ADVENTKALENDAR - trying for an advent season approach besides "Getting to Christmas"!

An Allison Post

Today is Day 7 of the Christmas Countdown, or Jule rather (pronounced "yu-la"). Per usual, time passes quickly as we try to savor every bit of this holiday season including but not limited to:

-decorating christmas trees that measure up to my knee

-singing with 53 christmas songs on my playlist that I'm trying not to get sick of after listening to for just 3 days

-making gingerbread houses that cave in after a day because of the humidity in our house

We bought our plastic spruce at a
place called "Plantasjan"! It was all of 20 bucks
and even came with little lights. SHOUTOUT TO
MARTINE for the ride, The LORD knows I did NOT
feel like walking!!!! ;)

But OF COURSE these little details are not the why for Christmas which is why we can happily laugh and thank God for the meaning and reason of Advent. We look forward to Jesus coming to us this month, this week, daily. We see Jesus coming when we walk in the bitter cold to find our 1-foot tall Christmas tree, only to be stopped by a girl we've only met twice who wants to give us a ride to there and back and keep us company. Jesus also comes when people still want to celebrate your birthday 4 months after the fact by taking you to movie they'd rather not sit through (Oh btw, if you're planning to see Allied, be prepared -__-') Anddddd Jesus has also come when friends of friends of friends invite us to a birthday party because even though we are 3 times removed and only met once for coffee, they think we're worth having at special moments in their life.

Maybe I didn't realize how blown away I was be Jesus showing up these recent weeks in the midst of Go Go GO circumstances and unsurfaced lonliness & longing. I wished it were these times that I vividly remembered when people ask me, "How can you SEE Jesus? He's not real!" Christ grace for the world is real, and huge considering how long we've been missing His presence both incarnate and in the heavenly realms.

Pray for my eyes, that they'd be open to see how real Jesus is everyday. I want to see Him!

Jeremiah - A Weekend at Trovassli

- Jeremiah

This last weekend we were at a camp called Trovassli with our youth. Usually by the end of these weekends I am in need of rest, and struggling to find energy. Typically my introverted characteristics show strong when I am around groups of people for a fews days in a row. Even though I was still tired by the end of this weekend I was really excited to see God giving me strength in a new way. It's funny to think about how I was able to stay engaged with the youth in new ways just by being myself. But the hardest part about that is being comfortable enough to let my true interests and desires come out. A few ways I was able to engage in new ways was of course playing guitar, but also playing a fast paced card game called Egyptian Rat Screw. I have no idea why it is called this, but it has been an amazing way to include new people in some great fun.

At Skien Baptist there a few different groups a young people. Skien Soul Children are a large choir consisting of young people from around 12 to 18 years old. Another group is a group that is about 11 to 13 years called the Tweens. Then we have another group that is called the Bæggers group that consists from ages 15 to 18. There is some overlap in these groups, but at the camp this last weekend they got to finally spend more time with each other for a couple days back to back. Here in Norway meeting new people is hard. I would say it is even more difficult when it involves middle school to high school awkward moments. I realized as we were arriving that part of my job was to help those who didn't know each other at least acknowledge each others presence. By the end I could see new relationships being formed.

So we played fast paced crazy card games, we also jammed on guitar, and then since it was snowy we got ski and do some sledding!!

On these camps where the youth are meeting new people it is hard to create spaces where they can feel safe to open up about their lives. But it just reminds me how Jesus is always calling us to him. Whether we are ready or not He is always ready for us. I felt God telling me that even if there are some youth that are not open it is important to continue to talk about God's desire to be with us. Part of my testimony is that God was ready for me, but I ran form him and I ended up in really lonely and empty places. But when I was at my loneliest He was there still ready.

The divorce rate here in Norway is very high. Many of the young people we come in contact with don't have the best relationships with there parents. Also, it gets really cold and very dark here so people don't want to leave there houses in the winter. This creates loneliness too. All of these things contribute to loneliness and can lead to being very closed off to talking at all. Church may be the only place where they get to experience true friendship and love. Out of this friendship and love it creates a safe place for young people to talk about what is actually going on in there lives. It also creates an opportunity for them to talk about how they have seen God bless them so that others can benefit from their testimony.

So we have a responsibility and an opportunity to follow the example of our God. Our God gives us grace when we don't deserve it. Our God loves us even when we run for him. Our God is always ready for us whether we are or not.

Fighting for your faith, Sharing it with others (Girls' Small Group) - An Allison Post

So, its pretty amazing to have the kind of experiences where you can sit in a circle with people in different places of life, and yet realize that we are all so connected and similar, sharing something in common. The revelations that occur in those places are gifts that we didn't even know we wanted, and also what we'd been needing.

Translation: Cozy times with the girls
tonight. AND IT WAS!

This happened last week in our girls' small group. Our sisterhood, though small, is growing into a safe place to deeply encounter God especially through the lens of each other. We've been talking about prayer this fall, looking for definition, the reasons why, and healthy inspiration for our personal walks. Miriam hosted last week, decorating as if she was born of Martha Stewart. There were candles EVERYWHERE, and it was SO "kosélig". After cooking a one-pot pasta meal that disappeared as quickly as it was made, we watched a movie together called War Room. I've kinda been running from this movie for a number of reasons but it was more than appropriate considering the topic and content of the film.

Meet Meeka! Nestled with some
Cadbury Hot Cocoa, she's
articulating how the testimony
of our spiritual life can look like
series of valleys and mountains.
Proud of her for searching.

