that open window

2009-09-13T14:44:00.002-05:00

Will and I first met in March of 2008. I flew to America from my YWAM base in Skien, Norway to attend a School of Worship held at YWAM Denver. Will was one of the staff members at the base and we hit it off from the first conversation we had. He actually walked away thinking, 'I don't know about that girl!' It was not a romantic 'hit off' but one of openness, friendship, laughing loudly, and discovering similar interests like painting. This photo was taken at the end of the 3 month school. In which Will ended up being the band leader for MY BAND. I guess as he would explain....'Erika, I could tell that you liked me'. I thought I was being quite innocent and quiet about it since developing new relationships were discouraged while attending the short 3 month school.

I enjoyed him....as a friend and confidant. I realized that because of my broken engagement 2 years earlier I had lost a lot of trust in men. Will was the type of person that sees you for who you are....not what you do or what you can do for him. He treated me like his friend and that was exactly what the Lord had in mind. I began to realize that there might be something in this friendship that I would like to see grow.

I waited until the end of the school...the last day to be exact....to expose my inklings. I sort of put my 'line' out there and wondered if he would 'catch on'. I wrote him a letter to thank him for the great times we had had, for being my friend and leader, and wished him well. I threw my boldness in at the end. Remembering a conversation we had had about his thoughts on relationships and courtship, I threw a loaded comment into the last phrase of the letter. (I wonder if he kept that card....hmmm) I said, 'the only thing I regret about our friendship is that we are not on the same path now.' I was commited to live in Norway for another year and he was staying here in Denver. How would that work? So my comment was sort of loaded.....because his heart was to not demand a girl to follow on his path...or even be manipulated to join her path. But rather letting the Lord do His work in you and then as you look around who is walking on the same path? I wanted to be on the path...to be the one he looked left and right and found serving the Lord. I knew we had similar passions and thought and pondered how any of this would work out. He picked up what I was puttin' down. He tortured me with a long phone call that talked about everything BUT the letter. At the end he said straight out, 'you like me don't you.' I felt like a 7th grader. The answer was an awkward yes and then all the moments of how, what, who, when, where came somewhere after that. We planned on just calling and keeping in touch over the summer. He couldn't say for sure what he felt yet....time would allow him to hear from God and let the idea of me stew in his heart.

It was an exciting and good summer. I felt great about the pace because I was leaving for Norway fairly soon anyway. I think it was at that point that I discovered a tip about long distant relationships. I could talk on the phone until my face turned blue, but I would still never know what Will was about fully (or will I ever, only the Lord can know). We miss face to face, day to day contact that is normal. You can't capture the day to day events in an email or a phone call. They are things you just have to do and experience. Nothing special....just normal. I think later on we would say this concept was DESIRED, YEARNED for. We wanted to have a normal chance to date and know each other.

But from the beginning we just tried to 'get into each other's worlds'. I would suggest this activity to anyone who is far away from a friend or family member. It's interactive and has the possibility to engage the heart----which is the point!

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?
It's simple. Will would take a picture of something he saw that day or week and send it to me. I would make that my desktop photo so I could think of him...think about what he is seeing...and get into his world a bit. It was really fun and worked. We did it for a while and then sort of stopped. I would be up for starting that again....especially when we are in different places.

His Photo #1
Will took this picture of the small pond outside of the YWAM Denver base. I can remember him going out there after lunch and talking on his phone...sometimes to his sister who was at the time living in Bosnia, or to a friend. It's a beautiful little bubbling pond.

My photo #1

I sent him a picture of my grandpa. He thought I was joking. But I was not. He was faithful to the game so he put it on his desktop. I think he was more than ready to receive the next photo.

His photo #2 He is a pianist. He has played for many years and began playing at his church with the worship team. This is a picture of the piano he was playing on. It is SO nice to have a real piano you can play on and not just a keyboard. There is much excitement over a grand piano in the room!

His Photo #3

This photo was taken on his phone while driving through Montana on a trip to visit his friend Jordan. It's wierd....but because of these pictures and the story they plot out....the year is not a blur as much as it could be. We have small milestones that we invite each other to step towards.

there is so much more to come. please come back again someday and find out more!!

