Mountains and compassion

10 For the mountains may depart
    and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

Some months ago we went up to the mountains to take a little break. This was my our view from the little cabin. I remember the first time I saw a huge mountain; the first word that came to my mind was "Majestic". It helped me appreciate just how much bigger and majestic God is. 

Faithfulness

Ah, my little faithful blog is still here. I don't remember when I last checked my blog, but I am here today, on purpose. I wanted to write a post, not sure about what, but a post nonetheless. See, I started this blog ten years ago. It might seem like a lot to some, but ten years really doesn't feel all that long once you are over thirty years old. Its not that long, and yet so much has happened since I wrote my first post about a cat in Holland...I believe, and where I find myself today in France as a wife and stay-at-home mother of four little ones. As I look back, without going through my old posts, one thing is for sure, God has been faithful and present at all times. Through the good, the difficult, and the sad, and at every major event, and challenge. It has been what I would consider an adventure without having to cut through a thick jungle and fight off wild animals. Or having to dive in the dark unknown depths of the ocean, or climbing the icy tops of white pointy mountains. An adventure because an adventure is really about not knowing where your journey will take you, and yet having the willingness to go no matter where it takes you, or what you will have to face... all because right beside you is the greatest Person: Jesus

The one that calms the most violent storms and isn't afraid of anything! In fact he is very likely to go straight to those places nobody else wants to go to, and say and do the things that nobody else dares say or do. And he's taking you right with him. Sometime we are running along thinking about how cool it is to be living it with him, and other times we are being dragged like a crying toddler who needs to be removed from a candy shop, or dragged into a playschool on the second day of school. Sometimes we will be lifted and carried though long periods when we find ourselves weak, fearful and lonely. But he's always there, always loving, always patient, always full of grace, joy and compassion. I can confirm that in these last ten years He has never failed, that no matter how many times I was faced with difficulties and dispair, I could have trusted His gentil "fear not for I am with you".

No matter where you find yourself today, in your mind, or your body, or your heart I can promise you that there is nothing better than putting your trust in Him. There is so much I could thank Him and praise Him for. Not only for what He has done these last ten years, but also for His faithfulness through my whole life.

I do hope to get back to writing posts. Facebook kind of killed this blog, but I've said goodbye to Facebook and have decided that this is a better place for me. Not sure what I could write about, but I'm sure it will always have something to do with Him.

Happy ten year anniversary little blog!

Happy New Year!

Well, the more I try to keep this blog going, the least I post. Becoming a mother has killed it... I don't know how women with two or more kids manage to keep a blog going, making beautiful posts with pictures and all. Maybe there is something that I do that they don't do and I guess that's how it is with everything else, pretty much. But, I do keep recording my thoughts and ideas in notebooks and diaries and e-mails and Facebook statuses. I think that the biggest change is that life is not so much about me anymore... it is less about my likes, my thoughts, or my adventures...and that is a GOOD thing. My life is becoming more a life about others... my kids, husband, the church... I desire more and more to have a life about serving others through Christ and His love. (NOT EASY!!!) Blogging for me was really mostly about myself and my little life. I think I would like to continue to blog because I know that this blog has served as an encouragement to some people. People that I'm never really in touch with anymore, but I'm thinking that maybe I'll get to meet new people, and it also serves to help me see what our lives become and how God is always present and never failing. From my first post as a single heart-broken girl living in Holland, to a married lady with two kids living in France His love has always been there, encouraging me, sustaining me and freeing me.


Since my last post we've moved again. This time we moved because we felt led to help out some missionary friends that are planting churches in this region of France. So here we are in this beautiful town waiting patiently and serving as best as we know how to. I know that we have a lot to learn but we have Jesus to show us how, we have His Word to teach us and encourage us and we have the Holy Spirit to lead us. We also have brothers and sisters to share it all with. It's all GOOD!

So anyway... don't have much else to say but I will post a picture, or two! :)

In love...

