tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81673005630432207912024-03-13T06:59:20.369+01:00Under His WingsMy life in the capital of Europe and beyondDanielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-1031707771999157362023-08-23T17:54:00.001+02:002023-08-23T17:54:35.938+02:00Summer Blessings<p>Sorry for not posting sooner, but things have somehow happened in short order lately. So what follows is a summary of the main highlights of this summer:</p><p>In July, I spent ten days in the "<a href="https://diearche.de/" target="_blank">Bio-Vital Hotel Die Arche</a>" in north east Germany. It's basically a hotel where people can stay for a few days or longer, which serves healthy vegetarian food and offers some wellness options (like swimming pool, infrared sauna, massages and other treatments). They also organise various lifestyle sessions, like NEWSTART programmes, depression recovery, grief support, hiking and fasting, etc. The programme I took part in was called "Augenschule" ("eye school"), where we learned how to improve our eye sight with some simple exercises. I especially appreciated that the programme was very holistic, i. e. the lady who accompanied us through this programme didn't just teach us the exercises, but we also received food that is good for the eyes, poultices and hydrotherapy for the eyes, wellness treatments (like massage and whirlpool - because relaxation is important for the eyes), etc. The beautiful nature surroundings topped it of. It was also a great experience for me to be on the receiving side and not one of the people running the lifestyle session, as I'm used to from my time in the US.</p><p>During the second week of August, our annual German camp meeting took place. This time, we had about 450 participants and everybody was blessed with the programme and the atmosphere. I'm thankful that the organisational aspects went well. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but the Lord will help us with that. You can watch the recordings <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hoffnungweltweit/videos" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p>Right now, I'm still enjoying part three of my summer vacation, which is another 10-day juice fast in Vojvodina, the Hungarian part of Germany. I'm thankful to be here again after six years. Last Thursday, my friend Nelly (a former co-worker from my time at Uchee Pines in the US, who is currently visiting me) made it here safe and sound, after a long and rather adventurous trip. So far, I'm doing well with the fast, although I'm longing to chew something again! </p><p>And finally, I would like to share a quote from 1 Selected Messages, page 337 to you. It has really spoken to me this week, and I hope it's a blessing to you as well!</p><p>"When we are united to Christ, we have the mind of Christ. Purity and love shine forth in the character, meekness and truth control the life. The very expression of the countenance is changed. Christ abiding in the soul exerts a transforming power, and the outward aspect bears witness to the peace and joy that reign within. We drink in the love of Christ, as the branch draws nourishment from the vine. If we are grafted in Christ, if fiber by fiber we have been united with the Living Vine, we shall give evidence of the fact by bearing rich clusters of living fruit. If we are connected with the Light, we shall be channels of light, and in our words and works we shall reflect light to the world. Those who are truly Christians are bound with the chain of love which links earth to heaven, which binds finite man to the infinite God. The light that shines in the face of Jesus Christ shines in the hearts of His followers, to the glory of God."</p><p>A few impressions from "Die Arche" Lifestyle Center:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzK6uf_Adeu6VOOU01xwwUYLnN4_jNIJdhC9Au59m8fhW1b62xQW2V-EybXa6SWqp2DvxdqYC8jqji0jBhJaa7PoYO7QdgSa6pOHsD9WBu_QED-kV3emFHHpNvjJ2AhWoOSm4nNMcS0U9E7UwaUB-9yXv9TpHh6Yob0vjpjkCxuOyUHsV_rw9oGCQ/s3088/20230720_202058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzK6uf_Adeu6VOOU01xwwUYLnN4_jNIJdhC9Au59m8fhW1b62xQW2V-EybXa6SWqp2DvxdqYC8jqji0jBhJaa7PoYO7QdgSa6pOHsD9WBu_QED-kV3emFHHpNvjJ2AhWoOSm4nNMcS0U9E7UwaUB-9yXv9TpHh6Yob0vjpjkCxuOyUHsV_rw9oGCQ/s320/20230720_202058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9jmOprkF9-uckLhdn-WSj35_p7ftgw7Hx82rimsnQwNjVOdvk4FYc9_0aemngEtCVZlMWYruPmCT4Ht7NJN5XXubY7fdbdu5S5CX5j4kq4OZ-NEhWDOYz7N045qyrerysC-SDf7fvaHlaVxX0HXMnIlpEImok7xCR6yByNPrR5GYqBPi_kjWzzVb/s3088/20230723_150927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9jmOprkF9-uckLhdn-WSj35_p7ftgw7Hx82rimsnQwNjVOdvk4FYc9_0aemngEtCVZlMWYruPmCT4Ht7NJN5XXubY7fdbdu5S5CX5j4kq4OZ-NEhWDOYz7N045qyrerysC-SDf7fvaHlaVxX0HXMnIlpEImok7xCR6yByNPrR5GYqBPi_kjWzzVb/s320/20230723_150927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSpW-6QA4l7m_-FZ3b4T56QIlOwCpMAzigZWm7swf9wsh9HT9gwkmieeLiXBeuMJco7l-McdoWhLY4d01f0VulkZwrowA563ExjSn4w7nsqDSz1QYiNzPaVSMbgJpgMh447XoVOqDGSA8u2mA63susqr5_bFOqurW0iwiLj0sGSYiD4ZUX8_tzWWx/s3088/20230723_153708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSpW-6QA4l7m_-FZ3b4T56QIlOwCpMAzigZWm7swf9wsh9HT9gwkmieeLiXBeuMJco7l-McdoWhLY4d01f0VulkZwrowA563ExjSn4w7nsqDSz1QYiNzPaVSMbgJpgMh447XoVOqDGSA8u2mA63susqr5_bFOqurW0iwiLj0sGSYiD4ZUX8_tzWWx/s320/20230723_153708.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I enjoyed the whirlpool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXEiYzTD2op8i71AubQW_vWM64Nda-RK7Q0q0k3GMS6RRntRVtHtJpUiINxC5hHgpTjLUIW6u73yl_-hKvhO2W3kRhCqzNF9oxjlbeSjuxzI8Bz3XOXqSwxuv0lCK76uvtOT1glafa62XJGSvZIxDVCRFVNrjlH206aS6NTktRzCm3BLtZIpIpyMl/s3088/Liver-cleanse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXEiYzTD2op8i71AubQW_vWM64Nda-RK7Q0q0k3GMS6RRntRVtHtJpUiINxC5hHgpTjLUIW6u73yl_-hKvhO2W3kRhCqzNF9oxjlbeSjuxzI8Bz3XOXqSwxuv0lCK76uvtOT1glafa62XJGSvZIxDVCRFVNrjlH206aS6NTktRzCm3BLtZIpIpyMl/s320/Liver-cleanse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of my daily food here in Serbia :-)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-10309315214124852422023-06-10T19:51:00.000+02:002023-06-10T19:51:00.083+02:00May Blessings<p>I had intended to publish a post earlier, but you all know how it goes sometimes!</p><p>Just some highlights: At the beginning of May, I spent a long weekend in Eupen. I really like being in this little town, as it is the capital of the German part of Belgium, and of course everybody speaks my mother tongue there. It's also close to Aachen in the very west of Germany, where I was able to spend the Sabbath. The rest of the time I did some hiking, attended a nice concert at the local Lutheran church, and also did some work for our upcoming German camp meeting in August. </p><p>On 20 May, we had the annual Health Emphasis Sabbath from the Inter-European Division. So it was my turn to give a sermon that morning. I spoke about the urgency of "Putting the Right Arm to Work". If you are interested, you can watch the recording on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzK_WM3sxvc&t=2470s" target="_blank">YouTube</a> (starts around 1:03).</p><p>Another great blessing has been my new gardening opportunity. Given the fact that I'm allowed to plant only a rather small part of the garden behind the house I live, I'm thankful that I got acquainted to a nice lady in the neighbourhood whom I can help planting a vegetable garden. It's such a blessing to be able to grow your own food!</p><p>The last thing I would like to share for today is my experience with the ADRA Food Truck (you can find out more about it <a href="https://adra.eu/the-social-food-truck-brought-an-innovation-prize-to-adra-belgium/" target="_blank">here</a>) It's a truck that is stationed in Brussels city once a week, giving out free vegetarian food to homeless people. Together with three others, I had the opportunity to serve these people for one afternoon. We had good fun, as you can see from the pictures below!</p><p>All in all, I'm very grateful for all these open doors, and for so many opportunities to share the gospel. I haven't mentioned our new church building project yet, but I will do so soon. Stay tuned!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzih76OB08bo8lhWv-Ho4R4_dOm-ygFY5iu2a23SF97cV3Qov0DYep1t2cicuvwjnw34aJJRx4Gc43uiLEcjaMKz2edxODwpC7MYCWmuKAcZFdEWGjTJ99sY7QEnv1Fupo_PNK_0jiSwc712Gnh28uWLY3rR8PdgrzC2oGpUPPB9NIqEDiB1Now/s3088/20230519_155454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzih76OB08bo8lhWv-Ho4R4_dOm-ygFY5iu2a23SF97cV3Qov0DYep1t2cicuvwjnw34aJJRx4Gc43uiLEcjaMKz2edxODwpC7MYCWmuKAcZFdEWGjTJ99sY7QEnv1Fupo_PNK_0jiSwc712Gnh28uWLY3rR8PdgrzC2oGpUPPB9NIqEDiB1Now/s320/20230519_155454.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ADRA Social FoodTruck</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwjoQ2YbA0taubQdK8RlDTaP_eIaVuiX9NVgnKIuwT0WZjE6GFp4t84E2pyByPxVx75bea6w83ZbBy5Roqdx2nmutWn24vWRwAYMr04YHp1O5c5dGORqG-uL8HD7hHEbcRoP-AOkMicIk15UuUB5_ZUI7vCcWqUTliBsgWPForfRyDZVN1Ww0Mw/s1600/WhatsApp%20Bild%202023-05-19%20um%2016.23.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwjoQ2YbA0taubQdK8RlDTaP_eIaVuiX9NVgnKIuwT0WZjE6GFp4t84E2pyByPxVx75bea6w83ZbBy5Roqdx2nmutWn24vWRwAYMr04YHp1O5c5dGORqG-uL8HD7hHEbcRoP-AOkMicIk15UuUB5_ZUI7vCcWqUTliBsgWPForfRyDZVN1Ww0Mw/s320/WhatsApp%20Bild%202023-05-19%20um%2016.23.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudzK93jLr1wLhe1hifdrQoO-3l-woiKOUg5dy0QbGa57tGXRBOttgYCO2G7eZJLdg8U9POWvoof-v253V8RkKl2-zYVAfLXzNEmFyIy8XlilTCxQtcY79KSEWCBuIqdR-XV41ue-iYiG3csH54Qumi_TYgZoDXMNlZuQ6R54tG-k16PnaATLreA/s1600/WhatsApp%20Bild%202023-05-19%20um%2016.20.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudzK93jLr1wLhe1hifdrQoO-3l-woiKOUg5dy0QbGa57tGXRBOttgYCO2G7eZJLdg8U9POWvoof-v253V8RkKl2-zYVAfLXzNEmFyIy8XlilTCxQtcY79KSEWCBuIqdR-XV41ue-iYiG3csH54Qumi_TYgZoDXMNlZuQ6R54tG-k16PnaATLreA/s320/WhatsApp%20Bild%202023-05-19%20um%2016.20.46.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After serving over 100 meals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRB8V9Oqp2UBz0iz8Ao2DBQbsv7xAqLRLqeTrdVm1RcPeP7kOiLvqzvLrNMCBFsmhN6RJcK5zxtPupNbQrhQL9oqStn_AvNgj8BqprCBlaIDs47DSjVZsQ_DrljFNadmwN6wadF91FQ6Gm-hct2O6xCh-Ct2FJcaTNCIX95EB0dNYaJAlO5Boug/s3088/20230608_200559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRB8V9Oqp2UBz0iz8Ao2DBQbsv7xAqLRLqeTrdVm1RcPeP7kOiLvqzvLrNMCBFsmhN6RJcK5zxtPupNbQrhQL9oqStn_AvNgj8BqprCBlaIDs47DSjVZsQ_DrljFNadmwN6wadF91FQ6Gm-hct2O6xCh-Ct2FJcaTNCIX95EB0dNYaJAlO5Boug/s320/20230608_200559.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tomato plants </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMNi00oIaIqDs3YLzYJjRb_x9Hl_cfoK6tVuCEWwkZurjIkeBtYI4qf5UeFQyORARkx857EOEc6Qs6QjW5xL5jZzhJYyLyxihAroB2TvyXMOrPlHWH4dBj4VVEN12ZPE6qeYprsd2N528s8SScvHq83F0xbvDKtwM9l5o-cs9wUb_AoWeQffnYA/s3088/20230608_200610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMNi00oIaIqDs3YLzYJjRb_x9Hl_cfoK6tVuCEWwkZurjIkeBtYI4qf5UeFQyORARkx857EOEc6Qs6QjW5xL5jZzhJYyLyxihAroB2TvyXMOrPlHWH4dBj4VVEN12ZPE6qeYprsd2N528s8SScvHq83F0xbvDKtwM9l5o-cs9wUb_AoWeQffnYA/s320/20230608_200610.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggplants</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-63635200843535364602023-05-02T18:28:00.001+02:002023-05-02T18:28:41.154+02:00April Blessings<p>This past month has been a bit cold overall, but there were some sunny days, for which I'm always thankful. I didn't travel anywere during the Easter holidays, as I always like to be in Brussels during this period. My organisation doesn't only give us Good Friday off (in addition to Easter Monday), but also the Thursday before. However, in Belgium, only the Monday is an official holiday, so I can use these additional days to get errands done, besides taking a break. </p><p>The nature highlight of the month was definitely Hallerbos, a beautiful forest a bit south of Brussels. It's also called the "Blue Forest", because every year in April, it's covered with an amazing carpet of bluebells all over. It was very idyllic and beautiful to look at. </p><p>Another major blessing is the fact that I have new garden to do agriculture! It turned out that in the garden behind my house, there will be only a small space of land for me to cultivate this year. So I posted in the neighbourhood forum on the internet, asking if there is anybody in my vicinity who would let me help them in their vegetable garden, and in return share the harvest with me. Then I got a response from a lady within walking distance from my home, saying that I was exactly the person she had been looking for! It turned out that she has a large garden and is eager to start growing food, but has no idea how to go about it. So by now, we have already prepared the soil and will soon start planting. I'm so excited! Will send some pictures soon. </p><p>I don't know if I have shared before about the "Revival School" I've been following since September. It's offered by <a href="https://www.fastmissions.com/omega" target="_blank">FAST Missions</a>, and I can highly recommend the classes there. It's my earnest prayer to experience true revival in my own life, and to be able to spark this also in our church, and that we can soon become a training center to make new disciples for Jesus. One quote of Selected Messages keeps ringing in my ear: </p><blockquote><p>A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. (Selected Messages 1, p. 121)</p></blockquote><p>May the Lord help us to become true Revival Agents, so that the work on this earth can be finished soon!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4skAnyhBM6bV0vDWlyzv-W4G-Zflfcrt-iu53yDD6NGbeI_igXVBZ0EswcxRgskmbN2ZCFxRgXnEMJecI2zpKFAHZYfRfSChluC3M4teiVlUlqE_TxYwf081yLGnWYxf42N-_90LMVft_rQB-sSp6QWk_3HUMjRy6dqpjSlumwC_TgtZFDsCbA/s1280/Bluebells_Ich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4skAnyhBM6bV0vDWlyzv-W4G-Zflfcrt-iu53yDD6NGbeI_igXVBZ0EswcxRgskmbN2ZCFxRgXnEMJecI2zpKFAHZYfRfSChluC3M4teiVlUlqE_TxYwf081yLGnWYxf42N-_90LMVft_rQB-sSp6QWk_3HUMjRy6dqpjSlumwC_TgtZFDsCbA/s320/Bluebells_Ich.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful bluebells all around!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBc-_5bNldEtXvkT2G54kpd-CcGQHhEXP4ddLHIdA_05qElWxm8a490bxERhwQsgQJEjLVco_KiqBwxR-E3aKBXXh0Eq9g_vRVw0QUsZEsl34guPUXZbFXV2FEiZJx9OPHllvWcrbEf9NQv-RBWFv9XLWjsHuHlGDHvLsXRE_crnWzCqZnQ4MYg/s1280/Bluebells_II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBc-_5bNldEtXvkT2G54kpd-CcGQHhEXP4ddLHIdA_05qElWxm8a490bxERhwQsgQJEjLVco_KiqBwxR-E3aKBXXh0Eq9g_vRVw0QUsZEsl34guPUXZbFXV2FEiZJx9OPHllvWcrbEf9NQv-RBWFv9XLWjsHuHlGDHvLsXRE_crnWzCqZnQ4MYg/s320/Bluebells_II.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmJdR5rsH9AS0oqoiCVCekkRgGqa7HbtXcVlRNX-SLSBujOWi3wq-4NNi_HnuAExjJ7Wf5QYwVZlsFBmkkNebJ0CLMzaB5z0ST-3er1pukN2cCCl6uuh91ezUPHjc4_9ffcZxlF8Ota2biAYu6fHrHJTBJ-AEQdTokLv2LryWQk55k-exXsCWxQ/s2048/Bluebells_I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmJdR5rsH9AS0oqoiCVCekkRgGqa7HbtXcVlRNX-SLSBujOWi3wq-4NNi_HnuAExjJ7Wf5QYwVZlsFBmkkNebJ0CLMzaB5z0ST-3er1pukN2cCCl6uuh91ezUPHjc4_9ffcZxlF8Ota2biAYu6fHrHJTBJ-AEQdTokLv2LryWQk55k-exXsCWxQ/s320/Bluebells_I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-45794689987984586512023-04-01T20:06:00.000+02:002023-04-01T20:06:06.458+02:00March Blessings<p>Well, it has been a quite eventful month, at least the first part of it. </p><p>Early March, I went to Germany; as usual partly for work, and partly to see family and friends. I was able to spend a few days at our property in the Black Forest, which turned out to be a nice and relaxing retreat. It was pretty cold, but I was usually hiking when outside, so I could keep warm. The weather was only partly sunny, but I'm always enjoying the fresh air and the calm nature setting there. The altitude is almost 1000m (3300 feet), so you may imagine how different it feels to be in this kind of environment. </p><p>The rest of my short trip was also a blessing, as I could speak to a class of students again, and was able to visit friends and family members. </p><p>Coming back to Brussels, I noticed that the springtime had made some remarkable progress. I never get tired of the flouring trees each year at this time, although it's the same trees and the same colours every time! I'm so thankful for nature coming to life again. This year, I'm also endeavouring to grow a vegetable garden again. It looks like I'm not being very successful in growing from seed (similar to last year's experience), but this will not hold me back. Whatever I don't manage grow from seed, I will buy as small plants. </p><p>Today was the Quarterly Day of Fasting and Prayer by our world church. The purpose is for God's people to pray unitedly, and specifically to "Rebuild the Altar", in other words rebuilding our altar of worship with God. The goal during this special day of prayer was that all participants will desire to rebuild their altars of worship in how they honor God and His Word; that they will fall in love with God’s Word afresh (love is worship), desire to live by it (obedience expresses worship), and desire to share it with others (sharing is calling others to worship). I led out in a special prayer session today during church service, and I hope we can continue this tradition, also by having additional programmes with special emphasis on prayer. I feel an earnest desire of personal revival in my own life and also in the lives of my church members. May the Lord help us in sparking this revival we so desperately need!