Christmas 2009 with my family

Merry Christmas Everyone!! 

 

She was Aunties big helper!

               












                           
                                                                     4 Generations of woman

 

                                    The whole family in 2009

Mexico Part II

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

               Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is in-jury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

 

 

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes

of the day and night, giving rest to weary, renewing

the strength of those who are spent, bestowing

upon us occations of song in the evening.

As you have protected us in the day

that is past, so be with us inthe coming night;

keep us from every sn, every evil, and every fear;

for you are our light and salvation, and the strength

of out life. To you be glory for endless ages.

Amen

Mexico Part I

Landing in Oaxaca on the 12th of December, it finally hit me... I'm in Mexico!! Some bags were lost, we were up for 18 hours and it started to get dark fast, but we were on our way to the Mission to serve God and what would be the start to the most amazing experience of our lives. I would have never guessed how much this experience would really effect me.

This is the bus that we learned to love!! We had some great adventures, conversations, and moments that just make you go, aaaaaa.

We started off our trip with dinner at the local restaurant, and a good nights sleep, and a trip to the ruins in Monte Alban the next morning.

The first of many moments with Florenzio!!

The view of the mountains from the mission.

Our first day of work.. pulling weeds, playing with the little kids, doing dishes, cleaning the fountain, working in the kitchen and other fun stuff!!
But often times, we found time to play soccer with the kids!!

Keeping Track

Here is the web address for our blog for the MEXICO MISSIONS TRIP!!

http://globalpartnershipsmexico.blogspot.com/

Hope you enjoy seeing what we've been up to and that you continue to pray for us!
It's not long now that we are leaving... Dec.12 at 5am

What a great idea!

This last Sunday 4 of the 12 of us from the Mexico Missions Winter team, went to North Shore Baptist church's Spanish congregations service. It was so amazing to see the different form of worship, within the same walls of the church I have grown up in.

I could immediately see the presence of how cultural differences can show through in worship. The friendly, warm, welcoming environment that we as Americans don't often display. I use these words because that is exactly how we all felt. During the greeting, people walked all around, hugging one another, saying good morning, and peace be with you, and it taking a lot longer then the minute were usually given, because we stay in our pews and only greet those around us. Not that its bad, it's just a different experience.

After the service, we separated into groups all getting to talk with people who are from Mexico, who have been to Mexico, who have had the experience of being the outsider, and what to do, what to look out for, and how to really feel Gods presence in our work. They helped put so much into perspective for us. Like something as simple as bringing a band aid, and bug spray. To not eating from the vendors, to taking only what you expect to leave behind, and the big one, to let God work through us!

WOW.... what an amazing experience. I feel like what we have learned from one Sunday morning with people who share God's love and are filled with joy and thanks for what we are doing, is a step into the direction God has intended for us. We are not going because we have to, but because we are called to.

We are going not with the hope of only helping others, but helping ourselves. I am hoping to grow after this trip. To grow closer to the team, to appreciate what I have, continue learning to acknowledge those around me, and to grow closer to God.
The experience from Sunday has already put all these learning's into play.

Missions Trip to Mexico

God has called me to help others, and that statement should come to no surprise to any of you reading my blog. But what God has called my to do to help others this time, is different from the others. I am going to Oaxaca, Mexico from December 12-22 and I am so excited.
There is a certain act from God that happened the week I was accepted to go on the trip that I would like to share. Believe me or not, its true!

So, I sitting in the library working on an exam, and as usual I procrastinated and took way to many breaks to check facebook, and read e-mails.. when I got the e-mail that $100 of the trip was due 2 days from then.... crap!! How was I going to come up with an extra $100? I have been paying back money from this last semester, so I was broke. So I prayed... I told God that I needed him to help me with this. Help me get the money because I am already skeptical about going, and scared and that if I couldn't come up with the $100 then I would have to cancel. I found out that, that week we were going I could work 2 different weddings, and I need the money so... I needed a sign that I was indeed supposed to go to Mexico.

