engagement day

I don’t know if you guys ever leave the kids and go on dates, just the two of you?  And has it ever turned into something sort of disastrous?

Hj says our dates are always tinged with disaster, but then in the end everything works out great.  In my mind, there were some real disasters, tinged, if you will, with meltdowns and what not.  When this happens, we do three things, or one of three things— depends if we had our quiet time that morning.  1. Rebuke the devil.  2. Get super grouchy.  3. Laugh like crazy.

The day Hj and I got engaged over in the wild woodlands of Holland, we got terribly lost.  For awhile, I thought we were just on a very long walk.  Then dusk settled in and we met cows on their way to bed, and I was very, very cold.  Hj kept tromping cheerily in a forward direction, looking for a certain beautiful spot in the woods (unknown to me).  I think it was just when I was starting to get that little tinge of grouchy around the edges that Hj threw up his hands in despair, and proposed.  A really perfect way to redeem the moment, even if it was between a cow pie and a mud puddle.  I said, “yes of course!” to a million more adventures just like this.

Afterwards we drove around for hours looking for a place to eat.  Holland is nothing like America when it comes to eating out: looking for a place to have a romantic dinner out is not just a matter of typing your favorite chain into the GPS.  That night we walked into a basement nightclub, a truck stop, numerous restaurants that had closed, and finally ended up back in Hj’s hometown at a nice little restaurant: right next to a big table of raucous drunk men, out for a party.  We couldn’t talk much because of the noise, but you know how it is in those days…. as long as you can gaze at each other, what is the point of talking?  I did embarrass Hj because I asked the waitress for ketchup.  “It means you are not satisfied with their dish!”  What if, perish the thought, I told her how completely unimpressed I was with the bowl of tomato paste she brought out!?

The first time Hj came to visit me in Honduras, back when butterflies were out of control and my family was still a little wary, we got to go on our first official date.  We sat by the lake until some little boys came to skinny dip.  We slowly meandered to a restaurant and wanted to sit on the deck overlooking the water, but the mosquitoes were too hungry for us, and Hj has no time for hungry mosquitoes.  So we got tucked into a little corner of the kitchen, next to the fridge.  Then a large mission team came in and completely took over the room.  You know how awfully jarring Americans can be, when abroad?  There come the white sneakers, khaki shorts, fanny packs and oh, don’t forget the decibels.  When they start loudly complaining about the food or service, I just want to stick my head into a coconut.

Above the American din, I vaguely heard a phone ring, thought the ringtone is just like mine, and wondered why someone isn’t answering it.  The three thoughts didn’t link up in my brain because, well, I had better things on my mind.  Those all came quickly to a halt when I casually checked my phone as we were driving home.  Way, way too many missed calls.  Alarmed that a tragedy must have happened, I quickly called my sister.  Basically, the prayer chains had already started and there was a search team out in the rain, looking for the missing couple (us).  What does “Don’t stay out too late” mean to you?  I guess it depends which side of the ocean you grew up on.

Another time we went out on a romantic picnic on top of the mountains, and it snowed like crazy. Another time we went out to our local greasy restaurant and Hj ordered frog legs, for fun. Around the dessert course, he got sick and puked them legs right out. What about the time Hj wanted to take our friends out for a birthday, and forgot about that American tradition of making reservations on a Friday night.  After knocking on many restaurant doors we finally ended up in a loud brewery/pizza place, in downtown. I spent most of the evening in the bathroom trying to rock Ellie to sleep. Just when she finally closed her eyes, a group of drunk Santas came storming in. The rest of the evening we shared the restaurant with 50+ drunk, bar-hopping Santas.  Can’t remember what we talked about that night, because we had to lip read above the riot.

We did grow in the dating aspect of our lives. Our latest date on Valentine’s Day was heading toward disaster when we drove an hour, only to discover the movie we wanted to see wasn’t playing after all. After some quick googling, we found a different theatre 30 minutes away and we went there instead. It was worth the drive and we congratulated ourselves for not settling for any old film.  The restaurant where we had reservations stank an hour in the wind.  It was in the open foyer of a mall, and freezing cold.  Hj recognized my frantic looking face and we were out of there before anyone could know.  We found a lovely Greek restaurant and patted ourselves on the back again: we are learning how to dodge the curve balls.

But don’t worry, we look back and laugh a lot about all those little disasters.  In fact, we wouldn’t trade them for anything, even the ones where we rebuked the devil up and down.  Those memories are worth more than two dozen red roses and a little pink teddy bear (sprayed with cologne).

the picture of disaster 🙂

Hi guys, what are ya’ll doing for Valentine’s Day?  I am getting babysat– a real treat!  Here are a couple pictures to let you know I am thriving at 19 months.

When my papa asks me, “Wie is de president van Amerika?” I say “Ooooo-pa.”  I try to say “Obama” like he says it, but my mouth just spills out “Opa.”

My favorite book right now is “Little Mommy.”  I adore babies.

I like all my friends, but especially Anika.  She is 7 years old and so am I.  I outgrew all the baby stuff like diapers, sippy cups and bibs recently.  If Anika’s not using them, why should I?  That’s how I think.

Nothing makes me happier than singing and dancing!  I know lots of motion songs, like “My God is so Big” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider.”  While my papa plays his guitar, I beat up his little ukulele.

Tootle-oo.

Here is the video for the inspiration of the title. (click on the word video to watch) (you would think people know that)

Here is a little bit of inspiration I got from listening to Penn Clark’s sermons.

Before we were, God created a unique plan for our lives. It’s called pre-destination. God loves to reveal parts of that plan if we ask him to tell us. And once He gives us a vision for our lives we ought to press into it and get new perspectives. Sometimes we need to stop what we are doing, unplug, go into the woods and ask God if what we are doing is (still) pleasing Him.

Here is a photo of Ellie

Here is a little bit on our lives. 

If you haven’t heard yet, Ellie is officially potty trained even staying dry for her naps.  Also, we are going to move to Colorado Springs in the beginning of March. I have quit my job, sold my business and we’re hoping to rent our house out yet. I am going to do a counseling school with YWAM. Going back into missions with a family looks nothing like a play in the park right now. Just thinking of the 22-hour trip in the car 4 weeks before Joy is due seems a tad irresponsible. Nevertheless, we do feel God’s direction in it, so we are not to worry. I already took my fence down and the chickens and bunnies are no longer here. I do miss them but I celebrate their lives rather then dwelling on their disappearance.
As part of my school there is a possibility that we are gonna go to Indonesia, so I’m hoping to take my family. Please pray for us as we make decisions that might change our lives!

Here is a catchy end to my blog: No matter what you will, make sure it’s God’s will.

Now mix them all together and you have a marvelous blogpost! 

 Cheers!