Ethiopia!

I have now had my first day here in Ethiopia, and it's been really amazing to be here!!! I've been sleeping a lot today, because I've had a huge lack of sleep because of all that has been happening the last couple of days. I got to know that I was going to Ethiopia on Thursday night, so I guess you can say I've been stressing quite a lot! ;)Before I could go I had to: Pack my things back home, get a yellow-fever shot, buy a back-pack that was big enough, buy some loose & shoulder-covering t-shirts, pack out of my room in the base(!), go back to Hamar to finish up some things there, and than be at Gardemoen (ariport, Oslo) at 06.00. Monday morning!!! ...

Besides a bit stress and a lack of sleep, I have really enjoyed more or less everything here!! :) The people here are just so amazing and friendly!! The temperature is lovely! And the food is - exciting!!... ;)

If you are curious, I am here together with Janne, for 2 weeks!! It's a required "seeing-another-culture" -thing!


We get to use a Internett on a Internett-cafe close, and the connection is a bit "so and so".

I have to go now! Wish you all Gods blessings and a very good time!!!!

Some friends!! :)

Footprints

One night a man had a dream

He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of Footprints in the sand;
one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the Footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of Footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him, and he questioned the Lord about it;
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed
that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of Footprints.
I don't understand why,
when I needed you most,
you would leave me."
The Lord replied:
"My son, My precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you have seen only one set of Footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

Tikken...

Regler: Hver spiller starter med å skrive 6 rare ting om seg selv, eller rett og slett noe ingen andre vet. Bloggere som blir "tatt" må skrive 6 ting om seg selv i sin egen blogg, i tillegg til å angi reglene for spillet. Til slutt velger spilleren 6 nye bloggere som "har den", og lister navnene deres. Etter det er gjort, skriver han eller hun en kommentar på bloggene til hver av dem, for å la dem vite at de har blitt "tatt", og at de må lese bloggen til den som tok dem for mer informasjon

1. Jeg virkelig digger å diskutere, prate om ulike ting, ting som interreserer. Eller bare prate! ;)
2. Jeg har frivillig gått inn på en nudist-avdeling i et tysk badesenter (storebroren sa ikke hva det var, bare at hvis jeg gikk inn ville jeg være "veldig kul" og at det ikke var noe farlig... ... typisk storebrødre!! ;).)
3. Jeg har stjelt (og er ikke stolt av det) - fra 7Eleven
4. Jeg digger å kjøre (dvs. sitte på) i buss/bil/tog, sammen med venner!!
5. Mitt høyeste ønske er å se storebroren min møte Jesus!
6. Mine tidligere kallenavn har bl.a. vært: "blondie", "bibel-freak", "muldvarp", "malingspannet" og "skolelys"...


Martin (en ny post!;)...), Britt Solveig, Ekki, Janelle, Kristian og "mock the poodle" ;)




Rules: Every player have to start with wirting 6 strange things about themselves, or just something that others don't know about them. The bloggers who are "ticked" have to write 6 things about themselves in their own blogg, in addition to listing up the rules of the game. In the end the player chooses 6 new people that "has it", and lists up their names. After that is done, he or she writes a comment on each persons blogg, to let them know that they are "ticked", and that they have to read that persons blogg for more information.

1. I really like to discuss, talk about different things, things that interests me. Or just talk! ;)
2. I have walked into the nudist-section of a german swimming-center, willingly (my brother didn't say what it was, only that if I went in I would be "really cool" and that it was nothing dangerous... ... older brothers!! ;).)
3. I've stolen (and am not proud of it) - from 7Eleven.
4. I love to drive (be a passenger) in a bus/car/ train, together with friends!!
5. My highest wish is to see my older brother meet Jesus.
6. My former "nick-names" have, among other things, been: "blondie", "bible - freak", "mole", "paint-can" and "school-light" (nickname if you're considered to be really good in school).


