Holland or Netherlands?

We left for Amsterdam after school on Friday. We stayed at a Christian Hostel, they were playing Christian music when we walked in and all of the workers were volunteers-what a great ministry! They provided free dinner and we met people from all over the world. One of the girls we met was from Australia and she spent the next day with us. I loved talking to her, she was sweet to help me attempt an Australian accent; however, I couldn't escape the southern accent I have, she said I had too much twang.

On Saturday we went to Haarlem, Holland where we saw Corrie Ten Boom's house. This was by far my favorite museum I have ever been to. Corrie Ten Boom wrote the book The Hiding Place which tells her story of risking her and her family’s lives by smuggling Jews with complete faith in the Lord. During the tour, we saw where the actual "hiding place," was for the Jews. They hid in a small area behind a false wall in Corrie's bedroom.

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."


You can go to www.corrietenboom.com for the complete story! It changed my life,the presence of the Lord was so strong there.

Not only does Corrie teach us to be strong in our faith but she is a great example to forgive as God forgave. She knew that everyone who had received God’s mercy had no choice but to show mercy to others; and she knew from her own experience that wasn’t always easy.

In her book The Hiding Place she tells the following story:

“It was at a church service in Munich that I saw him, the former S.S. man who had stood guard at the shower room door in the processing center at Ravensbruck. He was the first of our actual jailers that I had seen since that time. And suddenly it was all there – the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsie’s pain-blanched face.
He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing. “How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein.” he said. “To think that, as you say, He has washed my sins away!”
His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who had preached so often to the people in Bloemendaal the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side.
Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him.
I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me Your forgiveness.
As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me.
And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.”

Saturday afternoon we watched the most famous parade in the Netherlands, The Flower Parade. The floats were amazing, full of different designs and colors by using flowers! I wish I could have taken a picture of the smell as the floats went by-unbelievable.




After the parade, we went to the Keukenhof Gardens. I've never seen such amazing flower arrangements. There were tons of people walking around, taking pictures, laying in the grass by the pond, and smelling the flowers.



The tulip fields are what really amazed me. Rows and rows of tulips, it's as if God took his paint brush and painted them in straight rows.


Sunday Morning we went to the Anne Frank house. It was so amazing to be in her house and see the journal she kept. It really makes you thankful for the freedom we have in the world and in the Lord!

Sunday night Irmgart made us a "typical german meal" which was white asparagus with potatoes, salad and ham. The German name for this asparagus is Spargel, it is only available during late April to early June. It is grown covered in soil in order to prevent photosynthesis which prevents it from turning green and results in a sweeter and more tender taste. (thanks wikipedia) We sat outside on the balcony to eat. It was nice to come back "home" and spend time with her. She has been so sweet and spoiled us for sure. Can't believe this is my last week! We are wrapping up the things we want to do in Berlin and getting ready to say, "Auf wiedersehen!"

There are several things I'm looking forward to when I get home. I'm definitely looking forward to driving a car when I return. The other day, on the way home, I was riding my bike with a twenty pound back pack, two jackets strapped to the back, a purse around my neck, a loaf of bread in one hand, and a sack of bananas on the other. Two more days :)

Stewart taught me.

A dear friend of mine went to be with the Lord a few days ago. It's so comforting to know that He is in Heaven with the Lord!

While teaching 6th graders this morning, I couldn't help but think of what a teacher Stewart was to me. He did what every good teacher should do and that is to model to their students what is expected.

He modeled how to live a life pleasing to the Lord:

He taught me to barefoot-

"No matter what, if your toes catch the water, cling on to that boom with all your might-never let go."

What he really taught me was to cling on to Jesus no matter how many times we fall, we can always roll over and get our feet in ready to position to plant again. We must cling onto Jesus. He showed me how he continued to cling onto Jesus in his life by loving him with all of his heart, soul and strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

He taught me a 3-2-1 snatch :)

With tears streaming down my face, I'll never forget he looked up at me from the center while the boat was pulling out and said, "Look at the horizon Marianna, You can do it!" He reminded me that I couldn't worry about what was going on down below, I had to look up and do my part to the best of my ability.

What he really taught me was no matter what is going on around me, I have to keep my eyes on Jesus-with my arms stretched out and legs slightly bent to take the pull, we have to keep our eyes on Jesus! Stewart showed me this as he was always looking straight ahead to God.

Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

He taught me a step-off!

What I couldn't get through my head was when he told me the height from the dock to the water shouldn't matter, if I will just look at the boat and hold my palm open with the rope, then the boat decides when to pull the rope for me to step.

Not only did he show me how to be patient but now I see what he really taught me. No matter how big of a step I might have to take in life, it shouldn't matter because my arms are open to Jesus for HE will direct me in HIS timing. Stewart set this great example to be patient and wait on HIS perfect timing for decisions he made in his life.

Psalm 25:5 "Lead me in your truth, and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation; on you do I wait all the day."

He taught me how to do a boat-O

"The hardest part is in the end, after the sling. You have to use the boat as a resistance by leaning back with a strong back and let the boat pull you out of the water and don't break at the waist."

What he really taught me was to depend on the Lord with everything I have when it is hard because HE will get us through any circumstance, we just have to lean on him.

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

He taught me to dock the boat...

