Cyndi’s Story
The Short Story
Nothing gives me greater joy than encouraging you in your life journey. I am a testimony of grace from my powerful God, the mender of hearts, salvager of dreams, giver of hope, and healer of those broken places. So grab a cup of tea, take a moment and relax. I hope these words meet you where you are today, encourage you, and point you to God who loves you more than you can ever imagine. God wants to be part of our lives every moment and always listens for the voices of His children.
The Longer Story 🙂
Okay, where shall I start? I am supposed to write a blurb here about me. How do I describe me? I am a tad hyper and not so patient, and am happiest in the midst of where the action is. I am a Sanguine/Melancholy personality type. Figure that one out! (Good luck with that, it took me a long time). I thought it worth mentioning that I have a serious chocolate addiction. I am the mother of four grown children – 3 daughters and a son, and now we have added sons-in-laws, a daughter-in-law, and 6 adorable grandchildren! I have a tender spot for encouraging other women in their life journeys and love the therapeutic benefits of a nice herbal tea and sympathetic chat with my friends on girls night out.
My ever patient and totally opposite husband Jeff is the love of my life. He is my encourager and cheerleader, and we are a team. We are busy in our church and community and share a passion and calling for marriage, families, and spiritual development. We have taught adult Sunday School at our church and led Small Group Bible Studies in our home, encouraging people to develop closer relationships with each other and with God. I have spent over 35 years in the children’s ministry in my home church. We have had the wonderful opportunity to go on mission trips with our children to the inner city of New York. For many years Jeff and I return to Belize to continue our ministry there.
We spend all of our free moments in the summer at our cabin where we enjoy swimming, kayaking, jet skiing, and water skiing. One of the best parts is enjoying coffee time by the fire with our friends. Sometimes the conversation is deep and profound, and other times … well … much laughter can be heard coming from the direction of our firepit.
We love speaking together and through the years have spoken on many topics including marriage and parenting. It is important for us to stand alongside other Dads and Moms in the wonderful and challenging journey of parenting and marriage relationships. We long to let couples and parents know that God is ever-loving, ever-present, and always has His ear tuned in to our needs as a family.
For many years Jeff and I have found ourselves talking with people who were discouraged and broken and had lost their way. We found that our role was mainly listening to their stories and pointing them to Jesus – the healer of wounds. We were glad for those who prayed with us and encouraged us in the hard places in our lives. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it, doing life together as fellow Christians so that no one stands alone? As a result, we have had the joy of victories in our own lives, and joined in the celebrations of friends who find their way and go on living the life that God has planned for them … and for all of us. Praise the Lord !!
Cyndi den Otter
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Cyndi den Otter 
Re: I Choose
Dear Cyndi,
Thanks for your blog “I Choose”. I struggle so often with my emotions. Fear, anger, anxiety, depression, panic….threaten to overwhelm. I’d appreciate your prayers. Thank you and God Bless You.
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December 27, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Yes, those emotions can be overwhelming. I will definitely pray for you. Remember God WILL be with you though it all. Hang on dear one.
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December 28, 2010 at 11:00 am
Cyndi,
i really enjoyed reading your blog, i really needed some encouragement this morning.
I have 2 teenage daughters, i love them immensely but my 14 year old is driving me crazy. she can be the sweetest on the earth but also the most defiante, especially in the morning when it’s time to go to school.
My oldest has her “moments” as well.
I have been married for almost 18 years and it has not been easy, but i still love him.
he suffers from bouts of depression and lost his job and he attempted suicide. He found another job but he has never been the same since then. This has affected our daughters and our marriage. Please pray for us.
We stopped going to church also, and just don’t have the motivation.
sincerely
N.E.
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April 4, 2011 at 11:44 am
I have good news. I have three daughters all in their 20’s now, and things do get better !:)
Depression is a tough one and your husband should get all the help he can via good medical care and counselling. There are counsellors who can walk you through these painful times.
Consider going back to church. I know it is very hard sometimes especially when you are going through a rough patch and everything is an effort. Maybe you could let the pastor know that for this moment you just need to attend the service and worship and bask in HIS love, without having any expectations on you other than healing.
I will pray for your precious family.
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April 6, 2011 at 8:43 pm
I know it wasn’t an ‘oops’ to stumble upon your sight. I want to ask for prayer for me and my family. I am freshly recovering from abdominal surgery and resting at home for the next two weeks before returning to work. My husband and I are struggling big time. He works 2 hrs away from our our home Mon-Fri and returns on weekends. He lives in our 5th wheel trailer 5 days out of the week. Our marriage and parenting our 12 yr old daughter and 14 yr. old son is terribly strained. He was unfaithful to me 3 years ago and the scars of that affair have not healed. We never got past the deep issues when we reconciled cause he lost his job shortly after that. I am very hurt and bitter for his lack of compassion, sensitivity and down right selfishness for so many areas in my life. It especially showed it’s ugly face in these days of my surgery. The day i was discharged he left out of town with my son for a baseball game. Although i am not going to lie that it was more peaceful without him here. (I had the sweet love and tenderness of my sister who is a nurse to care for me). But his thoughtlessness and cold hearted comments made it very tough to swallow. He despises my family for always running to my aid when I need them. I would sincerely appreciate your prayers and encouragement in the weeks ahead. I have been praying for a miracle for the Lord to pierce his heart and bring him to a place to be the spiritual, mature leader of our household. Most of the time I feel like I have another self-centered teenage boy and not a husband.
Patiently waiting on the Lord in AZ
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April 11, 2011 at 7:39 pm
II hope you are recovering quickly from your surgery. I will pray for you and your family as you wait on the Lord. Remember He is with us in all things even those situations that hurt us and and seem impossible. May you feel HIS peace and lay this at His feet.
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April 16, 2011 at 3:35 pm