Holland-days Yes, that’s right. I just did a really dumb pun about…holidays. Frans and I were having a project night last night in our apartment, which both of us really look forward to. It usually involves painting one of our buys from Marktplaats (the Dutch Craigslist..and usually this is Frans), and reading aloud from Eugene … Continue reading →

Thanks, God. That’s the phrase that often comes to mind these days. Thanks to Layne. Layne is my niece, and she is four. Words that come to mind when I think of Layne: big-eyed, curious, sensitive, sweet, exacting, polite, funny, raised eyebrows, headbands, a lisp that’s sadly fading. She used to be into Buzz Lightyear … Continue reading →

In the weeks after Frans and I returned from our wedding in Florida and our honeymoon in Switzerland, I found myself carefully turning the pages of our church’s bulletin before the service. I was hungry to join in the rhythms of the church, to jump into the bloodstream of the Body. There were two situations … Continue reading →

  The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s so funny and familiar and true…I found myself loving those little unruly Herdman kids in the story. It’s by Barbara Robinson and you should definitely read it before Dec. 24th. I attended a small church with my family once … Continue reading →

My Amsterdam Top 10 My friend Heidi is one of the most creative people I know. But not in the way you think. Most people associate the word ‘creative’ with someone bedecked in colorful scarves and bohemian jewelry, painting Jackson Pollack-style, maybe while even wearing bells around her ankles. They probably also have cool glasses … Continue reading →