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

travel in thailand

thailand. what a trip. i spent many days traveling, met interesting people, had new experiences, enjoyed the sun, dressed as a thai in a thai new year parade, spent time with the team, and simply enjoyed myself.

deportation

the crazy americans

it's a bird, it's a plane... no, it's bocci ball!

a good family friend, annette, and i in oslo

i've been deported.

no, i haven't! life has been crazy, busy these past weeks so writing has been pushed far down the list of "what's important." i'm to the point where the whole visa issue isn't a concern, so i can even joke about deportation! or not.

the students have all left for outreach (links to their blogs are on the right hand side) and i have been busy preparing to teach about outreach prep. more and more i'm loving to preach and teach - i get such a kick from it. a team from the states has also been here - helping renovate the third floor of the base. in three days they did what would have taken us weeks. my mom also joined them and it was so good to spend time with her. in the past, when family or friends have visited me, it's always been during a holiday, so they haven't really been able to get a full taste of my life. but this time my mom lived at the base, sat in on teaching, ate at the base, got to know some of the students and staff. it was such an encouragement for me.
erika, helina, and i spent easter together. in norway, easter is much more celebrated than what i remember in the states. the stores shut down thursday - monday during easter and most people have an entire week of holiday - skiing, eating oranges and kvikk lunsj (much better version of kitkat), and sitting around fires. since i can't ski and it snowed more than a foot, i celebrated by baking lots and watching movies.

and the newest news... i'm going to THAILAND in april. yay for outreach teams!

happiness

on tuesday nights i babysit sit for ludvig evan, who might just be the happiest baby in norway.

life has been pretty normal these past weeks. i've applied for a new visa, which will be processed in 4-7 months. for the first time in my life, i literally have no control over what is happening. some days i feel like all my energy goes into giving up, taking back, and giving back the control to God again. i feel like this big word TRUST is permantly etched into my brain and is working its way into my heart.

"Take away everything i have, but do not take away the sweetness of walking and talking with the King of Glory." John Stam