Martin (a new post! ;)...), Britt Solveig, Ekki, Janelle, Kristian and "mock the poodle" ;)

Ole

Vi trenger virkelig å vise mer at vi setter pris på de menneskene vi har rundt oss, som bare ved å være til stede, betyr utrolig mye for hvordan vi har det!

OLE - dette er til deg!!!

Du er en sinnsyk herlig person!
Du sprer glede og lett humor!
Du ser folk!
Du er der for andre!
Du liker å ikke være altfor seriøs! (!)
Du får lett en utrolig god kontakt med barn!
Du godtar folk for den de er!
Du er ærlig!
Ekte!

Jeg virkelig digger deg, Ole!!
Digger å prate med deg, fordi du er så ærlig; deg selv!
Digger å ha deg i klassa!!
Digger å se deg be og komme nærmere Gud!!!

Ole - ta vare på deg selv!
Du betyr utrolig mye, for utrolig, utrolig mange!!!

At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross,
where I kneel in adoration
And I lay my burdens down
I exchange all my sin
for the promise of salvation
And Your name across my brow

At the foot of the cross,
I give up my vain ambition
And I leave my selfish pride
In the peace that is there,
will You restore my vision?
In all the places I am blind

I will wait here at the cross
I will wait here at the cross
I will wait here at the cross
I will wait here at the cross

At the foot of the cross
there is healing for this nation
There is rest for those who wait
And the love that we find
is the hope of all creation
We are stunned by what You gave

We will wait here at the cross
We will wait here at the cross
We will wait here at the cross
We will wait here at the cross

We will wait at the cross,
a hungry generation
With our broken hearts and lives
Will You hear? Will You come?
Will You fill our desperation?
Oh God let this be the time

En ny vår

Far
Tilgi meg for de tingene jeg har gjort
Det er blitt
Ikke slik jeg ville
Ikke mitt men ditt
Mitt liv i dine hender
Min lengsel i dine sår
Mitt håp i dine løfter
Min frihet
Far


En ny vår

Friends

I'm empty of words
- I'm not able to describe you,
or what you mean to me!!
You are simply amazing!!!
An awesome gift from a more awesome God!!!
THANK YOU, JESUS!!!

Ken Helser

A lot of things have happened since last time and I really don't want or "gidd" to wirte it all down!! ;) The most important thing happened last week, when we had Ken Helser as teacher. He was suppose to teach /talk about "journaling Gods voice", but for the most part he was just there, telling stories, singing songs and simply just loving us with Gods love. He prayed for us, every day, before he came to class and he also prophesied over us! I don't wish to make him into something greater or bigger than what he is! He wanted to be a man that God could use as He wanted, and He simply spoke of Gods love just by being there!!

"But most of all, I want the likeness of Jesus!"

Jule-minner... Christmas-memories...

Nå er jula over, og jeg har mye å se tilbake på... Helina, ei fra Estland som jeg går i klasse med, kom og var hos meg i jula!! Jeg har vært på nyttårsfestival, arbeidersamling (for første gang), og kommet tilbake til en utrolig kald base og enda noen måneder her i Skien!!

Jeg tror ikke jeg skal skrive så mye om hvordan jeg har hatt det i jula, osv... Hvis du vil vite, så send meg gjerne en meld, eller en mail. :)

Now the Christmas is over, and I have a lot to look back on... Helina, a girl from Estonia that I go in class together with, came and spent the Christmas with me and my familiy!! I've been on New Years-Festival, Workers Gathering, and I've commed back to an incredibly cold base and some more months here in Skien!!

I don't think I want to write that much about how I've had it /experienced this Christmas... If you want to know, you're free to send me a message, or a mail. :)

Jule-fest: Går rundt et juletre i Skien sentrum.
/ Christmas-party: Walking around a Christmas-tree in Skien.

Helina poserer. Like før jule-middagen.
/ Helina posing. Just before eating the Christmas dinner

Hvem har sagt at en hund ikke kan åpne julegaver? Birgit, Amanda & Papppa.
/ Who has said that a dog can't open Christmas presents? Birgit, Amanda & Dad.