...with our little man Ezra David.

What amazes me is that there are still people that check this blog... so this picture is for those of you faithful checkers. 

My blog has continued... just not on the web, but in my prayer notebook as I believe more and more that all my thoughts, worries, cares, dreams, joys, hopes, fears and so on should be turned into prayers. I've also been keeping journals for both of my kids. I'd want them to read about what things were like when they were little and about how much we love them and love God. They are both such a blessing to me. We didn't know we were going to have a little guy this time, and I must say that it has been so wonderful having him in our family. I LOVE HIM!!!!!! (there it's out)

I hope you are also doing well... I hope you too have much to give thanks for... we all do actually but sometimes it is not very easy to see because sometimes we just can't see those blessings. I thank the Lord more and more for those things I don't see that I know are happening around me. For the prayers that others lift for me and my family that I don't hear. I thank God because there is still sooooo much to learn, to perfect, to achieve, and He is willing to help us through it... in His typical loving and gentle way. How wonderful it is to have the perfect Father.

I would also like to encourage you just like I encourage myself to stop complaining. It is the opposite of giving thanks and it doesn't do us any good. I don't know how many times I have read people say that they use their blogs to vent... venting is also complaining and what we are really saying is that God is not fair... and that's a lie. God is just and we do Him no honour by complaining. If there is something you are not happy about, tell Him about it, lay it at His feet... run to Him for direction and support.  

God is good. 

Well... my little man just woke up so I better get going. 

Peace and Love in the One and only :)

Changed by love

We just got back from a great spiritual retreat with church friends. It was wonderful because we got to spend time with not only friends, but people that feel like family... real family. I love to see how my daughter and the other children feel safe and loved. I love to see how there are people ready to fill in where there is a need. Whether it is to clean up, or hug someone, or pray for someone, or cry with someone. I feel so blessed to be part of this wonderful family I have found in the Lord. We are also blessed to be living in such a beautiful region were we can constantly be reminded of God's beauty through the mountains, streams, lakes and vegetation that surround us.


There was also another part of it that is just as important. I know that one of the reasons for doing retreats like this is to spend time with God. To seek Him, and delight in Him. I was challenged and encouraged as He kept reminding me that He does not want to leave me as I am. Our teachings were from the first epistle of John, and there was so much in just the first couple of verses to keep me busy and meditating on it all for a long time.

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." - I John 2:6 

I recently heard a pastor say that the reason we don't do great things like Jesus did is because we don't walk like Jesus did. And well... I have no idea if raising the dead, or walking on water can become part of my repertoire, but... what if I did more walking like Jesus waked? What would that change in my life? I dare say and think that there would be big differences that I am willing and ready to see in my life. I'm so happy that God leads us gently and practically, and that He shows us the things that He would like us to do differently, or the things that He would like us to get rid of.

 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."- I John 1:5

Another reminder/warning I got was that if I say that I love God but I hate my brother, I am a liar... and I got this right after telling someone that sometimes I just wished fire would come down from heaven and consume some folks. I know, way to show some love... Mind you I was telling her that I felt kind of troubled by such thoughts. But then John says...

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." I John 1:7

and 

"He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." - I John 2:10-11 

I have wondered why on earth I would wish fire to come down on people and the truth is that, it is not only a lack of love, but it is also my fear of them. The feeling that they are much bigger than me, that I cannot do any good in their midst... on the contrary they would consume me! So, it is much easier to not have them around. But then again I am so happy for these next verses...

 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." I John 4:18-19

Perfect love casteth out fear; I find that really encouraging, because there are a lot of things that I fear in life from time to time. The older I get it seems the more fears I come across... but that's ok if I can remember that perfect love casteth out fear.


Now, here is a really nice thing about all this as well... when I read books in the Bible I don't really think much about the authors in general. As I flipped through I John I just thought about how John was warning the people with so much love and gentleness and how he kept stressing the importance of love and loving each other... but then as I flipped a bit further and got to Revelation, which is also written by John, I read a little note I had scribbled next to the title. "John the one who asked Jesus to call down fire from heaven. Love changed him."

