22 years ago today....

I arrived in Denmark for the very first time. I was 20 years old, the same age that Sara is now!


Kristian and I met each other in June 1989 at a conference in England. Although we didn´t really speak to each other at the conference, we both were shy, Kristian had gotten hold of my address and he wrote a letter to me. 


We started to communicate via letter. After a few letters we started to make cassette tapes to each other. This we did for about 3 months. It was crazy, we were falling in love with each other and yet we had never really talked face to face. I had to go to Denmark and find out if this great Dane, who was turning my world upside down, was the one for me!! 


I remember it all like it was yesterday. I was so excited and yet so nervous. I didn't know what I should do when I met him. Should I  shake his hand,  hug him, or kiss him?!! haha ( I ended up hugging him!! haha) If I had to do this all again now, I don´t think I would have the nerve, but all those years ago I could cope with anything! haha


We clicked right away. Kristian was so easy to get along with, we talked and laughed all evening. It was a really wonderful evening even though he didn´t even kiss me goodnight! 


The next evening Kristian asked me to marry him....I said yes!! CRAZY or WHAT?!! But we were sensible young people so we decided we better wait and think about it for a while, just to be sure....so we waited 3 days!! hahaha 

I just remembered this afternoon that this was the day I came to Denmark for the first time. I have no regrets, I am still just as madly in love with Kristian as I was all those years ago (I know, you need to go get a bucket!haha)  The best thing is that we still have as much fun and laughter as we did that first week that I was here. 

Home from home again.....

Last night we came back to Denmark. We arrived at 10.30pm and Kristian´s sister and her husband were there to pick us up. We finally arrived back in our wee apartment around 11pm. I was wondering what sort of state it would be in but was surprised to find it clean and organised. Sara and Andrew had really enjoyed having the place to themselves and had had great fun "playing" house.

In Belfast we had left my dad with a lovely wee house. In one week we had turned an empty house into a home for him. We were up early in the morning and went to bed late in the evening. Kristian spent most of the time building Ikea bookcases while Leah and I sorted through 40 years of stuff to move to the new place. We  worked right up until we had to drive to the airport, but we did it! We got everything out of the old house that we needed and we left the new house all clean and organised. We even got pictures hung on the wall. The only things missing are a few lamps in the living room and a few lampshades. Below you can see what we did.......

I was ready to send Dad back to live with Kristian and the kids. I would love this wee house for myself! haha


We went to bed around midnight last night and woke today at 12.20pm! We had slept just over 12 hours! I think we needed that!


Our visit to Ireland was very different this time. Not only were we busy moving for my dad but my brother lay ill in hospital. The doctors are doing what they can for him but it still  doesn't look good. In the middle of all this I have a peace.  I just feel God´s presence so real. He is seeing me through this storm, He is giving me strength. The verse from Isaiah comes to mind...."They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall rise up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint." 


I read somewhere once about an eagle, how that he will fly to some high spot and wait for the storm to come. When the storm hits, he sets his wings so that the wind will pick him up and lift him above the storm so that while the storm rages below the eagle is soaring about it. The eagle does not escape the storm it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. What a beautiful picture.

still alive....just busy

A quick update.....

On Wednesday (12th October) Leah and I left for Ireland.. Dad had the keys to his new house and we were going over to help him move. We arrived late Wednesday evening. Thursday was spent shopping for a new cooker, a fridge and a washing machine. By the time we had shopped for these Dad was pretty exhausted.

              (Leah and I had a picnic lunch on Dad's new living room floor. A wee break from the cleaning.)

Friday was spent cleaning the new house.Dad relaxed at home while Leah and I washed windows, washed down walls,  kitchen cupboards and floors. The house looked and smelt lovely by the end.

Saturday Kristian arrived. He just arrived through the door when Dad, Leah and I dragged him off to my favourite shop....IKEA. Meanwhile other family members and friends moved the boxes that were already packed, down to the new house. That was such a great help. At Ikea we got dad all the furniture that he needs. Now the work begins! We are so looking forward to getting moved into the new place. It is such a lovely wee house which we are going to turn into a lovely wee home.

In the middle of all this excitement and joy there is sadness. My brother is ill and in hospital so in between all the shopping, cleaning and moving we are running back and forth to the hospital. Those of you that believe in the power of prayer, say a prayer for him.

