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
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Our bitteliten
I've been thinking about writing and now I'm finally getting to it. I have been trying to figure out the feelings I've been having the last days. It just seems that so much has been going on.
Like Sunday. We had the project weekend in the church. So kids helped with the service and they had had a family choir practice the day before. The family choir sang just amazingly. I mean....I shouldn't be surprised at all by this point anymore, but I do enjoy all kind of singing. I do. And the kids did all kinds of things. Like helped to take up the offering. And Jonathan was so funny. He's this 7-year-old in our church and his dad is this amazing pianist that I've talked about before. He was helping to take up the offering. OK, bear with me, I'm trying to explain this situation. The offering basket was on one side and it was sent to the other side, so he RAN to the other side to collect it. I mean it, he literally RAN. I just loved the picture. Yes, it was funny, but had a very strong message for me. Jonathan was just so EAGER to do what he was asked to. Sometimes we, grown-ups, have done things for a long time and we have grown tired of them. So we do things because we have to, because we are used to doing them. I challenge you to look over the things you've been 'always' doing. Where is your heart while doing these things? Are you doing them with joy? Are you doing them to the Lord? I just think it is sooo important to enjoy what you are doing. Yes, I know, there are things that just have to be done. But I also believe that God can give joy in these things too. Because He is just so rocking awesome!
I have to say over and over again that children just amaze me. Like Gabriel. He is turning three in the beginning of November and he is just the cutest. He is just so funny sometimes. On Monday evening he was trying to chase one of the cats we have and followed the cat everywhere. So the cat hid under the small table we have in the kitchen and Gabriel tried to follow. He got stuck between the kitchen bench and the table leg. It took a minute and we got him out again. So he came to me and dad and mormor (Ingvild's mom, who's here to help us at the moment) and told us with all his sincerity that he went under the table and SUDDENLY there wasn't enough room for his head. We just couldn't stop laughing. And today. Gabriel came from the kindergarten and had to check on the baby, of course. So he came back to us and told that he took the baby with his beautiful sharp claws (at the same time holding his hands like claws:D) and he DIDN'T break or start crying :D What do you say to the kid? We were all laughing like crazy again. I LOVELOVE the sincerity.
And our bitteliten (in translation: tiny one). Yes, that's how I call David. Because he just feels sooo tiny at the moment. He weighs like 3,5 kg and is 48cm. That's like nothing. When I'm holding him, I feel like there's nothing in my arms. But at the same time, there's soooo much in my arms. This tiny little person, who will grow and develop and learn. This tiny boy full of potential. AMAZING. And do you know what's the best part of it? He's here like ALL the time. I have never had that. I've always wished for a younger brother or sister, but as you know, I had the honor of being the youngest one in my family. So I've never had this little baby around me all the time before. So no wonder he's lying in this crib in the living room and I just go and peek at him....again and again and again. And I'm amazed every time! And I so wish that I could hold him like all the time....(reminds me of Rachel from Friends :D) He's this precious one there lying and sleeping most of the time. And he's so calm. He was very active in the stomach the last month, so Ingvild had to sit up sometimes in the night. But now he's this calm baby that wakes up like every three hours, eats, we change the diaper and he sleeps again. We are really blessed. I am just amazed at life! Because this really is the miracle of life! And do you know what? I want one! I do. And I do pray that one day (soon, I hope) I can have a baby of my own. Because they are so dear and I'm sure that I can't even imagine what it will feel like when I'm going to have my own baby lying in the crib. My feelings are kid of overflowing already now...but it will be like 1000 times better then.
Love you all,
Grete
Like Sunday. We had the project weekend in the church. So kids helped with the service and they had had a family choir practice the day before. The family choir sang just amazingly. I mean....I shouldn't be surprised at all by this point anymore, but I do enjoy all kind of singing. I do. And the kids did all kinds of things. Like helped to take up the offering. And Jonathan was so funny. He's this 7-year-old in our church and his dad is this amazing pianist that I've talked about before. He was helping to take up the offering. OK, bear with me, I'm trying to explain this situation. The offering basket was on one side and it was sent to the other side, so he RAN to the other side to collect it. I mean it, he literally RAN. I just loved the picture. Yes, it was funny, but had a very strong message for me. Jonathan was just so EAGER to do what he was asked to. Sometimes we, grown-ups, have done things for a long time and we have grown tired of them. So we do things because we have to, because we are used to doing them. I challenge you to look over the things you've been 'always' doing. Where is your heart while doing these things? Are you doing them with joy? Are you doing them to the Lord? I just think it is sooo important to enjoy what you are doing. Yes, I know, there are things that just have to be done. But I also believe that God can give joy in these things too. Because He is just so rocking awesome!
