YES! We're still alive! The lack of writing on this blog the last months is testimony of how Life can take you full-speed ahead with hardly a chance to stop and reflect. So many things have taken place since we last wrote, that it is rather overwhelming to think of posting them all on here. So, I don't think I'm going to try to do that at this moment. Here is a brief summary, and perhaps I will be able to post some pictures soon:

1. Our trip to Spain in May was amazing. We went there for the Assemblies of God World Missions European conference that they have every three years- lucky us that it feel this year! This is a chance for all the AG missionaries of all kinds to come together and connect, be refreshed, and encouraged. There were over 500 in attendence and it was truly inspiring to hear stories of what God is doing all over Europe. We also prayed for the many challenges facing the church on this continent. The most new missionaries at the conference were young adults like us who had felt called to reach the universities of Europe- very exciting!
Brett, Kelly, and I also took a couple of days before and after the conference to stay at hostels in Barcelona and see the sites...we saw many incredible things! Our favorites were the Gaudi park (famous architect) and Montserrat monestary outside of Barcelona.

2. Next big trip was our trip home! What a whirlwind....we were blessed to be able to see some of you at Woodbury Lutheran Church shortly after we arrived, but the majority of our time was spend with family and preparations for my sister's wedding. We also attended Brett's cousin's wedding in Montanna right before we returned to Norway. It was so great to be with family again, and though things were busy (we never really adjusted to being back or being away!) we were able to spend quality time together that we are very thankful for. We were also able to see many good friends at the wedding and afterwards- we have missed them dearly!
The weddings were beautiful and a true testimony of God's love...

3. A week after we returned to Norway, Brett's parents came to visit and took us on a 10 day tour of western Norway. We were incredibly blessed to see all of the amazing things we did. This has to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Mountains plunging into ocean fjords, snow and glacier-covered mountains melting into breathtaking waterfalls that flow into glacial lakes- it was amazing. We met them in Oslo, took a train to Bergen, drove to Flåm, and then to Geiranger. I highly recommend it! Thank you Paul and Carol! :)

4. The day after Brett's parents left, we left for Brussels, Belgium for CSM (College of Student Ministry) put on each year by the organization we are working with: SFC- Students for Christ, Europe. This is a place where students that are a part of SFC groups around Europe gather together for teaching and fellowship. It is also a great opportunity for those of us doing student ministry full time to come together and pray, vision cast, and learn from one another. We feel very privledged to be a part of the community and met and got to know better others who have come from the U.S., as well as native Europeans, who have a heart to see universities reached with the love of Christ. We left very encouraged and with a better sense of the bigger picture of what God is doing through SFC. We look forward to sharing more of the vision with students here in Trondheim and pray that we would have the first Scandinavians at CSM next year!

5. NOW: So after that brief synopsis we are closer to being caught up to speed! We are now sharing our temporary home with Chuck Haavik who is back visiting for 2 weeks, as well as a couple from the states, Paul and Sunia Gibbs. They are our friends from my internship with Chi Alpha in Duluth who are now going to be doing Chi Alpha students for Christ in Portland, OR. and our great musicians. We are having them help us with cafe outreaches at the university and a cafe downtown all next week. We are hoping to provide an environment for people to bring friends who may not know Jesus because the content of their music discusses life issues that may spark conversations about God and life. We are also hoping to start some relationships through this venue. We're excited!

Today we are headed down to the Marina (a grassy area along the river behind Nidaros Domen Cathedral) to have a BBQ, play a game called KUBB, and hang out with people who may come that we invited at freshmen orientation this week. Please pray for good weather and for people to come that we can begin to get to know better.

We'll give you more updates soon! May God fill you with His Joy, Peace, and Love today.