"And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.                - Luke 9:54-55

The Apostle John, who along with his brother were surnamed sons of thunder by Jesus, were full of zeal, but it wasn't always directed toward love. I'm happy to have an example of someone that was changed by love, because that encourages me to let the love of God change me as well. I know it's easier said than done... but all things are possible in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." - I John 4:9-11

This is not a resent picture, but it was taken during a picnic with church friends by a river. This is a my daughter with one of her favourite friends. As you can tell she was feeling just fine and happy... but right now little miss Sunshine is in trouble for tearing a piece of mommy's Bible cover and chewing on it. But let's walk in the light as He is in the light...

Back

Back again... or so I say...

I will have to change a few things on this blog as time has changed not only me, my life, and our life as a family, but just everything else it seems...including this blog. I just don't think starting a new blog is the answer. Since my last post I have moved to another city, Sunchi has died, our daughter was born and is now a year and a half, I started a small business, and I'm pregnant again. These are only the big changes that I can think of... but there is one thing that still remains the same... and NEVER changes... and that is the wonderful God I know, love and serve. I still need to change more, for my daughter's sake, for the sake of my marriage, for the sake of my relationships with family and friends...and to continue to grow in Faith. I know I still have a long long way to go, but it is good to know that God is there to gently lead us and encourage us as we run this race.

I want to write again because I have seen it bear fruit... I thank you all that keep checking for an update and those that have sent me messages asking how things were going, or to tell me that one of my posts touched them. THANK YOU, I never replied but your messages humbled me and still do.,

I probably won't have time to double check my writing and spelling and what not... I'll try to put up pictures I take along the way. And most of all I want to share about how the Lord works in my still very hard heart as I let Him.

Now, I'm off to bed to thank my husband again for the lasagna and ice-cream he had to get me because I just had to have it. Thank you Lord for a husband that doesn't question my cravings!

God bless...

"He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young."

- Isa.40:11

25 Random things

I was tagged by Karen on Facebook... but I thought I would answer here as I'm having a hard time blogging again...

Let's see if I can come up with 25 things...

1. I've probably done something like this before...

2. ...in this very blog!

3. I live on top of a pharmacy.

4. I'm expecting my first child!

5. I love the smell of coffee, but I don't drink coffee.

6. My dog has lived in three different countries. (I know that's not really about me)

7. I like to pray

8. I'm actually trying to not repeat anything I have said before in one of these tags... I will compare my answers when I'm done here.

9. I've never been to Australia

10. I still keep in touch with some friends I made in India about 11 years ago...

11. I love Cinnamon gum, but they don't sell any in France. In fact, I don't think the French like Cinnamon all that much.

12. I love it when my husband plays Jewish music on his Clarinet.

13. I used to not like cooked tomatoes or onions before I got married.

14. I've recently learned that some of our digital photos look wonderful once they have been printed and hang on the wall.

15. I think I'm getting better at this.

16. I used to wake up in a very bad mood each morning since I was little until I gave it up to the Lord.

17. I honestly see most women in my church like my real sisters.

18. I'm not competitive... so I always feel a little bit bad when I play a game with a competitive person, and beat them... just a little bit bad.

19. On our Bookshelves we have books in Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Papiamentu, Hebrew, Polish, Russian, and I'm sure I have an Italian book somewhere.

20. I can only read 5 of these languages... maybe 6

21. I have a hard time getting compliments and knowing what to do with them.

22. I love to watch my husband make bread.

23. I have never broken a bone, although by looking at me you would think they could easily break.

24. I'm thinking that maybe I should sit down and tag my blog posts...

25. I've always thought that it would be cool to organize a package exchange with my blog friends. There are some lovely things here in France that would be nice to share with other ladies, (and you Doug) and some of you live in places where I'm sure you have lovely unique things to share as well. An international exchange!

