Belgian Beginnings

Well, I think I'm European: tea with bread and jam for breakfast, cheese for lunch, afternoon tea time, and wine with every meal. I have now been here in Belgium for 4 days, and it has been good. This photo is of the view out the window right outside my bedroom. It is beautiful here. The Petries did an incredible job of welcoming me and helping me feel comfortable. And I overlapped a couple days with the previous caregiver, Mary Beth Kopechek, who I already knew, so that also tremendously helped with learning everything, and it has been good to be with her. Rebecca is a quadriplegic, and most of my role is being with her and caring for her. It is a lot to remember and a bit draining, but it is incredible to be with her and her husband, Paul, and get to know them. Rebecca is delightful. She is so gracious and appreciative, and very patient with me as I'm learning everything. We are already getting very close. I am amazed at her closeness to the Lord and how it enables her to embrace life and her situation positively. Her accident has completely changed her life and the life of her family, yet they have all adjusted and done what they need to to support eachother and continue on. It really is encouraging to be around people of such great faith. I'm excited that the Lord gave me the opportunity to build friendships like these.
I haven't gotten out of the house very much yet, as I'm still feeling things out and learning my position here. But from what I've seen, the town of Genval where they live, right outside of Brussels, is quite quaint and gorgeous. Over the course of my time here I will have time to get out and see a little bit more of Belgium.
I am grateful for everyone's prayers. I made it here safely and smoothly, and the transition has gone quite well and I believe a lot of it is because people have been praying.
I read this morning Psalm 16:2 " I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord, I have no good apart from you.'" And I feel like that is something I am learning to grasp, that He is my good. In the moments where I miss everyone at home, and it's hard, and I'm uncomfortable, I have to learn that He is enough; I have to know Him as "my only good." So, prayer would help in this area. Also that I would retain all the information involved in caring for Rebecca. And that God would help me be totally here, mind and heart, involved in these relationships.
This is just the beginning. I know there are good things to come.