Silas on the Telephone

Sorry it's sideways :O). And of course he was talking so much more before I started the camera.

Silas' Skills

Standing, talking, and fitting small objects into bigger ones. Towards the end you'll hear, "Da, da." As you'll see, he gets a bit wobbly and distracted with the camera.
To the left of me there's that corner cupboard, which is Silas' favorite to get into and pull things out of. Right before we got this shot, he did something funny. After he had cleared the cupboard, he climbed in and sat down in there! Ha, he's continuously such a little boy, and so cleaver.

Human Knot Family Time

Every Wednesday we have 'Family Time' from 9-10am, where we do different activities such as sharing visions and dreams, praying and worshiping, and building our bonds in different ways.
This last week it was simply the biggest human know I've ever seen. It's looked quite painful really, but there was an unusual spin on it, which was once you've gotten out you can help PULL others out...I still don't quite get it....I think it definitely added to the pain. But lately I've been learning how tension literally builds strength and character, so I suppose this was actually a pretty good exercise to illustrate that.
After the fun time, this years outreach locations were revealed; South Africa, Asia, and France. We're getting more and more excited to lead a team to France!

LoveFeast

LoveFeast: A time that the staff put together a special evening to honor the students and praise God for them!
This year's theme was, "A Night in Morocco."
The cobra definitely caught Silas's attention!

Washing hands before eating with them...Remember, only use the right hand!

mmm...Couscous is yummy.

Redeemind Dance

The dance track completed their first dance assignment. We gave them the assignment to find a dance piece from modern culture, find what they like about it, what they don't like, and ask God what he thinks about it and what redemptive qualities are in the dance. I think the videos will help explain. We didn't do this because we think that So You Think You Can Dance dances for example, are necessarily bad, but because we believe God has a whole lot more intended for us and our giftings, and what can be said through them.
The first video is an explanation of the redemption choreography that Josefine did.The second video is Josefine's re-working of 'The Face' by Lisa and Miles from So You Think You Can Dance Canada (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERFv2VitmKo).

A Moment to Enjoy Life

Returning home from the Nations 2 Nations conference in Oslo, Mitch pulled the van over and ordered everyone out to run in the snow.
Silas' first time touching, and tasting snow :O).

Back Home in Ålesund

Here's a small update on the last week or so...

PERSONALLY:
Flying solo from Seattle to Ålesund went really well. People were so sweet, so many were so eager to help me. Even though things were going fine, I had at least five strangers offer to hold Silas, and people practically tore things from my hands to help me get them in and out of the overhead compartments. Icelandair didn't have the bassinet seats like Scandinavian Air does, which meant holding Silas in my arms the whole time. But I got to hold him while he slept which never happens anymore, so I looked at it positively even though it was a bit challenging. Still trying to catch up on sleep. Silas is taking good Norwegian naps outside, he has a nice schedule and good fresh air going there. I was also a bit anxious about how I was ever going to get anything done while Silas was napping since we live in a studio and I would always fear waking him. I had kind of forgetten about the napping outside thing, however Silas fell asleep one day while we were walking, and it all came back to me. So it's nice to have the apartment to myself during that time.We're definitely still working on night time sleep, I don't know why it's so challenging for him. He definitely sleeps better at night when I just can't take it anymore and bring him into bed with us. *sigh* The good news is I'm reading a book called 'The No-Cry Sleep Solution.' It has sold many, many copies and has a really good success rate. I haven't yet got to the "tips" part of the book, but hopefully soon.

We're still trying to unpack, but we're settling back into our Norwegian home. To celebrate coming home, and because Silas enjoyed Grandpa's fishies so much, we went and picked out a Beta Fish the other day. I'll send a picture soon. He's a nice bright red one who swims all around a lot and seems to come to say hello when Silas is lifted to him to say hi. It was so nice to finally see Mitch again after being apart for almost two weeks. Silas gets so giddy over any site or attention from Daddy, it's so special to watch their special bond.

