I got to thinking about being thankful today. Or maybe that's not exactly the right thing. Well, I'll try to explain what I mean.
When I got to Norway in August, the first month everything was just superb. I mean it - like 100% perfect. I would even say 1000%, but that's not scientifically possible, says Bones (yes, I've been watching too much Bones lately:D). Anyway, when someone asked how are you doing and I answered that everything is great, I felt a bit weird. Because a lot of my friends were having kind of hard times - a new job in an unknown town, not knowing if they are going to like the job or the new place, uncertainties in their lives etc etc. I felt like I was boasting about how good life I have, although at the same time it was just the truth.
Now I've had also a bit more difficult times. I have worked long hours couple of times for different reasons, being kinda homesick (I know, I'm shocked too :D) and have been fighting with some things in my life. So when someone asks me now, I'm kind of happy to say that it goes ok, not GREAT :) Isn't that weird? I feel like I have to be having difficulties to be a normal person, not to feel myself guilty. Why do I feel myself guilty when my life is great? Why do I think it's not right?
I don't think God has meant that we have to go through difficulties ALL the time. I am sure that He wants us to have an amazing life. He is our Daddy, and that's what Daddies wish for their kids. And our Heavenly Daddy wants that more than anyone else. And now I'm saying it to totally myself! Grete, stop worrying that your life isn't hard enough, but enjoy it! Because if your life is great, that's a gift from above! So just be thankful and smile and spread the joy! :)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Another great Sunday
Yes, another great Sunday. Different than others, but amazing in it's own way. Let me explain.
Arendal Methodist church had their congregation's weekend the last days at Vegarshei. About 50 people travelled there to spend time together, worship, hear teaching etc. As you notice, I'm writing like I wasn't part of it. Which is true. I didn't have the opportunity to go, although I was considering it. In the end, the reason was that Ole (the father in the family) was asked to play the drums there, which meant that I stayed home to help with the kids in the evenings. And I don't regret. I am really happy he was able to do sth he really loves and serve the church. And I do believe that me staying home and helping with the kids was my way to serve the church this time. Feels weird, because I've never had to do it before. But I'm guessing I have to get used to it :D
BUT we did go up there with the whole family today morning for the Sunday service. Yes, we packed in David, Gabriel and Selma and got on our way - a half an hour later than planned, but we were on our way! And I liked it there. When I walked in, bishop Christian Alsted had just started his sermon. And it was good. It was a bit hard for me to follow, as he was talking in Danish. Well, I understood most, but I just had to concentrate much more than with Norwegian and sometimes some things just slipped by me. But he talked about the story where the disciples had been fishing all day and when Jesus told them to cast the nets back in, they did and got tons of fish. The key thing was that normally when people fish, the cast the nets on the left side, but Jesus told them to throw them on the right side. So the point is that sometimes God tells us to do things differently. And I think we shouldn't be afraid to do it. Because when God says it, there will be blessings! :)
OOOHHH, and the bishop talked about Artur Põld from Estonia! So cool! My friends all asked me if I heard it and said that they all thought of me the moment he mentioned Estonia :) They are so cute! And of course we had Stein, Eva, Kathrine and Elin singing all amazing. We sang the song for Norway again. Just so powerful! And the most important part - God touched me today during the service. He is just amazing! And I just cried....I know, so me :D But I know He loves me, although I haven't heard it so much lately. So in that way I'm starting to understand why do we need Christians beside us - to show God's love to us! :) There's like all complicated thinking behind there last two sentences, but I just don't know how to explain it very well. Skype me to ask more :D
I have had it good in the meanwhile. I have really been enjoying my job and life here. The weather was amazing last week, so we had a barbeque last weekend, but now the autumn is really getting here. It's raining today. And I actually love rain. I just have to get the right clothes on! :)
Well, hoping to hear how your week has been! :)
Love you!
