JANUARY 22, 2009

At 2:00 AM on January 22nd, Jocelyn passed away peacefully in her sleep with John and Darryl at her side.

Visitation will be at Bethany CRC (1040 Balfour Avenue, Fenwick) on Friday, January 23rd, from 1:00-4:00PM and 6:00-9:00PM.

Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Ridgeville on Saturday, January 24th for immediate family and close friends. Please meet at Bethany CRC at 10:00AM, and we will proceed from there.

We invite everyone to come to a memorial celebration service in memory of Jocelyn at Bethany CRC beginning at 11:00 on Saturday, January 24th, with a reception following in the fellowship hall.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rose City Kids (http://www.rosecitykids.com/) a children's ministry program in Welland and/or to Christian Reformed World Missions (http://www.crcna.org/pages/crwm.cfm) where Jocelyn served as a board member.

January 21, 2009

We haven't updated the blog in some time, as we have been tending to Jocelyn in her dying days. On Sunday morning, we had a few precious hours when Jocelyn became more alert and blessed John, the boys, and her parents with hugs and kisses. Since Sunday afternoon, she has been unresponsive. We are sure that she is not in any pain or discomfort, and John and the boys are with her around the clock. We appreciate your prayers and love, more than we can say.

(Jocelyn's family)

ROSE CITY KIDS

Rose City Kids is a ministry that started last spring which currently has 70 community kids from Welland attending its program. This ministry was started by John, Sonya, and Elise Wierenga, Hielke Janssens, and Jocelyn Langendoen.





To watch in higher quality click the high quality tab on youtube at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYmx2Ag6EbI&feature=channel_page

We as a family would like to thank everyone for all of the ways you continue to love and support us. At this time we would like to make a request that all family and friends please connect with John before coming to visit Jocelyn at the hospital. Lately she is very tired and needs her rest. Although Jocelyn sleeps through much of the day, when she is awake she still smiles and still can make her usual witty remarks. While we appreciate the visitors, these visits tend to be too much for her to handle at this time. Thank-you again for all your love and support.

December 28, 2008

On December 25th, we spent a nice Christmas day together. It was so good to be able to make an already special day even more special by spending it with the whole family. Below are a couple pictures I took of Grandpa, Grandma, and the Grandkids.

Brad (Jocelyn's Son)

In the early morning hours on Boxing Day (December 26) Jocelyn had a seizure at home and was brought to Welland Hospital, where she is now an inpatient. She had one more seizure after getting to the hospital but no more since then. At this time the doctors and nurses are trying to get her bone pain better controlled. Although weak and tired, Jocelyn is alert. She has a great sense of peace and is confident of the love of God, family and friends. Christmas is the time of celebrating Emmanuel, God with us. Truly God is with Jocelyn, John and the boys even during this time.

Kathy (Jocelyn's sister-in-law)

Thankfulness
Our family can't even express or keep up with thanking everyone for their acts of kindness, thoughtfulness, and prayers. So please know they are appreciated at this difficult time. Prayers are the most important need for our family. A special thanks to my cousin Cyn; you have a wonderful gift of encouragement and faith. Jocelyn

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 9:14
And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

December 12, 2008

It’s Friday evening and Joanne has just dropped off a meal for us. Jocelyn, Brad, Darryl and myself dig in and in 10 minutes it’s gone. It probably took hours to prepare but we polish it off in no time. Jocelyn came home Wednesday to “stay” home. After everything that happened last week we are exhausted and so glad to be home. Four of Jocelyn’s girl friends and coworkers Andrea, Mary, Coby and Jane got into our house and completely decorated it for Christmas. Apparently Rob Bouwers organized the whole thing. A guy? It has a beautiful Christmas tree completely decorated and each of the office employees picture is inside an ornament. The house is full of beautiful poinsettia’s and Jocelyn’s Christmas village was all set up with lights. When I would come home from being with Jocelyn all day at the hospital I would enter into a lonely dark house. It was nice to sit in the living room with all the decorations. I hated coming home without Jocelyn. Last Saturday after getting more bad news Jocelyn said that was enough, “No more treatments;” and as soon as she had recovered enough from surgery she came home. I couldn’t wait to show her the living room.

