5.26.2006

Mermaid with legs

It takes some time to adjust to the life on the sea. I visited a small island by skipping over some rocks to get there...the water just as high as the stones. I sat for a while reading and then realized how stupid I was....with a glance I looked up and saw my defeat...or my wet feet. The stones had been completely covered with the newly entered tide. If it were not for airdry feet I would be ruined. Of course, I just looked stupid when I came back to the house wet I knew I had some explaining to do.

This very highly sophisticated sea life has its ups and downs. However for the first time I went hunting shells...for to make a good snack! We were cooking mussle stew with beer and onions and for the first time just went down to the water and pulled them out put them in a pot and called it supper. So great! My hand brushed a jellyfish and I flipped out, but apparently they are not at all dangerous. If they are red, watch out...but the white ones...no, you can hold them, love them, hug them and name them. Whatever!

Today was the only and most lovely sunny day of sunny in Bergen. I think for a rainy west coast city it has forgotten to rain today. I am so thankful to God for the sun in the bright heavens. Being up at 6:30am to just enjoy every minute of the seashore lapping up on the rocks...I get a bit romantic with it all.

So, this American begins to be excited to return home to Iowa soon. However nice it is to be in Norway...the home calls and so does the translation. No more NOrwegian! Thank God...just for a small break! Amen!

5.22.2006

Wait! Wait!

Let me tell you this story.

A week ago I was taking a morning walk at the southern-most tip of Africa. Yeah, it sounds impossible, but unfortunately for you (since you were not there) it is true. This very morning God had shown up in a dynamic sun rise. My heart beat began to rise as I saw he was doing something phenomenal...but my view was not perfect. The adventure began, I started to walk fast and rush to the edge of the water. I knew the view would be better there. While I walked, trotted, or scampered (you can choose, they all looked awkward) I just said a quick prayer to God....wait wait wait for me to get there at the sea shore...so I can see more! I was just longing to view the sun popping up from the horizon, but if I did not hurry I would miss it all. 'Please God, just wait a minute...one more, and one more.' With quick air in my lungs I stepped onto the white and damp beach. My eyes were fixed on the sky as God had waited to share the pivotal moment with me. The sun squeezed his head up over the horizon, and the morning waves presented the scene with clapping praise. I took a breath and thanked God, I knew that the sunrise was so much more beautiful when the time was perfect, when my seat on the beach was perfect, and all the details were forgotten in the past.

Some moments passed and I realized something about God. He has been telling me to wait in the last days too! Wait, wait, wait! It's as if I would trade places with him he would also be rushing to the beach and I would be the sun ready to squeeze up over the horizon. I would love to show my complete beauty now, and not wait...but my God would like to have a perfect seat on the beach to realize his work in full. My throat carried frozen air to my lungs. What a shock. God has been calling to me...to wait for him for everything is made beautiful in his time. And when God gets to the beach, he will let me know....and then I can pop my head up over the horizon. But for now, I am just casting my prelude of colors and lights to the world. 'You haven't seen nothing yet!' He says, the show is just beginning. Wait for me Erika, wait for my time and you will shine...and no cloud will cover your radiant face.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Psalm 130:5-6