Leaving for Ethiopia in a few hours. Am I ready??? Not at all. But these pictures give my heart butterflies :) I'm in love!!!

Thanks everyone!

I'm surrounded by boxes and suitcases... trying to decide which things should end up in India later on in life, which things should stay in Sweden, and which things to bring to Africa this week! And on top of that, Samuel and I are both sick and have fevers :( makes moving (and everything in between) a challenge!

But... we feel so blessed! Thank you everyone at Pingstkyrkan Varberg for donating all the wonderful clothing to Ethiopia! Our pastors families and disciples will be blown away! And thank you Second Chance for letting us raid the "boys" section today... they are going to feel like superheroes with their new clothes!!!

4 days until this guy!! Almost reunited...












Please keep us in your prayers! There are so many exciting things happening ahead of us and in the Kingdom... so there's no time to be exhausted or sick!

Sugar Pie

Me and little baby Annie Björling. She is such a sweetie pie. You can read the incredible adventure-birth here. If you don't know Swedish... translate it here! She (and her wonderful family) has been the highlight of my crazy week. And... the other highlight is the warm cake my husband just baked for us! Tack älskling!

I will be in Ethiopia in less than one week.... and I have a really BIG "to do" list before then which largely consists of moving in with the in-laws for the rest of our short stay in Sweden! Transition has become such a familiar companion. Longing for new seasons. 

"Tional"

Me: "Do you even know what emotional means?"

Samuel: "Yea, EMO - a paralyzed state of being and TIONAL ("chanel") - like...... a perfume"

This was our conversation over lunch today. My husband makes me laugh :)




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Moving on

Congratulations to our dear friends the Björlings on the birth of their 3rd daughter this morning! We are sooo deeply happy for you all!

Well the time has come for us to pack up our lives again. Always a bittersweet adventure. We moved into this apartment in Sweden almost one year ago, but because of traveling and such, I've only been living in it for 5 months. It's a sweet and cozy home with big livingroom windows, wooden floors, brick in the kitchen, a little balcony and a real dishwasher and washing machine( Pure culture shock when I moved in from Africa!)!!

We didn't put so much attention or effort into making it "ours" but a few favorite candle holders, vases and utensils will be boxed up and eventually re-opened in our future home in India. Longing for that day :) I'm trying to decide what to carry along in my suitcases that will make me feel at "home" wherever I am... what would that be for you??

Samuel and I enjoying the West coast of Scandinavia!

 A long walk by the ocean and fika!

Scenic Sunday

Precious, curious, beautiful children in a little village in North East India :)

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African soil

Just 13 days until I'm back on holy soil. African soil. I could explode. We are going to be in THE Harar Church of JOY in Ethiopia :) In so many ways it feels like I'm going home. This was my first home just 2 days after getting married.. The place I sowed so many tears and prayers and laughs and dreams in. Longing with every part of me!!

With Oromo children in the HOT mountains on a 16 hour drive through the desert with a car from the 70's. Not a good idea!

Feeding hyenas with a hyena-man who prayed salvation just minutes before :)

Yes, that is raw meat being dangled by my head.

A few weeks later, I actually got bit on my side... but the ugly sucker didn't break the skin, thank God!

Just after a street-outreach led by our Bibleschool students!

Ethiopia! I am in love with you! And more... God is in love with you!!! Psalm 68:31 says, "Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God." Pray with me for the unreached on the Horn of Africa... that they would simply meet their Creator. Pray that God would heal their land and give them His Holy Spirit. 

twentyfour

Hard to believe I am going to be 24 this month. Didn't I just have my sweet 16??

My list of favorites:
Jesus
Holy Spirit
Husband
Coffee
Leather journal
Camera
Getting mail
Africa
India
China
Middle East
Hawaii
Okay, the whole map
Jesus
Samuel

...and repeat...























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Because we all need a fun song sometimes :)

Guds äventyrare

Written in Africa 2011.

The strange yet alluring combination of curry and garbage smoke drifts up to my fourth-story kitchen table view of the glittering stars tonight. What a silly blend of life I find myself tangled up in. Culture is a stunning experience. Religion woven within culture is difficult to understand, impossible to separate. Here I am in the fourth holiest Islamic city in the world and I have Hindu neighbors. The orthodox calls to prayer wake us up each morning. And each day... our clothes, our meals, our itinerary, keeps an unspoken boundary between us all. How could there be so many options to the truth? So many paths to eternity? How can I convince a person who believes in a million gods that there is one God who is seeking them out? Does love really change the world? Does a smile change the atmosphere? I don’t want to live in a world of harmonious religions... I want to win people for Christ!  Does the god you serve actually know your name or the number of hairs on your head? Can your god save you of your unrighteousness? The God I serve - the Creator of the world and your life in it - is alive, active, full of love. He cheers you on exactly where you are rather than demanding perfection from you with no reward. He’s faithful, powerful and present. He gave His own son Jesus to die for your sins so that you wouldn't have to. He is standing at the door to your heart... knocking... knocking... waiting to be invited inside. Not as a guest, but as the new owner of the building! Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is a free gift... but after His great mercy and love washes you clean... it will cost you everything. And it's so so worth it. Tell the world.

This necklace was given to me by my bridesmaids (Joelle and Lauren) the night before I got married. 

It says God's Adventurer in Swedish! Perfect :)

Samuel gave me the cross for valentine's day 3 years ago :)

Art

I love art. I love love love it! When I was in highschool I had big plans to become a fashion designer. Thankfully though, I decided to follow God's dreams for me instead of my own mini dreams for myself :) and that's where I am today..... But this afternoon ive been fingerpainting on my ipad. So strange to draw without pencils and erasers... But i think it turned out fun :) Oh this modern day technology... Crazy.








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Best part of me

Romans 8:37-39 NLT
"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2012 has reached us in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Still coming your way usa! I always feel a bit emotional(dont know if thats the best word to use) over new years... But now Im especially excited for what's to come. Sometimes its overwhelming to think about all that will happen in the next 12 months but I know that I have the Holy Spirit (and my wonderful husband) always with me :) I read this scripture from Romans today and was so filled up with God's great heart over ME. Always. In all seasons. All experiences, all tears, trials, transitions, new territories, laughs, surprises and adventures. I couldnt survive without my God! And Ill never have to. He is the best part of me.

Thank you God for another year together with YOU. I will worship you in the minutes and hours and days and weeks and months to come. I will chase Your heart. I want to be more like YOU!! Thank you for your great love that never ever ever ever leaves me!!!


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