pond to ocean

The adjustment went pretty well.
Only somehow we made some 130 odd euros for the City today.
Other than a few hiccups, it was quite a fun (albeit long) day.
Now I can officially say I've worked at both the Jordan and the City. Not that it really matters, haha.
Anyhow, it was fun to see Pauline again, and it was fun to hang out with their cleaners (who are pretty cool, I must say).
And it is fun to be able to tell *them* that even though we have "baby backpack" it's really not that much different, and not that much more difficult at the City, so they should stop mocking us.

jars of clay

Show You Love

Speak- say the words that no one else will ever say

Love- love like the world we know is over in a day

I'm gonna show you a love in every language

I'm gonna speak with the words that need no form

I'm gonna give you what you never had before

You're beautiful and I am weakened by the force of your eyes

So shine bright to separate the truth from the lies

I'm gonna show you love

I'm gonna show you a love in every language

I'm gonna speak with the words that need no form

I'm gonna give you what you never had before

So tie me to a tree and let the smoke and ash collect

No, I won't regret to let love do what love will let

We can drown in mixed emotions or walk across an angry sea

This is the cost of being free

My Heavenly

Let the wind fall wild across my path

Even though we barely move, there's no turning back

There is a river, there is a road, place of holy riches untold

It's where I'm supposed to be... my heavenly

I know it never feels right to let go of the safety we're used to holding so tight

But there's a lion underneath these skies

Though love cries, love will rise... my, my, my heavenly

So fly me higher, higher, hope fill me, keep me here

Love lion, my, my...

So when I'm lonely or when I'm old, life is more behind me

All the stories have been told

I can fix my gaze up through the clouds

Where I'm gonna be, where I'm gonna be... my heavenly

My, my heavenly

My heavenly

Needful Hands

For those under the clouds

Staring up in awesome wonder

As tears come slowly down

I'm reaching up a needful hand

You are my eyes when I cannot see

You are my voice, see, sing through me

You are my strength in weakness be

To find that I could fall

And still your grace surrounds, pursuing

To freely stumble down

I feel your hands around my heart

You are my strength, my voice, my eyes

I lift up needful hands

You are my strength, my voice, my eyes

I lift up needful hands

negativity

Sometimes I can be very negative. Why is it easier to complain than to be thankful? There really are so many more things to be thankful for than to complain about.
Like Ed's improving attitude. And Jimmy's response to God. And fun conversations with guests. And even making dinner, haha. With a very slippery floor. And Dallas's first experience hitch hiking on a bike. And not falling into a canal. haha. And having a boat on our kitchen roof. And not having sore legs after climbing 480ish steps yesterday. (woohoo!) And the fact that Nicole is coming back, and we're going to line dance in the cafe with the guests, haha. And the hot chocolate at the Jordan. And being goofy playing pool. And being able to escape from people when needed (unlike poor Dave in Tenerife). And almost learning Freek's tree song finally, haha. And ok, I'm thinking of a lot of things, but I don't feel like writing them down here, so too bad for you.

staff day

Thanks to everyone who's been praying for Jimmy...he got a camera today. Similar to his old one. And free. So cool!
We went to Utrecht today. It was quite fun...I posted some pictures on my photo blog, but I'll put more/better ones up later.

chinese characters

Jimmy wrote our names in kanji tonight. Mine were the characters meaning "beautiful" and "root" so I think if I ever form a band I'm going to name it "beautiful roots" or something.
Matthew was "horse" "4" "study" and Freek was *something, i forget. then* "good will" "loyalty"

Jimmy

Yesterday Jimmy's camera (and money) was stolen. He is from Malaysia, so his camera is very important to him. He handled it so well, and tried so hard to stay positive about the whole situation.
Cameron suggested that we make a sign that says "we love you Jimmy" and each of us take a funny picture with the sign around the hostels and then we'll print them and give them to him. He will really like this.
Today Desiree told him where to go to buy cheap disposable cameras, and he took the last 5 the store had, haha. Good for him. He's really happy, but at the same time, he knows that his material possessions won't last forever. I think it's a good lesson, even though it's really sad.
Anyhow, today we had 80 Dutch students come tour our house and hostels. This afternoon when they were in our cafe I suddenly heard Jimmy's voice, so I ran to the door with Tina and we poked our heads out. Here is what we heard him say (after he explained about his job cleaning here).
"It is no coincidence that I am here. I got to meet Jesus. The staff are so friendly and generous. These two months in the shelters is my most precious time of my life. I got to meet Jesus."
whoa! It is so cool to discover that about him in this way...he never said anything to us (he just listens closely in cleaner time, but rarely talks about what he's learning) and yet he tells a whole room full of people. So cool. God is so good.

Ricardo

Meghan, if you were offered 300 million euros a month would you take it?

Mmm, probably not. What would I do with all that money? I don't need it.

Come on, 300 million euros a month! All you'd have to do is play football for five years.

Five years...maybe if I liked what I was doing. But that's a long time. I don't think I'd do it.

Yeah you would. When you saw the first cheque your eyes would go *bing shows big eyes* and you'd take it.

Well, I'd have to pray about it first. It's a lot of responsibility to have that much money. I wouldn't know who to give it to, or how much to which thing. I certainly wouldn't want it.

Haha, he could not understand me at all...it was really amusing.

