A Beautiful and Freezing Engagment

Christmas Break 2025

I need to back up a bit to Thanksgiving Break. This is the week I start writing my Christmas card letter. Many of you know our family sends out a mass number of Christmas cards. My dad, being a minister, has given us great joy in staying in contact with many friends and members of our congregations over the past years. In Kent's absence, Eli and Lydia stepped up to help me this year…

Which now leads me to share the rest of the story… Eli had been thinking about the right time to ask me if he could marry Lydia. Lydia had been with us all evening printing my letter but needed to leave, and Eli said he would help make sure things would run smoothly printing the rest of the letter. (If you know me at all, I know nothing about being techy!) It did not seem out of the ordinary that I would need help, so no suspicion was detected. Phew! Eli had planned on coming to my house in a few days to “talk” to me, but took the rare opportunity to ask me when Lydia left. I, of course, said, “Yes!”

Fast forward now to December 19, 2025.

My first day of Christmas Break. The day started as normal but would end nothing like normal. The snow and wind swirled to begin our day. Lydia and I had scheduled haircuts. The roads were a bit dicey, so Eli drove us. Lydia got her haircut first, and then it was my turn. While I was getting my haircut, Lydia and Eli drove a block down the road and grabbed a Bible they would like to use together. They returned to pick me up, and we were on our way home. Now on to the not-so-normal part of our day.

Lydia and Eli were scheduled to meet up with friends for dinner in Holland that evening (an arranged dinner by Lydia, but quickly changed by Eli). The first stop was Camp Geneva. Eli, you see, had a legitimate email asking him to send a letter to a camper, and they needed to pick up a postcard to send the camper’s way. Then they could head to dinner. They arrived at Camp Geneva. It was freezing, but Eli was persistent and wanted to see the water! They began walking toward the chapel near the water, and the chapel entrance was made beautiful, and Lydia’s life was about to change! Eli had planned the perfect engagement. He had called a family friend of ours (who happens to be an amazing photographer and “set designer”) to capture the special, “down on one knee” moment!

Eli’s plan for an amazing and beautiful engagement happened at a place they both love, the place they met for the first time, and the very place they will say, “I do!” Camp Geneva! After the special moment, they took pictures and then went to Macatawa Legends for a special dinner. It will again be their reception dinner setting.

Eli, along with his mom’s amazing help, planned a beautiful engagement celebration at our home. It was simple but beautiful and just what Lydia asked for. Eli and his family, myself, and all the grandmas! The following day, they would then celebrate with all of their friends at our family cottage. Lydia thought it was just right and not overwhelming.

December 26th began the search for just the right dress! We were all excited for her. I could tell she was feeling overwhelmed. I told her to enjoy the day and that we would take it one step at a time. Lydia, along with Eli’s mom, myself, and the three grandmas, headed out toward Lansing. Becker’s Bridal Outlet was the destination! She tried on several dresses multiple times and landed on just the right dress! She said, “Yes!” and she will be the most beautiful bride I will have the honor of walking down the aisle!

December 29th was the dress fitting day. Yet another snowstorm came our way. We wondered if we should call our family friend and change to another day, but with Lydia’s busy, nonstop schedule, we decided to keep it and “skate” to our seamstress’ house. Lydia put on the dress again, and immediately I saw her smile with excitement! She was beautiful! I am so very thankful to our friend for her careful attention to detail and for taking the time to meticulously work and show her talent in making the alterations to Lydia’s dress.

Lydia and Eli’s Christmas break has been spent taking advantage of the time off and thinking through all the details that go along with wedding planning. So many details to think over. Some of the next steps will be sharing plans with those who will be participating in their special day.

Lydia has a week off yet, and Eli begins his internship on Tuesday. Together, before they return, they find themselves at Camp Geneva once again for a winter camp session. You really cannot take them away from this beautiful place! Their final time as counselors. A small reunion day with staff will end their weekend together. Then they will together end their Camp Geneva stint as staff members.

