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PRAISE GOD FOR A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

This has been a wonderful blessed weekend. I am so exited, inspired and thankful to God for everything I have experienced in these last two days. From early yesterday morning when I went out of bed and looked through the window I had a reason to praise God. From our living room, the view I saw was so fantastic, like the pictures we see on Christmas cards. Only God can clothe the nature so beautiful. I was out on the veranda and picked fresh, green parsley from under the snow. I had a lot of housework to do yesterday, washing and ironing, baking a cake and prepared the dinner for Sunday. But I had CDs to play worship songs and I joined in praise and worship myself. I felt the presence of God, right there doing ordinary things. After finishing all my work, I had a nice evening together with my dear husband.
Today we had a wonderful day with the church. We were privileged to have visitors from the living church of God in China. Brother Yun, also called the heavenly man visited us together with a big team. Both brother Yun and sister Debora, a Chinese evangelist, involved in “back to Jerusalem” movement live now in Germany. We had a wonderful time of praise and worship and afterwards both sister Debora and brother Yun shared the good news and told us many great and moving stories from their lives about miracles and Gods care and protection. Many people went forward for prayer in the end. We had many visitors today, the hall was full, even with more chairs. Today the churches from Nord Hordaland and Osterøy joined us.
We had invited Josef and his family for dinner today and we had a great time. The children were so sweet and behaved so well, they were giving thanks for things they got and little Lars was so fine when he gave thanks for the food. Grandchildren are a blessing and we have many of them!
Tonight we went to “the Christ church” where brother Yun and his team attended the meeting. Several churches were represented this evening. The leaders in the pastoral network in town have arranged this weekend together. This night many people went forward for prayers. They wanted the flame to burn anew in their hearts, to share the good news with others. Thank you Lord for your wonderful work among us.
Text: Solveig

To refresh others

After arriving home from India, the days have been quite busy for me. We reached home on a Saturday afternoon and had our son’s family in Bergen for dinner the next day after Sunday service. A great day! On the Monday I emptied our suitcases and washed all the clothes, but in the evening I packed my suitcase again with other clothes. Next morning we left home before 6, the leaders in the church were together for prayer and I prepared breakfast. A few hours later Erling took me to the bus station where I went by bus to Stavanger. I had promised to come and help at David our son’s home because little Jonathan( 3 years) had to go to hospital to get his tonsils removed. His little sister, Mathilde was also ill with troat infection, so I willingly went to help and stayed there until Monday morning. The surgery went well, our grandson returned home after 2-3 days at the hospital and Mathilde recovered as well.
So yesterday I was happy to go home to meet my dear husband again. But sitting in the bus I felt very tired thinking of the 4-5 hours before I reached home, so probably try to sleep would be a good idea. But after a short distance we had to cross the sea that was rough yesterday, it was windy and rainy. The journey continued and then an old gentleman entered the bus. He used a crutch and obviously it was painful for him to walk. I had a free seat next to me and he asked if he could sit down. Of course, I helped him with his bags and fixed his seatbelt. He enjoyed to talk with me. He was on his way to his son in Bergen, but the next day he should be admitted to the hospital in town because of heart problems. He told a lot about himself. I was glad to tell him about my Lord and how he was my life and help in all circumstances. I was happy to help him onboard at the ferry, and he was grateful. We should leave the bus at the same place, where a taxi waited for him and my dear husband with a warm smile and a big hug waited me. At the end of the trip all tiredness was gone. A word from the Bible came to my mind. “those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”(proverbs 11.25) It was exactly what happened to me. I felt good and thanked God. He is so wonderful! Text: SOLVEIG

A day at rest

Today have been a day at rest for us most of the time. Keri and Carol left very early this morning, but they did not want us to get up so early, so we said farewell to them last night. They have gone back to Wales and we will surely miss them.
This morning I slept till 8 o’clock. It was nice with a late breakfast. Zephry joined us some hours later. He and Erling had some paperwork to do. I was reading and writing postcards. Zephry had lunch together with us and afterwards he and Erling went out to do some business. But I had experience. After a little nap, I went out in the garden at the hotel and went swimming in the big swimming pool. I had it all myself, nobody else were bathing at that time. A few people were sun bathing. The temperature was 25 degrees in the pool so I enjoyed the swimming very much. It was good for my neck and stiff shoulders. Afterwards I was enjoying the sun as well, it was not too warm just pleasant. It is winter season here, but this “winter” season is very enjoyable to me!
We had dinner outside the hotel tonight, but we were early back. Tomorrow we go to Dehli and from there we go several places and have a busy program, so I was very grateful for this day at rest. God is such a good God, always caring and looking after us so well.

Brenda - a caring friend

We arrived at our hotel in Jaipur this morning together with our dear friends Keri and Carol. Also our friend Zephry, who lives in Jaipur, had been with us in Udaipur. He had told his wife the time he expected us to be here, but they live outside the city so we all thought she stayed home when we arrived.
To our great surprise, there she was outside the hotel to welcome us, first her husband and then all of us with her warm smile and hugs. She had brought her bag with different things just in her concern to help and bless us.
Brenda is just like that, she has such a caring and loving heart, always thinking of our welfare, how she can help and bless. In all the years we have come to India she has always been such a blessing to us together with her dear husband and wonderful family.
Today our excitement was greater than ever, because we had heard the good news that she had been healed from the skin disease that made her skin hard and stiff. But now I could touch her arm and the skin was soft and nice. We were so grateful to God and so encouraged by seeing, touching and meeting Brenda.
Brenda is a dear covenant friend. She is from this great nation of India, speaking another language, she has another colour of skin, but to me that does not matter at all. We are knitted together with bonds of love, we are in the same family of God, my dear sister. I am so happy and grateful to be among her friends.

Ready for India

Ready for India!

In half an hour we leave our house to go to the airport and early tomorrow morning we reach warm India. We look forward with great expectation to the 5 weeks in India. So many prayers and good words are following us so our trust and hope are in God that every word and promise will come to pass. We are together with other friends all the trips, except for the last week, then we are alone. God is good, faithful in all circumstances.

The one thing worth being concerned about

We live in a time when we hear people saying and complaining that they don’t have time for this or that. Lately we read in the papers about man and women expressing how they are squeezed by the time. In fact some try to find an excuse for not using the time right.
Well, I think it is first of all a question of priority. We have all got the same number of hours, but it is our choice how we use them.
The last weeks I have had a quite busy “program”, but I have said yes and chosen the things I have done. Yesterday was one of the busy days, I was at Gullbotn making food and serving the brothers who had a team gathering. So when I arrived home I sat down and relaxed, while my dear husband went to a student meeting to speak. He was so late that I in the end made a phone call, but he arrived home before midnight!
I woke up quite early this morning and during the last few weeks the same has happened to me. I am thinking that it must be the Lord who want me to use extra special time to fellowship this morning. And so I did. After reading my Bible I took my guitar making songs of worship and praise to my Lord. It was a wonderful time to be in the presence of Him, my dear Lord, Saviour and friend. I was now inspired and refreshed to begin to work and do the things I had to do. We read about Martha and Mary in Luke 10, how Martha disliked that she had to do all the work while her sister sat at the Lord’s feet , listening to what he taught. But the Lord said to her. “My dear Martha, you are upset over all these details! There is really one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it- and I won’t take it away from her.” To be at the Master’s feet, there is nothing like it. I have experienced it over and over again.

Always be thankful!

”No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1.Thess.5.18) The word of God is encouraging us to be thankful. To say thank you or express our thankfulness should be expressed in one way or the other, every day. If we count all or each blessing we get every day, we will discover many reasons to give God thanks. I am very privileged because I have so many reasons to give God honour and thanks for. Yesterday afternoon we returned home from Gullbotn after being there for 3 days. The brothers in the Nettverk were together for planning and fellowship. I was working full days in the kitchen to make food and care for them. I enjoy very much to serve them, and they are so grateful and express it. My feet were tired when I sat down in a comfortable chair at home, but I felt so good, I was so thankful to God that I am well, at good health and could serve the brothers. I have so many, many more reasons to be grateful for, but tonight I am so sleepy, that I will just add that I am grateful for a comfortable bed and I trust a good night sleep.

Meeting together with the family of God

Yesterday was a very refreshing day when I met so many of my sisters of brothers in the church. In the morning two of my prayer partners and friends came to our home. I shared a few words from the Bible and I also gave some specific word God had given me before hand to give them. They received the word very well. We shared our prayer requests and we went before the throne of God and had a wonderful time in worship and prayer. We were all strengthened and blessed and we are confident that we will see and experience God answer our prayers according to His promises. We finished our time by having lunch together.
In the evening Erling and me went to attend the coming together for all the church. At first we met in the cafeteria for fellowship, talking together and enjoying coffee and cakes. A very nice time. Afterwards we met in the main hall. We were praising God for His goodness and the elders told us about the plan and projects, for coming months, and of visitors coming to bring us the word. It was the family being together, a blessed time. We saw a video taken in Kenya this summer and the team from the church who visited this country brought a very exiting report telling us and showing what God had done on this trip.
It is wonderful to belong to a big family of brothers and sisters from all over the world, but it is good that we can be part of a cell group and a congregation where we can know each other, help each other and encourage each other, being built together in the body of Christ.

Home, sweet home!

