In Daddy's arms

She tugged at my shirt, "I've got to go..." she said.  I looked down at my little five-year-old charge.  

I have been taking care of three little girls at Vacation Bible School at our church this past week.  They are incredibly adorable, and love doing crafts, games, and hearing stories about Jesus.  Tonight I had my little girls gathered about me as we listened to the pastor's wife tell about how to stay heathy. 

I took hold of the little hand in mine and we went to the door.  As we got to the hall I asked her if she had to go to the bathroom.  Slowly she shook her head.  Her lip quivered and her big eyes filled with tears as she said "I have to go find my daddy".  Looking around her, she spied her desire; her father was waiting in the hallway.  With a joyful leap, she ran down to her father and was gathered up into his arms.  I quietly slipped back into the Bible room, letting father give the child the reassurance that he was there for her.

Sometimes we get caught up with the excitement of life and forget that we have a Father that is patiently waiting for us, never too far out of reach.  He is there when we get lonely, or just need reassurance.  He is always willing to take us into His arms when we are frightened.  We never have to worry whether He will accept us, for He always will.  

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Relax!

Ahhh, sweet rest!  The summer has finally begun! Most of my summer has already been spent pouring over books, but now I can take a few weeks rest before heading out to Norway for the year.  I'm really looking forward to the rest of the summer: visits from my best friends Christen and Kelsey, reading, working on projects with mom, exercising, working with dad, and goofing around with Tinka! 

Welcome summer! Goodbye books! 

Separation

I'm tired of separation.  Growing up as a missionary I became used to separation.  Family was far away, and we were only able to see them every few years.  Often friends would leave us to go back to America or England on Permanent Return. Those were always hard separations. When I got back to America, there were still many sad separations, granted, not as often. 

There have been two separations that have been extremely difficult for me recently: first, my boyfriend has been living in Norway for the past year, and second, my sister (aka, my best friend) and brother-in-law left for a two year mission to Ethiopia in May. 

Sometimes I feel that I can never be with everyone that I love, at the same time.  I wonder why it has to be this way.  As I was pondering over this, I realized that Jesus knows what it is like to be separated. He has been through the same situation as I have. He was separated from the people he loved, almost immediately after creation.  When He came down to be with His people, He was separated from His loving Father. When He went back to heaven, He had to endure separation from His people again. He has always maintained contact with us (and His Father) by prayer, just like I email or talk to Robby and Petra often, but it isn't the same as being with someone. 

The good thing is that the story doesn't end there. Jesus promises to come back for us and to take us to heaven (John 14:1-3), that we can live all together as one happy family.  Then no one will be separated any longer. We will all be together with Jesus, the Father, and our friends. There will be no more goodbyes, no more lonely hearts, no more tears. No separation ever again!  Ever! 

New blog!

Petra and Paul were able to start a new blog, so I won't be continuing the other blog. They would still love your prayers and comments! The link is: http://gimbieadventisthospital.blog.co.uk/
Enjoy!

A new blog for my sibs

I recently started a new blog with stories that Petra and Paul are sending me (there is no blogging in Gimbi right now). If you are interested in learning about how they are doing, go to WithGodinGimbi.blogspot.com (there's a link on my blog) to read their new doings and sayings. I'm sure they will love your comments and I will promptly forward it to them.

Please keep them in your prayers, and if you know of anyone who is interested (including yourself) for a trip to Ethiopia to volunteer at a hospital, they would love company! :)

Tajitu

I'm back at home and it's great! My family and I went to my favorite Ethiopian restaurant a few nights ago, called TajituThe soon to be Ethiopians

The traditional setting is to eat out of a basket

It is considered a great gesture of friendship when an Ethiopian feeds his/her friend

All of the food is shared among the friends and family on one plate.
It was delicious!

Wonderful Sabbath!

Ahh, it is almost Sabbath again. After a busy stressful week, I have gotten a very bad cold. This has forced me to stay in my room and try to get over it as much as possible. All I can say is that God is so good! The weather has been perfect these past few days giving me chance to study outside and try to bake the bugs out of my system.

Not only that, it is almost Sabbath now. I think that God really knew what He was doing when He gave us the Sabbath. We can recuperate mentally, emotionally, and spiritually all while we are spending time with Him. I really don't know what I'd do without the Sabbath! Again, God is good!

