So...How Was Denmark?

Sunday, May 20th, my flight left Copenhagen at 3:45 pm. It was a sad day, yet exciting because I was going home. After hours upon hours of traveling, waiting, layovers, delays, flights, I made it into Tacoma. So many tears. I did not realize just how much I loved Copenhagen till I had to leave it.

Then came the deluge of questions, hugs, words, words, words. Two days flew by, then the excitement wore off. I got tired of the impossible question: "How was Denmark?" What do I say, "great?" One word, one sentence, not even one real conversation can really define my trip abroad. Not that I don't want to talk about it, I do. I just don't know to what extent, and every moment is different. I will surely be processing this trip for a long time, and every conversation I have is just another step along the way of understanding just how much I have learned and grown over these past four months. 

My dear friends here at PLU have been very gracious. Holding my hand as I ride this roller coaster of  emotions. But I'm tired. I want to be back in Spokane, somehow I imagine that it will be easier to adjust when I am there, but I know it will be hard there as well. I guess reverse culture shock is more real than I was imagining it to be. I'm sure jet lag doesn't help that either. 

On the more positive side though, it has been such a blessing spending this week with dear friends whom I haven't seen in four months, or even longer. Its amazing that no matter how much time goes by, you know who your real friends are because you can still talk about anything and everything like no time has gone by at all. I am truly blessed to have such friendships. 

This week has been full of reflection and thinking. I have realized that I am much more confident in myself now, and more independent. I am more patient with changes of plans, or lack of plans for that matter. I have gotten very used to be by myself a lot, so it has been a challenge being with people again all the time. With that, I have truly learned to appreciate how to be alone, and what to do with that emotion. 

Americans are as loud and obnoxious as Europeans let on. Its been both wonderful and frustrating. Hearing every conversation walking down the street. People trying to act concerned when they really aren't. Workers in grocery stores making an effort to make your life easier. Waitresses checking on you and being accommodating. Making small talk, unnecessarily to avoid silence. Fickle gossip. At the same time though, I've truly missed having intense conversations. Real, honest, truly getting at the heart. Somehow I did not have many of those conversations in Denmark. 

Denmark...what a beautiful country. It has been fun sharing the little bit of culture that I learned and experienced there with my friends here. This post is just a glimpse at what my heart has been going through since coming back. I am so grateful for everything about these past four months. The ups the downs, and God's faithfulness throughout, bringing me home safe on the other side, excited for the next time I travel, but looking forward to the little things that come my way in between. 

Danmark, jeg elsker dig. Tak for den tid. 

Struggles

Sitting in my room, not wanting to pack, waiting for my host family to be ready to go on our last adventure together.

I finished my last final yesterday. I guess that makes me a senior. It doesn't feel like it though. This semester went by far too quickly. Here I am, my last day in Copenhagen, still in denial. Ancy. Excited to go home, but not excited to leave. My heart is flipping in circles.

Its funny how as soon as I feel comfortable in a place, I have to leave.

I know that I will be processing this trip for awhile, but I have learned so many things along the way.

Have to run! Off to the Open Air Museum, then I actually need to pack, then ending the day going to the ballet! The perfect way to end this wonderful semester.

Ramblings from Wonderful Insomnia

I can't sleep and I need to be writing an actual paper due at midnight...perfect time to blog I think!

Memories. Laughter. Goodbyes. Tears. Joy. Reflection. Food. Words. Silence. Color. Music. Cupcakes. Sun. Rain. Running. Walking. Bibles. Water. Papers. Avoidance. Denial.

Words, words, words. Language is a fabulous thing. Its going to be sad returning to such a mono-linguistic country. In my last Danish class on Friday I was thinking about it, and I've actually picked up a lot of Danish while here, in class, practicum, my host family, watching tv, and eaves dropping on the bus, amongst other things. Of all languages to know...Danish. Only tiny Denmark uses it, and that you actually are using the right dialect at the right time with the right people is even more rare. I would not have it any other way though. To spend four months in a country and not at least trying to learn their language would be such a waste. It is such a part of the culture. What is immersion if you just hang out with Americans speaking English all the time. Even if you happen to be in a different country. Doesn't count I say! At least for me anyway...because I know I'm describing some of my dear DIS friends, and I know they still had a wonderful study abroad experience.

That is the amazing thing about DIS I think. You can really pick the kind of experience you want, and we all have such different experiences. I chose to live with a Danish family, take Danish, hang out in a Danish daycare...but other than that my classes were in English, I went to an English speaking church, English Bible study...most of my friends here speak English. So here I am patting myself on the back saying I did a good job immersing. I guess what really matters is if I learned something while here. For while I did make an effort to immerse myself, if I didn't learn anything about myself or the world, then I would have been sad. But no worries I've learned a lot! Maybe not very much in the classroom setting...but in other aspects I've done a whole lot of learning!

My brain feels like a puddle of mush right now. Friday night I finally went clubbing, and didn't spend a single kroner, so proud of myself. A group of us from Bible study got all fancy and wandered to the meat-packing district where a lot of the clubs have free entry. We danced, we laughed, we wandered, we took pictures. We ended up a fabulous little cafe with live music...then to central...then we ended the evening/morning watching Gilmore Girls til the sun rose at bright and early 5 am. Then Saturday I slept half the day away, and attempted to write my paper, majorly failing of course. Then yesterday...my last full Sunday in Copenhagen.

FIBC. Such a blessing this semester. It is truly a community brimming with God's love and joy. From the first time I went when we were approached by three or four people asking us to join different things, to yesterday when at the end of the service the pastor wished us farewell, so many joys and tears. But what really made it the best was our dear life group. Connect, every Sunday the second coffee after the service, every Wednesday gathering for dinner then discussion and prayer and love, the retreat, then last night our last final game night of our time here. It just amazes me how open this community is, even though they see people come and go every year. It would have been so easy for them to just blow us off knowing that we were only going to be in Copenhagen for four months, but they invested in us so much! Truly, that is what God's church should look like. Paul said that they would know we are Christians by our love, and this church did not lack God's love at all!

I am not looking forward to all the goodbyes I still must make this week...but I am so looking forward to the memories we will make. For truly, that is what makes this experience so wonderful. What you invest is what you get out of it. I have made such wonderful friendships this semester that will be so hard to let go, but I rest assured that the memories were worth the hard goodbyes, and its really only a goodbye for now, even if it may seem like forever.

The Beauty of Spring

Spring in Copenhagen, so beautiful. Here is just a taste of the beauty that I am experiencing. 

Out by my host family's summer house.

Patches of bright yellow tulips by the Rosenborg Slot.