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B7B4tNA3nJIsGn1WjT1hjxIIb0ZrHJ4N8tTw284MnSA1-K20PBgrwZ-0tpundsUMXfQZBaONoVz4crv83H63MPOLyVfgIaOQHlzbbb5C6ZFsWRjojtRi6Gi0NWFbLERrETfM5XozG43SVjy2-BO9mQ6Gf31lRcTDlHcl-3aktdKkrM0hTqHtMA/s3088/20230305_150331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B7B4tNA3nJIsGn1WjT1hjxIIb0ZrHJ4N8tTw284MnSA1-K20PBgrwZ-0tpundsUMXfQZBaONoVz4crv83H63MPOLyVfgIaOQHlzbbb5C6ZFsWRjojtRi6Gi0NWFbLERrETfM5XozG43SVjy2-BO9mQ6Gf31lRcTDlHcl-3aktdKkrM0hTqHtMA/s320/20230305_150331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titisee in the Black Forest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBrmwYdB5hmXSus2g9fiZFVYLideCoyUK6QDo_0akUPMpHiSisrIGNzsD7iN1Z_FcqH4fzeKNj2f2SsHFtLgA5PMPenWoOF9XsZR9tXGjlGQLj_WydLEP4U-bZOAzb_9FlwDPjL0K85tZbHNKbJvI1JNUiFgPlTiVPh210cr1Lc05cGBWKdZxhg/s3088/20230306_141748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBrmwYdB5hmXSus2g9fiZFVYLideCoyUK6QDo_0akUPMpHiSisrIGNzsD7iN1Z_FcqH4fzeKNj2f2SsHFtLgA5PMPenWoOF9XsZR9tXGjlGQLj_WydLEP4U-bZOAzb_9FlwDPjL0K85tZbHNKbJvI1JNUiFgPlTiVPh210cr1Lc05cGBWKdZxhg/s320/20230306_141748.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Ravenna Gorge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgW88IW3tQ9Nrm6iNmdj2lrWuY_VxSuNp78HxhHYYMzocJvVg39_WTzE0TN9yN3gdp1FBNs3gke5MToFPNiNJHWdrBLrVPpg42KPaDrKOrCXphUqNXFz6U9iQJn332Fix8y60S0RQ0tNshqX11iLpV2oD5Bye6E4qrYeZj9K8m9jxeCZbW9uJGw/s3088/20230306_141707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgW88IW3tQ9Nrm6iNmdj2lrWuY_VxSuNp78HxhHYYMzocJvVg39_WTzE0TN9yN3gdp1FBNs3gke5MToFPNiNJHWdrBLrVPpg42KPaDrKOrCXphUqNXFz6U9iQJn332Fix8y60S0RQ0tNshqX11iLpV2oD5Bye6E4qrYeZj9K8m9jxeCZbW9uJGw/s320/20230306_141707.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB2CbNGy1TAGBBL5PCw6tHnNDQVA6TpCqiMfc6kiTYN2CGJmWlX7OmF2VslU13s5fBgR_BI4V5kpy-sspGaKmhgVpAahd4SauhO2R_GqKJMPONuIDLwSeiPhudGTwrUGcnK5rIZ-ay5o9y_ktZ4ryr3mHhxz2YGHBYMXUSARqjx9bCXqGDbRlqw/s3088/20230319_153209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB2CbNGy1TAGBBL5PCw6tHnNDQVA6TpCqiMfc6kiTYN2CGJmWlX7OmF2VslU13s5fBgR_BI4V5kpy-sspGaKmhgVpAahd4SauhO2R_GqKJMPONuIDLwSeiPhudGTwrUGcnK5rIZ-ay5o9y_ktZ4ryr3mHhxz2YGHBYMXUSARqjx9bCXqGDbRlqw/s320/20230319_153209.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful flowering trees near Brussels</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPh_XoEwqZQaBT6mKnsfwOhxt8esbRoHnG54HyJTB6h0pKYDIrXnh1h-hh7Lekm4CcRbppf5JV_mNXnY10MOWTVPzWiVX4SiMv5UrE2j-k_ZZIiqTKVuRbCJk-gWQnPHhyqn0sfYEanXyxs9avhTdC2vlFF4jWC02ApSPbGCA_yCvRFUO-NCiTnQ/s3088/20230319_152919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPh_XoEwqZQaBT6mKnsfwOhxt8esbRoHnG54HyJTB6h0pKYDIrXnh1h-hh7Lekm4CcRbppf5JV_mNXnY10MOWTVPzWiVX4SiMv5UrE2j-k_ZZIiqTKVuRbCJk-gWQnPHhyqn0sfYEanXyxs9avhTdC2vlFF4jWC02ApSPbGCA_yCvRFUO-NCiTnQ/s320/20230319_152919.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Tervuren Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_wqGX2C_F-V1N_jRFHMHoGBbPJ5GcKLiTr8Sd9ilDjM7dhiCwiBLJViP_R5ShUUjxHjTgYZZgvvJqX_8CsfdJnTjZ-IEU8xsgDlcDqzlZ8SHb-EJrr6uC8M-9SuMdTUVmAVN-wCCy5sU4qFIjIR9OdgWeeDGO8zUE6CFROT-l0U8Wma789w0zg/s1024/WhatsApp%20Bild%202023-03-20%20um%2009.17.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_wqGX2C_F-V1N_jRFHMHoGBbPJ5GcKLiTr8Sd9ilDjM7dhiCwiBLJViP_R5ShUUjxHjTgYZZgvvJqX_8CsfdJnTjZ-IEU8xsgDlcDqzlZ8SHb-EJrr6uC8M-9SuMdTUVmAVN-wCCy5sU4qFIjIR9OdgWeeDGO8zUE6CFROT-l0U8Wma789w0zg/s320/WhatsApp%20Bild%202023-03-20%20um%2009.17.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janice and I had a nice outing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-60532264130559021512023-03-01T15:55:00.002+01:002023-03-01T15:55:56.266+01:00Home Improvement<p>Today is the first day of March and I'm thankful for some sunny, yet pretty cold days here in Brussels. Lately, I've also been grateful for the completion of my home improvement project. Back in November, I had shared a bit about the renovations in this <a href="https://newstart77.blogspot.com/2022/11/germany-to-and-fro.html" target="_blank">post</a>. The walls were completed still before Thanksgiving, and subsequently, I started buying and assembling IKEA furniture in my guest room/home office. It took a while to get all the needed parts, and for the wardrobe, I needed some help from an experienced person, but now it looks very nice, as you can see in the pictures below.</p><p>Last week, I also enjoyed a visit of my good friend Carla from Brazil. We had met at Newbold College when we were both studying there back in 1997. Ever since, I already had the opportunity to visit her twice in Brazil, but it was the first time that her and her family could come over to visit me. It was a blessing to have them, and I'm grateful that this friendship has lasted for so long. On Sunday, we took a wonderful trip to Bruges. Although it was cold, we enjoyed the picturesque scenery alongside the little canal flowing through the city.</p><p>Tomorrow, I'm off to another trip to Germany, both for work and for leisure. I look forward to speaking at a school again, and then to spending an extended weekend in the Black Forest. </p><p>As I'm enjoying my "new" home, I've also been pondering about the heavenly home that Jesus is preparing for us while we are awaiting His return. As much as we can appreciate our earthly surroundings, it's nothing in comparison to the celestial mansions that are waiting for us on the earth made new! </p><p>"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-2</p><p>May the Lord help us not to focus so much on what we have here on earth, but rather to fix our mind to a much better place that He is preparing for us in the Heavenly Mansions! </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzA2eXKZCOmT-8d0S8f_j5lA7NyCRpZSJ8DWfyMhVTGDNEWYGdUJOawLh1CDdaxEOZtvq8A21pNeO6I1f-M-9-ALJNgG5xRstFPWuHIJKguuNmiCYQn5fFevBFyYBYzWrymjyxfEEIBO6DquWJH5rww4q75q7gRpXg5xgYTgtVcqOt-sjR1ishA/s3088/Kleiderschrank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzA2eXKZCOmT-8d0S8f_j5lA7NyCRpZSJ8DWfyMhVTGDNEWYGdUJOawLh1CDdaxEOZtvq8A21pNeO6I1f-M-9-ALJNgG5xRstFPWuHIJKguuNmiCYQn5fFevBFyYBYzWrymjyxfEEIBO6DquWJH5rww4q75q7gRpXg5xgYTgtVcqOt-sjR1ishA/s320/Kleiderschrank.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new wardrobe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlsw3TKobpt_WQ0ZClrr6z7r9s9CCkBfQ-3BAb22TRxfbyUoUY2kgB6VtH8ZDgYVk0um5kzLVk-uMR4RgCECnsPb3RJImrJL49svqXZClYyKekBwqm4dTL-l2xvUusK16sG2lcOsg8KFwM7NSmu7_ove46bY56EaTGAXBhwkwFXaYQ62nBBOMRg/s3088/HomeOffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlsw3TKobpt_WQ0ZClrr6z7r9s9CCkBfQ-3BAb22TRxfbyUoUY2kgB6VtH8ZDgYVk0um5kzLVk-uMR4RgCECnsPb3RJImrJL49svqXZClYyKekBwqm4dTL-l2xvUusK16sG2lcOsg8KFwM7NSmu7_ove46bY56EaTGAXBhwkwFXaYQ62nBBOMRg/s320/HomeOffice.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new home office furniture</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS9IRR5RIH9EynGJsIIlAdk7D9xvExqjH1mhak2RazCG_14GYcx7gxeeHa3tDwCsixN_kNIqFW9Oa476ecFT7vxwTMhlwL-c8XH9FJOAW4tpwI6z_jTAkKu6PPBC_Qjw08SQnGpUTm8UwXagiUJTqcZQF7HIcAfM_ONVhhG32Cwy9mAGknugh5g/s1600/Group_I.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS9IRR5RIH9EynGJsIIlAdk7D9xvExqjH1mhak2RazCG_14GYcx7gxeeHa3tDwCsixN_kNIqFW9Oa476ecFT7vxwTMhlwL-c8XH9FJOAW4tpwI6z_jTAkKu6PPBC_Qjw08SQnGpUTm8UwXagiUJTqcZQF7HIcAfM_ONVhhG32Cwy9mAGknugh5g/s320/Group_I.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my friend Carla, her daughter, and Janice in Bruges</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_jdQHltnZaYYQ_9VEf3Yev1UqCa6Af_4F32vXwYmguYxmiK6g0GCYe1Y9u4riUeRyfn-p4LsVPUfuGANCQ6gNm-rHDtPUk6ld-SBPdaH-h3vPqbRtll3hfrSoZ9h283cG05Thm38wnd6-usJ_qggaYwPaED-x5YuRUzc1okI7QhpamrEv1USXg/s1600/Boat-trip_II.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_jdQHltnZaYYQ_9VEf3Yev1UqCa6Af_4F32vXwYmguYxmiK6g0GCYe1Y9u4riUeRyfn-p4LsVPUfuGANCQ6gNm-rHDtPUk6ld-SBPdaH-h3vPqbRtll3hfrSoZ9h283cG05Thm38wnd6-usJ_qggaYwPaED-x5YuRUzc1okI7QhpamrEv1USXg/s320/Boat-trip_II.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from our boat trip</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOIIQ_1_k_lkmsrrzKgxpW7rY1evaGMzv3TJyWAE-iMivUnV7wMZd8JnFe_Ltsqh24EYb1_4D5J3vfj4sm_od5-jnO4NQyTCrAcZagrfoZUK6WI-ZptUaZlkQm3W0kgAkHlgqow3E1kfkEo0XWO9xidxVfR5-riCprxDIkUjn6Ei2A1ae5exIlQ/s1600/Boat-trip_III.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOIIQ_1_k_lkmsrrzKgxpW7rY1evaGMzv3TJyWAE-iMivUnV7wMZd8JnFe_Ltsqh24EYb1_4D5J3vfj4sm_od5-jnO4NQyTCrAcZagrfoZUK6WI-ZptUaZlkQm3W0kgAkHlgqow3E1kfkEo0XWO9xidxVfR5-riCprxDIkUjn6Ei2A1ae5exIlQ/s320/Boat-trip_III.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-5084922330232387372022-12-16T20:09:00.002+01:002022-12-16T20:09:24.717+01:00Berlin<p>This past Wednesday, I returned from a 5-day trip to Berlin. It would have normally been just a 2-day business trip, however since I hadn't been to the German capital for over 20 years, I decided to add a long weekend to my journey. It was a very nice experience, in spite of the cold weather. I would have appreciated a little more sunshine though, but that's the way it is. </p><p>I got to take a boat cruise on the river Spree in the city centre, followed by a tour through the government district and the famous Reichstag building. What a view! And of course I got to stroll through one of the numerous Christmas markets. The work meeting was quite interesting. It helped me to widen my horizon a little bit, and I got to meet new people. We met in the Representation of the EU in Berlin, which is right by the Brandenburger Tor. Very nice location.</p><p>Other than that, these past few weeks have been quite eventful. I haven't blogged about my Thanksgiving dinner and Health Club meeting in November, but both events were very blessed, and I'm so grateful that I was able to do all this, in spite of the delays with my renovation. When I returned from my Germany trip in November, I came back to a huge mess in my apartment, and had to camp on the living room floor for two weeks! But I'm thankful that it's done and over with, and that my walls are looking so much nicer now! </p><p>Now I'm wrapping things up here, before I travel to Germany again this Sunday, in order to be with friends and family for the year end. I'm definitely looking forward to this change of pace!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeaL4cTGpoD8Zmk7HpEVNMThdojYxX4cmCMMuaZ1P7lcRRtXJmWcra8souDFVh-QWYNSP7HrdCcvnLsv-BCcPj3QWwkzk2yCZTgeBUdbwjU6HizUWyg2mkFkAtG-fI-E6uTCKO5gYYdAMnRTJurzkIhGVCkjxMzlbYHy8n9MdyoXIjBnc7OeFDA/s2448/20221214_120911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeaL4cTGpoD8Zmk7HpEVNMThdojYxX4cmCMMuaZ1P7lcRRtXJmWcra8souDFVh-QWYNSP7HrdCcvnLsv-BCcPj3QWwkzk2yCZTgeBUdbwjU6HizUWyg2mkFkAtG-fI-E6uTCKO5gYYdAMnRTJurzkIhGVCkjxMzlbYHy8n9MdyoXIjBnc7OeFDA/s320/20221214_120911.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at the Brandenburger Tor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0UmGvcvgwvYRag4FgiHpLaYa58GYSS_b7b5hAfr5zWHJTT4jD33bhPsVBeF3rQ-3CL26HdpBtvnZ3rTGQiLKqxVYMEd5RHWCk7293yZT77u6TWaojE4ZkO0zPtQPyHYMEtzU8OAR_Lzg-uEzWVDPrb8093kTxbRrdo5crqrM616COvwK1KpMsw/s3088/20221213_133341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0UmGvcvgwvYRag4FgiHpLaYa58GYSS_b7b5hAfr5zWHJTT4jD33bhPsVBeF3rQ-3CL26HdpBtvnZ3rTGQiLKqxVYMEd5RHWCk7293yZT77u6TWaojE4ZkO0zPtQPyHYMEtzU8OAR_Lzg-uEzWVDPrb8093kTxbRrdo5crqrM616COvwK1KpMsw/s320/20221213_133341.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous "Schupfnudeln" (potato dumplings) with Sauerkraut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4wLlGwvH9hzAOHuMxyCSXPEE4aVQC38J149V8QB1njSziIE89D6aahB7mGec8GsZSJWnDeZMqu56Lm9dGVNgpmo0eOjXxkkhKNghNFUlbXRTpHQCwnyf3aJBOAIdTJ4SGeBKzrSlh6BAKA0Tcn6WgjvfIza49pkelNXm5sSb7cSx_nCzVBHxFg/s3088/20221211_112702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4wLlGwvH9hzAOHuMxyCSXPEE4aVQC38J149V8QB1njSziIE89D6aahB7mGec8GsZSJWnDeZMqu56Lm9dGVNgpmo0eOjXxkkhKNghNFUlbXRTpHQCwnyf3aJBOAIdTJ4SGeBKzrSlh6BAKA0Tcn6WgjvfIza49pkelNXm5sSb7cSx_nCzVBHxFg/s320/20221211_112702.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Government district</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcrpT982p5kmoK79m0gNKgDqxQXQeW0PWYAt51VYg-l-5nABzMJKoDorssJaCyl5lqHKYtRXoDR3B-VIaIEqlVvofSC9RqFPQ5BxkiQIyR6cqW-e1HSu9asK9nXIfWxytv6NUjAf-7dqiIrG_yUSXa6lq3zC3Ob_UQzjx1tFJFYY-CEiwe3iiwQ/s3088/20221211_122308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcrpT982p5kmoK79m0gNKgDqxQXQeW0PWYAt51VYg-l-5nABzMJKoDorssJaCyl5lqHKYtRXoDR3B-VIaIEqlVvofSC9RqFPQ5BxkiQIyR6cqW-e1HSu9asK9nXIfWxytv6NUjAf-7dqiIrG_yUSXa6lq3zC3Ob_UQzjx1tFJFYY-CEiwe3iiwQ/s320/20221211_122308.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous tower on the Alexanderplatz - with a small church in front</td></tr></tbody></table>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-46555899443876568582022-11-12T17:08:00.001+01:002022-11-12T17:08:43.771+01:00Germany To And Fro<p>Wow - time flies so quickly! This past Monday, I came back from my Germany trip, and I'm thankful for all the blessings that came with it. </p><p>So after my Back to School experience (see my previous blog), I enjoyed some more days with friends and family, while doing some "teleworking from abroad" as we call it. The weather was very mild all through my stay, in fact too warm for the season, but I definitely enjoyed it. </p><p>The ASI Germany convention was a great blessing. Our planned Center of Influence in Brussels was shortlisted as one of the projects that would be sponsored through the proceeds of the offering; and as the only representative of our church, I was the one presenting it. The outcome was that we are going to receive the full amount requested! We hope and pray now that this will be really the kick-off to get started with this project. Of course we still need more funds, but I'm confident that the Lord will provide. I can't wait for the outcome!</p><p>After that, I travelled four hours north east to the Harz region, where the family from my father's side lives. I hadn't been there since my grandmother's funeral beginning of 2016, so it was high time to catch up. It was nice seeing them, and it was definitely the most relaxing part of my trip. My aunt and uncle's home is beautifully situated in the country, so the air is fantastic; and they also have an orchard and vegetable garden. This was a great opportunity to recharge my batteries. </p><p>Now I'm back to a mess here at my home. I had some renovation going on during my absence, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, the works haven't been quite finished. But I look forward to enjoying a renewed apartment very soon!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SEi-oTcD8YO7RvxlRrPcKMXpfA__CU0p--t57Z19r88cz3gKBOg2i_IMGCXf5BwS-RK10Dl4gJJzv_CaCXsAo6Fg_rZvuDUnGPuepShZyADahRimw_vgbn9b2_btezyZ-PXqJYkpDwQkFWfngEHzAEN8cINh_hSh-eK4h8YJWy-9DGN5PD_nLg/s3088/20221030_143831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SEi-oTcD8YO7RvxlRrPcKMXpfA__CU0p--t57Z19r88cz3gKBOg2i_IMGCXf5BwS-RK10Dl4gJJzv_CaCXsAo6Fg_rZvuDUnGPuepShZyADahRimw_vgbn9b2_btezyZ-PXqJYkpDwQkFWfngEHzAEN8cINh_hSh-eK4h8YJWy-9DGN5PD_nLg/s320/20221030_143831.