Through The Waters

For those who were unable to attend or would like to watch it again, here is a link to the video recording of the Memorial Service held for Danielle DeVries: Danielle DeVries Memorial Service

For those who would like to watch the Memorial Service for Danielle but are unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed on Saturday, August 25 at 11:00 am, accessible via the following links: Sermon Audio Livestream Rehoboth URC Facebook page Our hope is to put a link here to the recorded service to be available for download or streaming afterwards.

DeVries, Danielle Arlene (nee Mussche)  – On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at the age of 40, our beloved Danielle entered into glory.  She died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.  Although we are broken-hearted to say good-bye, we know one day we will meet again because of the sure promises given by our Heavenly Father. Beloved wife of Timothy for 5 years, and loving mother of Martha and Ava.  Cherished daughter of Henry and Arlene Mussche, and daughter-in-law of John and Jantina DeVries.  Dear sister to Rachel & Michael Vander Deen (Peter, Aaron, Nathaniel, Stephen) and Lauren & Tom Schotsman (Benjamin, William, Sadie, Ruth), and sister-in-law to Mark, Rochelle & Darryl Exelby (Alannah, Ian, Camille, Lia), and Angela & Josh Duger (Milo). Danielle was loved and will be dearly missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues. Special thanks to the many ...

Dear family and friends, Our beloved Danielle entered into glory early this morning, surrounded by her loved ones.   We draw comfort that she is now with the Lord.   “ 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 ” (2 Timothy 4:7-8. )   We are thankful for the peace she came to in her last weeks, looking forward to dipping her toes into the Sea of Crystal. We are thankful for the great comfort from our heavenly Father that is ours through His promises.   Indeed, His promises have become manifest in vivid colour – what a comfort to know that although we say goodbye in this life, we can look forward to meeting again. Nevertheless, I am continually with you;     you hold my right hand. You guide me with your ...

     It's nearly 4 pm and here I am, quietly tucked in my room, hiding out on a comfy chair, having sleep fluttering around in my brain but somehow refusing to obey its clarion call to relax and renew.   I just can't let go all the way so this will be a short little post to share a few verses of Scripture that have taken on a new meaning for us as we heard them softly and gently shared with us last evening.   It's amazing how those verses have been there all along and yet take on new meaning and deeper meaning as this journey continues onward.   I hope that these words may take a root in my soul and mind to encourage, to strengthen, to provide comfort.   7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in...

    It's Sunday afternoon here at the hospice.  I write to you with the window open, the breeze gently poking it's head in, the birds squabbling over the food in the feeder and the clouds providing a spectacular background to my thoughts.  I hope you all look up and appreciate the skies above, where God paints the world with love, that's how I know He lives (words from a very old song on a kids record).   And in our devotions the other day, there was a reminder and a call to look beyond the clouds, the flowers, the birds and look to the Master of Creation, to the God who loves us, who creates beauty for us to appreciate and enjoy and who teaches us to appreciate these beauties.\             I     have to admit that this picture is not one that I took...I looked through my archives for a suitable image but there was none.  I need to acknowledge that the image is not my own and I want to be honest abou...

A brief update from Rachel on how things are going: Danielle was able to move to a room at the Bob Kemp Hospice on Wednesday afternoon. We are very thankful for the compassionate care, welcoming environment and the peaceful setting here. It is a difficult place to be but they have made it as comfortable as possible, with cozy rooms, home cooked meals, and thoughtful access to the lush outdoor surroundings. Danielle continues to struggle with pain and fatigue, and finding a suitable balance of pain control with alertness. There are many people who would like to see her and also people she would like to see. It is hard for her to balance this with the very important task of preparing for her future and spending precious time with Timothy, Martha and Ava. We have set up a schedule to make important visits manageable for Danielle. It is necessary to limit visiting to those who are especially close to her, and also to limit the length of visits to 15 minutes. Out of love and re...