So I was home all day yesterday, sick... and I have to say I was SO BORED. I must have watched every decent TV show in the planet on TV yesterday and movies and ran into some not so decent TV shows too. I am a little shocked what American TV shows are turning into these days. I won´t take my soapbox now, but I was really, really concerned to say the least.
So today, I am feeling a little better. I am so glad I stayed home last night because I steadily started to get more miserable and feverish and my sinuses were killing me. Today I am much more congested and have a cough. I am feeling OK right now, but who knows how I will be by the end of the day? Lots of water and vitamin C is my prescription!
Anyway, I am sitting here at home on the computer, and hopefully I won´t be so bored today, but there´s no guarantee about that! Have a wonderful day!
October 23, 2006
October 22, 2006
Sick!
Yes, so the normal cold is going around here, and I knew it was a matter of time before I caught it. I don´t feel horrible, but I don´t feel 100% well either. I hate that feeling when you want to go somewhere, and you´re not quite sick enought to stay home but at the same time you´re not quite well enough to be out either. It is cold and wet outside today.
Anyway, I´ve decided to stay home today, so I don´t plague others with my cold and don´t get any worse by going outside and being in the rain, etc. This is so unusual for me to do because normally I would push myself to go and especially with it being a Sunday, but I´ve found every time I push myself, I get worse. Soooo, with all that said, I am staying home today. This is the first time in a long time I´ve missed a Sunday service, and I feel a little bit less than a leader because I am not pushing through and going tonight. But at the same time, I need to be mature and do what´s best for me and others -- stay home.
With all that said, I am so bored right now! I wanted to prepare a teaching for the interns next week today, but I don´t have the materials I need with me... So I need to find SOMETHING to do! LOL
Have a wonderful day... please pray that I would get well quickly!
Anyway, I´ve decided to stay home today, so I don´t plague others with my cold and don´t get any worse by going outside and being in the rain, etc. This is so unusual for me to do because normally I would push myself to go and especially with it being a Sunday, but I´ve found every time I push myself, I get worse. Soooo, with all that said, I am staying home today. This is the first time in a long time I´ve missed a Sunday service, and I feel a little bit less than a leader because I am not pushing through and going tonight. But at the same time, I need to be mature and do what´s best for me and others -- stay home.
With all that said, I am so bored right now! I wanted to prepare a teaching for the interns next week today, but I don´t have the materials I need with me... So I need to find SOMETHING to do! LOL
Have a wonderful day... please pray that I would get well quickly!
October 21, 2006
Salsafest!
Last night we had a church "Salsafest" or "Salsa Party." I have to admit, I was a little nervous to go last night because we were going to learn how to dance the Salsa, but at the same time, Norwegians are generally not inclined to dance very much, so I knew that we were all in the same crowd!
But it was an incredibly FUN time! There were 50 people in all including ten kids from the youth group (what a good turn out!) The youth had such a good time that they want to teach everyone at the big youth gathering in November how to salsa. I learned how to salsa, and by the end of the night could spin and do the ground steps. It was a lot of fun and more importantly a time to build unity within the church. In fact, one of our church council members was going all crazy and being goofy -- a side I´ve never seen in him before! ha ha
Today I visited with some friends that are Romanian who are aupairs. We had a cup of tea together. Now I am back home getting ready to put together my teaching for tomorrow. It´s raining outside and gloomy... not so much motivation to get my teaching done, but at the same time, I don´t want to be outside in the rain and cold weather.
Soooo that´s that! Will write again soon.
But it was an incredibly FUN time! There were 50 people in all including ten kids from the youth group (what a good turn out!) The youth had such a good time that they want to teach everyone at the big youth gathering in November how to salsa. I learned how to salsa, and by the end of the night could spin and do the ground steps. It was a lot of fun and more importantly a time to build unity within the church. In fact, one of our church council members was going all crazy and being goofy -- a side I´ve never seen in him before! ha ha
Today I visited with some friends that are Romanian who are aupairs. We had a cup of tea together. Now I am back home getting ready to put together my teaching for tomorrow. It´s raining outside and gloomy... not so much motivation to get my teaching done, but at the same time, I don´t want to be outside in the rain and cold weather.
Soooo that´s that! Will write again soon.
October 17, 2006
Out of the ordinary
So yeah, I wrote yesterday that it doesn´t seem too much "out of the ordinary" happens on the ordinary days. It´s just the "ordinary" that happens on the ordinary days.
I was wrong.
Yesterday, while I was at the mall with one of my friends, we walked into a home furnishing store, and they were playing Christian music. That was just really cool in itself. But the cooler thing is that God did something for me in this store about a month or so ago.
