Gramaand girls

So blessed to have her here with us! Looking forward to Dad's arrival later this month!

Grama's ideas

 

Grama K. is one of the most creative I people I know. She is able to come up with something for the kids to do in moments that then entertain them for hours. An example? This past week, she taped a piece of chalk to a broom handle and drew roads all over the driveway for the kids. (The broom handle prevents you from having to bend over to try to draw the roads.) The kids LOVED this. They got their bikes and drove along the roads until the rain washed them away. They even created parking spots and stops like the BX and Commissary. Sidge loved it so much that during dinner prayer he prayed, "Dear God ... please let the rain come for the flowers but don't let it rain on our driveway so that our roads don't wash away."

A Conversation with her savior

Years ago ... probably close to ten now ... I confided in my dad's mother about our struggle to have a baby. 

Okay, so I am being honest, I didn't have much of a choice. She had told my cousin she was going to "have a talk with me" about waiting so long. And I decided to let the cat out of the bag.

I asked Grama to pray for me.

For any of you who know my Grama, you know that when that women prays, heaven moves. She was so in love with Christ. He was truly her best friend and her husband after my Grampa died in 1995. She walked with Him, and you knew that when you asked her to pray, she was really praying.

In August of 2008 I had the pleasure to go to Chicago for a baby shower in Isaac's honor. The funny thing was, it became a baby shower for Elijah too (as I was about 15 weeks pregnant at the shower.) Here is a picture of me and Isaac with my Grama. Elijah is in utero. (Grama is holding up a picture of my Dad since he couldn't be there and she wanted all four generations in the photo. That is such a thing Grama would do.)

In June of 2009, I decided to make another flight to Chicago with Sidge. I felt it was important that my grandmother meet him, and without a miracle, cancer would soon be taking her home to meet her savior at any time. She was frail and had difficulty holding my big boy, but she still wanted to snuggle with him.

Just a few months later, Grama went home to heaven. I know she and Grampa sure were happy to see each other. I had the opportunity to go to Chicago one more time at the end of 2009 -- this time for her funeral. I was able to share at the funeral how blessed I had been to have Grama pray for me. And how excited I was that she was able to meet my two boys.

Grama never go to meet Abigail. But somehow, I think Grama knew that I would someday have a daughter. Years before I had any of my children, she shared with me a "conversation" she and God had  had while she was praying one day. 

*****

Dear Lord, do you have a word of encouragement for John and Wendi who are desiring a baby and we all desire this for them too. A child to be brought forth for Your glory?

Yes, dear one, I do have a word and of of encouragement for John and Wend and all you waiting to see what glory will come forth for Me and joy for all.

This is the day of great manifestations of answers to prayers for I am coming soon and I long to see all your hearts blessed by what my power can do for you. For all of you are my children. I love you to the point of showing off how much I love you. 

 This child you are believing for is coming with great joy and fanfare. This child will be a blessing with joy and will be exceptionally in tune with hearing My Voice. She will express My love for her to all. She will be a joyful child, always happy, so much so that when she walks in the room others will sit up and take notice and all depression will leave. 

Yes, start rejoicing for she's coming and all will be well and I will be glorified. So start praising Me now -- keep your eyes on Me and know that as you keep praising Me, the enemy scatters. I love My children and I want the best for them. So again I say, Rejoice! Keep rejoicing, all is well and I am glorified!

John 16:13 "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

Psalm 8:2 "Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."


Matthew 21:16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants, you, Lord, have called forth your praise?'" 

Isaiah 3:10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

*****

I like to believe that her conversation with Jesus was a foretelling of the future. I must admit that when Grama gave me a copy of this conversation, I stored it away and when two boys came, I thought Grama had missed it. That somehow she must have been mistaken. 

And then Abigail came. 

I wish Grama could have met her. But I know she's praising the Lord for that little girl's arrival into our lives. 

I love you Grama! Thanks for your prayers. I know you played a huge role in the gift of motherhood that the Lord has bestowed on me.

Gertrude June Dykstra Huisman

I wanted to make sure I preserved some of Grama's history. Many of you may not be interested in this, but I still wanted to include it all the same. If you are going through something difficult and wondering how you can still follow the Lord, I think you will benefit from my Grama's story. What a difficult childhood she had and yet she followed the Lord with more fervor than any other person I know. It reminds me, both now and in the future, that when trials come, to remain faithful, to stay in the race, and to finish. (You can click on the image below to blow it up.)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

II Timothy 4:7-8

Henrietta and Edward Dykstra had a large family, and a stormy marriage due to alcohol.

Edward was a believer and known to share his faith even on street corners. However, his dark side was fueled by alcohol and it was truly devastating for all. He would promise over and over, to no avail, that he would stop drinking.