I loved this concept from the movie that summed up to: 1) Losing battles to the Lord and 2) fighting for your life with prayer. When my perspective is off, its possible that I'm not the evil one, but I'm fighting the Righteous One for the sake of ruling my life. It was crazy to hear what the two girls who could come that night had to say about the movie. One had remarked that she saw a necessary need for transforming from being spiritual police over people to being a construction worker in prayer, helping to clear the path for people to see Jesus. Another had expressed that sometimes it can be really difficult to pray relating to the lonely and ambiguous role she carries as a young spiritual leader in her family. HUGE realizations and tensions for encouragement and accountability. So thankful for the opportunity to have shared testimonies of what it looks like to grow up in my prayer life, and how I've seen the fruit grow over periods of time. 

I've been researching on the early churches from just after the coming of Christ up to the protestant reformation and I've been blown away at the ministry and presence of many women so early in the movement of Christianity. From recognized deacons like Perpetua, to Presbyters like Phoebe, to even Junia who was called among the apostles. I think of what they went through, how they expressed  their faith and belief in a tumultuous and fierce era. I wonder what these ladies would be saying if they leaned into our conversations. I wonder what trajectory and pathways we create for future women as we share and attest to the Living God through our own lives.

New Discoveries in Guitar Class - Jeremiah

- Jeremiah

Here in Skien I have started up a guitar class for youth to come and learn guitar. We are learning all kinds of things: popular songs, worship songs, how to sing while playing guitar, and music theory. However, It seems more and more that this guitar class is more than just place to come and learn about music. In the midst of learning all of this music stuff we have become great friends. We have made up many strange, but funny inside jokes and they have helped me learn many useful and useless Norwegian phrases. This is also a great place where they get to hang out with young people they might not usually hang out with, and make new friends.


I think that providing a place for these young people to creatively express themselves, and to make new friends is amazing. These things are a great combination because they also promote self confidence and a place to be vulnerable. The culture here in Norway considers humility to be very important, but sometimes it is considered more important than having self confidence.


My testimony has revolved so much around learning who God created me to be, and being proud of that, and then letting that push me forward. As these young guys learn to play songs they thought were impossible they learn that they are smart and capable. They learn to have confidence. When I see this it makes me think, "What is God pushing me to do that seems impossible?"

SO, this is a great place to push these young people to do things they didn't know they could do. THEN, it also pushes me to stretch myself to grow as well.

It is so cool to see how just a small guitar class has begun to transform these young people and myself.

"I see your TRUE COLORS..."

...I don't know if "shining through" is how I'd describe those true colors, but as it is said, "we cannot escape ourselves."

an allison post


So this month our youth group hosted Bønn og Lovsang Weekend (prayers and hymns) at our local baptist church. Young people between the ages of 11 and 30 came from various kommunes all over the telemark region. **P.S. A kommune is a mix between a county and a province.**

Alll ready and set up for a fantastic weekend of worship!
Gerber daisies line the tables bringing friendliness and life.

The result of this worship filled weekend -- fantastisk as they say here! The preparation for it -- not as much. You come to realize that ignorance is bliss as a participant on a retreat, workshop, camp. It becomes an all too different beast when you're apart of building that house! 

I got asked to do the food on account of the normal chef dropping out this year. YAY YAY YAY i thought, this is MY chance to serve and get creative with this food because I believe eating is a worship experience. Sounded great at first, but then a snowball effect rolled over my delight as I dealt with lack of information, planning misnomers, and a mini-passive-aggressive culture war that led to a significant God moment:

My sweet friend Miriam from showing her
appreciation for corn! A kind sense of humor and
enthusiasm is always welcome in my kitchen ;)

My friend Anette came over Thursday just before the event to take me grocery shopping with her since she was in charge of acquiring the food. She breaks it to me that the leader isn't so fond of some of my hot meals and that we should cut a couple things out of respect. (Norwegians are bread people, very common to eat one hot meal in a day and all other meals are bread and cheese!) I was pretty hot for a number or reasons, most I thought to be justified, which I batted off for Anette. But my "least" justified reasons showed my heart and opportunity to really worship the Lord when Anette genuinely asked, "I completely understand, would cutting these meals ruin the weekend for you?" Of course Anette was asking purely for the sake of my sanity, but surely I heard the Lord asking "even if your reasons are justified, is it worth it to destroy a posture of worship for others this weekend?" My pride wanted to answer yes to both their questions. But I knew the answer ought to be no. I half-heartedly confessed that, knowing that there's liberty in that process. 

Good ol' Jeremiah always lightening up the food.
God's gift to Allison, LOVE THAT MAN!

From then on, I was praying about my responses and surrendering the whole thing. I knew what my selfishness was capable of stirring up. Even still I found myself in puddles of tears multiple times that week, missing my people home in the states all week thinking, "They know who I am, they'd trust me with the menu, they'd know me!" But I know the Lord was drawing me into see how loved I am, known by God. It propelled me in accommodating our allergen and diet restricted participants with the same zeal and creativity as anybody else (we had nut allergy, vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, citrus free, onion family-free, and fast-carb free restrictions. Without some intentionality "air" would have been about the only thing on the menu.) Despite being in that kitchen all day friday, saturday, and half of sunday, I felt as if I had soared on the wings of the savior. My joy and passion never ran out, people were blessed, and I believe God was honored.

Blessings go round and round! 

