Walking into Spring

Officially Spring arrived more than three weeks ago, but In Belgium it kind of peeks around the corner before really arriving. In February the crocus flowers in the back of our yard poke their purple heads above the pile of leaves, telling us that Spring is truly coming. Sometimes we get a sprinkling of snow over them, but mostly they are followed by the little white flowers and then a batch of yellow flowers - all colorfully shading the bit of the yard under the walnut tree. 

Shirley and I have been trying to walk more regularly. Since we no longer have a dog, it takes more gumption to get up and go. But it has been working pretty well. And as we walk out of the house, up to the lock and around to the castle, we have been able to notice all the changes as Spring has arrived. We have a pair of swans above the lock and a pair below the lock. Both are more than willing to come say hello when we walk by. 

On the back side of our walk, we pass what used to be the pear orchard. All of the trees have been removed and replaced with a field, except for the line of trees that formed the fence. These have now flowered and are readying themselves to give the pears they have always given throughout the years. Across the way another field - sometimes corn, sometimes other crops - has turned bright yellow with rapeseed. The trees along the canal have turned from a light sheen of green to full-on leafy green as the Spring continues. 

We look forward to the warmer days (we are still wearing light coats on most days) and even more color as the year progresses. Even more exciting, we are looking forward to how God is bringing growth into the lives around us. This weekend many people will be celebrating Easter, some without even vaguely knowing what it is actually celebrating or means. But we are so very thankful for resurrection, for new life, for the defeat of sin and death and the victory of life in Jesus Christ. 

(You can share some of these spots on our walks at the album linked to the picture above - or click here.)

Whatsit Wednesday: Carnaval

Yes, I know. It is Valentine’s Day. But to be honest, Valentine’s Day is an import in Europe. It is a much more recent thing that only entered the culture because of the commercial possibilities of selling all sorts of things to people. In our section of Europe there is a much more important and embedded holiday at this time of year: Carnaval. 

Mind you, not everywhere celebrates Carnaval. In the Netherlands it is only the provinces of Brabant and Limburg (“below the river” is what they say) where the general population is culturally and historically Catholic. In Belgium, which is almost completely culturally and historically Catholic, Carnaval is also not celebrated everywhere. It is certainly celebrated in Belgian Limburg where we live. 

Carnaval actually begins in November. On the 11th day of the 11th month, things kick off. The “11” is considered the crazy number or hour - since it is not 12. There is a good sermon in there somewhere about why 12 is considered perfect, but that is for another time. In November all of the Carnaval organizations make their plans and start things off. And there are lots of organizations: schools, the scouts, ladies groups, activities for seniors and more. Each neighborhood or village has their own Carnaval group. 

In the winter months leading up to February the time is filled with readying the float, making your costume, planning what you will do, visiting other groups, choosing a prince and saving some money for the big day. Everything really starts on the Friday before Ash Wednesday. Carnaval is tied to Easter. Ash Wednesday is 42 days before the Passion and Easter. For several days, there are parades, festivals, loud music, dancing and lots of drinking. Everyone can do all sorts of crazy (and unholy) things on these days before the days of fasting begin. 

You might be familiar with some of this if you ever watched the Disney version of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. In the movie, Quasimodo is chosen as Prince Carnaval and they go to unmask him - but it is not a mask! This is a time to poke fun at the government or institutions. It was historically the one time of the year that criticism could be made of such institutions without fear of attack. 

Some people enjoy the music, the color and the frivolity. But I have been told that you have to be born into it. I was not. It clashes with principles in my life with God as King, my desire to serve Him in every aspect of my life. But it is a reality that one has to deal with in this area. The stores close down, the streets are blocked for the parade (and every village closes on a different day) and one can see people in various-colored costumes heading to a party somewhere. During the day it is often whole families. In the evening it is always young people and adults. 

Today, Wednesday, all of the frivolity ends and the time of fasting begins. Many will go to a Catholic Church to get their ash cross on their head. Some will truly consider fasting and thinking about other things in this time. It may last about as long as some of the New Year’s resolutions lasted. But Carnaval will be put away until it is awoken again on the 11th of the 11th this year. 

Colorful Colorado (Home Assignment 2023 Colorado)

Although “Colorado” means “red” in Spanish, the State itself says it is “Colorful Colorado” and our visit here was full of colorful life. We landed in the middle of a lightning storm out at the airport and had to stay still on the tarmac until there were no direct strikes. Everything cleared up, we took a shuttle to our rental car and headed off for the drive from Denver down to Colorado Springs. This is usually a drive of about 1.5 hours, but it was rush hour, so it took a little longer. No worries, I was thrilled with the view of “my” mountains off to the right. 

Although some people might consider the Rockies just big piles of rocks (preferring mountains like the Appalachians), it has always enthralled me to see how the view of the mountains changes: daily, by the hour, and even by the minute. It is like watching the ocean, except that the peaks climb into your view on the horizon, stabbing into the sky and rolling into the city at their feet. 

As we made our way further south, my heart beat faster, feeling the pull of home. We have many “homes” around the world, and we are so thankful for all of them. But for me (Scott), this is where my heart skips a beat and I melt at the beauty. Memories fill my mind of so many drives along this route, from the beginning of middles school/high school to the beginning of university when I first left home and “coming home” first pulled those heart strings. 

We spent the first half of our too short visit down in Colorado Springs with Scott’s brother and wife, John and Yumiko. We always have a place here, but it has been four years and the dogs have changed. We were greeted at the door by Cowboy and JoJo. Check out our pictures for more on them. They were a real treat. JoJo may be the little one, but it is she who sleeps in the big bed, Cowboy lying with just his head on the edge. 

