and there you have it.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Gremrue (Near Oslo)
and there you have it.
love upon grace upon love
I haven't written an update in awhile!
Here's some happenings that have been happening here in good ol' Norway:
:o) Exercise! A good amount of us have decided we need more exercise. So, one Sunday we gathered in the dinning room. Two of the boys joined us--they were brave, as we did some "girlie" aerobics exercises in the workout. (But we also did strength.) ;o) The time turned out to be none other than "your's truly" led. So, I ended up improvising and using what I know from jazz class yoga, Pilates, balance and beyond class, Zumba classes, and whatever else I've learned along the way. It was so much fun, and so good to work out again! (We all felt a bit pathetic, starting to sweat at the very beginning of the workout.) I really enjoy leading exercise and got good feedback afterwards. Two days later some girls and I did another workout to a video I found online. All the girls commented, "We liked it better when you led it Beth." That put a smile on my face. :o) So, I am encouraged to get a bit more organized in my exercise routines and continue to liven' up life here in Alesund with some "gettin' in shape!"
:o) New Years! We had a special New Year's celebration at the base, involving anyone who was back from their home visits over Christmas. It included a Norwegian folk dance led by two Norwegian students and the Virginia Reel led by me-super fun. We played games, had a fancy dinner, and enjoyed being with each other. Alesund is the perfect place to have New Years. People set off beautiful fireworks that go off across the city. Since we're on a mountain, we got to look out over the city at all the sparkling fireworks going off and we hugged each other and blessed the New Year. It was lovely. Afterward we had a time of worship in music and prayer. What a blessing to welcome 2013 with fellow believers loving God.
:o) New Places! After New Year's we packed up and traveled to a city called Gremrue, near Oslo for YWAM's "workers gathering" for all the students and staff in YWAM Norway. It was a 7 hr car trip, so there was a lot of sleeping and snacking. It was neat to be in a different location-but it was a colder location. I enjoy Alesund's weather, as it's by the sea and doesn't get as cold. In Gremrue I experienced a true white landscape, where even the sky seemed white and the air was crisp and frozen. It was beautiful, but hard to be outside. We stayed there a little over a week, after the conference having a teaching week on missions. It was encouraging to watch films of missionaries going to unreached people groups and really living and loving the people. There were tears in our eyes as we watched on film many people jumping for joy as whole villages came to know and receive God.
:o) My birthday! The most recent happening has been celebrating the day of my birth, Jan 17th. It's my first birthday away from home, and I turned 21, so it was pretty special. I got many hugs (!) and many sweet gifts. My parents sent me a package with some yummy American cookies and cream candy. My friends, poor mission students they may be, bought me goodies, including rootbear (it's known that's the only soda I drink-and it's only in one store here in Alesund.) I got some Dutch cookies, which are some of the best cookies I've ever eaten. Whew. I also received sweet cards of encouragement. And I got two songs written for me! I shall upload one of them, it's a comedic, fun song that represents more of that side of me. ;o) Here is the link to my friend's soundcloud with the song: (You can appreciate the cover art also.) Lot's of wonderful, blessed happenings here in Norway!
https://soundcloud.com/kusch-david/the-rebel-dont-mess-with-the
Here's some happenings that have been happening here in good ol' Norway:
:o) Exercise! A good amount of us have decided we need more exercise. So, one Sunday we gathered in the dinning room. Two of the boys joined us--they were brave, as we did some "girlie" aerobics exercises in the workout. (But we also did strength.) ;o) The time turned out to be none other than "your's truly" led. So, I ended up improvising and using what I know from jazz class yoga, Pilates, balance and beyond class, Zumba classes, and whatever else I've learned along the way. It was so much fun, and so good to work out again! (We all felt a bit pathetic, starting to sweat at the very beginning of the workout.) I really enjoy leading exercise and got good feedback afterwards. Two days later some girls and I did another workout to a video I found online. All the girls commented, "We liked it better when you led it Beth." That put a smile on my face. :o) So, I am encouraged to get a bit more organized in my exercise routines and continue to liven' up life here in Alesund with some "gettin' in shape!"
:o) New Years! We had a special New Year's celebration at the base, involving anyone who was back from their home visits over Christmas. It included a Norwegian folk dance led by two Norwegian students and the Virginia Reel led by me-super fun. We played games, had a fancy dinner, and enjoyed being with each other. Alesund is the perfect place to have New Years. People set off beautiful fireworks that go off across the city. Since we're on a mountain, we got to look out over the city at all the sparkling fireworks going off and we hugged each other and blessed the New Year. It was lovely. Afterward we had a time of worship in music and prayer. What a blessing to welcome 2013 with fellow believers loving God.