Operating Out of the Overflow - Jeremiah

- Jeremiah

So we finally have our basic schedule figured out! This is a huge relief because we have had no boundaries to know when to say "No" to things, and we don't have to guess what the next day will look like. In making a schedule I have been learning more about how I find rest. For example on Wednesdays we are busy from 9am until 7pm, sometimes longer. My body and my mind have helped me realize that I need a break on these days. Also, if I am relying too much on the fact that work is completely separate form joy I still find myself struggling before the day is over.

I believe that we are all created uniquely. What may be hard or stressful work for me might be fun for someone else. As I think more about this concept I am convinced that when I am working it is OK to be joyful. When I am working out of an overflow of joy and passion not only is it easier but my work has a much better quality.

I have just started a guitar class at our local baptist church, Skien Baptist. We have classes on Wednesday. The whole reason I thought this would be a good idea is because I love helping other people get excited about guitar. When I see someone realize that they can rock out just like the people they listen to I feel like I have helped them open the flood gates of what has been dying to come out. If I forget this passion I have for teaching guitar then it really isn't any fun. But when I let my passion drive my words and actions I am having the time of my life.

My recent discovery is that God has made me with a fountain of joy and passion that overflows out of my life. Operating out of this overflow, I think is why God created me. Now that I know that I can teach guitar until the cows come home I am actually thinking that maybe teaching guitar is linked to another passion. Teaching guitar is only great because I get to help people discover something that has been dying to get out. Now it seems like I have discovered something dying to get out of me! I have discovered what operating out of the overflow is by asking God to show me who I am. My newest and most exciting passion is helping other people get to know themselves so that they can find out what makes their life joyful to live. It is to help people find out how God made them uniquely with their own passion and joy that is ready to overflow out of them. Conveniently this fits perfectly in the realm of working with youth.

HOW to find Heaven on Earth

**A FEW FUN SNIPPETS from our OSLO Sabbath/Children's Choir Videos are posted on our tumblr today. Check their more media: secretfood4us.tumblr.com **



an allison post


In our last newsletter we focused on Making Space within our understanding of seeking the kingdom. Its easy to do this with people you understand, who make you feel a little more like yourself. 

EXHIBIT A: Trip to Oslo!

God is ALWAYS PROVIDING, and there are not extents or boundaries. Immensely blessed. So my birthday celebration (as I believe that a birthday should last for the entirety of the month in which it debuts) continued into the next week with a short excursion to the capital of Norway which is thankfully only an hour and a half away. (The world map is deceiving, the length of Norway is almost equivalent to the distance between the Islands in the Florida Keys, all the way up into Maine. SO LONG!) We were thankful for an inexpensive getaway and exploration thanks to the hospitality of many already dear friends! SHOUT OUTS to Shalome & Jeremy Croos, Marius, and Frederick for being fantastic tour guides and hosts.

While there we were able to not only see the beautiful city, but to authentically worship together with a lot of  thanksgiving in some unexpected ways. We found ourselves wandering into deep conversation about how the LORD had saved us from death, transformed our families and communities, and gave us true friends. We were whole together and in those sharing places, it was so easy for us to make space for each other.


But it gets harder when your neighbor is outside your circle of friends and people who have proved they seek your best interest.

EXHIBIT B: The world around us, diversity from its front cover

Turmoil and Uprising seems to be an ever-present overtone in the activity projected in the news (most recently the all too common unarmed black men murdered at the hands of police), media, and communities. Its all too common to look at the news and lose heart as I see repeated offenses and suffering, stories with the same pretense, the same outcome, and the same response. Terrorism in Syria as the civil war continues, Migrant deaths and displacement in Europe as fear and confusion cripple opportunity for healing and progress, and National Terrorism in the states as we fight over what an American citizen really is and what rights certain people should have. People ask me all the time how different and what's so different living here in Norway although I find more similarities than i do differences considering the universal human experience. Sure, different social constructs, rules, cultural practices. But there are power struggles, isolating nationalistic views, and misunderstandings between people. I'll show you what I mean:

A story for Exhibit B

So, Jeremiah has been volunteering, really just hanging out at this really cool rehab center for post detox patients who are trying to rebuild their lives and do practical things to improve their daily living. Its meant a lot to him, and he's been jamming with music and affirming people there. He invited me to come, so I did. We got there at lunch time and after talking with a lady about some jewelry she was making we moved to our spots at the long farm-style lunch table and began to eat. I was practicing my Norwegian a lot at the table while asking people to send the bread or differentiating between which meat was poultry of red meat or whatever and they were really impressed saying "Du er veldig flink" or rather "You are very smart/clever". After a couple of them were saying that it was crazy how much Norwegian I knew for only being in Norway for 2 1/2 months, I responded with:

"Well, this is your country and its the language you speak. So why shouldn't I learn it?" 
(Obviously pleased and and agreement, the conversation soon changed with the following responses):
"I wish those other [foreigners & immigrants] would do that" and "YEH, i know some people who've been here for over 20 years and STILL don't speak any of the language."

Where had I heard that before...a very familiar way of thinking. Not all wrong, but DEFINITELY jaded and without compassion and consideration, dangerous.  What I had left out of the question when I had asked "...why shouldn't I learn it..." was the conditional side of the question that also asked: "...why shouldn't I learn it, if I am engaged in a relationship where we can know each other?" THAT changes everything! Thus I had responded to one of those last judging questions with this:

 "Well, I know that I came here with the intention of knowing people and being known. I can see that people value what I say and what I do here and thus its super easy for me to share by learning about who you are. But maybe these people who aren't learning the language don't feel like they are invited to be apart of what's going on here, and if they aren't being valued for who they are, then what's the point of them trying?"