I have to say over and over again that children just amaze me. Like Gabriel. He is turning three in the beginning of November and he is just the cutest. He is just so funny sometimes. On Monday evening he was trying to chase one of the cats we have and followed the cat everywhere. So the cat hid under the small table we have in the kitchen and Gabriel tried to follow. He got stuck between the kitchen bench and the table leg. It took a minute and we got him out again. So he came to me and dad and mormor (Ingvild's mom, who's here to help us at the moment) and told us with all his sincerity that he went under the table and SUDDENLY there wasn't enough room for his head. We just couldn't stop laughing. And today. Gabriel came from the kindergarten and had to check on the baby, of course. So he came back to us and told that he took the baby with his beautiful sharp claws (at the same time holding his hands like claws:D) and he DIDN'T break or start crying :D What do you say to the kid? We were all laughing like crazy again. I LOVELOVE the sincerity.
And our bitteliten (in translation: tiny one). Yes, that's how I call David. Because he just feels sooo tiny at the moment. He weighs like 3,5 kg and is 48cm. That's like nothing. When I'm holding him, I feel like there's nothing in my arms. But at the same time, there's soooo much in my arms. This tiny little person, who will grow and develop and learn. This tiny boy full of potential. AMAZING. And do you know what's the best part of it? He's here like ALL the time. I have never had that. I've always wished for a younger brother or sister, but as you know, I had the honor of being the youngest one in my family. So I've never had this little baby around me all the time before. So no wonder he's lying in this crib in the living room and I just go and peek at him....again and again and again. And I'm amazed every time! And I so wish that I could hold him like all the time....(reminds me of Rachel from Friends :D) He's this precious one there lying and sleeping most of the time. And he's so calm. He was very active in the stomach the last month, so Ingvild had to sit up sometimes in the night. But now he's this calm baby that wakes up like every three hours, eats, we change the diaper and he sleeps again. We are really blessed. I am just amazed at life! Because this really is the miracle of life! And do you know what? I want one! I do. And I do pray that one day (soon, I hope) I can have a baby of my own. Because they are so dear and I'm sure that I can't even imagine what it will feel like when I'm going to have my own baby lying in the crib. My feelings are kid of overflowing already now...but it will be like 1000 times better then.
Love you all,
Grete
Friday, September 16, 2011
Everything can change in a minute
Today was great up until 8pm. We had a great morning with Selma and Gabriel and went to visit the baby after lunch. He is soooo cute and just so small. A little miracle. It's just unimaginable that WE can be part in creating sth like this. We mix some cells and there it is, growing, getting bigger, getting arms, legs etc. Becoming a real person. And this baby boy is just amazing. The tinies I've seen. He weighs 3450g and is only 48 cm tall. When I held him, it felt like there's basically nothing in my arms. I just wanted to cuddle him so-so hard. I can't believe I'm going to see this baby boy EVERY day in the next five months. I'll be able to see him grow, develop and learn. It will be just wonderful!
Today was also great because I got this great phone call. I had just come to my room, when my phone rang. Which in this house means that I have to run through the second floor downstairs and out on the porch to answer the call. All that because we have a very poor connection here for the cell phones. So I ran like crazy to get out to be able to answer the call. Lívia was calling. She was just the cutest. "I just called to tell you that I miss you and love you. We're having Kadri's Bday party tonight, so I miss you especially, because no party is the same without you." THANK YOU, dear. I needed to hear that! I love you too!