Grete
Arendal Methodist church had their congregation's weekend the last days at Vegarshei. About 50 people travelled there to spend time together, worship, hear teaching etc. As you notice, I'm writing like I wasn't part of it. Which is true. I didn't have the opportunity to go, although I was considering it. In the end, the reason was that Ole (the father in the family) was asked to play the drums there, which meant that I stayed home to help with the kids in the evenings. And I don't regret. I am really happy he was able to do sth he really loves and serve the church. And I do believe that me staying home and helping with the kids was my way to serve the church this time. Feels weird, because I've never had to do it before. But I'm guessing I have to get used to it :D
BUT we did go up there with the whole family today morning for the Sunday service. Yes, we packed in David, Gabriel and Selma and got on our way - a half an hour later than planned, but we were on our way! And I liked it there. When I walked in, bishop Christian Alsted had just started his sermon. And it was good. It was a bit hard for me to follow, as he was talking in Danish. Well, I understood most, but I just had to concentrate much more than with Norwegian and sometimes some things just slipped by me. But he talked about the story where the disciples had been fishing all day and when Jesus told them to cast the nets back in, they did and got tons of fish. The key thing was that normally when people fish, the cast the nets on the left side, but Jesus told them to throw them on the right side. So the point is that sometimes God tells us to do things differently. And I think we shouldn't be afraid to do it. Because when God says it, there will be blessings! :)
OOOHHH, and the bishop talked about Artur Põld from Estonia! So cool! My friends all asked me if I heard it and said that they all thought of me the moment he mentioned Estonia :) They are so cute! And of course we had Stein, Eva, Kathrine and Elin singing all amazing. We sang the song for Norway again. Just so powerful! And the most important part - God touched me today during the service. He is just amazing! And I just cried....I know, so me :D But I know He loves me, although I haven't heard it so much lately. So in that way I'm starting to understand why do we need Christians beside us - to show God's love to us! :) There's like all complicated thinking behind there last two sentences, but I just don't know how to explain it very well. Skype me to ask more :D
I have had it good in the meanwhile. I have really been enjoying my job and life here. The weather was amazing last week, so we had a barbeque last weekend, but now the autumn is really getting here. It's raining today. And I actually love rain. I just have to get the right clothes on! :)
Well, hoping to hear how your week has been! :)
Love you!
Grete
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Update
So no posts for a while. I'm trying to pick it up again.
I went to Vienna last weekend. We had the EMYC (European Methodist Youth and Children's) Council meeting there. I know! I feel just so blessed to be able to travel because of 'business'. That's the way we do it! :) It was my 7th meeting and I was among the three people who have been there the longest. It felt just so wrong. The other two were from Ireland and they have been at the meetings 10 and 11 times. But yes, I really enjoyed the meeting. We did some good work, but we also had fun. I learnt this SPOON game and I'll definitely start teaching it, when I get back. It just seems kinda pointless, but it's sooo much fun. We enjoyed it, anyway. What else do I love about the meetings? I love the personal relationships, the talks, sharing of stories. It is very special. As I said, we work there hard, but the evenings are time for socialising. So we have night cafés every night. And as I heard, this year some sat up until like 3am. Very cool!
I got back to Norway on Monday and have been busy with work. But I've had great time here. I just can't describe how special it is to have little David here. Yesterday evening David started crying while Ingvild was feeding Selma. So I picked him up, sat in an armchair, took a book about the Tigger in the Winnie the Pooh and started reading. And although he was hungry, he actually calmed down and was asleep for like 15 minutes. It felt so special! :) There has been several cosy moments like this, but this one is somehow especially vivid.
Yesterday evening I went to visit Daniela and Kay. They had Krasi and Karitha over and we had a nice evening just chatting, kinda watching TV and eating some chicken. I liked it! And Daniela was so cute in the end, when I was leaving. She was like 'well, call me more often and come to visit'. And I've actually been visiting them every week so far. Well, the last weekend was an exception, as I was in Vienna. But you know what I mean. So it was very special and I just love her for that! :)
OK, off I go now. I have to study some Norwegian, as my tests are soon!
Love you all,
Grete
I went to Vienna last weekend. We had the EMYC (European Methodist Youth and Children's) Council meeting there. I know! I feel just so blessed to be able to travel because of 'business'. That's the way we do it! :) It was my 7th meeting and I was among the three people who have been there the longest. It felt just so wrong. The other two were from Ireland and they have been at the meetings 10 and 11 times. But yes, I really enjoyed the meeting. We did some good work, but we also had fun. I learnt this SPOON game and I'll definitely start teaching it, when I get back. It just seems kinda pointless, but it's sooo much fun. We enjoyed it, anyway. What else do I love about the meetings? I love the personal relationships, the talks, sharing of stories. It is very special. As I said, we work there hard, but the evenings are time for socialising. So we have night cafés every night. And as I heard, this year some sat up until like 3am. Very cool!
I got back to Norway on Monday and have been busy with work. But I've had great time here. I just can't describe how special it is to have little David here. Yesterday evening David started crying while Ingvild was feeding Selma. So I picked him up, sat in an armchair, took a book about the Tigger in the Winnie the Pooh and started reading. And although he was hungry, he actually calmed down and was asleep for like 15 minutes. It felt so special! :) There has been several cosy moments like this, but this one is somehow especially vivid.
Yesterday evening I went to visit Daniela and Kay. They had Krasi and Karitha over and we had a nice evening just chatting, kinda watching TV and eating some chicken. I liked it! And Daniela was so cute in the end, when I was leaving. She was like 'well, call me more often and come to visit'. And I've actually been visiting them every week so far. Well, the last weekend was an exception, as I was in Vienna. But you know what I mean. So it was very special and I just love her for that! :)
OK, off I go now. I have to study some Norwegian, as my tests are soon!
Love you all,
Grete
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