I have not written in a while. I’ve been busy or tired. The two terms here are back to back. I gave my last exam of the fall semester on Friday, and on Monday, I taught the first lesson of the spring semester. Yes, the grading is not done.
Today, I taught three, 90-minute lessons for the first day of the 202 Old Testament course. I also lead the chapel time, because when I signed up for it 5.5 months ago the spring teaching schedule wasn’t out, so I had no idea that I would be teaching all day! The fika/coffee break and lunch on Wednesdays are staff times, so only after the long day, was there time for more than a bathroom break.
There were some good responses from the students about the lessons, despite it being a long day. I do mix things up, and we had an (abridged) Readers’ Theatre on the Book of Job. The chapel had the warmest response with a big hug from a student who said, “I needed this today.” We teachers take turns on Wednesdays to speak in chapel. We were given the assignment of speaking on one of Luther’s commentaries in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. I ditched the commentary assigned to me, and I used this opportunity to do share my story of the peace of God I have received through Luther’s “theology of the cross,” which he wrote about in his 1520 Treatise on Christian Liberty. So, the chapel homily was my understanding of Luther’s theology of the cross and the peace with God that holds me now. The theology of the cross is written up in a powerful article by Robert Kolb. If you have time, I highly recommend it.
I thought you might enjoy a picture of my visit with two of my jr. and sr. high friends that I met at the beginning of this month in Duluth.
Cheryl, on the right, found the picture from 1978 just before we had plans to get together. I loved that red shirt, but the memories with these friends are even better. Cheryl and I went through confirmation and youth group together. I played volleyball, basketball, and softball on the high school teams with Sue (on the left), as well as a zillion hours of summer tennis–and never won a full match!
Other highlights of the past 1.5 weeks back in Uppsala:
- I was part of the JTH staff at an Ethiopian dinner to celebrate my colleague, Staffan’s, retirement. He was the one who hosted me in Ethiopia last February. His 10 years living there and fluent Amharic were blessings for an enriching introduction–and hopefully not the only visit–to Ethiopia. (Biking there and back during a snowfall is pretty cool too!)
- Sunday, I co-facilitated the English speaking Alpha conversation at our church during an after worship fika. The connections with Germans, Americans, and Swedes was rich and inspiring as people told stories of amazing transformation and true forgiveness by the power of the Holy Spirit. I have goosebumps now remembering the stories. God is good!
- Last week, there was a dinner and closing chapel service for students who completed the 4.5 year training to be a pastor in the EFS church. There are some really wonderful people. On Sunday, I’ll attend the ordination of a beautiful woman who is originally from Iran.
The 2018 class who completed the 4.5 year pastor training program - I have 2 colleagues whose families have each taken in a young, male refugee. One woman told the story that she was very hesitant to open her home, because her home is her place of restoration and calm. She was afraid to give that up. But just a few weeks into this journey, she feels so blessed by the young Afghan man. Instead of her being the one to bless him, she feels that she is receiving more from him. He became a Christian over a year ago as a result of all the Christians who so lovingly cared for him during his refugee journey to Sweden. The stories are so beautiful, but not without challenges; Both young man may face deportation.
I close with pictures of the most amazing hoarfrost I have seen.
With blessings,
Beth