2009-09-13T14:34:00.002-05:00

like I said.....I will be including photos and short posts about how things are going in my relationship with Will. I know people are curious and it is helpful for me to process. Relationships are hard, but they are incredibly good! I would say that my experience with Will on this journey has been just that. HARD, BUT INCREDIBLY GOOD. What makes it good? The peace of God. If there is not peace there.....than it is so hard to work on things the Holy Spirit is showing you. That is what me and Will are recognizing recently. As we sat in P.F. Changs restaurant a couple weeks ago before I traveled back to Iowa, we realized that when we were together it was as if we had better perspectives....more eyes to see with. I didn't want to leave him...he didn't want to leave me. We realized that although you don't want someone else to see what is behind all the rocks in your heart.....YOU ACTUALLY DO! Once that process for Will and me had begun by just being in each others' company we didn't want it to come to an end. We know God is faithful and he will work on us just the same-----but in His own way while we are apart. It's very similar to what the Lord does with us too. There is a kingdom perspective that we can be a part of when we spend time in the Lord's presence. When we dwell there....abide in Him. We will see things we couldn't see before, we will recognize the ways of God's Spirit through us and to us. That is what Will and I have discovered brings us closest together. Only by God's love can we walk on this journey. And it's only by His love that we are compelled to love!

my amazing boots!

2008-12-04T15:46:00.000-06:00

dizzy-effects!

2008-10-28T10:29:00.003-05:00

we're home....in Skien.

barely.

The journey, as noted on the side of the blog....is done, gone, finished, final! We feel the same way about ourselves as we rode the 9th plane towards Brussels, Belgium. I looked over at Ragnhild and with dizzy eyes said 'Are you angry?' She looked at me with her puppy dog eyes...sunk into her tired face and barely squeaked out, 'nooo. why?' I turned towards the front, realizing my situation and said, 'I feel angry. I'm working so hard to get somewhere and it is no where close to Will. I am exhausting myself for this.' Oh Norway....we love you, just come quicker I guess.

Our journey has ended. But yet I feel like it only began. Now we are safe in our home and the dizzy feeling stays. I think I won't travel for a while. We need to rest. REST! If rest could be worked at...it is an oxymoron. It's our bodies that are dizzy with lack of sleep, time zone changes, and 10 airport visits. It's our souls that are dizzy from the stirring deep down. I sense a twisting of my heart, a squeezing of my strength, and even a calling out from a place called OBEDIENCE! Our souls need rest. Ragnhild and I will keep each other accountable to really take care of ourselves. We need to take important steps in slowly combing through the work that is started in us. A big question remains. WILL YOU OBEY? COME REST IN ME!!

--Erika

'So, how was the states?' That question has met me several times already today. And it is hard to respond. It was definitely a good time, but it is now turning into a hard time. I realized I was ready to go home on Saturday, and it is wonderful to be back in Nedre Elvegate with Helina. But I am slowly realizing I need to get HOME. God is calling me home to him, and it is harder to find that place and that couch where I can, yes... rest. After seeing, hearing, experiencing so many THINGS these last weeks, all that is left, all that really matters is God. And I have to make sure all those things don't stand in the way for him, as they so often do.

--Ragnhild

Jesus I just gotta empty my pockets

2008-10-25T11:10:00.003-05:00

Ragnhild and I are excited to be able to spend a week in Redding, CA at Bethel Church. This church has been growing and expanding under the power of the Holy Spirit. What an opportunity to see God moving, to mess us up for sure, and to reconnect with people we love. It has been just this.....Ragnhild and I are messed up now! Thank you Jesus.
We are eating as best as we can here. Traveling is always hard on the stomach. Ragnhild, Will & I cooked dinner together before the conference started on Wednesday. We were a great kitchen team and it tasted very fit for life! Sweet potato, asparagus, mushrooms, tomato, spinach.....goodness!
On the first conference meeting we met four high schoolers from Alaska. They came for this Open Heavens encounter with God too. They were fun....we sat by them the rest of the week...laughed....and were blessed by thier youthfulness. In the photo: Drew, the girl with the closed eyes, Drew's sister, Olivia, Will, me, and Ragnhild--still receiving peace and love from God.Our hosts in California were Micheala & Irene (Ragnhild's best friend from Ålesund). It is awesome to hear the inside scoop from the school they are attending: Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. There are things we have questions about...and it is humbling to know that they had them too and yet God is using the time in the school to transform them. Fun girls...real girls...awesome!
Ragnhild & I at the last session of the Open Heavens Conference. We have had to really wonder what God is doing. The time has been good....although uncomfortable. It is probably the fact that we are encouraged to pray that the Holy Spirit will 'mess' us up. We committed to praying that over each other daily. All I can say is....God is faithful. I think we both hit a wall. The whole trip has been very overwhelming for us. We are tired in our hearts and in our minds. This trip has shaken our worlds....and collided them (see my blog). Honestly, we did not have FUN all the time. There were times that we could not even worship because our hearts were being seriously worked on. God was so present and our weak feeble hearts were set a blaze. We need another month to figure things out. oi. Flights....to Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Brussles, Oslo. See you in Norway-----all messed up.