On my way out and to my next class, I get a phone call from my boss at work, asking me if I wanted to work in 2 days for a few hours doing a private gig... it paid $100 cash!
God sure does answer prayers, and that one was quick, so I stopped worrying, and started fundraising. I am almost all paid for, and the cost of the trip is down from $1000 to $850!!
I am thankful and very excited.
This is the Winter Mexico trip!!
We have started meeting once a week, and so far I love these people. They all have such unique stories, and different ways in which God is working though them... I feel blessed to have met them! Please help pray for our safety and our strength.
I will gladly keep updating my blog about our trip!!

Apple Picking

Ginormous pumpkins
Family time well spent and long over due!
We got baby apples
Alex loves apples!
When you want the ones at the top... Dad is all over it!
I liked these ones!
The good ones can be at the bottom too!
Mmmm Apple!

Who am I?

Who am I?
This has been a theme question lately in Chapel. Well, Who am I? To be honest I am still learning who I am. I know all the basics, like favorite color, and food. What makes me tick, and what keeps me going. I know what makes my cry. I know what I need, and I know who I need in my life and who I don't. I know that forgiveness is part of who I am. I have a lot of love to give, and most of the time I am a pretty happy person. I get excited about a lot of random things, and it doesn't take mush to make me happy. I know who I pray to everyday, and who I seek to understand. I know who I aspire to be, and what I don't want to become.

Are these all the things that explain who I am? Would this information help others understand who I am if they had never met me? Or for those who do, would this be things they didn't already know? What does it take to really know someone, and what does it take to really know yourself?

Can it get better

Can you mend a broken heart with forgiveness?

Something to think about....

So at Chapel today Pastor Judy told us this amazing story about Monkeys... It really touched me, and it's been on my mind all day, so I thought I'd share.

There was a group of 6 monkeys, and in order to get food they had to pull on a choice of two chains. One chain if pulled, would drag out a big plate filled with the foods they loved, and if they pulled on the other a smaller plate would come through with a lot less food and of foods they weren't that fond of. So they soon learned to choose the chain with their favorites on it.
Now just like us, these monkeys choose more of the things they love.

Well one day one of the monkeys got hungry, pulled on the chain, and another monkey (far enough away from the group of 6 monkeys to not be part of the group, but close enough to see each other) was shocked. The group heard the screeching, and saw the monkey run to the corner shaking.

From that day on, 4 of the 6 monkeys choose the chain with less food and the food they didn't like as much, the 5th monkey didn't eat for 5 days and the 6th didn't eat for 12 days. They would rather starve, then to put another monkey they don't even know through any more pain.

So, think about it. Why do we as humans keep doing things that hurt others? Why do we choose to do things that we want, even when others are starving or hurting? Just think about it!

Are you serious Westboro??

Today I went to support one of the local Synagogues in Ravenswood and it was a moment I won't forget. The Westboro Baptists are an extremest group, but hey, just look at these pictures,


Seriously?!? Are you kidding me? How can these people call themselves Christians?
I was sick to my stomach, there were kids involved here. Those poor kids are probably about 8 or 9 and I wouldn't be surprised if they couldn't even read the signs they were being told to hold up. These kids are being brain washed into thinking that this is right and that was the hardest part for me to see. This is the kind of behavior that perpetuates hatred, conflict, inequality and many other forms of hatred.

What made me laugh is this guy walked over to their side of the street with a sign that read,

"Westboro Baptists Eat Yeast! GOD Hates Yeast! So.. God hates Westboro Baptists" "Come to the best church of GOD 110% Jesus approval rating!" (and we don't eat Yeast)
This guy come to find out is from one of the comedy groups in the area, and some how got onto their side of the street without them even noticing.

Please pray for them! Pray that they stop this, and they stop teaching Innocent children this kind of hatred. Pray that they learn to accept everyone as Gods children and not to judge those who are different.

Home

It is so weird to be home. I miss Sweden more then I thought I would have. I miss my friends, I miss the food, I miss hearing Swedish all the time, I miss everything except Uni. but well, those that have attended Jonkoping Uni. know why it's one not to miss.
I was only in Chicago for a day in a half, before I came up to Michigan to see my Mom, David and Aleah. I really missed them, but... I hate to say it, I still miss Sweden and everything about it more.
I do however miss my friends in Chicago a lot. I can't wait to be able to catch up with all of them and hear all the things that they have been up to these last few months.
I am finishing up a few loose ends with school this year, and found out my new roommate is a Swedish girl from Jonkoping which is for sure going to help me keep up with my Swedish out of the classroom, and in turn help her loads with being in a new city, meeting people, and maybe with her English.
I cant say that I am happy to be home, but I am at the same time not unhappy either. I didnt think this was going to be so hard coming home, I for sure thought that going to Sweden would have been harder. Now more then ever I am certain that I belong in Europe, I feel more at home there, I am happier there. Many might say that of course I think this way because I just got home and I am board, but.. I felt this way everytime I have left Europe and came home, these feelings are just more strong after have being there for so long.
What do I do to be happy here?