Utrolig vakre farger på himmelen i jula!!
/ Really amazing colours in the sky during Christmas!!

Måtte bare ha det med!! :) Kasper (bildet), Amund, Helina og jeg kom til Nyttårsfestivalen dagen før det begynte, så vi bestemte oss for å ha det litt morro i gymsalen!! ;)
/ I just had to show this!! :) Kasper (picture), Amund, Helina and I came to the New Years- Festival the day before it started, so we decided to have some fun in the gymnastic-hall!! ;)

Dette er egentlig litt "inside"... Bibel-nerden får spørsmål via sms, som leses opp dagen etterpå...
/ This is actually a bit "inside"... The Bible-nerd receives questions by sms, which is being read up at the meeting the next day...

Teamet som lagde mat på "Cafe Junk". Skulle egentlig ha vært med der, men jeg var dessverre syk. En gjeng med skikkelige herlige mennesker!!!
/The team who made food at "Cafe Junk". I was suppose to join in on that, but I unfortunately I was sick. A bunch of really great people!!

Nyttårsaften på Grimerud! Silje, Melissa & Helina
/ New Years -Eve at Grimerud! Silje, Melissa & Helina

To herlige venninner fra Hamar/Stange. Lene & Hanne - dere er helt fantastiske!!
/ Two wonderful friends from home. Lene & Hanne - you're amazing!!

Jeg deltok på en spørre-konkurranse, og var ett spørsmål fra å vinne!! ;) Det var skikkelig gøy!! :)
/ I was in this question-competition -thing, and I was one question away from winning!! It was a lot of fun!! :)

Linda & Ole

GODT NYTT ÅR!!!
/ HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas

"So this is Christmas..."

Yesterday I came back home, by train, from Skien and from the base... I don't think I actually realised what it would mean until we had worship at the end of the Christmas-part, and people were encouraged to come forward and say something. (That is also one of the reasons why I write this only in English, so that the people who can understand this is limited... ;)...) Many talked about how glad and thankful they were for having been at the base (DTS or SOE) the last 3 months. How it had changed them or simply just helped them. And when we had worship and sang songs about how God is the only one who deserves our thanks, praise and lives - I had to remind myself several times of Romans 8:15... Because I felt afraid, unsure, about how it would be to come back home. I hadn't been home since I left for DTS (in september) and a lot has changed in me since than(!). I realised that I would miss the people I had gotten to know and rely on, so incredibly much!! But at the same time I saw that it maybe was a kind of a "test" for me to see if I relied more on men than I do on God!!

I remember looking around in the room and just feeling such a love for the people there!! I've gotten the best fiends I've ever had while I've been on the base, and I don't know but I truly, turly hope that I will be able to keep those friendships for a very long time!!!

So now I'm back home... And I'll have to face things I know I 'll meet. Things I used to view as normal! I'll have to choose to live in forgiveness, every day, and also in a much more direct way since I'll probably meet those persons. I'll have to choose to walk in Gods ways, and not my own, in situations where I know that I'll easily fall back into "old habbits of behaving"... And, maybe most importantly, I'll have to choose to believe that I am precious and that I am loved for the one I am, and also tell myself that!... I'll have to go against every thought of "you're not worth anything" or "people don't like you" or "why did you behave like that?"... I am someone!! And I know that there's someone who loves me! And I choose to not let bad experiences in the past, thoughts like "it will happen again when I'm back home" or anything else, which is a lie, affect me or the way I am...



Maybe this was too personal... But if so, please let me know!!

Mindreverd

Det fanger, det binder, det lurer, det overbeviser – om mindreverd. Stemmer som ikke stemmer med det Guds ord sier. Ord som ikke bør bite på den kroken som det gjør. Lokker, til å begynne med. Fanger så, deretter. Binder, for så lenge det kan. Overbeviser, fordi det blir (får bli) værende.