--Erika

warm california

2008-10-20T13:00:00.002-05:00

we made it through Phase 2......Iowa and now I sit in the Sacramento airport. We are sorry the updates have come so spread out. Phase 3 offers totally different perspectives than the last two places on our journey. California represents a place of reconnection. Ragnhild just left with Irene, her childhood best friend....and tomorrow I will meet Will! We have not had so much time to think about what God will do with us here in Redding, but I am confident that he is faithful to do what He has promised. Perhaps we will have some time to think about it. I want to update some events of the Phase 2....Iowa very soon. So check back. before you know it....I am back in Norway. Oh this is all very exciting. I hope you are doing well. Are you?

Home

2008-10-15T22:23:00.004-05:00

Erika's home. We are in Orange City, Iowa. They have an orange water tower, windmills everywhere, and I like to write lists of my observations.

Maybe you can just see some for yourself:

Erika finally meets Tracy!

We found some norwegians in South Dakota: Anette from Porsgrunn and her boyfriend Sondre

We watched a band practice in the cold early morning. Very fun :)

Fit for life in Orange City. With a new midwest style hairdo...

The Koinonia girls digging in!

We're good, the food is good, people are good, and most of all: God is SO good. He is using us in great ways, which we are very thankful for. We will tell more of that later.

-Ragnhild

phase 2

2008-10-15T14:26:00.003-05:00

Overwhelmed

2008-10-11T18:04:00.005-05:00

Back in the states... This is Ragnhild, or April, if that works better for you. It is now four days into our journey, and I have taken in a whole month's worth of impressions. It is so beautiful here! Someone told me I would be so bored coming here to the midwest, but that has not been true at all. Driving through Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma we've seen pretty fields, rolling hills, intense sunsets and too many dead things by the road (including a snake Lyndee ran over)

Today we stopped by the little house on the prairie, and it was very exciting. I loved reading books about the first settlers, how they struggled through tough winters, worked the land and saw the first sewing machine come to town. Now all that is closer to my heart after visiting Laura Ingalls Wilder's home.

Yesterday was spent in Kansas city eating pancakes, served by Ginger, our friendly waitress. Everyone is very friendly here, asking how I am, how they can help me and if things are good enough, if I'd like more of anything. People are not that friendly where I come from... I should add that I'm talking about people who get paid to be friendly, I guess that explains a lot.

We also visited the prayerhouse in KC, for some inspiration in my prayer ministry. And I got to meet Jessica, my roommate from DTS. It has been more than 2 years since we last met, and it was very good to catch up and find out where we are in our lives. Hopefully I'll see her again on Monday, somewhere off I-29.
Overwhelmed... by all the choices. What shall I eat? How much should I eat? What color do I pick for my nails? What lane is best to drive in? Where should I look at all times? (because everything is new to me) When should I go to bed? (We are 7 hours earlier than Norway) What do I wear in this warm weather?
I survive. I manage very fine actually. The conclusion is that I use my senses a lot: smelling, looking, touching, tasting, hearing - all of them, therefore the sense (hah..) of being overwhelmed.

And I have no idea how much the coins are worth, so that certainly gives away my identity as tourist, but that's okay.

Tomorrow is church, Lyndee's church, where we will share, so please pray for us wayfaring strangers.

