Seasonal Change

We took the boat out of the water on Saturday. It was a beautiful autumn day, sun shining, leaves gleaming, water glistening. The air was crisp but not too cold. But the long days of summer are well behind us now and it was time to put the boat to bed for the winter. The process of pulling the boats out of the water is pretty cool. Every member has a winter spot and you belong to a certain team. You are assigned a time and a space and you are expected to show up and help each other out. Through the years we've gotten to know a couple of the guys on our team. We see them twice a year. In the spring when we put the boats in the water and in the fall when we take them out! But it makes for a pretty enjoyable afternoon as long as the weather isn't too soggy or cold.

The marina has these trolley type of rigs that are on railways. It pushed out into the water, you drive your boat onto it, and then they haul it out of the water. A huge crane lifts the boat off of the trolley and sets it down on your blocks. All in all a painless and slick process. The timing got off on Saturday and we were very much delayed. I actually had to leave before we pulled our boat out because we were having company Saturday evening and the day was racing away. I was sorry I didn't get a picture of the Finnmaster hanging in the air. You'll have to wait until spring to see that!

Doug is very good with these chores. I am not. I hate the work of boating and so mostly I just try to help out where I can and not complain too much. Today we went back out to the marina and wrapped the entire boat in protective plastic sheeting, hauled all the junk back to the basement and mentally prepared to spend our leisure doing other things than enjoying the Stockholm archipelago.

It was cold yesterday and today. The sea does not beckon. I guess that's a good thing since the boat is now resting on blocks rather than bobbing in the sea!The marina in the winter is not as beautiful.

Another sign that a chance of season is on the way is that the restaurants and cafes in town are all pulling in their outdoor seating. While it makes for more room on the sidewalk, it's always a bit sad for me as it's such a strong symbol that from here on out for a few months, most everything we will do will be indoors.
I took Tanner out this morning in the dark. Evening also comes quickly. We change the clock in two weeks. I'm tuning up my sunlight simulator alarm clock. Yes, there are cozy aspects of our cold, dark winter, but mostly it's a hard change of season for me.
Good thing I'm leaving for Sardinia, Italy in two days.

A Visit to the Dr. in Sweden

I woke up this morning feeling lousy yet again. I have not been on top of my physical game for about a month and so when I woke up this morning with a headache and sore throat, I figured I better see a Dr. before the weekend. When we first moved to Sweden, we were assigned a Dr. whose office is in our neighborhood. We began going to her as our G.P. I wouldn't say that I have gotten to know her, but I can walk to her office in 3 minutes so it's quite worth it. Naturally, over the course of 11 years we have figured out how to make the Swedish medical system work for us. So I knew that in order to get in to see her today I either had to go to the office between 9.30 and 11.00 for the open reception time. To get in on this, you go to the office, take a number and wait. But you are guaranteed to get in. You can also make an appointment but you have to call between 8.30 and 9.15. It was 8.35 so I was in luck. I called and after getting a busy signal three times, I finally got through. I made an appointment for 11.00 a.m. Since I had extensive physical therapy on my shoulder last spring, I have already paid enough out of pocket (about $150.00) so I now have a free card for all medically related expenses. It is valid until March 2010. When I showed up at 11.00, the receptionist took my social security number, then recorded my free card and asked me to have a seat. About one minute later I was in seeing the Dr. She took an immediate throat culture to rule out strep and ordered about 5 different blood tests. I walked down the hall, took a number and waited on the lab. About 5 minutes later I was called in. I handed the lab assistant my throat culture and he proceeded to draw 5 vials of blood. He asked me to wait while he finished processing everything. About another 4 minutes later, he handed me the results. I walked back down the hall and about a minute later, I was back in with my Dr. She informed that I do not have strep or any other kind of infection but the results of the anemia check won't be in until Monday. I asked her if she could prescribe something to help me sleep better and she said yes. As she looked over my record, she noticed that in 2007 I came to see her for anxiety and sleeplessness. She had noted at that time that my brother had died and that my mother was ill. After looking at my record, she asked me how my mother was! I was so surprised and then so thrilled to say that she was better...even in remission and doing well now. She asked how I was doing and I said except for the chronic sleep problem, I was much better. She then wrote out the prescription and sent me on my way. All told, the appointment took about 30 minutes and cost me, nothing. I had blood work, a throat culture, and got a prescription. I received test results before I walked out the door. And my government assigned Dr. asked me personal questions about my family life. I know that socialized medicine has its flaws, but it also has many advantages and today I saw the fruit of a well-run government medical system. I am grateful for good medical care I receive here in Sweden and for the fact that I pay so little out of pocket for such services. Now, if only I can get rid of this chronic tiredness and start to feel 100% better soon!

President Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize

Wow. Intense feelings have arisen among the American crowd in response to President's Obama winning the peace prize. Why did the committee choose him?

Because of his...
"Extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples"

"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," the committee said. His diplomacy is founded on the concept that those who lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitude that are shared by the majority of the world's population. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited the president's creation of a "new climate in international politics" and his work on nuclear disarmament.

But oh are people mad. I find the pushback on this one interesting. On my Facebook, I wrote, "President Obama wins the Peace Prize. My only disappointment is that it's awarded in Oslo, Norway and not in Stockholm like the rest of them." It created a stormy comment thread that mainly expressed disdain for his receiving it. Now, I'm not saying that Obama is deserving of the prize at this juncture in his life, but I am at least willing to consider why they have chosen him. I believe the world is hungry for a more cooperative style of interaction and yearning for civil discourse. Some of my readers may disagree with me, but during the Bush Administration's season, these were two things that were sorely lacking in America's leadership. The fact that Bush took us into two wars that few in the world supported, that have become an absolute quagmire remains a bitter pill to swallow. So in awarding Obama, the committee is at least in part saying, "This is the type of leader that can create a more peaceful world." Perhaps it would've been more prudent to wait a few years to actually award Obama with the prize, but even so, the lack of respect and honor shown to Obama in light of his winning the prize is staggering. It almost seems like people are angry at Obama. He didn't run for the prize. He was chosen. A humble congratulations is in order even if you disagree with the outcome. Isn't that part of what it means to practice civility?

After pondering my own thoughts and the many thoughts and reactions flying around Facebook, my sister-in-law posted the following comment. "Wowza! I am thrilled that our President was awarded the Nobel Peace prize. For the most powerful person in the free world to address the world about nuclear disarmament, embrace Muslims as fellow human beings on the journey with us rather than our enemies and work to level the playing field of economic disparity rampant in our country, I say "You gObama!" I realize he is a mere mortal but in my opinion an extraordinary man working for peace and justice in the world. I can't really come up with causes more noble than the ones this Nobel prize winner is working for!" This comment makes sense to me. I realize that many of my right leaning friends are crying foul because they wonder what he's done to deserve such an award. What do they expect that he could've done in the past 9 months? At least he's changed the rhetoric and the perception of who America is in the world. To my friends living in America, perhaps you don't fully understand how bad our reputation had gotten overseas. Yes, Obama needs to deliver but at least he's seeking a much more cooperative tone as he seeks to deal with a fractured world.

Obama had the grace to say that he's accepting the award as a mandate to be a leader who pursues peace. The mess in Afghanistan will certainly test his mettle. But perhaps this prize will serve as a clear reminder to one of the most powerful leaders in the world that the pursuit of peace is a noble one and one that should be pursued with rigor and assertiveness.

I don't know for sure that Obama is the best candidate for the peace prize this year. But I know for sure that the anger and absolute lack of respect being shown to the President at this juncture does not promote a more peaceful society. I hope we can figure out a way to pursue peace, engage in civil discourse and more respectfully disagree with one another. Otherwise, we will never see the peace that our world sorely needs.