The three oldest children were girls: Anjean, Helen, and Ethel. there were also two little boys who died in a terrible diphtheria epidemic. They were 3 and 5 years old. Henrietta remembered her overwhelming grief made worse because she was not allowed to see her children after they died for fear of the disease. It was thought that Anjean's heart was damaged as a result of her bout with the disease. Some years later George was born and lastly, Gertrude.

Somehow, in spite of the great difficulties in their home, the children were truly nurtured in the Lord. They were secure in His love and their Mother's love which in turn generated their own love for one another, and their lifetime commitment to one another.

Henrietta encouraged the older three to get jobs and become independent while yet sticking together like glue. Each girl met and married. Each young man was 'warned" not to get involved "such a family." Thankfully, not one heeded the advice.

With the three oldest on their own, things were going from bad to worse at home. During Edward's most current disappearance, Henrietta did the unthinkable. She filed for divorce. It meant that she was ex-communicated from her church and that she and her family were shunned even more.

In order for her to provide for herself and her two youngest children, she answered an ad to become the housekeeper on a farm in South Dakota. After a very short time, the farmer told her that she simply wasn't strong enough for farm work.

So, they came back to Chicago where friends and family helped meet their needs. Soon, Henrietta found herself in a doctor's office waiting room. She began to visit with a man who was also waiting to see the doctor. It resulted in an offer from him to come and be his housekeeper as he did not have long to live. He agreed to provide for her and her two children.

It was agreed upon and they married though they never actually lived as man and wife. marriage was simply the proper way to handle the situation. Haidt Sekema was his name. Haidt owned about six homes and had a large family of adult children in DeMotte, Indiana where he and Henrietta made their home.

It was not long before Haidt said that he did not want to support George. A family in DeMotte offered to take him in. It was very hard for both mother and son. Everyday at an appointed time, they would run toward each other along the railroad tracks in order to have a few minutes together and a big, big hug.

Gertrude, the youngest, was allowed to stay, but only tolerated. Haidt's extensive family made life miserable for Henrietta. They were so afraid that she would get some of the inheritance.

In the meantime, visits from the three older married sisters were a source of comfort and joy for all.

After high school, George went into the Army as it was during WWII. He found his future in California where he spent the rest of his life.

Henrietta and Gertrude continued living in DeMotte under very trying circumstances. Gertrude did have friends at school and had a wonderful Social Studies teacher who made a lifetime impact. Even so, after her freshman year, life became so intolerable for them at home that Henrietta divorced Haidt. She and Gertrude went to California where George said he would care for them. It was a good time for both of them. They dearly loved being with George, but it wasn't home. Home was to be near the three older daughters back in Illinois. During this time, the adult children provided for their material needs. None of whom were financially well off at this time in their lives . . . a loving sacrifice.

When they returned to Illinois, Henrietta and Gertrude stayed with Anjean and her husband Fritz. Surprisingly, one day Haidt came and asked Henrietta to come back. She did. Gertrude stayed with Anjean and Fritz in order to continue high school. She was miserable. She did not fit in and had no friends. Her sister Helen met her for lunch one day and seeing her pain, called their Mother who immediately told her to come to DeMotte. Since Haidt did not want her, she felt fortunate when her good friend's father said she could stay with them. The mother in that family was ill and at Pine Rest Hospital. The house was very small in space, but huge in hospitality. Three teenage girls shared a double bed.

Gertrude's high school years in DeMotte were good. She worked in the fields during the summer. One year, Anjean and Fritz told her that if she saved her money, she could accompany them on a wonderful cross country trip to California. She did. It was wonderful and cost her the amazing sum of sixty dollars!

When Gertrude graduated form high school, Henrietta advised her to go to the Chicago area, get a job, and be near her sisters. Henrietta felt that should she die, Gertrude would have no one and no future in DeMotte.

So, four friends from DeMotte did go to Chicago, found a place to live together, and found their futures. Gertrude married Martin "Mike" John Huisman on May 21, 1948 and they were blessed with six children. Five sons and their wives, John and Dorothy, George and Diane, Robert and Mary, Jeffrey and Susan, Stephen and Allyson, and one daughter who was so precious to her in her old age, Linda Blonn and her husband Robert.

Haidt died and did leave a little house to Henrietta. Eventually, she moved to the Chicago area living first with Anjean and later with Gertrude and Mike until her death. During her last years, she enjoyed her family to the fullest.

Gertrude June Huisman was born on October 15, 1923 and went home to be with her Lord on September 4, 2009.

Remembering

Stole this pic from my cousin Josh. Here is my Grama with her only daughter Linda and my cousin Josh and Sarah's only daughter Mary Beth. This was taken just a few weeks ago.