Lost and Found

It had been a long Friday of flower identification. We were on a biology camping trip last weekend and had a great time studying God's nature, but now we were itching to go for a hike. It was Sabbath, the perfect time to go on a relaxing hike in nature. As our professor loaded everyone into the bus, I started wondering how fast paced this hike would be. I counted 13 guys and only two other girls (including my friend Kelsey). Well, no matter, we would just try and keep up with the guys. We took off when we got to Mt. LeConte, and had a great time hiking up to the top. As we were hiking up, I noticed that it was far past my lunch time. I could tell because I start slowing down and not noticing my surroundings, I just wanted to get to the top and enjoy my tomato sandwich. Finally, after about five miles, we got to a lodge at the top where we enjoyed our well earned lunch. We had a nice look around, then after okaying it with our professor, Kelsey and I started to head down to the trail head. Since I was properly nurished, I had a much more enjoyable time heading down than up. In fact, there were a lot of things I must have missed on the way up because of my hunger. Then we got to a fork in the road. Kelsey confidently said that it was the left fork, but I wasn't so sure. Knowing that I am extremely bad with directions, especially when I wasn't paying attention on the way up, I decided to follow Kelsey's lead. About a mile down the path Kelsey wasn't so sure anymore. "Maybe we should do the other path" she suggested. Figuring that we were well behind everyone else now we hurried back to the other path and started hurriedly down that path. Hmmmm, I didn't really recognize this either. Wow, I must have been really out of it when I was coming up. After about two miles we stopped. No, this wasn't the trail either. I wasn't too jazzed about camping at a deserted trail head, especially since there was a lot of vandalism from where we came up. Two girls lost in the middle of the woods wasn't the best idea.
We stopped to have a prayer, then began the long weary path back up the hill. It was a lot harder going up than down to say the least, especially when you had already been hiking for ten miles. I started to feel a little faint, but I had to continue hiking. I didn't want to get stuck on the trail at night! We figured that by this time the guys would be searching for us, and they might be about to call the ranger's station, so we went back to the lodge (the one that we had lunch by at the top), and had them call the ranger's station to let them know we are alright. They showed us the right trail, and we made our weary decent. This time, determined not to get stuck too late out on the trail I tried to hike as fast as I could muster.
Then we realized that it was close to sundown. Even though we had been praying a lot, we wanted to have a little sundown prayer and song. We were going to go around a little bend in the path before stopping for a break, when we heard voices. Four forms were in front of us. Low and behold! It was our rescue party! My cousin Austin and my two semi-brothers (Barry and John) and another friend Matt all came around the corner with headlamps in hand to find us. So Kelsey and I didn't have to walk alone in a dark scary path after all!
We all had a thankful sun-down prayer and made it back to the bus without difficulty (although I think that Austin was hoping that one of us would be too weak to hike so he could carry us). Our professors were so happy to see us back safely (and frankly I was too).
God was so good. Even though we had a very eventful Sabbath, He was watching the whole time, and got us safely to our destination. I'm glad to be back.

"Be still and know that I am God"

Midterms done, bags packed, and now I am heading off on an orchestra tour during Spring break. Sometimes days seemed so packed that there is no time for everything else that is important too. This is when we really need to "Be still and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10) In the peace of morning devotions, or the sound of a bird cheerfully proclaiming God's goodness I am reminded of how loving He really is.

Happy break everyone!

Blessed Blood

This Tuesday I had the privilege to donate blood to Blood Assurance. I had never given blood before, so I couldn't help wondering whether it would hurt when they began to take it. To my surprise it hardly hurt at all. I could joke with my friends who were also giving blood, ask questions to the nurse, and watch with fascination my blood filling up in the bag. I thought of people that my blood might go to... it might possibly help save a life!

Because much of my blood was taken out, I was advised to sit for a few minutes and get my bearings before I left. About five minutes after they took the needle out, a familiar feeling came across me. I felt like I was in a small tunnel that was rapidly disappearing. People were trying to say something to me, but they looked extremely fuzzy and far away. Yes, I was about to pass out. Previously I had thought that it was only people who were afraid of needles who would faint after giving blood, but I guess not. Thankfully I had good medical attention, and after resting and having a cooling pack on my neck everything was alright again.

