Blogs from Norway, Europe - page 228

I am on the bus again headed back to Oslo and all I can say right now is “Wow!” It is absolutely beautiful here. I am surrounded by huge snow covered mountains and crystal streams. I’ve taken a million pictures although I am sad to say I don’t think my photography skills can even come close to seeing this in person. I wish I was dressed in snow gear because I would love to just jump in the snow, twirl, and make snow angels. I just saw an adorable family: mom, dad, 4 or 5 year old child, going cross country skiing (well the dad was more like towing the child) so cute! There is soooo much snow! It is crazy how much snow there is and I don’t think this is even close to ... read more

Since it is "work week" Karoline and I have been doing various odd jobs this week. We have cleaned her mother's whole downstairs, painted one of the hallways (it took 3 coats before it looked okay), cleaned the church, and shoveled some snow (my first time ever). We also managed to get in some dance and singing practice at the church. We had some absolutely delicious salmon for dinner tonight. I can't wait to get home and make it for my family (along with Latvian eggs and waffles - but not all at one time). The week went by so fast! It is exactly a month and one day before I will be back in Texas! I am so excited to see everyone again but I am also just thinking about how much more I still ... read more

I forgot to mention this in a previous entry but Karoline’s little brother, Daniel, is seven years old and can’t speak, or at least is limited to very few words. Last Tuesday evening Karoline’s home church had a guest speaker who wanted to pray for Daniel, asking God to help him talk. While they were praying Daniel started bleeding through his nose and mouth and started spitting blood. Once the prayer stopped he calmed down as was fine as if nothing had happened. The guest speaker said he felt like it wasn’t just a physical problem with the boy but was spiritual. I will honest now (not that I am ever lying when I write, so I guess I will be transparent) and admit although I do believe the Bible when it comes to dark spirits ... read more

(I wrote the first paragraph before the part of the evening that has to do with my title.) I am sitting on a bus right now with my beautiful teammate, Karoline. We have a ten hour bus ride to her hometown of Aalesund. Her mom is blessing me by inviting me out there for our workweek. I am so excited! Right now as I look at the window I see such beautiful landscape. I have heard the Aalesund is absolutely beautiful and right on the water. I am very looking forward to it. The plan tonight is to preach for her youth group at home and tell them about Jesus Revolution - hopefully put fire in those heart’s that don’t already have a fire and hunger for God. Then tomorrow we are speaking at another youth ... read more

I can’t tell you how much I now appreciate taking a shower with no one else in the room (although I have adapted quite well I think to sharing a bathroom with 30 other girls). For my birthday, my mom rented me a hotel room and I had one of the girl’s from my team, Talitha accompany me. I was only there one night but I took a shower three times just because I had access to a bathroom I could shut the door to and lock. We stayed at the Grand Hotel, which is supposed to be one of the nicest (if not the nicest) hotel in Oslo. They had the best buffet breakfast EVER. It was so yummy and it was included with the cost of the room. While we were at the hotel ... read more