Anna Mae's Celebration of Life

We will be celebrating Anna Mae's beautiful life on Saturday, March 30th at 10am at the Christian Life Center on the campus of First United Methodist Church in downtown Lubbock. The CLC is located on the Southwest side of the campus, so feel free to park and enter on that side. A reception will follow. We hope to see as many of you there as possible. Once again, we are so grateful for your love for us and for her.   We see God's goodness and mercy in each of you.  

Anna Mae is Home!

As Anna Mae's family, we wanted to let all of you know that Jesus took her home to be with him in glory yesterday afternoon. She had been weaker these last few days, but still in good spirits, even until moments before she passed away. Four of us were with her in her final moments and we were just filled with overwhelming peace.

As we said goodbye to her, we imagined the party going on in heaven, her reunited with Opa (Gerrit), her parents, brother Pete, Weasel and many other friends and family who've gone before her. She's dancing on streets of gold - walker, wheelchair and cancer free and though our hearts are sad, we rejoice in the victory she is experiencing because of Jesus.

We are so thankful for the 84 years she had on this earth and that anyone that knew her felt like they were genuinely the most important person in her life. Her faith in Jesus, positivity, complete trust in Him and her devotion to following Him are an example to each of us. All of the places she lived and visited never mattered as much as the people who were around her. She loved each of you deeply and prayed for you often. We are grateful for the "borrowed time" we all had with her these last 2 months and the ways all of you have come around our family. Every kid, grandkid and great-grandkid, her siblings and many family and friends have gotten to spend such sweet time with her. As she's always been quick to remind us, GOD IS SO GOOD.

We will let you know more on services as we get things finalized, but we plan to do her memorial here in Lubbock. THANK YOU for your love for her and your love for us. We are beyond grateful for each of you. Please join us in prayer as we grieve the loss of our sweet Oma, Grandma & Mom.

God is God, He is in control, We can trust Him

I apologize for more silence on here and typically "no news is good news," is a great rule of thumb.  Unfortunately, the reason for "no news" on this end is that we have been wading neck deep in unexpected loss and grief.  Loss that hit like a tidal wave and took us all under and for most of us, we're just beginning to tread water again this week.  For others, they're still trying to figure out which way is up.

Most, if not all of you, have heard the news by now, but Carolyn's husband, Jon (better known as Weasel), passed away very unexpectedly on February 1st.  As I type this, the tears are bubbling back to the surface, a familiar friend these last few weeks.  This hit our family so hard.  In the midst of hard things, even harder things came, like a gut punch that knocks you down flat.  Our hearts are so deeply saddened by the loss of our Husband/Dad/Pop/Father-in-law/Uncle/Brother-in-law and Son-in-law and while we try to make sense of it all, there just isn't a way to do that.


Pastor Loren Van Woudenberg, Jon & Carolyn's long time pastor and friend, flew in from California and spoke so much truth and love to us all the day that we celebrated his life.  What we are clinging to are these words - a reminder of what's true - "God is God, He is in control and we can trust Him."  Carolyn and the kids are waking up every morning, taking one step at a time and remembering to trust God.  That's the word He's put on Carolyn's heart from the moment she lost Jon - TRUST.

Here's the beauty of following Jesus... when life gets messy and tragedy strikes (notice I said WHEN, not IF), God is right in the thick of the battle with us.  He never leaves us and His love becomes even more evident.  We got the chance the Sunday after Weasel's service to share with each other at "Oma Church" how we've seen God, even in these darkest days and it was incredible to hear echoes of His love across that room - meals, cards and messages sent; people standing in the gap for Carolyn, Justin, Jeanna & Jesse when they had nothing left to give; the presence of people from ALL over the country who came to Texas to remind us that we are not alone, we are seen, we are so loved.  God's hand has been right there, picking us up and we are so grateful for an overwhelming peace and comfort that only His presence can provide.  Our family has been so surrounded and we are so grateful, especially Carolyn, for all the love and support.

