On a journey...

Time went by so fast, and just as I was getting into the swing of things and starting to feel “settled” (if it is at all possible to settle anywhere in 10 days), it was time to leave. Sat here in my living room at home in Sandnes (I am home for a week or so as I became an aunt on the 6th of October and naturally had to take the trip down here to meet little Miriam Elise), I am trying to think back and remember what it was like. My mind and heart are packed with impressions. Some I manage to put into words, others are there but hard to express. I am still digesting, but thought I’d get started on jotting down some of the things that remain with me. The thing that most impacted me was beyond doubt the prayer room (www.ihop.org) at the International House of Prayer. Being a part of 24/7 prayer and worship was amazing. I was also really blessed by the seminars and teachings I received from IHOP-KC. I went on this trip for that purpose, and did not leave disappointed. The GOD TV channel bro...

It is really good to be here. It feels right. It's now 23:30 (local time) and I just got back from the prayer room. They do 2 hour shifts for the worship/prayer teams which minister and I did an hour with one and then an hour with the next one. It was amazing how they overlapped and there was no stop in between the two teams. This is truly continuous prayer and worship 24/7. So yeah, it's been good so far. I've been to two services in the church connected with the IHOP centre, and one seminar which was in conjunction with the Women's conference they had here this weekend. And on the more "touristy" side I've had food and junk-food at various establishments, and I realize that everything is big and generous, and distances "are not as near as they may seem". Yesterday I had my first drive (as in me driving) here. We've rented some minivans and I am signed up as one of the drivers. It was great to drive. Automatic gear, power stearing, comfy sea...

I have finally made it to the USA. I can't say it's "always" been a dream of mine to come here, but it is fascinating and really cool to actually be sat here writing this breathing in what I know is american air (or air-conditioning). After lots of horror stories of how mean immigration had the potential to be, I was very pleasantly surprised by my getting in to the land of dreams. The immigration officer was really friendly and smiley and the whole process was very quick and painless. As I walked into the terminal of the airport in Minnesota (we were connecting with another flight to take us all the way to Kansas City) I think I walked around with my mouth open (well, maybe not literally but on the inside I was). I was like a child that is just overwhelmed by impressions. It looks exactly as I expect it. I recognised so many names of places and brands from the many films I've seen, it was great. So yes, I got here safely. And I am full of impressions even after ...

It’s almost midnight. I’m packed and ready for my 10-day trip to Kansas City. My suitcase is half-full, so plenty of room for bringing back presents. Actually, it feels strange to have a half-full suitcase; I’m so used to packing and re-packing to meet weight and amount limitations. I wasn’t really stressed about going off on this trip. Mostly I was just excited, but now I’m not so sure. No reason other than that it doesn’t feel like a short trip. For me a long-haul flight means Brazil. It usually means heading off for another long period of time, and it usually means setting off to face numerous difficult situations and challenges head-on. But it’s all good. This is not a trip like that. It’s a trip where I hope to meet with God. It’s a trip where I am travelling with a group rather than alone. It’s a trip where everything has been prepared for me and I just have to go along and “enjoy the ride”. I am looking forward to it, and I wish we were on our way already. However, we leave in 4...

Life is a strange thing. Last week went…not much happened, and then it was over. The weekend was quite calm without too many wild and exciting things happening. Except, of course, a wee outing to watch the National Championship for Veteran Ploughing. Now, like me, you might be sadly lacking an understanding of what this actually means. So I am delighted to be able to enlighten you in this respect. It’s basically (for the “farm-language-illiterate” like myself) a competition where you use old (hence the name “veteran”) tractors and ploughs, and plough up a stretch of field which is then evaluated and the one scoring the highest sum (accuracy, depth, how well the soil is turned is all given points) wins. I must admit that this information I got by eavesdropping on a conversation next to me where a man was explaining to some of my friends how it all works. So that was a fun adventure….although we only stayed for a bit. What is sort of occupying my mind at present is my upcoming travel abr...