I made it! Let me see if I can find this other tagging post I'm sure I did before...

My Belly

Today is the first day since about three months that I am able to sit at my computer and have internet access on it! In the last three months we have moved to a new town, a bigger home... we have celebrated my 31st Birthday, Thanksgiving, spent Christmas in Paris, and New Year's Eve in Nice. I don't have a lot of pictures of all this because during our move I couldn't locate my camera... but I do have a Belly picture, or like someone delicately put it, a fat picture!

I hope everyone reading this has had a good Christmas time and has started a wonderful new year in the Lord. He has such wonderful things for us, and I hope that with time we can all learn to take bigger steps of faith as we grow in His knowledge and love.

I won't say much else as it is bed time over here... but I have missed blogging and wanted to thank all who left me so many lovely comments wishing us all the best with this pregnancy. I have kept you all in my prayers and hope to be able to get to posting as before.

God bless and here is the pic!


BTW, if anybody is interested in receiving our Newsletter, please let me know and I'll send it to you!

Peace <><

"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart..."

I cannot let this day go by without posting about our day. I have just had one of the most amazing days of my life. This morning, bright and early, Raphael and I walked down to the Radiologist to get an ultrasound... for me, not him. And the first thing the doctor said about 2 second after she started the ultrasound was, "There's the baby!" or... "Et voilà le bébé" to be more precise. WOW!

We just found out last Thursday that I was pregnant, but we didn't know how long it had been... and to be honest, I wasn't 100% sure of my pregnancy. My body works in such an unusual and funny way that it was really hard to calculate or be sure, so it wasn't until today that we got to know how pregnant I really am. Funnily enough I think it was Sunchi who found out before any of us because of the way she has been acting towards me lately. She just wants to sit on my lap (she has never been a lap dog) and curl up next to my belly.

I could say a lot about what this pregnancy means to me after almost a year and a half of marriage... about what the Lord has shown me in His word about children... I have learned many important things that have changed the way I see it all, but today I want to write about something else.

My dad pointed out to me that the baby's heart was made before his brain and how important that is... and that really made me think. See... when I was looking at the screen, I could kind of make out the head and the little spine as the doctor pointed them out to us... but there was one little thing that I didn't miss and couldn't miss... the heart, and hearing the heart beat of His/our/my baby! :) It's a miracle...

"Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." - Deuteronomy 6:3-7

This little baby doesn't look like much yet, but he/she has a heart... I believe he/she has a soul, and I think he/she is strong as I see how this baby has grown so far and how he/she is going to grow each day as the Lord wills... I pray that this little person will love the Lord with that little beating heart, with her/his soul, and with the little powerful strength she/he has... I was so humbled to see that this little being has that which the Lord asks of us. Our heart, our soul... our strength, and from each according to that which he or she can give.

I have felt unworthy of such a precious gift as I see my lack of love, mercy and grace unto others... and I ask myself how I could possibly bring up a child in the Lord... but thank God it is not about me or Raphael. It's about Him, and I know that all things are possible in Him, and that this baby is here with us because it is the Lord's good pleasure... and he/she is His to start with! That's what it comes down to when you live by faith.

I have a few photos to share... I won't post them right now, but they are coming!

I hope and pray that you have all been well and encourage you to continue in your walk with the Lord.

"Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

"They that sow in tears..."

