Days With the Duerksens

Shared with the pastors, John Fast, and Marilyn U. Flaming: "There is invitation in our discomfort" - this is a quote I have embraced over the last year, and it has helped me to hold tensions in my own mind, not seeing right/wrong or white/black, but rather; holding space for curiosity, imagination, and learning. I was very nervous about attending the MCUSA Delegate Session because meetings are not a strong point for me. However, I can honestly say this was one of the most meaningful weekends I have had in a long time. I felt like I was meant to be there! Friday   Worship : Emerging throught the storms of Leadership 1. The biggest message that stood out to me was from one of the pastors (can't remember which one). She had told her physician about being a Mennonite pastor and how it felt like we were all just 'circling the drain.' The physician looked at her and said, "No, you are just circling a new paradigm. I'm Presbyterian, so I know about such things!...

We have enjoyed 16 sweet years with this creative gem! At age 16, Cambry is enjoying art classes at school, Minecrafting with her sister, golfing, and she has landed her first job as a dietary aide at Bethesda!  Cambry, keep being you, and your journey will unfold before you! We love you!  

 With 2 kids in golf and another one in JH track, we had a busy spring!  Delaney learned that she loves track, thriving on the personal challenge of getting better each week. She competed in the same 3 events at each meet: HJ, 100 M Hurdles, and the Medley Relay. PRs included: 4'0" in HJ and 18.18 seconds in the hurdles. That time actually broke Jenna's week-old school record for one week! The following week, Jenna took it back. It was fun to watch them challenge each other!  Other highlights from the season came at the league track meet - 2nd in the hurdles, 3rd in HJ, and 1st in the Medley relay. The 6th7th grade girls finished in first place, making them league champions! Delaney, Jenna, Claire League Champs! One of Delaney's first-ever attempts at HJ! Looks like a good handoff to Isabelle Cambry enjoyed her season of golf, competing in 3 meets. There was supposed to be a 4th one, but it was cancelled due to weather. She improved a great deal this year, and even cam...

We had a beautiful (hot) weekend to celebrate Caiden's graduation from Goessel High School! We put together a party in the shop and welcomed a lot of family, teachers, coaches, and Caiden's friends to our place after the ceremony. What a joy it was to see so many people who have made an impact on Caiden's life!  Caiden, we are excited for you as you move on to the next phase in your life and we are proud of the man you are becoming! The Class of 2022 Caiden received his diploma from Pat. Braden Unruh was the speaker for the event. Awww! Together since pre-school! Not sure where Cambry was... Ready to get that robe off after the ceremony! Chelan put this little wall together! Aunt Kathy lovingly pieced this t-shirt quilt together! Cousins together (plus Ty's girlfriend) Marcia and Karl Brubaker Mrs. Gerlach and her kids, along with Tina and Levi in the background. Even Uncle Lynn and Aunt Sondra made it down for the occasion! Mallory, Caiden, and Jake

At the high school awards night, Caiden learned that he won the first ever Nelson Galle Endowment Agricultural Scholarship for students going into the area of agriculture. Mr. Galle was Papa's and Grandpa's ag. teacher at Goessel in the 1960s. The Goessel Community Foundation sponsored this $1000 scholarship, and Carol Duerksen and Harlow Schmidt, Jr. were there to present it to him. I guess writing the essay was worth it after all!

As STUCO sponsor this year, I was in charge of making arrangements for our incentive trip to Worlds of Fun. It was a little stressful on my end, but only because I hadn't done it before. Amazingly, we got our tickets (after 2 attempts), and we loaded the busses at 6 a.m. on May 6! This was Delaney's first time, and she actually ended up in my group - the less-adventurous of us all. However, some of them got the nerve to ride the Timberwolf roller coaster . . . twice!  It was definitely a fun day (and a tiring one from my end)! Gotta love the Scrambler - my favorite! In front of the Timberwolf