Your Will Is My Delight, Even Though I’m Freezing!

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.  Right now I am sitting on the couch in the living room typing this blog post covered up with my Snuggie, one of the greatest inventions of the century and something I would hate to live without.  There ARE ways to get warm, and I intend on exploring them all.

Here is my list of Belgian winter necessities in order of importance to me.  I know this list will change as I discover new things, but here is how I keep warm:

1. Warm footie socks

2. Down comforter

3. Snuggie

4. Hard-soled, fleece-lined houseshoes

5. Crocheted scarf

6. Zip-up hoodie

7. Warm, comfy lounge pants

8.  Gloves

9. All-weather long coat

10. Yarn and crochet needles

11. Words with Friends app on my iPod

12. ihop.org and TVshack.net on my laptop

Now there’s one thing that I cannot rate, because there is no scale that I’m aware of that can judge its importance….a big, steaming mug of freshly-ground, French-pressed Starbucks coffee.  I even hear it calling my name right now from the kitchen.

Yes, Belgium is cold, and I don’t do cold too well, but I’m learning.  There’s no better place to learn than in the center of God’s will, and that is exactly where I am.   I can joyfully and honestly say, “Your will, O Lord, is my delight!”