Hvordan kan det forsvinne, det som har vært der så lenge. Hvordan kan jeg nå leve, uten det som før pleide å være min virkelighet. Ikke faste grunnmur, for fast var den ikke og heller ikke en grunnmur. En skjør mur, en innbiling, lik en hallusinasjon. Hvordan kan jeg forestille meg et liv uten den, når den har blitt en så stor del av livet mitt slik det er nå?

Jeg ønsker å bli fri, men jeg er redd. Redd for hva det vil bringe, på en uforklarlig og merkelig måte. (Men mest) Redd for hvordan det vil være å slippe taket i det jeg nå kjenner, og som jeg på en merkelig måte føler meg ”trygg” på. Redd for å hoppe med begge bein, selv om jeg veit at jeg aldri vil falle uten at Gud tar meg imot. Og hvordan kan jeg da være så redd? Hvis jeg veit at Gud er der og at Han vil ta meg imot – hvordan og hvorfor frykter jeg da det ukjente?

Er det fordi det jeg veit, og at jeg veit, kun er vitenskap, og at det ikke stikker dypere. Eller?? Bør det ikke stikke dypere? Bør ikke jeg stole mer på Han som alltid, og igjennom alle ting har vært der for meg? Og derfor, bør jeg ikke kunne gå ut i, eller inn i, det ukjente med frihet og frimodighet? Hvorfor er jeg da fanget, bindet, lurt i og overbevist om – mindreverd!!

Team Volda

Nå har jeg skrevet dette her så mange ganger at jeg begynner å bli nokså lei (og hver gang funker det ikke å poste det!!) Så derfor skriver jeg ikke så mye nå - går heller inn senere og gjør om... Skjønner?!! ;)

Now I've written this so many times that I'm beginning to become quite tired (and every time it doesn't work to post it!!) So therefore I don't write that much now - I rather go in and re-do it later... Understand?!! ;)

På vei over til middag hos Kalla og Bjørn. / On the way to Kalla and Bjørn for dinner.


Morgan og Svenna; bildet taler for seg selv!! / Morgan and Svenna; the picture says it all!!

Middag hos Volda-teamet. /Dinner together with the Volda-team.

Anders og Elise går gjennom programmet før møtet begynner. / Anders and Elise are going through the program before the meeting begins.

"Experience, experience."

Konsert med det kristne punk-rock bandet: "Sunday Rocket." / Consert with the Christian punk-rock band: "Sunday Rocket."

Who is there?

Who is left, when all disappears.
Who is there, to wipe away my tears.
Who can speak words of comfort to my ear.
When everything I had is lost..

You must loose it, to gain it
You must die, but not in vain
'Cause one thing will forever, always remain
And that is Him...

Tonje 19 år!!!

I går hadde min utrolige venninne, Tonje, bursdag!! Hun ble 19 år, og når noen her på DTS'en har bursdag går det aldri (!) ubemerket hen... ;)
Først vekket vi henne og sang (+ dansa), like etter at klokka hadde passert 24.00. Senere på dagen gav vi henne forskjellige lede-tråder, for at hun skulle kunne finne gavene vi hadde gjemt. Og som var spleise-gaver fra Martin, Laila, Ekki og meg. (Eks. "Take a shower, you stink.") Sist, men ikke minst, hadde vi en bursdags-fest, som vi hadde nede i matsalen. Med gele og vaniljesaus (siden hun ikke tåler egg), og som vi måtte "spise" med sugerør... Underholdningen var bl.a. en sang som Martin sang for henne, det at hun skulle "lete etter den spesielle ballongen" og Mafia ("American style"). Det var utrolig gøy, og det var også utrolig digg å se at hun satte pris på det!! :)

Yesterday, my incredible friend Tonje had her birtday!! She turned 19 years, and when someone on the DTS has birtday it never (!) goes unnoticed.. ;)
So first we woke her up just after 24.00 o'clock, and sang (+ danced) for her. Later in the day we gave her different "clues", so that she could find the gifts we had hidden. Gifts that Martin, Laila, Ekki and myself had bought together. (Ex. "Take shower, you stink.") And last but not least, we had a "suprise" birtday -party, down in the dining-area. With gellow and vanilla-sause (because she can't eat egg), which we had to "eat" with straws... The entertainment contained Martin singing a song to her, that she had to "look for the special balloon" and Mafia ("american style").
It was a lot of fun, and it also really nice to see that she appreciated it!! :)

Reboot

I går dro en gjeng av oss herifra opp til Larivk, for å se på showet som Reboot skulle ha i en av menighetene der. Det var sinnsykt bra!!!