Nobody threw objects at me thank the LORD. It seemed like that spoke to some people, and it spoke to me too even though it came out of my mouth! I think if our world realized and believed that everybody had value, even if for our own selfish benefit, it would at least make us treat people a little better. I'm imagining then if we believed it because its how God sees people, and because we purely want to see the best in people. I think that's what I'm supposed to be looking for when I pray "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, ON EARTH AS IT IS HEAVEN." Negativity about this not being a perfect world and how we're never gonna have piece is disbelief in the power of what God can do and what good people can do in the world.

Looking for a bit of heaven today and tomorrow. Hope you will too.

Sprouting Ideas: Articulating purpose in the places where we are

an allison post


I TURNED 26 years old and this time I feel like a REAL LIVE adult ;) 

I'm not 100% sure about what that looks like, but I do hope it means more power to turn dreams into realities. A confidante I have here named Marit shared a really great idea/challenge to write down 100 dreams to pray into. I feel like I'm sprouting so many great ideas already.

People are often asking me "how we're adjusting to Norwegian life" or more interestingly, "is it everything we thought it would be." Funny thing is I didn't have picture frame in my mind about what I thought it would be like before coming...beside the realization that we are very VERY far away from the norwegian "isbears" (a cuter name for polar bears). I just finished a book called A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and there's this conviction that plants in Francie that you see progressing from time that she's 7 years old until the thought's complete at 15 years old. She's been dreaming about crossing the Williamsburg bridge for just about ever thinking believing it to be this glamorous and magical experience. She finds herself disappointed in her teenage years as she must lie to work in Manhattan to help her family survive, finding that the city is not what its cracked up to be. She say some phrase to the effect of "somethings are different than brooklyn, and somethings are the same. It is what it is."

So I'm not half as melancholic as Francie was about these parallel universes not being so parallel at all! I do get it though, and I've seen that same way living here for the past 2 and a half months. With belief, preference, sexuality, tradition, relationships, there are cultural and societal norms, values and expectations here that definitely differ from the states: the amount of meat they aren't eating over here, lack of beeping car horns, and people not using the phrase I love you for its sacred connotations. But it in the same way I'm finding trends and happenings that you'd see anywhere else: people searching for success, going on vacation in the summers, suffering from addiction. People trying to be people. Sometimes I wished we remembered, all over the world, that we are humans trying to figure this life out.

It makes me think hard about our work in shaping the youth, in our way of challenging them to live for the most. I'm excited about creating artistic spaces here for young people to grow together and in their community.  Current Great Ideas:

• knitting circle (I've become a knitting monster these days. I probably better work on finishing on project at a time...)
• youth art gallery
• classical/improvisational small ensembles
• mandala-worship drawing workshops

More to come as I return to the drawing board about these ideas and the things that are already in motion. Stories coming soon, and PLENTY more PICTURES to come in the next blogpost. Don't forget to view our tumblr for crazy videos and pictures: secretfood4us.tumblr.com

Culture and Offense {A Woman in the World} PT 1

*The topic for this blogpost is an ongoing one as I feel like I can write more on it. It's not a finished or wellpolished thought, but its here.*

an Allison post




In a previous blogpost entitled Sore bodies, I included a detail about the only people playing volleyball on the court were mostly men, a lot of foreign men and no women. I thought it was strange and relevant to some things I've especially had to work recently.

This month, there have been many instances where I've had to challenge myself to name my own prejudices and also where I've been challenged offensively by the prejudices of other individuals, mostly concerning women.

There are a lot of refugees here, many who identify as muslims. I admit that whenever I see a woman wearing a hijab and cloak walking down the street, I have an influx of complicated feelings: curiosity, irritation, sympathy, and anger all stirred up. I'm ignorant about what it fully means to be a muslim, let alone a muslim woman. I've made assumptions about these women just by their appearances asking "Are they afraid to show their beauty", and "Why don't these men have as pressing restrictions on concealing themselves", and "Why do these women let men tell them what their freedom looks like". I DO realize that that those are audacious questions to ask without knowing person. Just as much as I think that I'm fighting in my brain for these women's voices, I also take it away from them with my unsupported judgement. Cultural differences and contrasting beliefs can be really difficult to navigate, and even more difficult if we don't know how to combine closed lips and open ears to at least hear the stories and perspectives of others.

I spent some time kicking this ball around with Jeremiah, some other friends and then myself. Didn't come to any earthshattering conclusions beside the idea that I needed to pray on it and ask for some serious understanding and sensitivity as I processed this. I thought maybe this area of culture and openness in relationships was a part of journey this month as spent more time with people. I was more right than I had hoped about this as I've painfully walked through some hard conversations and experiences. I couldn't believe how frequently I was offended on multiple occasions ranging from words to physical opposition rooted in inferiority and disempowerment.

I don't believe they were scenarios sent from God, but I do believe I've harvested some serious good fruit as I journey on, gaining more confidence in my identity as women of color and advocating for confidence and empowerment in other women. I've learned again and again that there is power in being who I am, present and honest just as I am before God. I think i've gained compassion for the women who who do wear a hijab, for people and ways that I don't understand. But I have also gained a boldness to be present and aware, honest wherever I am. I'm conditioned out of indifference and inferiority to ask my questions which I think is better at least coupled with my ignorance. That's a humble start.

