Orland Evangelical Free Church | Blessed to be a Blessing

"The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup...indeed my heritage is beautiful to me." Psalm 16:5-6

Pete and Lani Verboom have graciously opened their home for us to enjoy Cowboy Sunday. Like David in the Psalm, they see the beauty of God's reflected glory in their family.    Pete and Lani were born on different sides of the world, but grew up in the same community. Raised in the church, they came to Christ at different times. Pete was prompted at age 18 at a Billy Graham crusade. Lani was convicted at a church revival in Oregon when she was 9, and accepted Christ shortly thereafter.

Talking to them I noted their confidence in making decisions. I used to think this was over-confidence, but realized it is trust. As they recounted scenes from their lives, their faith in the Lord was evident. For example, they married at age 19. Lani took a good paying job with NASA working on the Apollo project so they could afford a wedding. She resigned a week after they married when she noticed the job kept them apart. The vocation of dairy farming was impressed on Pete at an early age, and he pursued it with all his might never questioning that decision. He trusted God's guidance in his life and was given peace - a foreign concept to many young people today.

Time progressed and their family matured. Again the Lord was faithful, guiding their children to spouses. The young Verbooms were drawn to Orland, dairy-friendly territory, to raise cows and kids of their own. Several years later, Pete and Lani moved here too.

Pete and Lani Verboom are "blessed to be a blessing" to others through their generosity and willing spirits. When you shake Pete's hand note his smile. His happiness is infectious, and it's not likely to be cured soon. Perhaps given to the same affliction, Lani's warm voice and calming tones are the overflow of her heart and the product of her relationship with our faithful Lord, Jesus Christ.