BELGIUM: HIGHS & LOWS

Hard to believe, but we've been to Europe and back in the last week for a whirlwind adventure.  We met up with some friends after he had finished up a work conference, and it made for some truly delightful times.  Since there are more pictures and stories than anyone else would want to read about, I'm just adding the highlights and lowlights to the blog, per usual.

We started out in Belgium, which turned out to be one of my favorite countries ever.  It is so charming and beautiful, and they are most known for waffles, chocolate, fries and beer.  What is not to love?!?



High:  Antwerp.  Known in country as Antwerpen, which is what we decided to use.  This city probably surprised me the most, because I wasn't expecting much, but it was lovely, very walkable and friendly.  This was our base while in Belgium, and I'm glad it worked out that way.

Low:  Our first meal in Antwerp was the worst of our whole trip.  Court and I both order Shrimp Croquettes and received these weird fried gelatinous logs with tiny shrimp scattered around them.  Do not recommend.

High:  We toured the Chocolate Nation Museum where we were schooled on how chocolate is made. The tour ended in a room full of chocolate stations where we could drizzle different kinds of chocolate onto our spoons to our hearts' content.  Amazing.  I especially liked the Ruby Chocolate that is naturally pink and was only discovered in 2018.

High:  We stayed at Hotel Julien, which was a quirky, gorgeous place.  It also had a breakfast spread that required me to visit several times each morning to make sure I got to try all the options.  John and I ended up in a tower suite, which was amazing.

Low:  There was no elevator, and we were literally up four flights of stairs, three of which were spirally and straight up.  John was so gracious to carry our bags up and down.  Still - it was worth it.

High:  We struck out fairly early by train to be able to visit the cities of Ghent and Brugges, which I still cannot pronounce, even though I have visited.  They are so pretty.  I just realized that I am quickly going to run out of synonyms for beautiful, etc, and everywhere we went was really so lovely, and these were some of the trip highlights for sure.  We walked around the cities and also did a canal tour in Brugges.

Low:  It was really cold while we were in Belgium, which we were prepared for, but still.  Being cold is not my favorite, however, I still would not have missed it!

Low:  Brussels.  This is not Brussels fault, I don't think.  We didn't give it much of a chance, because we lingered over breakfast and didn't leave a ton of time before we needed to catch a train to Paris.  It ended up being a blitz tour of about three hours, and after everything being so quaint in the other three cities, Brussels felt huge and disorienting.  It didn't help that when we were trying to store our luggage at the train station, several locker banks were not working, which took us a while to figure out.  Then we didn't have the right change.  Then some had urine in them.  Basically, not a great first impression.

High:  I did appreciate getting to see the sights we saw, including the Atomium and Mini-Europe, the Grand Place, the Mannekin-Pis (though why this tiny peeing fountain is the symbol of the city is a little beyond me ...) and visit Delirium, a bar that holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the most number of beers on tap.

Low:  In a series of incredibly unfortunate events, we missed our train to Paris.  This included us running hither and yon through two different train stations while the guys lugged our luggage up and down all kinds of staircases.  It was hilarious and exhausting all at once.  We literally watched our train depart after I had run alongside it waving and yelling like a mad woman.  It did not stop.  We then learned that other Paris trains had been canceled that day, so everything was booked.  So, we elbowed and charmed our way onto the next train, but it required standing by the water closet for the entirety of the journey.  Even so, we made it to Paris only about an hour later than we would have otherwise, which felt like a win in the end.

And that concludes the Belgium portion of our trip.  It was amazing, and if you ever make it that way, I highly recommend it.  Just pay attention to what station you should be leaving from. 😜

WEEK OF FANCY

Sometimes a lot of things hit at once, and this week was one of those.  On Thursday night, we were pulled in two different directions with the Sugar Plum Ball that's part of CARTI's Festival of Trees and the Immerse Arkansas Donor Dinner.  It meant a lot of celebrating what God is doing in both places, which is such a joy to be part of.



The girls were over the moon to dress in sequins (I wonder where they get that? 😬🤣) and go on a date with John and several more special friends.  A party bus picked them all up at our friend's house so they could cruise to the event in style.