Preparation and Realization - Jeremiah

-Jeremiah

Preparation and Realization for the Road Ahead

I have been able to work along side some really great people since I have been here in Skien. I am learning more about Ung Baptist, who is the organization we are working for. We recently went to their training weekend to talk about things we should be preparing for. We also talked to them more about what our specific jobs will be. We heard awesome testimonies about how God has restored his children with peace after traumatic events have taken place, and when burn out has occurred he has provided rest. We learned how it is really important to take care of our bodys and minds. We used an analogy: When a person that is well gets sick it easier for that person to make a full recovery. When a person is not fully well and then gets sick it can be much harder for that person to survive the sickness. This analogy has helped me think about how much I rely on God for everyday things. If I couldn’t rely on him for the simpe things how could I remember to do the same for the big things.

We talked through different difficult scenarios and learned the best ways to respond in these hard situations. As we have gotten to know the staff more we have been able to really see what their mission is all about. It’s completely about letting God guide their lives, and providing a platform for young people to do the same. I like Ung Baptist. This is basic, but hard stuff to wrap my head. This kind of training has been exactly what we needed.

Our identity is completely and only what God has made us uniquely to be. He knows who we are. Letting him guide our steps is really the only thing that makes sense. I am still learning who I am and who I am supposed to be. I can’t really decide what is best for myself sometimes. This is strange to write because I am realizing again how much I have to submit to God. This is really scary though. When I don’t know what God is going to do next it makes me really nervous. But trusting God is more than just blindly letting go and giving up. It takes persistent engagement and listening to trust God. It takes my body, mind, and soul a lot of energy to fall into this kind of submission. I have to ask God for help completely, without doubt and believe he loves me. Then do my part of being engaged in prayer and in honest conversations with people. I even have to invite people in to the kind of ugly parts of my life. This also includes being completely real with God too. Not holding back and letting God know if I am happy or sad or angry and why. He already knows, but when I say these things to him it’s kind of a discovery process for myself. Then I listen and repeat. 

As I listen and respond to what I think I am hearing, this is when the Holy Spirit is active and guiding me the most. And also showing me the work he has done ahead and behind me in preparation for the present. Through this I see how God has the power to complete any thing he wants. This is amazing to be a part of. I see also just how much grace I am given as an imperfect human being because God is using my imperfections to speak to others and others to speak to me. He is using the “mistakes,” I have made or mundane decisions I have made to actually prepare and serve as foundations for things I could never have planned for. In this process I am seeing the trinity of my God fully working in and all around me. His grace, power, vast knowledge, and love is being poured out on to my life. I am seeing it happen. I am learning to accept my identity as a child of God.

Alive and at Work! = return from M.I.A. adventures

If you aren't seeing many blogs at a time, you should check tumblr as we are most likely posting pictures (and vice versa!) We will be getting back on the train this month, thanks for our patience and click HERE to see more pictures and evidence of August adventures ;)

An allison post

"Strike your explorer's pose" - Jeremiah after we climbed
onto the rocks on the shore of Langesund.

AUGUST HAS BEEN WILD!

A young man from our city's youth group waited a year
to be baptized at this camp. The legacy of following Jesus lives
here at Vegårshei. (That water was super cold, somewhere
around 15 degrees Celsius!)

I can hardly believe where the time goes. Just after our last couple blogs, we went M.I.A. to Vegårshei, a weeklong koselig camp in southern Norway. There Jeremiah and I were thrown into "the lions' den" as local leaders for our city group. WHAT a grand idea (the baptists are big on immersion...ba bump!) Aside from continuing to learn the learn the language and giving our first joint sermon, a host of things crazy things happened, including the electricity going out multiple times AND a quarter of camp infected with an ugly stomach virus. Through it all, we saw God really meet people where they were, and some people meeting God for the first time. (3 people were baptized!)

It seemed like a lot of people were really needing to be set free from something. Our theme was Facade and we talked a lot about hiding behind masks. There were stories, confessions, and even experiences at camp that revealed what people were investing in to hide from who they truly were. I even found myself struggling to pray freely from day-to-day dealing with some of the similar realities that the youth were facing! I felt like I had to prove that I'm useful or helpful to God, but not even as much to God as to myself, resulting in anxiety and feeling really alone. I feel like a dum-dum when I read that because it seems obvious. The God of the universe has done everything to prove my worth and my "stuff" or work doesn't change that. Sometimes I need the help to remember that...we all do. So, these days I'm working on being more than okay with exactly who God says I am. Even if nobody understands that. Or I feel like I'd be a lot cooler if I did "x", "y", & "z". I got to get out of my head, my plans, and into exploring what God has created and how I get to be a part of that.

While at camp we had a day where the youth set up shop in a mission market filled with outrageously fun and creative shops to raise money for supporting an existing ministry in the Congo. Some of those shops included a bubble in which you could walk on water, a water balloon hitman whom you could pay to avenge your enemies, and a station to buy eggs to pelt at 4 courageous dudes (maybe courageous isn't the word.) I was at a beauty station with hair braiding and henna tattoos, naturally. We had several takers, but it was later on in the evening after mission shop when I had people coming up to me asking if I could still draw somethings. Many people asked for 2 things: a cross with a garland of flowers or symbols of faith, hope, and love. I didn't see it at the time, but God gave me really cool opportunities to engage young people in a simple and artistic way. There was meaning in what they asked for and we got to talk about the Jesus fish, and what anchors symbolize in our life, how God's love lives outside of a storybook. It lived in us that night as we examined identity and discarding masks. So life-giving.

Jeremiah and I encountered more beautiful moments earlier this month on a trip to a coastal town  called Langesund (our first fishing experience was here if you recall from an earlier blog with "Arne"!) This time we returned with the intent of getting some work done. Well, we ended up working up some more laughter, fun, and joy than securing intended work plans. But it seems like this trend of just being present and less dependent on how much stuff I can do is really important for our journey here. 