Some personal thoughts while Traveling

So I haven't really kept a travel journal just my blog, but while I was in Italy and Spain I had little to NO time to put anything up, and I haven't been able to upload any pictures yet. So I got a little notebook, just to help me get my mind around some things I had been thinking about.

Personal Discovery!!

Americans have a hard time with something called, the art of doing nothing. Europeans have an easier time then we do, why... I don't really know, but I have a few ideas. But I have been on a quest to try and perfect this art. So while I was alone in Barcelona, I walked into this amazing park. It had so much to see, and there were people everywhere, so after I had a look around, I sat at this amazing fountain, back to people walking around, and just sat there. I sat there and listened to the water, and the sound of kids playing in the distance, and the most scary sound maybe ever, My own thoughts. I sat there for almost 45 min I think, with no book, no i-pod, nothing to drink or eat, and I didn't even people watch. I just sat there.

While I sat there I thought about something that I am sure I had herd somewhere before, but at that moment, it was my own.

Life is a gift, that you cannot return or exchange. It's the only one you have like it, and it something that you have to use to endless amounts, because it's irreplaceable. You need to fill it with joy and love. Slow down more, breath it all in, enjoy this gift. Look at things in a different light.

Smile more, worry less. This is how I feel, and I will never forget this and how I came to this. I cant always worry about money and time, I am not by any means saying its not important but, there are more important things in my life.

God has been with me during this whole trip. I know he has. He has kept me safe, and has brought people into my life that are irreplaceable. No matter how much debt I may be in now, I even had my heart broken, but regardless, it has been the best 8 months of my life. I have learned more about myself because I took the time to listen to myself.

Interesting conversation

The other night I had a very interesting conversation with a bunch of Danes. The cartoon drawing of Mohammad the Islamic Prophet was brought up. This part of the conversation came up right after I tried to convince them that all the followers of Islam are NOT terrorists and the Middle Easterners living in other parts of the world don't all have connections to clans back home or are parts of jihad. Yes this mentality still exists, and although there are many Muslims currently living in Denmark, there is a negative feeling toward them. These guys I spoke with also said that it is not fair that the girls who live in Denmark are given special treatment during PE classes just because they cant show themselves to guys and that they should conform to the society they are living in. Conform on all aspects of the new society. So, basically I asked, because the majority of Danes are not Muslims, Jewish, or Atheists, but are "Christians" that everyone should conform to Christianity and live a Christian life with Christian values. And of course they said no, that wouldn't work. And that, that is not the same thing, hmm... WHAT?? Are you serious?

This in itself was a heated conversation, but the cartoon conversation is what really put me over the edge. I am surprised at the narrow minded thinking from the Danes in this conversation actually, and thus the reason for this blog entry.

For those of you who are living in a bubble and don't know about this, The Danish newspaper; The Jyllands-Posten published twelve editorial cartoons, most of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad. One in particular that we discussed was one that had a bomb as his hat.
Now, these guys said there was no reason Denmark should give any sort of an apology for any of these drawings. That the "Danish humor is Irony, and that was the kind of humor in the cartoons". They also said that these drawings were meant for Danes, who understand this kind of humor, not for the rest of the world. No one should get so upset over them.
They also said it was a huge disrespect that the Danish flag was burned in retaliation to these cartoons.

Now, I want to know what you think about this. I have my opinions and any of you who know me will know how I feel about this.

I am completely against this kind of "freedom of speech". I think that the Danes should have actually thought about this before publishing them. I understand that cartoons have been a means for Danes to communicate issues, etc. but to think that the Muslim people shouldn't be mad or feel any sort of animosity toward the Danes for doing this.. is ridiculous. What is more funny is that after saying this they got upset about the issue of the burning of the flag... hmmm, really?!?
There was nothing I could say, every point I brought up, all they could talk about was the flag burning fiasco. And how they had no right to do that. Ironic?

