Absence IS STILL making the heart grow fonder...

January 6 at 5:09am
I am planning to do more things on my days off, it helps to keep me in good spirits. I love nightman shift it is just hard at the begining and end... you fight to stay awake on the first night and then fight to stay awake durning the day when you go back to the normal schedule. It always changes with the schedule morning nights evening or nightman... constant battle. Well I am missing you guy's mostly, my much appreciated family. I am not happy that I cannot build my relationships with my nieces and nephews, right now. I'll be praying for A. Lisa and I will keep you in my prayers for your job, I am glad you are blessed. We went on an excursion through Amsterdam, longest one yet in Amsterdam.. been to Rotterdam, so I am seeing a lot of Holland these days. No good storys yet about nightman.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, for sure...

December 21 at 1:36pm
I was wondering if I could trouble you for some family addresses. I was thinking I would send some cards out for christmas, don't know if they will make it in time tho. I'm glad I could talk to you the other night it is always good to just chat with the Mom. You are a very Good mom and I always regret the times I could not see or appreciate that. My heart is in the Lords hands and when I say I love you, it is a love that began when you helped me to get to this point. I love you. -Taur-

Making way for a long stay...

December 23 at 12:55pm
I find out if my resident permit will be accepted this week, within the next 2. I hope I can stay, if not I guess it is Gods will. I'll be hoping that I can stay tho, much love have a good day... I'm finishing mine ;)
Taurean M Hall
December 22 at 3:31am
I hate to say it, yet a month has gone by and I am low on funds yet the only things I need are Shaving blades, Face Cleaner and Boxers. Someone stole my bar of soap when I used to be at the Hostel. I am Shaving so much more these days, haha I don't know what happend. I have money left yet it is down to the last check. We had a gift exchange out here and I have gone to the thrift store out here, was fun. I managed to find a fleece the BEST ONE I have ever seen it's from Scottland. I am managing well tho. I just enjoy being able to do things with people and sometimes funds are necessary for the most part those are the only things I have spent for myself. Love you. -Taur-

Encouraged and able to take pictures again!

December 12 at 3:54pm
Well You'll be seeing some more Pictures in no time at all. I got the adapter in the mail and it is awesome!! I am making some headway on the applications for work permit. I am hoping that all goes as planned of course it is in Gods hands tho. Time is going by very fast and I am not sure if I'll ever go home!! =/ hahh! I think I might just marry a dutch lady and start my own Hostel in India or China or some remote place =-) Well I am doing good on reception training and classes are going well. I have to get ready for My Bible discussion 2morrow I am the leader... I love You tell the fam I send my regards ... Love,-Taur-

Calling home as often as possible...

December 10 at 4:57am
Hey Thanks for the set I am using some extra time to learn. I was wondering if you have happened to check your voicemail I left you a message. I haven't started the nightman shift yet, I am getting trained on reception tho.. I like it except for having to sit all the time =/

Sending left behind items needed...

Taurean M Hall
November 14 at 12:51pm
Hey I wanted to say thank you very much!!! The slippers are very nice thanks!! and I am truely Blessed to have parents like you, it got here very quickly and I have been reading through my bible it is awesome.. yeah God brings back all that schooling and knowledge it is of Him of course yet I am trusting in Him more and more. We have class from 9:30 in the morning to 12:30 and it is about abiding in Christ and the Body of Christ there is a series yet we just ended. I am just honored to be yours and dads son and it is a true blessing I can't say it enough!! you push me closer to God when I think I miss both of your talks and encouragement. I love you in the Lord and once again thank you for your prayers as I will remember to keep you all in mine. Taur-

Settling in

Taurean M Hall
October 31 at 8:53am
Hey!! well I accepted your invite, so how about that care package? just wondering if you found those books in my old room. Things are great here and it is very active, with classes and meetings I am up at the time you go to sleep. 6:30am and I ride in the freezing cold to the ministry. I love you and thank you for your prayers!! P.s have a lot more pics on the way, and enjoy = )

The latest

Well, the last we had heard was that Taurean had decided to move on to another city, he was just feeling lost and alone there in Amsterdam. Come to find out, the phone calls were because he was really missing home. He ended up staying, and worked things out with the owners, so that he could start working and keep himself busy. We have not heard from him in days. (Which was a good sign). We did get a hand made postcard from him yesterday, sending his love & letting us know that we are in his prayers. This afternoon I got a phone call from him, Sunday. He sounds different, more settled and assured. He had some sad news though, his bicycle had been stolen from in front of the Hostel that he is staying at. Also the cash that he had left got stolen. He did put his travelers checks in the safe, so his remaining funds are safe.
He said that he has been working every day, I think he said from 10 - 6 pm. When he calls, he tells me so much in a few moments and then I try to remember all the details. I think that he is working in exchange for room and board, which means he really does not have to worry about rent or food. He said that God is really working in his life, taking away all his worldly possessions. That he is realizing more each day. Just the place (That particular Hostel) that he was brought to is a blessing, he said. I personally am excited for him. I know that God has great plans for him, and I think he is on the path to finding out just what that is. Please keep him in your prayers.

