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Abiding in Jesus has to be the key.

Three days in and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind coming back. In many ways it’s been easier than I thought it would be, but I know that culture shock has yet to hit me and that there are going to be tough adapting times ahead. But I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now it’s good that it doesn’t feel so hard. Although I am already feeling “rushed”. Somehow the past days have just gone and I really want to have time to really be aware of life and the people I’m connecting with and Jesus as I go through the days.

I’ve been reading John 15 a lot the last months. And one thing that really struck me was the verse where it says to abide in Him but that He also abides in me. And the realisation that He is so close. And that He is always available, which is kind of obvious, but I want to be more aware of the reality of that. That He is actually really present with me at all times and that I can ask Him questions and communicate with Him even when I’m on the go. This morning I read 1 Corinthians 2 where it talked about the hidden wisdom of God. I want wisdom. I need wisdom. I ask for wisdom and I know God gives me abundant wisdom!

It’s been good to reflect on these things. And I am asking for wisdom especially with my time as I’m starting work here and making a schedule. Asking that I would know when to do what and how to get everything done. Leading the Shine Seminar is such a privilege and joy and I have such a great team working with me in preparing it, yet there is a seemingly endless list of things to think about and do, and I need to be disciplined to not let Shine invade all day every day of my week. It’s a good opportunity to manage time well and really trust God to help me do what I need to do in the time I’m meant to do it. I want to rely on Him even in the practical. Trust that even when I do schedule in time to be in the Tabernacle (the house of prayer), that He will provide time to do all the other things that need to get done. I think my conclusion to myself as I’m processing and writing this (mostly for myself) is that making a schedule is good, and making it prayerfully, including God in it, is even better.

On a more practical note I’ve managed to join the gym and it’s so much fun. I only went once so far, for an instruction session yesterday. For some reason (don’t ask me why) I kind of thought the instructor would just show us how to use the different machines, I didn’t really think I’d be doing too much. Well, I can definitely feel the muscles I haven’t used for a while today. But it’s good coz it means I now can branch out a little bit from my classes-only policy. I’m still set on doing the classes mostly, but this could be good too.

And it’s so cold right now. Many many many degrees below freezing (something like -8) today and it’s going to get colder. It’s better than rain, but maybe a tad cold.

Not much more to write right now I think. I’m sat in my living room. To my right I can see the clock on the Oude Kerk illuminated at almost 7:15pm. A beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers are on the coffee table and on the dining table some beautiful red tulips. I’m home alone and enjoying listening to the IHOP-KC webstream and some time to just “be”. I was going to go to a class this evening at the gym, but I think I might just stay home.

Stay at home and enjoy the calmness of the evening.

Stay at home and be aware of life and this new place that I will end up calling “home”.

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