Christmas fun in Sweden

My sister Kerstin and her kids, Katarina, Peder, Emilie and Markus

The Sisters...Annika, Ulrika, Ingamaj, me and Kerstin

The Cousins - Peder, Katarina, Amanda, Filippa, Emilie, Markus, Josef and Andraus

Sweden in December.....Sweden at Christmas...dark, lights and family...This is definitely the darkest time of the year and it does not get light until way after 8 in the morning...and then it is pitch dark by 4 in the afternoon again...plus overcast and fog all day...imagine, this is where I grew up...and I had forgotten... BUT the Christmas lights everywhere are nice and it is beautiful everywhere. Christmas Eve we spent with my sister up country...and all the family was there. Christmas Day we were 25 for dinner...all the cousins came (except one) and we also took some fun pictures. Lot's of them!! So, guess what? I will post more when we get back home next week.

With my sister Kerstin
Amy, Andraus, sister Ingamaj, Pat, my Mom and her friend Sten
All the girls

Sweden in my heart

We have now been in Sweden for a week....and this is the first chance we have had to write and update this blog. We have had a GREAT week in Malmo with my sister Annika and her family and the two little ones....and we have done quite a number of pre Christmas activities....fun!! More pictures and info will come ....it is WONDERFUL to be here!!

Window decorations!!

The Ginger bread house

My sister and her girls

Sweden

I can hardly wait. On Monday, we fly to Sweden to be with family for Christmas. Among those we look forward to seeing soon are Miss Amanda and Miss Filippa, my precious little nieces!

Another Christmas Party

You might think that Christmas Parties is all we do on this end...well, not really, but it is definitely part of what's up this time of the year. Last night our Growth Group gathered for food, fellowship, sharing, carols and a white Elephant gift exchange. It was a lot of fun and we sure appreciate everyone in our group.

An Annual Event

Yesterday was the Annual Global Outreach Christmas Party at our house. A great time of warmth, fellowship, sharing, ethnic food, carols and Scripture reading in a variety of languages. How we love our people!!

Update

If you haven't already checked...there is an update on my Africa blog!!

Advent Thoughts

Today is the First of Advent....well, for most people in this country that means very little...for me, an old Swede...it is part of the Christmas Season....the first candle is lit, in anticipation of what is coming....three more Sundays, and Christmas is here!!!

But ADVENT is more than just the opening of the Holiday Season....Advent is a wonderful time of joining the anticipation of the celebration of the greatest thing befallen to mankind....the coming of the Messiah, the Redeemer, our Savior!! Therefore, the first of ADVENT becomes so much more than lighting the first candle and rejoicing in the fact that Christmas is soon here....Remember the Apostle John...he was sent to prepare the way for the Lord....May ADVENT be that Season for us...of preparing to celebrate the coming of the Lord...no matter where we are in the World...snow and jingle-bells are not the things that make the Season....it is all about the attitude of our hearts!

"As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah, the prophet:
"A voice of one calling in the desert
Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for Him,
Every valley shall be filled in,
Every mountain and hill made low,
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
All mankind will see God's salvation!!"

Luke 3:4-6

Have a BLESSED ADVENT SEASON!!