So Much To Be Thankful For

Time is flying—half of the month of November has already passed into eternity. So many things have happened that I don’t even know where to start. ⏳🍁

Around Reformation Day, I attended the ASI Germany meetings near Nuremberg. It was a tremendous blessing. Not only were the messages by David Ng from Malaysia and Scotty Mayer from Little Light Studios inspiring, but the spiritual fellowship and so many (partly totally unexpected) reunions were especially beautiful, uplifting, and encouraging. 🙌📖💛

After that, I visited my dear friends in the countryside of Thuringia, which was also a wonderful experience. The weather was fabulous during those days. 🌞🌿

From there, I went for a short visit to my hometown. I gave an EU presentation at my cousin’s school, but foremost I came for the wedding of my younger brother Florian. It was a great blessing—especially getting to know his in-laws. Such wonderful people 🙂💒💐

I came back one week ago, and I’m still trying to get into a normal rhythm again, which hasn’t been easy to say the least. Attending events and visiting friends are wonderful activities, but they don’t lend themselves to a regular lifestyle. These late nights have taken a toll on me, and returning to a busy workplace with lots of catching up to do didn’t really help with recovering quickly. 😅💼☕️

In addition to that, on Friday I had a group of visitors from Bavaria in our Visitor’s Centre. I sometimes volunteer there. It was a special experience—such nice people! 🧭🤝

So let's see what the coming weeks will bring!

Fullmoon in Thuringia

Approaching Reformation Day

Hello my friends,

I’m back! 😊 I know it’s been quite a while, and there’s really no excuse for my silence.

I can’t take the time right now to recount all the many blessings the Lord has poured out on me over the past weeks and months, but He has truly been good!

One thing that’s very much “in the air” for me at the moment is the upcoming Reformation Day on 31 October. This date has always held special meaning for me – you might remember my blog post from 31 October 2017.

Actually, this year I will be in Nuremberg on this special day. I will be attending the ASI Germany meetings. Can't wait to see many precious people again I haven't seen in a while. I also hope that I will be able to spend at least a few hours exploring the old city of Nuremberg, as I haven't been there for a very long time. Will try to give a little report when I'm back!

This photo was taken on 19 September, at the posthumous birthday celebration for my grandmother, who would have turned 101 that day. I’m with my younger brother, my cousin, and my future sister-in-law. We went up to the top of the castle tower in my home city — it was such a lovely day! 🌤️

New Year - New Opportunities

I've been wanting to create another blog for a few weeks already, but somehow, I got busy with other things. The new year is already well advanced, and I'm thankful for God's leading thus far. 

The New Year's retreat in Thuringia was a great blessing. The group of attendees was very nice, and we were able to go on beautiful hikes and outings with sunny weather every single day. On my way back to Brussels, I was able to stop by at the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, which used to be Martin Luther's exile. I got to see the chamber where he translated the Bible into German. I really enjoyed it.

Last week, I started an 8-week course with the European Lifestyle Medicine Organisation. They offer a an online course (once per week) to obtain a Lifestyle Medicine certificate. I'm quite excited about this, and I hope that it will help open doors for me to continue with my health work. 

I would like to share a message from Ellen White from the devotional "Our High Calling" (page 7), where she talks about the new year. Let this be an encouragement and guidance to move forward, no matter what the year 2025 will bring! 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Another year of life is now in the past. A new year is opening before us. What will be its record? What will we each inscribe upon its spotless pages? The manner in which we spend each passing day will decide this question....

Let us enter upon the new year with our hearts cleansed from the defilement of selfishness and pride. Let us put away every sinful indulgence, and seek to become faithful, diligent learners in the school of Christ. A new year opens its unsullied pages before us. What shall we write upon them? ...

Seek to begin this year with right purposes and pure motives, as beings who are accountable to God. Ever bear in mind that your acts are daily passing into history by the pen of the recording angel. You must meet them again when the Judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened....

If we connect with God, the source of peace, and light, and truth, His Spirit will flow through us as a channel, to refresh and bless all around us. This may be the last year of life to us. Shall we not enter upon it with thoughtful consideration? Shall not sincerity, respect, benevolence, mark our deportment toward all?

Let us withhold nothing from Him who gave His precious life for us.... Let us all consecrate to God the property He has entrusted to us. Above all, let us give Him ourselves, a freewill offering.

May the beginning of this year be a time that shall never be forgotten—a time when Christ shall come in among us, and say, “Peace be unto you.” John 20:19. Brethren and sisters, I wish you, one and all, a happy new year.

“We live in deeds, not years;
In thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs.
He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.”

Climbing the mountains

New Year's at the Wartburg Castle

Martin Luther's study