WCSG Father Daughter Banquet

Jess asked Keith what she could get him for his birthday this year.  He replied by saying, "It would really be special if we could go to the Father Daughter Banquet in March.  Since this will probably be the last time we could go while you are a single young lady.  It would really mean alot if we could do that."  She loved the idea!  Then, after he was able to purchase the last two tickets to the Friday  night event, she booked an airline ticket back in January.   

With Keith's mom's funeral being the same week as the banquet was scheduled, Jess was able to change her airline ticket in order to come home early for the funeral. 

The banquet was on Friday evening.  Keith bought her a wrist corsage.  They both got ready and I snapped some pictures before they left. 

The banquet consisted of a very nice dinner and a concert by Christian vocalist, Heather Williams.  There were dads and daughters of all ages there, including some grandfathers.  They had a great time together.  Here are a few pictures; a couple are from the WCSG Facebook page.  (To view more pictures of the event, if you are on Facebook, you can "search" WCSG and see if you are able to view them.  They had some great shots of various dads and daughters/grand daughters.)

Getting ready to leave for the banquet

Jess' corsage

Very nice dinner

A packed house

Christian music vocalist Heather Williams in concert



Vivian M. Wittebols February 12, 1920 - March 12, 2011

This morning as I begin to write, this song was given to me yesterday by my dear friend, Pat.

Just think of stepping on shore, And finding it Heaven
Of touching a hand, And finding it God's
Of breathing new air, And finding it celestial
Of waking up in glory, And finding it home!

I have thought of my sweet Mother-in-Love, going Home to Glory yesterday, March 12.  Keith had decided to make one more trip over to see her Saturday, for which I am so thankful that he was there when she finally went Home.  No more suffering. 

I will always remember her as a huge prayer warrior.  Whenever we had a care or concern, she would always bring it to the Lord's attention and pray.  Pray like none other.  I will miss you, Mom.

Mom dearly missed her husband of 64 years, for the last 8 + years.  There wasn't a day that she woke up that she didn't miss that man.  Sixty-four years of marriage is a very long time these days.  What a legacy they leave their children of a godly example of marriage.

Mom also loved her children and grandchildren.  She adored each one of them.  I came across this picture of her holding Jess when she was just 17 months old.  Can't you just feel the hug?

Our last trip over to see her was on her 91st birthday.  We had such a sweet time together with our family.  Jessica brought Andy, her now fiance, over to meet her.  Of course, she wanted to play a game of "Sequence" with them before they left.  What a fun memory that will be for us all.  We had a fun time of laughing together, never even thinking we would be saying our final good-byes within a month. 

Finally, you will always be remembered for your special relationships you had with each of your grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Dad always doted on Jessica, and when he went Home to Glory, you took his place.  You will certainly be missed dearly by us all.  Our hearts will break for awhile, but we know you are Home where you have desired to be for a long time.  I will always love you, Mom.

Finally, the BIG Announcement...

When we were visitng Keith's Mom for her birthday party, Andy came to Keith and asked his permission to marry Jess.  We had a feeling it was going to happen then, so Keith gave it alot of thought and prepared some questions for him to discuss with Andy.  From what I heard, it was a very sweet time for the both of them. 

Yesterday, Andy took Jess out for a dinner and then they were scheduled to take a special tour of the Capital building.  As they were going through the Capital, Andy got down on one knee and proposed to Jess, from a very special place overlooking the city of Washington, D.C.  She said, "YES!!!!" So he slipped a ring on her finger. 

It's not everyday someone gets engaged at the Capital!  :)  He had taken special care to make all these special arrangements.  He had told us, it would have been sooner, but since Jess had started working in Hartford 4 days a week, it was a bit harder to make the plans earlier. 

We are thanking the Lord for providing Jess with a young man who loves the Lord and who deeply cares for her and will take care of her.  Looking forward to helping them plan their upcoming wedding.  Most of all, we're looking forward to having a wonderful son in our family! 

Home again...

     "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you & help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

     Early Tuesday morning, Vivian had told the doctor that she wanted to be put in Hospice care, after about five days on a feeding tube.  She just had no more fight left in her.  They had been giving her therapy and other exercises to do, but it was all just too much for her to fight back yet again, after fighting back after the previous two mini-strokes she had. 
     Wednesday, we packed up and drove to Shelby Nursing Center where she is a patient to visit her.  When we arrived, there were alot of family members there and we all had a sweet visit with her.  Our niece, Wendy tried and tried to hook up to her "hotspot" in order for Samantha, Amanda, and Jessica to be able to speak to her and them see each other.  For whatever reason, it didn't work.  So, we were able to put the phone to her ear and she would talk to Jess that way and we would help her communicate with her.  They were able to have a sweet conversation during that time.
     Thursday, the siblings were all able to enjoy time together as a family with their dear Mom.  They, indeed, had a wonderful visit together and laughed together at some fond memories. 
     Friday, Ken had arranged for as many of the siblings that could help out, to meet at Atria to move her things out of there back to her condo.  So, Ken, Judy, Judy, Rollan, Sue and Chuck were there.  While they were there, I went to visit Vivian. 
     When I arrived, they  had her propped up in her bed.  She has alot of congestion, so she prefers to be upward.  She was resting comfortably.  When I came through the door she opened her eyes and then we were able to have a short visit.  I was able to thank her for raising such a wonderful son, who I have been blessed with as my husband and father of Jess.  She got a big smile and said, "I know."  We laughed.  She also asked about my Mom and wondered how she is doing.  I told her she is on the mend.  I also told her how grateful I am that they became such wonderful friends with each other being they are inlaws of their kids.  You don't hear of that too often these days.  I also shared with her that Jess will also have that to be thankful for in that Andy's parents have already started to become friends with us as well.  For that we are so thankful!  I told her, "After all, we're sharing our kids with each other!"  That was the end of the conversation as I told her I loved her and she nodded off sleepily.  We had a sweet visit.  I stepped out for awhile as the nurses came in to change her and adjust her.  Then, Keith, Ken, Judy, Judy, Rollan, Sue and Chuck came back.  Keith told her good-bye and we left to return to Grand Rapids. 
     It was a bittersweet trip.  We know there will be a return trip in the near future, at which she will be present with her Lord and Savior.  We also know there will be no more fighting to get back strength and health issues, etc.  She'll be reunited with her dear husband, Carl.  What a reunion that will be!  With all that said, there will be so many people here that will miss her dearly.  She was a constant prayer warrior for us all, and a wonderful woman of God.