One of the joys of blogging is that I’ve gotten to “meet” so many cool people from all around the world; namely, my wonderful Smithellaneous readers.
Today I would like to turn the tables and give YOU the chance to meet someone new–the Vandenberg Family.
And just why am I introducing you to a Canadian, traveling, singing, family for no reason whatsoever? Well, it’s because I think you’ll be as inspired by them as we have been. And we can all use a little inspiration in our lives, right?
Lloyd and Kathy Vandenberg and their family have been on the road for a long time. A very long time. In fact, Kathy, who is fifty-ish, started traveling with her parents and sisters when she was just twelve. A few years later, she got married to Lloyd and he started traveling with the family crew. Along the way, they had a few children. (Six, to be exact.)
Eight years ago, Cathy’s parents retired and the Vandenbergs set out on their own; they travel nine months a year, home school and live in a 45-foot bus.
The two older daughters are married and no longer travel with the family. One of them–Deanna—lives in China with her husband, Drew, where they are missionaries. Drew uses his skateboarding skills as a way of connecting with and reaching out to the teenagers in China. That’s them in the photo below. Pretty cool, huh?
We have known the Vandenbergs for over twenty years and used to cross paths with them when our own family was on the road. The fact that both families have a similar history means that we can relate to many of the same things. One thing I remember in particular is that it could get a little lonely celebrating birthdays on the road because usually no one even knew it was our birthday and also because we were rarely around family and friends when our birthdays rolled around.
So when we caught wind of the fact that Lloyd was having a birthday during the time they were in Manteo, Sarah and I snuck over to their bus and put up this birthday sign; later on, we had the family over to our house for ice cream and cake.
The Vandenberg Family (official name is New Generation Ministries) sang and preached at our church two weeks ago and they did a fabulous job. Right before the service started, I captured this photo of Garrett (at 18, the oldest child still at home) with his arm around his dad. It made me smile.
Garrett plays drums, lead guitar, bass guitar, piano and ukulele; ALL the kids play at least one instrument and sing beautifully. Their littlest one, Elise, came up to the platform later in the service and sang a solo which melted every heart in the building.
This is Cathy, the amazing mom of the group. She has a fantastic voice, plays a mean lead guitar and manages to keep her sanity while raising a family and traveling constantly between the United States and Canada. Needless to say, she and I have a lot in common since, between us, we have amassed 55 years of traveling with our families.
Lloyd is an excellent communicator and tells his story about finding freedom from a porn addiction; he also speaks on the topic of unforgiveness
After the morning service was over, Lloyd and Kathy headed out for a date and we had the four Vandenberg kids over to the house for the afternoon. I love seeing kids’ coats and shoes inside our front door; it means there’s happiness going on inside.
After having pizza and playing some board games, the kids decided it was time to bake brownies; Garrett and Sarah were elected to head up the Brownie Making Operation. Garrett is a writer, word lover, video editor, and all around creative person so he and Sarah have a lot in common–in addition to being preacher’s kids, of course.
The sisters watched the brownie making process with great anticipation.
Sweet little Elise eventually decided it was time to come around the counter and lend a hand.
Finally . . . they were done! Evan was right there to help oversee his big brother’s brownie-serving responsibilities.
The brownie consumption was followed by time spent sitting around the living room talking and snuggling with Lady Summer.
It was such a privilege to get to hang out with this inspiring, amazing and delightful family.
I hope you enjoyed spending time with them vicariously even half as much as we enjoyed spending time with them in real life.
Edited to Add: Several readers left comments about what a cute couple Sarah and Garrett make and that got me to thinking that a few of you might be wondering about Sarah’s (and our) views on dating. In light of all of that, I am posting my response to one of the comments below.
I imagine that my Smithellaneous readers might wonder sometimes if Sarah ever goes on dates or if she’s even allowed to date. Since she’ll be 18 in four months, yes, she is definitely “allowed” to date! But Sarah is more of a courtship kind of gal and isn’t interested in dating a bunch of guys before she gets married. She thoroughly enjoys the company of wonderful young men like Garrett but is cautious about being involved in a serious relationship until she is older and nearer a marriageable age. (And for the record, Garrett holds much the same views.)