In the Springs we were able to do some visiting things, including Scott disc golfing nearby, Shirley looking through deals at the thrift store and taking walks in the area. We usually take a trip down to Old Colorado City where we have bought coffee at a place called La Baguette for VERY many years. Sometimes we would, in the past have visited a mystery book store down the street, but it was gone. So instead, Scott stopped at the barber and got a haircut. Since he always does his own hair, this was quite a treat.

Freed of long hair and bushy beard we spent the evening with John and Yumiko. The next evening was reserved for a meeting at Fargo’s Pizza. This is a special pizza place where Scott first spent time with young Christians who would later help bring him to faith in Christ. In the past years it has been a good place to plan family get-togethers on our home trips. This time it was also Scott’s sister, Barb’s, birthday. Good food, good sharing of memories, good conversations in a fun place. 

On the Saturday we got up early so that we could drive up north of Denver where Ruby Mirror planned a special online concert in order to include Scott in the singing and playing. Ruby Mirror is a group made up of Scott’s brother, John, Bret Carter and Julie Oehlert (brother and sister) and Kenny and Jack Carter (brothers, cousins of Bret and Julie). Since they live (relatively) close to one another, they play together often and sing concerts at coffee places and elsewhere. 

Scott and Bret are best friends, having met in junior high. Bret is Scott’s “brother from a different mother”, you could say. Or more clearly, they both have the same Heavenly Father. Bret’s dad had a singing group and they invited Scott and John to join. This was before Scott and John were Christians. The other members were all young Christians. This influence was crucial in Scott’s growth in faith. “Summer Breeze” sang in various places and even traveled to Alabama, and California as well as playing at York College in Nebraska. So to join voices again with parts of this group was a real thrill. Scott was less interested in how professional it might sound and was excited to simply be harmonizing again. The concert is online if you are interested. You can find it here.

After the concert we were also able to continue sharing memories. We saw Karsten Rog, who lives nearby, and spent a short time talking (everything on this visit has been too short). In this same time we were all praying fervently for a young woman we all knew (Julie’s daughter) who was having a pregnancy emergency. Fear, sorrow, trust, compassion. A full spectrum of every emotion possible in such a short time. How do you deal with the loss of one so young - without the loving embrace of a Mighty Father and brothers and sisters around you?

On Sunday we were able to worship with the Pikes Peak Avenue congregation in Colorado Springs, saying hello to people we have known since the beginning of our work with the church in Belgium and The Netherlands. We drove on after worship time to make it to the potluck of the Miller Street congregation in Denver. It was here back in 2019 that we held a song workshop and gained some wonderful new songs. (You can hear one of them here)

This is also where Bret Carter works with the congregation. The next few days saw us getting to know his wonderful family before we were to move on to our next stop. We shared a donut breakfast, a birthday party for the second eldest daughter, a day win the park, another day in another park where Scott and Bret were able to disc golf, and a visit to a German bakery with very special treats. We even finished up the visit on the last evening with a film night. 

Colorado is indeed a colorful place. From the first moment of seeing the mountains off in the distance to the joy of seeing family again and celebrating birthdays, from windy, stormy weather making the dogs howl and frightening realities of losing loved ones to laughter and memories shared with longtime friends - every color of emotion was present in this visit. We are so thankful for the moments that God continues to give us as we travel. 

Unfortunately, we are not able to see everyone we would love to be able to visit. Even in the places we stop, we do not seem to have enough time to see everyone. We were able to video call with Scott’s Dad, but in Colorado Springs, we missed seeing Scott’s younger brother Marc and his family. We are thankful for the time that we did have, however short.  Check out our pictures here.

Once upon a time Wednesday - Carnaval

Belgium is considered a Catholic country as is the southern area of the Netherlands.  Many of its practices and traditions come from Catholic culture. Some of these traditions are interwoven with other cultural traditions. 

From Ash Wednesday until Easter, many will celebrate some form of Lent, although it is not nearly as stringent as in past generations. This is a time of fasting. Many more, especially in the area where we live, will celebrate the days before Ash Wednesday. The Tuesday before is called Shrove Tuesday in English. In French it is known as Fat Tuesday - or better known as "Mardi Gras". 

In the Belgian province of Limburg, and the corresponding province of Limburg in the Netherlands where Maastricht is located, Carnaval is celebrated extensively. In Maastricht it officially begins on the 11th of the 11th - November 11 - at 11:11. It ends on Shrove Tuesday late with some sort of closing ceremony. In Maastricht a copy of a statue on the central market is hoisted in the air. 

The biggest part of Carnaval is the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday. People wear amazing costumes - in the past handmade, but more and more likely store-bought these days. There is lots of music and a specific type of song making fun of all sorts of things. And there is a good bit of drinking - although the real celebrators of Carnaval would say that they do not overly consume, that would be the people from the north who only come to get drunk. 

Carnaval moves with the lunar calendar and is connected to Easter, so it can be early in the year and face extremely frigid temperatures, or later and enjoy some sun. Not everyone from the two Limburgs like the celebration, but everyone knows that they have to take in into account. Stores close and businesses have to deal with employees being gone. And then 40 days of fasting come and people look forward to Easter. 

In 2020 Carnaval coincided with the arrival of a novel virus and everything shut down. in 2022, after 2 years of lockdowns and a year of no celebration, Carnaval announced the return to "normal".