- Ragnhild

omaha, nebraska

2008-10-10T08:44:00.004-05:00

we are here! it has been two days of course.....and you just were praying and fasting to hear from us. Now...your answered prayer brings a smile you your face. God is good. there were no hitches or silly airport problems at all. You can actually see some of the beginnings of USA OUTREACH adventure in picture form if you click on our photo on the side!

steve, my amazing brother and his son Josiah picked us up from the airport as we toppled around with all our bags---and our minds were filled with 'where are we? what time is it? what time do I feel like it is?' we saw the grand OMAHA city and stopped by the church to visit Andrea, steve's wife. so many sights, so many things to soak in. This was a close part of my heart....but brand spanking new for Ragnhild. We met my neice....who was unable to say Ragnhild so she was told to use the name April. Ragnhild's American name is APRIL! Ha!

we went on a walk. amazing weather! It was 76 degrees F.....that is August in Norway weather. We even spotted a Norwegian Maple tree. Didnt know they existed.

We packed up and started for Lyndee that afternoon. We drove through 3 states in one hour...cross off Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and eventually Kansas from the list! We were almost involved with a car accident...which was my fault. But we are sure that the Lord has His protecting arms around us. I decided not to drink or eat when I try to turn on to a one way.....ever! Praise the Lord for His arms of protection. (Later I was informed that Will, while driving a big car filled with people made the same mistake last night too!---God has is eye on us)

Lyndee!
We finally see her again. It is so good. I tried to send all the greetings that were sent with us...if I missed any, just send a message on this post.

today! IHOP (House of Pancakes...and House of Prayer)

much more to come!

-Erika

end of the day panic

2008-10-07T09:22:00.002-05:00

now it is the end of the day and we leave in an hour and a half. i have added the itinerary on the right of the blog. you can see where we are during our time. please keep up with us! pray for our time my friends!!!

smiles wide

2008-10-07T04:31:00.003-05:00

we are smiling wide as we glance at our two huge bags each....our packed itinerary....and the love of being sent out from our home here in Skien. the last minute things will soon wash over us as we are cuddling up in the far corner of Oslo Airport to get a stiff as a board night sleep. our flight leaves tomorrow...but as we are so over-excited, we leave today and have an airport party. i imagine it will consist of a couple speed scrabble games, maybe even painting, dancing down the runway, and laughing about how crazy we are to just leave Norway for 3 weeks and put ourselves in the gracious hand of God. what will you do with us? we want to be used. i think Ragnhild wants to play the harmonica. it will be so. pray for our travel--safety and of course that we like airport vegetarian meals. will we see you? check out the itinerary on the side. leave a message. beep.

-erika

Ålesund Arts Gathering

2008-09-24T13:54:00.006-05:00

The train ride I will never forget.
It was filled with breathtaking sights and conversations that just brought a fresh wind in my heart. God appointed these people to meet me on the train.

Ingunn & Lise
We were left behind on the platform together. Our Arriving train was not able to spit us out quick enough and the Departure Trondheim train was ansy. So....we became instant experience friends and connected, we weasled the ticket master for new tickets and had coffee while we waited. I managed to speak Norwegian the whole time. 2 HOURS! They said I was 'flink'. I think it was a good thing. ha.On the train.
I love this shot with the quiet reflection in the corner.

Line (this is her name...Leeneh)
She introduced herself to me after slightly recognizing me in the Oslo train station. She had met me a year earlier in a small town fall festival in the middle of Norway. We had an amazing connection because of a personal heartbreak. It was the next 4 hours we spent together finding prayer answers inside the words spoken. God brought her into my life to bring me good news and for me to help her find peace. This is a true Divine appointment if I ever knew one. Åndalsnes.
7 hours later...at the end of the line...I had 2 hours by bus to Ålesund. The sights are getting more amazing!

Erin, Rannva, and I in Ålesund.
We hiked to the top of Fjellstua for a better look at the city. It was a very special city with water all over, mountains jutting up everywhere, and the sun was shining!

Lyspunktet Cafe
I was thrilled to join Caleb and Erin Paxton and thier band at the cafe for the concert during the European Arts Gathering (oh yeah, that is why I was there...for the gathering of the artists. It was cool)

Return.
I got to travel with some other friends who live in Skien. They were driving back so I joined in. The view was new from this road...even though I had been through all the same mountains. I think there is a lesson in this. Wouldn't you say? Same place, different perspective....unique experiences. Do I dare to have a new perspective...or to sometime go through something twice just to get the 'other' idea. Hmmm.

