It is still advent, the time just before Christmas where we await the celebration of Jesus’ birth, who became God incarnate, to show us and to be the Way to our Father God. And so it brings a smile to my face to take the time to write a bit about all the things that happened this past year, during this time. And a lot has happened.
In a house in Norway, there lived a family. Not a nasty, dirty, wet house, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat; it was the house of the Van Vliet family, and that means comfort and food.
You may recognize that we’ve borrowed this text from J.R.R. Tolkien’s book “The Hobbit”. Among the many things and good memories we are left with now that 2024 almost has come to a conclusion, is a project that Herbert and Anton did: a weekly devotional based on Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”. Anton is a gifted artist, based in northern Cambodia and currently studying in Malaysia. Check out the project here: https://j316.eu/
Looking through pictures brings back so many memories. Bente has flown a Cessna 4-seater (and landed safely), performed “Lost Symphonies” with her guitar teacher, and is now halfway her 2nd year at “Videregående”; she enjoys exploring her creativity with needlework and drawing. Krister finished his year at “Danvik Folkehøyskole” and started another year, where this year’s project is to create a “Boss rush” type of game. He is enjoying the opportunities to be creative and social. Eskil and Sofie, still engaged, are living the student life in Oslo (too far away, really), where Sofie started a new job as an after school assistant. Herbert has been to the YWAM Liberty in Papua New Guinea twice (the ship is now in operation, yay!), helped out with 2 LAN parties in church and bought a Citroën 2CV so we now have a cool car again. Maria enjoyed a “Gospel Explosion” in Oslo and had her first live performance with a harmonica, with the local choir she sings in.
We’ve seen friends getting married, redid our basement and entry of the house (it’s indeed comfortable here), had good friends visiting, enjoyed Mahler’s 5th live, had retreats with friends in a cabin in the Norwegian mountains, baked Dutch stroopwafels at the local farmer’s market…
But standing out in 2024 was Oliver being born to Marthe and Sander, on May 9, 21:10. Oliver made us grandparents, and we’re discovering what that may mean for him and us. If you have tips, let us know ;-)
We have had a number of friends visiting. If you would like to try the comfort of our house and test our hospitality, let us know. You are welcome!