our house during the retreat
the backyard view at mike and sofia's house
mai with her flower
stockholm on the water
chiara and i at the cute little cottage
30 April 2008
sverige three!
our house during the retreatthe backyard view at mike and sofia's housemai with her flowerstockholm on the waterchiara and i at the cute little cottage
sverige two!
cherry blossom lane in stockholm!
the main square downtown stockholm.
birds-eye view at sunset.
packing up for the retreat
i want to live here!
sverige!
old-town stockholm.
annie, chiara, and sofia.
isn't spring lovely??
i wonder what's inside?
fika on the town! chiara, inga-lill, and i.
sweden update.
Hey everyone,
Thanks so much for your prayers over this past week or two. Everyone has arrived safely home from outreach trips, and each person is encouraged by what the Lord has done in each place and in each heart. I've heard some great stories from the other students and staff members.
Our Sweden trip was absolutely amazing! We stayed with Mike and Sofia Ortiz and Joel Wickstrom, who are leading a Bible study in Stockholm. It was a sweet time of fellowship, laughing, cooking, eating, walking, exploring Stockholm, and hanging out together. We flew in on Tuesday, and hung out at their house all evening. Wednesday and Thursday we spent walking all over Stockholm, having coffee, doing a little shopping, and enjoying the beautiful weather! The entire week was sunny and bright and warm. It was so refreshing! On Wednesday night we met up with Joel and another friend for a prayer time. We climbed uphill to a tower that overlooks the city [Stockholm is city made up of 14 islands], and saw the city at sunset as we prayed. It was really cool!
Friday was spent getting ready for the women's retreat. Sofia, Rebecka [a Swedish girl who goes to school with Sofia], and Chiara went grocery shopping, while Inga-Lill and I stayed home and made "bullar"- Swedish cinnamon rolls. We ran out of flour and had to improvise with oatmeal and graham flour, but ooh, were they good! :)
The retreat was at a large house/retreat center in the outskirts of Stockholm. It was beautiful countryside to walk through, and a nice cozy house for us to stay in. There were 12 of us altogether at the retreat: 6 in our twenties, and 6 a little older! One lady was actually in her 70's. It was a wonderful group, and as we spent time together all weekend, we were really blessed! Inga-Lill taught several different times, Chiara and I led worship, and we all helped cook and clean up after each meal. The Swedes amazed me with their excellent English- all of the worship and teachings were in English, and only rarely did Inga-Lill have to explain things in Swedish. What a blessing for Chiara and I to be able to understand what was going on [most of the time]!
We really enjoyed our times with the younger girls- Sofia, Rebecka, Evelina, and Erica- it was so encouraging to see that there are sincere believers who truly love the Lord and desire to serve Him, no matter where you go!! All of the ladies were from different churches and backgrounds, but it was sweet to see the fellowship we had together. We also learned a great Swedish tradition- Fika! Fika is what Minnesotans would call "a little lunch." :) It takes place about 2 hours after a meal, and consists of coffee, tea, fruit, cookies, candies, and Bullar! It's a great little time of hanging out. Basically, we ate all weekend. But hey, it's a women's retreat- what else could we expect?
We came home Sunday after an interesting adventure around the greater Stockholm vicinity [got a little lost], pretty tired and a bit carsick- and hopped onto the train almost right away to head into town for Sunday night Bible Study. On the train ride into town [about 30 minutes or so] Chiara and I picked out songs to lead for worship during the Bible study. We decided we should learn a Swedish song, so we had about 20 minutes to get down the pronunciation before our stop at t-Centralen [Central Station]. We hurried through the streets to get to the Bible study, said our hellos, listened to a beautiful song written by our friend Evelina, and led a group of Swedes [and Swedish speakers] in our very first Swedish song, Ära Till Ditt Namn [Blessed Be Your Name]. It's always a trip singing in a different languages, especially when you're leading a group! It's so amazing though, and it really is a huge blessing to the people who speak that language.
We didn't learn too much Swedish, but we could say thank you [Tak!], hello and goodbye [Hej!], Fika, and Rebecka taught me how to count to ten [I think I can remember 1-7]. Swedish is a beautiful language though! It sounds like they're little birds chirping. :)
Monday we went into town with Sofia and Rebecka, and met up with Evelina for some fika and a little shopping. Then we headed for the bus, plane, and car ride home!
So- our trip was great! Thanks for praying!! We were so blessed to hang out with the believers up there in Stockholm. I've been learning a lot about ministry this semester, so it was great to be able to talk with Mike and Sofia and Joel, and see that ministry really is about people, and about being a light in a dark world!