Lately I have been thinking a lot about harvest time, bearing fruit and blessings... I guess because it's Summer time and the market place is coloured with beautiful Summer fruits and flowers. I have never lived on a farm or had any fruits trees or vegetables to grow, but I can very well imagine how satisfying it must be to see the fruits of your labour and God's blessings. I also think much about it because I realize how much the Lord has blessed me and feel like we are bearing fruit ourselves, in a spiritual way. But I know that many around me are not feeling blessed or like they are bearing any fruit. Raphael and I can both see how the Lord is blessing us here in our home, our little village, church and family... but for some odd reason it seems like we are surrounded by many people, either near or far, that are going through very tough situations. It is one thing to have to deal with a mild headaches, a bad grade, missing a friend, criticism, a bad hair day or bird-poo on your head... all of these can be discouraging, but when you see others having to deal with deep depressions, murder of a family member, sexual abuse, chronic illness at a time when you think "Lord this is not a good time", having your dad thrown in jail while it is clear he is innocent, or no place to live, you know you have to take out your praying umbrella and cover your friends with it, and encourage your friends in your time of harvest...while they sow in tears.

Sunchi and I :)

We visited a friend near Aix-en-Province a few weeks ago and got to drive by some lavender fields that were just beautiful. While driving we noticed that there were some men collecting lavender with their reaping machine. I immediately thought of the verse about not reaping the corners of the fields so the poor and strangers could glean at the corners... and I figured that "hey, I'm a stranger...no?" So I asked my husband very nicely if he thought we could glean there. He was sure we could, but he also asked very nicely and the guys said we could take from what was left over...

I know my colours don't match, but you know, I just didn't care that day; the sky was too blue...don't you just love Sunchi's smile

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 23:22

Raphael ready to go swim in the lake...hehe

It was wonderful to glean on the fields; the smell was heavenly, and working on the field made me feel so useful, blessed, like I was in the book of Ruth... like I was collecting the Lavender I planted myself! It was wonderful, and we all enjoyed it. I was able to collect so much that I gave quite a big bunch to some of my neighbors, and have left over for my mother-in-law. It makes me happy to think that their homes are filled with the fresh scent of Lavender. I think our encouragements can also have the same pleasing effect on our friends. It doesn't change the circumstances, it is just a smell of something, but it smells like hope and that can make a big difference. I know I'd love some lavender if I was going through winter. But God has a wonderful promise for anyone going through hard times, big or small; His Word says that

"They that sow in tears...
...shall reap in joy."
Psalm 126:5

That's a great promise and the encouraging verse I've been using lately. If you are going through a time of plenty, don't clean the corners of your field, leave some fruit for those around you that are going through hard times or famine. If you are going through difficult times, be of good cheer, the Lord will see you through and He promises that soon, after the winter you will reap in JOY! And we'll be right there rejoicing with you, if not begging for a bite... but it's all good!

This is when I felt like Ruth or so...

There is another famous Bible verse about sowing..."Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap Galatians 6:7... you know? But that's a whole different story.

God Bless.... :)

In the Beginning was the Word....

Sunchi's Checklist

• Traveled by plane in South America, the Caribbean and Europe.
• Lived on a little Caribbean island for 13 years.
• Chased Donkey's away.
  
• Did a road-trip across Europe.
• Been to Paris.
  
• Stayed at a hotel.
  
• Was kissed by two complete strangers in the streets of Aubusson.
  
• Been stuck in traffic for hours.
• Been to two weddings... and one still to come.
  
• Been faithful all my life.
• Retired to the French Riviera where a whole new life will start.
  

Well, we are back, and we are not alone. We brought back my little dog Sunchi from Bonaire. I have had her since I was 17 so it's a great joy to have her here in France. Maybe one day I can write about the day I got Sunchi, while I was in a hospital for TM. To me she is a reminder of where I have been and what the Lord has done in my life. Raphael and I were in Bonaire with family, then Holland for a friend's wedding, then Paris for work, then the middle of France for another wedding so we are happy to be back home. I have missed my blog friends and posting about our happenings.

The Lord is good, I just want to encourage people with this truth. It may not always look that way, or feel that way, but He is... and I can tell you that with a big smile on my face.

Well, that's it for now...I want to thank everyone for their sweet comments while I was gone, and leave you with a few pictures of our little traveler.

God bless~

Wedding in Holland...

Looking for mushrooms in the forest with Mamie...

Giving Raphael his B-day gift...