With all these experiences in mind, I'm taking a hint allowing these themes to lead the way for the next steps of our discovery: 
Rest, Surrender, Freedom.

A view of the North sea from the coast of Langesund.

Sore bodies and friendships

An Allison Post 8) -


Its almost like you don't really have to TRY to stay fit around here, without a car that is. I kept telling God while I was in the states 'I'm going to get back into shape' and 'oh yeah, ill get back on my workout regiment after my cold goes away'... good intended practices and semi motivated projects that didn't amount to too much for too long. That busy-ness I mentioned in my last post didn't help me either. I really did want to get back on the being-fit-horse, but I bet you can understand how excuses, and convenience, can get in the way of things.

I'm paying for it now! There are SO MANY hills, and mountains are 'no big deal' around here. Some sweet people from the church provided us with a few bikes to use upon arriving, mind you it'd been at least 2.5 years since I'd ridden a bike. I'd been previously banned from biking and almost walking altogether after I got hit by a car (twice), on foot and on bike. Jeremiah and I joke that I might have 9 lives. We got on our gifted bikes with big adventures in mind. We couldn't get to the next block before one of us knocked a chain off the cycle and the other nearly road into oncoming traffic! It wasn't too long before we remembered how to ride those silly bikes and now we can really feel cool...feeling cool also means sore thighs and buns. There has GOT to be a cycling seat pillow out there for us!

Beautiful Åletjern,
it was worth the trouble to get there.

As I mentioned at the top, part of really living here is getting to share the outside with other people. We've started to make friends, who have already helped us to discover so much already! Recently, we biked to a lake called Åletjern, almost a 10 mile round trip up a mountain. (Why do I always find myself trailing Jeremiah?!) It was much better coming down than going up!! While there, we learned that it is imperative for the Hursts to review our swimming technique for maximum survival, and that you should look before jumping off a diving board just in case you land on some angry ducks...a scary and amusing sight for us bystanders! We also shared henna tattoos, carefree conversations, and plenty of wild blueberries we picked in the forest. While taking in the lake, our conversation topic shifted to what it means to be a good friend. We took turns sharing what's really valuable to us in being known by friends.  My friend Christina shared a spin off of Warren Wiersby's quote with me that sounded so wise. I can't fully remember, but it said something like "Kindness without honesty is Sentimentality but Honesty without Kindness is Brutality". It resonated with meWe're focusing a lot on what it means to care for people through this perspective of friendship.

Christina and I enjoying a handful of our successful
blueberry picking. Searching for wild blueberries in Norway is
one of THE summer thangs to do with friends!

Awesome friends with amazing stories,
showed us a good volleyball time!
(Left to right, Mohsen, Jeremiah, Jamal)

So that's just one of the many meaningful gatherings of friends that we've been a part of where we realized the next day, I can't move comfortably today. We enjoyed another one of those on Thursday playing volleyball at a local park downtown near the center of the city. We found out that THIS is the cool scene where all the foreigners to come and play in the evenings. Jeremiah said to me "I think this is the first time I've been the minority in Norway". There were dudes of every shade everywhere! (that dude comment to be addressed in a future blog.) At first there were 6 of us, then 10 of us, then 12 of us, our team doubled in size with still more people waiting to play! It was so much fun, 30% of the time I had no idea what to do with the ball. My team didn't completely disown me though, and that was awesome.

Celebratory post 3-hour volleyball picture!
(top left to right, mohsen, jamal, jeremiah
bottom left to right, allison, marit)

In both of these spaces with friends, I've seen that part of my work as a Christ-follower is to simply know people for who they are and to value how awesome God thinks they are. In a lot of conversations we've seen that people are longing to be heard and the opportunity for real relationship happens when we listen and actually engage with people around us. Living in that kind of harmony is bringing
us a lot of peace, and the potential to break in to secret gardens that we often aren't even aware exist in ourselves, and that's pretty rewarding...even if that means I have to do some extra stretching when I get home.

Summer in Norway - Jeremiah

       

- Jeremiah      

Summer In Norway

        It is summer in Norway. The summer here is not very long so everyone goes to their cabin far in to the woods to enjoy nature. This means that there aren’t too many people coming to church, and the youth group is very small right now.This also means that we are waiting for our jobs to begin. As we wait we are using this time to talk with the Youth Pastor, Gabriel to learn more about the specifics of what we will be doing with the youth at Skien Baptist Church. 

Gabriel has become one of our closest friends, and is challenging us to continue to just be ourselves here in Norway. He told us that we will be doing many different things: Planning services, leading worship in large gatherings, creating spaces for youth to have fun, planning meals on Wednesdays for youth, challenging young adults and growing with them in leadership, and also going to camps and speaking. Preparing for our main position has been taking up a lot of our time, but we have also been building relationships with some refugees here in Skien.

There are three young men, Ali, Amin, and Mohsen who are in the process of seeking Asylum here in Skien from Iran. Ali has been one of my friends that I met on the very first day we arrived. He is helping me learn Norwegian. We both love to play tennis together as well and he has a similar sense of humor as I do. Amin is an amazing ping pong player and is teaching me to be a ping pong champion. Mohsen is a really intelligent guy and we play volleyball together. It has been really cool to see how we enjoy being friends with each other even though we are very different. It is difficult and sometimes awkward to speak to each other. Through the awkward moments and the miscommunication the Holy Spirit is creating new awesome friendships. As I am entering into these new relationships I am seeing again and again just how much God’s image is in every single one of us. 

