Moving Day

Exactly two weeks ago today Amanda, Grayson and I hopped on a plane that brought us to Amsterdam. We've been so graciously hosted for these 14 days by Brooke and Allie, living in Allie's loft bedroom. It has been wonderful...but now it is time to move into our own home! This afternoon at 6pm (or, for you eastern time-zoners, 12pm) we sign the contracts on our first apartment here in the city.

This whole process seems to have been simply guided by the Grace of Jesus. We found an apartment quickly, it is in a great neighborhood, the price is perfect for our budget, and it has everything that we need. Plus it is geographically situated en route from the Pickerill's apartment to Brooke & Allie's. We are only a short bike ride from a great outdoor market, the center of the city is about 10 minutes away, and all of the shops we would need for everyday living are on our block. What more could we have asked for?

The neighborhood that we are moving to is called the "Rivierenbuurt," and it has its own distinct feel, as each neighborhood does in Amsterdam. Feel free to read about it here or here.

Because we are just moving in today, we will be sans internet for a couple days; though getting our modem is high on the priority list. Once we get settled, we'll be sure to post pictures of the apartment.

If you are interested in our mailing address, contact us and we'll be sure to get it to you!

Love and miss you all.

A New Video, and some Football (European Style)

I know that most of you were sad that weren't able to watch the Netherlands World Cup qualifying match yesterday against Iceland. For some reason, obscure European football matches don't make it to the major television networks in the states. Well, to soothe your fears, our Dutch boys beat Iceland last night 2-0, to remain on top of their qualifying group. On Oranje! To find out more about why the Dutch team wears orange, and what "KNVB" means, click here. And yes, I did watch the match. Eric, Connor & I biked around for a bit and found a little corner restaurant with the game on. We got to eat some Dutch style hamburgers, too...which I was surprised to learn are served without buns. Tasty, though!

In other news, Grayson is cute. Here's the proof:

One last thing. Check out Brooke's latest blog post about our trip to the beach this weekend, and a few of her great polaroids documenting it all. Here is a more technologically advanced (i.e. digital) version of the group @ the beach:

Tot Ziens,
John

A Big Day

Well, this was quite a big day for us. We found out in the morning that the owner accepted our bid for the apartment - so we now have a home in Amsterdam! Right after finding that out, we went down and bought our bike at a nearby shop. We even got a seat for Grayson. Man, I wish I would have gone on some Tour de Highs. That would have prepared me a little for the bike culture here. Anyone planning on visiting should start riding with the crew from Joshua House now!

We rode the bikes home on back roads and Grayson absolutely LOVED it. He couldn't stop laughing and smiling. Even before we had the bikes out of the shop, he was reaching for the handlebars wanting to ride. We then came home, and the whole Nash clan took a nap. It was the first really good nap we've had yet. Gray slept over 2 hours! Prayer after prayer being answered...man you guys really are praying for us aren't you?

When we woke up, we rode our bikes with Brooke down to the Rijks Museum and looked at some Rembrants for about 1/2 hour till Gray got tired. Amazing. Then we rode home...in the DARK! All went well, and Grayson went to sleep like a champ. Wow. What an overwhelming day of blessing from God. We are so grateful - I can hardly express. Thank you so much those of you praying for us...we feel it loud and clear.

-Amanda

Finally IN Amsterdam

Amanda, Grayson and I arrived to Amsterdam Thursday morning, October 2nd at 6:50 local time (that would be 12:50am eastern standard time). It was a moment of joy after a teary goodbye in the airport the day before and a somewhat stressful plane flight with tons of luggage and a screaming baby! Well, ok, Grayson didn't scream the whole way, but he did for a while which was stressful enough.

As we were waiting for our luggage at customs, we saw our first friendly faces in Amsterdam: Julia & Gigi Pickerill waving to us from behind a glass wall. After three trips through the customs gate with our 11 checked bags and a cartfull of carry-ons, we could finally give big hugs to all of our friends who were waiting to pick us up.

So now we've been in the city for almost three full days, and it has been a surreal experience in many ways. The first thing that we did after we arrived (after taking a nap, of course!) was to go out with a broker to look at two apartments. One of them is a possibility, but we are going to look at a few more next week.

Later that evening we had a little party with all of us Americans who are here so far: the Pickerills, Brooke, Allie Klein (who is attending University of Amsterdam), and Rachel Baransi (who will be the Pickerill's nanny for the next six months). It was great to talk, eat and laugh together.

The last couple days have been a joy as well. I have had the privilige of attending a conference in Utrecht for the Benelux Vineyards, at which one of my favorite preachers, Don Williams, was teaching. I've had the great opportunity at the conference to reconnect with my Dutch friends, as well as meet so many wonderful people from all over Netherlands and Belguim, as well as a few from the UK, Sweden and the Baltic states (look it up on wikipedia). It is just an awesome feeling already being a part of this little slice of the Vineyard family in the world.

Amanda has also had a great time these last couple days. She has stayed back with Grayson to help him continue to adjust to the time difference, and they have just been exploring all over the neighborhood where we are staying. She's been able to walk along a canal and go into shops and hang out with Julia. This weekend has genuinely been such a blessing from the Lord.

We can hardly begin to express how much we are thankful for you who have made it possible for us to be here. It just seems like an overwhelming gift from God. No doubt, though, we will continually miss all of you - so stay in touch! We need our family back home as much as we need our family here.

Only one thing left to say for now: GO CATS! BEAT THE TIDE!

Saying Goodbye

Well, the time has finally come. Everything we own is either stored away or packed in a suitcase. Saying goodbye is a funny thing...we've said goodbye to our dearest friends and family and now are ready to leave. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of God shown us by everyone. We are blessed with incredible parents who are sending us off with love even though they are so sad to see us go; and we are blessed by our siblings who have served us so well. We have had so much prayer and encourgement from people at VCC. We have had treasued last moments with our dearest friends who are 100% behind us as we leave. We could not ask for more. Thanks to each and every one of you. We love you more than we can say.