There is always something to be thankful for.

Over the past few weeks I took a lot of time thinking of where I am, who surrounds me, where I came from, and possibly what the future holds.  There is a lot to be said about these thoughts, but one thing is for sure...There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for :)  Enjoy....

Leeland is a successful Christian band  that came to a church

near our house.  It was wonderful to speak with them.

They thought it was neat meeting an American in Norway.

If you don't listen to Leeland, I suggest you do so.  They're

music is great!  Everyone in the band is from Texan except one,

and he's from Nashville.  Leeland (lead singer) is the guy just to 

my left.   

As Blake and I were going on a walk one day,

I came across this house.  I think it's a great home.

Perhaps one day Kristine and I will be blessed to

have a home similar to this one.

 (on the water of course)

Near Bjørn and Sølvi's home, there is a rock with

a Viking symbol or letter engraved.  It's hard to

see in person let alone in this picture.    

There is a nice hiking trail 10 minutes away form our

home if we drive.  Otherwise I could ride my bike.

It's a great trail because it's lit up throughout the 

night.  It's been getting dark around 4:30 here so

if I want to go for a jog or walk with Blake after dark,

this is a great place to go! 

Considering I cannot yet work legally

in Norway, I do my best to make each

day productive.  Awhile back, I created 

this schedule to help me do so.  

This is a local Christmas market Kristine and I 

attended for an evening with our friends David

and Ester.  

There was a small brass choir playing

traditional Christmas music.  I was tempted

to grab a trumpet and join the fun!

Many people attended this Christmas market.  

Jul is Christmas in Norwegian.  So the Christmas

market is actually called Julemarket.  

Kristine's aunt Elin asked us to help out

at the church.  I was helping young kids in the

carpenter room.  Helping them build cribs, 

little boats, and other works.  

This is my crib masterpiece, and no, Kristine is

not pregnant.  A woman at the church wanted

a crib made so she asked me to make it for her.  

My friend David was working in a tent

at the Christmas market.  He was spending

time with little kids making smores.  

Kristine's sister Anna made this art creation of

some of the relational families.  I think it's funny

how she put Blake in the picture of Kristine and I.   

My good buddy Matt Garred back home in America

is getting married this December.  He's

marrying Laura Ayres who was also a 

Music Education Major at Augustana so I

got to know her throughout my years in Sioux 

Falls.  I wish them all the best and cannot

wait to see them again!  This is the invitation

to their wedding.  

A typical scene in our kitchen just before Kristine 

gets home from work.  

Blake waits patiently before as I get 

things ready for us to go on our

daily adventure(s).  

Blake modeling with his backpack in 

our back yard.  

While Kristine and I were living in Sioux Falls, we

attended a terrific church on the south side of town

called Central Baptist.  Every week I watch the 

service online.  It's great that I'm able to bring

Central's ministry to Norway even if it's a little

bit.  Perhaps more people here will take interest

in watching with me.  

Kristine baking an apple pie for Thanksgiving.

I think she looks stunning in her Dalmatian pants.  

The apply pie turned out great! 

Pie's are made differently here in Norway

than in America.  I don't know all the 

differences but one main difference in that

American pies have the crust on top and

Norwegian pies do not.  

Kristine's mother Sølvi took Thanksgiving

into her own hands and did a wonderful

job.  This is the stuffing and green bean

casserole.  

Bjørn purchased small flags for

 Thanksgiving dinner.  

The table is set (without food) before

everyone arrived.

The carved turkey (obviously not all of it).  

It was a full table but lots of fun that

lasted for hours.  

Bjørn took a nice photo of us before dinner.  Karl 

and I appreciated the incorporation of an American

holiday here in Norway.  

The next day Kristine and I decided to

invited some friends over for yet another

Thanksgiving dinner.  My job was to 

peel potatoes and carrots.  Kristine

makes sure to give me jobs that are 

nearly impossible to screw up.  I don't

blame her one bit.   

Oh yea...I also had to make the turkey.  

I accidentally carved into it before I took

this photo.  

Blake often helps me grocery shop.

He carries back the food I buy.  He also 

carries my gloves once my hands get

too warm.  What a pal.    

This is another photo from the Christmas market.

Notice that it says "God Jul" on the small building.

That simply means Merry Christmas in Norwegian.