2016.09.03: The Power of Community

Today, Anya and I walked into a bare apartment. A few hours later, we are amazed at how we are well on the way to making a home. Our furnishings are hand-me-downs, but they are given with generosity and genuine care. They totally are beyond what I expected.

Three male Johannelund colleagues and a neighbor couple helped lift and carry all the heavy stuff, including a leather sofa, up two flights of stairs. There is an upside to being the only female regular faculty member when it comes to having co-workers volunteer to help with moving! (There are women there who are part-time.)

Kristina, brought risgrynsgröt, rice porridge, served with cinnamon sugar, as well as some freshly homemade bread. This is a wonderful moving tradition, but lately it is being supplanted by getting pizza. Everyone agreed how wonderful this old tradition is. The eight of us sat around the kitchen table in the living room and talked and laughed. The joke was that people were going to move regularly to have this fellowship and food!

Tomas started counting ceiling outlets, and he came back ready to fill each one and set them up. He would then ask about dressers, rugs, and bookshelves. They all arrived and were put into place.

Kristina, after hosting us in her home for a month, took Anya and me around to a thrift store, IKEA, and a home & hardware store.

Kristina is loaning us some things until our crate comes, but we needed to fill some gaps as well as get some bedding for European sized beds and appliances that use 220 volts. The microwave was on salem and my new hot water pot is really cool! Blue lights encompass the base when its on!

So, it has been a long day, but an amazing day. This is what can happen when welcomed into and connected with a community; it transformed a bare apartment into a home that was filled with laughter around a kitchen table.

May you be blessed with similar community,

Beth