Meredith and Micah

Jay and Leah on the diving platform

playing some banana grams with the cousins

the inside of our cabin

Our VanderHill Family. L to R Top to Bottom Jay, Meredith, Micah, Leah, Grandma, Grandpa, Scott, Valisa, and Luke.

Every Year for the past 23 years Micah's VanderHill Family goes on vacation together. They head up north to Central Lake, and each family gets a cabin of their own at Snug Harbor.  Throughout the week, each family picks a night to feed the whole gang dinner, and we spend lots of time on Intermediate Lake. I have grown to love this tradition.  The family spends time together, getting to know each other, and sharing time, food, games, sunscreen and more.  I think this week is a key part of how close his VanderHill family has managed to stay after so many years!

This year is a little different.  A few years ago, Grandma VanderHill was diagnosed with Cancer in her abdomen.  This was heart breaking to the family, as they were all so close. But Grandma said from the beginning that God is in control, and She is ready to go be with him, when it is time.

Since that time, She has had surgeries, and lots of chemo and radiation. The treatments were difficult, and were only keeping the cancer at bay. It was not curing it. As time went on, Grandma found that she was spending 10 days after chemo feeling sick, and then getting 4 good days before having another treatment.  So, about 9 months ago, Micah's grandmother chose to no longer continue the chemotherapy. At that time, the Doctors told her and the family that she would have about six good months and she was admitted under the care of Hospice.

Through fervent prayer, Grandma has had a wonderful 6 months, and even more! We are so happy that she is able to be with us all, as we spend time together at the cabins. It's wonderful to have the (almost) whole family there together.  But it is bittersweet. We know that this is probably Grandma's last summer on vacation with us all. We treasure our time with her, and with the whole family.


One especially meaningful time for us was Sunday morning. The family all got up and went to church together.  We all sat together in three full rows at Ellsworth CRC- the church that the VanderHill family has been going to every fathers day for 23 years.  As I sat in the third row, between Micah and his brother Luke, it dawned on me how wonderful it is to watch Grandma and Grandpa praising God alongside their children and grandchildren.  We had three generations, praising God together, and thanking Him for his faithfulness to us all. Its because of the faith of Grandma and Grandpa, that this family has come to know Christ so fully.  

This years vacation is full of thanksgiving.  (Now, check out the fun pictures of this family on vacation.  They know how to relax!)

Devotions with Grandpa before Sunday Dinner.

Getting ready for the first tubing outing of vacation.

A favorite pastime of Micah and Matthew is fishing.

Lots of reading!

Grace working on Water Skiing.

Lots of Love,
Meredith (and Micah)

Ok, so most people decide they want to run a 5k and do some training for at least a month, and then run it. Not us, We found out there was a 5k in Mount Pleasant the night before, and we decided that now was the time.

We did good! We were not the slowest people, although I wanted to finish a little quicker, we definitely would if we tried again.  However, We will likely not try again.  I am SO SORE today.  I got blisters on my feet from my shoes, and I am walking around like a tin man- so stiff.

We did get some nice yellow tee-shirts that prove we ran ( and walked).  I hope that soon I will regain my legs, and be able to get up and sit down, without needing a railing or Micah's help. (You should see me try to get into my Honda.  It's almost comical.)

Before the race, still pretty happy.

After the race, trying to stretch my legs.

We have been settling into life here in MP. Its hard to believe that we have almost been here for a month already. It has gone really fast.

This week, I had my last day at Second Reformed. It was hard to say goodbye to my friends and co-workers, but I am excited for the next chapter in my life to begin. And then next chapter begins tomorrow. I will be working at New Life UMC as the Pastor of Education and Worship. Micah and I have been spending a lot of time brainstorming about this position and what I can bring to New Life.  We especially have some good discussions after visiting the morning worship services.  I am ready for the new challenge that this job brings.  I know that God has plans for me at New Life, and I am eager to see how He can use me there.

Meanwhile, Micah is a studying machine. Its hard to believe he is only a few weeks in. He has already had two exams (He did great on both of them).  He studies so much right now, I can't imagine that he will have anything left to learn after the summer. He loves it though. He was telling me the other day how much he feels like this is what he wants to do, and how good it feels to have found exactly what fits his gifts and passions. I know he is gonna be a great PT. :)

Keep us in your prayers as we finally settle into a schedule for the next year.  Our schedules never stay the same for long!  Lots of Love, Meredith (and Micah)