so my hair wasn't so greasy

I've had many comments that my hair did not appear too greasy in my last post. This is true. I could not take a picture that adequately showed the greasiness. Since that day I've gone even longer between shampoos and have discovered that if I don't use conditioner my hair will be less greasy between washings.

In other news, I'm doing well. Experiencing a tremendous amount of peace, the kind that I wish I knew how to explain. It's the kind I've never known before. It's a sort of being...and a kindness and I'm so grateful.

Language learning is progressing...so slowly. It is difficult. Right when I think I know how to say something and need to say it, the words won't come. Wrapping my mind and mouth around new sounds (diphthongs and triphthongs for you linguists)is a challenge, as well as grammar, etc. Continue to pray. I try to study for a few hours each day, but even that can be hard. Before I left the states, I remember Malaney was learning how to count and recognize her colors. I feel right about at that stage. It's humbling, but it's okay. I'm ready to learn, ready to be humbled. My neice Gracie used to call every color green-purple. I totally get it now.

I'm also learning my way around the city and getting to know people. If you remember, a couple of my prayer requests were to not get lost and to make friends. Things take time, but it's going well. I watched Lost at Joel and Monica's over the weekend. They have a 5 year old named Simeon who always says to me, "April, you are going to live here for 3 years, until I'm 8!" It's super cute...I also watched Guns, Germs, and Steel, the first installment, with Josh and Robin on Friday night. We watched and sipped wine, which was very nice.

Things are going well with my host-mom. On Sunday she kept trying to feed me food and patting her bottom as if to say, "We will give you a bit bottom!" (Guess she's never heard of broad-bottomed Dutch girls...) Mostly I cook for myself, which is good. She's very accomodating, sharing her food and her home. Last night she cut a piece of cake in half to share, but I didn't want any. Today she lent me an umbrella and I walked to the center in the rain. Slowly we are beginning to understand one another.

Posted here you'll find a picture of the view out my window. A lace curtain and gangly tree under a gray sky with the neighboring building my eye's view. I've also posted another picture of a cat, this one can be found in my host-mom's kitchen. (actually, I tried uploading the picture just now and it isn't working. I'll try again another day and hopefully have some other pictures of the town and the center to show as well).

And so, I find myself in awe that I am knowing such a peace in a tiny post-communist apartment room. Who would have thought? In chapel this morning we were reading from Mark 6 and Jesus tells his disciples to bring nothing for the journey but a staff and one robe. And it says that many were healed. In many ways I feel as if I'm bringing nothing but me to this journey and in return am knowing such healing, such joy. May you know the same this day, my friends.