At the blessing of John Henry and Lisbeth (our pastors here that oversee the house I live in) I was able to move into my own room -- not that I didn´t have my own room before, but it didn´t have my personality, and at the same time it had three beds in it. So I was allowed to move into a room with only two beds. I took one bed out, and I received permission to "make it my own." Well, I was "on the hunt" for a chair to put in my room. I looked and looked and looked everywhere but found nothing. Then in the very last store I looked in, I found a chair -- a bright green poolside chair that was on super sale for 50% off at 125 kroner ($18.55). It was a very nice looking pool chair, and I thought it might be a good alternative until I find something better. Then I thought I would maybe just go ahead and wait for something better and place my money into that. I walked to the bus stop and the whole time, I felt the Lord saying "Go back and buy that chair." I was arguing with God, thinking that it wasn´t Him speaking to me. Well finally, God said, "You need to go back and buy that chair because of the woman that is going to sell it to you." So I went back obediently and brought the chair to the cashier. And she said, "I just want to be nice to you and give it to you for 60% off instead!" So I paid 99 kroner ($14) instead! Wow, God was right!
Then I was in the same store yesterday, and the same girl was working there... Could it be that she listened to God to on that very day I bought the chair? Could it be that she was a Christian? Wow!
Then came today, another "ordinary" day... and I found out that one of my dearest friends here has been saved. GOD IS WORKING! I am sooooo excited!
Can you feel the anticipation in the air of what God is doing in Norway? Finally?
I was wrong.
Yesterday, while I was at the mall with one of my friends, we walked into a home furnishing store, and they were playing Christian music. That was just really cool in itself. But the cooler thing is that God did something for me in this store about a month or so ago.
At the blessing of John Henry and Lisbeth (our pastors here that oversee the house I live in) I was able to move into my own room -- not that I didn´t have my own room before, but it didn´t have my personality, and at the same time it had three beds in it. So I was allowed to move into a room with only two beds. I took one bed out, and I received permission to "make it my own." Well, I was "on the hunt" for a chair to put in my room. I looked and looked and looked everywhere but found nothing. Then in the very last store I looked in, I found a chair -- a bright green poolside chair that was on super sale for 50% off at 125 kroner ($18.55). It was a very nice looking pool chair, and I thought it might be a good alternative until I find something better. Then I thought I would maybe just go ahead and wait for something better and place my money into that. I walked to the bus stop and the whole time, I felt the Lord saying "Go back and buy that chair." I was arguing with God, thinking that it wasn´t Him speaking to me. Well finally, God said, "You need to go back and buy that chair because of the woman that is going to sell it to you." So I went back obediently and brought the chair to the cashier. And she said, "I just want to be nice to you and give it to you for 60% off instead!" So I paid 99 kroner ($14) instead! Wow, God was right!
Then I was in the same store yesterday, and the same girl was working there... Could it be that she listened to God to on that very day I bought the chair? Could it be that she was a Christian? Wow!
Then came today, another "ordinary" day... and I found out that one of my dearest friends here has been saved. GOD IS WORKING! I am sooooo excited!
Can you feel the anticipation in the air of what God is doing in Norway? Finally?
October 15, 2006
Just another Monday...
It seems my posts revolve around Fridays and Sundays, but that´s where all the action happens in my life! Almost every other day is just a normal workday in the office, visiting people, working with the interns, etc. etc. etc. Maybe one day you will see a peek into my "day-to-day" life as well!
Last night went well. I had a little more difficulty teaching the kids this time around. I wasn´t able to practice -- so when I was teaching I kept stumbling over my words and saying things over again and getting stuck in what I wanted to say. But on the other hand, I really think God acheived something through last night -- friendship between the "new" youth.
On Friday nights we have what is called Uturn for grades 7-12 -- this is a chance for the kids to bring their friends and is more of an evangelistic meeting. On Sunday nights, we have what is called "Lighthouse" for grades 6-10. Lighthouse serves 2 purposes -- to build a bridge between the children´s ministry and the youth ministry and to disciple the kids in their walk with the Lord and in service to the church. Lighthouse has been successful in discipling four of our kids into service in the church so far. But now there is a new wave of kids coming in that are in 6th grade that are the "newbies," so we want to get them acquainted with the youth in the youth ministry and also bring them out of the children´s ministry because they are way too old for it now!
Last night, I had seven kids in Lighthouse during the first meeting, and I spoke to them about Philippians 2:5-11- having the same mind as Christ. When we have more and more of the mind of Christ, we become more and more like Him. We also played a couple of games which really built fellowship between the kids. I am really praying that they can all build good relationships with each other, so that when it comes time for them to come into Uturn, they really know each other well and are able to also integrate into the youth ministry without a problem.