The hard part of today has been the fact that Selma has thrown up at least 4 times tonight. We tried to feed her in the evening and she really didn't want to, but there are some very important medicines she has to take every evening, so we tried to get hear eating, so she could get the most important medicines. We did it, and also got some enzymes in her (they help her to digest the food). The mormor (Ingvild's mom) got her to bed, but later I saw on the camera that she was not sleeping. So I thought that I'll go into her room and talk to her a little, so she would fall asleep nicely. Just when I got to her room, she threw up. So I put the light on, got her out of the bed and to her bathroom to clean her up. Poor baby! Anyway, cleaned her up, worked on changing the linens and put her back to bed, because it seemed that she was feeling better. She was even smiling there at some point. Did that, and she threw up. Just a little this time, but still. So mormor got her out of the bed and went to the living room to sit with her a little. We tried to give her some medicine that should calm down her stomach, but the only result was that after some minutes she threw up again :S After we had sit up with her for a while, we tried to get her to bed. It looked like she's sleeping, so I went in to adjust the camera, so we could see her eyes properly. She threw up again...just a little bit again this time, fortunately. Anyway, so she sat with the mormor again and I was downstairs some minutes ago. It seems that she is finally sleeping. I really hope so. It just breaks my heart to see the little one suffering. The hardest part is that I cannot do anything for her. I can just pray...but then again, isn't that the greatest thing we can do for someone? Anyway, I am praying for her and asking you to pray for her too. That she could have a calm night and that mommy in the hospital wouldn't worry too much about her.
Blessings to you all,
Grete
Today was also great because I got this great phone call. I had just come to my room, when my phone rang. Which in this house means that I have to run through the second floor downstairs and out on the porch to answer the call. All that because we have a very poor connection here for the cell phones. So I ran like crazy to get out to be able to answer the call. Lívia was calling. She was just the cutest. "I just called to tell you that I miss you and love you. We're having Kadri's Bday party tonight, so I miss you especially, because no party is the same without you." THANK YOU, dear. I needed to hear that! I love you too!
The hard part of today has been the fact that Selma has thrown up at least 4 times tonight. We tried to feed her in the evening and she really didn't want to, but there are some very important medicines she has to take every evening, so we tried to get hear eating, so she could get the most important medicines. We did it, and also got some enzymes in her (they help her to digest the food). The mormor (Ingvild's mom) got her to bed, but later I saw on the camera that she was not sleeping. So I thought that I'll go into her room and talk to her a little, so she would fall asleep nicely. Just when I got to her room, she threw up. So I put the light on, got her out of the bed and to her bathroom to clean her up. Poor baby! Anyway, cleaned her up, worked on changing the linens and put her back to bed, because it seemed that she was feeling better. She was even smiling there at some point. Did that, and she threw up. Just a little this time, but still. So mormor got her out of the bed and went to the living room to sit with her a little. We tried to give her some medicine that should calm down her stomach, but the only result was that after some minutes she threw up again :S After we had sit up with her for a while, we tried to get her to bed. It looked like she's sleeping, so I went in to adjust the camera, so we could see her eyes properly. She threw up again...just a little bit again this time, fortunately. Anyway, so she sat with the mormor again and I was downstairs some minutes ago. It seems that she is finally sleeping. I really hope so. It just breaks my heart to see the little one suffering. The hardest part is that I cannot do anything for her. I can just pray...but then again, isn't that the greatest thing we can do for someone? Anyway, I am praying for her and asking you to pray for her too. That she could have a calm night and that mommy in the hospital wouldn't worry too much about her.
Blessings to you all,
Grete
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The day when baby is coming
We all have been super excited about the fact that today is the day when the baby is coming. It seems a bit funny, but great at the same time. You know, knowing the EXACT date when the baby will be born. It doesn't really happen that often, if I may say :)
Anyway, I got up 7 am today to say bye to Ingvild and Ole, when they left for the hospital. 8am I got a text from Ingvild that the C-section will be around 1 pm instead of 9 am, as it was supposed to be in the beginning. If I understood correctly, Ingvild had forgotten that she wasn't supposed to eat before it. So the whole day has past everyone being super excited and waiting for the news. When the clock turned 1pm, I've been checking my phone for updates like every 10-15 minutes. Nothing. It just feels that I can't take it anymore. I want to see the picture of the new baby and get to know if he finally has a name. Hoping the news will come fast :)
What is it that you are waiting for impatiently? What makes you check your phone/e-mail/FB/mail box etc. all the time?
One of the highlights of a week for me is Sunday morning. The time everyone goes to church - all over the world. It is one thing I'm waiting for most of the time. Yes, there are also times when I might not wait for it too much, but at the moment I feel how church is important. How being in contact with the ones that you share faith with, is vital. Yes, I do think that :)
Hoping to post news about the baby soon!
