A Brother To Us All

Tim Vellenga
Ted's Brother

By now myself and most likely anyone reading this would have expected either an email, phone call or some form of contact from Ted regarding our Christmas holidays. Ted would ask just the right questions to keep the story going. I believe nothing, besides the comforting thought of being with his Lord, Jesus Christ, gave him more satisfaction than hearing about our children and their adventures or for others the blessings the Lord has granted us with happiness.

Ted was not only a good farmer, and steward of God's earth, he was also a harvester of Gods people. He had the ability to listen to our stories, of good times and bad, and by the Grace of God and His kind Spirit working through Ted, Ted would encourage us to grow--not to be like Ted, (not all of us are able to write in circles around recycled envelope windows, or come up with 20 odd recipes from one home grown red cabbage)--but to find the good within ourselves and let it shine.

It was this sunshine Ted would harvest from us, the grace of God he would see in us. Whether it was to learn more about farming, gardening, cooking, animals/livestock, sustainable living, all aspects of Gods Kingdom. Or to learn from our spiritual side, our souls and the likeness of God created within each of us. God worked through Ted on earth and continues to work, not just in the memory of Ted, but in the spirits of all who continue to sustain and improve His Kingdom in His name.

For this reason I am eternally grateful to God for the gift he sent each of us in the form of our brother Ted and I am so filled with joy knowing each of you had the experience of meeting Ted on your Walk with our Lord.

Ted I love and I miss you so much.

Your brother,
Tim