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At ASI Germany</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6A88XnQwqCsOwZ54Fl5UY9oK_j-daeVL_6X24KRBgNG92LlmRMcEh-PmHyruGaLCYmyOcUhz1coUrCu5mF-1w9vllEGdAljDmlmZMypvkPDIylwv3YGySYr_oOlnYJI0R9QKALRa28PPIhPCPTBWPn70CSUov8Knsg5q2sYe8PwCbeZ7nRY0Ug/s3088/20221031_200541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6A88XnQwqCsOwZ54Fl5UY9oK_j-daeVL_6X24KRBgNG92LlmRMcEh-PmHyruGaLCYmyOcUhz1coUrCu5mF-1w9vllEGdAljDmlmZMypvkPDIylwv3YGySYr_oOlnYJI0R9QKALRa28PPIhPCPTBWPn70CSUov8Knsg5q2sYe8PwCbeZ7nRY0Ug/s320/20221031_200541.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main speaker Conrad Vine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisI0XAfrULFOzH2YfcDbdZp7mKgxm_s24NReYlYgdcVKVp1hA5TaoFBJ7jaIRT9IqLsBy2EUObCkyLVqfXDqII2QI7p0HFCdbZntDjiWgmcNkMweDNIdJPIQksNPro2iFkRVst3DcIY_pooY9aG7NtiBl0_h5xAlyUmsp-x-cktCa7aiqE9aoLMw/s3088/20221106_134537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisI0XAfrULFOzH2YfcDbdZp7mKgxm_s24NReYlYgdcVKVp1hA5TaoFBJ7jaIRT9IqLsBy2EUObCkyLVqfXDqII2QI7p0HFCdbZntDjiWgmcNkMweDNIdJPIQksNPro2iFkRVst3DcIY_pooY9aG7NtiBl0_h5xAlyUmsp-x-cktCa7aiqE9aoLMw/s320/20221106_134537.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My second home in Germany</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfjRvz_YrVY0LpdFwjrjnZMy4-VyufCSLP_BZHCaQsUvkYbogJU-XtEuv3eFuKN5suEpxPHBs4VTisCV2050_Z0FOp8H7WMzMo-9-QnjQgXEGwGqPbtmGiHNHF2hXhq0nAXfBoWxU8lOn6FjgVObsCy2svy4JuujNiPzwXqH7HnMvjUE9P4Pv7g/s3088/20221106_104038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfjRvz_YrVY0LpdFwjrjnZMy4-VyufCSLP_BZHCaQsUvkYbogJU-XtEuv3eFuKN5suEpxPHBs4VTisCV2050_Z0FOp8H7WMzMo-9-QnjQgXEGwGqPbtmGiHNHF2hXhq0nAXfBoWxU8lOn6FjgVObsCy2svy4JuujNiPzwXqH7HnMvjUE9P4Pv7g/s320/20221106_104038.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walnut harvest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JReWAZH_x2Vi2OBrZH0LfPFDXmUUaKc8C947-pil2bGqyyb1kzyZ_ya5GeItSl41KzDhMVaEVPqAL6ZaJdmAd8JnY8sBbThoE1mgKi_RIPeez1f9nnMU6jFeqGWAnvEcm58zdlzj2J6In1r3fiF511m18_FtQbHK40MVt7pYi00u2SdGUNJl2Q/s1920/20221105_151406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JReWAZH_x2Vi2OBrZH0LfPFDXmUUaKc8C947-pil2bGqyyb1kzyZ_ya5GeItSl41KzDhMVaEVPqAL6ZaJdmAd8JnY8sBbThoE1mgKi_RIPeez1f9nnMU6jFeqGWAnvEcm58zdlzj2J6In1r3fiF511m18_FtQbHK40MVt7pYi00u2SdGUNJl2Q/s320/20221105_151406.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hotel near my aunt and uncle's place</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq6sdU4wtOSgYIOTtmcN-alMaokrGZd6UZqCgY8n5mxDZ_ERZvNW_wTwH4vhyhqZS15AKQhxmlxDqQJSAmpLrvOl5_H9xIhGgmSfrbbmw_c9mYaJB6hIUqxH8lbmx1Le0-tgOYIXFzhRuOvyQfq-gLzM7SsNCNWfXTqpqgc5NnK8tWa9rpLrQZg/s3088/20221105_150713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq6sdU4wtOSgYIOTtmcN-alMaokrGZd6UZqCgY8n5mxDZ_ERZvNW_wTwH4vhyhqZS15AKQhxmlxDqQJSAmpLrvOl5_H9xIhGgmSfrbbmw_c9mYaJB6hIUqxH8lbmx1Le0-tgOYIXFzhRuOvyQfq-gLzM7SsNCNWfXTqpqgc5NnK8tWa9rpLrQZg/s320/20221105_150713.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stone saw</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd3Urz1_JhL6kP_H5q0bdmei5she4NpW5YoWz-L3mPhynqsC8C2E1qpa0-wcHmdDege9nRvKixoA98IejDo0sBlCh_EFZZ8dnBEiZPxyZX72LpwocPZ4gTFyVUF4Qv1lHVTicG-Us3uB7UQ6d0io9A0zLF43mQd6SkXJDW83xUfAcGm8gyJxOkA/s3088/20221106_134734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd3Urz1_JhL6kP_H5q0bdmei5she4NpW5YoWz-L3mPhynqsC8C2E1qpa0-wcHmdDege9nRvKixoA98IejDo0sBlCh_EFZZ8dnBEiZPxyZX72LpwocPZ4gTFyVUF4Qv1lHVTicG-Us3uB7UQ6d0io9A0zLF43mQd6SkXJDW83xUfAcGm8gyJxOkA/s320/20221106_134734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have only really been where you have been by foot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXIU2ULQz4IWWoNNgqxcg3cLN_UQhZ21at-JHhvOKHA7HsPhQAWiE7cW25qABro1Q1tBbgjLu7gCr_3lYYOyxL6B64_N07Q_PLVdtd2McCwHz8kUzHFMrJUEyqZhEzhDO52zuzAVIvPvEEB7sbUywFGnLQGyPh_z02iObxkj7i5L6zSOFfEWPQA/s3088/20221106_143728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXIU2ULQz4IWWoNNgqxcg3cLN_UQhZ21at-JHhvOKHA7HsPhQAWiE7cW25qABro1Q1tBbgjLu7gCr_3lYYOyxL6B64_N07Q_PLVdtd2McCwHz8kUzHFMrJUEyqZhEzhDO52zuzAVIvPvEEB7sbUywFGnLQGyPh_z02iObxkj7i5L6zSOFfEWPQA/s320/20221106_143728.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful scenery in the Harz region<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2vbFZNCw72UOTbj8OIlE_4hxpyocsqdRklgydqHROQPTZqRK_0y5rOJpRQ7l2cjVhbu6ShSwh4hzBGK4mrSBB5lP8ZxPgyrSwCQUsBorOwd9X9g_sN1Lf717E6sip33gBIaesr72v81KdFyw5eIdi-C_9rR75e4A8Vb1u3_bOMFgZFLCVFnLIg/s3088/20221108_080349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2vbFZNCw72UOTbj8OIlE_4hxpyocsqdRklgydqHROQPTZqRK_0y5rOJpRQ7l2cjVhbu6ShSwh4hzBGK4mrSBB5lP8ZxPgyrSwCQUsBorOwd9X9g_sN1Lf717E6sip33gBIaesr72v81KdFyw5eIdi-C_9rR75e4A8Vb1u3_bOMFgZFLCVFnLIg/s320/20221108_080349.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reason why I'm sleeping in the living room right now...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZkinwcSDP3kmA14oL8qR5xXjFqVr1rOWQ63rnl9F7-1dHl2_C7GAj8j5xWDhSz1AgUUvzoTh3EIGNgkYB4sfeKOxZfw98C5k3tZrMV3LWTLKGRmzVEZs0ML5Y1mtH3GHIhkshHbes5qz87eb7HOozeZYTfGNKEIQVafH8vAyD8IiFdCOklXFQQ/s3088/20221108_080357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZkinwcSDP3kmA14oL8qR5xXjFqVr1rOWQ63rnl9F7-1dHl2_C7GAj8j5xWDhSz1AgUUvzoTh3EIGNgkYB4sfeKOxZfw98C5k3tZrMV3LWTLKGRmzVEZs0ML5Y1mtH3GHIhkshHbes5qz87eb7HOozeZYTfGNKEIQVafH8vAyD8IiFdCOklXFQQ/s320/20221108_080357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward to a renewed guest room!</td></tr></tbody></table>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-21224113586201351632022-10-26T05:33:00.001+02:002022-10-26T06:36:06.195+02:00Back To School<p>Oh my, it's been two months already since I've posted something here. Sorry for that! I'm still determined to post at least once a month, if not every two weeks from now on. Let's see if that will work!</p><p>On Monday, I went "Back to School", which does not mean that I have taken up another educational challenge. It's just the working title of a project initiated at my organisation (the European Commission in case you don't know where I work). So since 2007, EU officials go back to their home countries to visit their old schools and even universities, in order to share with the students about how the EU works and their own personal experience working in these institutions. </p><p>I have done this for the first time back in 2012/2013, before I went for another career break to the United States. Back then already, I found it a very rewarding and enriching experience, but it was also quite exhausting! Some of the young folks were very inquisitive, others seemed rather indifferent, and basically everybody was ignorant about how the EU works, and what's in it for me as an individual citizen. </p><p>I had a couple pictures with the students taken, but will not publish them here for data protection reasons. But below are some pictures of my former school. Yes, I was so surprised when I saw this skeleton building! But this is where I went in and out about 25 years ago. It was actually built in 1972 (so it's as old as I am :-), and now they thought it was time to renovate it. But thankfully, they can use the building adjacent to that one now, which is very nice and comfy!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PNdmF_mWj99KjoM-X_SwdTF12kE9dnf33v7KXkVcDzQY4TSSE-cQ_4ym8kwbWKpBwE8t0_8ACzcwZ5SVv1wZ1YNusluE7fyJXH-ecvZK2gz_1mIdOy_ficLUfpb1aJjkE37U-xZjranFhGuNVjWGGqeeyqVnXH3wIxtqk1wjalRNYE4hm6QOog/s3088/WES_I.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PNdmF_mWj99KjoM-X_SwdTF12kE9dnf33v7KXkVcDzQY4TSSE-cQ_4ym8kwbWKpBwE8t0_8ACzcwZ5SVv1wZ1YNusluE7fyJXH-ecvZK2gz_1mIdOy_ficLUfpb1aJjkE37U-xZjranFhGuNVjWGGqeeyqVnXH3wIxtqk1wjalRNYE4hm6QOog/s320/WES_I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohm8DJ-9LMrC6XraLCSTM566_0rRy0LFvb5sY_5UAVCrg_rr0gjKruFw--KjYfXdF0Wlnot7h0oU8_oQW1d9BdwiXnu60UA69H66zSNQrqKSO3QaJYcjTM89SS-21SPJgA2U3XUsjlLFk2uqsLTczIMlw6oOILpZve5phzsw-3BmE9SWNggN8-Q/s3088/WES_II.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohm8DJ-9LMrC6XraLCSTM566_0rRy0LFvb5sY_5UAVCrg_rr0gjKruFw--KjYfXdF0Wlnot7h0oU8_oQW1d9BdwiXnu60UA69H66zSNQrqKSO3QaJYcjTM89SS-21SPJgA2U3XUsjlLFk2uqsLTczIMlw6oOILpZve5phzsw-3BmE9SWNggN8-Q/s320/WES_II.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-38842830152162105042022-08-26T18:47:00.000+02:002022-08-26T18:47:00.529+02:00Reviving a Dead Blog<p>I know it's been a long time since I've last published a blog. It's not that there wasn't anything happening during this time, but I wasn't sure if I should really continue blogging. However, I've changed my mind and I would just like to consider this time of silence a Sabbatical. So let's see if I can fulfill my commitment!</p><p>The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. This has certainly not been a relaxing summer, but definitely a very blessed one! </p><p>About three weeks ago, we concluded our annual German camp meeting, which was the first one after two years that we could organize without any covid restrictions. You could see that people were hungry for such meetings, as we had more than double the amount of participants compared to last year. Our main speakers (Mark Sandoval, Christopher Hudson, Gabriel Maurer) were a blessing. We spontaneously ended up having Chris Hudson with us here in Belgium during last weekend, where he spoke in West Flanders. His preaching was so powerful. It reminded me about the urgency to finish the work on this earth. </p><p>In our church, we are going to start a new two-year term of officers. Besides Health Ministries coordinator, I'm elected as church clerk for this term. I held this office between 2010 and 2014, before I went to the US again. It's rather humbling to me to play such a pivotal role in our church life again. May the Lord help me to serve His church in the way He wants to use me. </p><p>As for my work, I'm very thankful for the current conditions at our offices, which are extremely helpful to balance home and career. We only need to come to the office two days per week, and the other days we can work from home. They also allow us to work up to ten days per year from abroad, which gives me more time to be with my family in Germany. </p><p>So all in all, I look forward to these months to come, which will certainly give me no dull moment!</p><p>This morning, I've read a rather sobering devotional reading, entitled "Work, for Earth's Night Is Coming." The messenger of the Lord says:</p><blockquote><p>"My heart is often burdened because so many who might work are doing nothing. They are the sport of Satan’s temptations. Every church member who has a knowledge of the truth is expected to work while the day lasts; for the night cometh, wherein no one can work. Erelong we shall understand what that night means. The Spirit of God is being grieved away from the earth. The nations are angry with one another. Widespread preparations are being made for war. The night is at hand. Let the church arouse and go forth to do its appointed work. Every believer, educated or uneducated, can bear the message." </p></blockquote><blockquote><p>(Be Like Jesus, p. 252.4)</p></blockquote><p>Sometimes, I think how in the world the work on this earth can ever be finished, so that Jesus can come soon to take us home. How shall it happen if so many church members just go with the flow and make no personal efforts to win souls for the Kingdom? What about the numerous opportunities that I did not cease to spread the gospel in whatever way? I can only determine for myself right now to get moving and do what is in my power to make a difference. May the Lord help us in this solemn task, and may the Holy Spirit wake up many people who are now in ignorance before it's too late! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXfKeBsj3jCGRfgv8eb2LWb9-wd-WTlaRD-VI1hZCv4kUwOT6E_E_vsfte1xLZphj7DDUcSPx2mf2yvrncR6HyVF2SbUUHGgNLpthYRZVMHoUaVAOeeSpZ4R4U25EROC17P2fgybpS3ypBJ6IyZVVdAnWV29QsUZidAFnTFw60tZbOE9QUnEQtQ/s6000/20220801_170126940_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXfKeBsj3jCGRfgv8eb2LWb9-wd-WTlaRD-VI1hZCv4kUwOT6E_E_vsfte1xLZphj7DDUcSPx2mf2yvrncR6HyVF2SbUUHGgNLpthYRZVMHoUaVAOeeSpZ4R4U25EROC17P2fgybpS3ypBJ6IyZVVdAnWV29QsUZidAFnTFw60tZbOE9QUnEQtQ/s320/20220801_170126940_iOS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Camp meeting audience<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pAelKgk9yg3NGOPvUzugwKA8nEW6_4B6NiWK9sjZTNPZQOZlXK3jjtAeBRFuEItN6dLwqitPBLnXSxd0cncGheRsawPx-Pj2u4dKrLbi3ELRprEdWQY5YSp1Qwhkkyj2OjpJDeZc588RJDjjR_R8mMKlozQalq7-MItOXgUGAQJmiwauW0fQWw/s6000/20220801_175726410_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pAelKgk9yg3NGOPvUzugwKA8nEW6_4B6NiWK9sjZTNPZQOZlXK3jjtAeBRFuEItN6dLwqitPBLnXSxd0cncGheRsawPx-Pj2u4dKrLbi3ELRprEdWQY5YSp1Qwhkkyj2OjpJDeZc588RJDjjR_R8mMKlozQalq7-MItOXgUGAQJmiwauW0fQWw/s320/20220801_175726410_iOS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div> Some of the speakers on stage</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Kn67gXdcN7WoGeBvVDkotW4CYlWEc-gvyCD8IjS75HZg5-8QPFAi7YJAN2k3WzvqmLgbshth612L7PbC0nnkHLB1d2TQlfbkVlFiXZ4QMqEA3zKEazgMm9WsNtJR-9VyTxgG5vw48vwU35kAnFxC7e0brAcocOrtBq7vZOCFEVOJj5Q2KL003A/s5364/20220803_065022610_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5364" data-original-width="3492" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Kn67gXdcN7WoGeBvVDkotW4CYlWEc-gvyCD8IjS75HZg5-8QPFAi7YJAN2k3WzvqmLgbshth612L7PbC0nnkHLB1d2TQlfbkVlFiXZ4QMqEA3zKEazgMm9WsNtJR-9VyTxgG5vw48vwU35kAnFxC7e0brAcocOrtBq7vZOCFEVOJj5Q2KL003A/s320/20220803_065022610_iOS.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christopher Hudson</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzMASbEzt0Z5HzAvXm3cQscpPp9domYbv-lahsb66_3qwNIzs5DIATK0eGeDo3HmejjlvnOwXpAPGxbXDWOVpRX1th5lzeCC6P0Wiq-v4l6pZsZtAKQXHSRVFLt5mkOfKr35q_fgZAMqguoqQAN0LqyTT95S19QsfIWPFjiMXH_sdJhSLOKuAUA/s6000/IMG_7759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzMASbEzt0Z5HzAvXm3cQscpPp9domYbv-lahsb66_3qwNIzs5DIATK0eGeDo3HmejjlvnOwXpAPGxbXDWOVpRX1th5lzeCC6P0Wiq-v4l6pZsZtAKQXHSRVFLt5mkOfKr35q_fgZAMqguoqQAN0LqyTT95S19QsfIWPFjiMXH_sdJhSLOKuAUA/s320/IMG_7759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Music<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0cyHr4Oa8LXiJqehXt8J3E8ccHFVup4CQkJTSHaz0uxVco1HezO4H2jkTonp-RcVTyuXSY5UU76jxjP608nZ4knrmzoNnEIP1g2WSi-YVJXwQqldku-PzsRSPXCLqAHVsQMTnfIXceQadiPMHgvX24f751Fwwp4SnGoNhJFeNdDDY3fBJslZ1Q/s6000/IMG_7877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0cyHr4Oa8LXiJqehXt8J3E8ccHFVup4CQkJTSHaz0uxVco1HezO4H2jkTonp-RcVTyuXSY5UU76jxjP608nZ4knrmzoNnEIP1g2WSi-YVJXwQqldku-PzsRSPXCLqAHVsQMTnfIXceQadiPMHgvX24f751Fwwp4SnGoNhJFeNdDDY3fBJslZ1Q/s320/IMG_7877.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Gabriel Maurer speaking</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7R-7nBp-5Sf197dpGnFxYIjTDnuxFEolnpE1aHZwh2iUzSiozVbTWHF1vR3prrjsJQlG5nV5AkPo4U960-NtLGzgN06JO8hFoGGS1ajPT14cgG21vi3kJUJoOwnt8kjmt23uiXHr_skmXLi3T8u3fG8SpbKOH9Z37nDoTUmB9inaUd-MfOAUuIA/s6000/IMG_7576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7R-7nBp-5Sf197dpGnFxYIjTDnuxFEolnpE1aHZwh2iUzSiozVbTWHF1vR3prrjsJQlG5nV5AkPo4U960-NtLGzgN06JO8hFoGGS1ajPT14cgG21vi3kJUJoOwnt8kjmt23uiXHr_skmXLi3T8u3fG8SpbKOH9Z37nDoTUmB9inaUd-MfOAUuIA/s320/IMG_7576.