Looking at the fish...

Taking a nap after lunch...

Paris...

Making new friends...

"Sunchi besame mucho!"

Using facilities in our hotel room...

Resting after a long day...

"Are you coming?"

Traffic Jam

Took hours...

New home sweet home...

(In case anyone is wondering, no she doesn't sleep in bed, but on our last day at the hotel she was allowed to sleep in the bed while we packed our things.)

Jimena is...

... in BONAIRE

Loooooooooong walk

I just wanted to post a few pictures Raphael took on his mobile from our walk yesterday. He had a day off so we went for a nice walk in nature. Before going we had a very nice study in I Samuel 1. I was really touched to learn about how God answers our prayers. It was just a great way to start the day.... so off we went on this walk. The weather was great, and my walking was quite good as well. Raphael showed me how to use two hiking sticks to see if that would help and it helped so well that on our way up he didn't even have to make an effort to slow down his walking, so that was very encouraging for me... So, we walked, and walked, and talked about heaven, and I kept asking him things that require a lot of imagination like... "If God gave you a country... would you like it to be an island or somewhere in a continent? What kind of vegetation would you put in it? What kind of animals?" and so on.... I know he doesn't like these kinds of questions very much because... they are so irrelevant, but he still answers as best as he can to satisfy me, and then I talk and talk and talk about what I would do if it were my case... all this while I'm still walking pretty well. I know he would much rather have me ask him how the internet works, for example... anyway. We walked and walked, and then after about 2 hours he pointed to where he wanted to take me... on top of a mountain, and I thought he must be kidding because how on earth would I get up there? But I just followed him... then after more walking I started to feel really tired and wanted to give up but he told me he wanted to take me just a little bit further up... so after walking and climbing a bit... he lead me to the very top and WOW, the view was amazing. then he pointed down to were we had parked the car and how much we had walked and WOW.... I just had to cry a little to think that just by taking little steps at a time you can get very far... He shared with me how it made him so happy to be sharing this walk with me. See.... my husband is a hiker... he loves to hike and climb... and how funny is it that the Lord gave him a wife that walks with so much difficulty. And yet... isn't that just like God?

Then we found a place to sit and we went through out prayer requests and those the Lord had answered already, and other blessings that we hadn't even prayed for but the Lord had done... and we prayed and just spent such a nice time on top of that mountain....

Then we had to go down... there were several ways to go back to the car, I asked for the shortest way because I was already kind of really tired. So we saw a path and chose to go on that one... there had been a warning sign hiding in the bushes but Raphael looked at his map and according to the map the path would lead us to the car. This path was smaller, going down, and had a lot of stones on it which made it very difficult for me... and after 30 minutes we hit a fence that prevented us from continuing and had no other choice but to turn back... The sun was already starting to set, we knew that we still had about two hours to go... and we had just lost 45 minutes going down and up this trail... my legs were getting heavier and heavier... and not only that but I was VERY discouraged. I knew it wasn't Raphael's fault, he was following the map, but still... walking up was easier, but much more tiring, and I knew once we were up we still had to go down the other way. Raphael felt really bad and I could tell he was a bit concerned about time. He put up the warning sign again (which said that it was a dangerous path) I just had to keep praying for the Lord to give me patience and a happy heart... Raphael also stopped after a while to pray for me because he could tell that I was having a hard time... I just kept thinking that all that was happening was like a perfect situation to discourage us after such a great moment of prayer. I knew that it was just the kind of thing that would make us forget how Good the Lord really is and it could have even gotten me mad at Raphael when it wasn't really his fault, so I tried to keep that in mind and just continue praying...

Raphael then decided that he was going to take me down on his back and that I should just enjoy the view... so that's more or less how we made it down.... and it was fun, it was good exercise for him he said, and it kept our spirits up. He carried me down all the way to the foot of the mountain and then when it was flat I was able to walk back quite ok. We left for our walk at about 14:30 and got back to the car at about 20:30... that was a loooong walk. On our way home we stopped to get some excellent pizza, and once at home my he prepared a foot bath for me. :)

I'm still kind of tired today, but... I'm just happy of the day we had.

