On a journey...

I just got two emails letting me know that two of my friends have died. One was an older woman I got to know when she came out to Fortaleza on two teams in 2001 and 2002. She was a wonderful woman full of life and with tons of wisdom. Now she’s gone home and has found rest. The other is a friend who went to university with me. We hadn’t been in touch much, but were in touch enough for his wife to include me when she sent out an email about his death. I don’t know what happened. He was born the same year as me. Sat here in my room, having gotten back from a weekend at home, where I spent lots of time with my wee niece who is only 7 weeks old, it’s really hitting home how precious life is. There is such a huge contrast when I think about this tiny baby who has many years of experiencing life ahead of her; and then about my friend who experienced the fullness of life and who has now gone home to Jesus; and then my friend who died too young leaving behind a young family to learn how to cop...

I think it’s safe to say that winter is here. Last week we had a bit of snow, only a few flakes so nothing to get a Norwegian soul too excited by, but all the former puddles are now ice-covered and slippery (and great fun to trample on and break the ice). A few weeks ago I cycled into Hamar, one of the neighbouring towns, and on my way back it was getting colder. The before just wet road, was now quite icy. Having cycled quite carefully most of the way home, I built up a bit of courage (mixed with a desire to get home quicker) as I was approaching the penultimate turn. However, being in the shade, the asphalt in that turn was icy, and the front wheel of my bike slid and I fell off the bike. Thankfully the bike was fine (it was borrowed so obviously my main concern), and I didn’t break any bones either. I did manage to graze my knee and hand, and my new jeans (which I spent an entire day finding) got a hole in the knee. Still, I do recognise that I was lucky. Cycling without a helmet (v...

I seemed to be moving around a lot in October. Thankfully I am now back at Grimerud, and I think I’ll be here for a bit now…at least more than 3 days (I’ve been back 4 days now, so that is already true). Plus it’s now November, so I know for certain that there will be no more moving in October (unless I travel back to the future which I think is highly unlikely). I wonder if I’ll ever experience smooth transitions…seems that every time I go from one place to another there is always a period of adjusting. I suppose that is normal, but I am hoping it will get less tiring as life passes. At least heaven is for eternity, right. Being home for the week was just what I needed. After being around lots of people in Kansas City (travelling in a group cuts down on introvert-recharging-on-your-own time), and then going straight into home-days which meant lots of people all day, it was lovely to get home to space and few people. During the days I had the house to myself. Great both to get some muc...

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...