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> Children's programme</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUmddL822gqjYXRCUWOTpZ-597XlZXGHuP5At9RM_ScAzAOP1Scq2hL-A5n7sbSyQAOpPKmfC1bwd5rSZ-LJBngKRKFqpiDjRNtaj_d329D8Oqw2UXJjMAkjYbDNNxeUYtD901KVBcD1AMnDVCmXWeKdUaJxQj2tyIEqjYFTd0dQaSIFg6uS3Mg/s6000/IMG_7857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUmddL822gqjYXRCUWOTpZ-597XlZXGHuP5At9RM_ScAzAOP1Scq2hL-A5n7sbSyQAOpPKmfC1bwd5rSZ-LJBngKRKFqpiDjRNtaj_d329D8Oqw2UXJjMAkjYbDNNxeUYtD901KVBcD1AMnDVCmXWeKdUaJxQj2tyIEqjYFTd0dQaSIFg6uS3Mg/s320/IMG_7857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Children's story on Sabbath</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUM2aaxtz6Q2qL5ObCZX1avHjpBja-EjpATEyxga-g1aYWA4jmISyqFLXrIWPgUJw2DdnfmqHkIwAGROslm3cO6vz4IQYMo3rIIs64bFSRdDhPAPzmgWeuO2h0PxDvrbLAhXd5zNpM4QHwUvRIFI-Y7Gk9suBTD_aZi_vNF-FWmtXOjMOJ-_TOA/s6000/20220803_133330380_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUM2aaxtz6Q2qL5ObCZX1avHjpBja-EjpATEyxga-g1aYWA4jmISyqFLXrIWPgUJw2DdnfmqHkIwAGROslm3cO6vz4IQYMo3rIIs64bFSRdDhPAPzmgWeuO2h0PxDvrbLAhXd5zNpM4QHwUvRIFI-Y7Gk9suBTD_aZi_vNF-FWmtXOjMOJ-_TOA/s320/20220803_133330380_iOS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div> Mark Sandoval with Johannes Kolletzki interpreting</div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-42973948229675271972021-06-26T18:38:00.000+02:002021-06-26T18:38:15.545+02:00Austria<p>This past Wednesday, I returned from one of the most blessed and beautiful journeys I've ever been to. </p><p>I first travelled to Germany to be with my family again for a few days. Then I took a whole day train ride to the south of Austria, a region called Carinthia, situated in the eastern Alps. This area is characterised by alpine lakes and mountains, as well as medieval buildings. Already the train ride was stunning to me, as I had never been to this particular area in Austria. </p><p>My first destination was the TGM Institute, a self-supporting school which also runs a small lifestyle center. Young people are trained there in medical missionary work and agriculture, and anyone can come to attend the lifestyle sessions they offer. The place is beautifully situated, with mountain ranges round about and a small lake right by. I especially enjoyed my early morning walks, when I could not only hear the lovely birds singing, but also frogs croaking and deer grazing. </p><p>The second European Agriculture Conference was held there. This is a lay movement within my church, and it's all about encouraging people to get into agriculture as a part of true education. And there are so many spiritual lessons we can learn from the garden. Actually, the spiritual aspects of the programme where the elements that spoke to me most. I especially found the speaker family from Sweden a great blessing. The Karlssons run an apple orchard there, and it was intriguing to learn about their experiences. Furthermore, Simon Karlsson is a physical therapist, and he gave an excellent lecture on good posture. Having been trained as an exercise physiologist, I came to realise again how important this issue is, and how desperately I need to implement in my daily life what I know about good posture.</p><p>After the Conference, some participants from the area around Vienna gave me a ride, as I was going to visit the capital for a couple days. This turned out a special experience to me, because I have gained new friends now. One couple actually offered me to stay at their place in the middle of Vienna - close by the hotel were I had originally booked a room. So I was still able to cancel that room and enjoyed their hospitality! </p><p>The ride on the night train from Vienna to Brussels was quite an experience. I would have never thought that they would do border controls in Bavaria, but they actually did! When I suddenly heard them loudly knocking at our compartment, I thought I was in the wrong movie! So they asked me for my passport and whether I was traveling alone. After my response (in perfect German of course), they obviously realised that I was not an illegal immigrant, and so they didn't insist to see my papers anymore :-). </p><p>All in all, it was one of the most beautiful trips I have ever made - and I'm actually planning to do the same again at the end of the year. I think winter in Austria must also be very nice!</p><p>At the conference, Simon Karlsson gave a talk about the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3 23). One aspect that stood out to me was his interpretation of the seed that fell in stony places, and how we can apply this to our spiritual life. I really liked how he brought this home:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>They do not believe he will give them power to overcome their sins</li><li>Many claim to serve God, but have no experimental knowledge of him</li><li>They do not crucify self</li><li>They do not give up their particular sins</li><li>Love must be the principle of action</li><li>We do not belong to Christ unless we are His wholly</li></ul><p></p><p>"The effort to serve both self and Christ makes one a stony-ground hearer, he will not endure when the test comes upon him."</p><p>And finally this sobering statement from Ellen G. White:</p><p>”The “time of trouble, such as never was,” is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God.“ (The Great Controversy, p. 622.4)</p><p>In fact, I can't say that I'm afraid of the things that are ahead of us. Of course this statement makes you think somehow, but we do not know exactly what is ahead of us after all. Back in 1989, when I had my leg surgery, an osteotomy, I had no clue that the pain would be so excruciating when I would wake up. Nevertheless, I made it through, and I'm so thankful now that I did the surgery. And the same way we will be thankful when we enter the Gates of Heaven, the Golden City, the New Jerusalem one day. And we will all say it was worth it to go through all this trouble! Oh LORD, please come and take us home soon!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TjFKHBSf-g8b6Ea0K-At1XdjYyWEoOxPkbTuuvUqCBI-xe_HQYynQ5LX_BSxFHtj1yn5Ld_cTd2zFtvJCeu27TSPKoz5ta9CBNIucSlRB2igcMfovEmPjbSKQFDlHOFbaTSs-CAhXA/s2048/20210617_154047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TjFKHBSf-g8b6Ea0K-At1XdjYyWEoOxPkbTuuvUqCBI-xe_HQYynQ5LX_BSxFHtj1yn5Ld_cTd2zFtvJCeu27TSPKoz5ta9CBNIucSlRB2igcMfovEmPjbSKQFDlHOFbaTSs-CAhXA/s320/20210617_154047.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't these mountains beautiful?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxPOaAfR1bhUR-4UpX53yd4psQBuUlZaiYVFhFLdC6-Jup72_mtDQfHQ0npjsvgQZJUArvnPxtrzbX_zrgwgA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSd6Wj7cQhMua1ETcZ9z9nmq4zRsjaxjwCBP3vIPA9-ipO1NfyPkssGg-ki4Db-7WPkQPPnGrZCNz8Smz-MHBuuG_pzWE34lwzpephMDurGcIdAylnKcpRialK65wBb5QWanQqZBHFnA/s2048/20210617_180905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSd6Wj7cQhMua1ETcZ9z9nmq4zRsjaxjwCBP3vIPA9-ipO1NfyPkssGg-ki4Db-7WPkQPPnGrZCNz8Smz-MHBuuG_pzWE34lwzpephMDurGcIdAylnKcpRialK65wBb5QWanQqZBHFnA/s320/20210617_180905.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all received seeds for microgreens</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PMp1ycds-CI2yrTtOV2gr7On8bCF7UPnjeYtF-8Uoi56mWiCQPpGQbdnn2D0ktHsGOH22vUGY66cAYveMJfKbW7spXZJMuGr28g5OdXTU9uf3TslewTIUG3zRoCzV2TMU7I11k93LQ/s2048/20210618_182513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PMp1ycds-CI2yrTtOV2gr7On8bCF7UPnjeYtF-8Uoi56mWiCQPpGQbdnn2D0ktHsGOH22vUGY66cAYveMJfKbW7spXZJMuGr28g5OdXTU9uf3TslewTIUG3zRoCzV2TMU7I11k93LQ/s320/20210618_182513.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful flowers on campus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnBGt5Co5QGn6yUb0hfkYx82iVHuKYpW_irTylmAxOsxp4-HWDMPfWhQO6L69lQgfUs-nn1M55MpWdip4SW4mClNfWIfJgNpEqJi8ZMzbdiMNWSaeIMC0WkcIhUM32VCL97J7QssRzw/s2048/20210619_053458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnBGt5Co5QGn6yUb0hfkYx82iVHuKYpW_irTylmAxOsxp4-HWDMPfWhQO6L69lQgfUs-nn1M55MpWdip4SW4mClNfWIfJgNpEqJi8ZMzbdiMNWSaeIMC0WkcIhUM32VCL97J7QssRzw/s320/20210619_053458.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning walk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaLiZ8YnXWu8DMHCPguN-pbjLBT9k8un5ctvj94ZBq3kSk6b6YBuUqrCeVGCu5aWY1T7FF30Z5dSk9xZ2mKrJNdyvXZ_AO6c5qQr8NQkCSm7fEH_se5RYopFG4Pf-TPs5Fhj8uqdO3Q/s2048/20210620_124511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaLiZ8YnXWu8DMHCPguN-pbjLBT9k8un5ctvj94ZBq3kSk6b6YBuUqrCeVGCu5aWY1T7FF30Z5dSk9xZ2mKrJNdyvXZ_AO6c5qQr8NQkCSm7fEH_se5RYopFG4Pf-TPs5Fhj8uqdO3Q/s320/20210620_124511.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Karlsson family singing</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgruFQnd4fBvc_548QjMTWfBH9g1NtAzksBpHO8YfZpI9mH_vZnIXCSUDd7OjT_8JebSLRFyiOERnzf0M6gJ8VcTOfhE0PVjcaJvxGvpZiLHoc4xl-A4jKkJZO3SGy6G6mB9giZoGdg/s2048/20210620_174847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgruFQnd4fBvc_548QjMTWfBH9g1NtAzksBpHO8YfZpI9mH_vZnIXCSUDd7OjT_8JebSLRFyiOERnzf0M6gJ8VcTOfhE0PVjcaJvxGvpZiLHoc4xl-A4jKkJZO3SGy6G6mB9giZoGdg/s320/20210620_174847.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the highway direction Vienna</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeK0eMDZBlk8quSvyBzMcwuGEM-OByd08e7Am8G76jiDeYDgI9-ZUvLWHWxZDdKBlxPFIiQGMRRzxvWywdsn8OpvygqZs6biIZV_UTDZVwNV6lsB3e3APAUcBFYh6LGzwCMV38M02sw/s2048/20210622_125704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeK0eMDZBlk8quSvyBzMcwuGEM-OByd08e7Am8G76jiDeYDgI9-ZUvLWHWxZDdKBlxPFIiQGMRRzxvWywdsn8OpvygqZs6biIZV_UTDZVwNV6lsB3e3APAUcBFYh6LGzwCMV38M02sw/s320/20210622_125704.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the city park in Vienna</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWs9aOPjrXaDIGAKQpEo24m3-miRQk0wKWjk-GsxcvsL7czMLf1MiaWjM5odDIrLM2AJeOm-knFRlbptZhwb0MZEhAus2Lk7y3IQPys7rQXQ3np03rIh-TvTWdEH36X7cFC2rMD5_VlQ/s2048/20210621_160111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWs9aOPjrXaDIGAKQpEo24m3-miRQk0wKWjk-GsxcvsL7czMLf1MiaWjM5odDIrLM2AJeOm-knFRlbptZhwb0MZEhAus2Lk7y3IQPys7rQXQ3np03rIh-TvTWdEH36X7cFC2rMD5_VlQ/s320/20210621_160111.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handwash station in a pharmacy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP5Se_vlCUDHcgldiuFAUthezdg5I1hTc8ZNQuZ8tCmLq_I3riRSuXGGck4iWhztrrgN3qNGEyzCPZ1XGeqv16wUSUXGhRTaimLcCfWNvP4LzkikMpaZ9WD83vhklSGiUNsqqO2DxKg/s2048/20210622_180219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP5Se_vlCUDHcgldiuFAUthezdg5I1hTc8ZNQuZ8tCmLq_I3riRSuXGGck4iWhztrrgN3qNGEyzCPZ1XGeqv16wUSUXGhRTaimLcCfWNvP4LzkikMpaZ9WD83vhklSGiUNsqqO2DxKg/s320/20210622_180219.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have such funny signs in this country</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryWwQ943U6MO2jMgS2xTkdCKxioOprmccI0MUjqpanCxZJ4VUzR9KGjlxK2eWPBPkK8OQ5xbQlFyBzscbIang8fZqjfL6YyUASouvkccRCxLzl6FpLbUrWcqNmisjiBFp4qPh1zBtRQ/s2048/20210622_175315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryWwQ943U6MO2jMgS2xTkdCKxioOprmccI0MUjqpanCxZJ4VUzR9KGjlxK2eWPBPkK8OQ5xbQlFyBzscbIang8fZqjfL6YyUASouvkccRCxLzl6FpLbUrWcqNmisjiBFp4qPh1zBtRQ/s320/20210622_175315.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public "showers", i. e. nebulizers</td></tr></tbody></table>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-13943534765105935142021-06-01T19:48:00.001+02:002021-06-01T19:48:43.111+02:00A Memorable Day<p>So our adventure last weekend turned out a great blessing! There were many people gathering at the "Bois de la Cambre", one of the most popular parks in Brussels, where the demonstration started. We had some very good conversations with the participants, and many took our literature. The police was present, but didn't have to intervene. They only didn't allow them to access the European Institutions after the crowd had marched down there. So the police systematically blocked all the entryways. However, there was no violence emerging. </p><p>We were very thankful for the outcome. Please pray with us that this event will bear fruit for eternity!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97mtvwFgr4eTtTO84tlAbI2To0aA0XP5l5HBYjrLgTcMjj1_IZOMctclyJ2dMxiRKUPNGCOtiwOihmGWtlitVygxzmAlQdePv2kvOQTfevx643qXEkn0Wg-r6tg5udvHW5x8rfFKqkQ/s2048/20210529_153412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97mtvwFgr4eTtTO84tlAbI2To0aA0XP5l5HBYjrLgTcMjj1_IZOMctclyJ2dMxiRKUPNGCOtiwOihmGWtlitVygxzmAlQdePv2kvOQTfevx643qXEkn0Wg-r6tg5udvHW5x8rfFKqkQ/s320/20210529_153412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gathering in the park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrlCeHfNV5vDJiPIzAx01OtNDRKznzsuYnyRBO0NMv93hSWym9ApNhvWbka3SNkN7XC1NjTyOpnq5923VIFFBAnx1JOp7GhgUJfwj7uqxcnphAHWysVXneNs3xeXYTDws0wlN6cx-Xw/s2048/20210529_161930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrlCeHfNV5vDJiPIzAx01OtNDRKznzsuYnyRBO0NMv93hSWym9ApNhvWbka3SNkN7XC1NjTyOpnq5923VIFFBAnx1JOp7GhgUJfwj7uqxcnphAHWysVXneNs3xeXYTDws0wlN6cx-Xw/s320/20210529_161930.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police checking the scene</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4M6nRgkPmf-mf__cpOIg4yXR_snIzy0QCfYND46odlT9VTQ5_kSRVuHW7T-kzp1LiTI2ctrT8v2HR-2QXHG8IBeGoCSnk8dAUjTQBdSADsAFsceXBJe7ph-6X1WAlI0x_RX8XL04tQ/s2048/20210529_162039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4M6nRgkPmf-mf__cpOIg4yXR_snIzy0QCfYND46odlT9VTQ5_kSRVuHW7T-kzp1LiTI2ctrT8v2HR-2QXHG8IBeGoCSnk8dAUjTQBdSADsAFsceXBJe7ph-6X1WAlI0x_RX8XL04tQ/s320/20210529_162039.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants talking with police officers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlWlXQ8pGBcnIFWTF_5iyKFRYnfFgFpdPHbL89LpaU_3a6nqP5M_BX2E1Wb11anuKZFqa6Kgpw6vh2kxcFz0xdyTIDHqImjjUutI6Ek1asFPBKDhexaLiUTbT47tLaqXqr-aUESiUxg/s2048/20210529_163320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlWlXQ8pGBcnIFWTF_5iyKFRYnfFgFpdPHbL89LpaU_3a6nqP5M_BX2E1Wb11anuKZFqa6Kgpw6vh2kxcFz0xdyTIDHqImjjUutI6Ek1asFPBKDhexaLiUTbT47tLaqXqr-aUESiUxg/s320/20210529_163320.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKZqxEyLL133abTSVgb8RjU33lTLlOprbM1gAb0dyGxt5PPPJ19CcwQjtSouzKwU_xtXW7p84MzpEK_3e6HYa2lIqZAyUQxHnfJoZRKm-MQ02hSyDPer_zPETz2Ypr5yVO0X6UZcmpw/s2048/20210529_163642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKZqxEyLL133abTSVgb8RjU33lTLlOprbM1gAb0dyGxt5PPPJ19CcwQjtSouzKwU_xtXW7p84MzpEK_3e6HYa2lIqZAyUQxHnfJoZRKm-MQ02hSyDPer_zPETz2Ypr5yVO0X6UZcmpw/s320/20210529_163642.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offering Literature</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BBUIu3qOEfqt3iPTlr08ytEgH1kkosgBE2d160H6BjiZSHEJsVj87YfPKVmKus-MTtKCRe4lvzsXs4mI1-oJtakMFXtKkq0Sju3roIQot80-UGg3mXtNPlFjo5U4dUnOQPUI90-H0w/s2048/20210529_163438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BBUIu3qOEfqt3iPTlr08ytEgH1kkosgBE2d160H6BjiZSHEJsVj87YfPKVmKus-MTtKCRe4lvzsXs4mI1-oJtakMFXtKkq0Sju3roIQot80-UGg3mXtNPlFjo5U4dUnOQPUI90-H0w/s320/20210529_163438.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People were interested</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDsaubop_Ur5sEgm9JKK2SykqrZWhxFjZ8SC9qgDQooIASPGpKr3NSMrNn7aqoqLTSTqRmTVoXGKwM64qPHetYbTJlJOxsGMROfvGUxMn0lcKyq77-3_kReBI7CkuopD3j08JuPtL0A/s2048/20210529_170300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDsaubop_Ur5sEgm9JKK2SykqrZWhxFjZ8SC9qgDQooIASPGpKr3NSMrNn7aqoqLTSTqRmTVoXGKwM64qPHetYbTJlJOxsGMROfvGUxMn0lcKyq77-3_kReBI7CkuopD3j08JuPtL0A/s320/20210529_170300.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March to the EU Institutions</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wnNAkzMHwlPjyK37ye4uyt5qqcpJyZWAd9agWZHeVCLfbXjrdGiAmMhgag4ljjB8rBGSFEGGe7TIFMhEZZ9JxE62-bNTE5oOqcdWNqmwpvyXWhWdxasj8bmUVDnwrNk5n-l-WBg4NA/s2048/20210529_190719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wnNAkzMHwlPjyK37ye4uyt5qqcpJyZWAd9agWZHeVCLfbXjrdGiAmMhgag4ljjB8rBGSFEGGe7TIFMhEZZ9JxE62-bNTE5oOqcdWNqmwpvyXWhWdxasj8bmUVDnwrNk5n-l-WBg4NA/s320/20210529_190719.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police blocking</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16pC6HWjNi2piAMuX-6GgPOkoiv7iFDGQG8SdMP_VIMnHe6k7pZRFUWHNf1JYA6iL5mLJSdrrBpevjZBPhxqCNYTwFn7GTNSevfr3jBggYmK6utUW-oUIF7AbQPFF8s7PjptQZtuAJQ/s2048/20210529_190044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16pC6HWjNi2piAMuX-6GgPOkoiv7iFDGQG8SdMP_VIMnHe6k7pZRFUWHNf1JYA6iL5mLJSdrrBpevjZBPhxqCNYTwFn7GTNSevfr3jBggYmK6utUW-oUIF7AbQPFF8s7PjptQZtuAJQ/s320/20210529_190044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-12555973110115899382021-05-25T17:22:00.000+02:002021-05-25T17:22:12.601+02:00Ramblings and Prayer Request<p>I usually only blog to report about some special event that has happened in my life. However, this blog will be different. If you are not so interested in my everyday life, you may skip the next two paragraphs. But please make sure you read the last one. Thank you!</p><p>So my main concern at this very moment is my shower. I recently made the unforgivable mistake not to refill the water in my heating tank (or whatever you call that in English) in the bathroom in a timely manner. So just before my vacation, it looked like the apparatus had given up the spirit, so no more hot water and heating. While the landlord was on his way to my place, I did manage to refill the water properly, but there was still this error message on the display! But he seems to have the "magic touch", because after he pressed just one button, everything started working again!