Our daughters are at the age when their teeth need a little extra help to get straightened out. So, we have made the many trips to the orthodontist and the dentists and now have at least one set of railroad tracks on Mikaela’s upper teeth (lower set yet to come). In the picture below you’ll see Mikaela (on right) with one of her best friends (they are at a Middle School Olympics events – thus the hair color 🙂 . . .
Sometimes we too need outside help to get straightened out. As many of you know we took a 6 month health leave (like a Sabbatical) this year from mid February to mid August. We had experienced a number of years of significant trauma and changes but had not taken the time to stop and unravel it all. We needed emotional braces for a time. We spent the whole time under the care of a doctor and he helped us unpack 4 years of stuff that had accumulated in our souls’ backpack.
We now sense that we are back on “track”. We feel healthy and emotionally whole. We feel energized and are loving our work. Various aspects of our lives have come back into focus. Sometimes, no matter how strong we think we are, we need an “orthodontist” to come alongside of us and help us get lined up again.
Thank you to all who stood with us while we took the time off.
M&M
The Derksens 
Hi there
What a beautiful family you have……..and to think we have known you from before Mitch was born. We have some great memories of you from the early days at Kilcona.
You are so right we have so many blessings in our lives and much to be thankful for.
Having our children follow the Lord and establishing their own christian homes is one of the most important as I am sure you will agree.
You are never far from our thoughts and prayers.
Love to you and your family,
Carolyn and Curtis