hello, blog world. it's been awhile. i lay in bed at nights, thinking of things i should write, what's happened in life, but when i wake up - i have absolutely no desire to write or share any of that. i don't think i'll bore you with details of what i've been reading (Jane Eyre and A Beautiful Mess) or listening to (the new Coldplay cd and Band of Horses) or my favorite movies of the summer (Prince Caspian and Mamma Mia). i actually have no idea what direction this post will take - we'll just see.


this is my favorite picture. my roommates and i went to london a couple years ago and the picture was taken while walking in hyde park on our way to buckingham palace. i remember all i wanted was coffee, but there was none to be found, so i was a little pissy. but we were walking through the park and it was just beautiful. it was november and the leaves were turning slightly, there was a slight chill in the air and everyone on the path was friendly. i felt content. the perfection of the moment made me stop to take a picture and as i did, ruth silje turned around to see where i was. perfect.
i see the picture every time i open my journal and it is a reminder that i'm not alone. someone is there, looking to see where i am. sometimes my short little legs are setting the pace, sometimes i'm content to go with the flow, but often i'm lagging a little behind - trying to take everything in. but this picture is a reminder that whatever pace i'm walking, whether i'm leading or being led - someone is there. i need that reminder often at this time in life. i'm leaving norway in september and have found that i am unable to come back to work with YWAM norway. i have given up planning forward and am enjoying the "right here, right now" of life. i'm enjoying sitting on my roof in the sun, taking walks at night, having long conversations over seemingly bottomless cups of coffee. wherever i go next is no longer up to me. and that's okay because i have proof that i'm never alone.

i think i threw up a little in my mouth...

i'm taking a vacation...from my problems. (any bill murray lovers?) "work" is over, although i've been in office every day. i'm taking over a friend's apartment while she is in greece and i spend my days (when i'm not in the office) making good food, sitting at cafes, reading, and watching cable. i seriously do feel like i'm on vacation - a cold, wet vacation, but a vacation nonetheless.

i am leaving norway in september and am throwing the best going away party for myself... in LONDON!!! there are 4 of us signed up and there's still room for more! i'm accepting the idea of living in the states and am immersing myself into the culture by reading every old copy of "People" magazine i can find. hopefully there will be more to life than what i'm finding in those pages.

until that time, i'll be enjoying myself where i am.

(sidenote: i have officially crossed the threshold of adulthood. i attended a tupperware party, enjoyed myself, and even bought something! if that doesn't scream "modern, independant woman!" i don't know what does. my first tupperware party was at the age of 5 - i was visiting my older, fully reliable cousins and they gently - ie: threatened my life - pursuaded me to walk into the living room full of middle aged women who were chatting, ordering long lasting tupperware, and enjoying themselves and promptly moon them. i did it, my face beaming, knowing i had pleased my cousins. the joy lasted until my mom showed up.)

a small glimpse into the language of my life these past months...

the end of an era - ruthie is married!

the cutest little norwegian girl i know

life has thrown major curves these past weeks and i'm finding my way again. i was told i received a visa, but when i went to pick it up, immigration informed me that it was only an extra 6 weeks. i will leave norway in september. it's still shocking to write that and i feel i'm living in a dream. not a fun dream - mind you, but a dream where i can't wake up and rejoin reality. it's incredible the reserves God gives us though. He really has His hand on this and although i have no idea and no control over the next stage, i know i can trust.

dts is graduating tonight, i'm traveling to the west coast this weekend, and next week it's back to work with teaching and debriefing. only 2 more weeks until vacation! i am beyond ready!

we were young and innocent