Now we're heading into the last 2.5 weeks of the semester. Pray that we'll have diligence in finishing well! Hebrews 6:10-12 was read this afternoon in our staff meeting- a fitting encouragement for us in these last weeks! Springtime is finally here- everything is green and blossoming! That makes everything even better. :)
Also, please pray for one of our students, Faith. She's been in the hospital since Monday, and they just discovered she had a blood clot in her lung- it's pretty serious! Praise the Lord they found it today, and she's being treated through next Monday. She's doing well. Pray that she'll be encouraged while in the hospital too, and have good time spent with the Lord- it can be a boring and lonely place sometimes!
God bless you all! Thanks for reading, and for praying. God is so good!! Let us rest upon His everlasting arms.
Kram! [hugs]
annie.
Thanks so much for your prayers over this past week or two. Everyone has arrived safely home from outreach trips, and each person is encouraged by what the Lord has done in each place and in each heart. I've heard some great stories from the other students and staff members.
Our Sweden trip was absolutely amazing! We stayed with Mike and Sofia Ortiz and Joel Wickstrom, who are leading a Bible study in Stockholm. It was a sweet time of fellowship, laughing, cooking, eating, walking, exploring Stockholm, and hanging out together. We flew in on Tuesday, and hung out at their house all evening. Wednesday and Thursday we spent walking all over Stockholm, having coffee, doing a little shopping, and enjoying the beautiful weather! The entire week was sunny and bright and warm. It was so refreshing! On Wednesday night we met up with Joel and another friend for a prayer time. We climbed uphill to a tower that overlooks the city [Stockholm is city made up of 14 islands], and saw the city at sunset as we prayed. It was really cool!
Friday was spent getting ready for the women's retreat. Sofia, Rebecka [a Swedish girl who goes to school with Sofia], and Chiara went grocery shopping, while Inga-Lill and I stayed home and made "bullar"- Swedish cinnamon rolls. We ran out of flour and had to improvise with oatmeal and graham flour, but ooh, were they good! :)
The retreat was at a large house/retreat center in the outskirts of Stockholm. It was beautiful countryside to walk through, and a nice cozy house for us to stay in. There were 12 of us altogether at the retreat: 6 in our twenties, and 6 a little older! One lady was actually in her 70's. It was a wonderful group, and as we spent time together all weekend, we were really blessed! Inga-Lill taught several different times, Chiara and I led worship, and we all helped cook and clean up after each meal. The Swedes amazed me with their excellent English- all of the worship and teachings were in English, and only rarely did Inga-Lill have to explain things in Swedish. What a blessing for Chiara and I to be able to understand what was going on [most of the time]!
We really enjoyed our times with the younger girls- Sofia, Rebecka, Evelina, and Erica- it was so encouraging to see that there are sincere believers who truly love the Lord and desire to serve Him, no matter where you go!! All of the ladies were from different churches and backgrounds, but it was sweet to see the fellowship we had together. We also learned a great Swedish tradition- Fika! Fika is what Minnesotans would call "a little lunch." :) It takes place about 2 hours after a meal, and consists of coffee, tea, fruit, cookies, candies, and Bullar! It's a great little time of hanging out. Basically, we ate all weekend. But hey, it's a women's retreat- what else could we expect?
We came home Sunday after an interesting adventure around the greater Stockholm vicinity [got a little lost], pretty tired and a bit carsick- and hopped onto the train almost right away to head into town for Sunday night Bible Study. On the train ride into town [about 30 minutes or so] Chiara and I picked out songs to lead for worship during the Bible study. We decided we should learn a Swedish song, so we had about 20 minutes to get down the pronunciation before our stop at t-Centralen [Central Station]. We hurried through the streets to get to the Bible study, said our hellos, listened to a beautiful song written by our friend Evelina, and led a group of Swedes [and Swedish speakers] in our very first Swedish song, Ära Till Ditt Namn [Blessed Be Your Name]. It's always a trip singing in a different languages, especially when you're leading a group! It's so amazing though, and it really is a huge blessing to the people who speak that language.
We didn't learn too much Swedish, but we could say thank you [Tak!], hello and goodbye [Hej!], Fika, and Rebecka taught me how to count to ten [I think I can remember 1-7]. Swedish is a beautiful language though! It sounds like they're little birds chirping. :)
Monday we went into town with Sofia and Rebecka, and met up with Evelina for some fika and a little shopping. Then we headed for the bus, plane, and car ride home!