Here's a picture of Weasel's guys - his closest friends, brothers-in-law and nephews - they all shared during the service and reminded us that Carolyn has an army behind her... and an incredible crew of women to stand beside her.



In the midst of all of this, Oma has been doing really well!  We are thankful to report that she had her second immunotherapy treatment last week and seems to be responding well to it!  She has done awesome these last few weeks in spite of the stress and busyness of it all - she's such a trooper!  She really enjoyed seeing long-time friends and her siblings who were here for the service, as well as more visitors from Holland this last week.  We even got 20 of her great-grandkids in the same place at the same time!



We have a huge answer to prayer in that we were able to hire her favorite night time care giver to be with her most of the week days and nights.  Brenda has been a God-send and they have a sweet friendship.  We are so very grateful.  Here's a picture of the two of them on Valentine's Day :)



God is so good through it all.  We trust Him with all that has been in front of us - we know he goes before us and makes the path straight.  How can you be praying?

We'd love prayers for:
- Carolyn and her kids and grandkids as they grieve and learn to live life without Jon
- Our family as we continue to process all of this and love each other through it
- Oma's continued good health

Carolyn says she would also love for you to join us in thanking God for his goodness and faithfulness to all of us and for SO many friends and loved ones who've stood in the valley with us.  We are humbled and grateful and could not have made it through these last few weeks without you.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS, ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.  - PROVERBS 3:5-6

Love from Across the Pond

Sorry for the radio silence on this blog, Oma's social life has been quite busy!  :) She's had a few visitors from across the pond and has really been enjoying her time with them.  Anja has been here for two weeks and just left today and Koos and Ria got here this week to spend some time with her.  We also had some of her grandkids and great grandkids from Colorado and San Diego last weekend!

After her treatment, she had a few rough days cognitively and physically, but we got her back on a low dose of steroids and she has been MUCH better, back to herself. 

Nothing new to report as far as her health, we are just waiting to see how her body reacts to this treatment, but so far, so good now that we have her on the right meds. 

Continue praying for her, for the Lord's will and for the treatment to do its work.

We love you all!

From the mouths of babes...

We asked all of Oma's great-grandkids (who are older than two) to tell us why they love their Oma.  Here's what they had to say :) We had this framed and brought it to her yesterday and she read it and smiled and teared up and was just overjoyed hearing such sweet words.  I've never seen someone keep up with almost 32 great grandkids the way she does - she loves each of them so much!

It amazed me how accurately these kids - from 3 to 16 could capture exactly who she is in these phrases.  We hope you enjoy this as much as she did.

Happy Hour!

Oma's first immunotherapy infusion is done!  So far so good - she's a champion patient (to no one's surprise) and she even took a nap for a decent portion of it.  :)  We will continue praying for little to no side effects of both the new treatment and her being off the steroids. 





To celebrate the first treatment being behind her, she gathered her Happy Hour Crew this evening for a glass of chardonnay!  We have much to be grateful for in the midst of it all.  Pray on...

Just Be There

Well, we knew today would bring answers, but along with those more questions have emerged.  The consult with the oncologist revealed that her official diagnosis is this: Oma has stage four metastatic melanoma in her left arm and her brain.  Thankfully, the reports showed that it hasn't yet spread to other parts of her body, but the prognosis is as we expected.

At this point in her treatment plan, there were two options presented to her: 1) to stay on the steroid and proceed with palliative care, just soaking in each day or 2) she can try some immunotherapy drugs.  After prayer and consideration, she has chosen to try the immunotherapy.  This is not chemotherapy, but the hope is that it will slow the growth and spreading of the cancer.  It will not cure what is already there, but there's a chance it can give her more time with us.  As with any drug, it has the potential of negative side effects, so our prayer is that she will respond well to it and will have very few side effects.  The other downside of this is that she'll need to go off the steroids while she receives this immunotherapy.  So, as I mentioned initially, we are left with many questions as to how all of this will go.  Her first treatment is tomorrow at 1pm.  

How can you pray?  