Down by "the lakes" in the middle of Copenhagen.  

Celebration the night before the Big Prayer Day. Sunshine, grass, barefoot.

Sunset at the end of a wonderful day. 

Getting to the Last of Things

I have been trying to write this blog for the past two weeks now, or so. Such a struggle, and I'm not sure why. It is quite reflective of the whirlwind of emotions I have been experiencing though. So, I suppose the fact that I cannot write this truly shows my mood. Every day is so different. One day I am giddy and light as a kite soaring through the beautiful blue sky. The next I am sorrowful and lost, trying to understand the ache within my heart. I'm starting to understand the concept that God is faithful, regardless of what I'm feeling.

I am getting to the last of things. My last practicum visit, last official Connect lifegroup meeting...its starting and I don't know what to do with it. Saying goodbye to the dear children and pedagogues at my practicum was the hardest thing for me. Somehow I maintained my composure, but I know that I will never see these dear people again, and it is heartbreaking. Something about the fact that I spent a whole semester with these little Danish children, ten visits, once a week, and never was able to share Jesus' love with them makes me so sad. It was never my place, as a volunteer...I couldn't really speak their language...whatever. One day I was so upset by it and was telling one little girl in Danish that Jesus loved her, but I don't think she really understood what I was saying. My method probably wasn't the most effective though. This practicum truly made my experience here in Denmark so unique and special, and it was very difficult to say goodbye.

Connect, the young adults life group that I attend through FIBC, had a retreat this last weekend, it was wonderful. So, I'm not technically done with that, but last Wednesday was the last actually life group meeting I was able to attend, it was a sad realization, but at least I still know that I can say goodbye to that dear group of friends next Sunday...just a week from today. The retreat was on making decisions, which is definitely a very applicable topic. A lot of what came up in the messages was similar to Just Do Something, by Kevin DeYoung, which I actually read right before coming to Copenhagen. So, I'm pretty sure that God wanted to reiterate that truth in my mind. Along with the truth that no matter what decisions we make we can't mess up God's plan, and as long as we can bring God glory through our decision it will all end up okay. Basically, we need to just do something, and stop being passive. I tended to agree with everything the pastor was saying though, so I think it would be very interesting to see what some other Christian friends might think. Especially in regards to God speaking through signs and miracles...or more accurately God not speaking through signs and miracles. Ah, the fun topic of God's revelation! Because I definitely know I have friends who would not agree with some things said this weekend...I would love to discuss it though, its so very interesting and helpful to discuss these things with people who disagree, because that is how we learn!

Some other things that have been going on...I visited my host family's summer house, which was a wonderful weekend away from the city. The queen had a birthday, and I got to wave to her. Denmark had a couple of fun holidays, Labor Day and Big Prayer Day. Spring is officially here, and the flowers and colors that are emerging make my heart so glad. My Bible study had the most wonderful potluck which turned into a dance party. Really, food, dancing, and good fellowship, what can be better? I have started frantically taking pictures of everything, because I'm terrified I will miss something. I can finally go outside with out a heavy coat, most days anyway. I've done a couple of presentations, one on bicycles, one on a sensory-based learning preschool. I went to a soccer game, Kobenhavn won, 3-0, it was excellent. I visited a Danish speaking church that reminded me of Ignite. I've watched a lot of movies, and have been trying not to eat a lot of sugar. I've gone on lots of walks. And of course, as I only have two weeks left, I've been making a list of things I need to do before I leave.

Somehow in these next two weeks I will finish all the homework I need to do. Debate on Tuesday, final for  Developmental Disorders on Friday, study abroad, scrapbook like, book for Danish on Friday, 5-10 page paper for CDD on the following Monday, then my final exam for human trafficking on the last Friday. But really, that is all the least of my worries!

I will miss this city and the people I've met and gotten close to, but I know that what I've learned here will carry me forward. I do not need to worry about leaving. I would rather look at each of these days as an opportunity to grow a little more, and know that if I meet these people again, I will, and if I don't, then that is okay as well. Coming and going is unfortunately a part of our life. I know that it will all be okay, and God has a plan for it all. I just need to buckle up, quit worrying, and move forward looking fondly at these beautiful days I've been blessed with.

Travel Break

Ok, so I figured a week and a half after I got back from travel break, that I should probably tell of some of that wonderfulness and update you all on these past three crazy weeks.

Like I predicted all sorts of things went wrong with travels, but that really just added to the experience and made it that much memorable. It was also amazing seeing so much history in these cities. So much color. So many new sights and sounds. So many tourists. So much beauty.

We had a really great start to our journeys. Meet at the central station 20 minutes before our train departs to Munich, pretty simple, right? Nope. My bus had to be ridiculously busy and slow, so I got there 5 minutes before the train departed, ran frantically around the train station looking for Alexis, not sure which train we were on because I didn't have the ticket, and ended up missing it. Great. After having a tiny breakdown in public, which is always fun, I gathered myself and went to the ticket office and was able to get another train ticket to Munich. It ended up being all right, and seeing Alexis in our hostel after over 12 hours of traveling from Copenhagen to Munich, not really sleeping, eating pretty much only bagels and croissants, was the best thing ever. As I said great start!

Munich was very industrial and busy, but the old city was beautiful, with such a great atmosphere. We spent two nights there. One day exploring the city, sitting in the beer garden eating pretzels and drinking beer, trying to figure out trains, plans, all that fun stuff. On Sunday we went up to the Neuschwanstein castle near Fussen. It was like a fairy tale, so beautiful. I loved Southern Germany, the rolling fields of grass, the little villages, the mountains in the distance, so bright and beautiful. We met some wonderful people along the way as well. Two girls in our hostel went to the castle with us, then dinner Sunday night we hung out with a dear German gentleman at a restaurant.

We then headed to Salzburg, probably one of my favorite cities on our adventure. We stepped out of one fairy tale into another. Settled in the mountains in Austria, little colorful houses, river running through the middle of the city, fortress overlooking the city. We only spent one night here, but it was wonderful. The city just had a good atmosphere, it was also probably the quietest of the cities we visited, which might have added to the appeal of it.

Then beautiful Vienna. City of palaces, impressive architecture, history. One of the few cities that we actually  made a plan to see everything, it was that large and there were that many things to see. It also was the warmest city we visited, we got hopeful while there and bought shorts and more summery clothes at an H&M, but never really had the opportunity to wear them. Unfortunate. While we were quite purposeful in our site seeing, we also spent quite awhile just hanging out and taking in the city. That was definitely one of the perks of traveling with just the two of us, we could take as long as wanted seeing something, or just skip through it, then sit for a few hours people watching. We had so much flexibility and freedom and it was so nice not having to answer to someone.

