life in holland.

It’s crazy to think that we’ve been in Holland almost three weeks. It seems like just a short time ago we were saying goodbye to our life in Chicago and moving back into the mitten.

People have been asking us how things are going in Holland, so I thought I’d give a brief update.

Holland is just about picture perfect in the summer; cute downtown, awesome beaches, great ice cream shops and the list could go on. We have been fully enjoying walks, meals and shopping downtown, afternoon trips to the beach, and the charm of a small town. We have enjoyed visits from college friends and several Trinity friends as well. From visiting new churches to making new friends, we are embracing this time of transition with open arms, and praying we feel settled and at home before this little bundle of joy comes!

The most unique part of our transition to life in Holland is our living situation. Currently we are living in an apartment downtown Holland, but this won’t be our permanent place of residence, as that is currently being worked on. It’s been an interesting unpacking process with a lot of, “oh I need a strainer for the spaghetti noodles…but it’s at the other place” or “I need my dress clothes…oh they’re not here”. There’s been a lot of back and forth and  plenty of time to make our little home “ours” before living there. Most of our boxes are unpacked in our permanent place, we just aren’t there yet. Decorations lay on the floor waiting to be nailed to the walls. All in all–we are ready to be in one spot for good (or a couple years!).

Here are a few pictures of some of  our time in Holland. We are looking forward to feeling completely settled and creating memories here in the land of the Dutch.

Have I mentioned that Holland has AWESOME beaches?

Our new favorite evening activity is indulging in frozen yogurt!

This is a picture of our permanent apartment (the one we are not living in yet). We [Amanda] still have some decorative work to do!

Kylie and Kris came to visit for a day! So good to have such good friends to spend a day with!

Kylie and I at the beach.

Cat stopped by for a bit too!

It’s been so nice to see familiar faces and make unfamiliar ones familiar. We are excited to keep you updated on our journey!

summer vacation.

Neither Chris or I have job responsibilities in the summer. Throughout the past four years we have taken full advantage of this huge blessing! During the past four summers we’ve gotten married, went on a honeymoon, traveled to several different states, spent time relaxing at the local pool, made trips to see friends and family, camped with friends, and have simply enjoyed time together. The month of June is the last we will have of this privilege as Chris’ new job is on a 12 month schedule. We decided to soak up our final days of summer freedom by going on vacation.

Our first stop was to Fort Collins, CO to visit one of Chris’ good friends from high school and his wife. Garrett and Lindsey were fabulous hosts and gave us a warm welcome to CO. Our time in Fort Collins included: bike rides, drive-in movies, dinner out, putt-putt golf, camping, hiking and spending time catching up with old friends. Here are some pictures of our time in CO.

Garrett and Lindsey camping.

Garrett’s massive hobo dinner!

Making dinner.

Props to this tent for withstanding 50 mph wind gusts throughout the night. [causing us to get very little sleep]

We woke up [I never really feel asleep] from camping, ate breakfast and then hiked the Twin Sisters peak. The trail was about 8 miles. This was at about the half way point.

The hike continues.

Finally to the top! This picture is deceiving..the weather was about 30 degrees with 40-50 mph winds. Needless to say–we didn’t stay up here long.

At the top of the mountain lives these creepy little creatures call marmots. They were scampering all over the place and made me quite nervous.

Beautiful.

On the way back from camping and hiking, this was our view of the wildfire. It started when we were there at around 2,000 acres and now has grown to over 53,000 acres. Crazy!

Thanks Garrett and Lindsey for a wonderful stay!

The second portion of our trip took us to Port St. Lucie, FL. Chris’ dad and stepmom live here so it makes it nice to visit them while being 20 minutes away form the beach. Most of our time in FL was spent laying poolside, reading books, catching up with family and dining out in the evenings. We didn’t take too many pictures, but here are a couple from one of our evenings out.

We had a wonderful trip to celebrate our last summer of complete freedom! Now we will spend our final days of June packing and moving to Holland. The movers arrive next Wednesday…guess we better be ready!

Happy Summer everyone!  May your days be as relaxing as ours!

a new year.

It’s a new year. A new season. 2012. The year that has been predicted to be “the end of the world”. The gym is crazy busy, cigarette sales have dropped, people have reminisced on the year that just passed and people are starting to drop those hefty resolutions they made a week ago.

 

For as along as I can remember the beginning of a “new year” has been in September. Where pencils are freshly sharpened and the academic calendar begins. In September I am forced to sit down and think about what I want to do differently in the upcoming “year”, what changes to make and how can I be better at what I do. The academic calendar defines our new [school] years.

 

With that it’s hard for me to make lofty resolutions for 2012 and reflect back upon 2011 because December 31st and  January 1st do not mark to an end and start of life for us here in the dorms and classrooms.

 

In general 2011 was a year of learning, growing, laughing and being shaped into the image of Christ. Overall, there were not any major tragedies or celebrations. We attended weddings of friends, saw friends bring new life into the world, taught 1st graders, ministered to college students, spent time with family and friends all while living life loving the Lord and others.

 

Check back in June when I can give you a true reflection on my [academic] year and then again in September when I make my new years resolutions!

 

Blessings on your 2012!

christmas busyness/joy

I love the Christmas season. Baking cookies, decorating the apartment, making crafts, adopting families to at church to provide their Christmas meal, shopping, helping create “special” memories, and of course cooking for and hosting friends/family.