Even though I was about to pass out the thought crossed my mind that I would like to donate again. I might feel lightheaded for a few minutes, even a few hours, but wasn't I saving someone by donating? Then I thought about Jesus. He didn't just donate a few pints of blood for someone, He was willing to die that someone may be saved. That someone is you and me. Friend, don't take Jesus' blood for granted. He loves you so deeply that He was willing to give His all for you. That is Blessed Assurance!

In His protective hands

On my way back from church today I saw a little bird that was repeatedly flying into the windows of the gym. Seeing the blue sky and trees in the window, he would fly full force towards it, crash against the glass, flutter to the ground, and then try again. He couldn't get himself past the thought that flying into the window panes did not get him to his desired haven of rest. Finally in a daze he fell on the sidewalk at my feet, exhausted.

Stooping down to the poor little frightened fellow I said a few comforting words him, swept him up into my hands, and carried him away from the deleterious windows to a big tree by the sidewalk. As I walked, he looked devotedly into my face, almost as if he recognized a friend. He glanced up at me one last time as if to say "thank you" then flew off into the shelter of the towering tree.

Often we are headstrong just like the little bird, flying into a fake "sky" thinking that once we are in those blue "clouds" we would be safe. All too often that "sky" is just something that makes the world swim before us and dashes us to the ground, helpless and hopeless. If we were left on our own, we would always be flying to the fake and never see the whole real world around us.

Thankfully there is Someone who is nearby who wants to help us. He longs to pick us up into His protective hands and shelter us from the fantasies of this world and set us free to the realities of His world. All we have to do is submit to Him. We need to quit resisting, and be willing to be carried in His hands to safety. I want to nestle in God's hands, do you?

The good life

Back to the books again, but I am still jubilant! My computer has finally started working again and the press of deadlines are not upon me yet. The fresh Norwegian air is lingering in my lungs after an enjoyable Yuletide jaunt to the most beautiful country in the world. Yes, life is good, but the best thing is that Jesus loves us and that He is coming soon! Now that's something to be happy about!

DNA Polymerase

DNA polymerase you are my friend,

I never want your work to end,
small but busy,
you never get dizzy,
base pair mutations you actively mend

Bed time stories with Caitlin

Caitlin is an amazing story teller. Two weeks ago I was getting ready for bed and she came over to Christen's and my room to tell us a bed time story. It is always a joy when our suite mates bless us with their presence. This particular evening, Caitlin read us a bed time story about how to describe colors to blind children. It was a great story with vivid imagery, but I certainly think that Caitlin's sweet, soothing, expressive voice lent a lot to the wonderful story. Next time any of you have a chance to hear Caitlin tell a story, jump at it! You won't regret it!

Caitlin

Martina drifting off to sweet sleep

Robby's surprise visit in October!

When I came home for fall break I was planning on doing studying all weekend, stopping only to take the occasional morsel of food. But when I arrived at the airport...

Robby popped up from no where! It was a wonderful surprise visit, just for the weekend! We had a glorious time visiting Petra and Paul, hiking, canoing, playing music, and generally throwing studies to the wind! It was very much worth it though!

An awesome surprise!

Two great explorers

Starting to feel like fall!

Robby, Martina, and Dad

All study and no play makes the Howe/Houmanns no fun.

Shearing time!

Robby's visit to America

Robby came over from Norway for a visit!
We started off his visit with a 45 mile bike ride on the C &O canal & a trip to the beach, then we had to represent EBS for the ASI meetings in Kentucky.
We flew up to Maine after that for a quick visit to Petra and Paul, met up with my parents and then went down to Cape Cod for the week where we went on a whale watch, played frizbee on the beach, played mini golf and got our toes pinched by crabs in the ocean.
Came back to Maryland and went white water rafting on the Yough, then toured around DC, and Pennsylvania. It was very busy, but we had fun hiking, biking, cooking, talking and reading the Bible together. We had an awesome time, and it was a very good end to the busy summer.



Robby and I at Black Rock

Gettysburg National Battlefield
(Napolionic cannon)

Dad was the pro at mini golf

On the boat for whale watching

Cool and clean before our 45 mile bike ride

I am still alive

Greetings and Salutations,
Life has been particularly busy in the past few weeks, so apologies on my lack of communication. I am back to the USA, after an exciting vacation to Western Norway to see the fjords after school (pictures will follow). Recently I have been working and studying biology and oboe on my spare time (between 7-9 pm). Yes, the normal life is quite busy, but life is still good, and God has taken care of me thus far, He will continue to provide. God is good!