I am home again after one week visiting family in Stavanger area. First I went to our son David’s house where we celebrated little Jonathan’s 3 years birthday. So I helped to bake cakes and preparing for the two days parties. I also had the privileged to hold and cuddle little baby Mathilde. A nice but busy weekend. The following week I went to see my old mother. She is still physically very fit but is getting more and more senile and forgetful. But she is so grateful and kind , appreciates so much everything I do for her, always saying thanks. She loves that I keep her company answering the same questions over and over again. Her world is quite small now, but she has a great concern for us, her own family. Bless her, I am so grateful for the good and secure home she created for us together with my father. A home with so many lovely memories!
But my heart was filled with joy and warmth when I saw my husband waiting for me yesterday at the bus station. It was so wonderful to be in his arms again! He had arrived home from Finland only a few hours earlier. Later on I got a good report from his and Morten’s visit there. I have not been able to be online before, but now I do hope to write more often.
Today I have been washing and tidying the house, washing clothes and baking a cake. I am home again, my husband is here, everything is just perfect. I served a homemade pizza tonight after my husband’s wish. What else could I say? Yes, God is good, He is so good, giving me reasons all the time to say, Thank you, my dear Lord!

Problem seems to be solved

At last it seems that the problems are solved! I have installed an anti virus program and deleted some adware as well as having the entire pc cleansed!

Blessing again, this time in England

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Days of blessings

Back from the Bible week in Harstad

Sunday night we arrived home from a very good time at the Bible week. I think all the people who attended the conference were blessed and touched. Adults, youth and children gave all positive feedback. The servants who ministered were anointed and had all the grace from God needed when they brought the word of God. In the morning there were two different seminars, one was a family seminar where most of the young couples and parents attended and the other was about church planting. At the same time some good workers were teaching the young folks and the children. They had also different activities and were making things. In the evening we came together for worship and listen to the word of God. We were inspired and challenged to be on fire for God and share the good news of the Kingdom. Our task and vision was clearly given and well received. Many new believers attended the meetings and a young man received Jesus as Lord in his life and was baptized in water the next day. Some young girls also decided to follow Jesus and were baptized.
We met our son Karl Enok and his family who lives in Tromsø and also our youngest daughter Ruth Kristin who lives on an island outside Tromsø. It is always a joy to see them and to fellowship. We had a nice and warm weather most of the time and friends from Harstad took us to a nice place where we could see the midnight sun. We enjoyed that experience very much. God is so good to us every day and wherever we are.

Summer time

I enjoy the summer, Norway is also a nice place to be when it is summer and to day our own town Bergen has been has been blessed with a warm sun and a pleasant temperature. I was cycling to the shop this morning, and afterwards I have been washing clothes and cleaned the house. We have enjoyed all the meals outdoors on the veranda. The food tastes even better when you eat with your loved one on a sunny veranda. Last week our son David and his family visited us, they came from Stavanger where they live. We were having many meals outdoors, lunches and barbeques, one day Josef and his family joined us, and we all had a great time of fellowship and fun. The children, four of them together, were bathing and jumping in the swimming pool, the big plastic “Park boat”. But little four month old Mathilde Elisabeth was happy in her pram .Her big sister Veronica enjoyed sun bathing.
Our granddaughter Kristina was in Bergen to attend the children’s camp at Gullbotn. Afterwards she spend a few days with us, we enjoyed it very much! In two days time we travel north for the Bible week at Harstad. We have great expectations to God for these days together with our sisters and brothers from the North. We will then meet again Kristina and her family and our youngest daughter Ruth Kristin.
At the end of this day I once again will praise the Lord, count all the blessings and give Him honour and thanks from the bottom of my heart!

Back from holiday

Saturday night we came home from two wonderful weeks in Spain. We were so pleased for our holiday. It was a relaxed, refreshing, enjoyable, happy and blessed time. I know we both got what we expected beforehand. The weather and the temperature was just pleasant, from +26-29 degrees, only the last 2 days it was 32-34 deg. So we were sun bathing, I spend more time than Erling in the sun, but I was also more often in the swimming pool. I enjoy swimming. When the water is 26degrees it feels very comfortable to swim.
We were both reading a lot, did some writing, went to marked inside nice small villages, went by car to visit a few smaller famous places in the inland. A few times we went to the beach, 10-15 minutes from were we stayed.
Every day we bought strawberries, they were tasty and much cheaper than in Norway. But we also had a good choice of other nice fruits. Fresh vegetables and green salads were on the table every day, we enjoyed most of the meals at home, went to a restaurant only a few times.
We met a lovely Norwegian couple last year we visited Spain, and we invited them for dinner one evening. They have moved to the country and have a big flat opposite “our” flat. They are believers too, so we had a good time of fellowship and interesting talk. A few days later we were invited to them and had a lovely evening. That night we tasted Spanish prawns, they were quite tasty!
So let me just finish my blogging today and sum it now by saying: Thank you Lord for a wonderful holiday, you blessed us and were so good to us!

Holiday in Spain

Tomorrow morning is our flight for our two weeks of holiday in Spain. I have been preparing for the vacation for the last few days know. The house is tidy and clean. The suitcases are packed with shorts, sandals, swim suits and sun lotion. In my suitcase is also books, writing material and knitting material, so my dear husband is wrong if he thinks I will sunbathe all the time. Of cause it is part of it, but I love to swim so the swimming pool will be used a lot. I am sure we will drive to different new places as well. I am really exited and look very much forward for our holiday. We will have a lot of fun and a great time together. We will have plenty of time for praying and reading the word together. In fact we always enjoy to be in each other’s company so naturally we have high expectation. Thank you dear Lord for this opportunity we have got.

A weekend with many blessings

What a wonderful weekend I have enjoyed, and so has my husband, but he is so clever to speak and writhe for himself, so I first of all tell how I have experienced these last days.
Saturday afternoon we invited some young people to our home. The sun was shining, so nice and warm weather, and we were out on the veranda for hours, Erling was the chef for the barbeque, I made the salad and the potato wedges. After the sunset we went inside the house and continued to fellowship, reading from the word of God and praying together. We enjoy to be together with young men and women, zealous for God.
We had another two wonderful days of Pentecost. We were blessed by sunshine and nice weather all day yesterday and today, and when we live in Bergen we don’t take it for granted. Yesterday we had a wonderful day with Josef and his family, a lovely family .Diana and little Anita who lives in our flat, joined us for lunch. We are so grateful that Josef live in the Bergen area, since all the other children live so far away ( I miss them) But yesterday we were blessed by Josef, Liz, Sara and Lars, really a great time. We have got beautiful, excellent grandchildren, I think the best in the world.
Monday I woke up half past six, Erling was still asleep but I went silently out of our room to dress in the bathroom. I had planned the night before to go out cycling if the sun was out and I woke early. I enjoyed my cycling that morning, and I went to a water nearby and sat down. It was so peaceful and quiet, nobody else was there, but a few ducks were swimming in the water, and the birds were singing. I had a precious time with my Lord, He was present, I was blessed and strengthened and cycled home. An hour later Erling and me had breakfast on the veranda. I had a good portion of reading that morning. It was a relaxed and good day, most of the time I spent out on the veranda.
Our church came together for an afternoon service by 4 o’clock. Some were surprised to see so many people there since the weather was so beautiful. But we had a wonderful time, A time of blessing, God was present his Spirit was working. The worship time was good, but when Erling should share the word of God, he was led by the Spirit to do it differently. He did not preach as usual what happened was wonderful, The presence of God was among it, people gave response and were exited. Erling has written a blog about it which describe this so very well. God is so good. There is nothing that can compare the blessings of being in His presence! This weekend I have experienced blessing upon blessings, and my prayer is that the consequence is, other will be blessed through my life.

An evening with young mothers

Yesterday in the evening I went to our church building to be together with young mothers. They had asked me to come and do some teaching and share with them about raising children and how to keep the relationship in the marriage happy and exiting. I very much enjoyed to be with the group. Several of the mothers had small babies, they were breast feeding so three lovely babies were with us, the youngest only three weeks. They got their food while we had some coffee, tea and sweet nice cakes the mothers had brought with them. Afterwards it was my turn to share with them principles from the word of God about raising children and marriage, and after nearly 40 years of marriage I had experiences and examples to tell. They were very much attentive and after I finished, we had a good time of dialogue and they asked a few questions. We had a good time and they gave very positive feedback. They are so nice, enthusiastic women, who wants to serve God in building strong and healthy homes together with their husbands. Gods is with them, I am sure they will succeed.

To enjoy the moments

Yesterday in the afternoon I was out on the veranda to put some clothes on the linen. I realised that the sun was warming my face, the cold wind that has been blowing for the last days was gone, it felt so good to be outside. I looked around and was exited. The purple lilac tree planted in an arrangement on the veranda, was in early blossom and it was surrounded with beautiful yellow flowers. The seed of flowers I had put into the soil a few weeks ago had made their way through the surface and I could see the green tiny plants in smaller and bigger pots. The thought occurred to me that how important it is to count the blessings, to notice and enjoy the small details and things in life, to look around with open eyes. And what I saw, heard and smelled out on the veranda the minutes I spend there really blessed me. Also because of my thoughts and gratefulness went to my Heavenly Father who was the creator of the plants and flowers I enjoyed to look at. God is so good,he is near every day with so many blessings. My prayer is that I have open eyes to see, count and give thanks for them all.

Working and serving

For the last two days I have been at Gullbotn preparing food and do cooking for the brothers who have been together praying and planning. Two other younger sisters in the church have also been helping partly of the time. But I have been in the kitchen from early morning till quite late, so when we arrived home last night I was very tired and went to bed as soon as I could. I enjoyed to do work for the brothers and they are always so grateful and are good to express appreciation. I find great pleasure in serving them. An extra bonus was the fellowship with the other sisters assisting, doing a great job.
Today we had Bethan and Terrance for dinner. They live in England, a great couple, daughter and son in law of our dear friends Keri and Carol. They are here on a mission. We had a very nice time together. After they left, I have been packing again for another trip. Tomorrow we go by car to Stavanger to visit our son David and his family. We will be back in Bergen after the weekend. I look forward to meet our family, we will also see some other relatives.

