Resign

/rəˈzīn/

verb

1. voluntarily leave a job or other position.
   "he resigned from the company in protest of the treatment of his co-workers"

2. accept that something undesirable cannot be avoided.
   "she resigned herself to a lengthy session"

3. reconcile oneself to

4. become resigned to

5. become reconciled to

I’ve been out of school (work) and on leave since October 12, 2020 and my FMLA period expires in a few days. Since I am unable to return due to this bittersweet journey Ken and I are on, I wrote a letter of resignation today, as I “accept that something undesirable cannot be avoided” and resign myself to this change as well. So many changes.

It is with much sadness, grief, and struggle that I write this letter to inform you that I must resign from my position with the Cedar Grove Belgium High School upon the expiration of my FMLA period. Thank you for the wonderful years together and the joy I received from being a part of a team that is making a difference in so many young lives! Although I am no longer walking the halls, helping out in the classrooms or at lunch, my commitment to relationships will always continue.

Of the people that know me, most have said there is something different about me; I would say that thing is my ever-present sense of eternity. When it comes time to die, make sure all you have to do is die. I like to live with a clear conscience and short accounts. My faith in God, and these practices, have given me a life full of joy. Small things matter. The small things add up to your days. The way you spend your days is the way you end up spending your life. 

Blessings to you all.

We frequently think we are in control of our lives, when really we aren’t. The sooner we resign ourselves to that fact, the less struggle we will have with it. Then we can reconcile that God really does want what’s best for us, and He is in control, no matter what life looks like.

Recent Photos

Big Falls County Park, east of Eau Claire, WI

From Rebecca

God's tapestry of abundant care for us is revealed in many ways. The notes and stories sent to me are certainly part of this, and becoming more and more significant! The support that God brings from people thinking about me and praying for me across the globe, encourages me in such a deep, humbling way.  Who am I?  Yet God cares enough to send me a moment of encouragement.  I am seeing this happen day by day, and in ways I could never have imagined!

The following is from my dear friend, Rebecca.

Dear  Nancy,

You are much in my thoughts and prayers. Thought of you in my devotions today through Psalm 23.

Do you need a picnic right now?

Think of Psalm 23 where the Good Shepherd cares for his flock. Even in the valleys of fear, He prepares picnics along the way (see verse 5). I pray that you will have a kind friend to break bread with you, to sit and enjoy a cup of tea, to reach across the table of troubles, and spread the picnic blanket.

Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me – and you –  all the days of our lives. 

Surely. Not maybe. Not perhaps.

The text promises God's presence all the days of our life. This is a promise, an assurance that the God of mercy will be with us through the good and bad days, the rich and poor days, the sick and well days.  All the days of our life. (see verse 6)

Believing in this promise, brings our Lord, our Good Shepherd, into our every valley, and into our problems. He is seated with you at the picnic table, and at the grand table for the banquet feast.

Best Regards,

Rebecca

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

A 'lemonade picnic' with Janell and Ken - and Elvis - at Harry's Diner, Sheboygan

God's Many Hands

Nancy and I wish to address the amazing team of people chosen to participate in this life-changing display of God’s mercy and loving kindness towards us all, and say ‘thank you’. To meet with each of you face-to-face in this experience has truly been a blessing to so many, far beyond the two of us. It is God’s hand, and His breath, that keeps us and sustains us. It is God that directs our paths, even when it seems there is no path at all. God is faithful, and trustworthy, always!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. -- Proverbs 3:5-6

We continue to pray for all of you as God uses your hands as instruments to His Glory while we walk on this bittersweet journey together. 

Neurosurgery

Wade Mueller, MD

Max Krucoff, MD

Kaitlyn Mark, PA-C

Neuro Oncology

Fernando Santos-Pinheiro, MD

Sarah, RN

Megan, RN 

Radiation Oncology

Joseph Bovi, MD

John Longo, MD

Musaddiq Awan, MD

Candice Johnstone, MD

Nancy, RN 

Amy, RN

Katie E, RT

Kara B, RT

Natalie M, RT

Vicki V, RT

Therapy

Kim G, ST

Katie S, PT

Dawn N, OT

Pharmacist

Stephanie S.

Social Work

Jacqueline Grams

Aesthetic Wellness Coordinator at Small Stones

Luanne M

Greeter at the West Bend Cancer Center

James 

The many others who we failed to mention, or have not yet personally met.

Thank you!

Dr Max Krucoff, MD (left)

Kaitlyn Mark, PA-C

Dt Fernando Santos-Pinheiro, MD

Dr John Longo, MD

Luanna M, AWC at Small Stones West Bend

Kara B, Natalie M, and Vicki V, Radiation Therapists

Katie E, Radiation Therapist

From Kat

God's tapestry of abundant care for us is revealed in many ways. The notes and stories sent to me are certainly part of this. The comments from this gal I met when we moved to Oostburg in 2014 gave me clarity on something I have been mulling over for 18 months.

“Oh, Nancy, you beautiful woman! As I've been painting a chair with the theme Embrace Change, I've thought of you and prayed for you so often. As I painted caterpillars, I've thought of how they adapt to each instar or change, shedding a skin that is too small for what they will become. And then they stop eating and anchor themselves to something stronger than they are...and they shed everything they have known before and rest in what they are becoming. And then that day comes when they emerge as glorious butterflies, able to soar instead of crawl. And you will soar!”  -- Kat

In September 2019 I felt like the word transformation was going to be a big part of my life. I wrote it on my bathroom mirror, right under the heading Eternal Perspective, and pondered these words for days and weeks. The subtleties of the transformation process fill my thoughts, like watching the ever-present monarchs through their long life cycle in my yard. From the fragrant blossoming of the milkweeds, to the vulnerable laying of the colorful caterpillars on the milkweed leaves, their transformation is an important part of my summer. I make wooden signs and pound them along the roadside, asking the township to call my roadside a  “No Mow” zone. Turns out, they have similar concerns and honor my request, and for our entire road.

I think about the pain in the process. The wriggling. The unknown. The loss. And now, as I am letting go with my heart and my hands, freer than ever before, I am more excited about each day. I never had to be in control. I never had to worry. I can just trust in Him. He is in control. It is His Power at work.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us.  -- Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Artwork and photo by Kat Wynveen