2008-09-06T18:38:00.004-05:00

Konstanz, Germany

Helina's Happiest Day

Wednesday we drove to Germany. It sounds funny but the border is only and hour and some away. We thought we would stay over night so our car (borrowed from a Swissman) was packed like we were moving to Germany. We anticipated cheap things like the ever desired Kebab and fruit--of which we consumed. Our biggest purpose for the visit was to run into Christine. She used to travel with the Reboot team the year I lived in Orange City. Helina and Christine are very similar and they knew each other well. This was Helinas happiest day. I think we could squeeze her and she would drip joy. Helina also spent 9 months in the university here...so this is like home to her. It was so great to see her in her element.

We took a long walk to the end of the grassy peninsula to lay on the grass and consider all the old men in speedos. It was disturbing. Timo and I swam to the dock in the middle. We realized life was better without men in speedos. We saw a big ferry carrying folks from Germany to Austria. We concluded that since this water touches Austria sometimes....and we were in it....that we were in Austria too. So add that to our list so far. Sweden, Norway, England, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Austria. WOW!
Eating the world's best Italian ice cream...it was from Italy.....come on!

We had some shopping time and then sat at a local pub to get the feel of the country. It was fun to chat about visions and dreams. Christine has a delightful laugh. We named her Radiant Seeker.

Before we left for Switzerland....after finding no place to sleep and the rain was ugly we stopped by a grocery store and stocked up! I think I bought more chocolate than I know what to do with. I also saw this huge cabbage. I have never seen such a beast. Is is possible that someone might need THAT much cabbage? Tell me why.

GPS is not always right. This is a lesson we learned.

Home sweet home, eventually.

2008-09-06T18:16:00.003-05:00

Buskin' the streets of Lucerne

Tuesday morning we hobbled down the hill to the bus stop to meet Urs...our new percussionist friend and kind Swissman. We were going to do some practice on the streets. We were open to receiving the tips too, if they came. The first came at this said bus stop. As we waited for Urs we wondered how we would have enough money to pay for stuff like this. Moments later a man walked by quite cheerfully. He saw our instrument cases and asked in Switzy Duetch 'are you going to play your instruments on the street?' We nodded. He said good luck and left. We go on talking jibberish to each other like normal. He comes back...asks if we are students and digs 20 franks out of his pocket. (that is roughly 20 bucks...which will buy us 2.5 kebabs eventually) What a blessing. We could have just stopped there if we wanted. We never even played our instruments for him. Amazing.

It was challenging to find a place that was acoustically sound enough for us. We wanted to be heard with clarity so that I didnt have to ruin my voice and Timo wouldnt have to strum the life out of Pelle's new guitar. We were at a fountain first. People stopped and listened, but not much. I just sang random mumblings that sounded like foreign words to the music. It was powerful. A few people commented on how they could hear my voice down the road. Our second stop was the wooden bridge. This was the prime place to play. The bridge was a long walk across so they can hear us from their departure and slowly weave around the wooden turns to get to us. If we were in it for money we would come back to this very spot every day. After 20 minutes we had 18 Franks. It was enough to pay Urs our bus ticket debt. Plus we eventually got icecream! We took lunch by the Lucerne Lake (in the photo) and got zero for it...but it was our best playing together. The money has nothing to do with the quality. This I learned. This is tiring to play constantly on the streets....to keep peoples attention. We went back to the bridge ...on the other side this time. we met an American woman named Patience. I thought I was in some sort of story that has been written just for me. We wrote a song for her. She was blessed so much. I love doing that. It was a long and hot day....but 78 Franks later we were okay.

2008-09-06T17:09:00.003-05:00

Bern, Switzerland
the capital city tour

speed scrabble at the café with real Swissmen

the view from the church tower

wow...look at that!

erika, sam, timo, urs & helina

a wonderful house church meeting with our hosts Samuel and Simone (gray and red shirted couple)

We took Monday as a sightseeing day to Bern, the capitol of Switerland. Zürich is the capitol of capital to be honest. Money is well within reach here. Bern was a beautiful city and we had two great hosts. Urs and Sam took us up the church tower, to the river, eating Kebab, and playing speed scrabble. It was a great trip and a beautiful day.