</p><p>However, now as I have returned from Germany, I noticed that I can only take contrast showers somehow! It's only hot for several minutes, and then cold for at least 30 seconds; then starting over the cycle again! Well, I know it's healthy to take contrast showers, but I would like to choose at least! And also the water pressure went down remarkably. So I need to contact my landlord again. I guess I will have a bill to pay soon. Just hope it won't be that expensive...</p><p>And here comes an urgent prayer request: I just found out that this coming Saturday afternoon, there will be a demonstration for freedom and democracy in Brussels (http://www.europeansunited.eu/). An SDA colleague from Luxembourg now suggested that we all go there to distribute the Great Controversy in different languages. What an amazing opportunity! So we have a few more days left now to mobilize people and get as much literature as we can. Please pray for us! More to follow later...</p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-13403927027175448522021-05-17T16:17:00.001+02:002021-05-22T14:10:44.447+02:00Germany - from West to East<p>At the time of this writing, I'm sitting in the ICE train heading back to Brussels, after spending more than two weeks in Germany. I'm thankful that I could do this journey, in spite of Covid. Of course I had to undergo testing again as well as a five day quarantine after arrival, but I could spend this time of confinement working from my parents place. </p><p>As far as the encounter with my loved ones went, it was almost like pre-Covid times, as most of my family members are vaccinated by now; and thus, especially my mother and my aunt are not so concerned about my dad and grandmother anymore. So we gathered without masks, hugging each other like in the past. Of course this was much better than Christmas, when we were sitting there with our masks on, not even sharing a meal together. </p><p>I also spent a few days in our holiday apartment in the Black Forest, which was nice and peaceful. At the beginning of last week, I travelled on to spend some days with dear friends in Thuringia, Eastern Germany. We had a very blessed time together, although it was a little more rainy than we had wished for. </p><p>As I'm writing this blog, I can see the Wartburg Castle near Eisenach from the train. This brings back nice memories when I was able to visit this place about five years ago. Yesterday, we went to a beautiful nature resort with a lake, and while the children were throwing little stones into the water, Alberto shared with us an illustration about these stones making circles in the water, which become bigger and bigger. I was just contemplating that the work of Martin Luther also made a big impact until this very present time. I think this man had no clue back then what far reaching influence he would have in the world. But in a similar way, we may not be aware what kind of impact our words and actions can make within our sphere of influence. May the Lord help us to continuously make circles that become bigger and bigger!</p><p> Some impressions of the Black Forest</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc3YOIITUhkC-dGMWpJ36uSDs3BLXYsem_14JYGoN4JE0gjcG519KR3eydVyfFgkmNxJgKE3UDTizvAUNs-N1xyqCJiropI57IzuIk98lvDaYHmbd0nRm3nKBENfwY14_k8QzCgq0AA/s2048/20210508_142518%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc3YOIITUhkC-dGMWpJ36uSDs3BLXYsem_14JYGoN4JE0gjcG519KR3eydVyfFgkmNxJgKE3UDTizvAUNs-N1xyqCJiropI57IzuIk98lvDaYHmbd0nRm3nKBENfwY14_k8QzCgq0AA/w240-h320/20210508_142518%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DcOZPTioMJHrf8gfCgL8F5VZtDkODCIOBdjIUPDk63kjlrpTWNe-YZow2_oQl8gVPYdseLw5bvZf5LcuL4ErcIjjectrG8kWp5zZwmD9Auvdz_06iW0u0ZDxol2M2od8eb6t8RR60A/s2048/20210508_152644%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DcOZPTioMJHrf8gfCgL8F5VZtDkODCIOBdjIUPDk63kjlrpTWNe-YZow2_oQl8gVPYdseLw5bvZf5LcuL4ErcIjjectrG8kWp5zZwmD9Auvdz_06iW0u0ZDxol2M2od8eb6t8RR60A/s320/20210508_152644%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz0_Ryoe79v_CEGnYXi1IPP4G3xVTb97TKhkaBtge5wxV59Uk327iVXl2WCl12OtadtJYSQeklBz_mVe98Fntg9GfOPlD7hh3LTeNop9g8zFLA9MKMdw61HdoC1eYIkjbrn-CSi4hcA/s2048/20210508_154426%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz0_Ryoe79v_CEGnYXi1IPP4G3xVTb97TKhkaBtge5wxV59Uk327iVXl2WCl12OtadtJYSQeklBz_mVe98Fntg9GfOPlD7hh3LTeNop9g8zFLA9MKMdw61HdoC1eYIkjbrn-CSi4hcA/s320/20210508_154426%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-12153234557694173772021-02-14T15:40:00.000+01:002021-02-14T15:40:36.117+01:00Three Blind Mice<p>It's been about eleven months now that the world has changed forever. There are still lockdowns in many parts of the world, including Europe. I'm thankful though that the situation in Germany and Belgium has slowly improved over the past weeks. In fact, there is a realistic chance that in the month of May, I will get to travel to Germany again, and I really hope I will not be disappointed. </p><p>In the meantime, there is never a dull moment while I'm still stuck in Belgium. My roommate Janice and I have had to deal with mice in the apartment. Yes, you understood correctly: MICE! Some weeks before Christmas, I saw the first one in my living room (after they seemed to have disappeared for a while). And they became bolder and bolder over time, even coming out during the days while I was working from home, jumping around on the sofa, or tiptoeing on the kitchen counter on a mission to find something edible. We were at the end of our wits, because none of my "mice-friendly" measures (like live traps, an electric device, etc.) seemed to be working to get rid of them. So my last resort was poison, which was extremely effective. Within a few hours, we found three dead (respectively half dead) bodies in the apartment! </p><p>Somehow, mice are cute little creatures indeed, however they definitely do not belong into the house! According to Leviticus 11:29, they are unclean animals. Doing some research, I found out that already the Egyptians had to deal with this plague, because mice found ways into the grain stores and fouled their contents (which held true for my multi-grain crackers as well...). Partial walls from houses made of unfired mud bricks were chewed through and patches have been discovered where they had tried to block the rat holes with rocks (indeed, we tried to tape every possible entry, to no avail!). The Egyptians hunted the rodents using cats and ferrets (no, I would not get a cat). There is also some suggestion that they were captured in traps made out of clay. They even spread around fat from cats in bags or bundles or burned deer feces as a repellant (we tried cayenne pepper, but this didn't impress them). They were largely superstitious and kept amulets in the shape of a protective God, or in the form of the pest they wanted to ward away. Such as the locust amulets that have been found in tombs. Well, we are not superstitious, but we certainly prayed a lot about this problem, and others did too!</p><p>After we found the dead creatures, Janice was reminded of an old nursery rhyme: </p><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>Three blind mice. Three blind mice.<br />See how they run. See how they run.<br />They all ran after the farmer's wife,<br />Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,<br />Did you ever see such a sight in your life,<br />As three blind mice?</blockquote></div><p>Ok, joking apart, it was a trial! I was so thankful to have Janice here with me, as it would have been so much harder to go though this all by myself. But compared to the 10 plagues of Egypt, it was probably a light thing. And also compared to what is still about to happen in this world, it was certainly a breeze. Maybe the Lord is using such minor nuisances to help us get ready for the real stuff! </p><p>In any case, I'm thankful that He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us, even when the tough times come. And the past eleven months were probably nothing compared to what is still ahead of us. The other day, I watched a sermon by Pastor Mark Finley, entitled <a href="https://www.revivalandreformation.org/resources/all/hope-for-troubled-times" target="_blank">"Hope for Troubled Times."</a> In this talk, he made it clear that the mastermind behind such events is Satan, and that it's certainly not God who brought this about. But it's definitely an opportunity to consecrate ourselves more to our Lord and Saviour. </p><blockquote><p>"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Romans 15:13</p></blockquote><p>So let us allow God to fill us with this joy and peace that only He can give; and may the power of the Holy Spirit make us abound in hope for a better world to come soon!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Oc_ORZwF8yNzuL59JYyNMem_gWSgO_pG1VE-g4b4MJxZ2C6b7zWI5_ErqlDcCVyrtDgU_5rDJrdsbRFyp6lmThtRKM2cY5G_CU0yzcQEpt0vAIGoZD4xh2TdJl-ws6WpOVAOrzihiA/s2048/20210206_195301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Oc_ORZwF8yNzuL59JYyNMem_gWSgO_pG1VE-g4b4MJxZ2C6b7zWI5_ErqlDcCVyrtDgU_5rDJrdsbRFyp6lmThtRKM2cY5G_CU0yzcQEpt0vAIGoZD4xh2TdJl-ws6WpOVAOrzihiA/s320/20210206_195301.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the three mice we found</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4UkLh6_D-Fbs-moZtYKo46G-GEP0saRjEHL2K7wsgxFUcR1-TvPv9iNFeoK8Jcnay1S-bChYeR3QnG7LfITWWyURKLxk4qPAgT7hvsQDahAbBsULuR2UzKvW5Twu3WTaPU9jT3MCww/s2048/20210213_132648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4UkLh6_D-Fbs-moZtYKo46G-GEP0saRjEHL2K7wsgxFUcR1-TvPv9iNFeoK8Jcnay1S-bChYeR3QnG7LfITWWyURKLxk4qPAgT7hvsQDahAbBsULuR2UzKvW5Twu3WTaPU9jT3MCww/s320/20210213_132648.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Sabbath lunch - homemade pizza</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdWl25Es22m-F62ECDXa8WKDEDbJqJvYxOCrSKM8bS3JyV349_idffOq-LQBNPAEjAFyKH_1LOC5sCT8yn38oN74QF7jdPXe2EWAr0XZRmLyD60M2MqBUJ0GR_uexK8TtiTqarQSowA/s2048/20210214_132355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdWl25Es22m-F62ECDXa8WKDEDbJqJvYxOCrSKM8bS3JyV349_idffOq-LQBNPAEjAFyKH_1LOC5sCT8yn38oN74QF7jdPXe2EWAr0XZRmLyD60M2MqBUJ0GR_uexK8TtiTqarQSowA/s320/20210214_132355.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janice likes to prepare Asian food</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x30GDqYvmy7b2aQykmMVZx8Mtru9KqmJuOXEGP-wl3SkQ_XsM4UbQuwNpTdEbSdT7Z8p8qaxBkXKqFbVQUg8ZycF-IhLt6etwLhayPV-7kYdK6TUwGE5p-SXILbpE4AP5kL7MDyBfA/s2048/20210209_140903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x30GDqYvmy7b2aQykmMVZx8Mtru9KqmJuOXEGP-wl3SkQ_XsM4UbQuwNpTdEbSdT7Z8p8qaxBkXKqFbVQUg8ZycF-IhLt6etwLhayPV-7kYdK6TUwGE5p-SXILbpE4AP5kL7MDyBfA/s320/20210209_140903.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jubilee Park in Brussels (with snow)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHz0nvknThBE-7SkCG85U2HoR3AXBT99qHVFP4PoOGIYI8ibeGnvQFyg1AkOlSaDKB20inh6l5dkmLlvc9SQ9-JgTxq_dM8oYRNHpG3Mjusm2hKFQurxwSUB0_U94Awh-TdIlo4X5eA/s2048/20210212_101754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHz0nvknThBE-7SkCG85U2HoR3AXBT99qHVFP4PoOGIYI8ibeGnvQFyg1AkOlSaDKB20inh6l5dkmLlvc9SQ9-JgTxq_dM8oYRNHpG3Mjusm2hKFQurxwSUB0_U94Awh-TdIlo4X5eA/s320/20210212_101754.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my latest sewing project: little key ring bags!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-39080442175838903022020-12-28T09:10:00.000+01:002020-12-28T09:10:39.222+01:00Oud en Nieuw<p>I'm in Germany with my parents for almost two weeks now. Due to the quarantine restrictions in most EU countries, my employer granted us to telework from our home countries for up to 10 days prior to the Christmas break. This was a nice gift of course, so I took advantage and came here earlier than I usually would have at this time. </p><p>During my trip, my laptop was stolen. It happened while I was waiting for my connecting train at Cologne station. Although there is video footage of the theft, there is but little hope I will ever see it again. Of course that's quite annoying, especially as it wouldn't have happened if I had paid better attention. But the Lord has given me peace about the matter, and I'm thankful that my files are secure on OneDrive. </p><p>The day after my arrival, the German government imposed a hard lockdown over the country. This has been another desperate attempt to finally achieve a decline in the infection numbers, which have been rising exponentially. So there is not much I can do here, with all non-essential stores closed, and of course also places like saunas and swimming pools. Christmas with family was a bit different than usual. We only met on Christmas Eve (not two or even three days in a row as usual), at my grandmother's house, with masks on and airing out the living room every 15 minutes or so (especially my mom and my aunt are rather concerned about the health of my dad and my grandmother). </p><p>I've been running almost every day, which has been invigorating. On Christmas day, I twisted my ankle though while walking over a muddy grass patch. I was pretty upset, because now I won't be able to run any more while I'm here. But it turned out a blessing in disguise, as I now took up biking instead. So yesterday, I explored the nearby forest, which was a nice outing. <br /></p><p>My Dutch teacher (I've been doing online classes offered at work) asked us before the break what we were doing for "oud en nieuw", which means translated New Year's Eve. If you translate it literally though, it means "old and new", and I think this encapsulates what we should be reflecting about at this time of the year: we should look back on the old year and see what the Lord has blessed us with and what we have learned. But at the same time, we should look ahead to the new year, not only coming up with resolutions that we may keep only for a couple of weeks, but really reflect how we can draw closer to God and be a blessing to the people around us. </p><p>I found this beautiful text by Ellen G. White, in which she shares some thoughts for the New Year. The most important points I've gleaned from this writing, is that God has not changed. He is the Live-Giver and His mercies are numberless. But we are stewards of what He has entrusted us with, and it's up to us to return to Him what we have received. </p><p>2020 has in many ways been different than I had expected, and if I were to summarize the year in a few words, I would say "blessings and trials". But I'm thankful that the Lord is still our Sustainer, our Mighty Counselor, and the King of the Universe. Let us embark into this new year with the confidence that we are getting yet closer to Jesus' return, and that there is nothing impossible for Him if we accept our role as collaborators in His work!<br /></p><p> </p><h3 align="center"><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic;">Some
Thoughts for the New Year</span></h3>
<h4 align="center"><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic;">By
Ellen G. White</span></h4>
<p><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The old year, with its burden of record, is fast
passing away. The new year, with all its possibilities, will
soon be ushered in. What advancement have we made in the knowledge
of Christ during the past year? Are we prepared to show, more
decidedly than ever before, that we are on the Lord’s
side? At this time, when the nations of the world are wavering
between infidelity and idolatry, are we prepared to stand as
faithful ambassadors for Christ? Shall we not, at the beginning
of this new year, give ourselves and all we have to God? Shall
we not listen to His voice, which calls us to a renewed contest,
to a more thorough consecration of ourselves and our intrusted
capabilities to His service? </span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic; font-size: small;">
To God we owe all we have and are. In Him we live and move and
have our being. We have not been forgotten by Him. In His book
each human being has a page, on which is recorded his whole
history. Constantly and untiringly God is working for our happiness.
The treasures which He has placed within our reach are numberless.