Then night train number two to Venice. I loved traveling by train, but night trains are no fun. It is impossible to sleep sitting up and you get to the next city tired and worthless. They provided great opportunities to meet people, since you are crammed in a six seated cabin for a very long time, but not much sleep. We only spent a few hours in Venice, not even a real day. It was beautiful though, so we were able to walk around the city, get lost, take pictures. We were so tired though, and since we reserved a hostel for the night, that we weren't going to be able to use, we went back there to take a nap before heading to Rome.

Night train number three. When getting our ticket for this train, we found out that the train we were planning to take wasn't actually at that time (which seemed to happen a lot...), so we had to leave earlier. The only seats left though were sleeper cars, which we were okay with, since we needed to get sleep. We were promised that it was an all girls car, no such thing. We got on the train probably around 11:30, then got into Rome around 6, but around 2 or so, the other two passengers in our cabin got on the train, they were not female. I was happily asleep on the top bunk, but Alexis woke me up because it was so awkward. They were just chilling on the bottom bed across from us watching her. It was not a good experience. We got into Rome still pretty tired, understandably enough, but glad that we were still in one piece.

Rome. What an incredible city. I could go on and on about these three days. But I will try to give you the condensed version. We got tickets before hand to skip the lines for the Vatican on Saturday morning, and the Colosseum on Monday, definitely a good choice. It was so busy, Easter weekend in Rome, madness! The Vatican was incredibly beautiful, but incredibly heartbreaking. (Of course this might have had something to do with the tiredness and emotions of traveling for a week already, and the fact that when we went there we were running on two restless nights on trains.) But it just made me so sad to see how the Catholic church made everything about the Pope. You would think Easter, you might hear something about Jesus rising from the dead, or something cool like that, but everyone was just so excited about seeing the Pope. The Pope is not what Christianity is about, big shocker right there, come on guys! Really though...and the way that everything was so materialistic. They had turned this beautiful building which was built for the purpose of worshiping God into a place of tourism and sight seeing. Walking through the Sistine Chapel, especially, I was brought to tears with the injustice of it all.

We stayed at Roma Camping, which was great! Of course it was an adventure getting there each day with the fun buses that only came every half hour or so, but we made it work. Easter morning we got up and headed into the city with the goal of finding some church to go to, at first it was a little tricky, but we finally found a part of town where there were lots of churches. Easter mass at a Catholic church in Italian...it was quite the experience! Certainly not a normal Easter to be sure. We also found the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, lots of ruins, palm trees, more ruins, the Colosseum. We ended the day splurging a little bit to go to a nicer restaurant to celebrate Easter. Definitely a memorable day.

Then we went to the Colosseum, the Palentino, and the Roman Forum on Monday. All so amazing and beautiful. It is a wonder that buildings that are no longer together can be so beautiful. The combination of the history and the colors of the grass that grew up where buildings were, the flowers, the people, it was just incredible. Rome was definitely a city that I would visit again, while we saw so much in our days there, I felt like there was still so much to see and learn.

Tuesday we headed back to Venice. We were both getting tired by this point in our trip. Two weeks is a long time to travel, but we were determined to enjoy Venice. We spent our days hiding from the rain, walking around the city, eating pizza and paninis, exploring the islands, playing cards, sitting in the sun, riding the water bus, and even taking a gondola. It was beautiful, but we were ready to be back in Copenhagen. We spent our last night of our adventure at the airport in Milan. Trying to sleep in the airport was no better than the night trains.

Overall this was an excellent travel break. It made me realize just how blessed I truly am to be able to travel in such beautiful places and see such amazing things. It also made me miss home so much more being in such a strange emotional state. Getting back to Copenhagen I realized just how much I love this city though. It is really just as beautiful as these other cities we visited, what a privilege this is to live and study in such a place!

Choo-choo Train Time!

Tomorrow at this time Alexis and I will be on a train heading towards Munich! DIS gives us a two week spring break, which is referred to as a travel break, for obvious reasons. 800 American students studying in Copenhagen will split off to explore the rest of Europe. World beware, we are coming, we are excited and we are trying not to be clueless! Because lets be honest, not many of us have traveled by ourselves before. We are so used to having strict itinerary planned out by whoever is leading our adventure, but this time we are venturing out on our own. We had to figure out trains and flights and buses, book our own hostels, the safest and easiest way to travel with a very tiny budget. Its all a lot more difficult than I feel like it should be!

It is truly exciting though. At the end of the two weeks when we reconvene for our last five weeks in Copenhagen, we will be a lot more experienced and confident travelers. We will probably get lost, miss at least one train, get grumpy from lack of sleep, pay too much for food, and all sorts of other misadventures. But I say bring it on! What is traveling without a few bumps in the road, those are what make memories and funny stories later.

For those of you who care what we are planning. We are training down to Munich, then across to Salzburg and Vienna. Then we are going down to Venice for a night, then down to Rome for Easter weekend, then back up to Venice for a few days. Then across to Milan before flying back to Copenhagen at the end of the two weeks.

Of course I still have a test, a paper, classes tomorrow, and packing in between me and this fabulous adventure. So, I probably should go build up a tiny bit of motivation to get everything done!

Vi ses i to uger!

Even When My Life Is Falling Apart, He Holds Me Up

So, I guess I'm long due for an update on here. A lot has happened since I last posted. Good things, unfortunate things, slightly depressing things...well maybe I'm just imagining and playing up the last two. I tend to do that. I must preface this post by saying I'm missing a lot of things right now and am not the most chipper, so bear with me, pray for me, cry with me...do what you must, I know God is faithful and will get me out of this rut. But I just need to write this all out.

Last I posted, I let you all know about long study tour, then my Grandpa's death. That was Sunday. Earlier that day I found out that there was a tiny possibility that DIS would cover my plane tickets home, if I wanted to go, but I didn't want to say anything just in case it wasn't true. I was torn. All I could think of was how hard it would be to go home and come back, I tried so hard to talk myself out of even finding out more information, I didn't know how to feel. I found myself crying more at other people's kindness than my actual grief. I knew that Grandpa was rejoicing in heaven, my tears were more ones of joy for his relief and sorrow that I wasn't with him than anything else. It is truly amazing though how people react in times of grief, never have I felt more loved than in that moment. Being so far away from home in such a difficult time, but really the times when it was most difficult was when people gathered around me. Somehow when I was on my own, God gave me such a peace and strength, then as soon as someone asked me if I was okay I was a mess of tears and snot and makeup running, the whole works. I was a bit frustrating to say the least.

