Day in pics

This morning began with a trip to Gothenburg.. Sam taught about baptism in the Holy Spirit at LP and I did a little shopping :) After lunch we met up with Rebeckha and Aron for fika in the sunshine...

I got a new bathing suit in honor of my mama and daddy... because *drum roll* ... well we'll talk about that another time....

After our drive back to Varberg, we made our way to a blanket by the ocean...

I asked Samuel to bring me Ice Cream... it was the biggest thing I've ever seen... but quite delicious...

Tomorrow is the last day of our Swedish vacation... mmm... so ready to soak it all in!

LP

Like father...

Like son...

Tonight Samuel preached at LP.. a Christian help center for drug addicts and alcoholics. His parents, Ove and Ingabritt, have been leading LP centers for over 30 years. It was amazing...

I love to see the power of God in the nations of the world. His Word surpasses all generational lines, all country borders, all cultural and religious backgrounds. There is no limit for the Holy Spirit! I've been dwelling on that thought this week... Holy Spirit has equipped me for LIFE! And He is working all over the world!!! Mmm.. the simplicity of the Gospel astounds me.

On another note.. Sweden finally has some sunshine! Tomorrow we're planning on walking the cobblestone streets of Gothenburg for a while.. and then just lay on a blanket all afternoon. Maybe a bike ride by the ocean too...

.. at this time next week, we'll be home. Ethiopia. I'm LONGING for Harar Church of Joy, women's house church, my best friends and disciples, the blistering sun, hyenas lulling me to sleep..

Class of '10

My baby brother - Jeffrey graduated high school!! WooWoo!! Class of '10! So proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!

Number 72!

On August 9th Jeffrey will leave for Marine boot camp. He's been dreaming of serving America for years.. and now it's really happening! There are several months of intense training ahead of him and we're not sure where he might be shipped to afterward.. but I don't know anyone who could do it better than him. Love you baby broduh!!

Two families

Yesterday we celebrated Samuel's sister... Rebeckha's 31st birthday!! Love spending time with the Strandbergs!

Rebeckha and her husband Andreas.. (and their soon-to-be baby!!)

Prince Michael Kayan

Samuel's mama and Aron :)

(I have the cutest nephews!)

MY husband!

Most handsome man on earth!

I've also had some incredible Skype dates with America.. and I met my new nephew for the first time!

Levi Danger Robinson, O he's precious..

My handsome baby brother

Me and Sam talking to Mom and Dad!

My gorgeous best friends!!!!!

LOVE YOU

Smiling Heart

So, Swedish summer if feeling more like a moderate winter right now (Of course I call Africa my home, so maybe I'm a little biased but still, low 60's and rain is hardly a combination for toasty tan lines). Nonetheless, my heart is smiling.. I'm in the homeland of the love of my life, chillin with the Strandberg family, strolling through the malls of the Western world (O that makes my soul flutter!), walking the quant brick-lane European city centers... God is gooooood..

This morning started with breakfast prepared by Samuel. Then Ingabritt and Pernilla came for fika with sweet Kayan before we went our for a walk.. just the girls (and Kayan of course). Our first stop was the shoe store we visited a few days ago, where I fell in love...

Brown, leather, strappy sandals... oooooo!

Från min Svärmor

Ingabritt surprised me! Thank you!!

Next, Sam and I went out to lunch with the Pastor of his home church here in Varberg. (Thai food!) We had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus together... how blessed the two of us are to be surrounded by such incredible spiritual leaders and friends!

Then Sam set up a Skype account for his mama...

...And we tested it out!

At 5 o'clock I turned on some Rascal Flatts and entered the kitchen for 3 hours of cooooooking! O I've been longing to just COOK. First I baked apple-cinnamon-oatmeal cookies and then I made a homemade pizza!

He's so good to me... tries everything I create with a smile! (Sometimes I know it must be a challenge but I AM getting better!)

We ended the evening with strong black Gevalia - India coffee and cookies :) Now we're snuggling up for another episode of 24.. our favorite!

Spending my Friday with Pernilla in Gothenberg!!

Summer in Sweden

Here are some pics from our last few days on vacation in Sweden... we are loving summertime! Been cooking good food (tacos have been the highlight so far), playing with our nephews, shopping in Gothenberg, fikas with the 'rents, watching movies, Skype dates with my besties in USA..

The sun is gone now though, I'm longing for some more heat and tan lines... rain, rain, go away!

Ocean!

Samuel and his sis Pernilla wrestling.. (glad he has someone else to take it out on!)

My partner in crime :)

Was watching all my Ethiopia videos and photos today.. I'm missing my street kids immensely!! Even dreamt of them at night. Wish I could transport myself back and forth..

To Do:

Yesterday was the Mission SOS Bibleschool graduation at SOS Church Stockholm! Mmmm.. how fun it is to live the commission. I'm so excited for all the students! My Samuel was the "surprise guest speaker"... he's the best preacher in all the world. So proud of you!

THANK YOU Elvelyck family for taking such amazing care of us in Stockholm. We love spending time with you!

Then we were off to Arlanda to catch different flights to Gothenburg. My plane came just 10 minutes after Samuel. Papa Strandberg was waiting for us in the airport! Sweden is so breathtakingly beautiful right now. I've been longing for these vast green fields, sparkling lakes, breezy-sunshiny days... O my heart is just bursting! After a one hour drive we arrived home in Varberg (the beach city) on the West coast ("BEST COAST") of Sweden...

Samuel's sister Pernilla and baby boy Kayan also arrived from their home in Thailand yesterday! If only the Redmond's were here...

To Do List:

-picnic

-long walk

-visit H&M

-fika with the love of my life

-skype fika with the fam and Joelle

-spend time with all the Strandbergs

-lay on a blanket, starring at the clouds

... and that's just about it for the next 2 weeks...