As I close this, I reflect on Eli and Lydia’s special day and all we will celebrate in May. I also want to recognize several people who have impacted these two lives who will not be in attendance, great-grandparents, grandparents, and Lydia’s dad. All of them loving them both and leading by example in their faith, paving a path and giving them a Christian foundation to start their marriage on.

Our families are beyond excited as we anticipate this special day!

A note from me…

This January 5th marks the 11th month without Kent. I will be sharing one more post on this blog as we get close to the one-year mark. I then will come and share from time to time about wonderful things that come up. It has been a privilege to have you all walk along with Lydia, Kent, and I on this journey. I could not do any of this without you all!

Much love,

Leah, and heavenly hugs from Kent!

Lydia and Eli too!

To love snow or not!?!

 10 months  that Kent has been gone! 

So if I took a poll.... How many people would pray for snow all year long?  I think I would have been married to the only one! Kent loved snow!  Loved it so much that even one year Kent's mom saved the last snow from the season ( and gave it to him on his Birthday from her freezer on April 25th!)  

As we approach the winter season I love all that comes with the season except I just am the opposite, I pray snow away! So much that I Sing a little ditty to my preschoolers when being silly.  Snow, Snow Go away! Don't ever come back another day! 

 I have been getting our preschoolers ready to celebrate this Christmas with many crafts, rehersals, recordings, and parent gifts.  I love watching them do the many activities before Christmas! I also love watching them as their young minds see the first snow of winter! They too love the snow!

This Christmas will be different for us here this year, but also for Kent!  I wonder what he is experiencing this year! Christmas in Heaven!  What a glorious sight! I can't even imagine! Will there be snow?  How does Christmas happen in Heaven?  

The weekend before Thanksgiving, we do one of our favorite traditions of the Christmas season.  We all load up into our vehicle and head to a local tree farm and find the most beautiful tree of the year.  We all unload out of the vehicle, find our map of the tree farm and grab our sled and saw and start looking.  My mom usally finds her tree first.  It always takes me a bit to find the perfect one. I found it! It was really difficult this year not having Kent's careful eye.  This year, Lydia as she always joins, and Eli joined in this year.  Together the two of them help my mom and I cut them down, bale, and load in our car.  We also ended our tree finding with looking in the barn, Lydia holding a Chick and her favorite... Popcorn balls.  She's always happy when she gets my mom and mine as they are not our favorite! 

As we enter the Christmas season, there is Always, Always, Always  something to be Thankful for.  We are  SO thankful to all of you for your endless love and care.  We are thankful for those who show up to help change a light bulb, drive me to and fro in the snow ( That I am trying thankful for) Help with daily tasks Kent did and just find ways to help Lydia anyway possible.  

Many have asked honestly how we are doing?  Lydia and I are trying hard to live everyday with a grateful heart.  Internally we sturggle.  Tears flow freely, and we often miss so many things especially around the holidays that we did together.  The amount of laughs and tears from Christmas trees falling off the top of the traverse bringing the tree home, I am going to miss Lydia and Kent hauling up the skiis and then hearing music full blast as they pull away and the smell of Chick fil a as they return back home, I am going to miss the smiles around the Christmas circle opening gifts as Kent always had a comment everyone laughed at! Kent made every season fun and made snow doable for me.   I smile everytime I look outside and see it not because I'm thrilled, but because it made Kent smile! 

So whether or not you are on Kent's side or mine of the snow debate....

 Lydia and I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas season!

Worship

 The theme this year at my School is,  Created to Worship. I have been thinking a lot lately of the blessing that it has been to focus my eyes on Worship after Kent's passing. 

Worship

Let me share a story that many may not know about us... When Kent and I first started dating back in 1995, my Dad was a pastor at Fair Haven Reformed Church .  My dad shared with Kent and myself that the church was in need of someone to set up the stage every Saturday night for the worship team the following morning.  Kent without missing a beat said, "We can do that."  He loved serving and loved worship!  Kent said, "Yes!"  Kent played the drums at Fair Haven from time to time and loved worshipping through music.  I think back to that time and now I am so grateful for time of focusing on worship as we set up the stage. 

