Monday - Netherlands

Another dreary day dawned on Monday. Ton, Ineke and I just sat around, had breakfast, and baby sat Rosa, who is Ton and Ineke's second granddaughter by their daughter Lotte. Lotte had a work emergency and called her mom to see if she could watch Rosa for an hour and a half. So Ineke went and picked up Rosa and we had a great time entertaining and being entertained by a gorgeous 1-year old little girl!

After lunch, Ineke turned on the Tom-Tom (yes, the European navigation system) and off we went with my luggage to see my friends Else and Jeroen in Leiderdorp. I have known Else since 1987 when I decided to join the "Leidse Cantorij" which is a small choir which made very joyful noises during regular church services, but which also sang wonderful British evensongs and Christmas carols. Else and I became great friends over the years and even now it is like we just saw each other the other day! I feel very comfortable and at home in her company. We had a great time talking, walking and discussing what life, love and God is like in this time of our life... Else and Jeroen married 12 years ago next month, and Jeroen's son Jochem lives with them. Jochem gave me the greatest compliment during dinner. He said that he wishes he was about 50 instead of 17, because he likes me!

The picture you see here, shows Else, Jeroen and Jochem, and they are all excited because FC Twente became the 2010 champion of the Dutch soccer competition on Sunday and celebrations were fervent and widespread! Since Jeroen comes from the same region this soccer club originates from, the celebration was very serious, personal and family-wide! It was great fun to participate!