:o) New Places! After New Year's we packed up and traveled to a city called Gremrue, near Oslo for YWAM's "workers gathering" for all the students and staff in YWAM Norway. It was a 7 hr car trip, so there was a lot of sleeping and snacking. It was neat to be in a different location-but it was a colder location. I enjoy Alesund's weather, as it's by the sea and doesn't get as cold. In Gremrue I experienced a true white landscape, where even the sky seemed white and the air was crisp and frozen. It was beautiful, but hard to be outside. We stayed there a little over a week, after the conference having a teaching week on missions. It was encouraging to watch films of missionaries going to unreached people groups and really living and loving the people. There were tears in our eyes as we watched on film many people jumping for joy as whole villages came to know and receive God.
:o) My birthday! The most recent happening has been celebrating the day of my birth, Jan 17th. It's my first birthday away from home, and I turned 21, so it was pretty special. I got many hugs (!) and many sweet gifts. My parents sent me a package with some yummy American cookies and cream candy. My friends, poor mission students they may be, bought me goodies, including rootbear (it's known that's the only soda I drink-and it's only in one store here in Alesund.) I got some Dutch cookies, which are some of the best cookies I've ever eaten. Whew. I also received sweet cards of encouragement. And I got two songs written for me! I shall upload one of them, it's a comedic, fun song that represents more of that side of me. ;o) Here is the link to my friend's soundcloud with the song: (You can appreciate the cover art also.) Lot's of wonderful, blessed happenings here in Norway!
https://soundcloud.com/kusch-david/the-rebel-dont-mess-with-the
Sunday, December 16, 2012
The Mountain Peaks at Dawn
I'm currently reading "Mountains of Spices" by Hannah Hurnard. "Hinds Feet on High Places," the first book, really ministered to me when I read it some years ago. Emily gave me both books and I took the second one to Norway with me. I felt the slight urging to start reading it, and since I have, I see again how God's timing is perfect. The message and words are confirming the themes God has been bringing up in my life since being here in Norway. Simple truths. Profound Love. This is a song the young woman named "Glory and Grace" sings to her Beloved, the Shepard, on the Mountains of Spices. It fits perfectly with the setting I am in here in Norway-Praise Jesus!-and it speaks out my heart. Be Blessed. And run to meet Him.
The Mountain Peaks at Dawn
As in the early morning
the snowy mountain peaks
Look up to greet the dawning,
So my heart longs and seeks
To see thy face
And glow with grace
Here like the peaks at sunrise
My mind to thee I raise;
Clothe me with glory likewise,
Make me to burn with praise
In love's attire
Of flaming fire
In robes of snowy whiteness
They greet their lord the sun;
The Mountain Peaks at Dawn
As in the early morning
the snowy mountain peaks
Look up to greet the dawning,
So my heart longs and seeks
To see thy face
And glow with grace
Here like the peaks at sunrise
My mind to thee I raise;
Clothe me with glory likewise,
Make me to burn with praise
In love's attire
Of flaming fire
In robes of snowy whiteness
They greet their lord the sun;
I too, await thy brightness,
On winged feet I run.
Give, now we meet,
Communion sweet.
Give, now we meet,
Communion sweet.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Beauty and Majesty
"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1 The view right outside our dinning room windows. :o)
"Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out thorough all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them he has placed a tenet for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them...." Psalm 19:2-6
On Mini-Outreach: the view outside of our host's home.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Joints
"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love." ~Ephesians 4:14-16
Last week each track was sent out on "mini-outreach," where we each went to a different location to spread the love and joy and ministry of Jesus Christ. Our dance track went to a town 4 hours north of Alesund. It was quite beautiful-Norway's roads are incredible to travel on. You are driving right along the sea, watching the waters move in different directions. The mountains have snow covered peaks and are dotted with colorful homes and buildings. There's fishing gear along the coast, and thin, elegant trees all along the roads. Sometimes there was snow and ice as we traveled. Snow lying in long yellow and green grass in so beautiful!
While we were there, we were in charge of the program for a youth club on Friday night. The youth club is pretty much a youth group, though more open to non-Christians. This night we were doing a prophetic improv dance. This meant that Paulien had picked a song and we were going to dance to it, but we had no choreographed dance moves. We were just to move with the movements that were on our heart to do, or dance to whatever message or impression God would give us as we yielded ourselves and our bodies to Him. The night before, Thursday, we talked about who should do the dance. I suggested we practice what we'd been learning to do more-hear God's voice corporately So we each prayed that night and in the morning, asking God who should do the dance.