Two marwellous weddings

Yesterday Erling and I watched the royal wedding of Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark and Mary Donaldson from Australia. She now became the Crown Princess and got both her Prince and the kingdom. The church building was decorated with beautiful roses and flowers, it looked fantastic. Among the guests were several kings and queens and the dresses and the outfits were exclusive and there was much luxury. But best of all and the moving part for me, was to see the love and happiness between the bride and the groom. He was full of tears while he was waiting for his bride to come. Yes, she was beautiful, radiant, walking and behave like a queen (and she is the coming Queen) We liked what we saw, they seemed to be a good match for each other.
Today we went to watch another wedding, a young couple in the church, Maria and Tormod got married. The hall and the assembly room were decorated in a special artistic way that I liked very much, it was romantic and nice.
Maria was a beautiful bride, she was a princess as good as anyone, and she kept smiling to her handsome groom whose eyes were shining, looking admiring at his chosen bride. Our pastor Morten Askeland held a good speech giving good advices and words to remember before he joined them into the Holy matrimony. It was the moment of their life, and I think they are chosen by God for a great future together, serving His purpose.
I am so glad that God invented the marriage, and Jesus chose to perform His first miracle in a wedding. It is God’s intention that we as husband and wife live in peace, joy and harmony, our home reflect heaven on earth, demonstrating the love of Jesus.
I am so grateful for my wonderful husband, I am so blessed to be his partner, I feel so privileged being married to him, I have been loved and cared for, enriched and build up and so much, much more could be added. As the year has gone I think we have become more and more dependant on each other. We love each other company. God is faithful, He is so good and we want Him to be honoured in our marriage.

Spring at my birthplace

I have visited my home where I lived happily as a child, visit my dear mother who is still alive. She is now very old, still her feet are strong and body fine, but her memory is gone, she is quite senile.
The Sunday was a quiet and nice day, the weather was good, a warm day without clouds on the sky. We went out for a walk my mother and I, she put her hand in mine, she was smiling and grateful, exited as a child. It was indeed a wonderful day and the view we saw seemed so perfect. The spring is here now, the winter is gone.
Fields and meadows belonging to our farm were lavishly scattered with dandelions that coloured them yellow, giving a beautiful harmony to the picture of green hills and trees and the clear blue sky. Some sheep and small lambs were eating grass, it was such a relaxed, peaceful view to look at. Birds were singing from the trees, beautiful melodies, some bees were buzzing and the sun was warming our cheeks.
We enjoyed the walk together my mother and I. She was so happy and smiled and there is one thing she never forgets, it is to say thank you. So she gave me a warm thank you when the walk was over, but to me it had all been just a great joy and pleasure, even a greater joy when I could share the experience with my precious mother.

The Kingdom of God is advancing

Last night we arrived home from a very good weekend in Tromsø. We came from a green spring in Bergen to a town where the spring is in an early stage, there is still some snow in the hillsides, but I saw daffodils and spring flowers in blossom some places. New life is breaking forth in the natural and the same is happening in the spiritual.
We had the joy of staying with our dear son and his lovely family. It is always a joy to be together with them. Because of the long distance from Tromsø to Bergen we don’t see each other so often and I miss them. But now we made the most of our time, talking, fellowshipping, playing with Kristina and Daniel.
Saturday morning we were together with the cell group leaders for breakfast and fellowship and Erling shared some teaching from the word of God. They gave report about the life and situation in the group and it was very encouraging to listen to them. They told about new coming to the groups, new people receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, there was life and good development among the believers in the church.
Sunday morning the church came together in a school for worship and listen to the word of God. Two young ladies were visiting for the first time. We had a wonderful time, the presence of God was evident among us, and our son and his wife, Karl Enok and Ingebjørg had much grace in leading us in praise and worship. Several took part with thanksgiving and word from the Lord. I got tears in my eyes when Kristina (8) our granddaughter sang “We will always love you Lord”. She was baptized in water some weeks back.
I told about our last visit in India and showed some pictures from the trip. Erling shared the word of God to an attentive congregation. A very good time and afterwards we had a time of fellowship, eating together, having coffee and cakes.
We were encouraged to meet with the sisters and brothers at Kristent Fellesskap in Tromsø. We saw the grace of God among them, we met and greeted new believers, what we heard and saw was good. God is at work, he is so good. Truly the spring is breaking forth in Tromsø!

A sunny Thursday

What a joy to wake up this morning, look out the window and discover : It is sunshine today, the rain is gone! I sat down to read my Bible and pray and the beautiful day gave me another reason to be so grateful to the Lord. After some work in the house and hanging clothes on the linen outside, I had to sit down to do some secretary work. I was finished by lunchtime, but then I got a good idea. I will cycle to Lagunen because I had a little shopping to do. I left a note to Erling who was at the office in town, and off I went. It was so warm and nice I enjoyed the cycling. The road was along green fields, many places it was covered with yellow spring flowers like a carpet. People were digging in the garden, children were out playing, everybody I saw seemed to be in a happy mood.
I had to cycle a long steep hill the last part of the tour, but I had to get off the cycle in the end. When I came to the top I discovered that the tyre was flat, perhaps it was punctured. What should I do? I called home and my husband had just entered the house. Kind as he is, he came to “rescue “ me. He put the cycle in the car, drove to Lagunen and waited when I did my shopping. When we came home I could continue my work in the house, and I have packed a suitcase. Tomorrow we go to Tromsø to visit the church and we will meet and stay in our son’s home. I look very much forward for the weekend in Tromsø.
I went out again to do a little digging in the garden. The sun was still shining, the spring is here. Praise the Lord, He is so good , I am glad to be alive and enjoy His blessings.

Cycling is fun

When I celebrated my birthday in February, I got a brand new cycle from our children. I was very exited about it. I have not owned a cycle since I was a teenager, but my mother has a cycle which I am using sometimes when I am home to visit her. But now I have the opportunity to cycle as much as I like. On Saturday I cycled all the way from our church building to our home, the distance is about 12 km. not so very far, but first time for me on bike. To day I used my bike to do some shopping. The exercise is good, but more than that, I experience so much more on a bike than sitting in a car. On Saturday I heard and saw many new things. The road for cycles is parallel to the main road, but along the road grew a lot of daffodils and beautiful flowers in full blossom. It is springtime and the fields and trees have already become so green, it is so fresh and nice and it is a smell of spring in the air. I felt good when I had returned home. To day when I was on my way home I could stop the bike and talk to a neighbour, an old man working in the garden. Another good experience, it is easier to contact people when I am using my bike. So I think that my new bike will bring me much blessing and become a vessel to bless others. I look forward for new tours and discoveries.

Birth and Birthdays

Today I have made two special cakes. But one cake I have already given away. A young dear couple from the church are renting our flat in the basement. Tuesday they became parents for the first time, a beautiful baby girl was born. Today the mother and child returned home from the hospital, so I wanted to welcome them with flowers and a cake. That was appreciated very well. The other cake is not decorated yet, but it is for our little granddaughter Sara’s birthday. She is 6 years old tomorrow and we are invited to the party. Then I will bring the cake and of cause I have bought her a nice gift. I like to see the excitement of children in birthday parties. Tomorrow I could have been in two more birthdays. My oldest sister is 62 years old and a good friend from Skien, Sylvi, she is 60 years old tomorrow. But my choice was little Sara, my sweet granddaughter and together with grandfather will we join in the happy celebration. I look forward for tomorrow with great expectation!

Prayer makes my day

How wonderful it is to start a new day by entering before the throne of God in prayer. How blessed I am to have the possibility to worship and communicate with the living God. He is worthy of all honour and all praise, thanksgiving and adoration. He is my Father and he cares and supply all I need, by His grace I can live a life, pleasing to Him. When I turn to Him in prayer and listen, He talks to me and He is near. His words from the Bible builds me up and discipline me and His Holy Spirit guides me. I am a privileged child of God.
This morning Erling and me had a very blessed time praying together and spend more time to pray than usual. We were worshipping the Lord and we made many prayer requests for other people. How wonderful it is to pray in unity and harmony as husband and wife and sense the presence of God filling the living room. The joy and the strength from this morning meeting has been with me all day. And now is the time to say thank you Lord. You are so good!

Princes and princesses

Last evening Josef and his family came to see us. The plan was that their two eldest children, Jakob and Sara should stay with us until next day, but little Lars didn’t want to go home so we said fine, let him stay. He did not cry and he was put to bed in the same room as his big brother. He is a lively boy and he likes to examine things and look into cupboards and drawers. He cannot be out of sight for many minutes. But all three of them were sound asleep before nine o’clock. I thought they were very clever!
But this morning the first sound of little Lars was heard by five thirty, I managed to put him down a few more minutes, but within half an hour all of them were awake, so myself and the children got up. This morning Sara and myself made rolls, with great assistance of little Lars, he had to taste a little dough as well. Jakob and Erling went by car to shop a few things. Afterwards grandfather got much help of a grandson who was eagerly helping him in the garden. Today we could watch on TV the ceremony of the Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s Christening. I had food to prepare, and we were doing many things but our granddaughter Sara Elisabeth was very fascinated and full of admiration for the beautiful little princess. She should wish she was a princess, she said. But I said that you are our sweet princess. In fact all our grandsons and granddaughters are so precious to us, they are like princesses and princes to us. Well, a word from Bible came to my mind, “You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession.” This is really something, who we are when we belong to Jesus Christ, this is the most wonderful place to be and how privileged we are to be a member in that family!
Sara is a smiling girl and was soon content with her family. We had a happy day together with our grandchildren, and they left in the evening, happy also to see their parents again.

Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns!

