Cornerstones

Cornerstones

When St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Monroe, Michigan was built in1812, leaders placed significant items in its hollowed-out cornerstone, including a hand-written sermon, a hymn book, a list of church members, and church leaders’ writings about congregational...
Precious Freedom

Precious Freedom

Dirk and Elisabeth Gootjes and their family lived in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands during World War II. Every night they drew the blackout curtains; then they waited. If they heard a certain pattern of taps on a window, they opened the door for Dutch Resistance...
The Magic of Murphy

The Magic of Murphy

“I am sure some Brookcrest residents feel that Murphy is their dog, and I just happen to be taking care of him,” says Suzanne Williams. Suzanne, a true nurturer, has spent much of her life surrounded by people. She was a teacher at Jenison’s Bursley Elementary School...
A Cord of Three Strands

A Cord of Three Strands

As Marv and Joy (Carrick) Poelman can attest, sometimes God places special people in our lives just when we need them. Although their upbringings were different, they noticed qualities in one another that drew them together, and their steadfast love has spanned almost...
Comfort Food

Comfort Food

Throughout her 91 years, Marie (Timmer) DeVries has been nurturing bodies and souls. God placed loving people in her life during her formative years, and she has been paying it forward ever since. Marie’s parents emigrated from the Netherlands for a better life. They...