“The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over
all His works. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire
of every living thing.” He is the Father of mercies and
the God of all comfort. The earth is full of His goodness. Creation
proclaims, with myriad voice, the forbearance, love, and compassion
of the Almighty. </span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic; font-size: small;">
Through all the ages God has manifested for the human race a
love that is without a parallel. He so loved man that He bestowed
on him a gift that defies computation. That the abundance of
His grace might be revealed, He sent His only-begotten Son to
our world, to live a man among men, to spend His life in the
service of humanity. In our behalf the Son of the Infinite God
was numbered with the transgressors. Christ was the channel
through which the Father poured into the world the rich stream
of His grace. God could not give less than the fulness, nor
was it possible for Him to give more. “Herein is love,
not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son
to be the propitiation for our sins.”</span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic; font-size: small;">
God has made us His stewards. To every one He has given some
talent, which is to be improved and returned to Him. Every one
is the possessor of some trust. Time, intellect, reason, money,
the tender ministry to which some are adapted,--these are the
gifts of God. From the lowliest to the highest, all have been
intrusted with the goods of heaven, and all are called upon
to make a return to the Giver. </span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic; font-size: small;">
The first thing we are to do is to give ourselves to the Lord.
Life, with its endowments and privileges, is God’s gift.
Let us remember that it comes from God, and is to be wholly
consecrated to Him. Let us say with Paul, “I count all
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found
in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith.” </span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic; font-size: small;">
When we have given ourselves to God, we shall be willing to
give Him what He has given us. All we have and are is to be
laid at Christ’s feet. We have been bought with a price
which can not be estimated, and we should count it a privilege
to co-operate with God by denying self, by giving of our earthly
possessions to make it possible for those in the darkness of
error to hear the truth. Each soul saved is worth more than
a world; for he is saved unto eternal life. Those who invest
their means in this work double their talents.</span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic; font-size: small;">
Whether or not we give mind, soul, and strength to God, it all
belongs to Him. God speaks to each human being, saying: “I
have a claim on you. Give me your zeal, your capabilities, your
energy, your means.” He has a right to ask this; for we
are His, redeemed by His boundless love and by the agony of
the cross of Calvary from the service of sin. On no account
are we to devote our powers to self-serving. Day by day we are
to return to the Lord that which He has intrusted to us. And
we are to ask Him, not only for temporal blessings, but for
spiritual gifts. He who asks in faith, believing that God will
fulfil His word, and who acts in accordance with His prayer,
doing God’s will in all things, will receive rich blessings
from on high. And as he receives, he is to impart to those who
need help. </span></p>
<h5 align="right"><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Century Gothic;">From
Signs of the Times, January 2, 1901. </span></h5><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66rYeQdZ0yDO5_3iaVbqFotNusLrbu9bAXXAqMfrjXcRAUY7FiPI3cC9e9ohKN8mDbjXQG5PpOQ6AEppRrrkygPX-h0p80_e6f7ie0ZhpMsiteTIoFMox-fBPuN3NEgP0iISPt-9CzQ/s2048/Hardtwald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66rYeQdZ0yDO5_3iaVbqFotNusLrbu9bAXXAqMfrjXcRAUY7FiPI3cC9e9ohKN8mDbjXQG5PpOQ6AEppRrrkygPX-h0p80_e6f7ie0ZhpMsiteTIoFMox-fBPuN3NEgP0iISPt-9CzQ/s320/Hardtwald.jpg" /></a></div> Nothing spectacular, but I really like the pine forest out here<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxNAt3grqlCi3UaOhK7NQnYA-DUwucDPv0GO9wCCaVBqjNuII4-jrBC-JoZ7uvQCaPloUCUG0_eu_H4s-vELkFgEsCR7vChUtgdRmPOw1Lzam23mfeErf5lnm8oxTdZkaijAU-_6KGA/s2048/Xmas_2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxNAt3grqlCi3UaOhK7NQnYA-DUwucDPv0GO9wCCaVBqjNuII4-jrBC-JoZ7uvQCaPloUCUG0_eu_H4s-vELkFgEsCR7vChUtgdRmPOw1Lzam23mfeErf5lnm8oxTdZkaijAU-_6KGA/s320/Xmas_2020.jpg" /></a></div> Christmas 2020 - different than usual<br /><p><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-53852323380577651032020-11-06T16:51:00.003+01:002020-12-28T16:01:09.275+01:00Black Forest and More<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">At the time of
this writing, I’m enjoying a short retreat at our family vacation resort. It’s
a nice apartment in a village located in the Black Forest Highlands (about 3000
ft/900 m above sea level), about a couple hours from my hometown. I haven’t
been so lucky with the weather, as it has been mostly cloudy and rainy so far,
but this doesn’t spoil the experience of having some quietude, great fresh air,
and beautiful nature for a few days. My grandparents acquired this place back
in the early 80s. When I was younger, I would come here more often, mainly to
go skiing. But there has been less snow over the years, so there hasn’t been so
much incentive anymore to come here, and also my priorities changed. And when I
moved to Belgium, my visits became even more infrequent. But now I’m much more
into hiking than I used to in younger years, and so I’m determined to come here
more often in the future. It’s such a blessing to have this place, especially
in these pandemic times. As of this past Monday, all hotels and vacation
resorts in Germany had to close down for tourism again. It’s a kind of a
lockdown, but not as strict as back in April. It’s a desperate attempt to get
the rising numbers of Covid-19 infections under control. In Belgium, they now
have even gone that far to close down all non-essential stores again. I do not
really look forward to going back there on Sunday, I must admit!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Anyway, the ASI
Germany meetings were extremely blessed. We were very thankful that this
convention could still take place – as it ended just a day prior to the
lockdown. The speakers were very inspiring, and I enjoyed the fellowship with
like-minded brothers and sisters. It’s always good to connect with old friends
again, and also to make new acquaintances. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So it’s truly
quiet where I’m at now, and I don’t even have internet access. That’s an
interesting change to the usual pace, but I’m enjoying it to be less distracted
by social media and internet – although I must admit that I wouldn’t want to do
that much longer than for a few days. Especially being by myself, I appreciate
the technical possibilities that we enjoy nowadays, being able to connect with
friends and family near and far. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Back home in
Brussels, my new roommate is eagerly waiting for my return. Janice moved in
with me a couple weeks ago. She is originally from the Philippines, and has
been living and working in Brussels for a while. Currently, she is in the
process of getting a permanent work permit in Belgium, and for this reason, she
temporarily needed another place to stay. I’ve been mentoring her for a while
now, and she has been assisting me in my health ministry at church. It’s nice
having a roommate again, especially in these pandemic times, where people are
required to limit their contacts to a minimum. Janice also turns out to be a
great housekeeper. During my absence, she did a deep clean of my kitchen and
bathroom, so I’ll be looking forward to that!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Sabbath sermon
at the convention was given by the ASI President Gabriel Maurer. It was
entitled: “How to use the time until the second coming in a meaningful way”. He
mentioned Daniel in the lion’s den, among other faithful warriors. Their
characteristics were steadfastness, courage, faithfulness at all costs,
unselfishness, they couldn’t be bought, and they were faithful in worship. Daniel’s
faithfulness didn’t only start with the “prohibition to worship”. It is
important to know the prophecies to the details, but it has to have
consequences for our life. He quoted the Desire of Ages, p. 636:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Satan sees
that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work that men may be
deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be
ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We live in a
world, in which we are being influenced without noticing it – we are being
conditioned. The only solution lies in Romans 12:1-2:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable
service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Lord, please
help us not to allow the world to influence or to condition us, but help us to
be steadfast, faithful and always true to you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY32xvWtwODvs4pdj5PAX1N3HevUyaiUW5T_9KZZ1Fs9RboDezGpopahOoWOzCRxdSTrhEy4gk9eIvCXN-l72XCi_kjKVzT1vKKW0T1Y_kCmzJL01uvVKjJMtU5wq7OvqtdNjf0Z9vrg/s2048/20201105_105805%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY32xvWtwODvs4pdj5PAX1N3HevUyaiUW5T_9KZZ1Fs9RboDezGpopahOoWOzCRxdSTrhEy4gk9eIvCXN-l72XCi_kjKVzT1vKKW0T1Y_kCmzJL01uvVKjJMtU5wq7OvqtdNjf0Z9vrg/s320/20201105_105805%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Forest buffalo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELJlEAhwMC8On6aAhe8_c2QMH-7Yp2rk8Qpzhit_qkbelm-Xkua2pVPMB8yUi70d5Nh2I3yrO4lITPSCgzcpeokVlmypeUQNZLEHBvq9_bxjmNDuSn5QY0g3OlLiKv5AZR8ivfLkLBQ/s2048/20201102_151437%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELJlEAhwMC8On6aAhe8_c2QMH-7Yp2rk8Qpzhit_qkbelm-Xkua2pVPMB8yUi70d5Nh2I3yrO4lITPSCgzcpeokVlmypeUQNZLEHBvq9_bxjmNDuSn5QY0g3OlLiKv5AZR8ivfLkLBQ/s320/20201102_151437%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful flowers<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJe7tOQfAA5WNoB5JEm_OeYvavG21k3ophLTEmFB01rWgPUvD8uLrFVVo855VjZP8ghdeJ49iA_T4h2GauXUPYKMlohY0t_QRf2Wdf5n6Nh71rQJAhWxjW3X_A0gWHk-P7cTOT4n5Bw/s2048/20201102_145711%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJe7tOQfAA5WNoB5JEm_OeYvavG21k3ophLTEmFB01rWgPUvD8uLrFVVo855VjZP8ghdeJ49iA_T4h2GauXUPYKMlohY0t_QRf2Wdf5n6Nh71rQJAhWxjW3X_A0gWHk-P7cTOT4n5Bw/s320/20201102_145711%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on lake "Titisee"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfNkqLL0RSB8Bb8TOvfggFTUULpVNM3-AkxURKaVjYRVAQhWe0R6BgeNLG3aFurxc_lzmqBIfCc8ydXCvCS-ogO3uJuoFj9jhVQ1sj9PP_29SiRVzYq5nIesCH-ZzK_8VBDbvGBownw/s2048/20201104_143308%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfNkqLL0RSB8Bb8TOvfggFTUULpVNM3-AkxURKaVjYRVAQhWe0R6BgeNLG3aFurxc_lzmqBIfCc8ydXCvCS-ogO3uJuoFj9jhVQ1sj9PP_29SiRVzYq5nIesCH-ZzK_8VBDbvGBownw/s320/20201104_143308%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning Fall colours<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUlKJxTZKSaIMN7q-YwzwpdX5Y46DAWPLtBRCed3RhwDll3vIvPZrC0jzLWyLvir658muuc1XmxUhsoRtKq2vXA1BI1Cl0wi3LXSErHiO33GAe92M_EMK1DWszqz36Mial7hrg5k4aA/s2048/20201025_104955%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUlKJxTZKSaIMN7q-YwzwpdX5Y46DAWPLtBRCed3RhwDll3vIvPZrC0jzLWyLvir658muuc1XmxUhsoRtKq2vXA1BI1Cl0wi3LXSErHiO33GAe92M_EMK1DWszqz36Mial7hrg5k4aA/s320/20201025_104955%255B2%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome Janice!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-80925604147586553212020-10-24T20:23:00.000+02:002020-10-24T20:23:16.188+02:00Volunteer for a Green Change<p>This past Thursday, I had the privilege of volunteering on a farm near Brussels. It all began a couple years ago when my employer started implementing volunteer actions, where every colleague who wanted could go and help at some project somewhere in or around Brussels. The focus this year was on "green" activities, in connection with the "EU Green Week", which was happening this past week. </p><p>So as the coordinator for environmentally friendly actions in my service, I'm part of a subgroup named "From Farm to Fork"; and this is how I ended up being one of the coordinators for this farm activity. And we had a great time harvesting vegetables and preparing them for their bio baskets that they sell to their collaborators. Our hosts, four young farmers, were extremely hospitable, and the colleagues really enjoyed being out there. I wish I could do that more often instead of office work!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghH4JmBRRKqp5uf0XESG-k7iss6aAEmUW8dcrtKOEGncXbobaBVGnxJfGN28TFzKNZD-0cxBjsUNqZqSYYXFMBbKyK_Ast1ZMjChvrHe1WOAMrSkZSfDRWt67NqUJsVuQmoE6vA2BPeg/s2048/20201022_095227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghH4JmBRRKqp5uf0XESG-k7iss6aAEmUW8dcrtKOEGncXbobaBVGnxJfGN28TFzKNZD-0cxBjsUNqZqSYYXFMBbKyK_Ast1ZMjChvrHe1WOAMrSkZSfDRWt67NqUJsVuQmoE6vA2BPeg/s320/20201022_095227.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging out carrots</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7MkurdyNJjpYJ4tvd24BcK9c946NL1vgtwqXEhgSr1Lte1xz8JKD1yyp5X7S54TKNvSGPehG6XacM58XzZ9A1BxLel24P8oLKAx9gXzqi39N6LoaEv5BHqc-Eke7WGu3CKXpBLK5Cg/s2048/20201022_101200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7MkurdyNJjpYJ4tvd24BcK9c946NL1vgtwqXEhgSr1Lte1xz8JKD1yyp5X7S54TKNvSGPehG6XacM58XzZ9A1BxLel24P8oLKAx9gXzqi39N6LoaEv5BHqc-Eke7WGu3CKXpBLK5Cg/s320/20201022_101200.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting shapes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dXkVnqrliCVNsbhUq4gzZjG66tqjRtZWhXGIkgfbWy61Qj0-SPDDCTiPLmFSZC_HEyCNSLCNX6C1kWxbsWydhBkHCvgLlzm7z_yGmGwFKh7tTaPdw4KuH22bX2oML5R8gewcfue3_g/s2048/20201022_104434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dXkVnqrliCVNsbhUq4gzZjG66tqjRtZWhXGIkgfbWy61Qj0-SPDDCTiPLmFSZC_HEyCNSLCNX6C1kWxbsWydhBkHCvgLlzm7z_yGmGwFKh7tTaPdw4KuH22bX2oML5R8gewcfue3_g/s320/20201022_104434.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit of our labour</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxz8_zK9ugV0sZQTUk1p77aVvRUoHiAehr8_PK6_iqI9tbJUq127_tD7ewpY1rRezl7aq-GQ1pgyn1T89MhftqwXb8aLFVU0AHCnx7AjJ1GIUZpaxOml0D35jiZTqhuVB4fkYCg6z1Q/s2048/20201022_114756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxz8_zK9ugV0sZQTUk1p77aVvRUoHiAehr8_PK6_iqI9tbJUq127_tD7ewpY1rRezl7aq-GQ1pgyn1T89MhftqwXb8aLFVU0AHCnx7AjJ1GIUZpaxOml0D35jiZTqhuVB4fkYCg6z1Q/s320/20201022_114756.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful flowers on the farm<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacaQ309D756cVZygPxLdDzaNLWaPz4sDMnnugm92fDqgzGrzvMwH6PS6BxASekONmB29nDTOBcc8eoIiLJ98BHXMANFODbDPch6llSB8Sc5j96wlMgMSFTYdwNbzQcli14hoV0QHRxw/s2048/20201022_114818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacaQ309D756cVZygPxLdDzaNLWaPz4sDMnnugm92fDqgzGrzvMwH6PS6BxASekONmB29nDTOBcc8eoIiLJ98BHXMANFODbDPch6llSB8Sc5j96wlMgMSFTYdwNbzQcli14hoV0QHRxw/s320/20201022_114818.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious butternut squash</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJeJi6fIy9eSBDIpUES-ugR2mIf6DG0hRzRZkF_w8LUtxaDURY48ZcaKPpirpZAziCt9Ws9g8x-z80i2gFJOltXE0rL_kZzMTge8zdll5bkCJbo6cRgvo8EvcL2NbDDT9YfxLFzHK7w/s2048/20201022_115522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJeJi6fIy9eSBDIpUES-ugR2mIf6DG0hRzRZkF_w8LUtxaDURY48ZcaKPpirpZAziCt9Ws9g8x-z80i2gFJOltXE0rL_kZzMTge8zdll5bkCJbo6cRgvo8EvcL2NbDDT9YfxLFzHK7w/s320/20201022_115522.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collecting eggs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9XK_tpxVUGoKf71CGoo-6FzS1gr9qfCXG8d6jDqCKdliQinygn1oj_juLxJfk8pc5pX5chhulUzoifvdk5Wds_gkiBtNHyeA-WjoBfhTplCdVniyNA3NWSqHADBiCWzIUvmF_HcFBA/s2048/20201022_115802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9XK_tpxVUGoKf71CGoo-6FzS1gr9qfCXG8d6jDqCKdliQinygn1oj_juLxJfk8pc5pX5chhulUzoifvdk5Wds_gkiBtNHyeA-WjoBfhTplCdVniyNA3NWSqHADBiCWzIUvmF_HcFBA/s320/20201022_115802.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farm animals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTacd6w48R4Vmq70eLxSsiq2OpMivKSNaGmXcTIIJQk_jOl2GYn4NTLtuzxl2eiod0WJ_CCcWG4tD7JWI-EsEM9fSQ4ooGviZaH3KEvbj2xFQvHa_vB34TvFSxszr7X3gBkm93hWHWBA/s2048/20201022_115724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTacd6w48R4Vmq70eLxSsiq2OpMivKSNaGmXcTIIJQk_jOl2GYn4NTLtuzxl2eiod0WJ_CCcWG4tD7JWI-EsEM9fSQ4ooGviZaH3KEvbj2xFQvHa_vB34TvFSxszr7X3gBkm93hWHWBA/s320/20201022_115724.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy chickens<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXCT1oO3ih6t0UWwS9yHx-jw7sEA0cawwT-aLXwIBfSA_LaAfTCWOiLVVOqGZhIJcR1tC4zeHSuVFK8wWSg8uHYTZA4MXg04nRCYkR-Qvsx2yfih9F343u4zoahpVm_260cRhkLBmwg/s2048/20201022_115623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXCT1oO3ih6t0UWwS9yHx-jw7sEA0cawwT-aLXwIBfSA_LaAfTCWOiLVVOqGZhIJcR1tC4zeHSuVFK8wWSg8uHYTZA4MXg04nRCYkR-Qvsx2yfih9F343u4zoahpVm_260cRhkLBmwg/s320/20201022_115623.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great production<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodhoF7Z0XhozaVzcjhxd8fN1ta8np40dVgIrqpGPpPDNd60aseWEvEWA1vCMWxHnIYw_ZCpSNYgqdGUbtye6WdEBclt2wnFqhmyLsV2mGA4JJs6FCWV5FzeUGW4etBh2JUtiIhaQt-Q/s2048/20201022_153829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodhoF7Z0XhozaVzcjhxd8fN1ta8np40dVgIrqpGPpPDNd60aseWEvEWA1vCMWxHnIYw_ZCpSNYgqdGUbtye6WdEBclt2wnFqhmyLsV2mGA4JJs6FCWV5FzeUGW4etBh2JUtiIhaQt-Q/s320/20201022_153829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing onions</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodhoF7Z0XhozaVzcjhxd8fN1ta8np40dVgIrqpGPpPDNd60aseWEvEWA1vCMWxHnIYw_ZCpSNYgqdGUbtye6WdEBclt2wnFqhmyLsV2mGA4JJs6FCWV5FzeUGW4etBh2JUtiIhaQt-Q/s2048/20201022_153829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uRE6W5ZTgcX9WTNb_gVOLmE6PCpBmRpbQMA8RWv14dsRL4Hb4QJRyvGmKOkZdXB0buMs1BZclXgH5cqw1OMV3rYJr6Xn98ZWcAJvOBVxspwsnzDnsQSAIMtCEMLstDlB8yryObNzaQ/s2048/20201022_130244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uRE6W5ZTgcX9WTNb_gVOLmE6PCpBmRpbQMA8RWv14dsRL4Hb4QJRyvGmKOkZdXB0buMs1BZclXgH5cqw1OMV3rYJr6Xn98ZWcAJvOBVxspwsnzDnsQSAIMtCEMLstDlB8yryObNzaQ/s320/20201022_130244.