25-Year Jubilee

Twenty-five years ago today (August 6th), I arrived in Norway for the first time.

I was an American Rotary Exchange student who knew basic facts about the country but understood little of the people's culture. At the start, I relied on my interpretor to translate words of greeting from the Rotary Club's president. But step by step, that all changed as I was immersed into the Norwegian lifestyle.


In the autumn,

I learned

how to pack

open-faced

sandwiches

in wax paper for picnicking in the woods by an open fire.


At Christmas,

I helped select,

cut and decorate

a local forest tree

with vertical garlands

of tinsel and flags,

homemade ornaments

and candlelights.

And by winter's height, I strapped on skis, fish-boned up mountains and wondered – in great awe – at how minuscule we are as human beings. In short, I was awakened.

Many years have since passed. I've returned to Norway: once to live as a college student and twice on vacation.

In those early days of 1983, I dreamed (along with other "exchangees") of returning for a 25-year celebration. I'd forgotten that until...

I began the final countdown to this upcoming trip and counted back 2008-1983=25. To my great surprise, I will return for my 25-Year Jubilee!

Here's to STRONG coffee in tiny cups!

Best of the Best

Shopping is an escape.

I will miss escaping to Norway. In my mind, I traveled there each time I visited Nordic Living – a local Scandinavian-lifestyle store and school.

Yarns, rugs, sweaters, fabrics, foods, tea sets, books, cards, music and a zillion other things displayed in cozy nooks transported me to my second home – without the flight ticket.

Whether shopping for a gift or on a trip to reminisce, I could hop in the car, drive through the forest and be there – in minutes.

Today everything in the store was 75% off. With one week to go until the doors closed forever, the owner stood at the counter welcoming patrons – many whom – she knew by name, including me.

"So what are you going to do with all the time on your hands once this is over?" I asked. She replied, "Look for gainful employment. We've still got to put food on the table."

I asked, "You mean – work for someone else?"

She nodded, "It'll be hard. We had five wonderful years. We worked with the best of the best. Our customers were terrific. But sales topped out a couple years ago. We tried things, like a catalog, to try and boost sales. But it just didn't work. Now we'll have to see."

"Right away? After all of THIS?" I pressed, motioning my hand around the emptying store. "Aren't you going to take a little time off?"

"Maybe a month," she said. "I'm going to weave."

I nodded and began to weave through the remnants of merchandise. For two hours, I paged through books, rummaged through fabrics, fingered ribbon, scanned CDs, browsed at cards, jewelry, sweaters, florals and porcelain. I needed nothing. (The vanilla sugar was long gone.) But I imagined projects: sewing, reading and relaxing.

I came to the counter with a bundle of fabric, a spool of ribbon, two children's books and a porcelain plate. The owner figured each discount and recited my cost.


Before I handed her the porcelain plate, I showed her the blue mark on the backside.


"This one is special! It's from Magnor – the glass factory in my home community in Norway. And, Per Spook is a well-known Norwegian designer."

I noted a couple other reasons. The pine cone-and-needle design befit our home decor; and at 75% off, it's still less than half the price of a platter. I figured cookies would serve up just as well on a dinner plate. The owner scanned the plate and surprised me with a further reduction: "Just $5."

I raised my eyebrows: "If that's the case, I'll take the cup and saucer too," I said. She rang up my last item: "That's also $5."


While she
took
payment,
I said,

"These
(books)
will be
great for
gifts."


Pointing to the cup and plates, she asked, "But these – are for you?"



I nodded,


"They'll be
perfect at
home in my
Norwegian
coffee
nook.


I can have a cup of coffee, think of Magnor and remember Nordic Living – The Best of the Best!

The Lord Works...

...in mysterious ways. This week's instance is one to share.

Travel costs kept me from attending my host mom's funeral in Norway. Through the years, Annie had played a great parental role for me, especially while I lived a second year in Norway as a college student. So when I learned of her death, my heart ached to be there.

I contacted my host dad from another family to help order a bouquet. Last Friday, he telephoned me saying: "It's not unusual for those unable to attend to write a message for the pastor to read during the funeral after others have spoken. If you'd like, we could help you."

"You'd do that?" I asked. He replied, "Yes. Just keep it short… a couple minutes or so. You can email it to me by Monday for Tuesday's funeral."

I struggled over the weekend trying to find the right words. Here's a translation of what I sent:

To Annie and her loved ones
From Wendy in Minnesota

It's not easy to say much in a short piece. Therefore I'll use what God has written on my heart.

Twenty-four years ago I was a stranger. You invited me into your home, gave me food, drink and a bed. Annie and Reidar gave me tasks. I felt useful. In time, you shared with me your joys and sorrows.

Five years later, Annie took me under her wing. She showed me how to pot plants, make homemade bread, knit wool socks and curl up in an easy chair with a magazine. She asked my opinions, listened to my experiences and dreams and occasionally challenged my habits. All the time, she encouraged me. Her actions demonstrated to me what it means to be a mother.

When I married and was expecting children, Annie took upon herself the grandmother role. During the following years, the postman delivered "Granny Annie" gifts – such as baby sweaters, wool mittens and socks for the whole family and, of course, milk chocolate bars.

I felt lucky when I traveled with my husband on two Norway trips. Each time, I got to "bear-hug" Annie. Just as in years past, she said again, "It feels so good to hug you. With you, there is something to hug."

In the Bible, Jesus explains who is his true family. He asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "These are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister and mother." (Matthew 12:48-50)

What does "my Father's Will" mean? Later in the Book of Matthew, Jesus speaks about Judgment Day.

"To those on the right, the King says: Come you who my Father blesses. You shall inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. When I was hungry, you gave me food. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. When I was a stranger, you invited me into your home. When I was naked, you gave me clothes. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you visited me.

"Then those on the right side shall ask: Lord, when did we see you with such needs?"

Jesus explains, "Then King shall say: I assure, whenever you helped the least of my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me." (Matthew 25:34-40)

Many thanks for all your help, dear Mamma Annie!
From the stranger whom you called your foster daughter:
Your love lives on in me!

Wendy


Thursday in an email, my host dad wrote that the funeral went well; and the pastor read the letter I wrote as a part of his sermon.

"And so," my host dad noted, "Your greeting came before those offered by Annie's daughters. That is not usual."

I emailed back:

"How humbling. Now I understand why those Bible verses were laid upon my heart and wouldn't go away… even when I tried to write something else. At the time, I prayed: Why? Finally, I trusted God and used what the pastor read.

Therefore (during the funeral), it was GOD's greeting that came first. I was just the messenger. Incredible!

And now! Through your email, God has answered my question: Why?"

What a lesson on how each of us can be a vehicle of the Lord's mysterious ways!


Mamma Annie with Wendy expecting son #2