I feel challenged this semester. I'm very well, but at the same time I feel so discontented. I think it is God challenging me. Actually I know it is God challenging me. -and that's why it is a good thing. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not bad, maybe "impatient while in training" would be a better expression. Haha. Anyway, God is teaching me that "the just shall live by faith". Of course when this is written in God's word it refers to the new life given through faith in Jesus Christ, but I am learning now to live by faith in a wider sense of the word. For instance, I work with something I had never planned to be working with. -and I experience that I like it more and more. I also see why God wants me to have that job for a while. When I didn't receive my monthly income last month I had to learn to live off less money. This forced me to make different priorities in both use of money and how to spend my time, so I have spent more time with God than I normally do on a regular basis because of a simpler diet and less expensive activities (hardly any except from hanging out with people now and then). This has also proved itself to be the year to finally start travelling to Britain, which I have known for years that would happen at some point. I've been there twice since July, and will be going for new year as well. And who knows why I'm going and what will be the results of it! God knows, and that makes it really exciting. Earlier this semester mom and dad decided to give me money to buy a stage piano! That was a huge blessing and a help on my way towards writing songs, which is the dream God has laid on my heart. While I have less money than before, God is challenging me even more than before to be a giver. To be a giver is one of the tasks God has given me. I'm getting good practice this semester. He is constantly reminding me that you reap what you sow, and whenever I choose to give I will receive. This goes for things like offerings on sunday services, but also for being generous with people. God is also teaching me to talk to strangers and to be obedient to what he says. Lately I've had some interesting talks with strangers, and chances to talk about Jesus and pray for colleagues of mine. But the main challenge is the whole "how do I get to where I know God has spoken to me about getting?" situation. God has given me dreams thatstill seem so far away. And they've been far away for years. Somehow it feels like I don't get any closer, but if I stop and think I know I am getting closer, thinking about how much I've grown with God over the last years, thinking about the church I've become involved with, the people there that I've befriended, thinking about the few songs I've written, thinking about that I have learned to become a giver, thinking about my trips to Britain the last months and my new British friends... I keep reminding myself that God is faithful to do what he has said he'll do. And you know, last week I received a really encouraging word from God through one of my new friends in England. He sent it to me on facebook, and I was incredibly blessed because it made me go from worrying (forgetful of God's promises at the moment) to totally knowing he will do all the things I have prayed about that I have thought was his will.
So yes, this semester is a bit of a challenge, but after all challenge is good, and I wouldn't get anywhere without it. God is doing som great training with me. -it's like the eagle pushing the young eagles off the cliff to teach them how to fly. They can't stay in the cosy nest forever. Eventually that would kill them because they wouldn't know how to handle life.

I've been looking through my blog reading some old posts, and I have to admit I was a pretty good blogger back then... ;)

Anyway, weekend's over, new week's starting. It's gonna be a good one! God is good.

I've just had a strong meeting with God in the bathroom together with my house mates! -it's incredible how a short, spontaneous prayer can turn into a total praise party. God is good, and he really knows our needs and answers our preyers. He is almighty and awesome.

I've been a week to Britain. My friend Anne-Guro and I went to the World Watch conference in Cardiff for three days where we got to know a few new friends, and also had the pleasure of seing old ones. Then we went to Leicester to visit the wonderful friends we made at the bible week this summer. We stayed with the wonderful Alison, and received blessing upon blessing. The whole week was a blessing really!

Now I'm back in the kindergarden and that's good. I really like my collegues and the environment at work. But today is saturday. I am listening to Joyce Meyer, reading Hebrews, chatting and having fellowship with my house mates, and enjoying the time off.