Sports Fans...in the Wrong Time Zone

As previously mentioned, I love autumn sports. Baseball World Series and American Football are two of my favorites. This year is special because Doug's favorite baseball Team, the Minnesota Twins pulled out the Central Division title in a one game 12 inning play-off game against Detroit. My California Angels won the West awhile ago. Now the Twins play the Yankees and the Angels play the Red Sox, teams we both hate. It would be awesome to have a repeat of 2002 when the Angels and the Twins went head to head for the American League Championship. That was the year the Angels went on to win their 1st World Series. I'd love to see a repeat, with the Angels man-handling the Twins again and going on to win it all! I have committed to my darling husband to cheer for the Twins if and only if the Angels are eliminated. He has not promised the same to me. He really has a hard time cheering for California teams. It is a source of contention in our household and makes me want the Angels to win even more!
This week was particularly thrilling sports-wise because the Minnesota Vikings were also featured on Monday Night Football in the US against the Green Bay Packers. This game is always big, but this year it was huge because the current quarterback for the Vikings is the former quarterback for Green Bay! It is quite difficult for Doug to see a former arch rival leading his team to victory, but the fact that the Vikes are 5-0 certainly helps.
One of the oddities of our life here is the fact that American sports are live during our night. More often than not we have to tape the games and watch them the next morning. It's pretty easy to avoid scores if you stay off the internet because I think we may be the only couple in the greater Stockholm area that actually cares about American Football and baseball! Now, getting a DVR (tivo in the States) has made a big difference. Push button recording, not messing around with video tape, etc. has ensured much more viewing pleasure. However, we still have a problem with not recording long enough. So, while watching the Monday Night Football game early Tuesday morning, I began to get concerned that the end of the game was going to cut off. Fortunately, the teams ran the ball a lot and the clock didn't stop as often and so it all worked out. But this morning, at 6.00 a.m. while up watching this incredible 12 inning baseball game, in the bottom of the 12th, with runners on 1st and 3rd, Twins up, getting ready to win the game and along with it the Central Division title and a trip to the post-season, the stupid recording ran out! We both moaned in despair and jumped on our computers to get the final score! Thank God for the internet...at least we can get the information and many times espn.com shows great highlights. Still...there's nothing like being totally engaged in a game, and having the recording shut off.
Such is the life of an American sports fan living in Europe. But at least in this day and age we can get coverage from the States and see a lot of the action that in the past we could only read about. After living here for 11 years, the American sports scene is still something I love to follow. I miss watching games live, with others around me who are equally interested. There is no banter in the office about the games. Perhaps that's why the household rivalry between the Twins fan and the Angel fan is still going strong!
It's likely we'll have some early mornings over the next several days as we each wake up thinking about how our team did the night before. Go Angels. Go Twins, until they meet the Angels. Then it's Go Angels all the way. This is, afterall, my blog and not my husband's.

Stories

This past weekend we took about 100 church members on our autumn retreat. It's a one night overnight at our spectacular retreat center on the Baltic. This year we focused our theme on the story that God is telling in our lives. We had 7 people from our fellowship give a testimony to the ways in which they've seen God at work in their lives through out various chapters of their lives. It exceeded our expectations in terms of what they shared. It was such a special time together. It is so powerful to enter into another person's story. It is very inspiring and encouraging. I sat with rapt attention as a young Scottish woman shared about meeting God through relatives and having her faith nurtured at a camp. She shared how she worried about the day to day realities, especially being a mom, concerned that she isn't doing something that will cause her children to become axe murderers. This, from one of the nicest, kindest people I've ever met! A musician from Austria shared about how he felt pressure to "get a real job" instead of pursuing the dreams he had deep down inside to be a musician and use that in ministry. He is incredibly talented and our church has benefited from his gifts. Sadly, he and his wife and child will move back to Austria in December. That is part of our life here. A young man from Russia told of how he experienced incredible success in business after communism fell but along with that came a reckless lifestyle. He got caught up in drug use and lost everything. Eventually, he met a man who had been a drug dealer who introduced him to a Christian rehab center and it was there that he experienced the profound forgiveness of a loving and grace-filled God and was able to break free from his addictions and go onto a productive life of serving the Lord. I listened as a woman told her story of a broken family and how God did a miracle in the final days of her mother's life. How God has led her down pathways she could never have predicted, a path that took her to work in a Russian rehab center where she met her future husband and eventually landed in Sweden with him. She continues to look for the ways that God will use her in surprising and sometimes uncomfortable ways. Her faithfulness is an inspiration. I was blessed by a woman from Ghana whose testimony spoke volumes about God's faithfulness and how she urged us all to be sure that we give God the glory where it is due. She teaches our 2 and 3 year old Sunday School class and is remarkably gifted teacher. She also has a depth of character that is compelling and lovely and beautiful sense of humor. I was touched by the story of a woman with three wonderful children, who is married to a man from a different country and culture. Their life has taken them on many moves, through many transitions, and she spoke of not always understanding the road ahead and yet, how God has faithfully led her family to each new place. She spoke of the role of hospitality in their lives, how they've sought to be an open home for others and also how they've benefited from the warmth of others. We've enjoyed this family's hospitable presence in our lives and are utterly grateful for their presence in our church. We have a warm connection with them and it was such a joy to listen to this woman share about how God had used their life journey in so many ways to shape and mold them and get them through the hard times. I was inspired to continue to seek to be a person who offers others hospitality.As we consider the story that God is writing in other people's lives, it encourages us to think about the ways in which God has been active and alive in ours. It was a great weekend of getting to know people better. I was richly blessed and deeply touched by the ways in which people gave witness to our amazing God.