We've Got Mail!!!

Received some GREAT postcards from Taur today! He had said that he mailed them to us, infact the day that he arrived! So it took a week for them to get here. I am posting pictures, since he has not yet sent us any from his camera... But it does look just like these pictures. He said , " I just wanted you guys to know that I love you and that all is well. The rain was extensive for a couple of days, yet I still got to see much. Life means more at this point for me. Well, I'm back to relaxing and hangin out with some friends, Love Taurean"
In his note to his bro, he states that it is just so nice to leave everything behind and start anew!

Early morning phone calls

We have received two more calls, one long phone call at 5 am. I guess I sounded a bit groggy as he asked "What time is it there?" and then said, "Oh wow it is afternoon here!" He got himself some transportation, I would like to see a picture of it! He paid around $50. for a bike & lock. He said he has been out in the countryside, just exploring and it is beautiful! That he really loves it there. He has been getting references from here for the jobs he is applying for, so that all sounds good. When he called us on Sunday, he only had a few minutes. I guess it is like a pay phone and he pays for the minutes ahead of time. He was on his way to church and they were all boarding a bus together. He said he misses us, and appreciates us, very much. (It always takes loosing what you have to REALLY appreciate it...) So that is good! He sounds good, getting into a routine. He says it cost .50 Euro each time to use the internet, that the library is 5 miles from him. So that is close to a dollar. No pictures yet, I will ask for one of him on his bike....

2nd Phone call

Well, he has found out how to reach us! With an international calling card he got there at the Hostel. I am just glad that I am home when he calls. He sounded much more rested this time. It was 4:05 pm our time, and he said it was 12:05 am his time. He said that he did infact get caught up on his sleep, and was feeling good, but now he could not get to sleep and it is bedtime there! He said that he had two dates with two groups of people tomorrow, to have a bible study. He told me that on his flight across the water he sat next to a man that was an Atheist and had converted to Christianity. The man told Taur his story and it really hit home. Taur said that it made him face alot of things that he had been running from, and that God is definately guiding him on this trip. He thanked me for choosing the place that he is staying at, that it is far different from the other youth Hostels, saying that the others are party houses. That he hasn't even had a desire to go and check them out. He was very thankful to be where he is. (I have to admit, that God guided me in that choice, I had no idea what to look for myself!). He sounded good. Said to tell everyone hello, and that he loved them, and to keep him in your prayers.

1st Phone Call

Taur just called, right after I got the email!!! I thought it was Trenton on the phone, they sound just alike. He got sick on his flight over the ocean, he also gets seasick on ships, so he was glad to be on the ground. He sounded a bit tired still. Taur is getting adjusted, mostly to the time change (9 hours), and the rain. Oh, he said he did get lost going from the Airport to Amsterdam, and it was pooring down rain, that he got soaked and so did his bag, (and he did have a rain poncho to wear!) He said when he arrived his room was not ready, it was too early in the morning still, so he asked if he could take a hot shower and get dry and they let him, and then he hung out in the cafe downstairs, but it was so weird because his body wanted to be asleep. He said he has already hooked up with people, that is when he went to Ann Franks and the Brewery. He said he cannot believe the red light district, that they actually have something like that, "Unbelievable" he said. He is in for lots of adventure. He said he can access email from the Library for free, so he will be making trips to the Library, that he is being very frugel. He will be staying at the Christian Hostel that he is at for about 2 months, and then plans to move to another country, probably Switzerland, and snow! (He's already figured out that he does not want to be moving all the time with all his luggage...) That's all for now, he said he is taking pictures and will send some.

First email from Amsterdam

Taurean says he will not have time to keep up a blog, so I will keep it up for him and keep everyone informed. Here is the first email we got from him.

"I wanted to fill you all in on what has been happenining and all that I have seen thus far. It rained for My walk from Centraal and I had 3 hours to get the best of it. It is nice to have left so much behind only to look forward to the unknown. I couldn't find a calling card so I won't be calling, email is my only contact. Anyhow u may as well get rid of that blog thing, I don't have time for it.. Say Hi to all if You can. I will be getting a month room and board here in Amsterdam with working for free so I have 2 months figured out, until further contact I love You all. -Taurean- P.s Anne Frank and Hienekin Factory aswell as the cannals here ARE a Sight TO see! Love Tar."

He arrived safely!

We, the parents, had not heard from him as yet, so I just had to email the Hostel he is staying at to see if he arrived... This was the response today: (I am relieved!)

I am pleased to inform you that Taurean Hall has checked in with us today and has thus safely arrived at The Shelter Jordan Amsterdam
Kindest regards,
Gerjo
Senior Receptionist

The Shelter Jordan Christian Hostel
Bloemstraat 179
1016 LA Amsterdam
The Netherlands