowdoyouBindus?TheMilleLacsCounty
Timesgenerouslyallowsustobelistedinthe“Area
Calendar.”Pleasecheckourlocalpapereachmonth
andifyouaren’tsurethisisforyou,pleasecallKarenBoumaat983-6292.Shewillbegladtoanswer
anyquestionsyoumayhaveandyouwillbewarmlywelcomedifyouchoosetojoinus.
June24-27
3yearoldsthroughentering4thgrade.