- Pray that the immunotherapy does the work it needs to with minimal side effects for Oma/Anna Mae. 

- Pray for her spirit - for continued peace and joy in the midst of challenging days. 

- Pray for those caring for her while she begins this treatment, for wisdom and for compassion to help meet her needs. 

- Pray for her mind and her body as she goes off the steroids to try this treatment. 

- Above all, pray for God's will in all of this and for his presence to be tangible.  

At "Oma Church" yesterday, Donna recalled a song from years ago called "Just Be There."   I love the lyrics of this song, because it embodies what Oma has been to all of us - she's taught us in word and deed what really matters.  She's lived her life putting Jesus on display and pointing people to him.  This song is Oma's prayer for all of us and all of you - that at the end of all of this, as she goes to see Jesus face to face, her desire is for each of us to join her there, in our own time.  We leave you with this prayer tonight - that you would know Jesus, know his unconditional love and unexplainable peace, and that when we get to heaven and look around, you'll be there, too.  

JUST BE THERE~ 

Cradled in my arms I held you 
And I loved you more with each day passing by 
Sharing joy, sharing pain 
Through the sunshine and the rain 
I can’t believe it’s time to say good bye 

I don’t know what the future brings you 
But I hope that you’ll keep Heaven as your goal 
For we’ve taught you how to pray 
We made sure you knew the way 
So remember my request before you go 

Just be there 
When I finally make it home 
And I stand before the throne 
Just be there 
When I look around to see 
If you are standing next to me 
Just be there 

It’s not an easy road you’re travelin’ 
But every place you go Jesus has been 
And when you find you’ve made a turn 
Forgetting what you’ve learned 
You may have to start all over again 

It’s not an easy load you’re bearin’ 
But the trials of your faith will make you strong 
Facing dangers unaware 
He won’t allow what you can’t bear 
So my prayer is that your faith will bring you home 

Just be there 
When I finally make it home 
And I stand before the throne 
Just be there 
When I look around to see 
If you are standing next to me 

Just be there

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

We have a new term for Sunday mornings around here - "Oma Church."  We've had a great few days with Oma's brother, sister-in-law & niece, Will, Val & Laura here and Anja all the way from Holland as well.  Our weekends have been filled with visits from Oma's grandkids and great-grandkids from all different states, too!  Oma's been doing so much better and we're so thankful to have her "back" mentally for whatever time we can get her.  We know that part is temporary, but we're thankful for the steroids and how much better she has been.





This morning we had "Oma Church" and we all truly feel like we're standing on holy ground and getting a glimpse of heaven - just for that brief moment in time.  God's been so good to us.  Brad reminded us this morning that faith is greater than fear and the most often repeated commandment in scripture is "Do not fear."  Because of Jesus, we don't need to fear, even on the hardest of days.  Oma stopped in the middle of the service and said, "I can't explain the overwhelming peace that I feel in my soul.  Peace that only God can give and I'm so thankful and so thankful for all of you."  What an extravagant gift - peace that passes all understanding in the midst of even the greatest trial, thank you Jesus!

To be part of a family that celebrates, grieves, rejoices, worships and prays through suffering together is something that we don't take for granted.  To be able to take the space with our little ones, our spouses, our parents and our incredible Oma; 4 generations worshipping as a family leaves us overwhelmingly grateful today.


We sang "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" again today and the verse that hit me today was "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with ten thousand beside."  We were able to have strength for today and we are filled with hope tomorrow because He lives.  Tomorrow is Oma's appointment with the oncologist for staging of the cancer and a treatment plan.  We covet your prayers as we face what tomorrow might bring and look ahead to what the Lord has for us and for Oma's coming days.  We will update you as we know more and are so grateful for your never ending words of encouragement and love for Oma and our family.  She's been so thankful for each of your prayers and messages, keep them coming!

What We Love About Oma (and some new visitors!)

