Skip to main content

Saying goodbye to a life-line.

It was with real sadness I went to my last Body Combat class here in Fortaleza. As I was boxing and kicking away to special sound effects and well-timed choreography, tears came to my eyes several times as I realized that this is the end of another thing. After the class I got sweaty hugs from the instructor and a few people I’ve gotten to know over the course of the many years I’ve been going there.

I was surprised at how heavy I felt at leaving, I guess I am only now realizing how much of a life-line being able to go to my Body Combat classes at the gym regularly has been. I remember at times being so angry at life, situations, people; and thanking God for giving me a place where I could have an outlet for that anger. And I remember other times when I’d be so frustrated, and feel so lost and without routine, I’d thank God for giving me at least one activity which was regular in my week. And I'd thank God for times when I just wanted to be, and not have to be responsible for anyone or anything, or find solutions; I could stand at the back of the class and not have to talk to anyone. And other times when I'd feel insignificant and just alone, and I'd come and the girls in the reception would smile and say "good evening, Elisabeth", and the instructor and other people would be excited to see me and know my name.

It’s amazing what leaving does to you. I know I will really really miss this part of life here.


Popular posts from this blog

Preparing for tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the 17th of May. But for any Norwegian, this particular date isn't like any other date in the year, it's the 4th of July of Norway. And this year I am actually here. However, some preparations had to be done to get ready for tomorrow. One was getting my national costume down from the loft. I got it a few days ago and tried it on. It's a wee bit tight, but I think it'll be fine. This evening I ironed (or rather started ironing) the blouse which is hand embroydered and made of linnen (so those of you who have a clue about fabrics, know that linnen is the opposite of no-crease material). And the second part of the preparation was polishing the silver. I tried the "foil-in-hot-water-with-salt" method, but I don't think it worked too well. I did a bit of polishing with toothpaste after that and it looks alright. At the end of the day I'm the only one who will notice the level of polishedness of my silver. I have also got my camera on charging re...
Read more

On the move again...

As I walked wheeling the trolley containing two suitcases and a rucksack (belonging to my middle brother who has bought himself a new one) I felt tears stinging in my eyes and threatening to push their way out. I suddenly felt so very small and the airport so very big. I’d got off my 45 minute flight from Sola to Oslo, got my bags from the baggage claim (the airline I flew with lets you decide how many bags of luggage you want to take against a small fee, and so I was able to bring not one suitcase weighing 20 kilos, but a suitcase and a rucksack), bought my train ticket for the last leg of my journey, and was walking along in search of a cup of coffee and a waffle to kill the half hour till the train. Walking along I caught myself thinking about this new stage in life. I wondered why this move up to the YWAM base here in Norway seemed so huge, when moving to Brazil obviously was a bigger move, at least further away. And then it occurred to me that when I’d been travelling back and for...
Read more

My heart is full

I sat waiting for the train while drinking chocolate milk and eating what we call solbolle for lunch (which is a large cinnamon roll with custard in the middle). My heart was overflowing with gratitude and love, and such a deep sense of fellowship and “family”. I’d spent the morning drinking coffee at my old job at Crux , catching up with all the amazing people that make that fellowship and sense of togetherness what it is. Since many are fully vaccinated I got to give and receive quite a few good hugs. Hugs that communicate so much more than one can put into words. It was strange being back after 4.5 months, and yet it felt so very normal. Conversations on deeper levels, sharing victories and joys, and putting into words the good we see in each other, filled my heart until there was simply no more room. Waiting for the train it felt like my heart was overflowing. My new job is great. I love the team I work with, enjoy the challenges, and feel humbled by the privilege of being invited...
Read more