On a journey...

Time is so precious. There never seems to be enough, and once you use it you can never have it back. Yet again I find myself sat at the busy airport of Schiphol with such gratitude in my heart. And as always, airports are a great place to blog in want of something more exciting to do. My (apparently) beauty enhancing juice has taken the place of my customary latte or cup of Earl, and although I am not quite sure how much of an impact a cup of juice can have on my beauty, I am sure my body is thankful to not be exposed to even more caffeine... at least for now. Copenhagen airport has good coffee. The past days have contained such times of quality time. Time to sit down with just a few of those I love who live in Amsterdam. Time to share hearts. Time to receive and give. There is something about meeting in person which no amount of email or Skype can measure up to. Some of that time was listening both to what they were sharing but also between the lines and to God. Other times i...

It’s Sunday evening and I am sat in the living room yet again. It’s night and the time is beautifully illuminated on the clock of the Oude Kerk . Outside the streets are full of people despite the fact that it is Sunday and evening. The Red Light District never sleeps. The sound of the streets at night travels through the closed windows, and the occasional shout from someone who has probably had a few drinks too much breaks through the murmur of people walking by. I am almost tempted to put on my jacket and go out for a stroll... but think I’ll opt for reflecting on the past couple of days. I am struck at how much more hopeful the lens through which I see the city is having been away. It’s almost like when you live somewhere and are in the reality of that place day in and day out, it’s so easy to start to see through the lens of what is around you. I find having been away I can see so much more hope and so much more changing and being done in lives and in the city. It’s so encou...

I can feel the very slight chill in the air coming in from the open veranda door here in my old apartment in the centre of Amsterdam. Outside I can spot the trees starting to turn yellow, and the grand oude kerk church building is stood strong as it has for hundreds of years. There is the familiar bustle of people talking, bike bells ringing, and the occasional motorbike whizzing by. It makes me smile. I am back for a long weekend in Amsterdam. My first time visiting rather than living here, and it’s wonderful to have a little break in the settling into life in Norway. I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a while. Mostly seeing familiar faces and having time with dear friends. I love this city, but I have come to realise it’s mostly about the people; they are the ones I come to visit and then the stunning buildings and quaint cafes are a bonus. Yesterday I went along for the Friday outreach. Oh, how my heart was filled up again with love and passion. Seeing a dear fr...