The Christmas Season

As I sit here I am listening to the Spotify collection of Bing Crosby Christmas music...it's making me very homesick! Nothing beats my family's themed Christmas tree (last year's coca-cola tree was awesome),  mom's AMAZING sugar cookies, the giant blow up moose in the front yard and all the great Christmas movies we watch together through the season.  

Although, I do have to admit I like having a real winter here in Norway which I never had in Seattle, it was always just a lot of rain and wind.  This year there is a touch of home, thanks to a very welcomed package from my brother, I even have a blow up bear this year for the garden. There is supposed to be a penguin too but the electrical challenges of things from the US here in Europe never cease to be annoying. Norwegians are definitely a bit more modest in their choice of Christmas decorations but I am glad to have a few American influences around the house this year.

Today I plan to go to the Christmas market down by the harbor and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers. I really do enjoy this season and time of year.   During this time it is very common to reflect and think about life, to slow down and give your mind the opportunity to process everything.  (of course after you have finished all the shopping, decorating, cooking, baking and etc. etc.)  If you don't take the time the whole season is over before you can blink!  At least for me now I want to take in all the new traditions while keeping a few of the old ones I can.  It's not always easy to live in a different country with a different culture. I think I like the balance of old and new.  One day when I have my own family there will be a lot to choose from and then it will be a perfect balance we decide as a family.  I look forward to that.

So, as I continue to love God, love people and love life...I am continuously in awe of God's amazing faithfulness despite my external circumstances.  Right now I am in process of getting my current working permit visa approved.  It's a tough process and since I have been here for 6 years already a few of my options have expired.  I am totally at peace and I know that according to Isaiah chapter 55 that God's thoughts and His ways are higher than mine.  This gives the reassurance that I am not alone.  I understand that God's timing is perfect and I believe He has something in store that is just out of this world!

So, to end this update I will leave you with a picture of me from the fall before snow came and a picture of my new friend Evija from Latvia.  We met at Norwegian class and after coming to church she became a Christian!!  She is super sweet and it's such a blessing that God has put her in my life.   I'll be sure to post some snowy pictures soon too!

Have a great day!!