The in-laws

It´s the weekend at last! We were actually up early this morning, well if you can call 8.30am early. For us on a Saturday morning, it is early. We had to be up as Kristian was collecting Leah and her friend from a sleepover at the church - not that they got much sleep, but they did have a load of fun. 


On his way home he stopped at the Bakery and bought freshly baked bread. Delicious! Leah came in and went straight to bed and Kristian and I ate breakfast while reading the morning newspaper. What a wonderful way to start the day. We then put on a teaching cd and listened to some Bible teaching while we cleaned the house. We stopped now and then to discuss what we had heard. What a wonderful way to clean the house.


Just before lunch we left to go and visit Kristian´s mum and dad. We had been invited for lunch. Kristian´s sister Hanne and her husband Flemming were also there. We had such a lovely afternoon with them. We had a lot of catching up to do as Hanne and Flemming were just home from New York and Kristian´s mum and dad were just home from a holiday in Norway. So with delicious food and lots of good conversation the afternoon flew by. (Hey, we even got organised where we are all spending Christmas Eve!!)


After lunch Kristian and Flemming were heading out to the go-kart track to get ready for their big race tomorrow. The very last race of the season!!! (Thank goodness for that!!) 


I stayed a while longer before getting ready to head home.  I decided that on my way home I would drive by Ikea, I only had one little  problem!  I had no idea how to get to it from my in-laws house. I had forgotten my GPS so I got a few directions from Hanne and to my utter amazement made it safely, without getting lost, to one of my favourite places! 


Normally Ikea close at 5pm on a Saturday and I arrived at 4pm. I had this stupid idea that at that time of the afternoon there would be no people around. How wrong I was! It was packed - I had to park at the very end of the carpark.  I then discovered that Ikea have open every Saturday evening until 8pm! Whooopiiiieeeeee!!! Great news for me - maybe not so great for those poor people who work there!


I spent a good hour wandering around looking at things and got a few ideas for dad´s new house. Then it was home to make a light dinner and relax. It´s been a lovely Saturday:-)

A bit different.....

So far, this week has been a bit different.  


On Monday when I came home from work there was not one single person home! That NEVER happens around here!  There is always someone around and usually there is a bunch of friends with them. So it was weird walking into the house, shouting hello and getting no response. But oh how I enjoyed those few hours of peace and quiet. 


Where was everyone? Well, Leah had gone to her gospel choir, Sara was still in England, Andrew was at school, it was his long day, and Kristian was away on a course with work.(He will first be home on Wednesday evening.) So that´s the reason there was only me at home Monday afternoon - me, the cat and silence!! It was good!!!


 So this week is a bit of a different week for me. Usually I have a few things on during the week, like meetings or friends to catch up with. This week, however,  I have nothing on!! It is soooo strange. I am not out any night this week and I am so enjoying the break. I was out shopping with my old lady today but this evening I have been home. On Thursday I will go get my hair cut after work but then I will just come home and be at home the rest of the evening. I hardly ever have a week like this......it´s nice but I  am not sure I would like it to be like this every week. I enjoy running around to different things, seeing friends and being involved in activities.I must admit though, being different is also rather nice!

Copenhagen from a different angle....

Friday evening we were invited out by some friends. They have just bought a boat and because the weather was so fantastic, they decided to go sailing through Copenhagen. We, along with another couple, were invited along. 


Kristian was all excited. He loves sailing.  I was a bit apprehensive,  me and boats are not usually a good combination but I was looking forward to seeing our friends and since the weather was gorgeous I took up the challenge. I was relieved when I saw the size of the boat - it wasn´t too small so I wouldn´t make a total fool of myself!


We had a wonderful evening. It was amazing the buildings I saw from the water that I have never noticed while driving with Kristian. We sailed up the different canals in Copenhagen and we  found a lovely place to moor. Birthe (our friend) had made some delicious hot soup and we sat in the boat and had a cosy few hours, eating, chatting and laughing. The soup was just what we needed. Once the sun went down, it was cold.

It was a really wonderful evening. I actually wouldn´t mind a boat like that! (I can´t believe I said that!!)


Saturday I was busy food shopping, cleaning and preparing Sunday School. Kristian had also a busy Saturday. He had a few meetings on in Copenhagen so I didn´t see too much of him during the day. He was home in the evening.


Today I had a totally relaxing Sunday. Sunday School went well and after church I came home and just relaxed big time! It has been a rather wonderful weekend.:-)