On our way up... unawares of what awaits me... see those rocks up there?

View from the rocks i just showed you?

I loved that we could see the snowy alps... those are my favourite mountains around here...

Raphael took pictures all around with his mobile...

Super cool!

Too bad he didn't take a picture from where we parked... and too bad I can't load those pictures from my mobile for some reason...

Our first trip down the wrong path... again unawares...

This is where Raphael took me down... at the bridge

Picture of where we were! I can hardly believe it!

Raphael... always happy, and me thinking "Take me home!"... but happy too :)

God+1Year+1day+Raphael=Happy Me :)

On the 28th of April 2007 Raphael and I got married in a beautiful little church, on a beautiful Sunny day in Holland (!!!). It's been a year and a day since that day and it has been such a blessed year for me and Raphael. On our wedding day we received an album from one of my colleagues and her boyfriend with some photos of "my children" at the school where I worked... a souvenir to always remember them... and they also added some pictures of our engagement. At the end they put... "to be continued" - So I thought a year after I could offer it to Raphael again with some pictures of what this year has meant to me. So... a friend and I went to the beach in Cannes... she brought her cool pink camera and I brought a bag full of things to see if I could somehow make pictures of what love was for me...

All the pictures were taken by Tuuli, a friend from church... I thought she did a great job at taking them and going ahead with all my little crazy ideas. I would just set up things and she would snap away... it was great because often times I would like to take a picture of my hands or so, and I would need a third arm to take it.. so it was great to have Tuuli there. She admited she had never taken such pictures, but I think they turned out great. Thank you Tuuli!

I did edit the photos some to add text or colour...and make them a bit like what I saw in my head... didn't quite work as well because I'm not very good with photo editing programs at all... and I just had a short time to work on them, but it did get me interested in learning more about photo editing...

Anyway here are some pictures :)

The idea was to make a little album of what love meant to me in our marriage. So on one side of the album I put a "love is.." picture and on the other side I put a picture of what it was...

Because of my disability I find that love... or how Raphael shows his love to me is by being patient. Tuuli later commented on how the love I felt was coming from him was love from God, and she was right on!

"Love is..." "...Marriage"... to me ;)

Well... in this case I put what it was in the same picture... :)

Les Petits Nounours :)

I love the way my simple kitchen matches look in this picture. Had no idea they were so photogenic!

Tuuli wasn't sure love was really forever as it kept being blown away... but I assured her it was...as God is eternal.



I have many more pictures that I used for the album but just wanted to share a few here...

In the morning we exchanged our old vows again and put on our rings for fun... Raphael gave me a huge bouquet with beautiful flowers and took me to a lovely restaurant in the evening close to our house. We just walked there and later walked back home in the cool of the night. We also got some phone calls that made our day! It was a lovely day to remember our wedding and the verses we used... :)

"My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away."
Song of Solomon 2:10-13

To any young lady reading this that would love to get married one day I will say this..."I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please." Song of Solomon 2:7

It's not easy to hear to "wait", to "not look for" or "find" but it is so worth it when we do wait on the Lord... trust me, but most of all trust the Lord who loves us more than we can ever imagine. :)

God bless ~

Net Hoy... o_0

Today is my little borther's Bithday, but I can't get in touch with him because his phone broke and there is no other way to get in touch with him... so I think this is the first year I will not speak to him on his Birthday... and that's sad... for me :(

So, I thought I would post a picture of him... and oh why not, I'll put my other brother in there too.. and wish him a Happy Birthday on my blog.


I won't say much about him because I don't want to embarrass him, but I will say that this little brother of mine does inspire me because of his maturity, his sensitivity to others, his really funny laugh, and how he can encourage his much older sister to be strong in the Lord, trusting always, only looking back to remember how God has been present in my life.