Then on Monday I went to the housing and student affairs coordinator of DIS to see what my options were. Again I was so strong till I tried saying why I came. She ushered me in, so sweet, so caring, so methodical. As soon as she sat me down with a handful of tissues assuring me that DIS would cover the plane tickets asking me what my gut was telling me to do, whether I should go home or stay here, I remembered that everyone in that department was trained in some counseling techniques. It was a weird realization, I went along with all her prods and questions and compliments on my reasoning ability, but I kind of felt like I was playing a game with her, I knew her secret but wanted her to think I was innocently unaware. She was so sweet and sincere though that I couldn't help but love her for her kindness and consideration, even if it was her job. I left her office in such a state of distress, I really didn't know what to do, and I couldn't figure out why it was such a hard decision. I really did want to go home, but I felt that going home would somehow signify defeat, that I didn't push myself enough to stay the whole semester. But I also knew that in the present circumstances that was not the case at all, if I did choose to go home.

I went through the rest of the afternoon confiding in a few people, asking their opinions, avoiding making an actual decision, but then I was able to Skype with my Mom, Aunt, and Grandma, and my indecision was immediately swept away. I am truly so blessed by these women. They had a plane ticket already lined up to buy and a whole plan of action to get me home. Listening to my dear Grandma say with relief after I told them to get the ticket that this was a time for family to be together, I knew I had made the right decision. No matter how difficult it might be to go home and then transition back to Copenhagen intermixed with raw emotions and jetlag, it was right to go home, especially with the generosity of DIS.

Tuesday was the hardest day. Sitting through class was awful. I was ancy and just wanted to be home already. Worse of everything though was my decision to not let anyone know I was going home unless I had to. For some reason I decided it would be easier if no one knew that I was leaving. Silly to be sure, and it made it even more difficult when I did have to break the news to some people, but in retrospect I'm so grateful for the few people I did let know. A few classmates, my dear PLU girls, Bethany and Annie in Senegal, my Bible study, my host family, and a one or two people from Spokane and Tacoma. While it made it a bit awkward since I didn't know how to deal with my confusing emotions and not telling people, the prayers and support I did receive were so comforting.

Then Wednesday my host Dad dropped me off at the airport at 4 in the morning for my 6 am flight to Amsterdam, then to Portland. I got to security before it was even open, it was that early. After getting through and finding my gate I sat for awhile, I was the first one there. After awhile a man came up, and sat by me. We made some small talk, then we made the connection that he was going back to the states for a funeral as well. Then somehow we were talking about the church and God, and how we were both were Christians. It is amazing how God can put two of his children in the same place in the same time to offer some encouragement to one another. After forever on the plane (in which somehow I was blessed with being the only one in the whole row, both flights), I landed in Portand, it was so weird. I had to use a pay phone to get a hold of Alex and Hannah who were picking me up. But people were all speaking English, loudly. People were being friendly and were wearing colorful clothing. Of all cities to fly into, Portland is probably as different as different can be from Copenhagen. Driving to Sunnyside I was amazed by the trees, hills, and waterfalls, the Colombia River, the Cascades, oh and we nonchalantly passed Multnomah Falls in there too. I was somehow wide awake, even though I hardly slept on the plane. It was bizarre taking it all in. Arriving in Sunnyside was good, but exhaustion was starting to weigh on me. I could only stand the immense sensory overload till after dinner, then I went to sleep for a few hours before everyone else got there. That night we did my favorite thing my family does, we gathered around the piano and sang worship songs. Now, we were practicing to sing at Grandpa's memorial service, so it had a little more structure, but it truly felt like home singing together. Even now it makes me cry to think of it. It is such a beautiful gift God has blessed us with, to be able to sing together no matter what the circumstances, rejoicing in his faithfulness, giving God the praise and glory due his name. The songs we decided upon to sing at the memorial service were Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer, In Christ Alone, and I Will Rise. All so beautiful and powerful.

Thursday was a day of tears, but it was also a day of joy, despite the solemnness. We woke early and ate a breakfast that was all provided for us by people in the community, then headed to the funeral home. Now I haven't seen a dead body since my Great Grandma Crow, who died when I was a little girl, but I knew that I had to see Grandpa one last time. He wasn't in the body I saw though. He had lost so much weight since I saw him over Christmas, his face looked like plastic, his hands looked like bones with a layer of skin on them, he looked hollow, empty, but peaceful. It was so interesting observing my family during this time, everyone reacted so differently, some bawled, some laughed caught in the uncertainty of what to do, some avoided even looking in the casket. But what can I blame any of them. I was a bawler of course, but that comes with no surprise. We then went to the graveside service. All of the grandkids were supposed to be pallbearers, but I didn't end up doing it, which is fine for me. It was raining on the way there, but thankfully stopped once we got there. It was a short but beautiful service. The military salute and presentation of the flag to my Grandma was the most touching. I was glad for the individual packs of tissues we were given earlier. We then went to the church for lunch. Another meal generously provided for us. Then the memorial service. I don't think I have ever seen that old Methodist church so full, I'm glad it was though. Words were said, we sat, stood, sung hymns, the mike was passed around, I cried, somehow I wasn't exhausted from jetlag so I stayed awake. My family started and ended the service with our songs. Before singing In Christ Alone I almost lost it...but I was able to pull myself together for the two songs, then as we were sitting all my pent up emotions spilled out. For only practicing a few times, we sang well I think. Emily and I had melody, which is always easiest, and I was able to focus on worshiping and not on the technicalities, I think that is the only way I got through it. Afterwards we had a time of fellowship, and I was blown away by everyone's responses. I never even thought it a big deal to sing, but that is the only thing people talked about. One woman even brought me to tears when she came up to me and told me that she could tell I truly loved Jesus by the way I sang. I am just so glad that our simple melodies ministered so much to the people at that memorial service.

That night I so wanted to stay up with my family, but I was so tired that I couldn't. We woke up early on Friday and Hannah and I drove up to Salem. What a treat that was. A little odd staying with her in a dorm, eating in the dining hall, that awkward interaction with her roommates as I was randomly in their space...but it was fun and a good distraction from everything. It was quite funny to finally visit her in these circumstances though. While I should have been in Copenhagen, I stayed a night with her at Corban...so weird. Good though. It was good to finally see where she has been studying, it seems like a great fit for her. I probably would have been smothered and never forced to grow in that environment, and it made me even more grateful for PLU, but I am so glad that she has this opportunity to study there. I can already see such a growth and confidence that she did not have before. God is definitely blessing her there.