We got together in the morning and each named who was put on our heart to dance. Everyone got someone different! One dancer, Emily, got a picture of a silhouette not a specific person. We asked, God spoke, now we needed clarity! So we prayed again for a few minutes. People still had the same people, but there was also this new sense of doing it together. God showed me all those who were named were supposed to do the dance, each of us showing a different part of God's heart. I was so pumped! God allowed me to understand that the silhouette Emily saw was displaying that anyone could dance, anyone could fill in that shape, because each would bring Jesus-we bring the same heart, but display different characteristics of God and different passions through each unique dancer. Then I realized how beautifully this all fit into the verses in Ephesians I had read earlier! God excites my heart when he puts these things together. :o) My head joins my heart and I am in unity with myself. (!)
Friday night we danced, and it was such a glorious display of God's love for the youth there, our love for God, and the importance of each individual part-working together in love. I can't say every specific way the dance showed all of this-but God definitely knew what He was doing. ;o) At one point in the dance Emily came and started dancing with me, God had put on her heart the need of "connectedness." I too felt this need-my heart was moved to be there for my fellow brothers and sisters. I picked up Emily in my arms and spun with her. Our two dancers who were not presenting said that moment was very special. I love that I can create "special" moments with others for Jesus and because of Jesus! Every individual part is needed to work properly in our body of believers-every joint supplies a part of this body, with Christ as the head. Since being here at DTS God has just shown me with increasing clarity how much he roots for the individual within a community. (And the community supporting the individual-yep-it's a circle.) If you are a Christian, you are part of a beautiful family of special, united individuals. Believe it-receive it! Know-your joint counts! :o)
Last week each track was sent out on "mini-outreach," where we each went to a different location to spread the love and joy and ministry of Jesus Christ. Our dance track went to a town 4 hours north of Alesund. It was quite beautiful-Norway's roads are incredible to travel on. You are driving right along the sea, watching the waters move in different directions. The mountains have snow covered peaks and are dotted with colorful homes and buildings. There's fishing gear along the coast, and thin, elegant trees all along the roads. Sometimes there was snow and ice as we traveled. Snow lying in long yellow and green grass in so beautiful!
While we were there, we were in charge of the program for a youth club on Friday night. The youth club is pretty much a youth group, though more open to non-Christians. This night we were doing a prophetic improv dance. This meant that Paulien had picked a song and we were going to dance to it, but we had no choreographed dance moves. We were just to move with the movements that were on our heart to do, or dance to whatever message or impression God would give us as we yielded ourselves and our bodies to Him. The night before, Thursday, we talked about who should do the dance. I suggested we practice what we'd been learning to do more-hear God's voice corporately So we each prayed that night and in the morning, asking God who should do the dance.
We got together in the morning and each named who was put on our heart to dance. Everyone got someone different! One dancer, Emily, got a picture of a silhouette not a specific person. We asked, God spoke, now we needed clarity! So we prayed again for a few minutes. People still had the same people, but there was also this new sense of doing it together. God showed me all those who were named were supposed to do the dance, each of us showing a different part of God's heart. I was so pumped! God allowed me to understand that the silhouette Emily saw was displaying that anyone could dance, anyone could fill in that shape, because each would bring Jesus-we bring the same heart, but display different characteristics of God and different passions through each unique dancer. Then I realized how beautifully this all fit into the verses in Ephesians I had read earlier! God excites my heart when he puts these things together. :o) My head joins my heart and I am in unity with myself. (!)
Friday night we danced, and it was such a glorious display of God's love for the youth there, our love for God, and the importance of each individual part-working together in love. I can't say every specific way the dance showed all of this-but God definitely knew what He was doing. ;o) At one point in the dance Emily came and started dancing with me, God had put on her heart the need of "connectedness." I too felt this need-my heart was moved to be there for my fellow brothers and sisters. I picked up Emily in my arms and spun with her. Our two dancers who were not presenting said that moment was very special. I love that I can create "special" moments with others for Jesus and because of Jesus! Every individual part is needed to work properly in our body of believers-every joint supplies a part of this body, with Christ as the head. Since being here at DTS God has just shown me with increasing clarity how much he roots for the individual within a community. (And the community supporting the individual-yep-it's a circle.) If you are a Christian, you are part of a beautiful family of special, united individuals. Believe it-receive it! Know-your joint counts! :o)
Monday, November 26, 2012
Love Feast Craziness
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.
.
. 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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