One of my buddies John and his son Jeff wired our living room with surround sound so she can listen to worship and praise songs, which she loves to listen to. We have set up an electric hospital bed in the living room to make her comfortable. When Jocelyn came home Wednesday my biker buddy and prayer warrior Pete Wierenga and Mary Bokma were there to help Jocelyn to get into the house. Jocelyn is resting comfortably and when she is resting in bed, she has no pain. She has a kitchen shelf full of medicine that I have to give her every so many hours. I am with her 24/7 to look after all her personal needs. Why? Because of she is my best friend, lover and my wife. I know without a doubt, she would do the same if it was me. I sleep on the couch in the living room at night so that I can help her at a moments notice. I keep in regular contact with my sister-in-law Kathy who is a cancer doctor to make sure we understand it all. She is amazing. Our youngest son Brad has quit his job and is staying with us. That is a big deal and together Brad and I can handle this. Our “middle” son Darryl can also get some time off from work and so with the three of us we will be in even better shape. We have set up the house so that visitors enter through the downstairs and can tiptoe into the living room without too much fuss. Last night our oldest son Chris and his wife Tiffany were over with their kids and it was neat to be able to have the grandkids play downstairs when they got to rowdy. Jocelyn needs a lot of rest so visits have to be very short and quiet.

When the hospital support staff and the community support organizations ask if we need any counseling we politely decline the offers. Why? Because we have an amazing circle of friends, a close family and a very caring and supporting church family. We are experiencing a never ending flow of love from family and friends. Jocelyn’s girl friends including Lorraine, Sonya and Vicky and others like Rob and Glenda dropped in just to give a hug and my big buddy Ed Roorda and his wife Ann stop by to drop off some home made bread, listen to a special song, hug, shed a tear and pray and have some quiet conversation. “Big Boys don’t cry, but real men do”. Pastor E.J. and Sharen stop by to visit and pray with us. Jocelyn’s brother Ron and his daughter Holly are here from Alberta. Jocelyn’s long time girl friend Winnie is here from B.C. Why do I mention all these names? Jocelyn and I are not alone in this journey. We are not afraid. We feel the comfort of our almighty God. We feel the love from our friends and family. We read scripture a lot. Jocelyn’s too favourite books are Psalms and Phillipians. We read together, share those things that stand out and pray lots. What a beautiful time it is to be able to share our deepest inmost feelings. The time we have yet together is so very very precious to us and we want to make every minute count. We can still praise our God for every minute and hour he gives us.

December 6, 2008

Update from the Family.

On Wednesday (the day after the last update), Jocelyn had gammaknife radio surgery to try to control the cancer that spread to her brain. She came through that well, although the procedure was exhausting.
She recently developed a new pain in her hip, and she went back to the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton Friday afternoon. It turned out there was a tumour in her hip which caused a partial hairline fracture. This morning, she had surgery to repair the bone and strengthen it. We hope this will allow her to walk better without pain and prevent a more serious fracture down the road.
As you imagine, this has been a very difficult week for Jocelyn, John, and the rest of the family. John and Jocelyn have been at 6 different medical centres in the space of a week. At the same time, God still can be counted on to provide strength and courage and perspective for each day. For this, and for your prayers, thoughts, and e-mails, we are grateful.
We don't know how long Jocelyn will be in the hospital; if all goes well, maybe she'll be home with-in the week. In the meantime, we ask that family and friends not come to the hospital to visit. When she is back home and on her feet we hope she will be up to visitors then. We will keep you posted in the meantime.

