I must share that we have been quite blessed so far to have people overly kind and helpful to us. Even our next door neighbor has been more than helpful and friendly to us despite two noisy boys and a barking dog. When we introduced ourselves to Kees a few days after moving in, we greeted him in Dutch and had a wonderful conversation. He was very appreciative that we addressed him with goedemorgen and told us that of the other five American families that had lived in this house before us, we were the only ones that had made an attempt to speak to him in Dutch. I was very surprised, and it made me really think about what he was saying. He was saying more than that people weren't trying to speak Dutch, he was saying that people who lived here before didn't care to try and connect with him. I don't know his background, I don't know his belief system, I don't know much at all about him, but what I do know is that I am thrilled to be able to shine the love of Christ to him while we live next to one another.
As much as the Dutch have been warm and kind, the other expats have been amazing as well. It is incredible to live in a place where people treat you like a friend the first time they meet you. One new friend brought her key to us to let us in her house while she was gone so that we could access the wifi and connect with friends at home. Another friend offered to help any time and when I reached out to her to see if she had a transformer I could borrow, she called around and within 10 minutes had located one from another friend of hers and brought it to my house. Another friend showed up our first day in the house with beautiful flowers welcoming us to Wassenaar. Later she walked and then drove me around town showing me what I might need for our family. Another friend took me to the grocery store and showed us how to use the scanners and what many of the foods are that we might enjoy. Still another friend sent websites and helpful links to make my way easier. This is a pretty short list of the long list of kindnesses shown. But, I am so greatly touched by the love shown to my family in such a short time of being here. I pray that I can show kindness to others in ways that are meaningful to them as well.
I know that there are so many people longing to love and be loved. I am praying about how I might fill that need with Christ's leading. 1 John 4:11-13 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us; He has given us of his spirit.
Many smiles brought by the exquisite flowers here too......
Beautiful Holland brought in the house by my sweet husband.
This cutie was fading next to the driveway so brought it in to revive
Cheerful guys outside in our yard
Spring has sprung in The Hague
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