On Sunday, we had the opportunity to share with Oma what we love about her.  What a sweet gift for someone to get toward the end of their life - a chorus of loved ones speaking truth and bringing to life the ways she's changed us.  Here's a glimpse:

Answers vary from 2 year olds to 60 something year olds :) 

- She makes cookies with me

- She plays baseball with me :) 

- Sweet

- Beautiful

- She comes to my birthday parties

- She's always there for us

- She's fun and helpful

- She lets me go fishing at her house

- She supports me at my sports games

- Role Model

- Giving

- Her lap (the two year old) 

- Strength

- Dependence on Christ

- Puts everyone's needs before her own

- Extravagant Love

- Matriarch

- Wonderful mother-in-law

- Unconditional Love

- Courage

- Faith over fear

- Supportive

- Positive and Encouraging

- Seeing the best in everyone 

- We want to live up to the way she thinks of us

- Faithful

- Prayer Warrior

- She makes an effort to stay connected with each of us

- She's the first one to like any of our social media posts :) 

- Selfless

- She makes you feel like you're the most important person in the world

- She's been a grandma when I lost mine and never made me feel like an "in-law," I was hers just like everyone else

- She's thoughtful and aware of everyone around her

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF LOVE AND OF THE GOSPEL!  I can only hope and pray that these are the things my loved ones are saying about me someday.  She's such an example to all of us.  We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments as well!  What are some things you love about her?  We will read them all to her and I know she'll be grinning from ear to ear and no doubt some of you will make her cry :) **If you can't get the comments to work, you can email it to breannebouma@gmail.com and I'll add them in! 

Oma's sister Mary and her best friend Annie VanBeek got here yesterday (with the help of 2 of Annie's sons as travel companions) and they're so enjoying some time together.  We found someone to come to her house and do her nails for her, which she really enjoyed.  We are so thankful to all of you who've changed your schedules around and be with her and bring joy to all of us.  Thank you for being here.  It means the world to her.   These 3 have such a history of true friendship - they celebrate, grieve, laugh and cry, but through it all, they show up and are here for each other and I'm so grateful for their example of friendship in the good and the hard seasons.  I wish it was easier to post quality videos on here because all of them singing "Lang Zal Ze Leven" was quite the sight! :) 

We do see some cognitive improvement from the steroids and we're so thankful!  Oma had her CT scan yesterday and Gary, Donna & Carolyn took her to get a biopsy this morning, we don't have a follow up with the oncologist until next week, so nothing new to report, but she was a champ running all those tests, of course!  We've been so thankful this week for the constant help of (granddaughter) Lindsay, who flew out from California to help care for Oma.  She's our MVP spotlight today :)  Thanks Linds, for all you're doing for her and the sweet time you're spending with her.  She's loving it!

Pray on!  

Great is His Faithfulness

What a sweet weekend we've had with Oma!  There's nothing new to report on her health, we will run the other two tests this week and hopefully have more answers on staging and treatment.

In the mean time, we are just thoroughly enjoying our time together.  There were about 40 of us here this weekend, celebrating her, looking at old pictures and videos, praying for her and just soaking in each moment.  All 5 of Oma's kids, her 3 oldest great-granddaughters and all 5 granddaughters happened to be here as well - we're still working on getting all 10 grandsons here at the same time ;)

 




This morning, 45 of us gathered here at Brad & Barb's to bring church to Oma :) We all got to share things that we love about her and ways we want to be more like her.  She was overjoyed with the time of worship and sharing, scripture and singing her favorite songs with the great-grandkids.  Praising Jesus has always been one of Oma and Opa's very favorite things to do and it was a joy to be together this morning for our own family church.  God is so good.  I stood back crying as I watched my 84 year old grandma and my 2 year old daughter, Tessa singing together, "Bless the Lord, oh my soul.  Worship His holy name."  May that be our prayer - from the beginning of life to the end - may His name be praised.


We were singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and Oma shared with us that it was her family's theme song and something that they carried with them from Holland and all these decades later, she still holds that promise close.