So- our trip was great! Thanks for praying!! We were so blessed to hang out with the believers up there in Stockholm. I've been learning a lot about ministry this semester, so it was great to be able to talk with Mike and Sofia and Joel, and see that ministry really is about people, and about being a light in a dark world!
Now we're heading into the last 2.5 weeks of the semester. Pray that we'll have diligence in finishing well! Hebrews 6:10-12 was read this afternoon in our staff meeting- a fitting encouragement for us in these last weeks! Springtime is finally here- everything is green and blossoming! That makes everything even better. :)
Also, please pray for one of our students, Faith. She's been in the hospital since Monday, and they just discovered she had a blood clot in her lung- it's pretty serious! Praise the Lord they found it today, and she's being treated through next Monday. She's doing well. Pray that she'll be encouraged while in the hospital too, and have good time spent with the Lord- it can be a boring and lonely place sometimes!
God bless you all! Thanks for reading, and for praying. God is so good!! Let us rest upon His everlasting arms.
Kram! [hugs]
annie.
04 April 2008
i'm lame, and never update.
this week was speaker's week here at the Bibelschule. i got to sit in on several of the sessions. it was a blessing! john bonner and scott vincent taught the simple truths of the Word, and we were all encouraged and built up.
last year during this week i was in the krankenhaus. this year i was sick, but no krankenhaus, praise the Lord! i do have my 3rd sickness/sinus infection in 2 months, however, so if you think of it, please pray that my antibiotics [which i got today] will do their magic quickly! :)
i think it's easy and most natural to give the impression that things are amazing and life is absolutely wonderful. it isn't exactly true. lately i've been going through some hard times, and being stretched in areas that i didn't think needed stretching- it hurts! but i've been learning that it all is profitable- for i shall be conformed more into the image of Jesus, which is my desire! [just didn't exactly foresee the means by which the transforming would take place!] but it's all so good, and all according to His plan. though He bruises, He also binds up, and though He wounds, He heals! His promises are faithful.
tonight i'm meeting my german family [i, the auslander, am adopted yet again] for dinner, with my american 'sister' charlie. it should be pretty fun! grill season begins in freudenberg tonight! then ratatouille with my sweet michelle.
ciao!
this week was speaker's week here at the Bibelschule. i got to sit in on several of the sessions. it was a blessing! john bonner and scott vincent taught the simple truths of the Word, and we were all encouraged and built up.
last year during this week i was in the krankenhaus. this year i was sick, but no krankenhaus, praise the Lord! i do have my 3rd sickness/sinus infection in 2 months, however, so if you think of it, please pray that my antibiotics [which i got today] will do their magic quickly! :)
i think it's easy and most natural to give the impression that things are amazing and life is absolutely wonderful. it isn't exactly true. lately i've been going through some hard times, and being stretched in areas that i didn't think needed stretching- it hurts! but i've been learning that it all is profitable- for i shall be conformed more into the image of Jesus, which is my desire! [just didn't exactly foresee the means by which the transforming would take place!] but it's all so good, and all according to His plan. though He bruises, He also binds up, and though He wounds, He heals! His promises are faithful.
tonight i'm meeting my german family [i, the auslander, am adopted yet again] for dinner, with my american 'sister' charlie. it should be pretty fun! grill season begins in freudenberg tonight! then ratatouille with my sweet michelle.
ciao!
24 March 2008
Lippstadt!
this weekend was amazing. our team of 9 from the Bibelschule went to bless the small fellowship of believers at Calvary Chapel Lippstadt, and in turn we were blessed immensely. we had sweet fellowship with pastor Rolf and his wife Regine and daughter Eva Maria, and the other members of the church.
i think we had coffee and cake 4 times in our 30 or so hours we had with them! we talked, laughed, shared testimonies, sang songs, told stories, ate, drank coffee, went for walks, saw the city, went to church with them and shared communion. it was such a blessing for all of us! we were able to lead worship for their church, and found that it was the first sunday they'd had with live worship in their 2 years as a church. since their beginnings, they've been praying that the Lord would send a worship leader. and so, for at least this week, this precious Resurrection Sunday, there was live worship in their little church building! what a privilege for us to be there with them.
i posted pictures on my picasa today- enjoy them here!
thanks to all who prayed for us! continue to pray for Calvary Chapel Lippstadt. God is so good! amen.
i think we had coffee and cake 4 times in our 30 or so hours we had with them! we talked, laughed, shared testimonies, sang songs, told stories, ate, drank coffee, went for walks, saw the city, went to church with them and shared communion. it was such a blessing for all of us! we were able to lead worship for their church, and found that it was the first sunday they'd had with live worship in their 2 years as a church. since their beginnings, they've been praying that the Lord would send a worship leader. and so, for at least this week, this precious Resurrection Sunday, there was live worship in their little church building! what a privilege for us to be there with them.
i posted pictures on my picasa today- enjoy them here!
thanks to all who prayed for us! continue to pray for Calvary Chapel Lippstadt. God is so good! amen.