Then there was the second meeting, and I was on worship team. I was having difficulties keeping time with Adam last night, and I felt bad! (I was playing the piano.) But the worship, again, was outstanding, and God was so present. Also 8 of our youth were in the meeting last night. Isn´t that outstanding???? And one of the girls I haven´t seen in a Sunday meeting in forever. God is continuing to do great things with our youth. And Terje spoke in the meeting last night about forgiveness. One of the best messages I have heard on forgiveness in a long time. It is right where our church is at right now. Many people are hurting because they aren´t letting go and forgiving. So it was a perfect message.
Well, I am off to town today with my neighbor Maria. Today is my day off, and I am so happy about it! I know it will be a good time.
Last night went well. I had a little more difficulty teaching the kids this time around. I wasn´t able to practice -- so when I was teaching I kept stumbling over my words and saying things over again and getting stuck in what I wanted to say. But on the other hand, I really think God acheived something through last night -- friendship between the "new" youth.
On Friday nights we have what is called Uturn for grades 7-12 -- this is a chance for the kids to bring their friends and is more of an evangelistic meeting. On Sunday nights, we have what is called "Lighthouse" for grades 6-10. Lighthouse serves 2 purposes -- to build a bridge between the children´s ministry and the youth ministry and to disciple the kids in their walk with the Lord and in service to the church. Lighthouse has been successful in discipling four of our kids into service in the church so far. But now there is a new wave of kids coming in that are in 6th grade that are the "newbies," so we want to get them acquainted with the youth in the youth ministry and also bring them out of the children´s ministry because they are way too old for it now!
Last night, I had seven kids in Lighthouse during the first meeting, and I spoke to them about Philippians 2:5-11- having the same mind as Christ. When we have more and more of the mind of Christ, we become more and more like Him. We also played a couple of games which really built fellowship between the kids. I am really praying that they can all build good relationships with each other, so that when it comes time for them to come into Uturn, they really know each other well and are able to also integrate into the youth ministry without a problem.
Then there was the second meeting, and I was on worship team. I was having difficulties keeping time with Adam last night, and I felt bad! (I was playing the piano.) But the worship, again, was outstanding, and God was so present. Also 8 of our youth were in the meeting last night. Isn´t that outstanding???? And one of the girls I haven´t seen in a Sunday meeting in forever. God is continuing to do great things with our youth. And Terje spoke in the meeting last night about forgiveness. One of the best messages I have heard on forgiveness in a long time. It is right where our church is at right now. Many people are hurting because they aren´t letting go and forgiving. So it was a perfect message.
Well, I am off to town today with my neighbor Maria. Today is my day off, and I am so happy about it! I know it will be a good time.
October 14, 2006
Not much at the moment...
There´s not much new to note at the moment. I am pretty tired because it has been a pretty busy day working around the house and cleaning and cleaning and cleaning... LOL I am just about ready to turn off the computer and get ready for bed... do some reading or watch a movie.
I have a bit of a wish list starting if anyone is interested in helping to supply with care packages :) I love old movies and TV shows-- DVDs of old movies or TV shows like "I Love Lucy, " " Dick Van Dyke" etc. are really a lot of fun for me to see. It is a piece of Americana that helps me to go "back to my roots" every once in a while. I also want a Pilates DVD so that I can exercise inside while the snow is falling, and it is too cold to go out and exercise.
Maybe I can continue to add wish list items as I think of them? What do you think!
Be sure to comment if you´ve got a free minute and also feel free to spread the word about my website and blog!
By the way, my website is http://gepik.home.comcast.net. It has just changed recently, so note the new address!
Have a blessed evening!
I have a bit of a wish list starting if anyone is interested in helping to supply with care packages :) I love old movies and TV shows-- DVDs of old movies or TV shows like "I Love Lucy, " " Dick Van Dyke" etc. are really a lot of fun for me to see. It is a piece of Americana that helps me to go "back to my roots" every once in a while. I also want a Pilates DVD so that I can exercise inside while the snow is falling, and it is too cold to go out and exercise.
Maybe I can continue to add wish list items as I think of them? What do you think!
Be sure to comment if you´ve got a free minute and also feel free to spread the word about my website and blog!
By the way, my website is http://gepik.home.comcast.net. It has just changed recently, so note the new address!
Have a blessed evening!