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bio baskets for everyone<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPqsOyERR0OLp0WtiOlWdJPhc0IWqR60Qibk0JteHRQxw9rH3PitAI8EOn9-zh2iDKeZzLGWCcL6GhxcQQLhze2FJp-RcQ9jCMWTzYrV5iZNzpz4mvTsUBlvnhIir6Ulf_0NY2UOgLQ/s2048/20201022_165258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPqsOyERR0OLp0WtiOlWdJPhc0IWqR60Qibk0JteHRQxw9rH3PitAI8EOn9-zh2iDKeZzLGWCcL6GhxcQQLhze2FJp-RcQ9jCMWTzYrV5iZNzpz4mvTsUBlvnhIir6Ulf_0NY2UOgLQ/s320/20201022_165258.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group picture (with safe distance, haha!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-81289124545203660292020-10-19T19:05:00.000+02:002020-10-19T19:05:09.291+02:00Enjoying Country Life<p>So since Friday I've been staying in West Flanders. My former Pastor and his family are living here at a nice little farmyard. It's quite a big property, and they are keeping hens, a donkey, a goat, and a cat there. They especially needed someone to take care of the chickens while they are traveling for a few days; and today, a church member came to drop off their young dog, which I also took under my supervision until Wednesday. It's been fun taking care of the animals, although the dog is quite exhausting! I'm especially enjoying the beautiful country side out here. In this kind of setting, you don't think about a pandemic raging or anything else of that nature. </p><p>Indeed, things have gotten worse in Europe, as we are facing a second wave with this corona virus. Rules have become more strict, and doing everyday life is challenging in different ways. One positive aspect is the fact that my organisation is still strongly encouraging staff to work from home. Thus, I can stay here at my friend's place without having to take a vacation. I just hope that my travel plans for the end of the month will not be hindered in any way. I'm scheduled to attend the ASI Germany meetings, and then stay with my folks for a week. Since Belgium is considered a "red zone" or a risk area, the German government requires a negative corona test or alternatively quarantine when people arrive from this country. Of course quarantining myself is not an option, and therefore I will go for the test. It's such a nuisance, but I will comply - even though probably nobody will stop me at the border or ask me any questions. It's outright impossible to trace everyone. I'm just thankful that they still allow travels at all. </p><p>So I'm looking back to quite an eventful summer with lots of joys, but also many lessons learned. All in all, I'm thankful for the Lord's leading and for His never changing love, patience and faithfulness. </p><p>Our German summer camp meeting turned out a great blessing, in spite of corona restrictions. At the same time, I'm sad for the loss of my former boss from Uchee Pines, Mircea Dragomir, who unfortunately died from this insidious disease. I authored an obituary in his honor, and if you can read German, you are welcome to check it out under this <a href="https://hoffnung-weltweit.info/wurzeln/adventgeschichte/juengere/ueberwinder-ging-zur-ruhe-ein.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link</a>. </p><p>Back in September, we held our first Health Club via Zoom, which was great success. There were about 15 participants, including some non-SDAs. I'm very thankful for these online opportunities to share the health message, and I'm planning another one before the end of the year. </p><p>We are indeed living in interesting times. But these signs and happenings are making it clear to me that we need to double our efforts to finish the work here on earth rather sooner than later. It's really time for the Lord to come back! I recently read a sobering statement in the devotional "The Faith I Live By":</p><blockquote><p>The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18. Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony. He will bring in spurious visions, to mislead and mingle the false with the true, and so disgust people that they will regard everything that bears the name of visions, as a species of fanaticism; but honest souls, by contrasting false and true, will be enabled to distinguish between them. {FLB 296.6} </p></blockquote><p>May we be among those honest souls, who will be able to distinguish between truth and error!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDdtdMxWnhXI83tPgjv8KJWak92aTMe2uNqM-9tPA-6SKlQIfwCPMnFF4oVUSAs5x7e-vE6ss5T9v0Fs0d-kHNnYTlk6vXevHkzVWGt4uM52PJKeWVHNU7mPwYUjh3FhI1shHmHuiNg/s2048/20201018_143225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDdtdMxWnhXI83tPgjv8KJWak92aTMe2uNqM-9tPA-6SKlQIfwCPMnFF4oVUSAs5x7e-vE6ss5T9v0Fs0d-kHNnYTlk6vXevHkzVWGt4uM52PJKeWVHNU7mPwYUjh3FhI1shHmHuiNg/w240-h320/20201018_143225.jpg" title="With the Voerman's in front of their house waiting..." width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With the Voerman family in front of their house waiting...<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge74fLq-4LJ5XbBlWyaViBrVRGREhhsM9ioRUgp4sNEaIjen-E7Y58B4G_sHMiO_ZVeEKU_a-uyhN32m1G2JiR_YSfkGDJx-UOsNermxyAG5If9jqaLG8Mm16KDE091xxXWPNrEdCr_Q/s2048/20201018_143635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge74fLq-4LJ5XbBlWyaViBrVRGREhhsM9ioRUgp4sNEaIjen-E7Y58B4G_sHMiO_ZVeEKU_a-uyhN32m1G2JiR_YSfkGDJx-UOsNermxyAG5If9jqaLG8Mm16KDE091xxXWPNrEdCr_Q/s320/20201018_143635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>...for the "Tour of Flanders" (like the Tour de France of Belgium) coming through.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T6bVPyNuPDyrrrKQLzDh06JnQcfzNGkZHl4o7P1CRQ_09XETG8KrZpIGBURc2kdw_A7qyPjlgBw9IfWHjxlv7AUxQR1ynux69TnEsi5SDipK5LvoeiU_OA6EcazszgV-Vi4n2tjdIA/s2048/20201019_164808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T6bVPyNuPDyrrrKQLzDh06JnQcfzNGkZHl4o7P1CRQ_09XETG8KrZpIGBURc2kdw_A7qyPjlgBw9IfWHjxlv7AUxQR1ynux69TnEsi5SDipK5LvoeiU_OA6EcazszgV-Vi4n2tjdIA/s320/20201019_164808.jpg" /></a></div>My new friend Stacy</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33CVil__bN3Rp54XX5CKtXC0N6wxuXPEo84fjkvlUVJObzFYF1wOT4Zr86WuO0P6VMz3eSE_LGIN3QhgUUy-c8ZvtGZ8GS5t_fNMpCqPgrKSxqZeFeARFoXQ_O-QAGYDfrFKoDwRTcg/s2048/20201019_180346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33CVil__bN3Rp54XX5CKtXC0N6wxuXPEo84fjkvlUVJObzFYF1wOT4Zr86WuO0P6VMz3eSE_LGIN3QhgUUy-c8ZvtGZ8GS5t_fNMpCqPgrKSxqZeFeARFoXQ_O-QAGYDfrFKoDwRTcg/s320/20201019_180346.jpg" /></a></div>The hens</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4Z3R1so8x73fVS-tDkGQ5QBEgMAxvEXh-3PDjSvPJ5HQxXkRrD3pvCj88EjtQMnrjVMWTVd8RYTrcZuBK5G-g6bKfX51ddCmxEiK0cFhjHLl94R4UuYdBSQ9FJSwTahveuVKK-yDQg/s2048/20201019_180438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4Z3R1so8x73fVS-tDkGQ5QBEgMAxvEXh-3PDjSvPJ5HQxXkRrD3pvCj88EjtQMnrjVMWTVd8RYTrcZuBK5G-g6bKfX51ddCmxEiK0cFhjHLl94R4UuYdBSQ9FJSwTahveuVKK-yDQg/s320/20201019_180438.jpg" /></a></div>The donkey</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwkIC2gE3e9IDxQjKIMZyTp-LrRRgQYDO4TaePuJ7Gvh0-Ug0d8yiQ3k0gpdTmFqlKyjapOC7miX8FsJZX1WBaA17dZXDQv7rWMiIWmXfMZuGVCmtc1CB81egHoa8oLVxenxDhGORdw/s2048/20201019_180445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwkIC2gE3e9IDxQjKIMZyTp-LrRRgQYDO4TaePuJ7Gvh0-Ug0d8yiQ3k0gpdTmFqlKyjapOC7miX8FsJZX1WBaA17dZXDQv7rWMiIWmXfMZuGVCmtc1CB81egHoa8oLVxenxDhGORdw/s320/20201019_180445.jpg" /></a></div><p>And the goat! </p><p><br /></p></div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-45471686107371224762020-09-28T20:05:00.000+02:002020-09-28T20:05:15.516+02:00What Do You Tell Yourself Every Morning As You Start The Day?<div>Oh my, I can't believe it's been three months that I have posted something here! I'm determined to write more regularly now. In fact, so many things have happened lately, and I will make sure to fill you in as soon as possible. In the meantime, I would like to share an encouraging post that someone forwarded to me recently:</div><div><br /></div><div>What Do You Tell Yourself Every Morning As You Start The Day?</div><div><br /></div><div>-MOSES would say, "Lord, if You don't go with us or before us, we are not going anywhere."</div><div>-ABRAHAM would say, "The Lord will provide."</div><div>-JACOB would say, "I won't let go of You unless You bless me."</div><div>-JOSHUA would say, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."</div><div>-SAMUEL would say, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening."</div><div>-NEHEMIAH would say, "The joy of the Lord is my strength."</div><div>-DAVID would say, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." and "This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it."</div><div>-SALOMON would say, "Trust in the Lord, oh my soul, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."</div><div>-ISAIAH would say, "Arise and shine for my Glory has come." and "No weapon formed against me shall prosper."</div><div>-JEREMIAH would say, "The Lord has plans to prosper me and not to harm or fail me."</div><div>-JABEZ would say, "Oh, that you may bless me and enlarge my territory."</div><div>-SHADRACH, MESHACH and ABEDNEGO would say, "We will not bow down to any image but will serve the Lord."</div><div>-EZEKIEL would say, "Any dry bones in my life, live again."</div><div><br /></div><div>May the above spoken words give you courage everytime you begin your day!🙏🏽</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpySsby6s1LaRTipkBaYF5jUh2M6VSdBSkiyQMVYLW8imYSmTYKL4KOwVVGUaSzUfOQ_CzxxRdT2oapow98pe8iSsBJVqLH83k_Bh9FygvBXGAZmoutN70S7_QFBLNSAbBhZ0MOjfVfA/s2048/20200808_062010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpySsby6s1LaRTipkBaYF5jUh2M6VSdBSkiyQMVYLW8imYSmTYKL4KOwVVGUaSzUfOQ_CzxxRdT2oapow98pe8iSsBJVqLH83k_Bh9FygvBXGAZmoutN70S7_QFBLNSAbBhZ0MOjfVfA/s320/20200808_062010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div> A beautiful sunrise in the Westerwald/Germany</div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-40201093505040245892020-06-28T11:17:00.000+02:002020-06-28T11:17:18.830+02:00A New Normal?So it's been a while now that we have been dealing with this pandemic. Here in Europe, the situation has improved remarkably, and therefore a lot of the restrictions have been eased step by step. I'm still working from home though, and it looks like my management is only going to gradually get back to normal office occupation as of September.<br />
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However, in other parts of the world, the situation doesn't look good at all, especially in poorer countries like India or South America. In the US, after a period of improvement, the figures are rising again. So it's not all over yet, although I wish it was.<br />
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For over a week already, I have been visiting my family in Germany. After all, I had to cancel my planned trip to the US (if the GC Session in Indianapolis didn't have to be postponed, it would be happening right now), and so I can now afford spending longer time than usual in my home country. It's been a blessing to be here, even though every day I'm confronted with the "new normal". While in Belgium you are only required to wear face masks in public transport, here in Germany you also have to wear them in stores. Furthermore, many of our churches have reopened here, but again you cannot meet without face masks. In my home church, they require you to put them on even during congregational singing. You may imagine how challenging this is! But the hardest for me is the fact that it really doesn't help with communication. I miss smiling at people, and the fact that you are not supposed to hug or shake hands seems so pathetic to me. I really hope that this "new normal" will only be a temporary state.<br />
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The weather has been very warm here, and we have been enjoying the fruits of the garden. On Tuesday, I'll be heading to Brussels again, but soon, I'll be back to Germany for our annual bible camp. It looks like we will be able to have about 200 participants (instead of 350+ as usual), and it will be quite a challenge to implement all these restrictions and rules. However, we are thankful that it can take place in spite of the situation, even though in a smaller format and without international speakers. May the Lord help us, so that it can be a spiritually uplifting experience especially in these times!<br />
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I've been participating in the 100 Days of Prayer organized by our General Conference. It's been a blessing to be part of this, and I've been encouraged by the praise reports, as well as the daily readings. Here is one of my favorites:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">“Let not your heart be troubled; you
believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if
it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if
I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">– John 14:1-3<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">“We have no home here; we are only pilgrims
and strangers, passing to a better country, even a heavenly. Place your
mind upon these things, and while you are doing this, Christ will be right by
your side.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">– Life
Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 293<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</blockquote>
Indeed, this world is not our home. I think it's important to indeed place our minds on heavenly things, especially in these times. Things are not going to get better on this earth, but what splendor and glory is waiting for us in our heavenly home that the Lord is preparing for us right now! May we focus on that today and make our calling and election sure!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0al7Ir6h7Ejj9kGclw8wqq32cXzJQoks7LwVTcLeSVCz3s91smK9NkhHk1sFr23Qi-AWjy7l3vLJmed_M5odAoYTP37J5uzOlps2v34ysMoB-t5KM7PjinqDqLH7eE9hhYUk4LvmNA/s1600/Schloss.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0al7Ir6h7Ejj9kGclw8wqq32cXzJQoks7LwVTcLeSVCz3s91smK9NkhHk1sFr23Qi-AWjy7l3vLJmed_M5odAoYTP37J5uzOlps2v34ysMoB-t5KM7PjinqDqLH7eE9hhYUk4LvmNA/s320/Schloss.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The castle in my home city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbx1KYLIBvsJUWz_ge99beRZ9QC3iE9hrQVXPSqKiwladjiZzW0pTHrXwd2Tq1FLWU61h0QzxdXW55CVIp8PCgTbY-onN7kN6sLUu0WMLsw-5TlU5juEcPBM_AqVw99HYV9csBAfJjg/s1600/Wasserspiele.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbx1KYLIBvsJUWz_ge99beRZ9QC3iE9hrQVXPSqKiwladjiZzW0pTHrXwd2Tq1FLWU61h0QzxdXW55CVIp8PCgTbY-onN7kN6sLUu0WMLsw-5TlU5juEcPBM_AqVw99HYV9csBAfJjg/s320/Wasserspiele.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water fountains on the market place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGylgVGOt6_ZfufCJfqzqpwn7QHwpwp0wj3q-fs0tx4Ktecx5GIYJtudiUEO-Chyphenhyphenai1MU0yHNZCEasQP7sHUYTJcfz8-uZnuY2HxCXwH7u6uoD0ILYst1yC-kyK1B5rbmLY78PgQm3w/s1600/Artichoke.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGylgVGOt6_ZfufCJfqzqpwn7QHwpwp0wj3q-fs0tx4Ktecx5GIYJtudiUEO-Chyphenhyphenai1MU0yHNZCEasQP7sHUYTJcfz8-uZnuY2HxCXwH7u6uoD0ILYst1yC-kyK1B5rbmLY78PgQm3w/s320/Artichoke.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful artichokes in the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-82652452082750102712020-03-21T15:53:00.000+01:002020-03-21T15:53:08.025+01:00Corona VirusI must admit that I had not expected this to happen, but something that several weeks ago I would have still considered a science fiction scenario has become a reality: Belgium entered lockdown this week, following the example of other European countries.<br />
<br />
This corona virus has spread so rapidly that drastic measures have become necessary. As of last Monday, all non-critical staff of the EU Institutions have to work from home, and this also applies to all other employees in the country who can telework. We are only supposed to leave our homes for essential errands like shopping, doctor's appointments, etc. Thank God, outdoor exercising is still allowed. But all non-essential travels are not permitted. This is already the second Sabbath that we couldn't have a regular service in our church. As somebody who lives alone, I find this particularly hard. But thank God we have modern technology, so that we can still stay connected through media like Skype and What's App.<br />
<br />
A few evenings ago, the neighbourhoods here in Brussels started a joint action inspired from what they have been doing in Italy: Every night at 8 PM sharp, people come to their windows and balconies and clap their hands, applauding the health care staff and all other people who have been working tirelessly in this critical time in order to serve the community. I really like it, as it gives a sense of solidarity and communal spirit.<br />
<br />
But should Christians be surprised by such developments? Not at all. It's predicted in the Bible after all:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and <b>pestilences</b>, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:7-8, emphasis added)</blockquote>
Ellen White also mentions pestilences in several of her writings. I found the following quote very interesting:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"In the last scenes of this earth’s history, war will rage. There will be pestilence, plague, and famine. The waters of the deep will overflow their boundaries. Property and life will be destroyed by fire and flood. We should be preparing for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for them that love Him. There is a rest from earth’s conflict." (Maranatha, p. 174.6)</blockquote>
