My Dad

Richard Eugene Vander Haak was born in Fountain Prairie Township, Minnesota to John and Dora (Kempema) Vander Haak on September 19, 1935.  He moved to Lynden, Washington with his parents before the age of two. Richard grew up on the family farm on Bender Road along with his three brothers, Ed, John and Darryl, and his baby sis, Nelda.

He attended and graduated from Lynden Christian Schools where he met his sweetheart, Doris Dykstra. After serving in the U. S. Army in Maryland and Germany, he came home and married Doris in 1958.  They had four children and for 50 years lived on the Hannegan Road in Lynden where he taught his children to know and love the Lord, work hard and have fun.

Richard was trained in the Army as an auto mechanic.  He used this talent to earn a living at Vander Pol & Maas and Whatcom Builders, and to help family and friends fix their vehicles.  When he wasn’t turning a wrench, he enjoyed going on vacations with his wife, family and friends. Hunting, fishing, hiking and camping adventures were the norm for his family. Many trips included car trouble and a quick fix by Dad.  Rich and Doris had good friends to travel with and enjoyed many trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska and to Nascar races in Arizona.

Richard was often on the sidelines at LCHS basketball and football games, Mariner games and his grandchildren’s games.  He enjoyed watching Nascar and sports.  He played basketball and tennis in high school, golfed, was in a bowling league and played pinochle for years with good friends.

Richard was a charter member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon and an elder and laid a foundation for his family. He enjoyed his family and friends coming for Sunday dinner after church.

Richard is survived by his wife, Doris.  His children, Tami (Fred) Rylaarsdam, Kathi (Jeff) Jansen, Ken (Joanne) Vander Haak, and Jodi (Bill) Van Straalen; and his grandchildren Danny, Sam (Angela), Max Rylaarsdam, Derek and Wyatt Jansen, Zach, Katelyn, and Jenna Vander Haak, Alex, Levi and Hana Van Straalen.  He is survived by his brothers and sister; brothers and sisters in law; and nieces and nephews.

Richard died peacefully in his home on November 27, 2015.  He was ready to see Jesus and be welcomed at the gates of heaven.  Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, with the memorial service at Bethel CRC in Lynden on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., where his life as a quiet Godly man with a sense humor and good values will be celebrated with thankfulness by his family and friends.

Memorials may be made to Lynden Christian School, 417 Lyncs Dr, Lynden, WA 98264. You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

A Really Good Day

 We had such a good day on Thanksgiving.  It was a Thanksgiving we won't forget.  It was traditional food, the usual people, the Psalm we read as a family before the blessing, and a lot of family was seated around the tables.

 My Dad was able to come to dinner and he was so happy to feel good and be with his family.  My sister Kathi said that his face lit up when he got into our house.  He was weak but we brought the wheel chair and he was a good sport about being helped.

 The girls colored after dinner.

 There was a competitive Settlers of Catan game.

 Best of all, my folks were there and Dad had a good day.

Little did we know that it was my Dad's last good day.  He had a rough night.  On Friday it was obvious that he wouldn't be with us much longer.  He was very sharp all day on Friday and we got to tell him good bye.  His dry sense of humor stayed with him until late afternoon.  We kept him comfortable and loved.  Dad passed away Friday evening.

It's hard to believe he's gone but I have the blessed assurance of my Dad's salvation.  

And if anyone had a good last day, it was my Dad!

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving dear family and friends!  So many blessings.

This Thanksgiving I have some really BiG shoes to fill.  I grew up going to my grandparents' homes and later to my folks and to my parents in law for Thanksgiving dinner.  

This year Hubby and I are hosting dinner. I have two turkeys thawed, groceries in the cupboard, borrowed chairs and tables and I have my Grandma Dykstra's wheat dishes.  When I got her dishes there weren't enough left for a large extended family.  Through the years I have found a piece here and there at estate sales, yards sales and thrift stores.  These dishes were meant for a Thanksgiving table.  Since I have collected 20-24 place settings I have enough.  I think Grandma got them through a grocery store or an oatmeal promotion.  I have good memories of helping my Aunt Clarice set the table with the wheat dishes at the farm on Wiser Lake Road for Sunday dinner and holidays.  My Grandma always served a small glass of tomato juice as an aperitif.  Swanky!

 I plan to use my Grandma's dishes, my Mom's recipes, and help from Hubby and my sisters.  My Dad is pretty determined to join us. We are praying for him to have a good day so that it's possible for him to have Thanksgiving with his family. I am very thankful for my Dad's determination, his sense of humor and his wisdom.  I have been so blessed by my Dad and I hope I can be a blessing for him.  Not messing up the turkey would be a good place to start!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving my friends- I need to get cooking!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

I Chronicles 16:34

Lynden Pioneer Museum Shoppers Night

Tonight is the Lynden Pioneer Museum Gift Shop Christmas open house. It is 5-8 p.m. this evening.  Lego, playmobil, Christmas puzzles, books, stocking stuffers, toys, gifts, everything is 20% off.  Please join me for Christmas treats, music, and a great sale.

*I don't have any great photos because I've been busy unpacking a lot of new inventory.

*There have been stories in the news about the Lego shortage this Christmas, I've done my best to have a lot of Lego in stock.  I think I have the best selection in town!

*There are only two places in Whatcom County that sell Playmobil.  The museum has the best prices and a large selection.

*Hello Kitty, yes we have it!

*I just unpacked a large shipment of Springbok puzzles, including family style with small and large pieces and the new puzzles with easy to pick up pieces for Grandma.

*A new book by Mike Impero is on the shelf.  It's a history book of the original Mt. Baker Ski Lodge.  It is filled with pictures, and it makes a wonderful gift for the guy on your list that has everything.

*If all your granddaughter wants for Christmas is a pony, we have the answer for her request too.

*Coloring books for adults.  They are selling fast, hurry!

*Affordable gifts for Sunday school teachers, school teachers, your Thanksgiving hostess, your mail carrier, and the neighbor kids.  Something for everyone on your list that needs just a little something.

You'll just need to come in and see for yourself...

The Christmas Creep

It seems as though every year Christmas comes earlier.  We could blame retail.  We could blame ourselves.  Or we could embrace it.  It is the most wonderful season of all.  Why wouldn't we want to make it last as long as possible?

Yesterday I went into our attic.  I went to scout around, tidy it up, clear a path, maybe take a few Christmas decorations out.  I am going to simplify, minimize, and organize in 2016.  It doesn't hurt to take stock of what all needs to happen to make that goal attainable.

I do need to downsize the Christmas collection.  There are some things I don't use anymore or things I picked up at yard sales just in case I needed them for the Holiday Home Tour in 2013.  I don't plan to decorate and stage for hundreds of guests anytime soon.  Actually, that won't ever happen again.

One of my goals is to choose 500 of my very favorite ornaments for the Shiny Brite/vintage ornament tree.  It is difficult to choose.  If 500 ornaments look good wouldn't 700+ be even better?

When do you start decorating? When is enough really enough?

I am toying with the idea of busting out a plethora of Christmas crafts and then next November having a little sale.

Or maybe I should just keep it all.  It's not hurting anyone.  I may need it someday.  

The struggle is real.