"Home" for the Holidays

Well, not just for the holidays but for quite some time to come. Two weeks ago we moved into our new flat. For now, that meant unpacking suitcases after three and a half months, cleaning, and moving the few essential household items (read:coffeepot) we had acquired since arriving. Surprisingly, it took three trips from our temporary housing to move everything. Perhaps that was due to moving two large beanbags (we had no chairs, hence an essential purchase) and a stackable washer/dryer combination, all in a Mitsubishi Space Wagon. Space is a relative term in Europe.

As most everything we engage in during these early days of our journey, emotions are always mixed and sometimes surprising. You never know what suddenly causes angst or joy as you settle in and gain familiarity with your surroundings. We experienced great joy just a few days ago when we were successfully able to exchange a defective electric tea kettle. I mean, WOW, we did it! We overcame language and, not really knowing the retail policies, returned it to the store, found a helpful clerk, communicated in Latvian (written down and rehearsed), and left just minutes later with a new, gleaming, hopefully functioning tea kettle. An Electric tea kettle is rare in the US but essential here when entertaining; EVERYONE has one!

Moving in, unpacking suitcases, putting our few belongings away brought on an unexpected angst in our hearts. It was great to finally be settled and not living out of a suitcase in someone else's place. We have been so appreciative of others' hospitality and we had some great times staying with dear friends...but there comes a time when your heart's desire is to settle in to your own home. So it was a bit surprising to have emotions go a bit south; you just can't trust emotions, can you? It was the realization that putting things away meant this is home for the foreseeable future. We are here and won't be returning soon, at least to stay. It is not that this is a bad place or that we aren't excited to be here, it is simply not what we have called home for all our lives.

Of course it simply isn't the place that we miss, it is the relationships, friends and family. I realized this morning what a blessing it is to have people in your life that you love enough to miss. How empty our lives would be if we didn't have hearts that hurt when we are separated from those we call family or friends. Even as we enter the Christmas season, I would rather miss you than not have you be part of my life.

The angst passed and we have come to love our flat. It is pretty and roomy, and has something very non-typically European...storage! We are on a quiet side street with no bus or heavy traffic. We have a parking area in the rear courtyard for our newly acquired 2002 Ford Mondeo Wagon (We had an older Audi in Colorado, now a Ford in Europe. What is up with that?). We have lots of windows and plenty of good lighting...Space for gatherings...A really beautiful kitchen...God is so good.

So below are some videos giving you somewhat of a virtual tour. Sorry, no audio, all I had for a video camera was our little digital still camera. And no video of our bedroom, the sheets were in the washer and we don't want you to think we are slobs. :)

Gotta go, we are off to the airport to pick up some of those family members that we miss -my Mom, Ben and Tyler. Shawn and Janelle...we miss you and wish you were coming as well!

Until next time, know we miss you and are praying for each one of you. Please stay in contact, we thrive on your facebook entries and emails!