Out for Dinner

Update: I've got about 10 posts in my draft folder with all the things we got up to over the holidays! I hope that I won't bore you, if I do ignore these posts :). Here is the start of the posts of our holiday between semesters. My cousin Izaak came and visited from Holland during that time. We had a ball (I hope you did too Izaak!), eat lots of food, slept a lot and explored some of the (cold) sights! 

One of the things we did was go out for dinner (Thanks Izaak!). Izaak was introduced to BBQ Pork  Ribs! He liked it so much that we had again at Christmas and he even took some BBQ sauce home!

Full rack of ribs

Girls with their meals - medium rare steak bites!

Lovely couple

Finished!

Proof of all the ribs!

Ice Skating

This afternoon we went ice skating on the seminary pond! Thanks to the Stolte's leaving their skates behind we were all able to skate on the pond! For all the girls it was the first time they had ever skated and they did very well. Here are some pictures :)

I hadn't skated on ice since I was about 14!

Grace in the blue

Michaela in the black, Kate in the blue and pink,
Grace with the chair.
Zara was there too but no picture :(

Our first real snow fall!

Here is a short video clip of Albert playing ice hockey and scoring a goal!

Hellenic Museum Nov 2012

The girls and I went on a field trip late November to a Greek Museum. It was the first time that I had driven to Chicago CBD which was an experience in itself. We made it though and enjoyed being with other mums and kids. The museum itself was a bit disappointing in my opinion but the girls enjoyed the hands on craft and the older girls enjoyed the fact finding mission. Afterwards we ate our packed lunch outside in the cold and then the girls enjoyed playing in the playground with the other kids! A great day out!

Grace and Michaela making a Greek pull toy

Class

Being told the marathon story

Zara and Kate making Greek Shields

Having lunch despite the cold

Grace and Kate

Michaela

Can you spot Zara?

Thanksgiving Weekend Part Two

Here is the rest of our weekend in pics :).

Watson (the dog) guarding the girls and Cademan

Coloring in the house 
(Aaron's sister bought the kids a playhouse that 
had to be colored in, pretty cool!)

First snowfall for us in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Inside the house watching netflix

Finished house

Audra & Aaron and us for dinner
(I won a $25 Amex voucher which paid for our dinner!)

Merry-go-around in the shopping mall

Kate on the horse

Who else came?

Girls were too old for the playground and
 had to watch, a hard life ;)

First USA dirt road that we've come across

On the 'farm'

Hopefully enjoying it as it as freezing!

"Ruger"
Enjoyed playing with her but
Miss you Pesto :(

First Thanksgiving! Part One

We spent Thanksgiving with a seminary student's family (Aaron) in Grand Rapids, Michigan! It was our first time in Michigan and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately I came down with a cold, running nose and lots of coughing :(. We enjoyed the break and we were VERY spoiled especially by the Warner's Senior, who hosted us and fed us with lots of yummy treats! Aaron organised our time there for us and we visited several other families, went out for dinner while his parents babysat our girls whom they only just met and managed to meet most of his family. During this family time it made me feel 'sorry' for the girls that they are missing out on seeing their grandparents as well as their uncle, aunties and most importantly their cousins! We were privileged to be included into their family!

I also got my dog fix and enjoyed playing with Watson and Ruger who is just adorable!

THE Turkey

Our Feast

Zara waiting patiently

Grace, Michaela and Kate

WOW! It tasted delicious

Enjoying the meal at one of the many tables

Albert enjoying his!

Albert's Update 12/1/13

It's been a pretty warm week. We have had temperatures in the 40s and 50s the last couple of days. That's between 4 and ten degrees. We are assured that it is very unseasonable. But it is nice to have some warmer weather none the less. Apparently we are currently on a record streak this year of no significant snow (more than an inch) for 323 days. Either way we are not complaining. We are enjoying the blessing of central heating, and double glazing.

I have been back into Hebrew this week. It is busy, but it is not so bad as I am only concentrating on the one subject. Yesterday and today I have been doing some translating of Ruth chapter one. It is nice to finally get into the Hebrew Bible. Previously we have been using the textbook, which has been very helpful.

