End of a season

 The Christmas tree basket is weaved by my mother.
December has come to an end.This been has been a special, memorable, painful and joyful month to our little family.I am usually strict that Advent celebration shall not take place until December first. This year I made an exception. My Mom was longing for and looking forwards to Christmas from the end of September. She was ill and had several antibiotics cures this autumn, but as soon as she was out of bed, she started knitting socks for the nurses at the home where she spent her last days.She madded plans for gifts, food and clothing for the big coming feast. At the end of November we decorated her room with a little Christmas tree, candles, red embroidered tablecloths, poinsettias ( Christmas Stars in Norway), youlenisse and angels.She was thrilled. By my birthday the eighth, we returned to decorate the home in Sauda for a great Christmas celebration, the tree, dinner and coffee table were laid and all the old, familiar decorations, the manger, the lights and wreaths, star in the window and advent candles were there, even food supplies was provided. My Mom was all smile and joy as we returned to Haugesund. The next day we got the news, she'd had a new brain stroke and wasn't expected to live much longer. We waked for five days, they were rough for her and us, till she was let in the Pearly Gate, and everything in the room was idle peace. The day of St. Lucia was my Mom's homecoming day. The next day my aunt, my Mom's SIL, was buried and we somehow got the strength to attend the beautiful ceremony. December 17th we always visit and decorate the graves in Haugesund where Gunnar's family are buried. His Dad was born hundred years ago, December 17th 1912. Then back to Sauda in snow and storm, for Mom's quiet funeral December 19th. That was Mom's wish and we had to honor that. 

We returned to Haugesund to celebrate Gunnar's birthday, December 22nd. Serina made it a memorable day. I'm still not sure how we managed to buy Christmas presents, but we made it. Not many cards sent this year, though.
I was determined to present Norwegian Christmas Carols this Advent, one each day, and that somehow kept me going. In Serina's Advent calendar were simple riddles written in French, and one small gift hidden every day.We both had fun doing that. French is kind of a "new" language to Serina.The Little Christmas Eve, the 23rd, we returned to Sauda followed by a new storm. We celebrated Christmas with brother Kel. 

Everything was prepared on before hand, therefore we had a wonderful time surrounded by happy memories and memorabilia from my parents. We even attended three major church concert in Haugesund this Advents, the tickets were reserved in November.
We have experienced that the Lord has led us through dire landscape, opened doors and provided strength we did not posses in ourself.
The minister in the Church of Sauda was of great comfort and blessing, even smile and laughter.
Words from Jesaiah have proven to be true.  45:2 "I will go before you
    and will level the mountains^[a];
I will break down gates of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron.
³ I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

WALKING ON PROMISES

The more troubled life is, the more important and valuable are the Lord's promises.

JOB 35:14
14 Yea, when thou sayest thou canst not see Him--the cause is before Him; therefore wait thou for Him. (Hebrew on English translation)


This picture was shot two weeks ago outside Oslo by my dear cousin Arne. He has generously let me use his morning glow art in my blog.

P.S. I've have written seven blog posts on Sisterhood Of The Traveling Scarf from September 9th till September 14th . Here's the address if you care to look them up.
http://travelingscarf.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-and-circumstances.html
http://travelingscarf.blogspot.com/2011/09/circle-is-ended.html

WALKING ON PROMISES # 25

ISAIAH 45:
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron; 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I am the LORD, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel. 4 For the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel Mine elect, I have called thee by thy name, I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me. 5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, beside Me there is no God; I have girded thee, though thou hast not known Me;

Sometimes I wonder; have I used these wonderful verses before.
If so, they were once more new to me today.
They were given me as food for my soul and a light or my path, just this very day. I hope that I by sharing also can pass on food to somebody else. " That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me; I am the LORD; and there is none else."

Walking on promises # 24

Psalm 103
"2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquity; who healeth all thy diseases;"

Why is it easier to believe the first part of these promises than the last?

Psalm 103
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

Walking on promises # 23

For Dad Golden.

The promise fulfilling all promises

^{MATH 7:7}Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

⁸For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Walking on promises # 22

Ephesians 1:23 "the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
The promise is for me ," the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

Walking on promises # 21

^{2Chor 9:8}
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Walkimg on promises # 10

Isaiah 43:2 "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art Mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Walking on promises #8

Psalms Chapter 91

"1 O thou that dwellest in the covert of the Most High, and abidest in the shadow of the Almighty;
2 I will say of the LORD, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,
3 That He will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He will cover thee with His pinions, and under His wings shalt thou take refuge; His truth is a shield and a buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor of the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For thou hast made the LORD who is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation.
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
11 For He will give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."

His promises this very day!

Walking on promises # 7

Job 5 :19 He will deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
20 In famine He will redeem thee from death; and in war from the power of the sword.
21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

Photos. Serina taking yoga exercises on a steep cliff after our evening swim on the beach. The position is called "The Tree."

Walking on promises # 6

Psalm 139
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there would Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand would hold me.

I'm living here, at the uttermost parts of the sea.
"I can feel his hand in mine, and that's enough to me."

Walking on promises # 5

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Walking on promises # 4

Job 37:
14 Hearken unto this, O Job; stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

Walking on promises # 3

Psalm62
2 Only for God doth my soul wait in stillness; from Him cometh my salvation.
3 He only is my rock and my salvation, my high tower, I shall not be greatly moved.

Walking on promises # 2

1 Peter 5:⁷
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Walking on promises #1

^{2 Chor. 9:
8}And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.