When we have the chance we have been able to hang out with our landlords, Arne and Elsa as well. They are members at Skien Baptist and are becoming some of our greatest friends. They love to experience nature. This includes: going to their cabins, taking long walks in the woods, swimming in lakes, fishing and especially picking berries. Here in Norway we are finding that you have to search and explore to find the best places to pick berries. When you find a good spot you don’t tell anyone so that you can come back and pick them all summer. Arne and Elsa know where to find atlas 5 different kinds of berries and also a very rare kind of mushroom. Arne also takes me to particular places in the sea to fish where fish are very easy to catch. This is what I like to refer to as “secret food.” If you know where to go to find this “secret food,” there is an abundance of it waiting for.

I am learning that God provides a kind of “secret food” for us. It is abundant and satisfies my soul more than any food can. This “secret food” is being a part of the plans that he has made for us, and has welcomed in to. This is for all of us to enjoy and experience. When God has a plan nothing can get in the way no matter how big the obstacle. When he gives you a mission to complete he will be you strength and provide everything you need in abundance for you to take part in accomplishing his plans together with him. The difference between this “secret food” that God provides and the secret places to find the berries here in Norway is that you don’t have to travel an hour to get there, and it never runs out even in the winter time. The more I ask for God for this “secret food” the more God provides and the less I find myself relying on fear to guide my decisions.

Even though Allison and I are waiting for our jobs with the youth to start we are building awesome new relationships and witnessing God’s abundant provision. John 4:31-34 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to them, " I have food to eat that you know nothing about." Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?""My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."

-----We appreciate all of the prayers and support everyone has been giving to us. You are a part of God’s provision for us and we can’t thank you enough. Be sure to Facebook me at https://www.facebook.com/jeremiah.hurst.7 and email us at jeremiahkhurst@gmail.com or allisonjcobwell@gmail.com if you would like to receive our monthly newsletter.

Taking a holiday - the dilemma of resting in Europe as a workaholic american

An Allison Post -

 a person who chooses to work a lot : a person who is always working, thinking about work, etc. - Merriam Webster

I had to analyze 3 separate results from my google search on "workaholic" before I could come to this conclusion. I can't believe I'm typing this: My name is Allison, and I might be a workaholic.

Voila, Vidar's Cabin, built by his grandfather.
Blueberries everywhere we stepped! 

BIG surprise (or not really for those who experience my day-to-day schedule). Jeremiah remarks from behind me that 'this confession is huge'. Pfft, that guy was born to relax. Busy-ness has been my way for forever! I try to reason with myself, making comparisons to justify my issue: "...but you enjoy doing this so its not really work..." and "...somebody's gotta do it!" But I saw some light the other day when I couldn't take a nap, no deadlines in sight, with no work to be done, in a brand new country I just moved into, WITHOUT spiraling into a guilty panic...it gets a little easier to name the beast.

All this to say that it feels like our transition to Norway had some divine order to it for sure. We entered the country at a time when everybody is "on holiday". Down here in the southern half of Norway, every other person I meet either owns a summer cabin or knows somebody who does. There's this romanticism that comes with Norwegian summers in relationship to nature (most likely the direct result of long, cold,  snowmageddon winters lasting for 6ish months with a max of 3-5 daylight hours). You find these people running to the hills and lakes to catch as much warm and bright fun as possible, including all of our bosses! Who knew we'd get a turn so soon:

They don't use bait in Norway, their
fish just get on the hook!!! I caught for
that day. Probably need to tell those fish
in America to get with the program.

So after spending a lively evening [a rummy game that didn't end well] with our Pastor, Vidar, he drops us off at home with an invitation to come with him to his summer cabin the next door. We didn't know what we were in for but we found ourselves cruising through the county of Telemark the next morning, ooh-ing and ah-ing at the dynamic landscapes. After a couple hours of travels we parked on the side of a semi-beaten path and prepared to "walk" to our destination. It was an adventure just getting to the summer house itself! Each step into the woods marked with discovery: a woodpecker's pinecone station, a beaver dam, giant ant mounds, and plenty of evidence of a nearby moose. Covered with twigs and sweat we finally arrived at the glorious summer house. The whole experience looked like it came out of an enchanted storybook: a little house in the forest, built by the lake, surrounded by berries and wildflowers.

Our friend Vidar! He spent half the fishing
expedition trying to get that line untangled.
This man exudes patience, plus it looks like
he's doing my hair, ha!

The view over Dalen in the Northen part of Telemark less than 5km from the cabin.

Swallowed up in undisturbed nature, the LORD was ministering to my soul for real. It'd been way too long since I'd felt a silent peace like I did in the forest. We only stayed for a night, but it felt like home. It's almost like time stops, to be disconnected from the world like that can be so freeing. I got why Jesus took His disciples on retreats. Sadly we heard the news of terrorist attacks in Nice the next morning, another act of senseless violence reminding me of painfully fresh attacks in America the previous week.

I looked outside and thought about heaven on earth, peace and beauty like I was experiencing then, and a hope for the world to return. Its too loud in the world right now. God has conducted an amazing creation song of unity and peace we all need to hear, though it seems to be masked by fear, by selfish ambition, and by the ones who can sing the loudest. I find myself falling prey to this. I'm fighting myself to be quieter so I can hear that song above my plans, and above my judgements. There's a lot of work to be done in the world, but part of my work is being still and remembering who I am, it's rest too. I hope to take advantage of as much of this nature as possible. It shows me my weakness andreminds me that how big God is. Ironically that drives me, and that's making me a whole lot stronger.