The biggest thing has been building up the vocabulary. We are on a crash course, learning up to 30 words a day. On the top of our whiteboard in our classroom we have written the phrase "Build Vocabulary Daily". It is a very true phrase. To learn a language, especially Greek and Hebrew, you need to do daily review. I am trialing a system called the Leitner System. If you are interested look up Leitner in Wikipedia. It has a good explanation.

Last night we had the rare treat of going out to dinner and seeing a movie. We had some money given to us to be used specifically for fun, and with the use of some vouchers we managed some lovely Mexican food, and the movies. Something we haven't done for a long time. It was a nice night out. Those date nights are important!

We have been given our book list for the next Semester. There is some very interesting in terms of Pastoral Care books. I am looking forward to reading them. I have begun reading "The Shepherd Leader" by Timothy Witmer. I am enjoying what I have read so far, and I will update you in a future post.

One thing that you can give thanks for is the Lord's continued provision for us. We had a discussion with our deacon back Home the other day, and it looks like we are on budget this year, despite some initial large expenses. We are thankful that the Lord knows our needs, and meets them and more. We are also very thankful for those of you who have made the sacrifice to support us in various ways financially. And to those who support us in prayer, and the encouragement that we receive via Email. Thank you!

Have a wonderful week,

Blessings

Albert

Albert's Update 5/1/13 - Still Alive

(Albert has done some work on my laptop and has managed to solve my 'photo uploading' problem and so hopefully my posts will resume soon! Hanneke)

Albert on his borrowed bike and rollers

It's been a great break! We have had a wonderful time of refreshment, and have been very blessed over the Christmas Break. We have been blessed by unexpected gifts, and time with friends, old and new. I'm sure that Hanneke will fill you in on all the details.

After exams it was good to have some time to relax, and spend time with Hanneke and the Girls. Hanneke's cousin Izaak was with us for two weeks, and it was great to have him around. It was nice to have another man in the house! Of course I am not complaining about the normal male/female ratio!

Exams were done at 2:30 on Friday afternoon. It was a relief to have those over! To be honest I found the week quite tough. It was a totally new experience for me. I learnt a lot about myself that week. I learnt that you can survive without a lot of sleep for a couple of days. I learnt that I need to trust in God more for His help in learning the things that I needed to learn. With so many exams in a few days I needed to be organized and disciplined. Thankfully the Lord was gracious in both.

For each exam I put together a study guide. Often a Professor would give us a list of questions to study from, which was very helpful. Of course the study guides covered the entire course, so by the time you had made the study guide you had covered the course.

As students we also often shared our study guides. It was a great way to help each other out. One of the things that I have been impressed with is the camaraderie of Seminary. People say it is a special time of life being with other students, and they are absolutely right. We are making life long friendships, and it is wonderful to be able to "encourage one another to love and good deeds".

A big thank you to Hanneke for her support, I could not do exam week without her. She encouraged me to get stuck in and encouraged/ gently rebuked me when it was needed. And to the girls who didn't see much of their Father for the week.

I have had all my papers and exam results back, and I am thankful to say that I have passed all my subjects, and even more thankful to say that I have passed them very well. The Lord is indeed gracious. This has given me even more reassurance that we are in the right place, and that we are definitely meant to be here. (Not that I doubt that we are meant to be here, but the encouragement is nice).

Looking forward to the next Semester I now know what is expected/ required. The key as I see it is being organized. Making sure that I keep on top of my readings, and starting projects early.

This next Semester is heavily bent towards preaching, so that we are ready for our internships, so I am really looking forward to getting into that. I will give more info with regard to the courses as I get it. The Semester doesn't start properly until the end of this month (the 28th). Last Thursday I began a Hebrew Intensive. Advanced Hebrew - I like the sound of that. Six months ago I didn't have a clue about Hebrew, and now I am doing Advanced Hebrew. As an Intensive there is a lot of work, but I now know what to expect.

As I close this weeks report, may I take the opportunity to wish you and yours a Happy New Year, and the Lord's Blessing for 2013. May it be a year in which you draw closer to Him.

Albert