My Memoir - Chapter One - Just the Facts

As you now know, I'm Grace Broyles, born Grace Elsie Kruize, in 1960, so that makes me 50 years old.

My first language was Dutch as my parents were from Holland. I also learned to speak English probably at the same time, just by interacting with those around us when I was little. I learned some French in high school, then promptly forgot most of it when I picked up Spanish class in college.

I am left-handed with my fine motor skills, and right-handed with the larger motions. I sometimes switch hands with a new or very-rarely used activity, such as with ping pong.


Right now I am overweight, standing at just under 5 feet, 2 inches tall at about 145 pounds. My eyes are brown and I have to use glasses to see anything small and to see anything at clearly.

I am married, have been since August 1, 1992, to Billy Wyatt Broyles, so that means we've been married about 18 1/2 years.

We have two living children, Benjamin Wyatt, born March 11, 1997, and Abigail Marguerite, born February 26, 2004.  Our first child, Amelia Aliesabet, was born March 26, 1995. She died of neuroblastoma February 15, 2000. That same year, I was pregnant but lost the baby at about three months. The next year, and the following year, the same thing happened. So I say, we have six children, not all are living.

I am a wife and mother first. My husband and I also publish a community newspaper together called The Jim Ned Journal. We home school our two children, who are in ninth and second grade respectively.

My next of kin are my sister, Thalia Jeannette Kruize Darel, and my brother, Bernard William Kruize, both who live in British Columbia, Canada.

I am Causasian and am a Protestant Christian of the Calvinistic slant. I am a conservative politically, believing that the government's role is limited to protecting and preserving the people it serves.

We live in the hills, about 1/2 hour from a major town, off a dirt road and through a creek. We own our own home - a double-wide mobile home.

I am allergic to the stings of wasps and bees, especially to the sting of a red/brown wasp.

My blood type is A+.

I believe I have a soprano voice when speaking.

My pets have had names such as Silvertip Sabina, Boaz, Sheba, Black Midnight. I don't remember them all. Most were names I shared the making of with my siblings or children - like our cows growing up on the dairy farm.

I don't really have a nickname - but maybe I need one?

Introduction to Memoir of Grace Kruize Broyles

Hi, I'm Grace. I was born Grace Elsie Kruize on May 19, 1960, in a hospital in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, to my mom, Elizabeth Trijntje Norden Kruize, and my dad, Albertus Kruize.
I was the first born of their children, and very loved by them.
I am writing this memoir because my children need to know where I came from and how I got to be where I am today. I want them to see that even the smallest details of our lives are used by God to shape us into who He wants us to be. Nothing is too trivial for Him who ordained all that has come to pass and all that will come to pass.
To Him be the glory even in this enterprise!

My Year in Review

It is close to the end of the year.
My family is watching The Lord of the Rings, part 3. I am sick - having a sneezing fit as I sit here.
But I have some thoughts on the year that is about over -
I have learned a lot about my inability to control anything or anyone.
I sure try to control, but the Lord of my life is showing me that He is in control.
It's a hard lesson for me to learn.
He is showing me also that since my life is bound up in Him, I need to live like it.
And so I am finding that I am more and more able to do so.
It's me giving up of myself, my wants and desires to do what He places before me to do.
And the neatest thing is, I have found joy in the journey!
What a year it's been for my family, my church, and even for the other communities I am involved in. The struggles have been worth the growth.
I am so thankful for my family and my church family, for God placing me just where He has always wanted me to be. He is definitely working out His grace in me.
Please, Father, Son, and Spirit, do not stop filling me up with your fullness!
And so, I cannot really post a year in review that lists all my accomplishments - I have none to offer. In another blog post, I may tell what God has accomplished. At the moment, it seems I had a very mundane year.