adjective, lim·i·nal \ˈli-mə-n^əl\ :  of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition :  in-between, transitional

This may be a long transitional phase, as we await the Swedish migration approval of my work permit. It has been delayed due to the refugee crisis. The main concern is getting Anya into the country to start school on August 19, for which she is already registered for classes.

In the mean time, I’ll plod along on the things listed in the May 17 post. Here are highlights of life since my last post.

Every May, our church hosts the Congregations for the Homeless (CFH) men’s shelter. The Tanzanian Mission Team prepared and served a meal recently. Then we hang out with the guys. Anya has a great way of connecting with the Spanish speakers, as they are always impressed with her fluency and pronunciation. That night, Alex said that she sounds like she is from Mexico!

This is an amazing ministry. I also attended the fundraising lunch this month at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency, one of the ministry partners. CFH has an amazing record of homelessness to stable housing, where 90-some % of the men are still in their homes two year later!

Jean and Marv were HUGELY generous with proofing and editing of my dissertation. So, with Anya, and in an expression of thanks for help, I took them to The Melting Pot for dinner. Yum!

Over the May 20-22 weekend, I was at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, for the Regional Conference of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature (geek camp for grown ups). It meant a long ride, approximately 5 hours, mostly filled with listening to podcasts in easy Swedish.

The main reason for going was to be there for the Presidential Address by Dr. Charles Scalise. Charlie and his wife, Pam, have been wonderful mentors for me after studying under them at Fuller Seminary Northwest. I don’t think I would have pursued a PhD without them. I know that they made the journey better because of their guidance and generous investment in me. It was so great to see them and talk with them.

My hotel roommate for regional and national conferences is my friend and colleague, “Dr. Beth.” Now, we are a pair-of-docs (paradox, get it? No eye rolling please!).

Soon, I hope to share the driving responsibility with Anya, who is soon to take her driver’s test! She’s renewed her interest in the practice drives, but we always seem to end up a a mall!

For 24 hours, I’m driving a Honda CRV, a courtesy loaner from the dealer because my car, a 2012 Honda Fit, is in service. I’ve learned that the VSA modulator which controls the anti-lock breaks is a $1,200+ part! With installation and proprietary programming, it will top $2,000! Ugh! I never had problems with my 3 Toyotas, so perhaps this is my last Honda.

Back in 2011, I really wanted an Audi TT.

However, I affirm the maxim, “Never buy a car with more character than you have.” Besides, a convertible is not very practical in Seattle, so I opted for the Honda Fit, with a #1 hatchback ranking, that I could rack up with miles driving to and from Everett.

So, Friday night was a bit of a downer with the news of the auto repair bill and being home alone. Anya is off with her gymnastics friends at a cabin for an overnight. I coped by binging on Swedish lessons. I worked in my new Swedish textbook and wrote an essay for my next Swedish tutorial. I also pushed to reach the next level in DuoLingo.

Perhaps binging on Swedish learning isn’t a typical coping mechanism, but at least it isn’t destructive.

I also listened to Swedish praise songs on YouTube. This one, a version of Psalm 62:1-2, was salve for my soul. Here’s the English text.

¹ Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
² Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (NIV)

When I was in college, the John Michael Talbot version of this Psalm launched me into a journey of greater peace with God and more freedom from toxic ways of trying to find my worth. Now, a Swedish version calms my soul.

So, after a renewed soul and a good night’s sleep, I was up to read the paper and then tackle some household chores. To help me out, the Roomba was revived today! Here’s the story of the Roomba.

When Eric was in cancer treatment, we got a Golden Retriever, named Boomer. Goldens are considered to be genetically predisposed to be seizure sensitive. And because seizures are part of brain cancer, Boomer came to live with us.

However, Goldens have lots of hair — lots of it. One day, I knew I needed help to cope with the hair as the rest of life was already very stressful. I went out and bought a Roomba and a leather coat, as it was impossible to keep dog hair off my wool coat. The Roomba helped provide a bit of sanity.

Boomer now lives with our friends, Ann and Jon, on Lake Sammamish, as we were going to live in Norway for 6 months and they were looking for a dog. Boomer now has an acre and a half of waterfront to chase ducks. The battery on Roomba eventually wore out, but I replaced it, charged it, and welcomed it back to work today!

So, just as the Roomba was being revived, Anya ran into Ann and Boomer on the greenbelt by our house! Boomer squealed with delight to see Anya. Yes, at times I miss her (but not the hair), but I know that she is with a family who give her such amazing care and love, and now we’re off to Sweden (eventually).

With blessings (med välsignelser),

Beth