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Homeward bound.

I am sitting here in a reasonably comfy and very stylish chair in the business lounge at Newark airport. Thanks to businessmen not doing a much business in the Summer, my inferior silver star alliance card gives me access to this little retreat from the general airport area. A lovely salad bar, free food and drink, good quality Earl Grey and free WiFi; just what is needed when you have many many hours of layover. Coming into the lounge it was almost empty, but now it’s filled up. I am struck by how most of the people are my people. The volume is comfortable and everyone is considerate and contained. I love loud and colourful Americans, but it’s funny how a mere airport lounge can give you a little glimpse into the ways of Scandinavian culture.

I leave Kansas City feeling rested. I leave feeling so blessed by good friends and lots of good quality time. This time has been a gift. There were moments when I wondered what the purpose of the time even was, but I look back and realise that it’s been a time of starting to process the was and prepare for the to be. I arrived in Kansas City so very tired and feeling a bit lost in life, knowing that my reality would drastically change going from full-time ministry into marketplace. I leave with excitement and expectation, and most importantly: peace. There are so many unknowns, but I know the One who knows it all, and that gives me such security.

Two months flew by. Apart from resting and processing, I got to see some fun things as well...Wisconsin with its beautiful nature, shopping outlets, and good friends. Kansas City reconnecting with dear friends and the prayer room which is such an oasis. Springfield where I reconnected with new friends, ate “cashew chicken” (the signature dish of the city), learnt that Brad Pitt is from there, drove down to Branson and went to Silver Dollar City theme park and got a free season pass simply because of being born in 1976, stopped for dinner at Lamberts and had fresh rolls thrown at me, and went to Ha Ha Tonka State Park and got to see the ruins of a beautiful retreat castle overlooking the lakes. I got to enjoy canoeing on lake Jacomo in a metal canoe and go on a beautiful garden tour in Weston, Missouri. And I finally made it to the Arabia Steamboat Museum by the River Market in Kansas City, which if I’d discovered it sooner, would have taken everyone I know to it because it is really spectacular. I also got to savour delicious food such as real American donuts (which leave you with a major sugar high), Cheesecake factory, Mexian, Tapas, Sushi, Olive Garden, and countless visits to coffeeshops (American ones that is). A lot of new experiences to add to my good memories in life.

And now I am heading home. Sitting here waiting for my flight I am looking forward to walk the steps of getting settled in one place again. It’s been a busy year of going from place to place, and it will be good to finally stop for a bit and unpack not to pack up again. I look forward to embrace my country and culture and hopefully reconnect with old and make new friends. I look forward to creating summer memories with my family and friends, and to taking walks on the beach and sitting outside reading to the sounds of waves crashing one the shore. And I look forward to figuring out how to do life in Norway for the next season.

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