Brussels Sprouts Fun

Aaaand hello again...I apologize that it has been such a long sabbatical. Having been recently accused of being a blog-killer, I realized I must clear my name and write a little something to my faithful followers. So, here I write, sitting in my room with the window open where outside it is blue skies, 59 degrees, and light as noonday, although it is 9:00 at night. Impeccable. On another weather note, I noticed that in the above picture of the Grand' Place, there are blue skies as well as umbrellas. Another facet of Belgium: raining when it seems rainless.

Let it be known to all, I ate a waffle - from the streets of the bustling city of Brussels. It was good, I must admit. A few days ago I had a day off and finally made it into the city, accompanied by a girl from the UK who is here for the summer -- the daughter of one of the Petries' friends. She was great fun and knows the city well. I saw a few of the major sites (the Grand' Place guildhouses, Manneken Pis, Galeries St. Hubert), but that was mainly to fulfill my touristic duty. I mostly just enjoyed being there in the city -- the newness of it all, the people, the food, the abundant activity. It was good to get out of the house a bit and experience the capital of my summer habitation country. I know there is much more to see there and I plan on returning a few more times while I am here.

A few weeks ago, I went with a cool new Dutch friend of mine, Diana, to Waterloo. We spent a couple hours there, looked at different exhibits, and climbed the Butte du Lion (a 226-step mound built in honor of the men who died there) where we could see the whole battlefield. It was very cool to see in person where such a cardinal event took place, one I have learned about my whole life. I found myself there again this past Sunday when I went with the Petries to the 195th reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo. They put this on every 5 years, and hundreds of men and horses are involved. That was intriguing as well - to see all the different advancements of each of the nations and the men acting out the different events that determined the battle's outcome.

Meanwhile, on all the other days, life continues as normal. It is yet still wonderful getting to know the Petries and be a part of their life. The days are busy, but is definitely rewarding working with everyone here to make sure Rebecca is cared for. I have been here for a little over a month at this point - crazy how the time flies by. It has been an enjoyable, profitable time, and I am excited for what else is to come in the next 6 weeks.

As for the developments of my personage, these are the some of the latest thoughts I've been chewing on in my brain-mouth, and trying to work out in my life:

• Self-love cannot forgive the self-love it discovers in others. (Fenelon)


• He trains you to fulfill His noble plans amidst the petty annoyances and aggravations of life. (Fenelon)


• ...You cover the righteous man with favor as with a shield... Ps. 5:12


• Serving others helps us get to know Jesus better. It creates a commonality of experience that connects us with him. It is walking where he walked. (Paul Petrie himself)

I've also been learning a lot about steadfastness - what it is, what it looks like in life. It is being faithful to the faithful as well as the unfaithful, serving the grateful as well as the ungrateful. It is remaining the same - day in and day out, whatever circumstances come. And, it is only attained through trials (James 1). As I think of all of this, I realize I can't be steadfast unless I am rooted in Jesus, for He never changes. And so, into Him I am pushed, which is also good.

With the consumption of my weekend waffle, I have officially established the legitimacy of my blog title. Thank you for being interested in my wamblings.