I was born to Larry and Kathy in Highland Park (Detroit area), Michigan, when they were younger. My parents moved many times during my childhood, all within the state of Michigan.
My parents took their family to church every week but did not leave our spiritual instruction to Sunday School teachers. My parents led the family in devotions and scripture memorization around the dinner table, while we were riding in the car, when they prayed over us in the mornings before waking us up, and of course, when they put us to bed at night Deuteronomy 6:4-7.
When I was eight or nine, I followed the example of my parents and put my name in John 3:16"For God so loved Joy, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that if Joy believeth in Him, she should not perish, but have everlasting life." I asked Jesus to forgive me of the wrongs I had done and save me from the consequences I deserved Romans 6:23. From that time I have been a child of God with the assurance of His love Romans 8:37-39.
When I was going into the fifth grade, my parents moved to Cadillac, Michigan. I started attending Northern Michigan Christian School in nearby McBain. Having my school subjects reinforcing the instrucion of my parents has been a positive influence in having a Godly worldview. During my tenth grade year I was made to think seriously about the salvation I had received. In Bible class we were required to be interviewed by our teacher. That was fine, until he got to the question about where we would be after death. I knew I could answer that question with confidence, but he always followed that question with how was my life reflecting that decision. Before my name came up for an interview, I not only had Jesus as Savior, I had also surrendered my life to His Lordship Romans 12:1&2.
I also became involved in Youth For Christ that year. It helped me to see God's Word didn't say DON'T DO everything fun (even though my parents made that fact obvious, I still needed to hear it from someone else!). It was great to have fun and study the Word of God. I went on trips to Florida; Chicago, Illinois and Toronto, Canada. We had some wonderful speakers and inspiring music. Again, it was great to be with kids, learning God's Word and having fun! I made some great friends through Youth For Christ. One year at Christmas time I met a college student who was home from college and visiting...
I met him after the meeting. A group went out to our local burger hangout and had a good time (as kids do). Kedon kept hugging me until we were introduced. We started seeing each other when he came home from college the next summer. We were married three years later. I married my best friend.
We lived in Cadillac after we got married, bought a house and had our first precious little girl, Elya. We were involved in our local church through AWANA, Sunday School and serving on various boards. I was also very involved in Christian Women's Club.
When Elya was almost 2, Kedon was activated for Desert Storm. It was very hard on me. I love my husband very much and to have him sent to the other side of the world was almost devastating to me. I was basing my self worth on my husband and not on God. God reminded me through this that He is God and He is in control and He is the One that gives me value. He gave me"beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that I might be called a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." Isaiah 61:3 I learned to lean on God and not my husband. My husband returned to the States and I learned another lesson. I was so excited and overjoyed to see my husband, how much more excited and joyful a reunion when I see Jesus face to face in His Glorious Kingdom!
God blessed us with another precious little girl in 1993. Veronika (Nika) was born while her Daddy was away at school for the Army. We moved to Muskegon, Michigan when Nika was six months old. We spent two years in Muskegon and then Kedon was transferred out of recruiting for the Army and sent to Meridian, Mississippi assigned to a transportation unit.
In Meridian we have made new friends on the Navy base where we live, found a church home where we are involved in the AWANA program. I am involved with a Bible study here on the base with some wonderful women. I have even had the privilege to lead some of the lessons - God teaches the teacher a great deal as they study and listen to the other people involved in the study.
My parents have gone into ministry and are currently in Dallas, Oregon with Village Missions. My
brother, Scott, married Deanne in 1994 and now resides in Shepherd, Michigan. They have just added to their family - Mitchell Scott arrived September 16, 1997. My Sister, Kelli, married Sam also in 1994, and they live in Land O' Lakes Wisconsin. They have a darling little girl, Katie, who was born in the fall of 1996 and they just welcomed a baby brother for Katie this spring - welcome, Jack!.
In November of 1997, we moved to the Twin Cities area. We have purchased a house and the girls are really enjoying getting to know the neighbor kids. We are thankful the God has provided a neighborhood with children the right ages for our kids to play with.
We have found out that God is sending a new little one into our family! Please pray with us for the precious little one due to arrive near the end of July.
OUR NEW ARRIVAL: Kedon Izaak was born on August 1. Pictures will follow (after we get them developed!
WOW! long time since I updated!
We now live in PA, Elya is graduating this year and hoping to go to Word of Life Bible Institute fall of '08. Kedon is deployed (again) to Iraq...My parents are still with Village Missions, and my dad is currently back on the field, in MI. Kelli's husband Sam has just started a deployment to Iraq, they now have three children, and live in MI. My brother and his wife now have three children as well, they are still in MI (makes me feel homesick to have all my family back "home." Someday Kedon will retire and we can move back home.
Kedon is now home and we are settling into life as a family again :) If you ever stop at Burger King in Franklin, say "hi" to Elya as she is working there to save money for school next year
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