"First things first, your target. You have to decide what your target is-keep an eye on this, then you can decide whether or not you need to put it in forward or reverse, turn right or turn left. Don't forget, always keep an eye on your target."

What he really taught me was to make wise decisions in life. Since we know what our target is (to walk in the ways of God and live a life worthy of the Lord), it's important to take each step in life with the target in mind-the target to live a worthy life for the Lord which Stewart showed us through his life.

Colossians 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

He taught me how to have showmanship;)

In his speeches before practice he would tell us, "We should practice as if the judges are here watching us so when the event comes-we are ready"

What he really taught me was to do everything as if you are doing it for the Lord. In everything he did, he did it as if he was doing it for the Lord.

Colossians 3:22-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

He taught me the meaning of a pay-off :0)

"It's always important to acknowledge the "judges" at the end. It's what they think that matters for the prize at the end!"

What he really taught me was acknowledge the Lord in everything you do- for HE directs our paths! Stewart was a great example for this as he acknowledged the Lord in everything he did.

Proverbs 3:5-6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Not only did he set the example but he was encouraging. While walking through the elementary school hall today, the cheezy posters that say "You can do it!" "Rock on!" "Never Give Up!" "Learning is fun!" mean so much more to me now. He never failed to say one of these things after teaching me a trick or when pulling me off the dock. After every instruction, he would say, "Don't forget to HAVE FUN!" He truly showed me the joy we can have when we cling on to Jesus, stay focused on the Lord, be patient and wait on the Lord, depend on HIM, make God the target for our lives, and acknowledge HIM in everything we do.

Thank you Stewart for the example to make us better servants for the LORD! I love you and will see you soon!

Καλό πάσχα! Happy Easter!

Wow, only two and a half weeks left in Berlin. It's hard to believe I've been here almost an entire semester. Meg and I just got back from our two week spring break. Our first destiniation was Santorini Island, Greece.

We met up with Meg's wonderful Mom, Mrs. Terry. The island was beautiful, it looked exactly like it does in the movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

We were blessed with great 50 degree weather! We went to the black sanded beach-Kamari however, it was too cold to swim.

We made our way to the other side of the island, Oia. The greeks were so nice and happy to help tourist in any way. We spent several days here exploring the island. Some of my favorite greek food was eggplant, fava beans, chicken gyros, and feta cheese on the greek salad. I'm not a huge fan of "greek" coffee but I'm a coffee snob so what do you expect?


One of my favorite things we did on Santorini Island was when we rode the donkeys up and down the island. There were three of us riding. A norwegian lady in front and Meg in the back. In the beginning of the ride, I couldn't stop laughing and screaming because it was pretty scary at first. Especially when the guide told me to lean back during the trek down. I must have been louder than I thought because Norway-lady who "didn't speak" english in the beginning turns around and says, "I'm sure you will survive!"

Anyway, I was a little sore after the 1200 steps the next day. We spent our last evening eating chicken gyros while watching the sunset. We rode a ferry to Naxos Island late afternoon. Naxos Island is not a very touristic island yet. Their main income comes from their agriculture. We stayed in one of the Terry's friend's Villas-20 minutes outside of the town. We woke up to roosters crowing and goats bleating. The Villa was located on a hill to where we could see the shepherds tending their sheep in the fields, the beach and the mountains in the background.


We made our way over to Filoti Village and ran into two nice men-John and John. They were so happy to meet Americans and named every famous actor they knew from movies they had watched. They invited us to their family's Easter lunch on Sunday. We met their cousins, brothers, sisters, wives, and children. They immediately had us sit down to eat. I was a little nervous when I saw the pig roasting.



When I managed to clear a spot on my plate, they continued to put another piece of lamb or fresh goat cheese from that morning. Eventually I had to say I was full-no more please! We spent the rest of the afternoon dancing and listening to greek music and "Opa's!"






We caught a 7:30 am flight to Athens airport where we met our tour guide. It was fun to see the Parthenon, old theaters, and ruins since we just finished teaching Ancient Greece the past six weeks. By now we were ready for some American food-Hard Rock Cafe! We found some greek candy, bookmarks, and pens for the students who won the polis competition.

One of my favorite things I saw in Athens was Mars Hill (Areopagus) where Paul spoke the Athenians because he was disappointed with the "idols" they had created. These are the steps leading up to that hill!



This is what Paul told the Athenians in Acts 17:24-28
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being."

What a blessing! He is not far from us, we just have to seek after him and He is there!

A couple days later, after a taxi, plane, bus, and metro, Meg and I were in Paris! It was fun to hear this romance language after studying it in high school. We had a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower with french baguettes then waited in line for 2 hours to go up the tower!



We met some nice french girls in the hostel where we stayed. I used the few phrases I could remember while trying not to laugh. I even answered one of the girls questions of how I was doing, "comme si, comme sa" which is "so-so." I only said this because I've always wanted to say that and I was actually doing really good. She was sorry for me though and figured it was because of another one of our roommates who snored througout the night which actually didn't bother me-haha.

Sunday night, I was glad to be "home." Irmgart was happy to see us and gave us bunny chocolate and flowers as a welcome home!

I'm finished teaching and now just observing all of the other grades. I'm excited to see how the teachers teach the younger kids who aren't quite "bi-lingual" yet.

Meg and I have made a list of things to do in Berlin since we have more time in the afternoons and the weather is above 32 degrees! May first will be here before we know it!