Obviously these guys are not only narrow minded, and ignorant. This kind of mentality is what keeps all forms of hatred like stereotyping and racism so prominent and in circulation all over the world, leading to wars, conflicts, etc.

Do all Danish people feel this way? Or the majority of them? Or do they feel like this was the wrong way to approach this, and a bad call of the newspaper?

The Danish

I unfortunately don't have pictures to post yet, but I wanted to jot down a few things I have noticed about the Danish...

• They really do make the best cheese danishes ever!
• The drivers are crazy! They speed worse then Chicago drivers I think
• More people bike, my theory behind this is the crazy driving
• Pepperoni pizza is pepperoni pizza not peperchinis
  
• There language is really hard to understand. I cant make out words, a whole sentence sounds like one word to me. It is funny because some words are just like Swedish with a different pronunciation, but unless there written down, I have no bloody idea!
  
• The beaches are amazing!
• Danish guys are very different then Swedish guys. Looks, personality, mentality etc.
  
• They love to drink!
  
• Copenhagen has a small town feel but a big city atmosphere, really mind boggling.
• Denmark is flat! Ok.. well I think that is good enough for now, oh I get to go to this awesome music festival this week and here is the link just to see what great bands I get to see this week:
  

http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/uk/music/bands/

Midsommar

This year I spent Midsommar with my family in Kil and in Sunne.

This is me being very "Swedish"! It was fun to dress the American up after a few shots of snapps
For Midsommarafton I spent the day with my cousins, Henrik and Sara and with their mom and her family. It was really nice. They have a little "sommar stuga" summer cottage there, complete with an out door shower and port-a-poty (a toilet). The weather was warm, and sunny with only a few rain drops but nothing to bad and the food was great!

We slept in a tent big enough to hold 12 people
I even got to take a good Swedish Bath!

Midsommardagen we were in Kil as well but at our friend Roger's new house for a BBQ and lots of Snaps ( Swedish liquor you drink with sill) which I found out I am not a fan of at all, but then we danced around the Poll and sang a few songs of course at my request :)

Midsommar is such an important part of a Swedish summer so I am so happy I got to spend it here this year!
Skol!

Days of Goodness!

So the last couple days have been filled with friend goodness!

I moved into my friends apartment for a little until I leave Jönköping, and these guys are two of the most amazing people I know. We always have so much fun when were together! After the move since it was such an amazing night we had a BBQ at one of the most amazing spots in Jönköping that I have ever seen and watched the sunset (which is at about 10pm). After we headed back to Eric's where Hanna met up with us and the 3 of us talked for hours about, well everything! I love long meaningful conversations that help you really get to know your friends!

The next morning we walked over to the beach for an amazing breakfast, some beach Vollyball and to spend some more time with friends. When the weather is nice, you have to enjoy it!

That evening Eric, Johan, Julius and I journeyed out to Nyhem for "Nyhemsveckan". This is where all the Pentacostal Christians (and other Christians) meet every year for a week to hear sermons, about how people have found Jesus, listen to some great Christian music, and eat cheap yet delicious hamburgers! It was really an amazing place to be. Before we got there though, we stopped in what I like to think Heaven looks like, a great big candy store! It was filled with all types of yummy treats and of course I wanted to buy it all, but instead I bought a little of almost everything so I could try it of course!

Times like these are the ones I will miss more then anything. I feel so blessed to have met so many great people that I can spend my time with!!!

Goodbyes....

Well it's that time now when everyone is leaving and heading home, some are staying in Europe and enjoying the summer that Sweden most defiantly does not currently have a few are staying in Sweden for Midsommar (like myself) before continuing their travels. Goodbyes these days are bitter sweet. We are all going to miss our time here in Jönköping, and all the amazing people we have met, but at the same time there is an excitement to continue our journeys and travels, to see our families, and our friends back home, and to not worry about exchange rates any more (well at least for a while).
I think that I can speak for just about everyone on this exchange when I say.. Jag älskar Sverje och jag är tacksam för denna upplevelse!!