Gary led the service for us and reminded us all that "You can pray and you can worry, but you can't do both at the same time." So that's what we ask of all of you - would you pray, when she comes to mind, would you pray for peace that passes understanding, pray for sweet joy that comes from being with those you love, pray that she continues to have no pain.  We are so blessed to have this time with her and to have each other.



If your'e just joining us here on the blog, scroll down to see more posts about the diagnosis and what we know as of now.  Thank you for being "with us" in this. 

Today's News and a New Ride

Oma had a busy day today - up early to get to her oncology appointment.  Barb, Brad & Linda went with her and we have a game plan.  He would like to run a few more tests to be able and see what we're dealing with, so a CT will be ordered for tomorrow or early next week and then they'd like to do a biopsy of the lesion on her arm to see what type of tumor we're up against.  Once we have those results, he'll be able to come up with a treatment plan.  In the mean time, he has started her on steroids, which has been proven to help tremendously with cognitive function in cases like hers, so we are hopeful that in the next few days we'll see some improvement there and get to have some great conversations and play some card games with her!  :)

Some friends brought her a new "ride" today as we learned that she can't do long distances with her walker.  And she's also designated herself the resident "laundry folder" since we aren't letting her get up and do much these days.  It's always good to have a job and feel needed :) 

  

She remains in good spirits and is grateful for all the help and company.  Speaking of company, the crew will begin to roll in over the weekend, so we guarantee she won't spend a minute alone.  One night we'll have up to about 40 of us here in the Canyon with her.  What a gift to be loved so much!  

As I crawl in bed next to Oma tonight, my memory takes me back to the last time I crawled in bed with her - almost 8 years ago, the night that Opa went to be with Jesus.   I find myself grateful for this chance - the chance to care for her and love her and be present with her when she needs a companion.  She's spent decades of her life selflessly caring for so many of us; what a gift and privilege to do the same for her.  The Lord is so faithful to give us just what we need.  

- Breanne

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning - GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS." - Lamentations 5:22-23

Anna Mae's Journey

Well, Oma, Auntie Linda and I (Breanne) are sitting here realizing it's been nearly EIGHT years since this blog has been active! We've had quite a full few years - we just counted and Oma has had soon to be NINETEEN new grandkids since Opa went to be with Jesus - oh how he would have loved to have known them all!

We are resurrecting this blog because Oma's had some unfortunate health news recently and this seemed to be the best way to communicate with everyone that loves her.

About 3 months ago, Oma was closing an umbrella and felt something snap in her left shoulder.  She's been under a doctor's care and had no pain, thank the Lord and it "seemed to be getting better." She's been traveling and celebrating the holidays and enjoying life to its fullest.  Around Christmas time, some of us started noticing a decline in her physical strength and that she hasn't been as "sharp or present" as she normally is, which we all know her to be sharp as a tack.  We've all been a little concerned and also relieved that she had an appointment scheduled for this past Monday with her orthopedic doctor.

Carolyn and Barb were with her at that appointment where we learned her left shoulder is indeed broken.  He was very concerned that it broke from closing an umbrella and also put together that her physical and mental decline might all be related.  He ordered some tests, she did those yesterday and found out some news that none of us wanted to hear.  Oma has 8-10 lesions on her brain and there is metastasis into her left arm.  The doctor thinks it could have stemmed from melanoma she had seven years ago.  We are all so saddened by this news and Oma is surprised by it as well, but in good spirits, as is her character.

We have an appointment for her at the oncologist tomorrow morning to determine the next steps.  For now, one of us will be here with her night and day and we will just enjoy each moment.

Oma is at peace, she knows the Lord has her days numbered and that we are taking it one day at a time.  Her plans are to just enjoy her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, friends and family as much as possible.  As I write this, she and my 4 year old daughter, Holland are looking at picture books together.


We will keep you updated here as we get a game plan.  For now, we trust Jesus and know that he directs our every step.  Please be in prayer for her and for all of us as we navigate this new journey! Oma says "I love you all more than you'll ever know."