Then Saturday I headed back to Copenhagen, what a short but sweet trip back at home. I'm glad I didn't actually go home though...either to Spokane or Tacoma, I think the transition back would have been harder. God truly blessed me with peace about coming back here though. Even more miraculously, I haven't really been jetlagged. Sunday morning I flew into Copenhagen, got home, decided to go to church, hung out with people all afternoon. Went home, then decided I felt up to going to my friend's concert, didn't get home till around 11, then finally went to bed after being awake since 6:30 am on Saturday morning in Portland. I think it was about 36 hours, if I did my math right.

Since then somehow I've been getting my work done, I went to a friend's birthday party, I've read The Hunger Games, I went to the Danish Resistance Museum, I went to my practicum today, I've avoided studying for a test tomorrow by writing this blog, I've slowly enjoyed the Reese's pieces I got at the airport, I've slept, I've cried. Then tonight I was getting sentimental, the peace from this weekend is wearing off, and I've gotten ancy again. The half way point of my trip was yesterday. It seems like forever ago that I arrived in Copenhagen, and so long till I go home again. At the same time, I know it will fly by, I just need to remember to take advantage of every opportunity I can, and count the blessings God has given me in this time.

Ups and Downs...

Last week all the CDD Special Needs class boarded a plane and headed off to Tallinn, Estonia then Stockholm, Sweden for the week. While it was so cold and exhausting, it was such a good opportunity to get to know my classmates better in an amazing environment!

We only visited four schools altogether, and one psychologist. Each visit was very unique and offered a different perspective on special needs in a school setting. The ridiculous part about this though, is that we visited almost the same amount of schools on our short study tour. So, this tour was much more spread out with lots more free time, to say the least. In Tallinn, we visited three schools. One for students with developmental delays, one for physical and mental disabilities, and one for blind and deaf students. Then in Stockholm we visited a school which uses Reggio Emilia techniques and has students from over 30 nationalities, most of which did not speak Swedish as a first language.

Throughout all of our visits we have been focusing on how the school looks at inclusion. I have decided that American schools have a very different definition for this. We view inclusion like Europeans (0r at least Danes, Estonians, and Swedes) view integration.

For instance, at these schools I would not have considered them to be particularly inclusive, as they were specific to different special needs. But they saw these schools as opportunities for their students to get the best possible education with the hope of going on to work or get higher education. They look at inclusion more as equal education, rather than integrating students into a normal school setting. It is an interesting, yet seemingly effective idea. One thing that really stood out about these schools though, was the ability to have small classes. Especially at the Tallinn schools, rarely was a class more than 5 or 6 students. I think one or two classes had 12 students who were higher functioning. They also split up the students by ability level, rather than age. They seemed to learn so much better in this setting.

It was the school in Stockholm that really blew me away though. It was so beautiful and open and welcoming. The kids even came in and served us coffee and cookies, then a group breakdanced for us. They let 30 loud Americans walk through their school without a single thought. They had no doors between classes, so we had free reign to go through each room, observe, play, take pictures, it was such a beautiful environment. I loved it.

The rest of our tour consisted of eating TONS of food. Very delicious, but way too much at times! We went to a museum, went on a canal tour, had to take public transportation in Stockholm, took lots of pictures, danced on cruise ship, went in way too many souvenir shops, listened to a Psychologist who actually liked Freud, got lost a few times, didn't sleep enough, and of course had a really great time!

Then, I got home on Friday evening, slept soooooo much. Hung out with my host family some. Went on a walk around Amager. Then evening time, was talking to my dear cousin, Emily, and found out that my Grandpa just passed away. That was a bit of a buzz kill to say the least. I'm just so grateful that he is no longer in pain, but is in heaven with Jesus. Since then I have been in a whirlwind of emotions, not really knowing what to think or do. I've cried, laughed, cried more, been overly cheery to try to compensate, cried some more...the usual drill I'm sure. I've had quite a few chit chats with Jesus about the whole thing, and I know that he has given me so much strength, and he alone will sustain me in this time. Its just a bit shocking that three people I knew all died in the past two weeks. God has a plan for it all, even if I don't understand it, he is so much bigger than me. I just know that he is faithful and that I can trust in him!

The Lord Gives and Takes Away

This morning I checked my email and was shocked to read one of the subjects: "Death of Christopher Grouse." At first I didn't really comprehend what it said, then I opened the email realizing the weight of what I just read. It was stated just so matter of factly. I remember when I first met Chris, last year, at prayer up in tower chapel. He was so on fire for Jesus, worshiping and praying with all his heart. I later found out that he had been recently saved. What a blessing his life was, albeit short. He was always so concerned with people, I remember the first time I talked to him I was taken aback by how genuinely he spoke, he was truly interested in getting to know me, and he treated everyone this way, with such genuine interest.

While it is so shocking that this young man died, I know that God will turn this around for his glory. All I can do is trust that God had a reason for his death, just as he had a reason for his life. While I don't understand God's timing, I will trust that God is faithful, and that he welcomed Chris home with open arms. I just rejoice that Chris knew the Lord, even for such a short time and that he will now live forever glorified with Christ in heaven.

It is amazing how tragedies put life into such perspective. It is so easy to go through life, going through the motions, forgetting that we are only given a short time to walk on this earth. We must take advantage of every opportunity given to us, taking nothing for granted. We must look at the blessings before us, and realize God's faithfulness in our lives, no matter what we are going through. When we look at our blessings, however, we must also accept the fact that sometimes God takes away. He allows us to go through the rough spots so as to refine us for the future, to truly give us the opportunity to trust him. For if we cannot praise God while we are on earth, why would we want to praise him for eternity? God will receive all glory in the end, of that I am assured, it is just our choice whether we want to follow him now, or wait till we have no option.

We must have a sense of urgency. The Bible calls us to live a life worthy of how we were called, being ready to give an answer to the hope that is within us. Are we ready to give an answer? Are we truly living a life that is bringing glory to God in all that we do, think, and say? Are we being a witness to God's faithfulness in our lives, burdened for the lost, longing to see all turn to him?

Let us see Chris's life as an example to us all. Don't be ashamed of the gospel, reach out to those around you, be genuinely concerned about the welfare of others. Know that the Lord gives, but he also takes away, and we can trust that he is faithful to the end.

No matter where God calls you, he calls you to be faithful. Here am I, on the other side of the world as most of you reading this blog, yet we are called to the same purpose, united by the blood of Christ. I pray that I might truly be a witness in this place, just like at home and never forget the God who gave me this opportunity to study here in Denmark.

One Month Down, Crazy!

This past week has been interesting, to say the least. I've been here a month now, and I am finally feeling accustomed to everything. The shocking thing is that I only have three more months, and I feel like I have so much I want to do in such a short time! I realized something today though. I am here to experience Denmark, and its culture. So it is okay if I do not see absolutely everything that I want to, because that is really quite unrealistic. I simply need to take advantage of every opportunity given, without killing myself.

