see-through faith

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see-through faith is now blogging at http://stf.writeouts.com

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… why are you here?

ALL the action (lol!) is now over here

…

skip on over, and help me unpack!

check this out

You can see the twinkle in hubby’s eyes when I proposed a toast yesterday to “the next twenty” - his response? “… … … w-e-l-l!”

We had a fabulous evening -eating at a new-to-us but highly recommended Italian restaurant on the river -

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and then taking a stroll by the river itself

We had planned to buy icecreams there - but the kioski was shut- just as well really - it might look sunny (and it was) but it was also definitely chilly … but we had a lot of fun.

(as if)

It’s really funny not to have assignments to sweat over right now - though (rejoice with me) I have been provisionally accepted to do postgraduate studies in Leadership, Renewal and Mission (with emphasis on emergent church) at Cliff College (UK) from the autumn on …

just because my diary is quite empty however doesn’t mean I’ve been having lazy days … oh no … quite the opposite - I have had loads to do and I haven’t even thought about cleaning the house yet - (well I have thought about it!!!)

Today I managed to buy a gift for a dear couple who are getting married in the summer and then in a couple of hours I am meeting DD from school and taking B to buy something special for herself as a thank you. What’s more I am hoping to buy some earrings for myself - a graduation gift from my in-laws. I got a lovely necklace for my birthday / Christmas and will wear that to my graduation but it needs earrings. MIL said she wants to buy them - so let’s hope I can find the perfect match. At least I’ll have two fashion assistants with me to help!

This day - twenty years ago - hubby and I said tahdon / I will in the medieval church of St Katherine’s here in Turku.

Yes today’s our 20th wedding anniversary. Tonight we are going out for dinner by the river and on Sunday he’ll take me to see the new Indiana Jones movie - great

Remember how I used to post pictures of doors on Fridays? No? Well Aphra did and she sent me a great link

Think of a doorway. Until you open the door, everything on the other side is concealed. Unless you know from experience what lies on the other side, you can never be entirely sure. Doorway opportunities in life are similar in that you can’t see them until you actually take a first step.

More here

I’ve been having a roller coaster day today - so it’s really good to be able to write a thankful list!

I don’t have a domestic goddess (no, that’s nothing to be thankful for!) but I do have a great friend from Kiambu, Kenya. She’s got a new job -demonstrating vacuum cleaners - and today she came to tell me all about it. The machine is amazing - and it sure lifted a lot of dust and doghair - (good thing I’m not houseproud isn’t it? ) but best of all we had a lovely time together drinking tea and laughing!

Another highlight was lunch (much better than tea and sympathy!) with my friend and her baby. What a blessing. When I got home there was a note to collect something from the post office. I thought it was DD’s passport. No, we are still waiting for that (hope it comes soon!)  What was there wasn’t something from bookcrossing either - it was a complete suprise.

A couple of months ago I collected a very special lady from Turku airport. Later that week - while I was in Tallinn - she and her husband stayed at our home. Our family loved them and let me tell you I was miffed at having to be away! They flew back to the USA just as I was coming back to Finland. Grrr

The package from the postoffice was from them. An appreciation gift (never had one of those before!) - and it contained a lovely, encouraging note, a South Carolina map teatowel, (I’m hoping to webcam with them so they can explain what’s what!) a doggie BEST FRIENDS picture frame and some goodies: peanut m&ms (yum!!!) and Reeces’ peanutbutter cups. The note said I wasn’t to tell their daughter about those or she’d fight me for them - but as there were two packs - and because I love their daughter too - I dashed over in the car and suprised her!

What is so amazing is that this parcel arrived today of all days - it really helped move the train back up the roller coaster. God sure uses friends doesn’t he?

Another point of thankfulness is that Andreas collected his thesis from the bookbinders today and posted it off to Tallinn. All set now for our defence on June 5th and graduation a week later. Phew!

I am thankful for other friends too - those who have lifted me in prayer today (you know who you are) and those who have also lent a listening ear - face to face, on the phone, chat or email!

It’s been good to get their Christain perspective (when you are in pain or overly-emotional it’s hard to think for yourself) and I really appreciate that each of them has given me space to be myself and they still love me to bits anyway (and show it in different ways)!

I thank God for all of you!