On our arrival home we went to a house church. They start their nights with food and fellowship. It was great to have 5 nationalities in the house--Estonia, America, Columbia, Italy & Switzerland. We worshiped for a while and then we ate pudding. It was all very relaxed. There was no real plan but people were open and willing to serve each other. We danced crazy Irish dances all around the house. They prayed for each of us and then anointed us with oil. There were some prophetic words spoken over us and now we are wondering how God will show us the confirmation. It is very transforming.

Personally.....one guy saw a picture of me next to a wall. I was keeping close to the wall and looking into the big crowd over yonder. In the picture I stepped away from the wall and into he crowd. The crowd changed and transformed. He thought that this picture had something to do with me stepping out and not holding back...taking a step of faith towards the people instead of holding back. This was confirmed in my spirit. Now I think about stepping out....and boy, God does quick life lessons.

2008-09-04T08:44:00.006-05:00

Downtown Lucerne with the I-Wish Band
(I wish I was in this band, is what you are saying)

Lucerne from the Gutsch Property on the hill

Yeah, we were up there, now we are down here eating ice cream

Ice cream makes us happy.
This is the first nice picture ever taken. Congrats to us...mostly to Timo for being abnormal.

this is normal

Oh my gosh!!!
They're eating her, and then they're going to eat me, oh my gooooooooooosh!
Troll 2 (the worst reaction ever)

GARBAGE DAY!

playing with Richie Elles

2008-08-31T08:58:00.006-05:00

I met the famous Richie Elles in Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern on Friday night. We went down town before dark and walked the streets to get an idea of the environment. Lucerne is so beautiful. I can never say it looks like another city....but itself. Pelle told me I had to bring my violin because I would play with this black man in the fancy bar. It was a strange moment when I met Richie...he was laughing and hollering praises to God. His heart was beating outside of him it seemed. I knew he was an entertainer, I just didn't expect to be drawn into his joy so quickly. Pelle sort of boldly said I was a fantastic violin player.....so I could play......but then again seriously---I know my skill but what about this guy, he has to believe Pelle and let some American girl have a try in his fancy bar show? What trust....and a bit of the Holy Spirit. I came to find out that Richie has quite the testimony. He has been dead for 4 minutes and was brought to see a portion of heaven and hell. He turned from his witchcraft and voodoo after he was resussitated in the hospital. He has been giving praises to God as he continues his 'life learning' here. He does not do anything without the permission of God. If he should go to a party....Christian or non Christian....he will consult God. It's a bold and hard decision to do what God wants instead of something that is pleasing the flesh of yourself and others who have selfish ambitions for power, control, and manipulation. So....now that I know this and realize that he let me join him on the spot.....it convinces me that God had it in His plan. Which is fun!

At the Hotel Schweizerhof

Richie is a phenomenal piano player and the people stream to hear him. It is because he brings life to dead places. In a way I feel like he is my teacher for this season of my life. I had an encounter with a musical master with shining power from God in his heart.

Last night we threw an 'Irish Party' for many people...friends of the house churches, non Christians and Christians. It was in Pelle's flat and there were maybe 35 people there. My team...the Irish Band as was told (yikes) was playing as well as Richie was coming for a short appearance. We played some funky renditions of worship songs that fit the atmosphere.

Richie and I. What a musical pair.

alps adventure

2008-08-29T19:11:00.009-05:00

2008-08-28T16:46:00.003-05:00

I am living out my dream. Playing with a drummer and a guitar player that love the Lord, love to serve Him and are really good with thier instruments. I just want to thank God for bringing Timo and Helina into my life. I have a great team....halleluiah. The joy is flowing. It will carry us up the Swiss Alps tomorrow. What are you doing tomorrow? well, I will be at the Alps. Have fun!

