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The end of yet another chapter.

I am sat here at the airport in Oslo writing this. My fingers are quite cold as I am sat in a chair next to a gate, and the passengers are in the process of boarding the flight (not my flight). The open door lets in gushes of cold winter wind, which together with the white runways I can see through the window beside, me remind me of the fact it is still winter (not that I’d forgotten, having survived –10 degrees Celsius the past few days).

Sat here it is sinking in that I have now come to the end of another chapter in my life. I have now moved out of my room at Grimerud, and have managed to get (almost) all of my belongings into my suitcase which is probably somewhere in the airport, waiting wherever they store luggage which is to be put on the planes. Packing up my stuff and clearing out my room, I realized once again that I really do not like packing very much. And I also started reflecting on the fact that I always, no matter where I’m heading or how long it is for, manage to have just a bit more luggage than luggage space. It’s a weird phenomenon. This time it was ok though, as I could store a few bits and bobs in an empty cupboard, and will bring them with me when I go back up to Grimerud at the beginning of January for the staff conference.

It’s been quite a strange week. A week of saying goodbyes, yet not the “I’m never going to see you again” type, because I’ll see most of the people again in January, but the “you’re not going to be part of us in the day to day anymore” kind of goodbyes. It has been a week of appreciating people and really being grateful for knowing them. And it’s been a week of being overwhelmed again and again by peoples’ encouragements and appreciation. On Tuesday I was “sent out” at the staff meeting, and it was so nice to feel like I am part of Grimerud, and even leaving, I am still connected. The girls in my house have been so amazing (not just this week of course), and I have felt so loved by them. It almost feels like they’re family. They are an amazing bunch of Godly women who are so full of life and energy and care. I thank God for them, and can see God in every one of them.

In addition to that (it seems amazing that there was actually time to squeeze more things into the week) I was translating for the DTS, which has been a real treat. They are also a great bunch of people and it’s been so nice to connect a bit with them too.

So, sat here at the airport I find myself having time to reflect a bit and prepare myself for moving on. Prepare myself for the preparation time that lies ahead (nicely joined with Christmas which I am very excited to be in Norway for!!!), and think about all I have learned about myself, life, God, and people the past 4 months at Grimerud. Although the pondering continues, I think that the short summary is that I have been so fortunate. It has been a privilege, and I will carry this time as time of living in blessing after blessing after blessing.

The journey continues…. literally in an hour and a half by plane going home…. and symbolically in that I am on a life-journey that only God knows all the details of.

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