good good father

I've been enjoying this song from the Housefires album:

"You're a good good Father

It's who You are...

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am..."

Getting to know God as the good Father perfect in every way has given so much insight to how we can parent our kids well. I know it can sound all cliche like, because all Christians say that, but I'm so dead serious. Like if I never knew what if felt like to be loved as a daughter, to be cared for, understood, released-- it would make it so much harder to be able to do that for my kids. I mean, it already is hard for me, but being able to relate to being a child helps me to raise my children.

And speaking of children... we had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday and we have a healthy baby boy growing in my belly!! Hooray!  Of course we were just super relieved to know that every thing is going fine for the baby developmentally.  But it's also so nice to be able to anticipate a little man running around the Dufoort house in the semi-near future.  I already sorted through Nora's baby clothes just keeping the things I really liked, thinking that we might need to use them again soon. But I guess not... so I must sort again. :-)

that's our baby!

Also, in light of the new family addition we are going to need to upgrade our car. We've had a faithful Suzuki that has been wonderful, but it's just not going to fit 4 of us & our things.  We started a fundraiser to raise money for a secondhand stationwagon and we're hoping that we'll be able to buy that before the baby comes.  It's a challenge though, because in one way we're excited to see how God wants to provide and take care of us.  And in another way it comes with some awkward feelings because there can be pressure to like "prove" that we need a car in order to be effective missionaries. Could we survive without one? Probably. But it will make our life easier and enable us to continue doing what we do-- traveling to Belgium, leading worship, doing life with our family. It would bless us greatly.  If you are interested in helping us with that, you can click here.

Blessings!!

provision with a double-meaning

Wim and I had planned to go to Belgium last weekend, Saturday until Monday, to share at a church and to celebrate some birthdays together with Wim's family. The only problem was that on Wednesday we had almost no money in the bank and we didn't expect something to come before the weekend. (NOTE: Wim's supporters give directly via bank transfer throughout the month, and usually people give on or around the same day, so we knew that usually money didn't come in at that time). We knew that God would provide somehow, but it's still always a surprise when He does!

That Friday we received a €100 donation from people who usually give only €5 per month, totally unexpected! And totally on time.  We were able to put fuel in the car twice, buy birthday presents for our family, enjoy a nice lunch before we hit the road and not feel the pressure of counting every cent of money to make sure that we could get there and back.

But this provision had a double-meaning for us.  Also on Friday we received an email from some people we had asked for help and input about our financial situation. We were hoping that they had some ideas how we could increase our support, and that they could also network for us. But instead their advice to us was that Wim should probably look for a part-time job. Now, we totally understand how people would come to this decision and feel that it's rational. Our lifestyle is a bit crazy, living on the edge and we have been battling to get on top of our finances for the last 3 years. We have prayed and asked God if there is more we can do, like work or get jobs, and we never felt peace that that was the solution we were looking for. Still, to receive an email like that when we were reaching out hoping for help, was quite discouraging.  

Yet God is so good. Because He knew that we would get that email exactly that day. And He knew that we would then begin to question if we were in the right place or not. And with that small act of intervention, an unexpected and very needed €100 donation, He gave us reassurance that HE IS OUR PROVIDER. He sees us, knows us, loves us, wants the best for us. We ended up having a fantastic weekend in Belgium, encouraging and championing Christians to go deeper in their relationship with God, to be more real, to be more available for Him. And we came home feeling satisfied.  No matter how many times it happens, I am awe-struck every time. God is so near and involved in our lives.... that makes me happy.  :-)

...this is also the real us :-)

So, I'm not really sure how to recover from that last blog post! I must admit after posting I had second thoughts, but then I let it go. Just like the title says: this is the real us. And that is what we are: REAL. With emotions and expressions, some pretty and some, well.... less pretty. ;-)

We've been back "home" in Holland for some time now and there is some very important news that we have yet to announce (on this blog, at least):  we are expecting our 2nd child!  A nice present to bring back from America... hehe!  

So, coming March 2015 we will officially be a family of four!