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What to do when you can’t sleep?

It’s nearing midnight and I just can’t seem to get to sleep. Maybe (just maybe) it has something to do with several very large cups of tea I’ve had this evening. But maybe not. I don’t know why, but I know I am not sleepy at all.

I guess I might as well write a wee update on my blog. Maybe reading my own words will tire me out. And I’ve put on some soaking music which is very soothing also.

Well it’s been a good, though also challenging week. Culture shock is starting to hit and I had several moments of feeling really overwhelmed. It’s challenging to be in a new city. And although I have so many lovely people around me, I still feel very new to this place. So many different details I don’t know that I didn’t know I needed to know. And although I’m living right in the middle of the city and don’t ever need to travel very far, everything seems to take so much longer than I anticipate. But I’ll get used to it. Trying to make good buffers as I plan my time and trying to give myself grace.

But with the challenges there have also been many good moments this week. I walked on the frozen canals, got my bank account and registered in the city (I now officially live in Amsterdam), went to the Dopper market, and had a roast chicken dinner with friends.

On Wednesday evening I did “ladies ministry” which was really good. It’s good to connect with God’s heart and really get a sense of what I’m working unto. Unto seeing women and children knowing who God is and being restored and set free to be all God created them to be.

And I have experienced God’s goodness towards me. The room I’ve moved into is unfurnished, and so far I’ve been sleeping on a travel bed. Well, I was getting quite sad by the prospect of trying to get furniture. It seemed like such a huge task, not just getting the furniture, but also managing to get it transported to where I live. Amsterdam is not a very car-friendly city (bike-friendly, yes. Car-friendly- no). Add that to feeling really insecure and new and missing the familiar, it was a bit hard (all part of transition, and I knew it was mostly that, not the situation in itself). On Saturday morning I was just telling God how I felt and how I was finding it really challenging. I finish praying and go into the kitchen, and there my housemate tells me that some friends of hers have all the furniture I need for my room, and they will bring it here to me. I almost cried. God is so good and I love how He is providing everything I need! I am so grateful.

So as I walk through this season and try to figure out life as it is right now, I try to remember that it’s all about staying close to Jesus. That with Him it’ll all work out. That with Him I have everything I need. And with Him I am able to do everything He has called me to do in this city.

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