Life inside an 8000 kilometer relationship

is expensive.

And so much more! There is the pain of being alone on weekends out where friends are cuddling around the campfire with their boyfriends. There are Friday night dates with a fuzzy picture on a screen and a voice that is interrupted every minute by a 'Slow Connection' notice.

There are also the most wonderful weeks that begin on Saturday morning with a giant leap at the airport into arms that just can't let go.

This past week was one of those almost out-of-this-world ten days. Alas, yes, I do believe I'm still in the infatuation stage. Even after spending almost 24/7 together for 10 days.

Saturday afternoon we went to an Exhibition on immigration stuff to different countries. It was really good to be well informed before making decisions. At this point we are not too sure where God is leading us, I hope to go to Holland for the summer and we can make long term plans after that!

Saturday evening we made a Japanese style dinner, sitting on a mat cross legged and eating lekker sushi in candle light. Sorry ladies, my man takes the cake for being romantic! Except for the fact that eating sushi with Chinese stick things is not such a romantic experience, and neither is spilled wine. Details.

Sunday we went to church. Immediately after crossing the threshold of the church I was surrounded by people who had become family over last year. It was so good to catch up from the last months with these beautiful people. I cannot even say how much I love these open people who are so willing to be vulnerable with a stranger, who genuinely care, who are direct and blunt (otherwise known as rude ;) who can make fun of a complete stranger and the list goes on. They sure are great.

We spent the next few rainy days mostly inside, baking a boterkoek, going shopping, eating 1 euro breakfasts, mini golfing, swimming, visiting old friends for dinner, making a day trip to a local village on the water, making dinner together, ahem playing with lego, and just holding eachother and chatting. We spent a bit of time listening to John Piper as well for devotions, and spent quite a few hours talking about them later, also knowing each other in a spiritual way. Maurits worked for two days as well and so I went with him to work and made four essays! And may have slept under the desk for one afternoon... Anyway it was really neat to get to know him also in that environment, and to witness the "Stoepie" work ethic I had heard about from his boss and brothers! He really is an incredible guy. Ok I'll stop with the mushy gushy now.

On Thursday we went to a small town about two hours away, where we were to spend the weekend with Maurits's brothers and their girls. We spent the day walking around the city, exploring a castle and some old churches and shopping for the weekend. We arrived that evening at a small quiet cabin in the woods. I had met his brothers only briefly before, but really got a chance to know them. They really are about the greatest (and probably the most arrogant) in laws to have (in laws? I don't quite know the right word...) One shamelessly carries around (maybe I should say 'struts around with') a 'body groomer' just in case his chest hairs get too long, and the other wears old plaid jackets and has been to jail for accidentally lighting a bridge on fire when a bonfire got out of hand. That's a pretty good description of both of them. Sorry guys for telling the info, although you guys are cool enough in my world to publish a newspaper article on! The girls too are very sweet and tons of fun also. The language barrier is still rough, as they much prefer speaking in Dutch as it's a lot easier. But still we had some really good laughs, great food, and tons of fun. The family is welcoming as well, welcoming enough at least to give us an invitation to their wedding that addressed me as Maurits's wife. I don't exactly know what to make of that... I'll just call them welcoming ;)

All in all, it was 'een heel mooi' week, beautiful sunshine, beautiful people and becoming even more in love with my man as we've grown once again to know eachother in a deeper way.

And now I feel refreshed and ready to complete the 2.5 months of school left!

So there's a quick update, and I hope things are well with all of you!

Blessings,
Kim