December 2, 2008

(An Update from the Family)

Jocelyn has had a difficult few weeks. On November 12, she had a short seizure. Although she never lost consciousness, the seizure was a warning sign that the tumor in her brain was starting to grow. Since that time, she has had further X-rays, which showed that the three small tumors in her brain have gotten a bit larger, despite her having had radiation treatments in October. We are very grateful that she was referred to Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. There they have something called a "gamma knife" to treat brain tumors. Despite the name, there are no knives and this isn't surgery. Instead, "gamma knife" radiosurgery delivers very high-energy, focused radiation right to the tumor lesions, hopefully without affecting the rest of the brain. Jocelyn is scheduled for gamma knife radiosurgery tomorrow (Wednesday - December 3rd) and, if all goes well, she should be able to come home very soon.

John and Jocelyn also learned that the colon cancer has spread to her lungs. For now, she has no symptoms from that, and this is a very good thing. The doctors have recommended chemotherapy to shrink those tumors, but this needs to wait until the brain tumors are taken care of.

In the meantime, John and Jocelyn are in Toronto, glad to have Brad and Darryl right at their sides, helping them find their way around the city (and glad that Chris is tending things back in Fenwick).

These treatments don't come with any guarantees (though we are grateful for the possibility that there are treatments that may be able to help her). But we know that God does guarantee that he'll provide strength and grace for each day, and that nothing can separate us from his love. Pray with us, thanking God for medicine and caring nurses and doctors and friends and family. Ask God to give Jocelyn the strength, courage, and hope that she needs. And thank God for each day that we have been given.

Kathy Faber Langendoen (Sister-In-Law to John and Jocelyn)

Good evening

A job from my chair - oh yes, I'm supposed to be raising money for Rose City Kids. We had an amazing time today at Rose City Kids with 43 kids in attendance! Lots of exciting things happening. Todd Bender from Hamilton City Kidz says that the easiest way to fund raise is to just ask. Since I'm slacking lately - I thought I'd put out a plea to raise some money by Christmas for meeting our budget and goals.

If you would like, we could really use your support with volunteering, prayers and donations. If you would like a receipt send a cheque to Bethany CRC with a notation on it that it is for Rose City Kids (1040 Balfour Street, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0) as we do not have our charitable status yet. If you don't require a receipt - you can check out our website at http://www.rosecitykids.com/ and make a donation by paypal.

My health update so far looks like I go to Princess Margaret Hospital on Tuesday for an MRI and likely the assessment of the tumors and who knows what else. Living a day at a time - that's for sure. Went out last night for an uncle's birthdays - nice to see everyone. Looking forward to Baby Bo being baptized tomorrow. My kids and and grandkids are the greatest!

Love you all for your prayers and support for me and my family.

THANK YOU

Hi fellow supporters of life:
Thanks for your encouragement. Your kindness has blessed us. Pray for my family as they need to walk this road with me and continue on with life despite this cancer. We will continue to look at the next treatment they can offer.


Our kids were over yesterday and it is such a blessing to see who they have become and how God is working in each of their lives. Pray that I can stay positive about things and count my blessings every day.

"I give God thanks in everything, My eyes are on His face; The battle's His, The victory is mine; He'll help me win the race"
Love
Jocelyn & John

Be strong and courageous.....

A couple of verses come to mind tonight:

"Be strong and courageous do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

... Do not be afraid, for I am with you ..... Is. 43:5 (thanks Jacqueline M.)

and Psalm 116 (thanks Pastor EJ & Sharen)

Today we went to Hamilton to supposedly start my chemo. But the doctors want me to be assessed at Toronto Princess Margaret first to see about the spots on my brain. Because I had the seizure, they need to see what we are working with. They are going to assess me for this "picture lasor beam" thing that they do. (can't think of the word). Hopefully that will be assessed this week and they will call next week. The lungs and the tiny spot on my liver are a secondary thing at this point and they can hold off until they find out about the brain.

Prayer is powerful so I ask for your continued prayers for my family. Whether we live or whether we die - we know where our hope is - that is our security. My hubby and sons and daughter-in-law have been great through this - it is a tough journey.

Love to all the pray- ers and concerned people that read this blog.