The Easter conference is over and my heart is filled with thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for what I and the people attending the conference have tasted, seen and experienced these days. God visited His people, His presence was among us, His servants have ministered the word under anointing and with grace, the gift of the Spirit have been operating freely, people have been healed and set free from bondages, we have been challenged and enriched. We have met friends of covenant from other places and have been refreshed by being together. We have been together with children and grandchildren that we seldom see because they live so far away, so valuable time for us. What a wonderful and successful Easter!
But the final night was the best! Last night we sensed the presence of the Lord as soon as the worship team started to lead us into worship and praise. The Almighty God was among His people, and we worshipped Him again and again with the words, Hallelujah, for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns, Holy, holy is the Lord. I felt like we were in Heaven among the angels worshipping His Majesty seated on the throne. Many of us fell down on our knees, some lay down on their faces, I removed my shoes, felt I was on holy ground. A word of prophesy was brought about healing, and some got specific words. Many came forward and was touched by the Lord. Keri Jones was under the hold of the Spirit of prophesy, and he called different people to the platform. Many leaders got encouraging words about themselves, and their function in the future. Erling and myself, were blessed by words from the Lord and were refreshed and strengthened by the Spirit.
How exited and moved I was when Keri called young women who wanted to be among the army of God bringing the Good News to the people and I saw so many responded. Several of them brought good prophesies and also the young men was challenged to stand firm and tall and to join in the army of the Lord serving Him in this land and into all the earth.
It is impossible to explain the presence of the Lord but I think it made a great impact to all of us present at the gathering last night. But we were left with words that give us great expectation of the coming days. The Easter is over but the Lord is alive and at work by His Spirit. Thank you Lord that I am among your co workers! I love to serve you!

Easter conference

Easter conference

Yesterday night our annual Easter conference started. Several hundred people were gathered, mostly from the church in Bergen and related congregations in the district. But many sisters and brothers form other related churches in Norway have attended the conference, from the north, and from the south, from the east and the west. We all have a great expectation to God that he will move by His Spirit among us and that His word will change, do wonders and that we will see new people receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. And it was a good start last night. After a wonderful time of worship and praise to the Lord, Erling brought a mighty message about the power of the cross. God’s eternal plan of salvation was shared to us in wonderful way. God gave Erling all the grace he needed, and the word was very well received. Many came to see him and gave a good response after the meeting was finished, people were exited and grateful. We met friends afterwards that we hadn’t met for a long time, and it was good to see them and fellowship.
After our son David and his family left yesterday morning, I made the house ready for another son coming, Karl Enok and his family. They live in Tromsø and it is so good that they can stay with us during the conference. These are really days of blessings in so many ways. We have been to the morning seminar where Arne Skagen and Knut Osland had one session each. Again a time of exiting and challenging, it is so useful to be reminded about our task to share the word of the cross to people who don’t know the Lord and also disciple them to become mature in Christ. We are a privileged people having the word of God brought to us by the servants of the Lord in this way. And there is more to come! So my heart is rejoicing, and I tell my Lord; Let your word enrich, equip, change and transform me, so my life can bring fruit to you, and your name be glorified!

The joy of family visit!

This afternoon we had the joy of welcoming our son David and his family coming from Stavanger. They will stay with us the first part of Easter. Little Mathilde Elisabeth is only 6 weeks old, so it was her first trip to see her grandparents home. But I had the privilege to see her at the hospital only an hour after she was born. Jonathan, 2 ½ years old was exited to see us and remembered the small cars and things he played with last time they visited us, he was so happy, it was a joy to see him, he was even playing and equipped like a fireman out on the veranda. His nice sister Veronica, 12, loves to look after her little sister, but in the evening I had the privilege to give little Mathilde a bath. Both of us enjoyed it very much. Now the silence has filled the house, all of the family has gone to bed, I am the last one. I know that quite a lot of work is waiting me the next days, but I love all my family and I find joy to serve them. More joys are waiting us, tomorrow our daughter Ruth Kristin comes from Tromsø to visit us during Easter. And more family members will come to see us. There are many more reasons to rejoice in the coming days, perhaps I will write about it later. Thank you Lord for a wonderful Friday!

Come,love the Lord!

Come love the Lord!

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us give a joyous shout to the rock of our salvation! Let us come before him with thanksgiving. Let us sing to the Lord and bless His name. For the Lord is a great God, He is the great King above all gods. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.
Praise the Lord, I tell myself, with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name. I will never forget the good things He does for me. He for gives all my sins and heals all my sicknesses.
Praise the Lord, He has given me a new day to rejoice, to worship Him with the words of my mouth, and let the works of my hands be pleasing to Him.
Lord, My Lord and Saviour, your goodness is beyond description and your greatness is beyond discovery! Once again I want to say, I love you!

My old mother

Thursday I went to my home place to stay with my mother and look after her for some days. My younger sister who lives close by is the one that sees to her everyday that she is all right, but she should visit her daughter that weekend so I gladly travelled to visit my mother and my sister could have a free weekend. My mother is three times a week at an old people’s home. It is good for her to meet with other old people for fellowship.
How glad my mother was to see me. She gave She is 86 years old and physically she is very well, but her memory has become very poorly, she is so forgetful, asking questions about the same thing again and again. Her world has become very small and her care and interests is her family, children and great grandchildren. So she is asking how they are over and over again. I am answering her seriously as it was the first time she asked. Now she is often confused and doing strange things and daily nurses are visiting her, giving her medicine and see to her welfare. This weekend I could care for everything, they did not have to come.
My dear mother is a believer and it was so wonderful to notice that she is fresh and alive in her spirit. She is reading her Bible, but this weekend I also read for her. The last evening I again read, I read from Romans 8 and gave some and we talked about the words. I prayed for my mother and then she prayed herself. What a great joy to hear her prayer, she was clear in her mind, expressed her love for the Lord and gave Him thanksgiving and praise. She also proposed a song we sang together. I was so encouraged to find the truth of the word that even though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.(2.Cor.4.16) That truth is evident with my mother. She is such a sweet old lady, she was thanking me and being grateful for every little thing I did to her. She has been a hard working housewife doing all the best she could for her husband and family. My mother deserves love, care and respect. I thank God for her and pray for her that God’s blessing and His love will surround her as long as she lives.

My old mother

My old mother.

Thursday I went to my home place to stay with my mother and look after her for some days. My younger sister who lives close by is the one that sees to her everyday that she is all right, but she should visit her daughter that weekend so I gladly travelled to visit my mother and my sister could have a free weekend. My mother is three times a week at an old people’s home. It is good for her to meet with other old people for fellowship.
How glad my mother was to see me. She is 86 years old and psysically she is very well, but her memory has become very poorly, she is so forgetful, asking questions about the same thing again and again. Her world has become very small and her care and interests is her family, children and great grandchildren. So she is asking how they are over and over again. I am answering her seriously as it was the first time she asked. Now she is often confused and doing strange things and daily nurses are visiting her, giving her medicine and see to her welfare. This weekend I could care for everything.
My dear mother is a believer and it was so wonderful to notice that she is fresh and alive in her spirit. She is reading her Bible, but this weekend I also read for her. The last evening I again read, I read from Romans 8 and gave some comments. I prayed for my mother and then she prayed herself. What a great joy to hear her prayer, she was clear in her mind, expressed her love for the Lord and gave Him thanksgiving and praise. She also proposed a song we sang together. I was so encouraged to find the truth of the word that even though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.(2.Cor.4.16) That truth is evident with my mother. She is such a sweet old woman, she was thanking me and being grateful for every little thing I did to her. She has been a hard working housewife doing all the best she could for her husband and family. My mother deserves love, care and respect. I thank God for her and pray for her that God’s blessing and His love will surround her as long as she lives.

God's promises

This morning I was reading from Deuteronomy how God challenged His people to love and obey Him, to worship Him by all their heart, always to live according to His will. We should teach about His words to our children when we are at home and when we are away on a journey, when we are lying down and when we are getting up. I have also read about the blessings He has promised to everyone who obeys His words.
I began to think and meditate upon the wonderful promises God has given us who believe. There are thousands of promises in God’s word the Bible. There are promise for everything we are facing, for every occasion, every situation, in all seasons of life. God has promises for the happy days as well as the sad days, he is alive, he is the same every day. He has promises for the single one, for the family, for children, grandchildren and grand parents. He loves us, cares for us, He helps, strengthens, encourages, blesses, gives us everything we need.
To morrow I travel to my home place to visit my old mother a couple of days. I trust God's promises that He is with me so I can be a help and blessing to her.
How wonderful it is to belong to God, to know Him and to serve Him. Today I have been so grateful for His promises and have praised my Lord many times.

An exiting Sunday

This morning we were glad to join with brothers and sisters in the church to praise and worship the Lord. It was wonderful to listen to Per Arne giving us the word of God about how to live by the Holy Spirit, an inspiring, refreshing message and he had good practical examples to underline and explain what he shared.
After the service it was good to use a time to fellowship and meet with people. Since we had been away we were encouraged to meet with friends again. We were invited to our son and his family for dinner. We enjoyed the meal very much, but their company even more. The children, our blessed grandchildren are so sweet and lovely and their parents discipline and teach them very well. This evening we joined the family for a brass band concert at the primary school were Jakob their seven year old son is an aspirant. He is playing cornet and he was eager to play, he really had progressed since we last heard him. The leaders in the band also arranged a lottery to save money for a tour later on. To our grandchildren’s great excitement, they won some gifts and we gave them what we won. Small children get often exited about the small things, and we loved to see their big smiles and listen to their happy laughter. We are back home again, and I have answered some phone calls from more dear, happy children. Thank you Lord for a good Sunday!