October

I love October. It is one of my favorite months of the year. Why? My birthday is in October. The autumn color blazes away in October. The sports are awesome: Baseball World Series (and my favorite team, the California Angels, have made it to post-season play again. I know that's not their name anymore, but the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is absurd. I'm sticking with California Angels), American football in full swing, and in my younger years, it meant volleyball season. I just love October. After a hot summer, the cool off feels good and it's fun to wear clothes with a cozy feeling. While I always mourn not being able to wear shorts anymore, I welcome the opportunity to don sweaters and fleece. I'm not a big fan of the hat and gloves scene so the real chill can hold off for a bit longer.Today was cold. We took Tanner for a walk in a nearby park and I had to wear a hat, gloves, and my warm jacket. But the color was so lovely. The sun was shining high in the sky which was a deep blue and the leaves were golden and red and beautiful. Tanner went swimming again. It made me shiver just watching him, but he loves swimming after a big stick.

We change the clocks at the end of October. That will be rude awakening as even now the afternoon light disappears rather quickly and the mornings are pretty dim. But for the next two weeks, the ivy will be red, the leaves will still hold on to the branches and I will enjoy the dazzling display of color and light that October brings. And, I'll be cheering for the Angels, hopefully, all month long.

What's In A Name?

Through the years various diplomats from a variety of nations have become members of our church. Many have been representatives of various African nations. We've known diplomats and ambassadors from Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Eritrea, Congo, and Namibia. It has been a wonderful and unique glimpse into a different world. Because of our church affiliation with so many embassies we are often invited to National Day celebrations or celebrations of a nation's Independence.

Earlier this week, we received an invitation to the 49th anniversary of Nigeria's independence. It is fun to attend these receptions. We run into church members who are delighted that we are there to celebrate their nation's big day. We chat with others who run in these circles. People are often decked out in their dazzling national dress and we enjoy the opportunity to socialize with folks from our church on "their turf."

The reason that this particular invitation caught my eye was due to the Ambassador's name. We've noticed through the years that Nigerians in particular have a penchant for naming their children adjectives that express the deep feeling that they have around the child's birth. So in our church we have a Great, a Precious, a Blessing, a Gracious, a Joy, a Destiny, a Mercy, etc. But I have to say that the name of the Nigerian Ambassador to Sweden takes the cake. The exact wording on the invitation was this:

On the occasion of the 49th Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador (Dr.) Godknows Boladei Igali and Mrs. Tokoni Igali cordially requests the pleasure of the company of Pastors Doug and Jodi Fondell.

Do you love it? Can you imagine being named Godknows?! There's a good story behind the why and the how a tiny little baby who grew up to be an ambassador was named Godknows. I suppose only God knows, but for today it made me smile. What's in a name? Perhaps more than we realize. (By the way...the national color of Nigeria is green, hence the green ink.)