November 14, 2008

Lamentations 3:22-23
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Because everything was going well and we managed to get away to Forida for 5 days - I haven't written lately. After awhile it seems that everything will just continue to go the way we want. This past week I had what might of been a focal seizure. My right hand suddenly lost co-0rdination for about 5-10 min. We called 911 from the office by the time the ambulance came everything was fine, blood pressure and everything. We did later go to Welland Hospital and check it out - they didn't have much to add. Then Friday we made an appointment with the cancer centre. They put me on anti-seizure drug and some sterioids again - as there could be some swelling on my brain due to the radiation.

What we weren't expecting is f0r them to tell us that they found 3 spots on my lungs as well as on closer examination of my liver there was a small spot there too. Not the news we wanted to hear. Our next appointment wasn't until the 24th. As all bad news - you spend some time crying, friends came over and prayed with us, faced the friends in the office this morning and Darryl took the day off and Brad coming home for the weekend. I was supposed to volunteer at Promise Keepers this weekend and John was hoping to go - but we cancelled for now. Then you tell yourself - Let God's grace kick in and carry on! Monday we start with chemo in Hamilton as we continue this cancer journey that we are travelling with many others. Likely have to go every 2 weeks for 3 hours or so.

So today we went on with life, went to the office where I love to be. We also met with the mayor of Welland and other town people to create awareness of our program. Tomorrow is another Rose City Kids - and life goes on - a DAY AT A TIME!

P.S. Our office email is down overnight - so I haven't got emails in or out for today. So Happy Birthday Greg and Jane and my sister Trudy!

THANKFULNESS!

We are very thankful for good news yesterday about blood work, CT scans, liver showing no signs of cancer at this time. We are still awaiting results for another test, but we are going to take a little vacation next week anyways. We were happy and excited about these results so far. We are thankful for many things, the prayers and support of many people.

We are so aware of living a day at a time still, but live each day excited and as I read in my devotion we start with "THANK YOU FOR WAKING ME UP THIS MORNING!"

*****

Psalm 63:4 "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands."

*****

Psalm 145: 1-21

From Stormie Omaritan Bible:

THE LORD IS NEARER WHEN WE PRAY

"Our feelings may tell us that God is distant, but Scripture tells us otherwise. When we call on Him in prayer, God is near to us whether we feel it or not. At the same time, we might pray for something we need and fail to see an answer after weeks, months, or even years of passionate intercession. Why does God so often cause us to wait for what we are so sure we need right away?

If you start becoming discouraged and feel as if your life won't ever be any different than it is at this moment, know that the truth is quite the opposite. it's at these very times, when you feel as though you're not getting anywhere or you're missing the future God has for you, that God is actually preparing you for your future. And when the time is right. He has been known to do a very quick work. Draw close to God in prayer, trusting that He is near. Thank Him that he hears your prayers and will answer in His perfect way. "

Oct.28th

Exciting day – Brad coming home! Can’t wait to hear his stories and see his films.

Yesterday we met with the surgeon – all looks good! The MRI that was done last week was just to show a baseline of how things looked after the surgery. You just hope and pray that the radiation did it’s job to kill any floating cells.

I’m reading a devotional book given to me by Mike & Jess called “Prayers and Promises” and they talk about the amazing grace you get when you need it. The person writing is facing a life-threatening illness. He says if you think about facing a bad report – you say, NO, can't handle it. Do you need the grace to face another bad report from the doctor – YES! So where is the grace? The ram is already coming up the other side of the mountain. (The book talks previously about when Abraham and Isaac went up to the mountain and Abraham thought he had to sacrifice his son (Gen. 22:2) and suddenly a ram appeared to sacrifice instead.) God’s grace is already on the way. And he will provide that grace at the right moment. How comforting is that! So we pray for all of us dealing with different issues that you and I will have grace for today! GRACE IS AMAZING!