This week has consisted of three parties, two dinners, grocery shopping, baking, cooking and the most important part…spending time with family and friends. There are presents that need to be purchased and things that wait to be checked off the “to-do list”, but that is the joy of the season.

I read a short devotional the other night that has been reminding me of the joy of this Christmas season rather than the stress of it. I included it for your reading enjoyment.

Are you taking time or making time? Which is it? Maybe both.

Even during this busy time of year, we only get 24 hours a day. That’s 1,440 minutes. Not a minute more.

Being busy is common. It may even be constant. Although rest is essential and we must take care of ourselves, being busy isn’t necessarily bad. Our attitude toward it can be.

For the rest of this month:

• Be determined to stay in the moment. Enjoy what you are doing rather than thinking or worrying about what you’ll do next.
• Be careful of “shoulding” yourself. “I should do this. I should do that.” Are you sure?
• Be grateful for the friends and family that take up your time. Some people in the world have no one to spend time with.
• Be glad you have someone and something to celebrate that causes you to be busy. Some people in the world don’t.
• Be sure to worship the King of Kings and not your free time.

 Make time to take time. You won’t regret it.

[Kathy Koch, Celebrate Kids]

We had the RA’s over for a “Christmas morning breakfast” dinner tonight. Again, I was reminded of how blessed we are to be living in this position/ministry. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Here is Chris and I and the whole crew. We are lucky, aren’t we?

 

 

May you be blessed throughout the busyness of the season and take the time to worship the King of Kings.

run bohle’s run.

Maybe we don’t run as well as Forest Gump or for as long, but we do try to make running a part of our daily/weekly routines. We feel strongly about the importance of exercise and a [somewhat] balanced diet. Part of my [Amanda] motivating factor is my family’s history of health issues. From cancer to diabetes to high blood pressure, I believe that some of those health concerns can be eliminated or helped with consistent exercise. So with that…we run [or try too].

Chris and I have ran a couple of different races over our past 3+ years here in the Chicagoland area. Some races are more memorable than others. Here’s to highlighting some of our favorite races…

Our “running career” was started by running the Shamrock Shuffle 8k the  in “spring” of 2010.

I am slightly embarrassed to post this picture. But it’s all we got. Before the Shamrock Shuffle we stayed downtown Chicago along with my brother, Matt and his wife, Alisse.

Our carb fest the night before the big race.

Another memorable race for me as a step above the 8K it was a 15K (9.3). Kylie [a great friend from college] flew all the way in from Charleston, SC to run the Hot Chocolate 15K with me.  After completing the 9.3 [freezing cold] miles, we received chocolate fondue and hot chocolate. Now does it get much better than that? Why yes it does…3 other of our friends from college come in for the weekend to surprise Kylie! They stood in the freezing cold November weather to watch us run on the streets of Chicago.

Amanda, me, Kylie, Ashley and Nicole on the train to downtown.

Yes! Finally…what we were working for! 🙂

One of the most meaningful races I have ran was the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K. It wasn’t the distance, weather [40 and raining], or location that made it meaningful, rather the cause we ran for. Proceeds of this 5K went to spread awareness and prevention of colon caner. As most of you  might know, I lost my mom to colon cancer almost a year and a half ago. My brother, Matt, and I ran this race and raised money in her honor. She wasn’t a runner, by any means, but I am sure she would have been proud of us.

Matt crossing the finish line!

Here I am crossing the finish line!

We love and miss you, Mom!

One last race that felt like a real accomplishment was the Solider Field 10 Mile Race. Chris and I decided it was time to run a race together. I wanted to do a half marathon and he did not want to. So…our compromise [that’s what marriage is all about, right] was the 10 miler.

The coolest part of the race? Crossing the finish line at the 50 yard line of Solider Field.

10 miles later and we’re still looking good!

Our good friend, Kris, came to support us!  Thanks Kris!

This weekend Chris and I ran in Trinity’s annual Troll Trot 5K. The race is held over homecoming weekend, runners are alumni, students, faculty, staff, and of course the Trinity Troll!

What’s my next goal you ask? Well…hopefully a half-marathon this spring. Anyone want to join me?

Happy Running!

fall. fun. friends.

As I am entering my fifth year out of college I forget that it was really that long ago. I think part of the reason why I don’t think of myself as having left [a life impacting campus] Spring Arbor half  a decade ago is because I am still good friends with the people I did life with there. Those friends changed and shaped who I am today. From accountability to late night chats to peeing our pants laughing to crying on each other shoulders [and maybe some pranks], we formed a bond that clearly lasts.

This weekend was spent with some of those life-long friends. Ashley and Dave hosted Nicole, Andrew, Chris and myself. We were welcomed into their home by candle-light [their power was out]. After a change of plans we ate out and then were excited to come home to a warm, electricity filled home. The evening consisted of pumpkin treats, games, laughter and a lot of “do you remember when’s…”

Saturday we got our fix of fall fun at the apple mill and apple orchard before having the part ways. Donuts, cider, and carmel apples were consumed. Apples were picked. Tractors were rode. And friendships were rekindled. Enjoy a few photos of our fall fun.

This weekend helped me realize how grateful I am for these ladies and the role they’ve played in my life. Take the time to hug a friend, spend time with old ones and make the effort to make new ones. Friends are a blessing and I am forever thankful for them. Thank you girls [and husbands] for a great weekend. To everyone else–get out there and enjoy this beautiful fall weather!

Praise be to God.