Wild Wonderful Wednesday

Well, a wild, wonderful Wednesday is always interesting. This one fell on New Year’s Eve and was truly wild. Our plans were set to travel to our sister in Christ for a New Year’s Eve party with others from the church. We would pick up our young Ukrainian couple in Tongeren and drive on to Hasselt. Our other sister would drive in to Hasselt from just outside of Sittard, The Netherlands, bringing her son who was visiting from France. People from all over meeting to ring in the new year. 

Everything seems ready and prepared. The weather was not that bad. A slight bit of misty rain and cold hung in the air, but that is to be expected. We all were ready with snacks, games and a good mood to join together. Although fireworks are usual for The Netherlands, we didn’t really expect anything in Hasselt (Belgium). Our little village has plenty on New Year’s Eve, but that is because of how close we are to The Netherlands and how many Dutch people live here. 

We picked up our couple in Tongeren and headed out to Hasselt, talking about the differences in cultures and things we have experienced. But the car decided to make this outing a bit more wild and wonderful. Cars these days tell the driver what they should dop. There is a computer which determines what you can and cannot do. My car began warning me that I had to have the car looked at. At the same time power began decreasing. 

I pulled over and called the auto service. Thankfully there are people who work on days like these. It would still be an hour before he would arrive, however. So we called ahead and asked if someone could come and get Shirley and the couple from our car. Thankfully we were not really that far from our destination (about 20-309 minutes). Our brother in Christ, Jef, drove out and took everyone to the party while I stayed with the car, waiting on the auto service. 

When the tow truck arrived, he hooked up to the car’s computer and saw that there was an air intake problem. But he was able to remove the computer disturbance and the motor seemed to be running just fine. All seemed well and I would soon join the party. But all was not fine - it was a wild, wonderful Wednesday. 

Within a few miles, the car told me once again that something was wrong and started losing some power. Thankfully I was not really that far from home, so I took the car home, ready to go to the garage when it is open after the holidays. I called Shirley and let her know that we would be celebrating separately. 

Thankfully, they all had a good evening and the sister from Sittard could drop Shirley off while Jef could take the Ukrainians back to Tongeren. In the meantime I also had enough snacks at home to take me through the evening, waiting for Shirley’s return. I got to experience the fireworks near us (a good hour long), while they enjoyed desserts, games and conversation together. Tomorrow I will try to get the car to the garage and walk back home along the winter streets of our villages on the way to complete this Wild Wonderful Wednesday Walk. 

Birthday

June 29, 2023 was the first day of Sophia’s life out of the womb and in the world. It was an amazing entrance. A storm caused the electricity to fall out in the middle of the birth, so Natalie had to continue in emergency lighting. Then a c-section had to be performed and it wasn’t the easiest of c-sections. But finally Sophia was there. 

We were so thankful for this little girl’s coming into our family. Our first grandchild. We had been with Stephan and Natalie just a few weeks prior but were back in Belgium by the time Sophia was born. IN the past year we have fed hungrily on every single picture that was shared. We thrilled at every little moment we could see her while on a video call with Stephan. 

And now it was time. We have spent some wonderful days getting to know this amazing little girl. She laughs and smiles with abandon, waving coquettishly and vigorously shaking her head “no”, although she probably doesn’t yet know that is what it means. 

Sean and Jill arrived on Friday from New York City to celebrate as well. They brought their little dog, Pierre, with them. Pierre got to know Stephan and Natalie’s two dogs - Mochi and Teddy. More importantly, Sophia got to meet Pierre. Sophia loves finding doggies. It’s one of her favorite things. 

Saturday was Sophia’s big day - she turned 1 year old. All of Natalie’s family were there, including Sophia’s cousins, Lilly and Lila. There was lots of conversation for the adults. There was birthday cake for Sophia. She was rather dainty in comparison to some 1 year-olds and their cake eating. She did not like the whipped cream, giving a sour look and a quick shiver of the shoulders. 

In the end we had some wonderful conversations, got pictures of all of the families together with the birthday girl, and enjoyed the time together. Someone had remarked that I of course would have written a song for her for this special day. I had not thought of it until the comment, so sat down and got something ready that could be easily repeated and used for all of those who love her every day. It has been fun singing it to her each day and seeing her eyes light up at hearing it.  

We are so thankful that we were able to share this special time with our granddaughter and our family. It is exciting to get to know her better each day. We look forward to the last few days we have together before heading back to Belgium. And we look forward to the coming video moments when she will know who we are, who she is talking to (or who is talking to her).