Welcome to Norway! It is sweeter than honey - Jeremiah

- Jeremiah

We are in Norway!

We were welcomed so warmly as we arrived at Skien Baptist Church from the airport. We entered the fellowship hall and there were members of all ages there to eat and welcome us. We ate a delicious soup with carrots, potatoes, and chunks of ham. It was really easy to talk to everyone because they could speak English. I instantly learned the "cool," phrases from the youth. Mathias helped me a lot :) After we finished eating and introducing ourselves to everyone we went to our apartment.

Our new apartment felt like home the second we stepped in the door. They provided everything we needed. It was and is all here. They even printed out pictures of us from Facebook, framed them, and hung them in our living room.

Needless to say it has been overwhelming to see what has been waiting for us here in Skien, Norway. As quickly as we arrived we got in a car with our good friend Simen. He was been a generous friend from the moment we met him by the way. Simen drove us to a school in Stavern where graduates from high school go to earn credit for extra curricular activities.

We slept in tents and helped Simen and other Skien young adults by setting up for youth services and participating in worship. We met so many amazing youth and had plenty of time to learn more Norwegian. My Hacky Sack was a super fun tool used for meeting and developing new relationships. It was interesting to see the worship services at this camp. They addressed some controversial topics. I was really encouraged to see leaders being bold and using their voices with courage. As I learn more about my identity I am discovering that I want to use my voice with courage as well. I also feel that I am supposed to encourage those who haven't found out what their identity.  Without knowing  who you are how can you be happy and live a satisfying life? Also, without realizing how unique you are it's hard to appreciate what a beautiful puzzle piece you are and that there is a place specifically made for you.

Even though camp only lasted for about four days I will never forget the experiences of hearing our friends on the local radio station, waking up unable to move from playing too much Hacky Sack, and singing with new friends by the fire at midnight.

Each day here has been proof that we are extremely blessed. God has gone before us and provided all of our needs. This kind of provision is fulfilling our souls in a way I haven't experienced many times before. I am satisfied even though I have no idea what tomorrow looks like. Today I stumbled upon Psalm 19:7
The laws of the Lord is perfect, refreshing to the soul...
Psalm 19:19
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey form the honey comb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

New Beginnings

An Allison Blog-

I prided myself as a teen on being a "lover of change" or someone who "gracefully channels transition". I didn't understand that this was credited most likely to my naivety to living as a responsible adult in life and also to the many hormones/endorphines shooting through my bloodstream as a result of my pubescent brain.

WAKE UP TIME!!!!

I've learned about my treasures in life, and what I'm connected to most. It was hard to let go of my teapots, but I adjusted. Even harder to say goodbye to my "sorry" compost (of which i was very proud, even if it did have 20 squash plants in it). I got over that too. It was THE HARDEST thing i had to do to leave behind my friends and my family. Tears still flow if I reminisce for too long. People are harder to leave than stuff.

As much as it pains me to be away from the ones I love, I'm thankful 1) that the Spirit has rooted in me a hunger to love people more than my stuff, and 2) a call to search for people who are meant to be known. This is a common thing that happens to bible characters. God mixes us up, sometimes in a way that seems contrary to what we want, for the good of others, ourselves, and ultimate for the LORD's glory.

Goofing off in a clog at Amsterdam-Schipol Airport

The beach at Stavern, less than 2km walk from our camp.
Opening up to the North Sea.

So we arrive into beautiful Norway (I have no landing picture on account of my dead phone, sorry) after a brief excursion in Amsterdam. In less than 2 days we find ourself sleeping in a soggy little tent at a retreat type of camp for ALL the baptists in Norway in the beautiful town of Stavern. While being there, I found myself spending time with two sweet teen girls from Estonia, Lisij & Nastija. None of us really speaking Norsk or having a crew of friends we knew, we bonded immediately. One of the most profound moments for me was in the first moments where we met and explored together. We wandered to this little white hobbit-looking chapel nestled into grassy hill. It was beautiful. The floors were made of granite, and the room was full of light. We surveyed the acoustics and many small candles laying on the altar by the small silver plated cross before Lisij and I sat, Nastija still taking her time to discover relics. I quietly said a prayer, and continued to look around. Out of nowhere Nastija asks:

Nastija: "Do you believe?"

Me: (after thinking about it) "Yeah. I do believe."

Nastija:"Do you go to church?"

Me: I do go! (taking a second, I turn to Lisji) "Do you believe?"

Lisji: (With a look of allegiance) Yes, I do believe. And I also go to church.

Me: (back to Nastija) And what about you? Do you believe?

Nastija: (She takes a moment, considering the questions, for real for real.) Yeh, I think I believe, but I don't go to church.

(We're quiet for some moments, taking in the space.)

Me: Would you guys mind if I prayed for us? I think now is a good time.

They said why not, we found some matches in Nastija's purse, and lit the candles together as I prayed for a Holy Spirit fire to ignite in our hearts.

What a question. A million things I could have said...probably should have said. But there was this piece and this simple stirring in our hearts that was meant to be a seed I believe. Maybe they were the comfort I prayed for, the hope for new relationships. God's generous gifts show up in weird ways. Still missing the ones I've known, and yet adding to my company those who will receive me. That day we were all known by one another, and its moments like this that give me hope about starting something new.

Jeremiah sandwiched between Ada (left) & Vetle (right)
ME sandwiched with Lisji (left) & Anastajia "Nastija" (right)