Finding Purpose - Song of my Life - Kristine van Dooren

My last episodes were about our fresh start living in our own apartment. We were settling into the school routine and Thomas’ job. My mother in law came from West Berlin as soon as she could, she was excited to see baby Miriam, and our new home. She was able to take time off from work, to spend a week with us. Fortunately we had a nice set up for guests, the living room couch could be opened up as a bed. She loved the room immediately with it's balcony and view of the mountains. The girls were thrilled to have her join us and of course to see what kind of presents she brought. This time she had a surprise, Christian tapes for children, that were produced by people in her church. I thought that would be a big boost for them, to listen to stories, and music in German.

Nadja seemed to be more comfortable with our family, than when she visited us in Trudering. She even felt confident to help out with her newest granddaughter. And she enjoyed seeing how grown up Naomi had become since starting school. Lizzy and Esther’s German had also improved so she was pretty impressed.

Living with us, was like a time of healing, because she did not have pleasant memories, of her early years as a mother. Her husband only concentrated on his music at the theatre in East Berlin, where she had also been a dancer.

Beautiful Christian Instrumental Music:

https://youtu.be/2UUDSBD-Vnw?si=XkhfZeuyB_uk7sgI 

Today we have Part 2 with my friends in Wales. They have some fascinating stories, about their experiences in starting a church fellowship, in Birmingham, England.

Here' a quote from Alex written shortly after they arrived:

"I feel like a stranger at times, and like Abraham, we know we are pilgrims, And yet, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! The insecurity of our circumstances, drives us to the security, of God's promises. In weakness, He gives us His strength."

Welcome friends! I am introducing today, old friends of mine, that live in Wales. We have known each other since 1980, and have some amazing connections from our past, in California. In my last Episode 101, I started talking about a couple we knew from the Trudering house, who had gone back to England. They hoped that a team from our ministry in Eureka, would come and help them, start a church. This is the beginning of that story! Enjoy!

Shortly after Thomas and I, had our fourth daughter, we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. In retrospect that seems like a short time, but since we had experienced so many different phases together, it seemed like a big accomplishment. I have talked about the radical changes, that took place after we got married, and how we finally found what we were looking for, peace with God.

Our first 3 ½ years were somewhat of a wild ride. But after we ended up at the Christian ranch called Living Waters, our lives became a constant stream, of peaceful and joyous moments. Everything made sense when we realized, that God had a plan for our marriage, our children and our future.

Now at this time in our lives, we were on cloud nine,

For today’s podcast I am celebrating 100 “true story” episodes. I am thankful for everything I have learned along the way, including the ability necessary, to do research, write each episode, and then do the voice recording and upload it onto the hosting website. Without my daughter, Debby’s faithful editing, which often includes my old tape recordings, this podcast wouldn’t exist. Besides the regular work, there are always various complications with the technical stuff that arise.

And I really appreciate all of you, who have followed me here, and on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. I enjoy all of your comments and questions as I go along. Plus some of you, have helped add to my story because of the things you remember, about our past together. Who would have suspected, that we would be reminiscing about our experiences, some 50 years later on a podcast, that is available around the world. My listeners are in the US, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia, India and Finland. Welcome to everyone who is new to “Finding Purpose”, I hope you can get on board by starting with Episode 1, so you get the full picture.

Last week’s TV episode in German, took place 17 years ago. The interesting thing was, on the day that was released, I was sitting in a make-shift studio with my 22 year old grandson Elijah, doing an interview in English. For his media classes at the university, the assignment was to plan and film, an interview. His questions focused not only on our beginnings, but also into our future developments. It was fun for me, experiencing the difference in his interest as a member of the family, compared to the interviewer who had read my autobiography.

This program from Bibel TV was recorded in Hamburg. Our conversation was about the "Song of my Life", based on my autobiography titled "Das Lied meines Lebens," published in 2007. The interviewer asked some really deep and personal questions.

For example: What led me to West Berlin from California when I was 19 years old, and how did I meet my future husband there? Then, how did we end up together in California, landed in jail because of drugs, and moved to the mountains and lived in a tipi? Then, how did our lives change after we met Jesus People, in Mendocino? Then, how did we end up back in Germany in 1975?

