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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!
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).
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 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).
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).