WORKWISE:
Staff training and preparation has began here at the base. All the staff has shared about their summer, along with their expectations and any fears they have for this year. Today we had a really impacting and important teaching on Servant Leadership. The rest of the weeks we will divide responsibilities for the year (ie. welcome board and folder, welcome baskets, prophetic word rocks which are given to each student, list maker, ETC.), Mitch and Arnbjørg will speak on DTS focus for this year, go over kitchen routine/rules, and I will be leading the house guidelines again, and last but not least, we will continue to worship and pray together each morning before work. Oh, and we'll have an overnight staff retreat this weekend to unite as a new staff and leadership group and have some fun together before the hard and rewarding year begins.

Darkness is Light to Him

Darkness Is Light To Him is the name of the dance and music video project done this year by the dance track. We filmed the dance scenes in January on the windy, ice cold Norwegian shores. The girls warmed their feet in warm water between takes, and worshiped during their choreography takes. I love this first image because although they're all suppose to be doing the same movement, which is usually one of the main focuses of dance, they clearly aren't. They're worshiping.
Meghen and I prayed about a message to share through acting, music, and dance. It was definitely a learning experience putting together a story, and choreographing, directing, and editing this piece, something we've never done before. I'll do my best to post the video, however at this time it's to big for blogger. Let me know if you have any tips on downsizing.
Along with the dance scenes, we also filmed acting scenes which tell the stories of two girls who are trying to hide things, but finally come to a place where they're able to expose what they're hiding and therefor let love in. Jesus loves us no matter what we've done, we simply have to let him in and make the decision, sometimes over and over, to let him help us change for the better. He takes the broken pieces of our hearts, soles, lives, and teaches us how to mend them. Even the darkness is light to Him...



Mallorie (U.S.A.), Shane (Philippines), Mariko (Norway), Susanna (Finland), Meghen (U.S.A.), Aina (Norway), Elin (Norway).

Silas Likes to Talk to HImself.

Lately Silas has been enjoying talking to himself in the mirror. In one of the clips Mitch says, "Try to touch him." At that moment Silas seems to attempt just that...Coincidence or smarts, who knows? :O).

Back in Ålesund

We wanted to let you know we've made it home well. All three of us are quite jet lagged, but have managed to unpack quite a bit. The first night back Silas slept a 5 hour stretch and then a 3 1/2 hour stretch, amazing considering his bad night sleeping habits lately and the fact that it was day time where he had just been. He has been sleeping a lot during the day too, poor thing is really jet lagged.
It's a nice temperature here in Ålesund, and sunny. Little white and yellow spring flowers are everywhere.
The teams are getting back from outreach Monday and Tuesday. We will help debrief the students when they get back. So we will be meeting with some them one on one and evaluating their outreach experience; What they learned and experienced, what was done well, what could be done better, etc. We're excited to see our dear friends again, and hear all about their experiences, help them work through the trying times they may have had, and rejoice and laugh with them through the good and funny times I'm sure they had much of!

April News

Us at the wedding of two friends who attended the DTS with us last year.
New years at the youth camp we staffed at.

The Last Three Months...
The past three months the students we disciple, and we along with them, have been stretched through living in close quarters with others from other cultures, and through preparations and getting ready for outreach. This time has been a struggle for some of the students, and a full, busy time for us as staff. However, it is amazing to watch how God transforms their and our hearts for specific things at specific times through these challenges! God has been doing things and growing lives in ways that are amazing. We are included in this growing. God has shown us much more about our lives and who we are in him, and we have been told we are growing so much as leaders. We see ourselves and our marriage maturing much. When we were invited to stay to staff at YWAM Ålesund we knew God had big plans for laying the foundation for the rest of our lives. Although it is hard to be away from home, we know things are being worked in us through our work and life in Ålesund that will benefit our future in all areas; our family life, our future careers and ministries, etc. How worth it! As for right now while we’re home, we are enjoying our time with those we love, but we are also still working. We have been staying updated on the outreach teams and keeping them in our prayers. We have also been praying about people we could ask to join us in ministry by supporting us financially. Like everyone in YWAM, from the founder, to staff, we are living from full support from loved ones. We totally know and believe that God carries us in His hands and will completely provide for our finances. We are excited to see what He does! If you would like to be praying for us, this would be a point or prayers, as would be knowing what our work with YWAM looks like next year, and energy, patience, and a smooth transition into parenthood. Thank you!