Nightmeal in the jungle

Last week we had a very special exiting adventure in the Indian jungle. We visited a jungle district .But in the middle of this district in the wilderness was a rather big village. There was even a big government school in this place and we should stay in the head masters home that night. It had been very good time together with brothers and sisters gathered in the church building. The heat was rather extreme to us, +40 degrees.
Our friend Chandra told us that they wanted to give us a special meal in the jungle that night. The news sounded very exiting to us. It was early night but very dark when we climbed into the jeep. The headmaster brought his wife and son and our friend Chandra was with us. Some young men had gone by motor bike to start preparation for a barbeque.
The car drove on a narrow road with many curves till we passed a small bridge and we stopped. We went out but the master managed to even bring the car into the jungle where we were. We stepped very carefully. We had a little torch to help us to find our goal, we saw a fire burning a few hundred metres ahead of us. The ground was covered with faded, dry leaves that made a tiny crispy sound when we walked. We approached the fire where also big poles had been put up to be used for the barbeque. Some big rugs and blankets were laid on the ground to sit on.
The night was dark, the forest surrounded us, the atmosphere was peaceful, but the silence was broken by many different sounds. Suddenly a young man passed us with 3 screaming hens in his hand. He and some other men disappeared behind a big stone to slaughter the hens and make them ready for barbeque. They had brought a big lamp where they worked, and we saw the activity in the background like on a big film cloth. While these young brothers were working, the rest of us were talking and listening. Just in front of us was a little muddy brook, from there we were entertained by the rhythmic music from at least a dozen of frogs. We heard sound from birds and insects, some flies were lightening up the darkness. We were told that tigers were hiding in the forests, sometimes they came out from the hiding place and closer to people. Did I see some watching us.?, I was very relaxed, I looked up to the sky that was strewn with stars, it was so beautiful. Words from the Bible came to my mind from Psalm 8. I was meditating and thanking God, His presence was among us.
After some time and the hen had been marinated with oil and curry, been under the fire for a while, our meal was ready. The young men had also boiled eggs and baked potatoes in the fire. We were using our hands and enjoyed the food, very tasty. I had brought wet tissues which was very handy to use after the meal. All of us were sitting talking together, our friends had some questions and they got an answer to them. We had a good time of fellowship in these special surroundings. We drove home before any tiger entered the scenery. Perhaps the best for us! Praise God for this exiting, unforgetable night in the jungle.

Hospitality in India

When we were in India we experienced so many times the warm hospitality from our friend’s home we were visiting. Some places we stayed for a night, one place we stayed for several days and we were also visiting homes for a meal. One of these nights after returning back where we were staying I wrote about it, but I did not have an opportunity to email it. I am therefore sending the content of what I wrote down that night.
We were invited home to a young couple we had never visited before. They had a small, nice home, an auntie had given them the house to rent. They will probably inherit the house later. The same auntie had also helped them that day in the kitchen to prepare the food. In India the woman has a lot of work to do to prepare a single meal.
That night we and the couple we stayed with, were welcome into their small but nice and tidy living room which also served as their bedroom. Before we got the dinner, both the husband and his wife came and washed our feet, for all four of us. It was a very kind act to do. We have experienced this once in India before. It is an honour to guests when they are visiting your home for first time. My feet were dusty, using sandals so it was really refreshing.
We got an excellent meal, so many dishes, soup and meat, chicken, fish, eggs, rice, potatoes and vegetables. The food tasted very well, we became so full. We were also served ice cream and fruitcakes but not all of us could take the desert, it was so much. The food was served by the husband, his wife was in the kitchen to make everything ready.
We had some time of fellowship afterwards, but since our young friends hadn’t eaten yet, we thought it was time to leave. The tradition is like that for many Indians that they eat after the guests are finished.
When we left the home, they even brought an envelope with a gift of love. They are not wealthy at all, but are grateful for us and our friendship as they expressed it.
What a lovely home to visit, what a caring couple and friends, how kind they were. I pray for them and trust God that he is blessing them abundantly, making them fruitful and caring for all their needs.

Home from India

Today we arrived safely home from India. My suitcase was missing but I was grateful it arrived later this evening. It is good to be back after a very good trip where we can look back, pleased with what we experienced, pleased with what God did among us when we were gathered in His name with brothers and sisters from the covenant communities, so wonderful to experience love and friendship from people with total different culture and background. We also met many new brothers and sisters in the covenant communities and new bond were knitted. I am so grateful to God for His protection from sickness and danger. This time we were travelling many hours by cars to remote villages, some places on bad, narrow roads. We visited one village that was far out in the jungle district, it was extremely hot to us, around 40 degree in the shadow, but late evening in the darkness our new friends took us to a special exiting trip in the jungle, but that story I will tell later.
We were cold when we arrived home to Bergen, to the normal temperature and raining, also as normal. The first Erling did when we arrived home was to put fire in the wooden stove so the house became warm. The journey back home was quite long and tiring and due to Indian time it is two o’clock in the morning so I look forward to go to bed now. I have talked to children, some grandchildren, my mother and a sister and it is always so pleasant to hear voices to the dear one in our family. Tomorrow I look forward to meet our family in Bergen, and also friends, brothers and sisters in the church. God is a wonderful good God, and I praise Him for His faithfulness at the end of the day.

Flowers in God’s garden

Here in Rajasthan we can see many beautiful flowers and plants. In spite of this is a warm, very dry season, with much dry, brown ground and land, we see beautiful bushes of red flowers bending over the fences and a rich variety of beautiful flowers in many colours. They grow in well watered gardens.
But the most beautiful “flowers” I met today, were my sisters and friends in the covenant community. Some of them I have known for many years. When they saw me, they gave me a warm hug and started to talk to me, a few in English but most of them in Hindi. I tried to speak to the Hindi speaking with the few words I knew. But even though there is a limitation in speaking, still there is a knitting of hearts that know no limitations. My sisters’ eyes speak so expressively, their smiles are so warm, their attitude is so friendly. I feel so welcome and loved among them. They are so beautiful in their colourful sarees and salwar suits. They love the Lord and their great desire is to serve Him. I am privileged to know them. I think they are like beautiful flowers in God’s garden.

Sightseeing in India

Yesterday we had another exiting day in India. Since it was Noralv and Tones first time in this country, we wanted them to have a special day of sightseeing. We went to Amber fort, and to a very old palace, not in use anymore, but for tourist to visit. This was quite high on the mountain. On the way to the top the four of us were sitting on the back of a huge elephant. This animal was so big, a car passed easily under our feet. The sun was shining, it was very warm, but with sunglasses, water and Erling equipped with a big hat on his head, we managed very well. We had a wonderful view from the back of the elephant We saw gardens and lakes where the elephants were bathing. I was not scared at all, this was just an enjoyable trip together with my dear husband and dear friends.

Ready for India

Today I have been packing, washing clothes and ironing. I have made small notes and list about thing to remember to do or pack, so now I hope that all what need to be in the suitcases are there. I look very much forward to travel to India. We have a long day before us tomorrow, sitting in planes, but we are a good company together, so I expect everything to be fine. I am thankful to God that I can go to India, and my prayer is that I will be a blessing to Him and the people we meet.

Happy children

The last two weeks our daughter Hanna and her three children have visited us, and also her brother and his family here in Bergen. We have enjoyed their staying very much. The house has been filled with laughter, joy, noise, talking and playing. We notice what a difference it is when the small ones are in bed, how quiet it is.
Today they had a very exiting day. Erling brought Hanna and the boys to Gullbotn while I was looking after Sunniva. When the sun was out I put her in the pram and went for a walk and went also to the nearest shop. She was in a very happy mood, and she got many smiles from people in the shop. She is so beautiful with the big brown eyes, black soft hair and a sweet smile. On the way back home she fell asleep and the grandmother enjoyed the nice sunshine and fresh air. But how exited they were the two brothers entering the house a few hours later, describing about the fun in the snow, the sledging down the hill, walking on the ice, their eyes were shining as they told to grandmother. What a happy day for them, and the excitement continued all day. They should watch TV for children, but they found a blanket which they used to play with all three of them. They were laughing and shouting, they were so happy and full of life. I loved to see them playing, and I love them so much. They belong to our family, our grandchildren. I thank God for our all our grandchildren and pray for them.

Receiving a new grandchild

This afternoon I came home from Stavanger after visiting our son and his family for a few days. David had asked me a long time ago if I could come and help when their new baby should be born. I had prayed that the baby should arrive before the actual date since we are going to India, and I wanted very much to help them and see the little one. Our daughter Hanna and her children who are visiting us, were invited to her brothers home while I was away, that was very nice for all of us. The day after I came to David’s home, he followed his wife to the hospital. I was home looking after their son Jonathan, 2 1/2 years old. We went to the playground area, we were shopping, played inside the house, we went by bus to visit my mother staying in a nursing home at the moment and made her very happy, all the time Jonathan was such a good, kind enjoyable little boy to look after. Finally the exiting moment came, I got the news, little Mathilde was born and we could come and see her. Within one hour we were allowed inside the room were she was born, and what a wonderful little treasure I held in my arm. She was so perfect, so sweet, what a wonderful gift from God! How privileged we are, so blessed. May God bless her and the family in the coming days and the future.