On that note, I did finally get sick. Booooo. Well, I guess I had the stomach flu right before my short study tour. But a few days ago I woke up with a cold. Achy body, sore muscles, super tired, unmotivated, stuffy nose, scratchy throat. The works. Then I had to go to my practicum like that. Thankfully we didn't go out in the forest, so I only had to be there for four hours, instead of seven. Since then I have been getting around nine to ten hours of sleep every night, trying to make up for the lack of sleep I have been getting the past four weeks or so.

It has finally been warming up some though, which is wonderful! I think it got up to 37 today? So warm! It is exciting. With this heat wave that we are experiencing all the Danes are getting out and about, and so are some protesters, which is always fun. It is still so bizarre to be living in the biggest city in the country. Stuff happens here so often, it is mind-boggling.


I also got to experience something quite unDanish on the bus last week. On Valentines Day, of all days, a man decided he wanted my phone number, so he asked me right as the bus was pulling up to my stop. I declined, making a half hazard excuse, and got off the bus. To my chagrin, he followed me off the bus all the way to my class. To get rid of him I gave him my number (I know, foolish, but it happened, oh well). That night he called me, texted me...poor guy I ignored it. My family took me out to get Chinese food, I wasn't going to answer some desperate guy who I didn't even know. Cruel, I know. The next few nights he kept up this pattern. He did finally stop though. I'm just hoping and praying that I never run into him on the bus again.

Yesterday was Fastelavn. A holiday that is seven weeks before Easter Sunday. This used to be related to Easter and Lent but now the Danes just use it as an excuse to get off school and work for a week. This is also like a Danish Halloween, because all the kids get dressed up in costumes and get candy. I went with my family to an event where they "beat a cat in a barrel." Well, that is what they used to do anyway. It was to ward off evil spirits or something. Now they just beat a barrel with a cat painted on. Like a pinata, it is filled with candy! What I went to was a little different though, instead of just beating the barrel, they had people on horses beating the barrel. I never did get what the significance of the horses were, we only went to this one, because my host sister is obsessed with horses.


I have decided that I appreciate American school systems, with structure, clear expectations, study guides...all of that. I had a quiz in Developmental Disorders Friday, and then I was supposed to have a paper due in Special Needs tomorrow. Both were kind of disasters. I'm not sure how I will survive the coming assignments in these classes. It is definitely a learning experience, in more than one way!

My Danish Language class visited Christiania this last Wednesday. That was interesting. It is a part of the city that is inhabited by about 800 people who never paid for the property. They live there in a semi free state with their own rules, with very socialistic ideals. The Danish government is making them finally pay for the land this coming April though. It will be interesting to see that situation play out while I'm here.


I also finally was able to go to Connect this last week. It is a young adults lifegroup through FIBC, the church that I'm attending while here. It is a small group, but I'm excited to continue meeting with them. It is also exciting, because from what I hear, we are going to be talking about similar things as what is going on back at home at Ignite. We will be reading the book Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World, by Rebecca Pippert. It is about evangelism as part of your life, instead of a Christian duty to check off your list for the week. Definitely something that I need to work on, and am excited to do that while here.

Yay updates! Its amazing how easy it is to write all of this without a thought or distraction, but when it comes to writing a six page paper it takes me hours on end to write nothing...but that paper was pushed back. So its okay. Ha!

Some Pictures!

So, I realized that while I have done pretty well at updating my blog with some lovely words and paragraphs every so often, I have been kind of lacking in the photography arena. So here are some of pictures from my first three weeks in Denmark!

My lovely house on Amager, where I live with my host family. Tom, Anette, Fredrick, and Idda Hansen. Oh and their cat, Max.

Copenhagen, before all the rivers and lakes froze. Every street here is so beautiful and unique. Colors, bricks, cobblestones. Oh and there is quite the population of swans that hang out in the city.

I quickly discovered the store Tiger. It is one of the cheaper convenience stores in Copenhagen (although certainly not cheap). They have quite the selection of mustache merchandise, amongst other wonderful trinkets.

The Danes really like their bicycles. Whatever the weather.

My family showed me around some of the smaller cities on Amager, I found some bicycles there as well.

Oh, and they have bicycles in Elsinore as well. Also, it amazes me how many plants are alive. Everywhere I have gone in Denmark there are these little plants hanging on for dear life in frigid temperatures.

Pigeons! Another one of Copenhagen's finest residents.

This last weekend, we went on a study tour to Odense, Egmont, and Vejle. This is my whole core class at the Egmont Højskole. Hurray for Child Diversity and Development with an emphasis in special needs!

The Højskole was beautiful!

In Vejle, we had an hour or so to get some lunch, and a few of us found this cafe called Sandwich 'n Coffee. It had the best sandwiches any of us ever had. It was seriously delicious!

Looking out over Odense.

In Odense, we visited the Museum of Modern Art. They had a floor dedicated to sensory exploration. One of the rooms was covered in sweaters, with light fixtures and these lighted tubes. It was so great! The rest of the museum was pretty neat too.

Odense is where Hans Christian Anderson was born, so of course while we were there we ate at a restaurant called The Ugly Duckling.

Overall, these past three weeks have been an amazing adventure! I am so excited for the next months ahead.

Look Up

A few days ago my host dad gave me this advice: "When walking through Copenhagen, look up." He went on to tell me that it is so easy to miss out on so much of the city by just watching your feet or looking at the shops at eye level. I have been thinking about this phrase a lot.

Look up.

So often we go through life keeping our eyes right in front of us. We forget to look around and see the beauty that is within our reach. We become negative, cynical, egocentric. When our whole world consists of what is at our feet we miss out on all the blessings God has for us. While the cobblestones are beautiful, the shops intriguing, the people fascinating, the most beautiful architecture is up above the grunge of the street. It is easy to become content with what we see and forget to look up.

These past few days everyone at DIS split off around Denmark and Northern Germany to go on our short study tours. My group went to Western Denmark to explore different schools that work with children and adults with special needs. It was such a cool and unique experience! Each place we visited was so unique and inspiring. Our first night we stayed at a højskole, where the students and teachers all lived together at the school. We ate dinner with them and then were able to hang out with everyone in the evening. There was one beautiful girl, I think her name was Lark, she definitely understood this concept of looking up. Even though she was confined to a wheelchair for her whole life, she was so positive. She told us how blessed she was to have the opportunities that she had. She loved her life, and kept telling us how good off she was, and how much worse her life could be.

