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Ruth Everhart

Author, Pastor, Speaker

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My Family

The Zandstra family, whose eldest son died in the 1918 flu

March 11, 2020

A Life Cut Short by the Flu of 1918

Our personal responses to the coronavirus are shaped by many things, including our understanding of history. I've been thinking about the Flu of 1918, which has always been very real to me, perhaps because I heard stories about it from my father. He was named Nicholas after an uncle who died in that … [Read more...] about A Life Cut Short by the Flu of 1918

My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga 1918 Flu,  Dutch settlement in Montana

June 8, 2018

The Christian Reformed Church & Woman Suffrage

In his retirement, my father did research and writing about the denomination he loved. One of those articles traced the fight within the Christian Reformed Church over the issue of women voting. When he first told me about the research, I thought my dad meant women voting in church -- fights I could … [Read more...] about The Christian Reformed Church & Woman Suffrage

My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga Christian Reformed Church,  first wave feminism,  woman suffrage

October 10, 2017

God’s Sister: Reflections on What Makes Someone a Sister

This is a guest post by my sister, the Rev. Susan Joy Huizenga, who donated her kidney to Buddi on September 12, 2016. Related posts are archived here. I visited my new sister Buddi yesterday. We enjoyed ourselves. Her grandson, Samar, 18 months old, acts as if he likes me. Buddi says "He loves … [Read more...] about God’s Sister: Reflections on What Makes Someone a Sister

My Sister's Kidney Donation Buddi Suppa,  God's Sisters,  reflections a year after a living kidney donation,  sister-in-law,  Susan J. Huizenga,  what makes a person a sister?

May 4, 2017

Blood is Thicker Than Water, a sermon for Good Friday, John 19:16-30

This is a guest post by my sister, the Rev. Susan Joy Huizenga. She preached this sermon on Good Friday (4/14/17) at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center; Saginaw, MI. Some of you know Susan from an earlier?post about being a living kidney donor. One day when I was about twelve years old, my sister … [Read more...] about Blood is Thicker Than Water, a sermon for Good Friday, John 19:16-30

Lectionary Study,  Lent/Easter,  My Sister's Kidney Donation a sermon for Good Friday,  a sermon reflecting on a living kidney donation,  Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center,  John 19:16-30,  Susan J. Huizenga,  what are blood ties?

September 9, 2016

Please Pray for a Kidney Transplant

You know how some people would "do anything for you"? My sister Susan is making that phrase real. She is donating her kidney to a woman who attends her church. That's right -- one Sunday during Announcements, it was reported that Buddi, a refugee from Nepal whom the church was assisting, needed a … [Read more...] about Please Pray for a Kidney Transplant

My Sister's Kidney Donation kidney stone,  kidney transplant,  living donor,  living donor kidney transplant,  living kidney donor,  Susan J. Huizenga

August 12, 2016

Counting Dad’s Days

Dad's medications were already organized by the time I arrived at the house, dispensed into two identical trays which had been labeled with a Sharpie: Week 1 and Week 2. I noticed the organizers on the dining room table, and for a moment wondered which of my sisters had filled the plastic … [Read more...] about Counting Dad’s Days

Aging,  My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga when a family member is dying at home

June 28, 2016

Obituary for My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga

Nicholas John Huizenga, of Grand Rapids, MI died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on June 19, 2016. He was 90 years old. Nick is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Huizenga (nee Katte); their children, Mary Lynn (Roger) Wesorick of Wyoming, MI, Timothy (Annette) Huizenga of … [Read more...] about Obituary for My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga

My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga writing an obituary,  WWII veteran

June 25, 2016

Remembrances of My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga

REMEMBRANCES by Timothy, Ruth, and Susan Joy from the Memorial Service, 22 June 2016 by TIMOTHY HUIZENGA My Dad lived both a conventional and unconventional life. He remained faithful to what he saw as the best parts of his tradition while sometimes pursuing a different … [Read more...] about Remembrances of My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga

My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga eulogizing a father,  what makes a life good?,  WWII veteran

April 16, 2016

Pausing in the Swirl of Life

Have you ever looked forward to an event, only to have your plans crumble? "Life intrudes" we say. Or "God laughs when we make plans." Responding quickly to change can be difficult. At least it is for me. If you know people of Dutch descent, you will understand. We are not known for our … [Read more...] about Pausing in the Swirl of Life

Aging,  My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga FFW,  Tobias Wolff,  when plans change

March 28, 2016

A Heron Rookery in the Spring

I didn't mean to become a birdwatcher. It's one of the results of long-term marriage, I suppose, the eventual bleed-over of hobbies. Life is easier is you like doing the same things. And if you like to watch birds, you'll like the springtime. Between migration and nest-building, there's a lot to … [Read more...] about A Heron Rookery in the Spring

Why I Still Love My Husband bird-watching,  birding,  birds,  heron rookery,  hobbies

November 19, 2015

Final Words

About two months ago we celebrated my father's 90th birthday. When I arrived at my parents' home the night before the event, my mom handed me a typed page that said at the top: "Dad's Final Words." It was rather startling. I wondered if I had missed some family news! What the page contained were … [Read more...] about Final Words

My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga what to say when someone is old and dying

September 27, 2015

#HalloWeekends #CedarPoint

Cedar Point is America's Roller Coast! Dorky but true.?For each of the past 22 years, I've spent an August day there with approximately 40,000 of my fellow citizens. Since my in-laws live nearby, Cedar Point is part of the magic of our Annual Family Reunion. (You can read a 2013 blogpost?about … [Read more...] about #HalloWeekends #CedarPoint

Raising Our Daughters,  Travel Cedar Point,  HalloWeekends,  Halloween

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