John & I are looking forward to getting away a little in November. One week for business and one just to relax. Will have to see where we fit that in yet – with Rose City Kids, Promise Keepers (we volunteer in the bookstore) , some appointments, etc. But we’ll try to make it happen.

Pray for Rose City Kids and the opportunities to maybe purchase a future home for Rose City Kids. All in God's timing!

Oct. 25th - TIME

We had the grandkids over for a couple of hours to have some fun and a mystery guest joined a wig party. See if you can tell who that is under that mop of black hair!!!???

TIME ... where does it go. A whole week went by and I haven't had a chance to write this week. Lots got accomplished .... but busy. I finally feel like I can relax. Between work year ends, some doctor appointments, Rose City Kids stuff.... lots of exciting stuff happening. My new assistant, Christine is doing great and John and I might try to plan some time away in November both work and pleasure. (we did miss that family vacation this year - but Honduras was worth it!)

As far as what's next, everyone who has had cancer knows that you need to always be checked and over the next month I will be having more appointments and probably many doctor appointments over the next year.

We live a day at a time though and thank God for every day. I choose to trust God in this and pray for many days and years to spend with my family and to work at Rose City Kids, World Missions, Stewardship Committee, Coffee Break and our church as well as our business.

Our wedding text was Luke 12: 22-31 and we've learned that we need to not worry over the years - very appropriate for us.

Luke 12:22-31 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. For life is more than clothing. Consider the ravens; they neither sow now reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. O how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith. And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom and these things shall be yours as well.

**Continue to pray for Brad coming home next week. We pray that he has had a most awesome time and God will show him what's next for him. http://www.nonviolentartist.com/
**Check out how our website is coming along: www.rosecitykids/com Feel free to come and watch a session - just give me a call. We are excited to see what God will do in Welland, Ontario.

Oct.19th - Sunday

Good Morning:
Life is good – the colors of this fall are breathtaking. Grandson Bo is doing wonderfully. You have to admit he is pretty cute!

I love collecting poems and quotes – found this is my archives. So meaningful as we are going through a 9 week series on marriage at church.

Marriage Takes Three
I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter,
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.
But marriage seldom thrives,
And homes are incomplete,
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.
In homes where Christ is first,
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.
Author Unknown

PRAYERS FOR CHANGED LIVES

GOD, give me eyes that I might see
The work that can be done by me;
GOD, give me ears that I might hear
The cry of those who need me near.
GOD, give me lips that I might speak
Comfort and peace to all that seek
GOD, give me a mind that I might know
How to help those who need it so
GOD, give me hands that I might do
Some large or simple task for You;
GOD, give me a prayer that I might pray
THY help and guidance every day.
And this one thing, all else above;
GOD, give me a heart that I might love.
(author unknown)


Brad got off on the 14th and arrived safely. Remember him in your prayers in the next two weeks. Thanks to those who supported him. We received an email - totally awesome experience he is having! Aren't the fall colours awesome this year!!

PICTURES ARE WORTH 1000 WORDS RIGHT. FAMILY - GOD'S GIFT TO US!

OCT. 13TH - A GREAT STORY OF NEW GRANDSON - BO DANIEL, JOHN'S BIRTHDAY, AND MARY B. BIRTHDAY

I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG STORY - BUT IT IS A GOD STORY!! (PICTURES YESTERDAY)

I've been sharing on the blog about bible story of Daniel. I have a written copy of my nephew’s sermon when he passed away August 1998 – 10 years ago. Jeremy's pastor wrote: - Jeremy was a fun loving kid - the pastor's message was entitled - FAITH THE HEART'S ASBESTOS. He relates the story about Jeremy loving the story of Daniel and his 3 friends being thrown in the fire and it was a miracle - they never got burned.

The night before surgery - I had Brad and Darryl type a message on the blog - since at that point I couldn't type any more, my left foot dragged, I had to hold up my arm. I knew going through surgery I was in God’s hands – I was at peace either way. I was in the fire - I didn't get burned - God gave me a wonderful peace!

