THEY HAD A BLAST!

Well, this update is long overdue and I am not even sure where to start...

Tonight, Tim and some college guys (former students from the student ministry that we used to work with) lead worship for Youth Group tonight at church. In my biased opinion, they did a great job! Tim loves playing the drums for God's glory and he loves playing with this particular group of guys. Just last week, Tim went with these young men to see Kutless in concert in West Des Moines. THEY HAD A BLAST!

Speaking of last weekend, I headed home to Minnesota for a funeral of a young man from my home church. Derrik Kuschel, age 22, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, March 3rd after a life-long battle with cystic fibrosis. Derrik NEVER EVER complained about his battle with CF, but instead used it to be a STRONG and FAITHFUL witness for Jesus Christ. You can read more about Derrik at his caring bridge website at
http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/inputSiteName.domethod=search&siteName=derrikkuschel.

This funeral was so special to me b/c Derrik's family has had a major impact on my life. Jodi, Derrik's mom, was my junior girls Sunday School teacher. She was cooller than cool (for the 80s). She always wore high heels, had amazing hair and freshly manicured nails, and dressed so beautiful. Not only that she showed an interest in me and the other lowly "bus kids." Jodi and Albie, even hosted slumber parties, scary Halloween activities and one time she even took me to the mother-daughter banquet as her daughter! before the banquet she even took me to Herberger's and bought me a brand new dress! (it wasn't on sale either!) I loved that class and studying God's word with her. You would have never known that Derrik (her then little son) was so ill and had to take medicines and treatments everyday! Also Their boys (they had two sons, Dustin was the oldest and Derrik the younger) made an impact on my life, they always had matching outfits and to this day I believe that's why my girls always match!!! :)
My favorite memory of this family, is when they shared their newly adopted daughter, Ashley with us in the form of a party in the Sunday school class. The kitchen where we met was COVERED in PINK!!! It was a HOOT! Eventually I quit attending that church as a bus kid and I don't remember quite why, but after about a year out of church I ran into the Kuschel family at the bowling alley and they invited me to their new church (they had switched churches, too). I said sure and that was the beginning of a year stint of riding in the car with them to church. It was at this church God introduced me to my three bestest girlfriends (we've been through it all together: the GOOD, the BAD and the ugly!) who were able to be home for this funeral as well. Also, while attending this new church, God introduced me to my second parents, Rod and Cathy Veith! Whew---I can't even put into words what this family has meant to my life! After a year of riding with the Kuschels, they took over and they ever-so-patient as I grew to understand what it meant to be a godly young lady! I am still working on that part, but I PRAISE the LORD for their faithful and patient hearts! Mom and Dad Veith- I LOVE you and you are so special to me! THANK YOU! All of these wonderful things would not have happened in my life if the Kuschel family would not have reached out to me! Thank you for your selflessness!

**My friend Kim (she's the writer) wrote an amazing tribute to Derrik and his family and you can find it here: http://kpblogopolis.blogspot.com ***

okay...i will finish this up later...I am going to visit with my hubby and settle my thoughts down...remember I am a pregnant woman and sometimes things go blank or we get too emotional...thank you for your patience....