The celebration of my 60 years Birthday

Yesterday I had a wonderful day. It was a day of a big celebration. I was 60 and this time my husband decided to arrange the Birthday party for me. The only thing I had to do was to tell and make a list of those I wanted to invite. Josef our son was also involved in the planning. I understood that they also had others to help but they kept the secrets very well. I had no idea about the food or who would come. So I just had to wait and see!
I was overwhelmed about everything that happened yesterday. Children and grandchildren from England and Tromsø had come, only one son and his family could not come. My three sisters and brothers in laws had also come, we were 20 of the family and with the friends the number was 53. When I was allowed to enter the room, I was exited to see all the beautiful decorated tables. I could simply sit down and relax. The menu was reindeer steak and it tasted delicious. We had ice cakes for dessert. Josef was leading it all in an excellent way. Erling held a fantastic speech to me and all the four children who were there were giving warm and beautiful speeches to their mother. I was moved to tears. But also many others used the opportunity, sisters and friends to say nice things to me. I was so blessed and encouraged. We had a break for half an hour and then Erling showed pictures from my childhood, youth and life together with my dear husband, children and grandchildren. I got a song from the children and an extra song from Ruth Kristin. Later it was time for the coffee table, (I had been allowed to make a few cakes!) Friends had also baked and all the time sisters in the church helped to serve and wash dishes. They did an excellent job. After some more speeches I was glad that I was allowed to say thank you to them all. I had chosen a song we sang. I got so many good and wonderful gifts, flowers, a cycle from the children and other pretty things and also money gifts. I am so grateful for my dear family and friends. I am so grateful to God, he has been so faithful and good to me. I praise him for his grace and goodness to me, he is worthy of all the honour.

Friends of covenant

Today we had a very good friend visiting us, Roger Aubrey from Wales. He is teaching in the Bible school this week and after finishing the sessions today, Erling brought him to our home. It was good to meet him again, when he comes to Bergen we always want to have time with him. We have known him for nearly 14 years, first time I saw him was only a few weeks after our son died. He showed such a concern and care for us and the family, and we have known him as a faithful friend ever since. He has a wonderful wife and children who we also have met many times. But he is alone here in Bergen and I had the privilege to serve our friend dinner. He is a nice and happy man, and once again it was a refreshing, enjoyable visit. He is a faithful servant of God, well rooted in the Word of God, so he and Erling has always a meaningful conversation about subjects and words from the Bible. Today was no exception and I enjoyed to listen to their insights and wisdom. Roger enriched our afternoon, how wonderful to have him among our friends.

Mother's day

Today is ”the Mother’s day” and I have enjoyed many pleasant happenings and attention. In fact it started already yesterday when my husband bought me red roses and a beautiful plant because of mother’s day. I also spoke with one of my sons yesterday and today I have spoken with all the children and had warm greetings and words from them.
Erling and myself made the breakfast together and had a quiet morning, I got the first nice congratulation then. Today we had been invited to the house church at Os outside Bergen. We were gathered in a nice home, this family had four children. A good number of adults and children were together. Tony was leading in worship and we had a good time of giving thanks and praise to God. Erling shared the word about covenant, a very good teaching I think all enjoyed, the underlining of the practical consequences of covenant was so important.
The families had brought dinner with them so we continued sharing a tasty meal and were talking and fellowshipping together. Later we had tea, coffee and cakes. I enjoyed the time with these lovely sisters and brothers and the beautiful children. It was an extra bonus that I did not have to make dinner, one day free now and then is all right.
We went straight from Os to Toppe where our son and his family live, and they were happy to see us. I got a sweet gift from them, a nice surprise. We stayed with them until it was bedtime for the children. Now I have talked with more children and my youngest daughter has even written me a special blog. Another day is over, with many, many reasons to give my dear Lord thanks and honour.

Everyone who seeks, finds

Today I have spent some time upstairs tidying in “my upper room”, also used as a guestroom.
While doing so, I found some photos, they were taken when our children were small. This gave me many warm thoughts and feelings, how much joy they gave their mother (and of cause their father too). But tears were filling my eyes when I saw the happy boy and the good smile from our eldest son Levi. He went to be with the Lord, 14 years ago. What a good son he was, I am grateful for the precious memories. I thought about the poems I had written after his death, and in the same book I had also several other small essays I have made. I went to look for the book but I could not find it. I looked everywhere but in the end I had not time to search any longer. Later this evening I prayed once more that I should find this book. Then after another search, I found it hidden on top of a shelf. I was so thankful, I gave my Lord a warm thank you. Again I had experienced the truth of the word from Math,7. “Keep on looking and you will find,” and “Everyone who seeks find.” God is so good to me!
Now I will relax and enjoy the evening together with my dear husband.

To be alert to The Holy Spirit

An hour ago I was standing in the kitchen washing the dishes. I was nearly finished when a thought and a name came to my mind. She is a sister in the church so I know her quite well. I knew she had not been so well recently, so I thought. I must phone her. I rang very fast and I could understand from her sad voice that she was downcast. She told about her troubles and fear and I encouraged her and gave her some word of God to build her up. We had a good talk together, and she said:” It must be God who reminded you to ring her. She was grateful and so was I that I was obedient to the reminder I got. I knew it was from The Holy Spirit. My prayer is to always be alert with open ears to His calling. To night I will pray especially for this dear sister.

Sadness and joy

This afternoon we got an email from India that the mother of our friend Zephry had gone home to be with the Lord. Yesterday we got to know that she was very ill, staying in hospital. So our prayers and thoughts have been with her and the family.
But now the Lord decided to take her home. The Bible is saying that seventy years are given to us, some may even reach eighty. Dear mama had reached eighty nine last month, so she had received much grace.
We knew her very well too. She lived in the home of our friends. They looked very well after her. We met her there every time we have visited India. It was so good to talk with her. Her thoughts and mind was bright, she had a warm smile and she kept a watchful eye on the things happening around her. She was a nice, old sister.
Her prayer had been, not to be a burden to the family and laying sick in bed. Her prayers were answered. She was in hospital only 2-3 days before she passed away.
The thought of her chair being empty is giving me a sad feeling, but at the same time I am glad to know she in a wonderful place with the Lord. Blessed are those who die in the Lord!
I will continue to pray for her family in the days ahead that the Lord will give them comfort and strength. I look very much forward to meet them, hopefully soon.

The two challenges

It was with expectation and joy I sat in the car together with Erling driving to the church building to attend the Sunday service. When we entered the hall we saw two sweet dear children coming running towards us, Sara and Lars. They were calling out " bestefar, bestemor", little Lars could only say "bipa". When he was only 2 meters away from my open arms, he suddenly turned around and run in the opposite direction saying "Apop". Suddenly he came running back, he had found his elder brother, Jakob. He needed to know and see that grandmother and grandfather was here. Now both Lars and his brother and sister were ready for a big hug. I was so touched by little Lars action. It made me think of a story from the Bible when Andrew meet with Jesus and follows him. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon, and tell him, "we have found the Messiah"( which means the Christ.) Joh.1:40-41.
I was challenged to always be ready to share the good news with my "brothers". Through my grandchild God spoke.
After a wonderful time of Worship, my husband brought the word from God. He spoke from John.12 about the kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil. Unless it dies it will be alone-a single seed. It was a good message and we got the challenge to apply the cross in our life.
Thank you Lord, you speak, and I trust on your grace and help to put your words into practice and action.

Back home again

I have just arrived home again after being away for 3-4 days. I have visited my mother who is staying in hospital to recover after her sickness period. It was so good to see her and to find that she is better. I spent a couple of hours every day with her. The rest of the time I stayed at my sons home and his family who lives just outside the city, Stavanger. They have a little son 2 1/2 years old. I played with him a lot and he loves his grandmother. I enjoyed being with them, and will soon be back to help when a new little baby will be born into the family.
But now I am home, sweet home, where I have my resting place and the place where I live with my wonderful, dear husband. He came and met me at the bus stop with his car and brought me home. The evening is free for us so now I will do whatever my husband wishes and desires. I love to care for him and treat him the best I can.

A wonderful weekend.

This weekend has been very nice, interesting and full of events and happenings. My husband and me had the joy of beeing guests in the great Silver Anniversary celebration for Knut and Elizabeth yesterday, but since my excellent husband already has told about this excitng surprice party in his blog, I will not say more about it, just add that I enjoyed it very much.
During the weekend there was a leaders conference at Gullbotn and we had a good start the Friday night. But on Saturday I went to Toppe to look after our 3 grand-children. Our son and his wife should attend a wedding of a couple in the church, our son should also be the bestman. Me and the lovely children had a great time. Little Lars 2 1/2 years old had to be watched very well, he is very active, open doors, finding things, so full of life, a happy little boy. But even he sat in his chair and took part in the drawing, colouring and making things at the table. Both Jakob 7 and Sara 5 1/2 are very skilfull in making things, and they coloured beautiful pictures. We held a dolls wedding. different games, reading books, eathing pizza and at times the volume of laughing and shouting, exiting children was quite loud. But the children were happy and I enjoyed beeing together with them. Little Lars loved to have the bath before bedtime, and he was so tired, there was no protests when I put him to bed, but I got sweet kisses. Sara and Jakob were allowed to stay up a little longer, a more quiet time now and so I prayed with each of them, moved by their woderful prayers and the confident they have in God. They are so good children. I love them very much. By nine o clock it was silence in the house and I could sit down to relax and read and thank God for this wonderful day.

Rejoice and be glad

"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." These to me wellknown verses from Psalm 118:24 came to my mind as soon as I woke up and opened my eyes this morning. I always use to take a few minutes to give thanks to God before I get out of bed and these words filled me with joy and expectation. What will happen today, this ordinary Friday where I have only planned to do ordinary work in the house, I asked myself. After I had finished my dayly reading from the Bible and a good time of prayer and thanksgiving, I made a priority list of the things I had to do. I was cleaning and washing clothes, and I was baking rolls and also a cake I promised to do for a friends party. I needed to buy some eggs so I took a walk to the shop 15 minutes away. The winter has many colours in Bergen, and to day it had put on a green coat, the sun was shining, the temprature was quite mild. The verse from the early morning was ringing in my head and I was really glad and happy. On the way back from the shop, I saw a coin which I took up from the ground. It was a small amount, but my thought went to India and the small children I have met, who have stretched out tiny dirty hands begging for money. They were hungry and had nothing. I felt moved by the thought, I have everything I need, I am so rich compared to them, I have all the reason to be filled with joy and be glad. The day is not over yet, to night starts a leaders conference at Gullbotn, we are soon leaving to go there. But first we will go and meet our dear son, Karl Enok, coming from the North, also to attend the conference. I look forward to see him. God is good, I am so glad to belong to God!