Walk by Faith

Will I believe you when you say

Your hand will guide my every way

Will I receive the words you say

Every moment of every day

I will walk by faith even when I cannot see

Because this broken road repares your will for me

Help me to rid my endless fears

You've been so faithful for all my years

With one breath you made me new

Your grace covers all I do

Well I'm broken but I still see your face

Well you've spoken pouring your words of grace

Jeremy Camp

My new favourite thing to do

while riding my bicycle is to have Dave on the back giving me a massage.
It was so great to have him here for a day...we got to have a good talk. That guy has grown so much in the Lord; it never ceases to amaze me. God is so powerful, and when we surrender our whole lives to him he does so much...the changes are so evident in Dave's life, and he's such an encouragement to me. Also, he's got a lot of wisdom through his time spent abiding in Christ and that's pretty sweet, cuz he's not afraid to share it. Cool beans.

Also, I got to talk to my parents on skype today, and my dad was playing piano in the background. Too funny. Totally made my day; I could picture him grinning away as he plunked on unknown keys.

Well, I'm off to eat cookie dough now...courtesy of Joshua (and my vanilla).

I smell like a pancake

It feels like the past few days have been nonstop. I had 3 morning shifts in a row, then I went to Ewout's to babysit Joa, then I had an afternoon shift and outreach (and scrabble. Freek won by 1 point. grr), then I had morning shift, then I went to the Naked Inside concert, then I had morning shift again...Ik ben moe!
But it was really cool to babysit Joa...it was nice to get away for a day and have a change of pace. Plus, he's a really cute kid and fun to be around (and he didn't poop his diaper all afternoon!) haha. I'll put up some pics on my other blog.
Yesterday I travelled to Sliedrecht to hear Naked Inside play their last show for the second time (haha). It was pretty fun...I got to nap in the car at least. And Michel's cats are anorexic I think. Freek thinks they're just shaved funny, but I think it must be a combination.
Anyhow, there was this punk band who opened for Naked Inside called Hookman. They sound just like every punk band in high school that played in the talent shows. It was so fun...brought back memories, haha. Also, Dutch people (at least the ones who were at this show) do not know how to skank. Although, I'm pretty poor at it myself, so I shouldn't talk. But it was quite fun anyways, even if the old fogeys *coughbencoughfreekcoughmarco* didn't dance. And their cd was only 4 euro 50, which is a good price for the Netherlands, even if there are only 4 songs, haha.
Oh! Also, I met Rebecca, and she went to Capernwray Harbour and knows Karen Caple. So that was kinda fun.
So, ok, I think my blog now contains an adequate update of my life, albeit shortened. Goed zo.

Nijmegen

So this weekend 12 of us ventured out into the mountains of Nijmegen...mountains being a relative term comparing to the rest of the Netherlands. We called it "Spies in the Land" and since there were 12 of us, we got renamed (based on age).
Our goal was to meet with various people of the city to see if it is spiritually ready for a church plant. We got to have some great conversations with a lot of different people. Many people are seeking some kind of spirituality, but have had bad experiences with the church, or with hypocritical Christians. Often when they were critical about something, I found myself agreeing with them.
Anyhow, Eric already posted a good explanation of what we did in Nijmegen here, so check it out.
One good (and funny) quote Gerard and I heard this weekend: "Orthodox's scare me like hell!"
Sad but true.
Go here to see pictures.
ps, I would like to point out the fact that I can imitate the Nijmegen accent quite well...to the great amusement of the Dutchies.

comeuppance

So today was the long awaited revenge on Freek for the water incident. He currently has no shoes. Don't worry, I won't make him cycle home in his socks.
Unfortunately, I think I may have started a little war...

cleaners

On of our cleaners, Jimmy (from Malaysia) cracks me up...he's so funny (I think at least) but it's just really natural the way it comes out. I don't know if I can explain most of the things, because it's the way he reacts to things around the hostel (like the fact that ALL of our brooms are broken, and his attempt to sweep the floor). But one thing I can share happened at Zolder on Sunday night. He, of course, had his camera out taking pictures. One of the photos he took was of Ben and me, and Ben was playing with his beard, which provoked a commentary on the sad state of his own facial hair.
"I cannot grow a beard, " he sighed.
"Neither can she," Ben pointed out, referring to me.
"But she's a girl! I have five hairs. One, two, three, four five." (He pointed) "I've been waiting for years for number six, but he just won't come out!"

Ok, well, I think he's funny at least. Maybe you had to be there, or maybe it's amusing for you too.

Anyhow...the cleaners right now...praise God! They are connecting so well as a team! It's so much fun to work with them, and they do a great job. But even more importantly, they are seeking God. Shane especially...he has been reading books we've given him (based on questions he's asked in cleaner time) and today Tina gave him a couple of worship songs that he liked so he can learn to play them...please keep him in prayer!
Barry...there's a big language barrier. We all want to talk to him, and he wants to talk to us, but he hardly speaks any English and his French is difficult to understand. But he reads along intently during cleaner time, so pray that he allows the words of truth to sink into his mind and heart, that he allows God to speak to him and touch his life.
And Jimmy...he has questions, but mostly observes us. He pays close attention in cleaner time and feels free to ask us anything. Pray that God puts deep questions on his heart that he has to wrestle with until he comes to know the truth. Pray that God reveals Himself to him, so that Jimmy cannot escape His extravagat love.