Coming Home?

Tomorrow evening I leave for Holland. While I am there just for a visit. It is kind of like coming home. Four years ago, I was ready to leave Holland, move to Canada and take on this new adventure. This journey is in its concluding stages. This week I finished my last work and I graduate May 23rd, pending the grades of my final weeks of course.

In the mean time I am visiting Holland. Spending time with my family, going back to my old home town of Ede, visiting Barcelona, and I get the chance to reflect. It is kind of weird coming back to Holland. The last time I visited was during Christmas of 2006 at that point I was still very much rooted in Holland and getting rooted in Hamilton. Today it feels a bit different, I have started to grow deep roots in Hamilton and my roots in Holland are established, but no longer growing.

So, I leave for Holland, my home country, yet it doesn't seem like I am coming home. I will feel that I am coming Home when I fly into Toronto again on May 15. This June I am moving into a house with some dear friends. We have been given the opportunity to live in a beautiful house on the Hamilton Harbour. Six of us will be living in the upstairs house and two will be living in a separate, but connected basement apartment. We will have the opportunity to just live. Be intentional about the simple things in our lives, give thanks for the abundance of blessings, and seek to combine a sense of community and culture in our home. (Once we get closer to that day, I will post pictures and be sharing more about this.

I am coming home. Perhaps surprisingly Hamilton has become that home to me. Initially due to my four years at Redeemer, now it continues to be home as I will start the next part of my journey here. There is so much to be thankful for.

The people I have resided with for the past two years.

This is dorm 28 - slightly chaotic - wonderful nonetheless

The Home - we had good times last year - we also made full use of our landlords artifacts

Coffee

This year I have grown a great appreciation for coffee. I love a nice bold cup of coffee from *bucks, Second Cup, of the FRWY (freeway) especially. Even more so I have fallen in love with the smell and taste of a home brewed cup of coffee. Whether it means that Steve puls out one of his amazing espresso creations or it a home brewed cup of coffee from our beautifull blue coffee press - the taste is superior. As you walk into the room you can start anticipating the taste and the aroma of the coffee. Especially when we have fresh ground coffee, it makes me excited.

And although home made coffee is an art in itself and taste amazing, this looks pretty good as well.

Please come visit me

Well, I know that I am often far away from my family and friends in Holland and other people are far away from their family and friends. But, just come visit me, here are the directions, it is not that expensive. Although step 41 might take a bit of time, but that's all.

Some pictures from my Christmas break in Holland

Arriving by train, being suprised by friends Spending time with family including Lian

Playing Axis and Allies, with some other crazy peeps

Being able to see Dorna and Daniel and so many other people, I have missed

Having to sleep at the JFK holiday Inn, and leaving very early the next morning, able to see the sunrise

Heading back home

Well tomorrow I get to go to Holland again. The last time I was their was in the morning of July 26th, 2005. I remember my mother and my good friend Bas driving me to the airport as we were having discussions about the role of the United States in world politics and wars. Tomorrow another good friend of mine will be driving me to the airport, this time Joy Johnson is driving me and I am flying from Buffalo, through Washington, to Amsterdam. I can't wait!

I have been at Redeemer for 3 semesters now, and it has been and still is probably one of the greatest blessings that I have witnessed in my life. However, the last semeseter was harder for me than my first two in first year. Besides overcommiting to certain activities, spriritually and emotionally this semester has been very draining. Finding the drive to do all my homework, keep close knit relations with all my friends, being there for Rachel and people in my dorm, and mainly devoting time to God. It has all proven kind of challenging this semester. But, I know God has big plans. Tomorrow I get to go back home, well I get to go back to one of my homes.

18 years of my life, home was Holland, more specifically Ede, my schools, and the church there. Last year my home got taken away, well I took it away. Going to Redeemer and Canada, gave me two new homes, Barrie where my mom and family is, and Redeemer itself. However, nowhere really felt or still feels like my home. But, tomorrow I have the feeling I am coming home, and that is not specifically Holland or Ede. It is taking a break from the earthly things that have kept me busy, returning to friends, enjoying the blessings in my life, and mostly God.

Yes, I am quite excited and ready to go "home".