Counting down to Easter, I never thought that that would be something that I’d do one day. Well, several days. Until this year. I’ve read different books about family life these last couple of months, and several mentioned celebrating – and with that counting down to – Easter. When you think about it, we actually celebrate the most important moment in our Christian faith with this event. And if we count down to His birthday, why not to this one? Last Sunday, we read about how Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The leaders of the church – no Sietse, temple – weren’t happy with that. But Jesus didn’t come to be the king of a city or a country, no, He came to be the King of our hearts. At least our oldest got that part. We made a donkey out of our foot prints (well, the boys) and we wrote ‘Hosanna’ on top of it. This piece of art is proudly presented at the first day of our countdown. We had to wait until Wednesday until we could do our next event. I called it ‘feet washing Wednesday’, because it sounds fun. A few days before I prayed unexpectantly (because yes, those prayers exist too) that we’d...
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Do you know those days, or weeks, or maybe even months, where you’re just so incredibly distracted? Every time you want to do something, it seems like someone needs you. If it isn’t one of the kids who’s thirsty or just pooped, it’ll be the cat that wants to go in our out, or just the general buzzing of my phone. Apparently, it’s a huge challenge to give mommy some time to do something fully concentrated. Which makes me postpone, because I’ll be disturbed and distracted anyways. So, I leave the small stuff hanging, since I won’t be able to do them anyway, because you never know who will need you in that exact moment. That’s why I fill up my days with the small chores, things that can be easily interrupted; cleaning, laundry, tidying up… But my brain longs for so much more. It feels like my once very active organ is changing into a huge Jell-O – just to be able to connect to my lovely toddlers. But my 28-year old brain would like something too, just once in a while. What about the evenings? When peace and quiet has filled the house, because the kids are asleep? The evenings? What is that? Those zombie hours that...
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The last couple of days have been a great preparation for the baby to come… Our currently youngest (for approximately 4 more weeks) had a fever. Just like that. It started in the middle of the night, and lasted throughout the entire following day. I must say that the day time was really nice, Jeppe is already a very cuddly child, but now all day he was extra cuddly. And in a calm way. Well, a passed out way. The only thing is that this normally energetic kid has had his share of sleep problems. I have been told that sickness can mess up sleep training, well I can now confirm. The night that followed, he didn’t want to sleep in his own bed, same for naptime the day after. And I was already tired. So tired. Hello sleep deprivation. Of two days… In a couple of weeks, we´ll start a cycle of a couple of months. And it breaks me, no sleep. If they ever have to torture me for something, take my sleep away, and I´ll give you what you need. No, in all seriousness, it’s tough. It’s my biggest fear of the newborn stage. Since last week, I’m reminded of this Bible verse over and over...
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In 6 weeks’ time (or more for those of you who know me), we will be welcoming our newest team member. Our third son. And I’m super stoked about the new life and adventure! I’m also terrified of the lack of sleep and energy that will follow along with it. But, looking at the friendship among our oldest two, I’m so excited to give them a new friend, a brother. Life is different, life will be different. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Is. 43:19) So many of us are waiting for life to go back to normal. Life after corona. But life is not going to go ‘back to normal’. It’ll be different, it’ll be new, it’ll be better. God makes a way through the wilderness, He creates streams in the wastelands. The best is yet to come. So many promises in His Word proclaim of the goodness that He wants for us, the hope that He has for us and I’m going to take it. Life is crazy, and being 34 weeks pregnant, being reminded of your limitations, basically every 2 minutes...
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It has been quite a while since I wrote my last blog. It’s not exceptionally busy, but life goes on. I know I’m repeating myself by saying this; but the people here are awesome. They’re so nice to hang out with. Because of this, our weekends are pretty fully booked with drinking coffee, going for walks or just spending some time together down town. Normally, Sunday was blog writing day, but nowadays it’s filled up with all sorts of other activities. I’ll have to check my agenda and make room for writing somewhere else – everything to keep you guys updated! Meanwhile, God is working hard in me. At the end of last year, I got everything sorted out. I thought. But if I look at myself right know, I’m not completely sure about that one anymore; nothing bad, just confusing. At the moment Jonathan Conrathe is our guest speaker. A guy who decided to life his life with one goal: showing and telling about the love of Jesus to everyone on earth. He wants the people to know the power of forgiveness and freedom of the souls. His words go accompanied with signs and wonders – sick are being healed and where darkness tried to take over God...
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God’s love is real for everyone. Sunday morning I was having breakfast all by myself, waiting until Rein would come back from his shower. It took him quite a while this time. I looked outside and asked God what He wanted to show me that day. Immediately an image came up, an image of an elder lady with white grayish hair and an intense purple blouse. I asked what He wanted me to tell her if I would meet her. God said: “nothing, but I want you to know that I love her.” Ah well, we would see. During the service I saw a lady sitting in front of me, she had white grayish hair and was wearing a purple blouse. You have to know, this lady isn’t really one of my favorite people. I don’t really like the way she handles things. But I remembered what God told me this morning: I love her. I realized again: God truly loves everyone, even if we naturally wouldn’t. If I want to become more like Christ, I have to put time and effort in looking at people through God’s eyes. Not always easy, but easy is not the life that I signed up for. We had our famous Boot Camp...
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