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.  (more…)

From Falafels to Waffles

Well, one day I’m living in Jerusalem dealing with the layers of dust on my tables from the Judean desert, and the next day I’m living in Brussels dealing with the constant rain and chill in the air.  Did I say “chill”?  No, I meant COLD!  What am I doing in a cold climate?  I hate cold weather.  I am the one who prays that summer will arrive quickly in Texas, because I love the 100 degree days.  I seriously do. I love hot, sweating weather.  And now I’m in Belgium where they say it’s a nice day if it’s 45 degrees. Yikes!  I don’t even have a coat that’s appropriate for cold weather!

Belgian waffle

This is a store-bought waffle that we have here in the house for my 1 yr-old grandson, Shiloh. He LOVES these waffles! The ones they sell on the streets here are much bigger and better.

Preston and I have been in Brussels for 7 days now.  (more…)

Crazy Weather

Ok…everyone else is talking about the weather today, so I’ll show what it’s like here in Jerusalem.  Last week we had something fall from the sky that was a cross between hail, snow and ice. It looked like little white styrofoam pellets.  I had forgotten to get some towels off the drying rack on our upstairs balcony, and this is what it looked like.  It makes me cold just to look at this picture!

Now the last few days have been a totally different story.  Today it was sunny and 70 degrees.  Absolutely perfect weather.

I really love the Israeli climate, because it is so much like the climate where I grew up in Texas.  The only difference is that it’s incredibly dry and dusty. Just over the hills to the east of Jerusalem is the Judean desert. (I have to dust almost every day.) (more…)