Velma has been married to Justin Burkholder for over fourteen years and they live in busy Lebanon county, PA. In spite of the hustle and bustle of the area, they love the little two acre slice of it that they call home. Justin works for a local company as a truck driver, and Velma spends her days at home with the two boys they have been blessed with. Despite an age gap of 11 years between their two children, there are so many great family times and memories made together.

Looking back, Velma can see how much more difficult the journey would have been if not for Jesus. When they got married 14.5 years ago, the couple did not know what lay ahead in their path. Only fifteen months after their wedding, Velma and Justin welcomed their first son into their home, but then as year after year went by, secondary infertility brought many tears and disappointments to work through. God was faithful through it all, and through a ministry, they were able to add a now 2 year old little boy to their family and have the joy of a baby’s cry and a toddler’s babble in their home again. 

In January, 2025, Justin and Velma were asked to add another baby boy to their home. They welcomed him with joy a few months later, and once again they enjoyed the baby stage with delight. Baby boy was so loved by them all, but at only a few months old, angels visited their home, and carried the baby they loved so well back to his heavenly home. He met Jesus in his sleep. 

Velma again struggled to work through so many hard questions and grief; questions that so often don’t have answers in this life. Through it all, one thing remained - Jesus was right there to walk with her, and He would still carry her when she couldn’t find the strength to walk onward. Though the way had been hard and full of tears, Velma could see God working in a mighty way, and she knows that He will continue to guide her gently all the way to Glory. One of Velma’s favorite ways to bring Jesus into their home is by playing worship music. If she has a big stack of dishes to wash, or a floor to scrub, she cranks up the music and dances with the baby on her hip. It always makes tasks go faster, and lifts everyone’s mood. 

Velma’s summer hobby is definitely her garden. She loves raising their own food, and canning and preserving as much of it as possible. She also loves thrifting to clothe her family, and to decorate her home. As time allows, she also enjoys buying a pallet or two of Target or Amazon items to resell. Spending time with friends thrifting or at a coffee shop rates pretty high on the list of favorite things to do as well.

Velma’s favorite Mama Java coffee is Espresso Intenso. The caramel/chocolate flavor is amazing in her coffee, and the crema on the top of the coffee shot is foamy and yummy as well.

As a family, Justin, Velma, and their boys enjoy spending time outside, riding bike, swimming, and working in the garden together. Winter evenings find them playing more card or board games, but regardless of the season, they embrace time together because they know how precious family is.