She stole my clothes!

Look! Its my dress! I was flipping through the channels the other day, and landed on the Norwegian soap opera type show "Hotel Ceaser". In walks this woman, who I think might be the conniving older woman who is still trying to be sexy.


I think - its in Norwegian. But, that's kind of what she looks like too. But, I sort of hope not, becasue, she's wearing my dress! Yes, I own this dress and like it! Its not anything all that special, its from H&M, but still.


Maybe she is the trying to be sexy older woman, since she's probably 30 to 40 years older than I am. I'm a bit afraid to wear this dress now! Oh well, I'll wear it proudly.

Preaching is Weird.

Preaching, or wait, maybe God, is weird. Or to use the Minnesota phrase, "its interesting..."

I preached again last Sunday. When I got to the 3rd paragraph, the part where I transitioned from my fun story about life at the beginning, I realized or became unsure that my points hung together and started wondering if I had actually explained what I meant by "power", which was a central theme in my sermon. Even if I did, something seems off here. Shoot, this isn't going to make any sense. Oh no batman, this could be bad!

I was trying to talk about how God's power, the power that was shown through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, is our power, through our faith and Christ's resurrection - drawing on the Ephesians 1 text from Sunday. But, that we get all mixed up and try to draw power from the clothes we wear, the jobs we have, by buying into these oppressive systems that allow some people to climb to the "top", but in climing to the top, we trample all over other people. Then, bringing in the Blessed are the poor...woe are the rich.

That's what I was trying to say, but when I started trying to say it, it felt like it wasn't going to make sense. By the time I was done, I was thinking, well that was horrible. As I reflect back, it feels a bit like I was somewhat removed from myself, I can't actually remember the whole preaching experience. Either my brain was racing so fast I was disjointed, or maybe the Holy Spirit was moving in me, or both. Weird.

Here's the really weird / funny / interesting part. My internship committee met last night, this is a group of people who give me feedback, support, etc throughout internship. Well, they said that they thought this sermon was better than my first one. Mostly because I didn't seem to rush through it so much, that I left more time to think. They could actually absorb what I was saying In their opinion, it seemed to be a better sermon. How amazing is that!!

Our preaching professor had said that how we preach is as important as the words we are preaching. That preaching an action, not just words. I guess its true. Its also true that God does amazing things even when we think they are horrible! It really isn't all about us and we are truly not the ones in power here. Thank goodness for that!

Is this internship?

This internship is turning out to have all sorts of strange things, but not necessarily involving the church. Two weekends ago I was in Paris (yes, France! how cool) for the International Chruches youth conference. Fascinating to talk with all these youth who have lived all over the world and who move every 3-5 years. Their sense of home and community makes for unique ministry experiences.


When we arrived back to Oslo late Sunday night, one of the girls, who we knew was soon moving back to India, but she wasn't sure when, was greeted by her mom telling her that they were leaving for India on Tuesday! That was 2 days away!! One just feels helpless for these youth who move from place to place.

On a positive note, we can now drink our water in Oslo now drink our water in Oslo. Whenever I'm drinking a glass of water, though, I'm still a bit suspicious. Wondering if its supposed to taste like this.

Another weirdness in my life. Remeber that royal sighting a month or two ago? Well, it has now been topped! About 3 weeks ago, I went to see the Bourne Supremacy (not so supreme, seemed like it was mostly fighting and car chases) at my local movie theater.

Yes, this would be it. The Colosseum Kino.

Anyway, the crown Prince of Norway sat right behind me! Yes, one row back, about 2 seats over. It looked like he was just with 3 friends, maybe they were security, but it didn't look like it. I just wanted to stare at him the whole time. Weird.

I guess this is internship. I guess this is Norway!