Love,
Grete
Anyway, I got up 7 am today to say bye to Ingvild and Ole, when they left for the hospital. 8am I got a text from Ingvild that the C-section will be around 1 pm instead of 9 am, as it was supposed to be in the beginning. If I understood correctly, Ingvild had forgotten that she wasn't supposed to eat before it. So the whole day has past everyone being super excited and waiting for the news. When the clock turned 1pm, I've been checking my phone for updates like every 10-15 minutes. Nothing. It just feels that I can't take it anymore. I want to see the picture of the new baby and get to know if he finally has a name. Hoping the news will come fast :)
What is it that you are waiting for impatiently? What makes you check your phone/e-mail/FB/mail box etc. all the time?
One of the highlights of a week for me is Sunday morning. The time everyone goes to church - all over the world. It is one thing I'm waiting for most of the time. Yes, there are also times when I might not wait for it too much, but at the moment I feel how church is important. How being in contact with the ones that you share faith with, is vital. Yes, I do think that :)
Hoping to post news about the baby soon!
Love,
Grete
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Sunday service
I just loved the service today! It was just so special.
I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but I like to call the Arendal Methodist church a singing congregation. The first time I was there in 2008, everyone asked me if I am a singing kind of a person. They all wanted to invite to the their congregations gospel choir. I had to say no, of course. But yeah, they are a singing congregation. They have the gospel choir, then a senior choir, children's choir and also family choir projects from time to time. They have this amazing composer in the church, Stein Jonassen. And he really is AMAZING - literally!
Anyway, the church is having the topic of "more abundant life" the next five weeks and Stein was asked to compose a song for it. Of course, he did. So we sang it today in the church. We also had children in the beginning of service and so we had tons of songs and learnt a scripture all together from Mt 7:7. When it was time for the children to go downstairs to Sunday school, the congregations sang a song about it too (I actually took pics of the lyrics, because I think it was so cool). The lyrics say that come to the Sunday school, we'll talk about Daddy in the heaven etc. Really cool! Never heard a song like that before :)
The most powerful part for me was the ending of the service today. Stein had decided that we are going to sing during the prelude and postlude today. And the postlude song was just AMAZING! It was his song and it was a prayer for Norway. I just so wish I could add a link of it, but it's not out there. But anyway, it was really great and when I would try to compare it with something, Estonians can compare it with our song "Palve" that is written by Tõnis Mägi.
What am I trying to say here? Today I really felt that sermon is not the only part of the service that matters. Sometimes the other parts of the service can touch us in a way that we cannot explain. So be open, listen to God! He talks through a lot of things :) We just have to notice it!
Hope your Sunday service was a great experience too :)
Grete
I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but I like to call the Arendal Methodist church a singing congregation. The first time I was there in 2008, everyone asked me if I am a singing kind of a person. They all wanted to invite to the their congregations gospel choir. I had to say no, of course. But yeah, they are a singing congregation. They have the gospel choir, then a senior choir, children's choir and also family choir projects from time to time. They have this amazing composer in the church, Stein Jonassen. And he really is AMAZING - literally!
Anyway, the church is having the topic of "more abundant life" the next five weeks and Stein was asked to compose a song for it. Of course, he did. So we sang it today in the church. We also had children in the beginning of service and so we had tons of songs and learnt a scripture all together from Mt 7:7. When it was time for the children to go downstairs to Sunday school, the congregations sang a song about it too (I actually took pics of the lyrics, because I think it was so cool). The lyrics say that come to the Sunday school, we'll talk about Daddy in the heaven etc. Really cool! Never heard a song like that before :)
The most powerful part for me was the ending of the service today. Stein had decided that we are going to sing during the prelude and postlude today. And the postlude song was just AMAZING! It was his song and it was a prayer for Norway. I just so wish I could add a link of it, but it's not out there. But anyway, it was really great and when I would try to compare it with something, Estonians can compare it with our song "Palve" that is written by Tõnis Mägi.
What am I trying to say here? Today I really felt that sermon is not the only part of the service that matters. Sometimes the other parts of the service can touch us in a way that we cannot explain. So be open, listen to God! He talks through a lot of things :) We just have to notice it!
Hope your Sunday service was a great experience too :)
Grete
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