Indeed, all these things are happening around us. But we are to prepare for a better world - for the homes that Christ is preparing for us in Heaven!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4)</blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIYJsInuD01bzsp4_xwl3_8E2jeyN2DRkdM0-s9OS5CsUds9hUYJKckvqE-142-rLsmP2J5pR1JJHkNZHm5rEhdYOhyphenhyphenmxf_6eahDmu6F_bA6qyrr9u9AXZiuVEIO1i20MymtL34o-0g/s1600/20200319_131709%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIYJsInuD01bzsp4_xwl3_8E2jeyN2DRkdM0-s9OS5CsUds9hUYJKckvqE-142-rLsmP2J5pR1JJHkNZHm5rEhdYOhyphenhyphenmxf_6eahDmu6F_bA6qyrr9u9AXZiuVEIO1i20MymtL34o-0g/s320/20200319_131709%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teleworking has definitely increased my productivity, like<br />
doing a spring cleaning in my kitchen....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2ecsSinaYT6-2rjSEjTuy7T5BklPh2MsumJtjs-qTOpOQfyhWparkwW5Y3B5oj-HDxM_VccvkuoP1If-SXiDp5X4EKiMA2S7jWbkdUUHFOkwrI9vB1L1VqQXXgaR8FpKPvgpLCvOpw/s1600/20200319_065841%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2ecsSinaYT6-2rjSEjTuy7T5BklPh2MsumJtjs-qTOpOQfyhWparkwW5Y3B5oj-HDxM_VccvkuoP1If-SXiDp5X4EKiMA2S7jWbkdUUHFOkwrI9vB1L1VqQXXgaR8FpKPvgpLCvOpw/s320/20200319_065841%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...or sewing fabric baskets :-)<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-33090365527765381222020-02-13T15:43:00.000+01:002020-02-13T15:43:13.354+01:00BrexitOn the first of this month it became a reality: the United Kingdom of Great Britain officially left the EU. After almost three years of seemingly unending discussions and debate, they now entered a transition period, which is supposed to last until December of this year, and during which the EU and the UK are going to negotiate their future relationship. But officially, they are now already a so-called Third Country.<br />
<br />
The day before the withdrawal came into force, all staff of the European Commission received an email from our new President Ursula von der Leyen. Here is an excerpt of her message:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<![endif]--><i><span lang="EN-IE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">"As the
sun rises tomorrow, a new chapter for our Union of 27 will begin. And with it
comes a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure Europe leads the way on the
twin ecological and digital transitions. To build a more prosperous and more
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Indeed, the European Union came with many privileges and advantages, many of which I wouldn't want to miss any more today, including my very interesting workplace. But at the same time, with these happenings I see the fulfilment of biblical prophecy right in front of our eyes:<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
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<![endif]-->"And whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mix with
one another but they shall not hold together, even as iron does not mix
with clay." ~ The book of Daniel chapter 2, verse 43</blockquote>
Indeed, iron doesn't mix with clay, i. e. the strong and the weak don't hold together well. So what will be next? Only time will tell. In the meantime, I'm endeavouring to make my calling and election sure, and I'm asking the Lord to use me in whatever way to hasten His coming. I'm tired of this world. It's really time that Jesus comes back to take us home!<br />
<br />
On another note, I'm continuing with health work at my church. Recently, we had our first Health Club meeting, which was a blessing. Although there were only about half the attendees then at our Health Emphasis Weekend in October, I would still consider it a success - and I will certainly continue to organise such events. I hope and pray that the Lord will continue to use me and my team as we reach out with the Right Arm of the Gospel.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiob9wNFwg92bRDONPvIBOAqCg6k26UvEJEDvoFoRZmDX2TlW5_LqC_Xnu-rRqPn1su-HtAnNmKntZ9d48S8nEM1tHThLfx5wjNujg2wiELst6Wqd7YT7hOepU-MnGCKrU8hdu7lzrRg/s1600/Aloe_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiob9wNFwg92bRDONPvIBOAqCg6k26UvEJEDvoFoRZmDX2TlW5_LqC_Xnu-rRqPn1su-HtAnNmKntZ9d48S8nEM1tHThLfx5wjNujg2wiELst6Wqd7YT7hOepU-MnGCKrU8hdu7lzrRg/s320/Aloe_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layane (to the left) teaching about Aloe Vera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATtqEe-sLoGmyHjEMAp5CbpLxqb5jv6nLd5Q-4M-TnSoRevcoX0bPh2wFm6dMHWscFApKCi-EouNyqLZFUoce0vnfH6_lHWP3FwVDYHWR0v_Ny-xII1i01xC4HZIPfY5i2DDe1f8J_w/s1600/Aloe_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATtqEe-sLoGmyHjEMAp5CbpLxqb5jv6nLd5Q-4M-TnSoRevcoX0bPh2wFm6dMHWscFApKCi-EouNyqLZFUoce0vnfH6_lHWP3FwVDYHWR0v_Ny-xII1i01xC4HZIPfY5i2DDe1f8J_w/s320/Aloe_1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFqzMKZkJqpQRujuPLzUWjC5tRdYGzznQKpywljecpoD0cSPRFscw5ssf29zJfDnRm6rGLKkG60oybKCr85VVKhFEJMge_OBV2-TDSOh2jdIJsbXrPrxyZ9ql-Ibbzkm8kHpMU95pFA/s1600/Health+Club+February+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFqzMKZkJqpQRujuPLzUWjC5tRdYGzznQKpywljecpoD0cSPRFscw5ssf29zJfDnRm6rGLKkG60oybKCr85VVKhFEJMge_OBV2-TDSOh2jdIJsbXrPrxyZ9ql-Ibbzkm8kHpMU95pFA/s320/Health+Club+February+2020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-29892713122119583222019-11-20T15:59:00.000+01:002019-11-20T15:59:17.544+01:00Health Emphasis WeekendAnd here are some impressions of our Health Emphasis Weekend in October:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEu620PKskPOhnlOMps_5ZD0SZvICl2MDiCsBUN7NAVUdIIpEx8mCPPWptzQfNp2Aabx-ynfmKge5-EFFdEvGfb8GI7ZryKyB7a4GaXCSeQZOlC9uGu-BieyOakR4mrvOmUFmM_QuNA/s1600/20191027_104307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEu620PKskPOhnlOMps_5ZD0SZvICl2MDiCsBUN7NAVUdIIpEx8mCPPWptzQfNp2Aabx-ynfmKge5-EFFdEvGfb8GI7ZryKyB7a4GaXCSeQZOlC9uGu-BieyOakR4mrvOmUFmM_QuNA/s320/20191027_104307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnemEIBrKlinSn3J7Vn_uJAnjea4CEMSp1Iknjlir3BVIlCg28Ms6vsk-BeYyBeH9eJhTWV0Iq0npWQCpP040U7aISOb0Dfrtr_C-17b41fqdkDVQk54bfmuh7PGlj5WhQHYj40SnSrA/s1600/20191027_110819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnemEIBrKlinSn3J7Vn_uJAnjea4CEMSp1Iknjlir3BVIlCg28Ms6vsk-BeYyBeH9eJhTWV0Iq0npWQCpP040U7aISOb0Dfrtr_C-17b41fqdkDVQk54bfmuh7PGlj5WhQHYj40SnSrA/s320/20191027_110819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoWkI5dEoSqKNBGT3sAqy5SfhI_voxLJeucjgwCAtltuSSCzUwKtGCAXfsEJR_NA-vFUC-jAsXZsSZ8pHNmkOK3BMCOi6cKZDsMmkWEehOR2bpF4dx7yQxkJMYS-91wW0Yi8qft0ayg/s1600/20191027_112001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoWkI5dEoSqKNBGT3sAqy5SfhI_voxLJeucjgwCAtltuSSCzUwKtGCAXfsEJR_NA-vFUC-jAsXZsSZ8pHNmkOK3BMCOi6cKZDsMmkWEehOR2bpF4dx7yQxkJMYS-91wW0Yi8qft0ayg/s320/20191027_112001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRewHT-hH7bA3QZoVFC8o-e3uXJ85x4z-ASXCanrxcazexK65l-9g8d-w8t9axrC_z9xv8YAqIGUvwndW6zGTCOFeJz9NFhjI2qrPloCuWlekURY_uNJjSEZKyCU_EfqXsHeJp_yqNtA/s1600/20191027_125551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRewHT-hH7bA3QZoVFC8o-e3uXJ85x4z-ASXCanrxcazexK65l-9g8d-w8t9axrC_z9xv8YAqIGUvwndW6zGTCOFeJz9NFhjI2qrPloCuWlekURY_uNJjSEZKyCU_EfqXsHeJp_yqNtA/s320/20191027_125551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u9DJ280Jhy_NnRXgzSR0Gws7eJmY4dO9rHMHd3HP_YWYeucO8Gq6aFWW3xi0V5NqRG85Bkolh6_Z7FF7B7lbvgSYkiCNdb5pM4_5dNuVshUWl4Nq3u3o2SRT4CxlR7ySKsav3Pzy3A/s1600/20191027_125742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u9DJ280Jhy_NnRXgzSR0Gws7eJmY4dO9rHMHd3HP_YWYeucO8Gq6aFWW3xi0V5NqRG85Bkolh6_Z7FF7B7lbvgSYkiCNdb5pM4_5dNuVshUWl4Nq3u3o2SRT4CxlR7ySKsav3Pzy3A/s320/20191027_125742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-44116214187939148802019-11-11T08:19:00.002+01:002019-11-11T08:19:32.809+01:00Time Flies!Wow, I can't believe it's already November and we are approaching year end! I've been wanting to post an update for weeks, but I'm sure you all know how it goes if you are busy...<br />
<br />
Today, I enjoyed a very nice and sunny afternoon in the park - probably the last nice and sunny day during this month of November, as from tomorrow on, the weather is forecasted to be as it's usually the case at this time of year: grey and dreary. However, this doesn't really bother me right now, as Ihave sunshine in my heart! :-)<br />
<br />
Many great things happened during the past couple months. One of the highlights were the ASI Germany meetings in Bielefeld. It was a nice experience for me to go there again after six years of not attending. The main speakers were Taj Pacleb and Nicola Taubert; and it was so nice to see so many people again I hadn't seen in quite a while. <br />
<br />
Another one was our Health Emphasis Weekend at my church a couple weeks ago. I decided to do it exactly in the same format as we would do at Uchee Pines, i. e. health presentations on Friday and Saturday, followed by a cooking class Sunday morning, and natural remedies in the afternoon. We had a great team and the presentations and demonstrations were well received. We even got an invitation to do the same in Luxembourg during the first quarter of 2020!<br />
<br />
Last weekend, I attended the fourth edition of the ENAD Conference (European Adventist medical network) in Bad Überkingen, which is not too far away from Stuttgart, Germany. It was a great blessing. The main speaker was Dr. Daniel Binus, psychiatrist from California. It was all about "mindset", i. e. mental health. It was really nice to (re-)connect with many people, although this also tends to get a bit frustrating, since there is just not enough time to have all the conversations you want. But I was able to do quite a bit of networking, notably with a family from Aachen church that I've known for quite a while. They are doing great things there in terms of health work. I'm so excited that we are planning to work together in the future. It's high time that Brussels and the Rhineland area start getting busy together for the Lord's cause; and also that we reach the German part of Belgium, which is an unreached territory of 60,000 souls. <br />
<br />
Overall, I would say I'm blessed beyond measure. It's wonderful to see how things are moving forward, and that I can play a small part in this. When I see all this sickness and suffering around me, it makes me long for Heaven more and more.<br />
<br />
This morning, as it is the 11th November today, I read in Proverbs chapter 11. My personal highlight in this chapter is verse 25:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."</blockquote>
Let us be a blessing today for someone!<br />
<br />
And here comes a glimpse in pictures about the most recent highlights:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2riut8Y5cd3zoxyLQ70C_ZxX_XApCPdHW6FsqnbKCSkHeD39h1navp6C6qBkEpj1PpRJQZ-qrLI1o2qm5wZ0xWFf1Ufm7HvCSRlpr52QwcFOA9MbRBriRCp2vEddnLs7AGHlCklhSg/s1600/20191031_134012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2riut8Y5cd3zoxyLQ70C_ZxX_XApCPdHW6FsqnbKCSkHeD39h1navp6C6qBkEpj1PpRJQZ-qrLI1o2qm5wZ0xWFf1Ufm7HvCSRlpr52QwcFOA9MbRBriRCp2vEddnLs7AGHlCklhSg/s320/20191031_134012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVb4Q4DvufiVJWJDkfuTYdT7Fl3_781O3tRKyR5Occtw8Tb-m8IgC1Fd7VS_lwx5g9bkEwkyxFEE9OSwGuux4O6kvbbS6F7kOQlGXyeJF4hKqDba9BkGw5Hn15oXaMf4G6feeqnZESQ/s1600/20191031_134115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVb4Q4DvufiVJWJDkfuTYdT7Fl3_781O3tRKyR5Occtw8Tb-m8IgC1Fd7VS_lwx5g9bkEwkyxFEE9OSwGuux4O6kvbbS6F7kOQlGXyeJF4hKqDba9BkGw5Hn15oXaMf4G6feeqnZESQ/s320/20191031_134115.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful vineyards near Bad Überkingen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu0kgkfYamfGPAd21pXah2wpsiFhcwF-JuqXfyFb6RrvbluYasILq94kfNAgCQTbIo5N-JLbvOA3LOYUGimFUmpGzR1sjuMfuoWNnF_Jb3j3eWS3LUPsbxotYyoxoWxQkhmHN5F2Bag/s1600/20191031_134018.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu0kgkfYamfGPAd21pXah2wpsiFhcwF-JuqXfyFb6RrvbluYasILq94kfNAgCQTbIo5N-JLbvOA3LOYUGimFUmpGzR1sjuMfuoWNnF_Jb3j3eWS3LUPsbxotYyoxoWxQkhmHN5F2Bag/s320/20191031_134018.mp4" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little video I made from the train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EPOkbuXhddqcVaiSe9UyGhsNcPBBnNbgX3j6_3JUWAIFGxm2lHL5z1KtkUf6R-yDOFdU4a0VlskYh_3E8HAX-_5A9yBoToTgPUsA83mMIsyHPVtGL47wl3G0Qf2JsgxKkXMNuHtpaw/s1600/20191101_102219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EPOkbuXhddqcVaiSe9UyGhsNcPBBnNbgX3j6_3JUWAIFGxm2lHL5z1KtkUf6R-yDOFdU4a0VlskYh_3E8HAX-_5A9yBoToTgPUsA83mMIsyHPVtGL47wl3G0Qf2JsgxKkXMNuHtpaw/s320/20191101_102219.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ENAD Conference</td></tr>
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More to follow soon!<br />
<br />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167300563043220791.post-66513248804049190462019-09-03T17:13:00.000+02:002019-09-03T17:13:55.977+02:00So Blessed!This week marks the "Rentrée" in Brussels, which means that after nine weeks of vacation, the children are going back to school and thus, things are back to normal here in Belgium. It also entails that there is more traffic here (thank God this doesn't really affect me, as I go to work by bicycle) and that the work at the EU institutions is taking up again. There is pressure on many services now to finish certain procedures before the Christmas break, which is actually less than four months away. Especially this fall promises to be interesting, because as of 1st November, a new Commission will be implemented, headed by the German politician <b>Ursula von der Leyen</b>. Being abroad for so long, I haven't followed much the political life in my home country, but I like this woman. I wouldn't have expected that a female would get this high rank position, but she really seems to be the right choice in this political chaos. I especially like the fact that she is actually a medical doctor. Thus, she might be open to implementing more health enhancing programmes and activities among the workers in our institution.<br />
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It's always interesting when a new Commission is implemented after five years. You can feel the wind of change blowing; new Commissioners bringing new ideas, there are staff changes (especially in the senior management of the different services), and the "foot soldiers" (i. e. little officials like me) are motivated to give their best in this new term.<br />
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This past Sunday, we returned from our annual church retreat in Eupen, German part of Belgium. It was such a blessing to be there once more. We have a very nice venue there, which is a relatively newly renovated hostel. The staff is very pleasant, and they are even able to somewhat accommodate our dietary needs. This year, I decided to supplement the choice of foods they could offer us, namely by making some plant-based spreads, granola, and getting some avocados. We were a smaller group than last year, mainly due to the fact that since then, quite a few families left our church for other pastures. Nevertheless, we were very blessed with Pastor Denny from Brazil as our main speaker. Our own Pastor, who is a close friend of Pastor Denny, was also present and involved in the programme. There was something in it for everybody, and our time together really helped to bond with each other. The messages were very practical, and I think everybody learned something that they are going to apply in their lives. My main resolution is that I'm going to start a prayer journal, as I think this will be really helpful. Thus, you can document answers to prayer requests and keep track how the Lord has worked.<br />
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I would like to share one thought I took home from our spiritual weekend:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in Him will I trust." ~Psalms 91:1-2~</blockquote>
To <b>dwell </b>in the secret place of the most High (or to "live in His shelter" as the Common English Bible translates) doesn't mean to just visit, or to come by for tea. It means to spend time in His presence. It's also quantity that counts here. Do I spend adequate time with the Lord in the daily hustle and bustle of life? Do I praise Him for who He is, i. e. for His attributes, like His omnipotence, faithfulness, His infinite power? Do I also pause from time to time to listen to His voice? And not only "bombarding" God with the "T's" and "G's", i. e. saying thank you for xyz and please give me this and that? May the Lord help us to get closer to Him, and thus get ready to spend an eternity in His holy presence!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJjUH4KUq4mG0ohOJLHgVDwN06EFbBx7daxIJT8599Fw_uETLzu6N8sxzCfBFiuziAh1fb4saIQ08bGtRzM1eTlQ7518SnBjyC6-FJDtrQykx3iy3gBLT-jhPyluZzkflcZRIe9W85w/s1600/Pastor+Denny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJjUH4KUq4mG0ohOJLHgVDwN06EFbBx7daxIJT8599Fw_uETLzu6N8sxzCfBFiuziAh1fb4saIQ08bGtRzM1eTlQ7518SnBjyC6-FJDtrQykx3iy3gBLT-jhPyluZzkflcZRIe9W85w/s320/Pastor+Denny.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Pastor Denny and his mother Marli</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBriX6j-lSTc99S6NDgzS-QFX2b5mJ-4DX7JBJl9w-HvuGGnMVfSljGLTAOhXhapdR1t2RjXiV93FyZrTvL4hJYYIhO5bNszc-nCy2fF60asw4VFaj1QstecJ2wJiF0R2iqe1Rcpr3Q/s1600/Children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBriX6j-lSTc99S6NDgzS-QFX2b5mJ-4DX7JBJl9w-HvuGGnMVfSljGLTAOhXhapdR1t2RjXiV93FyZrTvL4hJYYIhO5bNszc-nCy2fF60asw4VFaj1QstecJ2wJiF0R2iqe1Rcpr3Q/s320/Children.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love that picture of our children!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukSXpqPqL1PGgtmHsU8YtTxUqTgfVGWCiolULd1YwVeDMQKtIBV2P7IRBSSNfzopvFN3IvJWGsQVji2-cCn98XS1Lu_aZfRso0Mn5wJo9pRnRtVya1epiJdSuH23L9Jb7fz0FbsOjgg/s1600/Retreat_Group+picture.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukSXpqPqL1PGgtmHsU8YtTxUqTgfVGWCiolULd1YwVeDMQKtIBV2P7IRBSSNfzopvFN3IvJWGsQVji2-cCn98XS1Lu_aZfRso0Mn5wJo9pRnRtVya1epiJdSuH23L9Jb7fz0FbsOjgg/s320/Retreat_Group+picture.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group picture on Sunday - unfortunately we forgot to do it on<br />
Sabbath when more people were there and sun was shining brightly!</td></tr>
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<br />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117968292725753275noreply@blogger.com0