Kent always had a beat.  His fingers tapped to Christian music on the steering wheel in the car. If you visited our home or like me came home after an errend the house  would be shaking as he was prepared for a church service. He constantly would move is head to the beat of a song  that would be playing in the background as his daughter would be expermenting with the next thing she wanted to bake. Kent loved music and loved worship.

The last story I want to share is this.... Kent, during his illness wanted to still play and worship.  He was looking for just the right place with the right people where he could play and use his talents.  Our Family had a few conneections with a home in Holland where those who need a bit of support to carry out daily tasks of living.   Kent knew the worship leader in the church community on this campus and Kent sought out a oppertunity to again use his talents to worship.  It was a true blessing seeing Kent with many that live on this campus and helping them worship in their own way.

So as I leave this blog on the 9 th month without Kent, I would love to challenge you to find ways to Worship everyday.  Maybe it is dancing next to a little girl in class like me, maybe it will be praying with someone who needed extra care and love that has been on your mind, maybe its driving out of your way to help someone when time isn't on your side.  God loves your Worship! He has Created you to Worship! 

Psalm 100 

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, WORSHIP the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs, Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.  

Lydia and I thank you for all your prayers and love, 

Leah and Lydia

50

 Honest ... Today, I turn 50! Yes I am 50.  I don't want to celebrate. It's not that I don't want to turn 50, It's just I never wanted to celebrate a number that my husband was never able to reach here on earth. I never thought that I would celebrate a year as early as 50 without him. 

When April 25th, 2025 came and he wasn't here to celebrate his 50th birthday, we still celebrated him! So, why would I want to celebrate my day without him.  He would have been excited to celebrate today so I will celebrate! This is the time I would've caught up to him.   One unique thing about our Birthday's  is that our 1/2 Birthday's are each others Birthday's.  He was April 25th and me Oct 25th, of the same year! 

Today,  is a  reminder on how blessed our little family is.  An extended family that has stood by Lydia and I for almost 9 months and reminded us we are not in this alone,  I have a work family that has shown me so much care, and I am so thankful for a daughter and her boyfriend, Eli who time after time have been here for me when the tears just flow and the two of them continuely tell me, " It's ok and you are doing well."  "Keep going!"  I am so blessed that today so many of my family will take time to celebrate with me! I am so thankful even though it feels bittersweet!

I will continue to keep looking at ways to be grateful for each oppertunity that comes into my path to whom I can celebrate too.  Thinking of the ways I can somehow be there for those who have constantly been around me, who maybe need encouragement the way I once too needed it!

I am continuely reminded of one thing,  We have a Heavenly Father that will never leave our side.  He has and will continue to place people to be by our side.  When we are walking in a storm he will bring us through each storm and make us grow during those times. I  am thankful for celebration's here on Earth and in Heaven!  I can't wait for the best Celebration some day! Something Kent has already Celebrated!  

So Let's Celebrate!

 

Love, Leah and Lydia and Heavenly Hugs from Kent! 

Pouring into Lydia!

 As I sit in Kent's Chair right now,  I reflect on just how much Lydia and I miss all that Kent helped both of us with.  

The last time I wrote to update you on the blog, Lydia was just getting her feet "wet" in her last year in under grad at Hope. She was just entering into her new internship and was mentoring RA's at Hope.

Since she has started her fall school year, it has been a JOY watching her, and hearing the many blessings of each person she pours into, but also hearing the stories of those who pour into her as well. Kent was one of those people who alway poured into Lydia and recently she is feeling his absence.  Lydia is getting ready to apply for Grad school. Kent would have helped her moving forward without missig a beat and I am not as confident that I can fill those shoes. Currently she is working on all the first steps of the applying. We will update you when we have more details in the progress as it comes avalible.

I too, have been feeling very underconfident in many things without Kent!  As I have started my school year, Kent would have helped me navigate all my trainings for school and now I nervously attempt some of it on my own. I am very thankful for staff at JCS who have helped me through some as well.  There are  also many times where when I want to make a recipe and I need to open a can and I'm by myself, "one handed" and I think, "Oh no! I can't work the can opener!" I instantly break into tears! Then as we enter into the months of winter I know I will struggle to navigate driving and I lose my confidence during the winter months.  