HOME VISIT

We’ve been visiting home since
March 5th, and we’ll return to
Norway on the 23rd of April to
finish the school year. We will arrive
just in time to welcome the students
back from their outreach phase.
Among other things, ahead of us we
have debriefing teaching to prepare
the students for their return home
and the end of the year show.
Silas flew really well, and is
starting to get adjusted. It’s been
nothing less than fantastic to be
home and be surrounded by the
wonderful presence of the family
and friends that are so, so dear and
precious to us. We are here and
ready to invest in our family time!
Please don’t hesitate to contact us to
get together or even just talk on the
phone. we are so blessed to have
all of you and our family and
friends that love and bless us with
love and welcoming arms as we
have come home! God has totally
shown his love through our family
and friends!
SILAS’ FIRST TRIP TO
THE SEATTLE
AQUARIUM.

COUSIN EISLEY WHO HAS BEEN SO EXCITED TO MEET SILAS AND LOVES HIM SO MUCH! "Baby Si, Baby Si, Baby Si, etc."
GRANDPA HANSON

OUTREACH PHASE
The students have been split into three teams for their outreach phase; France, South Africa, and Asia. France team has mainly been teaching English in two schools and have been reporting about how they have been reaching the students in ways that the teachers report they have been unable to. The South Africa team has been visiting a HIV/Aids care center, old peoples home, traveling through the bush, and ministering in the slums. Here’s a testimony from one of the South Africa students: “We approached a nice looking building, as we walked through a big and tidy green garden, we got closer and could read the big, shiny sign that said Bramcare Center. As we entered the front door the silence and the “hospital smell” was what hit me the most. Matthias and I were led into the men’s section. Two skinny, sad looking men looked at us as we entered, and a little boy in a wheelchair was sleeping. It was a terrible sight to see how Aids eats people away, both the physical body and the person. We sat down and talked with them. It turned out to be a wonderful time, there in that dark room where people were waiting for their time to run out, we got to bring the good news. More people came, and we sang and asked if they wanted prayer, which everyone wanted.” -Lars

DANCE TRACK VIDEO...Brrr.

“You know all these sins and you are waiting for me to let you in...I watched you hiding, hiding in the dark...” These are a few lines from the song the music track made for this years dance video. Meghen, who I lead the dance track with, and I prayed about what message we should portray through dance and acting. We were shown a story and choreography to show the message of freedom through Christ for ALL people, no matter what one has done, we simply must chose not to hide from him.
After creating and teaching choreography (9 months pregnant may I add) we headed to the 30 degree, windy Norwegian coastline to film. We made sure to bring hot water and tubs to let the girls soak the bare freezing feet in between takes. Directing was a big job, a lot more work than I knew, but a great learning experience. I’ll do my best to try to figure out how to post the video on our blog.

Dressed like Audrey Hepburn, I bit into my juicy American style burger and tried to hide my feelings of discomfort from those around me who were also wearing 50’s attire. The ‘America in the 1950’s’ lovefeast thrown by the staff for the students was in the middle of being celebrated when I had to go find burger-cooking Mitchell to tell him, “I’m having quite a few contractions, I think this could be it.”
Before we knew it we were sneaking out the door to go to the apartment of our good friends, Caleb and Erin, where Silas would be born. The midwife met us there, and Caleb and Mitch set up the birth pool. Through intense contractions Mitch and I could sense the Lord near to us, and we were comforted by the worship being strum on the guitar and sung by Caleb and Erin. Although there was a lot of pain we kept our trust in my body’s ability to give birth, and in God, and gave no room to fear.
Things went quite quickly, and early that snowy morning our little baby was born, whom we finally found was no longer ‘it,’ but ‘he,’ Silas! Throughout labor and birth Silas and I remained safe and healthy.
Silas Anthoney - Born 8.2.2009 2:39am - 6lbs. 9oz.

Welcome Silas!

We're happy to introduce you to our baby boy Silas Anthoney!
Silas was born healthily at home on February 8th at 2:39am. He weighed 6 lbs. 9oz.
He's smiley and our delight. We're now a family!
(By the way we changed the heading on our blog from 'M&M in Norway' to 'M&M's in Norway' to include Silas :O) )