Category Archives: Introspection

The Ideal versus the Actual

by Eric Posted on January 25, 2023

It’s easy to idealize our Amsterdam years. Marci and I were so full of youth and ambition when we moved. We truly learned how to be a family, there in the Netherlands. And I suppose it often felt idyllic because … Continue reading →

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, Family, Introspection, Ministry, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on The Ideal versus the Actual

Twenty Years Since our Week of Destiny

by Eric Posted on January 24, 2023

This week marks twenty years since the period in our family’s life which I sometimes call our “Week of Destiny.” That was the week in which we raised the last of our financial support. It was the week we closed … Continue reading →

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, Family, God, Home, Introspection, Ministry, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Transition, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Twenty Years Since our Week of Destiny

FOBO and Other Trends Spotted

by Eric Posted on January 19, 2023

I love trend-spotting. There’s something about a new year and a new semester at Kent State University that makes for ideal trend-spotting conditions. Maybe it’s the Winter Break, where we all had some extra time to rest and reflect. Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Adolescence, Church, COVID-19, Culture, H2O Kent, Introspection, Nostalgia, Social Issues, Transition, Trend-Spotting, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on FOBO and Other Trends Spotted

My Top Ten Family Moments of 2022

by Eric Posted on December 31, 2022

It’s that time of the year for retrospection. After posting my Top Ten Songs of 2022, Top Ten Books of 2022, Top Ten Hikes of 2022, and Top Ten Ministry Moments of 2022, it’s time to conclude these rankings with looking back on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adolescence, Aging Parents, Children, Family, Home, Introspection, Marriage, Nostalgia, Photography, Recreation, Traditions, Transition, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on My Top Ten Family Moments of 2022

Proclaiming Christ in Post-Christian Contexts

by Eric Posted on December 13, 2022

I led our H2O interns through a life-mapping exercise a couple of weeks back. We talked about looking for Spiritual Inukshuks, as I often do with interns. Even though it takes some explanation, I think this concept from Inuit culture … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, God, H2O Kent, Introspection, Leadership, Ministry, Prayer, Social Issues, The Bible, Transition, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Proclaiming Christ in Post-Christian Contexts

Santerklucia Weekend

by Eric Posted on December 10, 2022

We did a little Sinterklaas celebration on Monday night, around 9:30 PM. Pretty late for Marci, Cor, and me. But Elliot had a shift at Subway until closing. Olivia was busy with school work (until she took a little break … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Family, Food, Introspection, Music, Photography, Recreation, Sweden, The Netherlands, Traditions, Transition, Young Adulthood | Tagged | Comments Off on Santerklucia Weekend