Elements of Motherhood

Stillness

Something I once knew often

Today I see it only in fleeting glances

Reflection

Another daily habit to get lost in the moment

Now something almost stolen in rare silent seconds

Advice

 Only a conversation in waiting

Everything is right; Everything is wrong

Depends on who’s asking

Yet His still soft voice remains

Whispering between the storms

Of laundry and dishes

Of gleeful giggles and cries for comfort

He reveals Himself

In the innocence of baby blue eyes

Staring so intently; deep pools of absolute trust

In the soft snores passing milky lips

Sleepy snuggles searching for more than just a meal

In compassion that overtakes me

In love that overwhelms me

Oh the need to ponder

The wonder of this miracle

That steals away my rational thought

Threatening my heart to burst

In a world of information

No instruction could prepare you

For this miracle of design of

One who does not just love

But rather is Love

Just stop-

Stop comparing

Stop worrying

Stop

Breathe

Listen

Love

His voice is always there

He will never fail

Dreams Confirmed

Dreams Confirmed

Prayer- it’s one thing to pray for others. Quite another thing entirely to be prayed for- I don’t know if there is another way to express love to deeply or to be more vulnerable. That is of course if you choose to-

For many years I have held tightly to well-- pretty much anything and everything personal. To bare my heart is terrifying. To be vulnerable with my emotions is shameful.

This last year, I learned the delight of having a friend whom I have trusted entirely. One I could share my heart, my story, and my life with and still feel safe. My best friend, my husband; though I know he is not perfect and will let me down, I do know that he has my best interest at heart.

This journey has unlocked something in me; A stirring—a call to open and to be vulnerable—to allow God’s people to come around me and join them in deep community.

I experienced pieces of this with my flat mates, again with the schoolmates in Italy, and now here again in Belgium.

Incarnate community created to create to reflect His creativity; safely cast by the love of our Lord God.

In this safety, I was able to let my guard down and be vulnerable in my fears of the future and the decisions we have looming ahead of us. And I was able to receive the blessing of being prayed for—the blessing of love being poured out as the tears streamed down our faces and tissues were passed round the room.

The most precious moment of the outreach was to watch my husband and best friend do the same; to share a dream confirmed.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him

who brings good news, who publishes peace,

who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation,

 who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

(Isaiah 52:7 ESV)

The Journey

Into the Depths of Hope

Monday Dec 3^rd

It began with an Advent Reading—something I’m sure I had heard before. But never had these words struck such a chord in me.

A people dwelling in deep darkness—something sunk in me- hopelessness—to the depths of despair.

But wait something to grasp- a ray of hope—maybe only a shimmer, but hope nonetheless.

A quick email later, the workday began and the thought shifted to the back burner.

Friday Dec 7^th

Knock knock—Remember Me—I’m still here—Come on—Wake up and look around—what do you see?

Light- Word- Life-

Driving 110K down the Belgian highway, I scramble for my camera. Fumble to remember the setting to hold the shutter open and begin “playing.” Soon I am laughing with delight, and Witte is thinking I’ve gone crazy. They’re just street lamps—what’s so great about that?

On them has light shone— 

The words come bolting back into my mind. Hope, but this time it’s not just a shimmer. This time it is dancing around us. Bringing delight and joy.

Saturday Dec 8^th

Christmas is in the air—Sight smells and sounds of laughter, community, and all manner of good things.  Lights are twinkling.

In contrast to the joy around, the dark silhouette of the “dead” trees stand starkly.

Sunday Dec 9^th

Voices lift in various tongues and accents in praise to the One who grants us hope and joy. Here in this most unlikely of places, people are gathering to make His name known.

Another tree—this one holds life—has been brushed with hope even into the depths of winter. 

Tuesday Dec 11^th

The blank canvas is before me and all these things are swirling around in my head and heart and then I hear it—His voice. Soft and subtle.

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shone.

The people of Belgium that I had met, those I had heard stories of, and those I had not met, but had seen on the streets flitted before me eyes. Could He invite them into the depths of hope through this piece?

Yes, I know this to be true. Why else would He speak these words into my hands, heart, and mind’s eye?

Hope- glorious hope—Will you live daily in the depths of His hope? I am.

Today I don't understand-- not even a bit.

On the backside of a time of really being able to soak into God and have time for Him intensively, 

I feel lost and confused.

I feel the emptiness and aching-- the need to be sleeping and never find the waking--

I feel blind-- raw to the world's distance-

LORD 

please grant just a word of hope--

Let healing begin and allow light to shine from these eyes once again.

Allow YOUR light to transform my life into a true reflection of YOURS.

Allow our eyes to be open to see YOUR will

I feel lost in this see of grey and cannot find the ability 

to shine YOUR love out into a dark and dismal world.

Melt these fears 

-that have frozen this heart of mine

- that have entrapped this soul

- that has worn out this busy mind

Abba Father

release me from these bonds

especially the ones I cannot see or recognize

Let me see where I am believing a lie-

Help me to dwell in YOUR TRUTH alone

Help me to trust you-- as today in my own strength it is not possible

Even to the smallest degree 

Let me find rest and reliance in YOU

Thank You Father

that YOU are

GOOD

JUST

HOLY

LOVE

COMFORT

GENEROUS

COMPASSION

ALMIGHTY

GLORIOUS

BEAUTIFUL

COLORFUL

CREATIVE

ALWAYS AVAILABLE

Our First Christmas as Man and Wife

 I can hardly believe it, but I am Mrs. Noordam! 

Life changes so quickly.... 

So for the first time, I am looking towards Christmas 

as a wife and a tight budget for decorating

Our Home.

Recently, after much dragging of my feet (trying to avoid yet another internet time sucker), I gave in to my lovely friends' persuasion and joined pinterest--

And am so happy with all the fun finds for fun easy cheap Christmas deco ideas--

Source: ellinee.com via Jan on Pinterest

Source: blogs.babble.com via Jan on Pinterest

                                               Enjoy!!

MOVE LEARN EAT around the World

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Be the Change

STOP THE TRAFFIK