what's going on:

ok, now for what I am up to these days....

I went to The States for 2 1/2 weeks to visit friends and family. It was quite a busy time traveling here and there but I feel satisfied with all that I got done in that amount of time. For those of you I did not get to see, well, you are invited to come and see me anytime! Otherwise I hope to catch you the next time I am that side of the pond (no telling when that will be).

I got back to Amsterdam last Saturday. My father and stepmother came as well for a holiday and I have been showing them around the city and some neighboring cities (or rather Bas has been showing all of us since I have not visited many of the places outside the city that we went to).
My dad and stepmom then took me to Belgium for a few days. We rented a car w/ GPS (works pretty well but has some kinks which can be quite hilarious to watch the driver get peeved over) and drove to Antwerp, Brussels, and Brugge/Damme. Antwerp has an amazingly beautiful cathedral that is definitely worth stopping to see. Brussels is overrated though does have some pretty perks. Brugge was by far the highlight of the trip with all its quaint architecture and the great hotel we stayed at with friendly/homey staff. We took a day trip to nearby Damme by a paddle-wheel boat which was a unique and interesting trip.

They are now in Luxembourg for a few days then will come back to Amsterdam for couple days before heading back home.

Until September, when I will be staffing the next DTS, I will be working at The Tabernacle of the Nations (house of 24hour prayer and worship) helping with building renovations. Yup, I will be miss handywoman for a couple months involved in painting, sanding, drywall, tiling, and whatever else I can get my hands on to help with. I also plan to volunteer some days at The Cleft (also in the Red Light District) to either minister to the ladies in the windows or go to worship/pray/witness to people on the bridges (passersby).

I fully realize it has been far too long since my last posts so I apologize for not being better about general updates...I plan to be back on this blog thing again though so I will keep you posted.

I would really love to hear from you, too, so please drop me a line sometime.

Blessings to you all. Thank you so much for those of you praying for me regularly...please continue!

~Michelle

my own personal fairytale...

...this will be an exciting one for all of you; I am sure of it : )

so I could label this entry as so many things:

• you will never believe this
• it finally happened
• Michelle is actually in a relationship
• it must be "some" guy

yeah, yeah, yeah, it is true, for those of you who do not yet know I am in a relationship!

I know you want all the mushy details, so I will acquiesce to a certain degree to quelch most of your curiosity (for the rest you will have to send a personal email to squeeze any more out of me) : )

He is Dutch. We first met when I came to do my own DTS in 2005. We worked together during this last DTS and co-led a team to Indonesia though the romance did not begin until after the DTS (God has good timing). He is an absolutely wonderful, wonderful guy who loves God ferociously, has a kind and tender heart toward others, is smart, funny, and kooky, and treats me with more care than anyone I have ever met. He is perfect for me. His name is Bas.

We have been together (romantically) for over a month now though it seems far longer. The way our relationship has progressed is truly unique and has the prints of God all over it. God is absolutely glorified in our relationship and I feel mauled over by the blessing of it!

I know this news will shock some of you who have known me for a long time and have never seen me w/ a guy before...but when it's right, it's right,...right? : ) Feel free to email me or whatever with your feedback or exclatmations of surprise...I would love to hear it.