Spring Break in The Netherlands

Easter is an important holiday here in Germany- complete with eggs, bunnies, and chocolate.  And there is a focus on family time.  No stores or businesses are open on Good Friday and the Monday after Easter (thanks to a friend we knew to stock up on groceries before the long weekend!).  Many of our German neighbors sit outside with their family, or take a bike rides together.

The girls have two weeks off for Spring Break, which is great.  We have a whole list of activities to do during the long break so that we stay busy- and Mom doesn't lose her mind!  Nick also had two days off for the holiday, which we spent in The Netherlands.  It's hard to believe that within a 5 hour drive is another country, people, and culture. We stayed in IJmuiden, which is on the North Sea.  Both girls loved watching the ships come in and playing in the sand.  Although it was very chilly, they still hiked up their pants to get in the waves!

We traveled to Amsterdam and saw all the neat canals... and bicycles everywhere! We also visited the Anne Frank Haus.  It was a highlight of the trip, as we were able to walk through the rooms where Anne and her family hid during the Second World War.  The girls are learning so much about the past and its effect on the future.  We hope that each experience gives them life lessons of forgiveness, hope, love, and change.

Our next stop was the tulip fields in Keukenhof.  It was one of the most beautiful things we have seen-almost surreal with all the colors and variety of flowers.

My neatest experience lately occured on Easter Sunday during the church service. I was standing beside an older German man.  We were saying the Lord's Prayer, and I was speaking English and he was speaking German at the same time.  Faith knows no boundaries, including national boundaries.  We wish all our family and friends a belated Happy Easter!