Many of you knew Kent to be very quiet,  yet he did so much for not only the two of us but so many.  I find myself daily saying, "Kent did that so well, now how are we going to do it on our own"  Kent was a "Kent" of all trades.  Where there was a need he was there and poured into everyone! 

This past weekend Lydia and I had a chance to go away for the weekend.  While on that short stay we encountered a few hiccups and both of us said,"Well, that wouldn't of happened if Dad/Kent were here to help us do it." Lydia and I had a great time visiting Mackinaw Island together.  We did a few first things, too! Lydia drove us all the way there and home and did amazing. We headed to the carriage ride tours right away when we hit the island and then got off at the Grand Hotel.  We sat on the porch, did the self tour of the spots vistors can go, we visited a restraunt we had never been to and sat outside sweating in October. 

 Missing Kent every new experince isn't easy, but I pray that as it is a new normal that we learn as we go and can remember what Kent would have done. I pray as a family we remember the past with Him, create new memories remembering him. To live and love people, pouring into them as he poured into Lydia, and doing everything with a servants heart! 

Thank You to all of you for Pouring not only into Lydia, but to me as well! 

As I wrap this blog post up I say a huge THANK YOU if you have some how helped our little family survive and navigate the big shoes Kent has left us! We appreciate you!  

 On another note... I may be reaching out if your nearby to open a can! 

Love, Leah and Lydia 

Is There Music in Heaven?

 Music

Our family has always enjoyed music.  Kent played drums, always listened to music full blast, taught his daughter drums, and even taught me the appreciation for it.  Downstairs sits Kent's drums. He loved pounding out on them, playing for a few
church services and even enjoyed helping kids who have a passion for learning drums. I recently have gone downstairs and walked past those silent drums, a smile and a tear came to me all at the same time. Those drums have not had a tune played in a bit, but I can sit here now and still hear some of the drum beats he played ringing in my ear. 

Lighthouse

This past week several family members found our way up to Ludington. A place Kent has always enjoyed. Whether it was camping, hiking trails or going up in the lighthouse he loved it. On Satuday August 30, we rode a bus to the lighthouse. For Several years Kent and his dad climbed and Lydia then joined in climbing up the lighthouse when she was old enough.  When Kent's dad passed Lydia and Kent carried on climbing.  This year Lydia climbed on with Eli.  In honor of Rich and Kent (Father and Son) We have trex boards in their memory placed at the lighthouse. Thankful for this Generational carried out tradition.  In the same way I am truly thankful for a shared faith, and continued passing on of God's light.  

Is there Music in Heaven?

Kent loved music. As his health declined and we were in and out of the hospital, one of his thoughts and our discussions was this...Is there music in Heaven? I told him I thought so... Harps played, lyres, tamborines, shofars, trumpets and of course cymbals are all metioned in the Bible. So I think Kent has found his drums, found the best lighthouse to climb and is playing his music full blast! 

I leave you with lyrics to a song that Lydia and I have been listening to a lot. Songs on Heaven have touched our hearts. This a song that will be familar to many but new to some. May it touch your heart too. Our prayer is... maybe it will bring comfort to you on a grief journey you are traveling. God bless you! 

Homesick for Heaven by,  Phil Wickham.

My heart belongs to a country and a King.  Of a land I've always known but i've never seen.  Some call it paradise or the land of the living.  We'll, I call it home and I'm homesick for Heaven. 

I wanna walk with Moses on streets of gold. And dance with David before Your throne.  To thank You face to face for the grace you've given.  I wanna see my children run into Your arms. And worship the Savior who wears my scars. There's an ache in my heart.  I'm homesick for Heaven.

In my Father's house there are many rooms.  Enough for everyone, enough for you. I know it takes some faith but today you can know without question. Believe in the power of Jesus' name and you're going to Heaven, oh, oh. Hallelujah, in Jesus' name we're going to Heaven.

I wanna walk with Moses on the streets of gold. And Dance with David before Your throne. To thank you face to face for the grace You've given. I wanna see my children run into Your arms. And worship the Savior who wears my scars.  There's an ache in my heart.  I'm homesick for Heaven.