October 09, 2006
Monday, Monday
Yesterday was complete CHAOS, but I survived "Church Coffee Sunday." I finished my teaching at 12:00. I started making lunch at 12:15. The guests came at 12:55. Lunch was at 13:30. We drove into church at 14:30. I cut my cake and set it up for church coffee, then we had group prayer, followed by an insane round of flyer stuffing. Then I had to run down to the basemet and grab one of the youth to help me set-up for the youth meeting. Quickly after it was time for the first meeting to begin. I taught the youth. We cleaned up. As I was finishing my cleaning and going back upstairs, one of the little boys in church decided to be cool and kick open the front door. What he didn't realize is that the glass in the front door would break when he opened it with his kung fu moves. So there was a sea of glass everywhere. So I ran upstairs for back-up and brooms then ran back upstairs to talk to some new international exchange students that I have responsibility for through the local Christian funding organization to third world countries. I finally was able to sit down during the second church meeting, and it was such a good feeling. Worship was incredible. I just wanted to sing at the top of my lungs but realized I couldn't after my voice kept cracking, I was singing so loud! I just felt the joy of the Lord in the midst of the chaos of the day knowing that I had done and accomplished more than I ever could have on my own. Truly the joy of the Lord is our strength!
I came home and just totally crashed, watching a movie and getting to bed early. I was soooo tired but filled with satisfaction knowing that the day was done.
I came home and just totally crashed, watching a movie and getting to bed early. I was soooo tired but filled with satisfaction knowing that the day was done.
October 08, 2006
And again...
Today, is Sunday, and it is 10:02 a.m. Church is this evening, and things are already CRAZY!
There's this mystery we call "church coffee." In Norway, a very social thing to do is to eat cakes and drink coffee. Every Sunday, we have church coffee in between our two Sunday evening services. So if you are on a church coffee team, you make a cake and help serve and clean-up when it is your Sunday for church coffee. My team comes up every five weeks. EVERY TIME I have church coffee, it is this strange phenomenon, but I always have 500 other things to do on the same day. Church coffee is like this monster that only feeds on the days I am the busiest. It will never land on a Sunday where I have a halfway sane Sunday evening.
Today, church coffee has come to me, and I am BUSY today. I went to bed SO LATE last night because I was working on my update video, that against all odds, was not cooperating with me. So I couldn't get up any earlier than 8 a.m. this morning. But I went straight downstairs and made a cake. I have just come back upstairs to finish organizing the chaos in my room. Then we have guests coming in a 1 p.m. today, and I still have yet to finish making their beds. At 12:00 I need to make lunch for these guests. The interns could've made the meal today, BUT they are going to a church service downtown at 11:00 today, leaving me the sole provide for food today. Then TO TOP IT ALL OFF, I am teaching the youth group today, and I have still yet to write a teaching. I was planning on doing it yesterday, BUT my video was not functioning!
So, all that to say, I just want this day to be over right now, and it has barely begun! Please help me to stay sane in the middle of these "church coffee" Sundays!
There's this mystery we call "church coffee." In Norway, a very social thing to do is to eat cakes and drink coffee. Every Sunday, we have church coffee in between our two Sunday evening services. So if you are on a church coffee team, you make a cake and help serve and clean-up when it is your Sunday for church coffee. My team comes up every five weeks. EVERY TIME I have church coffee, it is this strange phenomenon, but I always have 500 other things to do on the same day. Church coffee is like this monster that only feeds on the days I am the busiest. It will never land on a Sunday where I have a halfway sane Sunday evening.
Today, church coffee has come to me, and I am BUSY today. I went to bed SO LATE last night because I was working on my update video, that against all odds, was not cooperating with me. So I couldn't get up any earlier than 8 a.m. this morning. But I went straight downstairs and made a cake. I have just come back upstairs to finish organizing the chaos in my room. Then we have guests coming in a 1 p.m. today, and I still have yet to finish making their beds. At 12:00 I need to make lunch for these guests. The interns could've made the meal today, BUT they are going to a church service downtown at 11:00 today, leaving me the sole provide for food today. Then TO TOP IT ALL OFF, I am teaching the youth group today, and I have still yet to write a teaching. I was planning on doing it yesterday, BUT my video was not functioning!
So, all that to say, I just want this day to be over right now, and it has barely begun! Please help me to stay sane in the middle of these "church coffee" Sundays!
October 07, 2006
Last night...
Was a great night again! Right now it is fall break for most of the kids, so we were missing quite a few, but we still had seven kids come last night. We had worship and Adam spoke about responding to God's voice. He keyed off what we talked about last week about how when we pray in response to what God says, things happen. So at the end of his message, the boys and the girls were in two separate groups, we shared prayer requests, and we prayed for each other. For some, it was the first time for them to pray out loud in front of others. I had the girls' group pray for the person on their right, and it was such a powerful time... I knew the Holy Spirit was there with us and He was answering prayers the very second we prayed. It is exciting to be discipling these kids and seeing them grow right now. God is good!
