Highlights of Grace

Life here in Norway continues on! All the different tracks just got back from their different mini-outreaches. Here are some highlights of what God's been doing in Norway at and through YWAM. :o)

    . Dance party! 
Though dancing has taken place in the kitchen, we had our first official dance party with everyone on the base after the staff treated us to a "Love Feast."

    . Thanksgiving! 
JoEllen (a fellow America) and I planned a Thanksgiving celebration for everyone. We baked three apple pies, two pumpkin, had vanilla ice-cream, a whole turkey and turkey breasts, mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, homemade croissants, apple cider, and stuffing. It was a wonderful, cozy time with everyone. JoEllen and I also did a dramatic reading of the Thanksgiving story--we were a hit ;o)--and we played "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" on a screen in the background. We also went around the table and said what we were thankful for-this is a personal family tradition started by my aunt and I was happy to continue it in Norway. 

    . Hip Hop!
Our last creative week the dancers got taught hip hop and breaking! Unfortunately  I had hurt my wrist and couldn't do much of the breaking, but the hip hop was a blast! I never knew I enjoyed hip hop so much. I won't say I'm very good at it, but I can get into the confident attitude pretty fast and I enjoy the beat-filled music. Our hip hop teacher was a YWAM staff and family man. I actually babysit for his little son, Liam, once a week. It was so nice to have a male dance teacher! Yay for males who love dancing for Jesus! Our breaking teacher was also a part of the YWAM family and he actually has a dancing crew back in California-they formed out of Bethel School and their dance style is amazing-combining breaking with contemporary style. 

    . Night of Worship!
We had a night of Worship one Saturday evening from 7-12. Each hour had a different person leading with a different emphasis. I got the privilege of leading with a fellow student, Mathijs. He played guitar and we both sang. We both decided we would sing only old songs, meaning older than the 2000's. We sang a couple hymns and some classics such as "As the Deer." It was so nice to sing the songs to Jesus that I grew up singing in church. Mathijs has a lovely voice, and harmonizing to these songs was such a blessing. I thought of my family and my sister Emily and how much I enjoy harmonizing together with people as we lift our voices in praise to Jesus. 

    .Room Change!
After praying, talking, waiting, hoping-our room got to switch to a room with a loft! And who got the loft? Me! I am so happy and grateful. God continues to bless my life with these wonderful reminders of His love. It is nice to still be with my roommates, but to have a bit more of a private space. It's like a tiny room-and it's up high! As I write this, I'm enjoying my first night on my new bed in my loft, feeling cozy, happy and blessed. 

   . Letters (and packages!) from home!
I love receiving mail and I've gotten some great postcards from Hawaii, as my parents took a little visit there. I also got a great card from my sister Emily that had the characters of "Hoops and Yoyo," two goofballs that remind Em and I of ourselves together. The card was one of those talking cards-fun! I also have received many neat packages, complete with tea and gum. I share the wealth and each week try to give my housemates little gifts in their mailboxes. (Tea, gum, Dr. Suess stickers, chocolate, etc.) My last package had one of my favorite chocolate bars-white chocolate with oreo bits. Yum! And....candy corn!!! I was a bit giddy receiving that package. All in all I am, again, so grace-filled and blessed, as my family likes to write. I have received more packages and letters than anyone else here. My parents rock. 



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