Meanwhile, Court and I left all the boys with a sitter and headed to the Governor's mansion to celebrate all that is happening with Immerse.  If I wasn't already 110% in with Immerse (I serve on the board), I would have signed up all over again.  It is amazing to see the ways that the Lord has worked in and through Immerse to change the lives of young people and families who have experienced intense trauma.  The girl who spoke had a heartbreaking story, and though it has taken YEARS and countless people, she is making a new way for herself and her children.  She is overcoming her past.  Gave me chills and tears to hear her sing and share.

Also, we got to get dressed up and feel all festive at a special place, which was a double bonus.  I found a way to wear my sleeveless sequined leopard dress, which is much less important, but I was pretty excited about it. 😜

On Saturday night, it was time to get gussied up again and head to Tux n Trees.  This was our 3rd year to attend (here are 2017 and 2018), and it just keeps getting better and better.  Hearing about the ways that CARTI is committed to taking excellent patient care all over the state of Arkansas to serve people where they are was inspiring.  Plus, the event was a rocking good time.

It was an amazing week cheering on organizations in our city that we are thrilled to partner with!

CAMP CREATE CHRISTMAS

Spending time at the Whatever Craft House is always one of the most life-giving experiences.  This is my 3rd Camp Create - I went once as a camper 4 years ago, and one other time as a helper last year.  When Meg texted and asked if I wanted to teach cookie decorating at a Christmas themed Camp Create, I practically jumped out of my skin with excitement.  What could be better?!?

Seeing the house all done up for Christmas was pure delight.

The first night that we were all together, we did a Favorite Things exchange where everyone brought 3 of their favorite items and came home with 3 different gifts.  It was a great way to get to know people and really break the ice.

The rest of the weekend was full of crafting fun that included Laura of Pitter Patter Art teaching us all how to make a Kindness Advent of things to do as a family to serve others.  It is always amazing to see how differently everyone does the "same" craft.

(I still need to add my envelopes!)

Meg lead several crafts including wreaths, signs and bead garlands. It is really the coziest crafting.

Ashley came in for Saturday and taught us how to make beautiful gold-foiled ornaments.  After having read her blog for over 8 years, it was such a treat to meet her in person.

I taught cookie decorating to a rowdy group who learned the basics of cutting out cookies and the various types of frostings that I use.  (Here's a blog post I wrote years ago with my recipes if you are interested!) We flooded and piped and basically went nuts with sprinkles - a good evening in my books.

Apparently, I use weird facial expressions while teaching.
And when cutting the storied Rainbow Cake.

Jessica Thompson taught us from God's word about our worthiness and the Good News that is wrapped up in the Christmas story that was given to ordinary people while highlighting the women in particular.  She reminded us that we are not what others think of us.  We are loved, accepted and free in Christ.  He has done the work.  We are fully known and loved.  It was such a gift to have her words poured over us all.

The other thing we did a lot of was eat.  So much good food, because Kimberlee is a Food Jedi Master.  I am currently having to detox from the amount of sugar, and we ended with a breakfast bang where she laid out all of the leftovers including cheesecake, bread pudding and pasta shells.  Delish. They also let me make a charcuterie board to have out one evening.

As a special bonus this time, one of my dear friends from Little Rock got a spot and traveled to and from with me.  It was such a treat to share one of my favorite places with Nicole.

There aren't enough words for how grateful I am that Meg and Kimberlee include me in helping to host this experience.  They have become real friends, and spending time working alongside them is such a joy.  Plus we laugh and laugh and laugh.

And the other helpers also MADE this experience.  This group has a LOT of personality, but ultimately, I was amazed by the hearts of each woman and the ways they have each allowed the Lord to lead in their lives.  EVERYONE has hard stuff, but there is so much beautiful shining through. 

It is brave to come to a place where you know no one and show up hoping for the best, and this group totally did that.  There were some pre-established relationships, but I was amazed at how well everyone meshed and the joy that it was to be learning and crafting together.  These ladies each blessed me with their openness and enthusiasm and sincerity.



I never imagined that decorating sugar cookies could lead me to here.  The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I am SO glad he does.  Christmas did indeed come early, and my heart is jingling all the way.



If you are interested in attending a Camp Create someday, then make sure you are following Meg on Instagram - she always lets everyone know the dates and details there!