No more fear, no more pain. Every tear wiped away. Crying Holy, Holy. Every knee on the floor.  Every voice evermore.  Crying Holy, Holy yeah. Oh, I wanna go home.  Oh, I wanna go home. 

To see the ones I love, who've gone before. When death is a memory and tears are no more. To hear the angels praise, can you even imagine.

I'll run as fast as I can into Your arms. 'Cause I was created to be where You are.  There's an ache in my heart. I'm homesick for Heaven. There's an ache in my heart .  I'm homesick for Heaven. There's an ache in my heart.  I'm Homesick for Heaven. 

Thanks for the continued prayers and love, 

Leah 

Lydia and Eli 

It doesn't get easier! (at least is doesn't feel that way!)

July.  

So much to be excited about in July.  My niece and Lydia's cousin turned 9 years old in the 1st week of July on the 7th .  Lydia turned 21 years on the 15th of July.  Both girls had a celebration at the cottage and many people helped them celebrate. 

July this year brought some of the warmest and driest of months, we have had on record.  One thing Kent paid such careful attention to was making sure his lawn was watered and well taken care of.He also liked a lawn that was green.   So, I carefully tried my hardest to make sure it was green!  The sprinkler made many trips around the yard.  One day, I recieved a Georgetown newsletter and read that water is going up in price! I quietly laughed and said, " oh Kenty boy, I will still water just for you!"

As July neared the end I reflect on a few things that you may or may not find intresting... 

*July brought more "lost" Sunsets in the " Canadian Haze" at our cottage. 

* Lydia at the end of this week will end her Camp Geneva years as camper, counselor and high school cordinator.  She has only skipped  one year since a young age! 

* I have registered campers  and sorted mail at Camp Geneva this summer and Camp Geneva families love sending mail!!  On a typical day you send much snail mail and nearly 500 emails a day! 

*As Lydia ends camp on this Friday evening around 5 pm,  at 7 pm on that same evening she will be moving into her apartment on Hope's Campus.  She will get settled in and then start her new role as Neighborhood Cordinator. In this job she will be responsible for taking care of 6 to 8 RA's and helping them best do their job caring for each Hope resident.   The trainings start bright and early on Saturday the 9th.  She would appreciate prayers as it is quite an intense training process. Hope prepares it's leaders well! 

August begins...

As we welcome August, it has brought many emotions and feelings for Lydia and myself.  Six months without Kent.  I am going to be very honest.

   It does not get easier! (at least it doesn't feel that way!)

 Nights are lonley, things that Kent always did for me or Lydia become very hard to do! 

 Everything techy or even just getting gas in my car stops me in my tracks, family get togethers you see the whole family at and then you see a missing piece where Kent should be is difficult,  Sitting in his chair in the living room or kitchen is best because sitting in your chair and staring at his empty chair just brings instant tears.  As Lydia moves into Hope for the final time and her Dad won't be present to move her in just brings heartache, setting up her computer or even just to grab a quick chick fil a frozen lemonade and bringing it to her on a suprise visit will be missed,  Sitting in our season ticket seats of Hope Basketball to cheer on the team he loved to watch with her and his chair empty is another emotional thought! Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we navigate all of these things alone. 

As the two of us navigate our first full school years without Kent we ask for love, encouragement and mostly prayer.  This is the first time I will share with those in my incoming Christian School community that I am a widow.  This will be the first time that Lydia will talk with those in an internship role at her internship and say my dad used to work here but recently lost his battle with Cancer. The first time she will share in her new role with residents at Hope about her life experience lately and see how it may  help students and hold onto what her dad would say  to encourge them. He often gave her so much  advice.

These conversations are tough and we don't mind opening our hearts with those around us, we just pray that our experiences will help others who are walking our circumstances or to encourage those around us. We in our journey pray that we somehow can and will touch others.  

So as we enter into the next months  could we ask for you to pray that in some way as we will try to figure out what life has so  unfairly handed us,and that we may be an example to those who will need us as well! 

Thank you for journeying with us.  We can not do this without you.

Much Love, Leah and Lydia