By our worlds standards, she had every right to be depressed, or at least to complain some, but I did not hear one negative word out of her mouth that whole evening. Wow, that sure puts my life in perspective. It is so easy to complain about the littlest things, but to what end does our complaining bring us? Throughout our whole trip I kept encountering this, positive people looking up, regardless of their situations.

So, my words to you. Look up! See the positive things in life, how blessed you are, the potential God has given you to do great things with your life! Step out of your comfort zone, trust God to lead you, stretch yourself to look beyond yourself. Be thankful for the path that is under your feet, but don't be afraid to look up once in awhile.

Just A Little Less Magic

Sensory overload. This is how I would describe the past two weeks. I keep thinking I've gotten over the magic of everything, but then some little thing throws me for a loop and I remember I haven't even been here a whole two weeks yet! At the same time though, I can't believe I have only been here 12 days. I feel like I've been here for so much longer!

Some updates...

My classes all seem super interesting! But they are all going to be quite challenging. Participation is a lot more mandatory in these classes than I'm used to, which is unfortunate considering that I tend to let other people talk in class, unless I really feel the need to say something. I think I've done okay so far, but we will see! I don't think I'm going to be able to get away with my typical, "I've made my one, two second comment, my work for the day is complete," routine.

I visited that Bible study I mentioned in my last post on Tuesday, and it seems like a really great group of girls! It also turns out that I'm going to be helping lead it, which is exciting! It was never my intention to help lead a Bible study while abroad, but God obviously had other plans for me, and here I am, leading it with two other girls. It will be a topical study addressing issues we might face as Christian young women abroad, it should be good! Although again, challenging, considering I've never really attended a topical study, let alone led one! Most of the Bible studies I have been a part of have been going though specific books, so this should be interesting! I will definitely need God's grace to be an effective leader. (But of course that is always true!)

On Wednesday my human trafficking course showed a film called Lilya 4-Ever. So depressing. I could talk a lot about this one...It just breaks my heart. That is all for now, I'm sure I will post a longer update about this class sometime in the future.

Thursday I visited my Practicum site for the first time!! It was so fun! Quite a long day though. I left my house around 7:30, got lost trying to find my bus, finally got on the right bus around 8, got to the site around 8:40 (10 minutes late), found my classroom, met the Pedagogue in charge, helped get the kids ready to go, we got on a bus around 9 heading towards the forest. Once we arrived the kids all got on their big heavy snowsuits (they had an extra one for me to borrow too!), then we went on a walk through the forest for about two hours, got back to the site, ate lunch, had free time, then eventually left around 3:30. We arrived back in the city at 4, then I didn't get home till 5. The kids were so sweet though! There were 20 2-6 year olds. They all spoke wonderful Danish that I didn't understand, and they loved talking to me even though I only could respond with nods and smiles. It was great! I'm so excited to go back. :)

Other than all these lovely things. We had record breaking lows the last few days, so its been a bit chilly. I tried my first Carlberg beer, it actually wasn't awful. I miss my dear friends back home lots and lots. That's probably the hardest thing about living with a host family, I don't have as many opportunities to meet people, so I can get a wee bit lonely. But at the same time it isn't all too bad, and I'm sure that it will get better. But I keep saying that...so who knows! Our short study tour is already next week, it has come up so quickly! My family eats candy all the time. It is both terrible and wonderful at the same time, I will probably gain 50 pounds while I'm here.

Above all though, God is good, all the time. I truly am learning to trust him, I don't know if I will ever truly learn this concept, but I am grateful that I am learning it now instead of years down the road! And I keep talking about this...so it must be important or something! :)

Blessings

I have officially been in Denmark for one week. I feel like I have already been here for so long, but at the same time, everything is still so new and I still feel so alone. I have met so many people and seen so many things in this past week. I have eaten food, I have taken pictures, I have slept, and tried to sleep, I have read, I have journaled, I have prayed. God has blessed me in so many ways.

I am continually amazed at how easy it has been to fit into my host family. It was not difficult for me to figure out the layout of Copenhagen, and while I have certainly gotten lost, I have always been able to find my way eventually. People have been so gracious when I am lost. I have been able to meet new people without fear. I came to this country knowing two girls, and now I know and recognize so many faces. While I am still trying to figure out my friend groups, every passing day gets better.

This last week when I was at my lowest point, the very next day God turned that around and I discovered that there was a women's Bible study that meets weekly. My silly fear that I would not be able to connect with a Christian ministry here is just not true. Today, I had the opportunity to visit a church with some girls from the same Bible study. While I do not think I will make this church my home for the next four months, it was so encouraging to worship with fellow believers again. As I have been surrounded by Christians my entire life, it is a very stark contrast being surrounded by the world even for a short week. God is truly teaching me to rely on him in this time. It is difficult, I must say. But so worth it, I know.

This experience is also teaching me to appreciate so many little things. Long, hot showers. Being able to understand people wherever I go. Wearing sweats in public. Reliable internet. Dryers. Smiling. Hugs. Being loud and silly. Warm weather (even 40's would be great right now).

At the same time though, I would never exchange this opportunity for any of these things. When else would I have such an opportunity to live with a family in Denmark, of all places? To play with Danish kids in a daycare. Or more precisely, to play with Danish kids in a daycare where they go and hang out in the forest instead of a school! To see such beautiful, old buildings every day on my way to school. Swans swimming in the channels. Eating chocolate pretty much everyday. Exploring Hamlet's castle. Worshiping God in an old Lutheran church with people from all over the world. Appreciate the fact that Denmark just won the Handball finals. To live in the happiest place on earth. What more could I want at this moment that God has given me?

So many blessings. Just one week. So many more are ahead of me, I am sure.

Hygge

In Danish there is a word that cannot be truly translated into English. Hygge. Pronounced something like Hoo-ge...with an emphasis on the first syllable. I'm trying to learn what this means. Every night, my host family will sit around the TV, eating chocolate, drinking tea, laughing, talking, studying, being at peace with one another. The lights are low and it makes you drowsy. They simply enjoy one another's presence. This evening I fell asleep on the sofa, so tired from the days of running around Copenhagen, trying to understand this new culture. When I woke up later, my Dad said I've experienced a little Hygge. He described the cat like this earlier too. Max was laying on his back, sprawled out on the side of the sofa. He looked so funny. My Dad said he lay like that because he felt safe. This feeling of safety and comfort is a beautiful thing.

All this talk of culture shock and change is an interesting thing. At first I thought the language barrier would be the hardest thing to deal with, but it is not so bad. Every Dane I have talked to has been so nice and polite. Every time I'm lost (which has happened quite often), they are very quick to help. So while they do not smile at each other when passing on the street, they do not talk loudly in public, they appear reserved, they are so kind and approachable. It is an interesting balance.