20 March 2008
deuteronomy 33:26-27a.
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,
Who rides the heavens to help you,
And in His excellency on the clouds.
The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms...
Who rides the heavens to help you,
And in His excellency on the clouds.
The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms...
19 March 2008
sometimes..
we really need to quit fighting. we come to the point where we're all-consumed by seeking for one particular answer that we can't sit still for two seconds together, and we can receive nothing but the answer we think we want. it is at that point when realization dawns upon our stubborn minds and we perceive that perhaps our All-Consuming Thought is not truly the main point. and so, by surrendering our hearts and minds to the Lord [which consists largely of flesh-mortification], we humbly ask that something, anything, be spoken to us- for without vision, the people perish.
and speak He does.
the simple Word refreshes us, washes us. and in it He confirms the things we tended to doubt when first spoken; He speaks new life into our bones and says, "Live!"; He gives us vision for the future; He gives us strength for the day. and in His simple, wonderful way that far exceeds our human ways or comprehension, He brings it to pass.
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. 2 Peter 1:10
let us press on to completion, and be found walking worthy of His calling.
oh saints, He is so good! let us throw ourselves upon His grace, and walk, not by sight, but by faith.
and speak He does.
the simple Word refreshes us, washes us. and in it He confirms the things we tended to doubt when first spoken; He speaks new life into our bones and says, "Live!"; He gives us vision for the future; He gives us strength for the day. and in His simple, wonderful way that far exceeds our human ways or comprehension, He brings it to pass.
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. 2 Peter 1:10
let us press on to completion, and be found walking worthy of His calling.
oh saints, He is so good! let us throw ourselves upon His grace, and walk, not by sight, but by faith.
17 March 2008
rejoice!
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
God is so gracious. i've been sick for the past week, but i'm on the way back to gesundheit! pretty much felt like i fell off the face of the earth for a few days there, but things are still rolling along, and the Lord is blessing me with new joy and new mercies each morning.
weekend team was amazing, with 2 american girls, a finnish guy, and a bonafide chilango from mexico. we had so much fun, the food turned out really well [all praise to Jesus for that!], and the weekend is over! amen.
this weekend is our trip to Lippstadt! it's a church of about 12 people, a couple hours from here. we're going to spend the weekend with the pastor and his family, lead worship at church, and spend time in fellowship with the church. our team of 8 [so far] met today to go over details and pray. i'm really encouraged, and blessed. we need one more guy to go with us, so pray that the right team comes together. otherwise, the 8 of us will be ok too. pray that we'll be a blessing to our family there in Lippstadt!
tonight i get to lead worship with 2 of my dear friends, ela and ludwig, at monday night class. then tomorrow we have intern meeting, and i work coffeebar in the afternoon. staff meeting and koinonia group on wednesday. and after thursday comes...
FRIDAY BABY!!!!!!!!!
Gott segne euch!
heart!a.
[Easter verse: For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 thes 1:9-10]
p.s. i miss you chilanga.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
God is so gracious. i've been sick for the past week, but i'm on the way back to gesundheit! pretty much felt like i fell off the face of the earth for a few days there, but things are still rolling along, and the Lord is blessing me with new joy and new mercies each morning.
weekend team was amazing, with 2 american girls, a finnish guy, and a bonafide chilango from mexico. we had so much fun, the food turned out really well [all praise to Jesus for that!], and the weekend is over! amen.
this weekend is our trip to Lippstadt! it's a church of about 12 people, a couple hours from here. we're going to spend the weekend with the pastor and his family, lead worship at church, and spend time in fellowship with the church. our team of 8 [so far] met today to go over details and pray. i'm really encouraged, and blessed. we need one more guy to go with us, so pray that the right team comes together. otherwise, the 8 of us will be ok too. pray that we'll be a blessing to our family there in Lippstadt!
tonight i get to lead worship with 2 of my dear friends, ela and ludwig, at monday night class. then tomorrow we have intern meeting, and i work coffeebar in the afternoon. staff meeting and koinonia group on wednesday. and after thursday comes...
FRIDAY BABY!!!!!!!!!
Gott segne euch!
heart!a.
[Easter verse: For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 thes 1:9-10]
p.s. i miss you chilanga.
03 March 2008
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