My breath literally caught in my throat when I read that Sarah is only 4 months away from reaching 18. I’ve been reading about her for so long that in some ways I think I still picture her as 12 or 13 in my mind. It’s so hard to believe she’s shot up to near-legal-adult age already! 🙂
Ellen,
I’m glad I’m not the only one who is just slightly surprised that Sarah is almost 18! Still can’t wrap my mind around it.
Haha, I was thinking the exact same thing when I saw the pictures of Sarah and Garrett, flashback to when Nathan and Meagan were just friends…..the best relationships sometimes do start with a wonderful friendship…..and just taking it slow…….
Dale,
You’re so right–friendship first, romance later! It’s a great way to go.
I think Garrett and Sarah make a precious couple…maybe you should have them around more often. 🙂 Wouldn’t that be cool if both of your children found their mates from your years on the road? I do remember correctly that Megan and Nathan met similarly??
Lisa,
You have a good memory; Meagan’s family WAS also on the road for several years. And yes, it would be wonderful if we could have the Vandenbergs around more often; they’re great folks!
Nice post! Seems like a great family 🙂 And I agree Garrett could be a good guy for Sarah. Plus, is Canadian so that makes him even more amazing, hihihi!
Renee
Renee,
A little biased about Canadians, are we? 🙂 It IS a wonderful, beautiful country that produces some really cool people!
What does Lloyd say, when he talks about unforgiveness? I’m not even sure I know what the implication is.
Kristina–you always ask such good questions!
Lloyd talked about the hurts and disappointments and offenses that come into our lives and how carrying those things around (and not forgiving) is not good for us–physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
As an object lesson, he had different people in the congregation put a hymnal in his arms and as he walked through the sanctuary, more and more people piled on more hymnals till he was carrying about fifteen of them in a big stack. He said that one hymnal doesn’t seem like a very big deal, but when more and more added and you don’t put any of them down, after awhile, it becomes a very big deal.
Bottom line was that practicing forgiveness is so important on so many different levels. (I once heard that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.)
So anyway–that was sort of his sermon in a nutshell!
Thanks Becky. I love that whenever I ask a question here, I always get a real answer.
Kristina,
So glad that’s how you feel because I try really hard to give real answers to real questions! 🙂
Sarah is beautiful!
Kathy,
Thank you. I would have to agree!
I guess I’m just too enamored with Summer to see all the above. Look at Summer watching you take her picture. I bet she doesn’t get far from you!
ncbev,
You’re right; Summer is never far from my side. I have a definite Summer Shadow–and I love it!
Funny…I was thinking the same thing as Rachel and Nicole. Great minds think alike:)!
Cindy,
🙂
I must admit that Rachel was not the only one thinking about Sarah and Garrett 🙂 Just saying…..
Nicole,
We ladies do love any hint of romance, don’t we? 🙂
Neat family. Hmmm Garrett is 18 and seems like a great Christian guy from a great Christian family. Sarah is finishing high school and 17 right? Maybe a love connection will form between those two. Kind of how one formed between Meagan and Nathan when they were friends first. I’m sure your momma heart isn’t ready for that yet, but I know as a Mom we want our kids to find great partners with great values and from great families.
Rachel,
“Great partners with great values from great families”—yep, that would sum up Garrett pretty well. I don’t know when we’ve ever met a young man who is such a strong Christian, personable, funny, smart, courteous, multi-talented AND nice looking! 🙂
I imagine that my Smithellaneous readers might wonder sometimes if Sarah ever goes on dates or if she’s even allowed to date. Since she’ll be 18 in four months, yes, she is definitely “allowed” to date! But Sarah is more of a courtship kind of gal and isn’t interested in dating a bunch of guys before she gets married. She thoroughly enjoys the company of wonderful young men like Garrett but is cautious about being involved in a serious relationship until she is older and nearer a marriageable age. (And for the record, Garrett holds much the same views.)