Finding Purpose - Song of my Life - Kristine van Dooren

I was going to talk about the time, when we went as a family to California, at the end of May in 1982. The occasion was an Elders Conference in Santa Cruz. We stayed with my parents and also drove up north to visit our church friends in Eureka. Looking at my photos I am reminded of those good old days, when my home state was beautiful and safe. For example today, the city of Oakland where I was born, and Thomas and I lived in, is listed as one of the most dangerous cities in the world.  Now at the beginning of this new year the world is watching in horror the devastation taking place in southern California. Whole communities, homes, property, lives, wildlife and much of the beauty of the city has been destroyed. Thousands of people will have to figure out how to rebuild their lives in the midst of chaos. This is a reminder for all of us, that nothing in the world lasts. 

I don’t usually talk about current world events, but it is no coincidence, that I just listened to an old sermon from Thomas. It was recorded in the summer of 1982, after we returned from California. He addresses the topic of finding security, confidence and identity when trials come upon us.

What do we do if we lose everything; our home, our health, our job, and the stable life, we are accustomed to? Where can we find peace and hope for a new future?

We are coming up to the end of another year. Where does the time go? I am also wondering, if I can even remember what I have been up to, all these months of podcasting work. So I thought I would breeze through this year’s story episodes and the video conversations. I especially appreciate everyone, friends and family, who have taken the time to meet with me on zoom, willing to answer some personal questions. Those talks have been really fun and inspiring!

In looking back at the episode list I see that I finished 2023 with a video talk. It is with my oldest daughter Naomi, called “TRUE LOVE”. It was a bit emotional, as she asked questions about my life with Thomas, and our early days when we were living in West Berlin. Her biggest question was about, having to say goodbye so soon, to my best friend and husband of 30 years. You can watch it on Spotify and on my YouTube channel.

Today, I am going to breeze through this year’s podcast adventures. Maybe it will give you some ideas for listening material during the coming holiday season. All you have to do is scroll through the podcast list and take your pick, where ever you feel like starting. Here are some descriptions of stories, plus a variety of videos to choose from.

To me, it’s like flipping through a book, and checking out the chapter titles. You can get a general idea about each episode, but there are lots of surprises, that include old tapes recordings of our voices and music, letters, old Bible studies from Thomas, and even some TV interviews that I did back in 2007. Your English and German will be challenged that’s for sure!

Welcome friends! Join me for a family talk with Naomi, Adina and Elijah, from the comfort of our living rooms in Germany.

Today we share some fascinating stories, about how we have received and passed on, true and living faith. Listen in to get a glimpse, of how that has worked out, in each of our lives.

I loved hearing from my two oldest grandchildren, their experiences and convictions, in following Jesus. Words of wisdom from each one! I hope you find hope and encouragment for your own life and family!

Welcome back friends!   

Maybe you saw my Spotify wrap, that I posted on Instagram under “vandoorenkristine”. As I prepare for and write the stories each week, I do sometimes get discouraged, not knowing exactly who is listening or interested. The podcast is heard regularly in the US, Germany, UK, Ireland, Finland, Canada, Australia and India. From the viewer charts I can see there are many other countries where people pop in to have a listen. I would love to hear directly from you on Instagram, any comments or questions you might have.

In the last couple of episodes you heard Thomas preaching in Munich, and about the church developments in Germany, and the event we went to in West Berlin. Around that time us women were also having get togethers. I have talked about my experiences living at the Trudering house and being a part of the sisters meetings and parties, and weddings we organized together. After we had spread out from the communal situation, we continued meeting for Bible studies and to pray for each other. It was also a new phase for Thomas, being the babysitter, but he was always supportive.

This was an example of how important it is, to reach out to people in the work place, with neighbors, and within our families. You just never know what kind of fruit, a simple conversation can bring about, even if it might take a few years until a person is ready to surrender their lives to the Lord. At some point, these two couples ,decided they wanted to recommit themselves to their marriage partner, and make a new start. Thomas offered to plan a ceremony for them to renew their vows in front of the congregation. A quaint chapel near Munich was found for the service.