It seemed to happen automatically that three close friends surrounded us - I call them our Daniel friends. See Below. Many others are in the fire with us too, example Ed (and Ann) Roorda who has been John’s Promise Keeper Friend, our friends for over 28 years.

Friends Cliff & Alice from Hamilton who have been friends for 35 years and also came to visit and support us.

3 Daniel friends
Mary B: who has been my friend for over 25 years, we’ve cried, prayed and she encouraged me, she took me shopping for new clothes, came with to buy the wig, drove me to radiation. Hilbert is in our prayer group and also in John’s small group – he’s praying from other country right now and is faithful never missing a day in prayer. .

Pete & Lorraine: John's small group friend is Pete Wierenga, his wife is my dear friend Lorraine who dared to stand in front of church, almost crying, she gave me the verse Psalm 62::6 for me - she told the church and then they sang '"Faithful One" by Brian Doerkson.

John & Sonya: who prodded us (along with Brad) about going to Honduras on a mission trip - Sonya and I wanted to work on something together since 5 years ago - well here comes Rose City Kids - and are we passionate about it. Both our John husbands are excited about this ministry. Both love kids, started as snowmobile friends .. now look what’s happening!

These 3 are in the "FIRE" with John and I as we fast tracked 4 days, ct scan (Pete was there to receive the news of cancer in Welland Hospital that Sunday morning) , MRI, doctors appt., surgery! Wow! Thank you God for answers to prayers! Pete was John's calming person while we got the news of cancer.

October 11th. Mackenzie's birthday. First our family went to visit Mackenzie’s for her birthday - had a great time - Tiff's parents were there. Darryl/Brad came. Meanwhile Tiff is going in the hospital at :00 a.m. to be induced. The plan was John has his cell on, Darryl has his cell on. We have a wedding to go to - went to church - awesome wedding - very fun (Sonya's daughter Emily and her new Australian man!). You can just see the joy on her face – she’s just hamming it up the whole service. I wanted to cry during the ceremony.

One busy lady Sonya has been this week. At one point I told her I wasn’t going to be her friend any more. I can’t keep up with you I said. Her SON-IN-LAW's family is small but they came from Australia for the wedding, Sonya found housing, entertainment etc. etc. Thanks George K and Riet S. for being an example for us and attending the wedding!

Back to the baby. So between services, everyone is taking a nap, I finally go to lay down, John's cell is in our room - he's sleeping in the TV room. Darryl is taking a bath, no phone with him. Now if I was a lawyer – I rest my case – God doesn’t think I need to sleep! We would have missed the call – I got to take it. I had just lay down on the bed to fall asleep - I hear John's cell beeping.- I can't get it out of the case fast enough to answer. Suddening I hear my cell in the kitchen ringing - I jump up - knowing it's Chris. Everyone else is napping.

Well "Bo Daniel" is the name - born, 9 lbs 14 oz’s. Not sure about the color hair yet – maybe blonde, maybe red….? . I asked Chris - when did you decide on the name - he says 1/2 hour before we had him - suddenly Tiff and I were walking down the hall - his middle name is going to be Daniel they said. Not sure if they remembered my Daniel stories – but God was working. IT WAS THEIR SIDE OF THE MIRACLE. Isn't that amazing! I go yelling in the house "BABY IS BORN"

For life he has a story to his name.

WHAT A THANKSGIVING – Yesterday grand daughter Mackenzie turned 7 years old, MARY B. MMM HOW OLD?? SECRET'S SAFE– How awesome is that! On John's birthday we get to have the grandkids over for a sleepover!

Sunday, July 27th – I found John’s sermon notes from this summer - on LORD CHANGE ME – RUNNING ON EMPTY. PSALM 63
Seek spiritual nourishment
Engage your spiritual gifts in service
Do not trust in your own strength
Revive body & soul
My verse from friend Lorraine is Psalm 62:6 and song by Brian Doerkson called “FAITHFUL ONE”.

He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN. Psalm 62:6