Last week, one of the girls came to me after Sunday service and said, "Gretchen, can I talk to you?!?" So we went into the church kitchen and she told me, "I was fine the entire meeting today, but then during the last song, I started to shake and weep. I don't know what's going on!" I told her, "Well, maybe the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you something!" So then I prayed for her and gave her a prophetic word, that she was going to make different choices than the others around her because God has set her apart. God is preparing her to minister to tons of people, and she is strong, not in herself, but because God has given her that strength. She said that it really resonated with her spirit what was said, and she had told a couple of other people that I had given a prophecy over her. Anyway, these people were like "Wow! You gave her a prophecy?" And I thought, "Yes, of course I did! It's only normal!" But perhaps there are so many people here in Norway that haven't received a prophetic word ever or just have had one in such a long time. I was just obedient to speak that which God asked me to speak. So maybe what I did will spark others to do the same. Who knows?
More and more I am realizing, like in the story of Queen Esther that I am here "For such a time as this." As I obey God, He continues to minister through me and bless people in that ministry. He is so good!
Last week, one of the girls came to me after Sunday service and said, "Gretchen, can I talk to you?!?" So we went into the church kitchen and she told me, "I was fine the entire meeting today, but then during the last song, I started to shake and weep. I don't know what's going on!" I told her, "Well, maybe the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you something!" So then I prayed for her and gave her a prophetic word, that she was going to make different choices than the others around her because God has set her apart. God is preparing her to minister to tons of people, and she is strong, not in herself, but because God has given her that strength. She said that it really resonated with her spirit what was said, and she had told a couple of other people that I had given a prophecy over her. Anyway, these people were like "Wow! You gave her a prophecy?" And I thought, "Yes, of course I did! It's only normal!" But perhaps there are so many people here in Norway that haven't received a prophetic word ever or just have had one in such a long time. I was just obedient to speak that which God asked me to speak. So maybe what I did will spark others to do the same. Who knows?
More and more I am realizing, like in the story of Queen Esther that I am here "For such a time as this." As I obey God, He continues to minister through me and bless people in that ministry. He is so good!
October 03, 2006
25th Birthday!
Yes, another year has passed in this life of mine... I turned 25 this past Sunday.
It was just another normal day, and I would have forgotten the fact that it was my birthday except for the fact that so many people wished me "Happy Birthday" throughout the day. I wasn't really expecting anything except to have a nice day and crash at home after church on Sunday.
Well, we got home, and Morten our neighbor came over and said, "Do you want to come over to Sarah's for cake?" And of course, I went over to Sarah's (she and her husband are fellow missionaries from Los Angeles) for cake. When I walked into her house, it was dark, and I heard all kinds of whispering. I walked around the corner of the kitchen, and EVERYONE in the neighborhood was hiding in the house (close to 25-30 people), and they yelled, "Surprise!" This was the first actual surprise party I've had in my life, and I was so blessed. I had the best time and was laughing and crying all at the same time, and the biggest surprise of all was being blessed with a TV and a DVD player, so that I could have them in my room for my own "private life," so I don't always have to be with the other interns in the house (because sometimes it feels as if I never am able to come home from work) but I have time for myself.
It was such a wonderful day. And all the birthday greetings and surprises I received ALL DAY LONG really showed me how much I am loved and how much I love the people here. I guess it is a good witness to how much God has worked through me in my time here. I am so thankful to God for that!
It was just another normal day, and I would have forgotten the fact that it was my birthday except for the fact that so many people wished me "Happy Birthday" throughout the day. I wasn't really expecting anything except to have a nice day and crash at home after church on Sunday.
Well, we got home, and Morten our neighbor came over and said, "Do you want to come over to Sarah's for cake?" And of course, I went over to Sarah's (she and her husband are fellow missionaries from Los Angeles) for cake. When I walked into her house, it was dark, and I heard all kinds of whispering. I walked around the corner of the kitchen, and EVERYONE in the neighborhood was hiding in the house (close to 25-30 people), and they yelled, "Surprise!" This was the first actual surprise party I've had in my life, and I was so blessed. I had the best time and was laughing and crying all at the same time, and the biggest surprise of all was being blessed with a TV and a DVD player, so that I could have them in my room for my own "private life," so I don't always have to be with the other interns in the house (because sometimes it feels as if I never am able to come home from work) but I have time for myself.
It was such a wonderful day. And all the birthday greetings and surprises I received ALL DAY LONG really showed me how much I am loved and how much I love the people here. I guess it is a good witness to how much God has worked through me in my time here. I am so thankful to God for that!
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