I didn't write a post for my other brother on his Birthday (which was last month) because I talked to him... but all I can say about him right now is that I have not seen him in way too long! He lives in Spain where he seems to love it, but God willing we will be able to see each other next month. I love both my brothers, I miss them, I wish I could see them more often, I think they are great guys and I just pray that they will both learn to put their trust in the Lord for all things. I've always been very happy with having brothers :)

Feliz Cumpleaños Carlos David!
днем рождения

What I've gotten myself into...

Raphael and I just returned from a short trip to Paris... we got to see family and share some good time with them. We even got to see a very old wedding album from his grandmother's sister... great-aunt I guess. That was fun! I don't have any pictures of the Eiffel tower, but maybe next time... we'll be going back soon God willing...

As I've mentioned before, Raphael and I have started a Bible study at home... it has been our prayer to have a study at home and now that we have one we are praying for those the Lord might want to send our way.... like our neighbors? We live on a very cute little street, and lately we have gotten to know our neighbors a little bit better and I have also started to go to an association on our street where they have activities for children and adults. The lady in charge would like to form activities that would allow people to share their knowledge with others in town. I thought it would be a good way to get to know people around so I have been going to get French lessons and have recently started going to their cooking courses.... well, Wednesday was my first class... we had a Tunisian lady over who taught us how to make "King's ears"... which is a Tunisian specialty... it was a very small group of ladies, but it was fun... and of course they asked us if we knew how to make any nice typical dishes or whatever... I don't know why, maybe I felt some pressure, but I actually said that I could make something (arepas I think)... so now they are all excited and the lady called me to ask if I could teach them how to cook something in two weeks... I don't recall saying that I knew how to make anything well... I told her I would think about it, I think I should make something because I do want to get to know these ladies and share with them... but I have no idea what I could teach... I was thinking maybe pancakes... they don't have pancakes for breakfast in France so maybe I can make some... it's not typical at all from where I come from, but it's the only thing I can think of that I'm quite good at, and I can make from scratch... the lady that was teaching us told us that she always has her hands in dough... she makes her own pasta and all! If anybody has any easy good ideas out there... they are more than welcome!

Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa

View from the villa with 7 gardens....

Today I went to Cannes with a friend. It might sound really fancy to some people... or not, but we just walked around, looked at nice shops, had lunch, talked a lot, walked by the beach, had a nice cup of hot chocolate, and played Scrabble at a coffee bar/restaurant... how cool is that! The Cannes Film Festival is in a few weeks so there is a lot of work going on. I took some fun pictures of Joanna on the "Red" carpet... with her camera. It was nice to have a girly day out, and Joanna is a lot of fun. :)

On train trip from Paris to home :)

As soon as we see the sea, we know we are almost home!

Today Raphael and I went to Menton, it's on the border with Italy. In the morning we taught some children in Nice and then we drove down to Menton. It was a beautiful day and I really do enjoy going out with Raphael... he's great, funny and he loves chicken! I don't have any pictures of Cannes or Menton, but I do have some other nice pictures... and I've noticed that people like pictures... so I will quit writing and post some pics...

Lady teaching us how to make King's ears...

Our street... :)

Et Voila!

Thank God for nice funny friends to hang out with, a super cool husband, King's ears and happy birthday to my brother!

The End -
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

- Not the End-

Raphael just mentioned that I couldn't put pictures of a pink villa without talking about what it was... I guess in case anyone thinks we live there. Well, we went there two weeks ago on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I told him I wanted to visit a garden and he took me to a pink villa with 7 gardens. It was a beautiful place in St. Jean Cap Ferrat. There is a link to the website under the picture... I also saw many beautiful houses/castles/villas today, and I think "Wow, that's amazing!" but what's even more amazing is that I'm sure no matter how impressive they are, they are nothing compared to what the Lord is preparing for us :)... can't wait :)