Christmas 2020

 In progress

Christmas 2018

coming soon.  sorry :)

Christmas 2015

2015 was a very different year for us.  Of course the end of 2014 was not like others either.  Dec. 10, 2014 we got the call that I, Chris, had breast cancer.  On Dec. 10, 2015 I had a mammogram and got the news that it was clear!  What a blessing and a great Christmas present to us!  Then there was the in between...  As I look back over the year I see so many blessings.  God was so good through my journey and will continue to bless us as we finish this fight.  I started chemo on Dec. 23, 2014.  I had 8 weeks of two kinds of chemo and then 12 weeks of two others.  I am now down to a maintenance chemo which I get every 3 weeks until March 2016.  I won’t say chemo was a piece of cake but I got through it and felt so loved, blessed and cared for.  I had 2 stays in the hospital with neutropenic fevers.  I had to stay away from people so Mark, Katie and medical people were my social life.  God gave me contentment and soon it was over.  I finished the main chemo in May. In June I had a lumpectomy and then July and August consisted of daily trips to radiation. I am still not back to normal and might just need to find my new normal but try to face what comes.  I never thought I could have done it but I am so grateful to have a God that loves me enough to care for me and carry me through. 

As for the rest of our lives, I was able to do the weekend are the women’s prison in Pierre, SD at the end of August.  I can’t say I was really up for it or that it was physically good for me but I am so glad I could do it.  Those ladies need a little light in their darkness.

For the first time Mark had to skip the Texas mission trip.  The timing did not work out well with where I was with my treatments.  He felt he was needed here.  We both plan to go next year. 

Katie is in nursing school at the local community college.  She is excited to begin her clinicals after break.  She is still working at the Christian retirement home and now she works at a nursing home too.  She keeps very busy between school, work and her boyfriend, Joel.  I feel she is growing up and slipping away (I know it is supposed to be that way.) so that I don’t get to see her so much.  She was great during my cancer though and we shared some very special times together.

I hope this letter finds you well.  I know that is not the case for some of you and I am praying that you will find the peace with God that I found on my journey.  We are looking forward to a different year this year but hope it is filled with just as many blessings as this one was.  Merry Christmas to all of you!  

Mark, Chris and Katie

p.s. If you would like to read more about my cancer journey find it here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/387236641450545/

  

Christmas 2014

Cancer...This is the new journey we are embarking.  Chris was diagnosed with breast cancer on Dec 10.  We don't know what this will look like or where it will take us but we do know that God is good. 

Holiday Inn Express is where Chris is still working.  4+ years now.

Raising crops and hogs.  That is where you will find Mark.

Inwood is where Michael now lives.  He takes care of chickens.

Starting college to study nursing.  Katie lives at home and is attending the local community college.  She is also taking the EMT training.

Texas mission trip was a success again.  Mark, Chris and Katie went for the week.

Indiana-the destination for our family vacation.  It was great to see Chris' family again.  

Seven grandchildren for us!  Logan, Miley, and Maverick from one family and...

Baby Gracin was born in June to Matt and Jena.  She joins Mason, Avery and Emery. 

Oh how fast those grandkids are growing.  We can't believe the oldest is in First grade already.

Remembering our family members that we don't get to see this year. 

Never forget what Christmas is really about.  We are so thankful for the saving grace of the little baby that came to die for us.  

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas!

 From the Dykstra / Wynia Family

Philip and Sam bought a house in George, IA in May.
Excited for a 7th grandchild coming in June to Matt and Jena.  This will be their 4th, joining Mason, Avery, and Emery.
All in good health and for this we are truly thankful.  
College for Katie next year since she is now a senior.  She is            looking at a career in nursing.
Excitement of grandchildren.  It is so wonderful to be able to see     them as they grow and learn.  Matt's 3 live only 2 miles away.       Madison's 3 are further.  We would love to see them more often   but treasure the time we get to spend with them. 

June was a month of travelling for Chris. I flew to Tucson, AZ         where I met my brother, sister and niece, to sort through my 
mom's mobile home and pack the things she wanted brought to         West Lafayette, IN for her move. We packed them in a small           moving  truck and I drove it to Mom's.  Then spent the 
weekend  for the  Vanderkleed reunion before heading home 
via my van which Katie  had driven to the reunion.
Overjoyed to be able to spend time with my brother (Russ),  sister   (Laurel) and niece (WenWen) while moving Mom. It was a             precious opportunity.  
Yearly mission trip to Texas for Katie and Mark. 


Living just down the road, Michael continues to stop by and help     on the farm.
Oh what fun we had in Los Angeles, CA, where we started the       year. Mark, Chris and Katie travelled with our sister-in-law,           Donna, and 3 of her kids to LA for 9 days.  Had a great vacation     with the Lakers, Disney, beaches and Hollywood.
Very long fall trying to get the harvest finished with the damp         weather. 
Excited to see what the new year brings. We pray it brings good     health, peace and love to all.

Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas!

 From the Dykstra / Wynia Family

Michael moved a mile down the road from us.  

Expanded the hog business.  Mark and Matt have expanded by purchasing the hog buildings from our sister-in-law, Donna.  They now have a hired man.

Remodeling a house is what Matt and Jena are doing on one of the acreages they purchased.  They look forward to moving early in the year.  Mason, Avery and Emery look forward to being on the same farmyard where Daddy often works. 

Rock Rapids is where Philip and Sam moved to a house closer to where Sam works at a waiver home helping people with disabilities.   They are enjoying the extra space in their new home.

Yields were surprisingly good after the long drought.

Christian Retirement Home is where Katie is working in the dining room.  Mark's mother lives there, so she gets to see Grandma Dykstra often.  

Holiday Inn Express is where Chris is still working.  

Rendering plant is where Michael is now working.

Inwood is where Madison and Lanette moved.  They are now living in the house where Lanette grew up.  

School is where our oldest grandchild, Mason, is going.  He began preschool at Sheldon Christian School.  

Twins!  We have twin grandbabies.  In July Miley and Maverick were born to Madison and Lanette. They are healthy and growing. They joined Logan who was 19 months old when they were born. It is a busy household!

Mission trip to Texas.  Mark and Katie made their yearly trip again.  They find it to be a huge blessing. 

Abundant love and joy is what we receive spending time with our six grandchildren. 

Seventeen!  Katie is now seventeen and a junior at Unity Christian High school.  Where did the time go?

Wishing You a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!