A princess is born!

This morning I put on the TV to hear the news. I was very exited when they told that our Crown princess Mette Marit, had arrived the hospital some hours earlier to give birth to a new heir to the Throne. The first thought was, I can pray for her and so I did. Since I have given birth to six children myself I know about the labour and pains involved, but I also know about the great feeling of exitement, joy,wonder and gratefulness to God when I held a fine healthy child in my arms. In fact words cannot describe it!
I kept the TV on to follow the coming news, and then in the middle of a program they came with the wonderful news: A princess is born, everything is well with mother and child. Praise God! Congratulations to the parents. This will become a day of celebration in the nation every year, an official flag-flying day.
A good friend visited me today, and we were watching when the proud, grateful and moved father announced his first child, a baby girl was born. I think the Crownprince and the Crownprincess will become good parents for the child. But let us pray for them that God will help them and give them wisdom in their task to bring up a coming heir to the Throne, a future queen. May God bless the whole family.

A breakfast with more than bread

This morning I got up at five to make myself ready to go with my husband to our church building near the town. But first I also had to fill some bags with bread and food to bring with me. Every Tuesday morning the leaders in the church meet for prayer. There will be about 12-15 brothers coming together by 6 o'clock and they will pray for 1 1/2 hour. While they are praying I am preparing breakfast. I am also talking to my heavenly Father, praying for family and friends different places, while I am boiling eggs, laying the table, preparing a good meal. I enjoy what I am doing and I am often feeling the precence of God there in the kitchen. The brothers are very grateful for the breakfast, and they always have a good time of fellowship and talking during the meal. They can give their view and opinions on different subjects and words from the Bible, or about things in the society that are subject in the newspapers. I find it always very interesting and useful to listen to them. Even they some times disagree, there is always a good atmosphere among them and they try to listen carefully to understand each other. What I am doing is only a small thing, compared to the blessing I have got back by wathing and listening. These are strong young and old men of God, having one desire, to serve God faithfully in their generation. I am just honoured to serve them.

A breakfast with more than bread

This morning I got up at five to make myself ready to go with my husband to our church building near the town. But first I also had to fill some bags with bread and food to bring with me. Every Tuesday morning the leaders in the church meet for prayer. There will be about 12-15 brothers coming together by 6 o'clock and they will pray for 1 1/2 hour. While they are praying I am preparing breakfast. I am also talking to my heavenly Father, praying for family and friends different places, while I am boiling eggs, laying the table, preparing a good meal. I enjoy what I am doing and I am often feeling the precence of God there in the kitchen. The brothers are very grateful for the breakfast, and they always have a good time of fellowship and talking during the meal. They can give their view and opinions on different subjects and words from the Bible, or about things in the society that are theme in the newspapers. I find it always very interesting and useful to listen to them. Even they some times disagree, there is always a good atmosphere among them and they try to listen carefully to understand each other. What I am doing is only a small thing, compared to the blessing I have got back by wathing and listening. These are strong young and old men of God, having one desire, to serve God faithfully in their lifetime. I am just honoured to serve them.

A breakfast with more than bread

This morning I got up at five to make myself ready to go with my husband to our church building near the town. But first I also had to fill some bags with bread and food to bring with me. Every Tuesday morning the leaders in the church meet for prayer. There will be about 12-15 brothers coming together by 6 o'clock and they will pray for 1 1/2 hour. While they are praying I am preparing breakfast. I am also talking to my heavenly Father, praying for family and friends different places, while I am boiling eggs, laying the table, preparing a good meal. I enjoy what I am doing and I am often feeling the precence of God there in the kitchen. The brothers are very grateful for the breakfast, and they always have a good time of fellowship and talking during the meal. They can give their view and opinions on different subjects and words from the Bible, or about things in the society that are theme in the newspapers. I find it always very interesting and useful to listen to them. Even they some times disagree, there is always a good atmosphere among them and they try to listen carefully to understand each other. What I am doing is only a small thing, compared to the blessing I have got back by wathing and listening. These are strong young and old men of God, having one desire, to serve God faithfully in their lifetime. I am just honoured to serve them.

Weekend in Skien

Friday afternoon Erling and me went by plane to Torp. We should visit a related church in Skien during the weekend. Our new friends from Germany who had stayed in our home during the Dawn conference should not leave until Saturday, so we said they were welcome to use our home till they left. We had enjoyed a good time of fellowship with them.
At the airport our dear friend, Åge, met us with a warm smile and a warm car. The weather was clear and frosty and the landscape snowwhite. It took us 1 hour by car to Åge and Astrids home in Skien were we should stay through the weekend. Astrid is such a nice and caring friend, she is born the same date as me but is many years younger. That has not been a hinder for our many years of friendship. Once again we enjoyed a delicious dinner with them. But shortly afterwards the four of us had to drive to another home were all the cell groups leaders in the church were waiting us. They had already started to fellowship, drinking coffee and tea. It was good to meet them. Erling was asked to give a report from the Dawn conference and it resulted in a very good time of dialog and conversation between all of us who were attending. A time of thanksgiving and prayer finished the meeting.
We had a full program on Saturday, but it was a wonderful day. In the morning by eleven the church had been invited to their newly renovated church building. Erling did the teaching, about the plan of God, but he got all the people involved, asking question, having answers and a good dialog. I think everybody who were attending this morning were blessed and build up.
We had a very nice time in the afternoon visiting Tone and Noralvs cosy flat In Skien. We had coffee and cakes with them but in good company the time passes quickly and we had to go to another home were a good company of young people were gathered. I shared first a word from the Bible that God had given me to inspire them with. Erling continued with a very good teahing about the importance of the word of God. They received very well what we shared with them, but we had to "run" to next home. The leaders and their wives were together that night, and we had a very enjoyable evening together.
We had a very good time when the church were together for the Sunday service. God had given me a word of prophecy early morning which I by the grace of God shared after a wonderful time of worshipping the Lord. Erling had the grace and annointing when he preached the word about the prophecies in Zechariah. There were many people attending and they were very much blessed and gave good feedback. Some had things to be changed in their lives.
After a very pleasant afternoon at some other good friends home, Arve and Inger, we were taken to the airport by Arve. After some time of waiting we got to know that our flight was cancelled. The result for us included a free stay over night at a beautiful hotell in Sandefjord, the town close by, free breakfast and some money on top! So we enjoyed this like an extra blessing to us. God is so good, all the time.

The Christian love

To live is to love
It is to love God, who is love Himself
It is to love Him with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind
It is to let His love surround you, fill you, and flow out from within you

To live is to love those who he loves,-everybody
It is to love those nearest to you, your neighbours, your friends
to become like Him, who loves all, also those who nobody else want to love

To live is to love
completely, without reservation
to lay down our own life, to serve faithfully and wholeheartedly our fellow beings

To live is to love
in word and deed- The greatest of everything is love

Preparations for visitors

To night we expect visitors to come. They are attending the Dawn conference which is held in Bergen these days. I know that our guests are a couple from Germany but we have never met them before. I look forward to meet them and get to know them. I will go to the meeting to night and we will bring them home after the meeting is finished.
I like to receive visitors in our home, I think it is really a blessing.I love to do the best I can so they feel at home and will enjoy their staying. Today I have been cleaning and tidying up in the house, I have made the guestroom ready, and put some chocolates and sweets in a bowl. I have also made a nice cake, and there is plenty of food in the fridge.I like them to feel welcome and special.
We have been privileged to have many different people in our home, some welthy and some poor, some with a title and some without. It does not matter to me, I treat them the same. The Bible tells us not to forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! So with expectation I look forward for to night to welcome our guests and to show them care and love.

Red roses

I love flowers and especially roses, they are my favourites. Roses are so beautiful, so special with many, many small rose leaves knitted closely together in harmony to make the flower. The look of a rose is perfect beauty, but then is it made by an artist-God.

Right besides me on the table is a vase full of beautiful, red roses. I got them from my husband yesterday. It was so unexpected, it was not my birthday or something I did to deserve them. I had even a few roses left which I got on our anniversary day, New Years Eve. But my husband simply said:” I give them just because I love you, a token of love.”
I love surprises like that! I am grateful for the roses, but more than that, I am so grateful for a wonderful husband and thank God for him.

The telephone

The telephone is a very useful invention. we did not have a telephone when our children were small, but we managed well without it Now we are so used to the telephone that is used daily, so it would have been difficult if we were without it. Through the telephone we can reach the family and friends who live far away, even in other countries. We can use it to inform and tell news, to talk and chat, to encourage, to help, build up and strengthen others, or just call your husband (or wife) to tell "I love you". Opposite others can call us, and sometimes they just like us to listen to their sad or exiting stories.
Today I received many different telephone calls, sad and good ones. I also made some myself. Early morning my sister rang and told that my mother had been taken to hospital that night becouse she was so ill of pneunomia. I was sad to hear the news even I know she was not well. Later I rang and got to know that she is better, but will stay more days in hospital. I have talked with two sweet and happy grandchildren through the telephone, and also some of the children. Later this afternoon I have listened to a friends dispear, crying because of a son and daugther in law had seperated. I made also telephone calls with no answers." Iam sorry, but the person you are calling is not available, please leave a message or call later." I don`t like answering machines and I very seldom leave a message. After several tries without any answer, I began to think of another "telephone" that is always open and available and I always get answers. God, my heavenly Father is always listening, whatever is on my heart, I share my dissapointments and exitements, my prayers and requests, He gladly listens when I open my heart. What a wonderful God he is.
I recommended my Fathers open line when I listened to my crying friends story. I promised to pray for him and I hope he himself use this way, using the best "telephone" in the world.
I

JESUS

We are fed by HIS hands,
carried in HIS heart,
supported by HIS arms,
guided by HIS steps,
instructed by HIS words,
warmed by HIS love.

