Hello friends! My name is Brooke Vander Voort, and I am one of the contributors here at Lifetime Remedy. Here are a few little things about me…
My husband Jeff and I currently reside in Bellevue, Nebraska with our almost 2-year-old son, Jeffrey, and our German Shorthaired Pointer, Roman. We will celebrate 5 years of marriage next month, and are thrilled to be welcoming another sweet baby to our family in April of 2020! My husband is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force and is nearing the end of his 6th year in the service. Being a military family is meaningful, but not always easy! Deployments, temporary duties away from home station, and overnight training exercises, etc. make our life and future pretty unpredictable. Though we have to spend a good deal of time apart, we are so proud of our Airman for his hard work, dedication, and service to our country.
I grew up in Pella, Iowa with both parents teaching in the Pella Community School district. My passion growing up was playing volleyball – I played competitively from 5th – 12th grade, both in school, USA Volleyball Club, and High-Performance Programs (USA Olympic Pipeline). I was recruited to continue playing for the D-1 level volleyball program at the University of Northern Iowa, and later transferred and played for Northwestern College. I coached the varsity volleyball team at Glenwood High School for one year before having our son. I hope to return to coaching someday! Volleyball was my passion growing up, and any time I get to be around the sport, it still lights a fire in my soul.
I graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with a degree in Elementary Education, and taught First Grade for one year before giving birth to our son. Now, I spend my time at home being a full-time Momma to my boy. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to spend all day, every day with him. (He’s my little best friend 😉 ) My dream is to someday return to teaching by opening my own preschool.
Another big part of my life is serving as a worship leader for our church here in Bellevue – Calvary Christian Church. Through the last few years, I have come to fully believe we have been intentionally created for, and called to, worshipping our God with all that we are; that through every moment of our daily lives, we can express our love for Christ through obedience, submission to His Word, and a continuous praise of all the marvelous things He has done for us… all these things being continuous acts of worship. One verse I really love comes from Ephesians 1:11-12 – “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might exist for the praise of His Glory.” As I walked through seasons of deep, painful suffering this last year, I kept hearing the Lord speak to my heart… “Keep praising Me in the midst of all this… Keep worshipping… I have not left you… when all you can do is cry out in desperation, cry out to Me, child… when you cannot take another step, keep declaring My goodness and holiness and know My sovereignty… know My love for you… worship Me through this suffering, beloved…”.
My friends, worship is powerful. When in brokenness, down on your knees, stretched thin, cry out to your Father – worship His Holy Name – for He is worthy to be praised. He is Sovereign over our circumstances and Mighty to Save. His Love for you is incomprehensible. Let us worship Him with all that we are!