Then, what took place in my family's life when my husband, Thomas van Dooren, developed cancer, and passed away in the summer of 1999?

At the end the interviewer asked me how I would describe God, after all the highs and lows, I have experienced in life.

Hope you enjoy watching! I will also post this on my YouTube channel!

Many times over the years, I have been asked if we actually enjoyed living in a communal situation. In my early episodes, I have talked about all of the wonderful experiences we had, and how God used each place and the people there, to form our characters. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Now in the coming episodes I will be sharing how we made the big step into normal life, living as a family in our own apartment. A lot of new

Thomas and I, were woken up early by our little baby, and from the open window we could hear the birds. What a joy that was! No more crashing of the liqour bottles like we had gotten used to downtown. Pretty soon the girls were up and chatting in their room across the hall. Any minute they would be climbing in bed with us and wanting to hold their baby sister. But we didn’t have much time to play, because Naomi, needed to get ready for school.

I headed into the kitchen, that wasn’t quite organized yet. Little Miriam could watch us from her baby chair on the table. I set out the cornflakes and oats mixture, that was our standard breakfast. While the girls ate together I made Naomi’s sandwich and put it along with a juice box in her backpack. At school the kids called it their “Pausebrot”, a sandwich they could eat at recess time. This was the first step, in getting into the swing of having a school kid, which would was going to effect the whole family’s routine.

Scripture in Song:  

They That Wait Upon the Lord (youtube.com)

After nine months sharing an apartment with the church office and another couple, Thomas set out to find a new home for our family of six. We were under time pressure to move before Naomi started the first grade. We talked with our little girls about this plan and made a prayer list of our needs which included, another part time job for daddy.

For me, the biggest issue was that I just had a baby. At least I was feeling good, and our little girl was easy to take care of. But the timing of moving house, would mean,  she would be only 5 or 6 weeks old. So once again I needed to start packing. The girls were familiar, with the procedure now, so they were excited to help.

We hoped to find an apartment in a residential area that was near a grade school, and most importantly within our price range. We didn’t have a preference concerning a specific area in the city. Another challenge would be finding a landlord, that didn’t mind renting to a large family. We trusted the Lord, that He would lead us to the right place.

song:

So, a new exciting phase, in our lives began with four children. Thomas went out first thing in the morning to the local bakery, to bring us fresh rolls and Nutella, for our celebration breakfast. After the girls were dressed, and I nursed the baby, and they took turns holding the baby, their real life dolly! It was so cute to see Elisabeth, who was almost two, with her baby sister on her lap. Naomi and Esther, were already experienced older sisters, and knew how to hold a baby.

Their favorite thing was picking out the clothes each day. It was going to take some getting used to though, with mommy’s schedule, of nursing the baby and the sleeping patterns. But I felt I was more prepared this time, in how to coordinate everything, because of my experience having the third child.

When the girls were down for their naps, Thomas couldn’t wait to show me what he wrote during the night. Between the different phases I was going through, he had some moments sitting in the chair beside me. He was taking it all in, this was our fourth birth experience together.

He probably was reminded of the first time, when he delivered Naomi, by himself. And then the last two births, with a midwife in charge. But still I think it was dramatic, touching, and overwhelming, for him to watch me go through a certain amount of pain.

We had a big decision to make. Should we travel to California six weeks before my due date? By that time, Judy announced that she was also pregnant, and had no desire to travel. She offered to take care of my girls, if we wanted to go. Thomas and I, felt confident that I could handle the flight. But the idea of leaving the children home was our main concern. Since they knew, we would be staying at Grandmas house, they could imagine and accept that idea. We told them we would be back in a few days, and bring them some special presents.

So we planned a ten day, whirlwind trip, that would include staying with my family and traveling to Santa Cruz for three days. Part of my goal then, was to spruce myself up, ready to see our ministry friends at the conference. I cut my hair a bit shorter and made myself a purple flowered dress, for the California summer.

Thomas and I, had a good flight over, and were happy to see my parents waiting for us in San Francisco. We were all amazed that we could see each other again, after just one year. Arriving at their house in the evening, was the perfect time to call Germany, and check on the girls. It was fun for them, to hear our voices, and they also got to talk to Grandma and Grandpa.