My new brother

Petra and Paul at their wedding

My new brother and I

Pet and Paul

My siblings!

I have always wanted a brother. Ever since I was about three or four I wanted to adopt a Chinese baby boy, or at least have my parents adopt him so I could have a little brother. Pet and I would sometimes sit and think what we would do if we had a little brother. I think we would have spoiled him totally with all that we planned to do. When our good friends Annie and Gigi got a little brother we spent so much time with them, that he was like a little brother to us. Sadly, they moved away, so we had to give up our "little brother".

Last weekend all that changed. My sister got married on Sunday to Paul. I think if I had to find my own brother, I would have chosen him. Good choice Pet, and thanks for finally giving me the brother that we've always wished for! :-) Welcome to the family Paul!

Klausie boy

I found out yesterday that our budgie died on Friday. He was the best bird one could ever want. Whenever you were sad he would fly over and give you a kiss and whistle to you. We got him when he was a chick and therefore he really didn't know how to "speak parakeet" but only spoke in our language and whistled the way we did. He could speak in 3 different languages: English, Chinese, and Russian and he was working on Spanish and Danish. His favorite phrase was "I love you! God loves you too!" Often when we would be cooking in the kitchen Klaus would be sitting up in the window, whistling and saying "God loves you!", he also might say a cheery "Ni hao me!" or "Martina!" Sometimes he would get phrases mixed up and say "Merry ChrisKlaus" (instead of Christmas). When Petra or I would practice our instraments Klaus would love to sit on the ground and talk to our tapping toes, sometimes jumping on our feet and riding up and down as we tapped to keep in time. He loved to fly over and see what you were doing and maybe get a snack of fruits or veggies (red pepper was his favorite). He always had just the right things to say to cheer you up, and always knew how to make people happy.
I think that even if I have other pets, I will always remember my dear Klaus and think of him. I hope that soon all of us will meet together in Heaven where we will never part again. That is a day to look forward to!





"How lovely are Your dwelling places O Lord of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herslef, where she may lay her young, even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You." ~ Psalms 84:1-4

Night Visitors

Last weekend I went to the Heiberg's house with some of my friends from the Witness For Life group that arrived in April. Allie, Shannon and Ricky are all students from America who are here for the leadership course that we are having now. We headed out on Friday evening, and we had an awesome weekend hiking, and spending good quality "chum" time.
On Saturday night Ragnhild (a little homeschool friend from Fredheim) came over for her birthday and wanted to spend the night in the Heibergs Stabbur with me. A stabbur is a storage house that many Norwegians have on their property that is standing on poles so that mice and rats cannot get into it. Many Norwegians use the stabburs into guest houses, and the Heiberg's stabbur has some very old beds in them that are only about a metre in length.
I have always wanted to stay out in the stabbur, so when Ragnhild asked me to join her out there I jumped at the chance. We chatted for a while before going to sleep. I didn't see a lock on the door, but I didn't think that there would be any problem because the Heiberg's house was just across the lawn. I drifted off to sleep very comfortably situated in my bed hoping that nothing would go wrong.

For the past year at EBS I've been getting up whenever God wakes me up to read my Bible and pray and Saturday night was no exception. I woke up at 2 o'clock to see what new things were in God's word for that night. As I was peacefully reading I thought I heard footsteps. I brushed it away thinking that it was just the wind and it was all my imagination about the footsteps. I did however turn from Ezekiel to something a little more calming in the Bible. But for some reason I thought I could still hear footsteps. Then I heard scratching on the wall. My room at EBS has mice in the walls, so that was nothing new, but I thought it was odd because the whole point of stabburs is to keep mice out. I rolled over and tried desperately to quiet my imagination, but somehow it was getting a little more difficult for me to concentrate. Then I heard Mimi barking, and more footsteps, now I was sure that someone was in the stabbur. Visions of crazy rednecks in the backwoods of Norway drinking in "empty" stabburs rushed through my mind. I tried to see if Ranghild was awake but she was still sleeping peacefully. I was trying to figure out what to do. Since I was acting "big sister" to Ranghild I could frighten her about the situation, but now I was sure that people were in the stabbur. Then the door creaked open, and a form paused at the door. I am sure that if I was not trying to be brave for Ranghild's sake I would have either screamed or fainted... or both. Then three people came running in with sheets over their heads and yelling


and to my utter relief, I recognized... Robby, Shannon, and Ricky!