splendor, spring and tulips

I have always wanted to visit Holland.  My sister said that when she stepped off the plane in Amsterdam, it was like looking in a mirror.  She thought, "I've found my people!".  

We have Dutch heritage on my father's side.  And apparently not only many of our charming foibles and quirks are attributable to our Dutch roots, but so are some of our physical traits as well.

Tulips.  

Have any of you read the book Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming?  It is the story of post World War II Holland, and correspondence between an American girl and a family in Holland.  The American family sent a letter, and then a small package, and then a larger package, and then.  The family in Holland sent letters back, received more packages that they shared with their neighbors and then their town.  It is a lovely story.  

Eventually the people from the Holland side of the friendship sent a large box to America.  It contained tulip bulbs.

Lots of them.  To this day, a little town in Indiana still has streets lined with blossoming spring tulips.  A legacy of care and a reminder of thanks from two small girls who God used to bless two towns.

Look at these fields!

 Oh, how I long to see them in person!

 These came in an email, and brought spring with them.

 Creation singing a song of glory to its Creator.

Here, today, in Minnesota, while nothing is blooming above ground, the sun is shining and snow receding.


53 degrees.  Such a hopeful and encouraging temperature. 


Warm sunlight is melting away a long winter.  And somehow, it feels like these fields look.  


Splendor.


Jim is off on an inaugural bike ride, pedaling away winter.  
Cooper and Jeb go to a lock-in at church.
Luke is gearing up for a baseball clinic and a birthday party tonight.
Anna has a last swimming lesson and ice cream to celebrate hard work afterward.
Emma get to tag along for it all.
And me?  I get a haircut!  Silly, but I love a fresh trim.


Jim and I are having a home date night tonight with late sushi dinner and a movie once the girls are settled in.  Can.not.wait. for extended time to talk.  No interruptions {hopefully}.


Oh, and seven sleeps to Arizona!  The first chain was broken this morning at breakfast.  Yay!


I hope your heart is filled with the hope of Christ and the goodness of God for your day.  Whatever it brings.  


Fields of tulips to you,
Sara