2008-08-28T06:14:00.012-05:00

mz peaceful journez friends overlooking Lucerne, Swityerland

we are finally here in Switzerland. I am typing on a Swiss computer so the y and the z are switched. Forgive me if I say zou or zellow.....or Swityerland or something like 'did zou go to the yoo todaz?' When I say finally....i mean FINALLY. Our travels were long and exhausting. In the matter of one day we managed to be in 5 countries with the 6th just around the corner. So from the beginning--Aug 27

Sweden > on the boat at midnight

Norway> on the plane at 8:00am

England> at the airport for 7 hours

France> in the plane to Basel 6:45pm
(Are those sharp objects from my bag?...oops)
Germany> we were just meters away from the border

Switzerland> arriving at 1:00am at the Pelle's apartment in Lucerne (Is that my Holy Spirit painting on the wall that he bought from me last year?)

ywam staff trip to.......

2008-08-26T20:01:00.010-05:00

STRØMSTAD, SWEDEN

What a beautiful place! Sweden in the early fall is like eating grapes at a long sun set night near a huge salty lake with old friends. Mmmm. I was writing postcards to some of them....you know who you are when you get one! I was writing from this very spot. That is VERY special information to include in my blog.

SINGING SONGS ON STRØMSTAD STRAND (BEACH)
Ragnhild learned a simple oom-pah-pah beat on the harmonica while Helina was busting it out on the djembe...eventually we wrote our first roommate song! I like to think of it as our anthem...or alma mater if you will. We will play it and cry one day.
THE SWEDISH FISH
We had some misfourtunes....one which included this thing in the photo. A beach beast! See Ragnhild running away....run Rags run! The best part is that the Swedish Fish Beach Beast is about to stub its toe on the rock. Yikes-a-bee!

It looks like we were the only ones on the staff trip. But this is not true. There were 60+ people joining the trip. I just never seemed to catch any of them in a photo. We of course have been having fellowship around the camp fire, worshipping, eating, shopping, and resting together. I see a new alive-ness starting within our base. God has placed a seed of fellowship amongst us. We are finally walking side by side. Amen!

This evening was our departure from Sweden back to Norway so we can fly to London and then eventually Switzerland tomorrow. Upon our departure we had asked the base if they would pray us out----of the door and into Switzerland. They all surrounded us with their hands and their honest loving prayers. We were covered with the spirit of joy as we ran for our ride to the ferry. Hugging everyone in sight....thrilled to pieces about the trip just moments away.

TIMO & HELINA ON THE BOAT BACK TO NORWAY

ERIKA IN SWEDEN...WHAT A SIGHT!

What will you do through us in Switzerland, God?
Check back and find out more as we find out more. HA HA

Solstrand

2008-02-10T20:03:00.000-06:00

three o'clock yesterday

2007-12-27T06:54:00.001-06:00

Hamar, Norway

Chasing the Spirit

2007-08-19T10:54:00.000-05:00

Chase the Spirit of the Living God Do not be dismayed

For all has been prepared for you

Enough to find joy

And trust

And boldness in your heart

Take your place upon the foundations of old

And fly

cascading across the iron railed plains of Oslo

2006-07-09T21:04:00.000-05:00

Skien, Norway

2006-06-25T12:05:00.000-05:00

SKIEN, NORWAY

My home for 9 months: September 21- June 2 Attending a Discipleship Training School though Youth With A Mission.

This is Skien, Norway. It is a larger city of maybe 50,000 people. My school was located really close to the downtown and right along a busy one way street. Small town sized places like Nenset, Gimsoy, and Gulset surround the town feeding its industry and people. There is not much here, but a stinky paper mill and the biggest shopping in the county (or kommune, in Norwegian).

Ungdom i Oppdrag...YWAM along Kongens Gate
It's a refurnished jail from the late 1800's. Its neat!

The view down Henric Ibsen Stairway, looking over Ibsen Garden
where the childhood home of this worldwide famous playwrite and writer.
I would run these stairs for exercise. 10 times up and down. Rediculous.
The school was down the stairs to the Methodist steeple and to the left. Easy.

This is the opposite side of the street than the above picture. The Ibsen stairs to the farthest horizon. Downtown Skien lies between here and those stairs. So, we are nevertheless close to everything.

Standing in the town square, you look at the State Lutheran Church to the north and when you turn around you see a set of five fountains that are running year round! Even during freezing Norwegian winter.
of course with the five steaming smoke stacks of the paper mill show how industry and nature meet again.