The photos I took on that day are really sweet. The grooms dressed smartly in suits, and the brides with pretty dresses, and flowers in their hair. Our girls and Henny’s daughter, posed with their bouquets of wild flowers, ready to walk down the aisle. Many family members also came, so the vows included a testimony of their commitment to the Lord and to each other. Carole wore a white hippie style dress with a long blue velvet coat, and their 10 year old son, posed happily with them. This was a special day for these children, knowing their parents were going to live together again, in one home.

As I have mentioned before, I consider our story a part of history, concerning the developments in the churches in Germany. A lot has changed over the years since the 70s; which includes the message, the style and traditions, and the methods of reaching the unsaved. To me it is intriguing as I learn more about those times, through the lens, of my young German husband. Much of his experience and perspective, I couldn’t relate to. Since I grew up in sunny California where live was easy, there was no correlation to the dreariness of life, in the walled city of West Berlin.

When I lived there with Thomas in 1970, it did have an effect on me, a sort of darkness and hopelessness seemed to be normal within his circle of school friends and musicians. Even if I would have known the history of Germany, which I didn’t, it still couldn’t have prepared me for daily life there.

One time years later, Thomas was telling his testimony, and said that I saved him out of the pit he was in, by taking him to California. He said otherwise, he probably would have died young, from either drugs or suicide.

We were young and always juggling church activities, with family time, and Thomas’ job. I found some pictures of our yearly church retreat, in autumn of 1980. Even though a lot of planning went into it, plus traveling with small kids, these long weekends were worth it. For us women who had lived communally, we were especially routined in, shopping and cooking for a large crowd. Plus we had experience in organizing events, that were fun, and provided a rich time for both the young and old. Besides age and family backgrounds, the gathering included many nationalities; British, French, Austrian, New Zealand, Belgium, Switzerland, American, German, Greek, Polish and Italian. Our group photo, of some 60 people that weekend, brings back so many nice memories.

I wish I knew where all those people are now, and how their lives turned out!

During the summer vacation with our parents, Thomas and I, celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. We were able to go out for the evening, just the two of us, which was always a special time to share our hearts and talk about our dreams for the future. By 1980 we had been together for 10 years, and were continually amazed, at God’s faithfulness in our lives. He had blessed us with four daughters which gave us much joy, and we looked forward to raising them in the nurture of the Lord. We had gone through three difficult years before we were Christians. Being immersed in the hippie lifestyle following our hearts, and not wanting to believe that our ways, were sinful in God’s eyes. The first big change in our relationship took place when we exchanged wedding vows at the Civic Center in 1972.

Less than 10 months later, we prayed to Jesus for the first time together, and the next day our daughter was born. In that week, two miraculous events took place, showing us that God is real, and he was protecting us. From then on our lives took on a whole new direction. As you have heard the story, you know how we eventually ended up back in Germany, as missionaries. Becoming part of a team, that went to Munich to start a church, was definitely not something we could have imagined before.

I will begin today by connecting some of the dots back to our story in 1980. In the last episode, I was talking about learning to read the Bible out loud, to encourage my soul. I remembered that my first experience was with Psalm 42, and especially the part that says, ”Why are you cast down o my soul? Hope in God." But I had forgotten about verse 8; “Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer to the God of my life.” I thought this is so beautiful, imagining that God has a song for me, even in the night.

It was like a new discovery or reminder not to worry about the troubles in this life. Like Rachel said in our Conversation Interview, ”Even though I have read the Bible throughout my lifetime, I still stumble on verses that I hadn’t noticed before. That’s an example of God’s word being alive. It can always speak to us in a fresh way.”

For myself, I had an encouraging experience while I was writing Episode 108.

“scripture in song” by Jason Silver

Welcome back to another discussion with my friend, Rachel. Today we would like to go into more details about our experiences as young women, learning to let God's Word, become the foundation of our life. I believe that all men and women seek fulfillment, and have the need for a direction that gives them hope, love and a place of refuge.

We talk about receiving a new identity in Christ, only He can make everything new, in our hearts and lives. It truly is possible to receive faith, and experience the loving kindness of God, through learning to understand the Bible. It's a process, but He has promised to give us His peace, that passes all understanding!