Yesterday, some of us drove up to Larvik to watch the show that Reboot were having in a churh there. It was an incredible show!!!

"The Seven Seas"

On monday night it was time for the first Love Feast of the year, and the topic was "The Seven Seas." The excitment grew as we were waiting for the clock to turn 6 (18.00). And than the fun began...

Mandags kveld var det tid for årets første Love Feast, og temaet var "De Sju Hav". Spenningen vokste ettersom vi venta på at klokka skulle bli 6 (18.00). Og da begynte morroa...

Tone og Elise ("rommiser) klare til festen!! / Tone og Elise are ready for the party!!"Skipper'n og pappegøya!" / The shipper-man & his parrot! Når alle hadde kommet ned, samlet vi oss i "båten". / When everyone had comed down, we gathered in the "ship".

"Mutery, mutery!" Mat-bordet. / The food-table.

Staben ble delt opp i 2 lag, med 3 personer på hvert lag, og de ble nødt til å konkurerre i noen nokså spesielle leker... Her skal de slikke sjokolade-pålegg fra hver sin side av et lokk! De måtte også spise fra en asjett, uten hender, som hadde "skjulte" fiskeboller med pisket krem rundt. Siste oppgave var at alle måtte gå "Limbo" med en gullfisk i munnen. Når de var ferdige, måtte de spytte den ut i et glass, før det var neste person sin tur... ... Senere var det "disko" i båten, med litt sprø dansing og breaking. Mot slutten ble det en god del "Limbo"...

The Staff were split into 2 teams, with 3 persons on each, and they had to compete in some quite special games... Here the task is to lick some chocklade of a lid. They also had to eat from a plate that were covered by "hidden" fish-bolls and whipped cream, without using their hands. The last task was that everyone had to go "Limbo" with a gold-fish in their mouth. When they had finished, they had to spit it out into a glass, before the next person took over... ... Later it was "disco" in the boat, which included some crazy dancing and breaking. At the end we did a lot of "Limbo"...

Team

Today I found out that I am going on team to Volda next week, together with Christopher, Morgan, Elise and Silje!! I am really looking forward to it! :) To finally be able to practice what we've learned about team-life and team-relationship... A bit scary, but still I'm really excited. In a way I hoped to be able to stay here, since half of the class are staying, and because my father and brother are working here in Skien next week (probably). And I really, really want him to see what it's actually like to be christian and that he will get the oportunity to meet other christian youth as well. But, on the other hand, I trust that God has a plan with sending me to Volda, and I trust that he is in charge. (- have to go, this will be updated...)



I dag fant jeg ut at jeg skal gå på team til Volda neste uke, sammen med Christopher, Morgan, Elise og Silje!! Jeg gleder meg veldig!! :) Det å endelig kunne få praktisert hva vi har lært ang team-liv og team-relasjoner... Litt skummelt er det jo, men jeg er alikevel utrolig gira! På en måte håpa jeg å kunne få være igjen her, siden halvparten av klassa blir værende, fordi faren og broren min kommer til å jobbe her i Skien til neste uke (mest sansynlig). Og da hadde jeg hatt så sinnsykt lyst til at han skulle komme hit til basen og få se litt mer hvordan det er å være kristen, og samtidig få møte andre kristne ungdommer. Men jeg stoler på at Gud har en plan med å sende meg til Volda, og jeg stoler på at han er i kontroll. (- må gå, men dette vil bli oppdatert etter hvert, håper jeg...)