Austria - Part I - Mountains

I have often heard of the beauty of the Swiss Alps - our oldest son did a course in Austria, and our youngest son honeymooned there.  Yet we always thought our experience in that gorgeous country would be in pictures, books and dreams!!

The idea that we were being blessed by a holiday there seemed surreal!!  Yet we have pictures to prove it and live dreams that were beyond our wildest imagination.  

It was every bit as gorgeous as we had ever dreamed and we will never forgot our wonderful time in those fantastic mountains.

Words cannot express how awesome it was.  Pictures just can't capture the natural beauty or show the magnificence the way our eyes can, but we trust the imagines written in our memories will last for a long time.

I had often wondered what it would be like to stand at the foot of the Alps, admiring their beauty, but never even dreamed that one day I would have the opportunity to be at the top looking down on them.  

Up, up, up and away we go.  

We will forever be thankful for our relaxing time in the Alps. 

Double Thanks

One of the times that Craig and Claire were here in the Fall, we realized it was Thanksgiving week-end in Canada - a great excuse to plan a last minute turkey dinner.  Another 'Canadian' family was able to join us too.  (You know like our 'Canadian' family - the father was born there, the mother is British and the kids spent lots of their childhood in Columbia and Mexico.)

Then while Ragnar was in the Faroes, I was invited to join a group of Americans celebrating their big day of being grateful.  There is always lots to thankful for, isn't there?  My favorite part of that evening was going around the table and each one sharing what meant so much to them.  We are so very blessed and it is wonderful to take time out and really concentrate on it.  

Grandkids - both here and there!

The wheels in our car have faithfully taken us to Birmingham many times over the last 5 years.  Each trip has been special and we have tons of wonderful memories of our times with our family there.  We will be forever grateful for these years of being close to Craig, Claire and those girls we think so much of!!

We also appreciate each time they followed the path leading to North Cotes.  Our memories from here just wouldn't be the same without them.

This is definitely the most difficult part of changing ministries.  We are thankful though that we not only know for sure that God is leading us back to the Philippines, but we also have confidence that He is guiding us each step and will give us the added grace during the roughest road!

Going with Lydia to her Kindergarten.

 Proud to show her Omma where she hangs her coat.  

Lasses in Louth

We sure have enjoyed great times together with friends from our church at Eastgate Union in Louth.  Many have had us in their homes for coffee, meals, or evenings of fun and it has been spectacular getting to know them better and  hearing of their various journeys with our great God.  

We are happy that they are willing to come our way too (since we live 22 km. from their town.)  Although we were able to have quite a few couples over the past few years, there were still lots more on our 'wish list'. 

So I am glad that while Ragnar was in the Faroes I was able to have lots of ladies come up for a good part of the day.  They came in groups of 1, 2 or 3 and it was just fascinating to hear their life stories and testimonies.

God brought them from many parts of the country, from such a variety of backgrounds and used endless experiences and paths to bring them to Himself.  Some have been widowed, a few never married and others who come alone to church.

How amazing that He has brought them into our lives and how thankful I am for the things I have learned from them.  Each day with the various ladies was special - it was great having you - Jo - Annie - Dorothy - Elizabeth - Rita - Sue - Judith - Ann - Lori - Allison - Janet - Jenny - Pat - Roz - Freda and  Pauline.

What an amazing God we serve!!  Than you Lord for all of my British friends!!

Pre & Post Wedding

Peter's dad met us at the airport in Amsterdam and was a great tour guide, treating us to lunch and lots of coffee and helping us enjoy a bird's eye view of the city of Delft, where Delftware is manufactured.

Lots of cheese everywhere too!!

I have seen lots of Deftl, not only all over Europe, but also in Canada, so it was great to see the huge variety and where it originated.  

Later he took us to Monster where Arry and Derek hosted us for our 3 night stay.  They own and manage a huge greenhouse where a variety of flowers are grown.  

They were the perfect hosts for us and Valdemar - another former NTM student.  It was great to catch up with him the morning of the wedding when we took a walk through the town and on to the beach.

Off we went to a hen and stag party that first evening.  There was lots of fun and laughter while the men were enjoying a Chinese Smorgasbord.  Us ladies were in Sarina's parent's home, enjoying a variety of food and playing silly games with Sarina on her last eve of singlehood.  

Our hosts were extremely gracious in lending us a car to go visit 2 day old Maria, the morning after the wedding.  What a little sweetie pie.  So good to see her parents again too - more former students!!

Traditional treat when visiting a new baby!

2 day old Maria and her proud parents.

In the afternoon our hosts gave us a tour of the area, including a Harbour cruise of the Port of Rotterdam - the largest port in Europe,  and the Hague (the Netherlands's Government city) which we have heard so much about.  

 

 

Would you find it hard to believe we ran into Filipinos and surprised them with our Tagalog?
It seems like we find them no matter where we go!!

We so enjoyed all of the sights and sounds and being treated to a wonderful meal on the beach. 

Unfortunately the following morning was not as exiting though - we were back at the airport in Amsterdam and headed to different departure lounges - Ragnar on his way to the Faroe Islands, and me home to England.