hehe :) February 4, 2010

Read this today & really liked it!

‘I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud. And I don’t want to get to the end, or to tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tangerines and sing loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift, who will use it up and wring it out and drag it around like a favorite sweater.’ ~ Shana Niequist.

staying or going??? February 4, 2010

As you know, I’ve been praying & working very hard to find a way to be able to stay in Norway for a longer period of time. As of recent, I’ve found out that pursuing the specialist permit won’t be possible due to finances and needing to be paid through the norsk system. Which leads me to the next option: STUDYING!

I can still use prayers, since this is only a 1 year extension option. It would really be great to know if I’m supposed to stay even longer than just that… but for now, I’m just going from what I hear from the Lord. I feel positive that He’s leading me to be a 2nd year student at the bible school in connection to Betel Church (the church we’ve been working with).  This will be an interesting & challenging route because it’ll all be in Norwegian!! But it’ll be good practice, right?? I’ll have short days as far as class times go, so I’ll still be able to continue doing the majority of the student work with Quest, which makes my heart glad!!

I’m in the process of filling out more paper work again, but for student status this time I’m most likely going to be approved, so this means the possibility of me staying has just heightened tremendously!! Kinda crazy!!!!! Please be praying with me for the finances to come in for the school as well as for the next year!! I’m trusting that God is leading in all of this. If He really wants me to continue the work here, then He’s surly going to make a way!

Thanks for the prayers!!

SFC-Europe Family February 4, 2010

I just returned from our annual prayer weekend which was held in Berlin, Germany this year. I loved being with my ‘family’ members. The SFC-Europe community truly is that, family. I’m so thankful to have known many of them for the last 4 years & it’s always an adventure when we come together. We had times of encouragement, prayer, laughter, tears, dreaming, planning for upcoming events & of course loads of fun! It’s always so timely for me to have these prayer weekends at the end of January. I’m usually really in need of a breakthrough in some area around this time each year, so to get away & just be together w/ colleagues and friends, it’s truly priceless! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

We also got a royal tour of Berlin-so much history! Here are some shots:

Snagged a photo of this postcard

At Checkpoint Charlie where The Wall used to stand

Remains of The Wall

Me, Michelle & Nadine(they’re in Sevilla, Spain) at the Jewish Memorial

“The Green Man” or Ampleman

Soviet Memorial to the many soldiers who died while liberating Berlin

Brandenburg Gate & the Berlin TV Tower to the left

Reichstag at night-Parliament building

it says,”The German People”

We ventured to the top & walked around the open dome

and I got a shot of the Brandenburg Gate by night

great song! January 23, 2010

Here’s a song that’s been going on in my head the past few days…(don’t mind some of the cheesiness of the video, the song is good… )

ooo so good January 22, 2010

^“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:16-18

I was really encouraged by this verse yesterday. It totally spoke right into my circumstances. I felt that I was able to shake off the stress of things, just relax & to start thanking God for what He’s doing. To find joy in the journey was one of the things I said I’d try to do more of for this coming year, so this was a nice reminder of that. It was refreshing for me I’m reminded of my times in Uganda when we’re riding around in a van and everyone is praying, singing & thanking God for everything. That impacted me so much & I really have tried to make that a part of my everyday life. I just want to be able to find joy in the circumstances that are hard or difficult. I continue to press in & to find the goodness of God no matter what! (and I’ll probably be singing the whole time too )

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph 5:19-20

good times January 22, 2010

We had an amazing time together last weekend as 9 of us met to plan for this upcoming semester. I was so encouraged from just being together with these amazing friends! We’re excited for what is to come & what God has in store for this Spring Semester!

please pray!!! January 15, 2010

In short: I need prayer!! I’ve been working my brains out since we got back from Christmas vacation on my documents for being able to stay in Norway longer. I am in need of a miracle! It’s been an emotional roller coaster, so please pray that I can be sane through this whole journey.  God really needs to open the doors for me be granted a ’specialist permit’. So please pray that I get favor with the government, that I can finalize all the paperwork they require and that we get some crazy God-ideas for how this is going to all work out regarding the church & my wages/financial stuff!! Thanks so much for your love, support & commitment, it means so much! I need it

Also, we’re going away this weekend with the Quest leaders to plan, pray & dream about this coming semester. Please pray with us as we seek God’s heart for Trondheim, the student work & our personal lives. I’m looking forward to spending time with my favorites!!!!

needin’ a hug! January 15, 2010

I was recently having a bad day & got this link from a friend! Totally made me laugh & feel a bit better

Do I really get to live here? January 7, 2010

Here are some scenic photos from this Winter

Lovely rainbow out the car window on the drive to Oslo

It makes me happy to see trees covered w/ snow!

View from Linn’s home

Driving by a glacier on the way to Sogndal

Sognfjord in the winter-amazingly beautiful

Sunset while at a place called Flø

Bryony, André, Me, Linn, & Vicki all ran to snag some photos!

a few traditions December 24, 2009

We ate porridge and I ended up getting the almond in my bowl!! Usually people win a marzipan pig for having the almond, but instead, I got to open the 1st package today hehe good fun!

We’ve made pepperkake(ginger bread cookies) and decorated them.

The lovely tree was decorated on the 23rd, which many Americans may find to be a bit late, but it’s what the norskies do.

I took time to admire the lovely decorations around the house.

and watch Linn pose w/ the tree decorations

Woke up today, the 24th & said GOD JUL!! (Merry Christmas). The main day to celebrate Christmas in Norway is today, the 24th And it “officially” begins at 5pm, when we’ll be eating dinner.

Watched Askepott(ash pot) this morning, it’s basically the Cinderella story with a little twist. It’s become a major tradition in many European countries to watch this Czech/German Film. The funniest thing about it, is that there is one man doing ALL the voice overs in Norwegian. It’s a MUST watch.

Bono kinda jumped up on me & tried to steal my chair…i just wanted to snuggle

Listened to massive amounts of Christmas music as the smell of Pinnekjøtt (lamb) filled the house.

one the greats that we listened to

It’s only my 2nd day here, but I’m very much relaxed and thankful to be with a family during the holidays.

Oh yeah…and Linn loved her gift from me! She LOVES Liverpool

Love and miss all those I’m not with, but wishing you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

hugs, Kelly