My deepest desire is to represent America well. I want to break all the stereotypes of loud, obnoxious Americans. I don't know how well I'm doing. I find that when I am by myself, or with my host family, I come across quite reserved. But, as soon as I am with other DIS students, all American, I become quite comfortable talking all the time about everything again. There is just something about being with other Americans that are experiencing the same sights and sounds, discomforts and joys, even if I have never met them before, that instantly bonds us. These bonds are quite Hygge, I think. Going and getting pancakes, sitting in a pub, reflecting on our journeys. Being at peace, enjoying one another's company. Maybe in a month I will understand this phrase better, but it is all a learning process.

All I can really say that sums up my current understanding: Enjoy the simple things in life. But, not in the loud, excited American way. In the quiet, peaceful, Danish way.

Copenhagen!

I made it! After waking up at 4:30 Saturday morning, traveling to DC (5 hour flight), then to Copenhagen (7 hour flight), I am finally here! Our plane landed around 7:00 Sunday morning. I resolved to not sleep till evening to avoid jetlag, but unfortunately I did not quite make it as it is now 5:00 Monday morning. I made it all the way till 6:00 pm, but then crashed, thinking I would be tired enough to sleep till at least 6 the next day, maybe even later, but my body woke me up at 3:30 and I couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to use this time to upload some pictures, figure out orientation schedules, and update my blog.

Somehow, it hasn't really sunk in that I am here. I thought it would sink in while on the plane, or at least when it landed, but here I am, having slept in my own bed in my house in Copenhagen, and it just feels like another day! It is quite surreal. Not the emotions I was expecting.

My flight went well though. I met Dianne and Alexis at the airport, we said goodbye to our parents and headed towards security. When going through security, I got randomly selected for additional screening. That was fun.

"Excuse me ma'am, you've been randomly selected for additional screening. Come this way." Then the security guard proceeded to swab my palms, then said he would look at my boarding pass and passport and make sure everything was fine. As he was doing this; "Are you going somewhere warm?" "No. I'm going to Copenhagen." (Why he didn't see this on my boarding pass I'm not sure.) "Oh, well at least it will be more exciting." Then he let me go. Ridiculous.

Then of course, going through security, I had to get checked extra again. I got pulled aside, and the guard looked at my watch, then asked me to take off my scarf, and searched it. It was a good start to our trip.

Our flights were fairly uneventful. We arrived in DC, found our gate, sat for about five minutes, and boarded. Sleeping was out of the question. We were all exhausted, but the seats were so small and crammed, that it was impossible. Also, the fact that our bodies were thinking it was the middle of the afternoon, even though it was the middle of the night in Copenhagen, didn't help much. On that last flight, a lot of the passengers were DIS, and we met all the people around us, including two girls that are in my same program.

When we arrived we were met by happy DIS representatives, and we all traveled to a hotel where we got our arrival packets with information about orientation. Then after a brief introduction to the country, we got picked up by our host families and went our separate ways! My host family lived very close to the hotel. When we arrived I met my sister and brother, and my parents showed me my room and a little bit of the house and left me to unpack and get settled in. My room is so cute and little, but just perfect for what I need.

After lunch, my host family took me to downtown Copenhagen to help me figure out the buses that I would need to take into the city. Thankfully, I only have to take one bus the whole way, it makes it much easier to remember my commute!

My family is so generous and nice. Even though I was tired, I chose to spend lots of time sitting and talking with them yesterday. Tom is probably the most fluent in English. He is a postman for the city, and knew the area very well. Anette can understand English, but is not very comfortable speaking it. She works in a lab in the city studying vaccines. This was a funny moment when they were trying to explain what she does. Tom had to look up the word for where she works, and told me she worked in a lavatory. I asked him if he meant laboratory, because lavatory is a toilet. When he realized his mistake it was so funny to him and he explained why we were laughing to the others.

Fredrick was very good at English, but he did not hang out with the family a lot while I was there. Only during lunch and in the evening when I gave them my gift. Ida is a sweetheart, I really like her and think we will get along wonderfully, but she doesn't speak much English, which will be interesting.

I think my favorite thing though is just watching my family interact. They obviously love each other and all get along very well. Even though I could not understand what they said to each other, from their body language and expressions I could understand so much. I know this will be a good experience. I am excited to learn some Danish and be able to truly call Copenhagen home.

Today will be a day of meeting students and exploring the city. It will be very different exploring Copenhagen with a bunch of American students, than with my host family yesterday. I am excited! I will post more pictures of my home and the city later. I am sure I will be playing the role of tourist much more over the next few days and will take lots of pictures!

One week from now I'll be on a plane to Copenhagen!

Just one week till I leave now! I heard from my host family earlier this week, they sound like a wonderful family, I am so excited to meet them and join their family! The parents are Tom and Anette Hansen, they have three kids, two of which still live at home. The oldest is 24, and he no longer lives at home. The other two kids are Frederik, who is 16 and Ida, who is 11. Frederik loves music and has three guitars and his own drum set! Which is very exciting, because I will have an opportunity to play guitar with him, even though I can't bring my own guitar along. Ida loves horses, which I can totally relate, considering that when I was eleven, horses were probably my favorite animal. Apparently she goes riding every Thursday, I surely hope that I will have an opportunity to go with her at least once! They live about 30 minutes away from DIS by public transit, which is so wonderful. A half an hour commute is not bad at all! I am just so excited to meet them, and to join their family.

I am so ready to leave. At the same time, I am so excited to see what God has in store for me this last week while I'm in Tacoma. I haven't started packing yet, and I work every day, I want to make sure to say goodbye to everyone I love so dearly, and I plan to spend a lot of time in prayer and the Word. This opportunity of being here in Tacoma over J-term has given me so much time to press into God and truly fellowship with Him. I know that what God is teaching me about Him in this time will carry me over these next four months, and I know that He will continue teaching me so much about Him while I am in Copenhagen. He has called me to go, and even though I am going for the classes and the experience, God has so much more in store for me, and wherever I go in this world He guides me, and I will be a missionary in that place through my words and deeds! My only desire is that I will be able to glorify God in everything that I do and say wherever I go. While I am leaving my tight knit community here at PLU, I have no doubt that God will provide while I am there, and I do not need to fear falling away or getting disconnected. God is in Denmark, just like He is in Tacoma, or Spokane, and if he can encounter me here, he will most definitely continue to encounter me there!

This will probably be my last post before I leave. The next time you hear from me will be from Copenhagen! Till then, Vi ses!