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!