I have been in Belgium for two weeks and I’m slowly getting used to the cold weather. That is a huge statement coming from someone who was born and raised in Texas. I LOVE hot weather. I look forward to the 100 degree days during the Texas summers. I really love the heat. I even like to sweat. That’s why I find it so humorous that God would send me to Belgium where most of the year is spent under rain clouds and 40 degrees. Two days ago it snowed all morning. This morning we had to scrape ice off the windshield before driving to church. It’s not too fun, but you really do get accustomed to being cold. After a winter in Jerusalem and now being in Belgium, I am totally used to the European heating system, which consists of radiators in every room emitting heat instead of wall vents blowing heat like in the States. At night while everyone is in bed, the heat is turned off. I am totally used to this way of heating, and I even think it’s superior to the system in the U.S.. Why waste perfectly good heat while you’re sleeping? That’s brings up another difference. The bedding is SO soft and comfy. Duvet covers enveloping down comforters is definitely the way to sleep. They trap your body heat, and you seriously get too warm at times, even with the heaters off in your room. I haven’t tried it yet, but my best friend, Lynn, in Cyprus, tells me that her hot water bottle is a must during Cypriot winters. One of my friends in Jerusalem always sleeps with a hot water bottle at her feet. [read more…]
I have been on internet silence since we moved into the new Ninth Hour missions base last week. Oh the joys of moving. I have only been able to get online a couple of times from Rocky and Margaret Gathright’s house and from our next door neighbor’s house, but I haven’t been able to write a blog post until now. We are eating dinner tonight at David Vandeput’s house (Jon’s brother), so I’m posting from there. The internet is supposed to be hooked up in a couple of days at our house, and we are SO ready. It’s amazing how dependent we’ve become on the world wide web. I don’t even know what’s going on in the world.
Just wanted everyone to know we are still alive and well. Life is good. We are getting settled in the house, and eagerly awaiting the arrival of my precious husband from Israel. He has been tying up loose ends in Jerusalem for three weeks and has worked so hard. He had to move out of our apartment without me and Preston, and I’ve really felt awful that we haven’t been there to help him. The hard part of the move is behind us, and we can’t wait for him to get here!
I’ll be so glad when we are connected to the world again.
Gary just sent me this picture on his iPhone as he was closing the door to our apartment in Israel for the last time.
I have to admit that I cried when I saw it. This last year has been such a gift from Abba God, and I mean that with all my heart. I have no feelings of pain or regret at having to leave Israel. On the contrary, my heart is filled with such gratitude for having spent a whole year there, that I all can do is thank Him for that very special gift. There are many memories attached to this apartment. Great memories. The laughter, the friends we made, the friends from Texas who stayed with us, the meals served, the movies watched on laptops, the games played at the table, the worship at the keyboard and guitar, the hours of Bible study and meditation looking out over the Judean mountains. Ahhh…..great memories!
We got word yesterday that everything is worked out on the lease of our new ministry base house in Waterloo, and we will get the keys Monday afternoon! This is such an answer to prayer! We have had our eyes on this house since last September, and God kept it vacant just for us. He knew we wouldn’t be able to move in until now, so he kept it empty and didn’t let anyone else rent it. His timing is SO perfect! I will post pictures after we get all our stuff moved in, but here are some “before” pictures.
Living/Dining Area
Kitchen with TWO dishwashers!