Prayer partners

Annlaug is a dear friend and prayer partner.I have known her many years and we have shared much valuable time together. When she visits me we are always praying and fellowshipping.Today she came to see me again, and we had a couple of wonderful hours together. We were telling each other about Gods goodness to our families and how grateful we were. I had been blessed by the Word this morning, so I shared it with her and we talked about it. We had a wonderful time of prayers, intercession and thanksgiving. God was listening we know, our hearts were filled with joy.
It was lunshtime so we were having a good meal, fellowshipping at the table. We will soon meet again.

The grace of God is wonderful!

Grace, what a word! It fills my heart with joy and exitement, to think of it, to taste it, to speak it and not least to experience it!
This Sunday morning the grace of God was obviously among us when the church came together. We had a wonderful time of praise and worship and the precence of God was among us.I was so touched and blessed and so grateful for His love and grace upon us. Per Arne was giving the Word in an excellent way, anointed by the Spirit he spoke about grace, based on many wonderful scripture from the Bible. One of the word that I was blessed by, was Heb.4:16 "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.
Praise God! His grace is available to me every day, in all situations, at all challenges. The grace of God is sufficient! That is all what I need to know. I also trust God that His grace will work wonderfully among us in the church in the days ahead, so it can be a year of grace from God.

Christmas celebration again!

Today has been a wonderful day of celebration again. Last night Josef and his family arrived home from England after two weeks of holiday, celebrating Christmas with Elizabeths family, but today we had the joy to give them an extra celebration. We had a nice dinner together and then a big heap of gifts waited under the Christmas tree. They now got all the gifts from family and friends in Norway and we also had waited to opened the gifts from them. Jakob and Sara had made many nice and beautiful things themselves. They were proud and happy to give them, and we were very much exited to receive them. How we also enjoyed to see and hear their exitement and joy about the gifts they received. The sound, noice and laughter were much louder now compared with the Christmas Eve when Erling, Ruth Kristin and me celebrated. I loved to see little Lars Benjamin running around full of life and exitement. Some of them got a flu in England and Sara was a bit poorly when she came and had no appetite, but as the hours went she became better and started to eat. We had a lovely time together, it is so great that they are back in Bergen again. But Christmas is definitely over, on Monday I will remove the Christmas tree and put the decorations back in the boxes. Back to work!

Christmas celebration again!

Today has been a wonderful day of celebration again. Last night Josef and his family arrived home from England after two weeks of holiday, celebrating Christmas with Elizabeths family, but today we had the joy to give them an extra celebration. We had a nice dinner together and then a big heap of gifts waited under the Christmastree. They got now all the gifts from family and friends in Norway and we also had waited to opened the gifts from them. Jakob and Sara had made many nice and beautiful things themselves. They were proud and happy to give them, and we were very much exited to receive them. How we also enjoyed to see and hear their exitement and joy about the gifts they received. The sound, noice and laughter were much louder now compared with the Christmas Eve when Erling, Ruth Kristin and me celebrated. I loved to see little Lars Benjamin running around full of life and exitement. Some of them got a flu in England and Sara was a bit poorly when she came and had no appetite, but as the hours went she became better and started to eat. We had a lovely time together, it is so great that they are back in Bergen again. But Christmas is definitely over, on monday I will remove the Christmas tree and put the decorations back in the boxes. Back to work!

Nytt år

Der er ein ny dag-det er eit nytt år 1.januar 2004.
På den første dagen i det nye året er det snø. Året har byrja kvitt, reint, fint og nytt.
Dagen er ubrukt, dagen er din.Tek du steg ut i vinterlandskapet set du merke, nokon legg merke til spora dine. Du kan gå føre denne dagen og kvar ny dag i dette nye året. Du kan setja spor etter deg som andre kan fylgja, du kan staka ut vegen andre kan gå.
Du kan gjera det lettare for andre, du kan setja mot i han som har stoppa opp. Du kan lyfta dei svake, du kan støtta dei som treng hjelp. Du kan reisa han som fall, du kan trøysta han som gret.
Ver djerv og frimodig når du går inn i det nye året.
Det er ein som har gått føre, Jesus. Ser du spora hans. Dei finn du i Ordet som er ei er ei lykt og eit lys å gå etter.
Fylgjer du i hans fotefar, fylgjer du hans vegvisar, trør du aldri feil. Då når du målet.
Ver glad, ver trygg! Dagen er ny, dagen er din. Det er framtid og håp!

Our Anniversary Day

Today Erling and I have been married 39 years. In all these years we have been through times of victories and oppositions,of difficulties and many blessings. We have laughed a lot together, it has been a lot of fun in our marriage,but we have also cried together and shared sorrows. We have been through the pain by the loss of our eldest son who died 13 years ago. But God has been faithful every year and every day.He has polished us and changed us by His Spirit and glued us strongly together in covenant love. We have a wonderful relationship and friendship, Erling is my dearest friend. Our love for Jesus has grown more and more and so has the love for each other. Erling is such a wonderful, good husband, I enjoy every minute beeing in his company.
We are so grateful to the Lord for our wonderful family, for the children and in laws and the growing numbers of grandchildren delight us. They are our crown.
Today we will praise God and look towards the new year with expectation, we will serve the Lord faithfully together and see His Kingdom come. We trust the Lord for many more years together. The best is yet to come!

December light

It is so quiet on the fjord today, only a small rowing boat gives life to the surface. There is a man sitting in the boat. He is rowing with strong strokes, it makes ripples and small waves on the sea.
A keen December sun is about to break through the light cloud cover. She makes a shiny refraction of colours on the fjord. The sunbeams hit the pine trees outside. It is sparkling from the shiny raindrops on the treetop. The view is so beautiful. I enjoy the picturesque painting outside the window.
One of the darkest December days becomes shiny and light. Every cloud has a silver lining, and now the days are becoming longer and brighter. We will see more effect of the sun and enjoy the warmth of it.
But now I am delighted to have a bright day. And I am exited about what my eyes can see. It finds resonance in a light, satisfied heart and mind. What a wonderful day, it is good to be alive. Thank you Lord!

Christmas and friends

It was a very peaceful and nice Christmas yesterday. This year only Ruth Kristin was home for Christmas. It is 38 years ago since we were so few celebrating Christmas eve. But we had a great evening, much joy and fun together and I got many nice, good and precious gifts. Telephones were ringing from the loved ones who lives far away, I was exited to listen to the voices of children and grandchildren.
Among the Christmas gifts were also gifts from good friends in the church, nice, good and sweet gifts. But what I enjoyed even more was their words of appreciation and love to us, the value of our friendship together. How their greetings warmed my heart!
Today we have had a wonderful day at Betty and Roberts home, they are good and faithful friends whom we have known for many years. Roberts parents were also there,Tom and Alma, and we have known them for about 40 years. Erling was even working together with Tom for some years in the same church in the late seventies. We had delicious meals, we were talking and fellowshipping. They will come to see us another day.
Tomorrow we will have other good friends visiting us. Praise God for friends. Friends are more precious to me than costly jewels, I cannot be without them!

Tid for feiring

Det er lille juleafta i dag og feiringa kan snart ta til. I vår familie har vi mange feiringar i desember. Sist fredag feira vi Ruth Kristin sin fødselsdag. Ho hadde nett kome heim på juleferie, så ho måtte gjerast ekstra stas på. På sundag var min kjære mann 61 år og han fekk kremkake som han er så glad i til tekosen sin. Men nå skal vi feira Jesus, han som er den største kvar dag i livet mitt. Det er godt midt i denne mørke årstida å tenna lys, mange lys for for han som er Lyset, som er vår Frelsar, Herre, Fredsfyrste, Konge, min beste venn. Han kom til vår jord som eit menneske, vart prøvd i våre kår, tok vår synd og straff på seg og gjorde forsoning mellom Gud og menneske. Han er verd å feirast! Hjå oss er den ytre rama og i ferd med å verta ferdig. Stova er vaska og julepynta, Erling gjer siste juleinnkjøp og brød steikjest i ovnen. Ute er det snø, marker og tre er kvitkledde, det er stille og fredeleg og i bakgrunnen syng Rudi Myntevik frå sin siste CD "Gud din skjønnhet kjenner ingen grenser". Det er så sant, eg er så glad. Eg gler meg til jul, det er tid for feiring. Festen kan ta til.

The Lord is king

Yesterday Erling and myself, together with good friends, went to cinema to watch the third part of the trilogy "The Lord of the Rings", "The Return of a King". It was a great movie,very exiting, especially when I saw the scenes with so many parallels from the Bible I was excited when I saw the king seated on his throne, surrounded by thousands of his people.

I was thinking on Jesus, my Lord. He is a king. He is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world is firmly established, it cannot be shaken because his throne has been established from time immemorial.

How wonderful it is to be serving under his authority, to live in the shelter of the most High and find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. The King is my God, and I am trusting Him.

A privileged woman

I am a very privileged person. I have so many reasons for saying and meaning it by all my heart.
First of all I am privileged to be alive. Every day I get out of bed I feel a reason to give thanks to God. Some dear friends have died in quite young age. But I am privileged to be well.
I am born again. God is my Father. I have access to him as often as I want through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. That is really something to feel privileged about.
Today I have also been thinking of how peivileged I am having such a wonderful husband saying so much nice things.
I could list a lot of other things as well. Perhaps I will tell of that another time!

A new blog

Today I have been helping Solveig to launch her new blog! Watch out for what is coming!