“Vi delar huset” means “we share the house.” This phrase was in my Swedish lesson review, but now it stimulates a response.
Jim and Kristina have been gracious host for Anya since 2 August and for me since 4 August. They have taken in relative strangers for a month-long commitment! I had never met Kristina before, though I had med Jim on two other occasions. At the beginning, they did all the cooking and cleaning. Anya and I have taken up some of this task, but we are still partially guests.
They have designated one half bath to Anya and me, but there is one shower in the house. At first, there adult son was here before school started, so we were 5 to the shower. It takes a graciousness to open their home and provide quite a bit of orientation to newbies to the Swedish culture and to a new city.
I have been so impressed at the laughter in this home. At the dinner table tonight, there was much laughter, but at least one occasion when we are laughing so hard it is almost embarrassing.
They have been such a blessing. Somehow, I pray that we will not only remain in good stead for the rest of the month, but that somehow, we can be a blessing as well. I can’t imagine how that will ever happen, but that is my hope and prayer.
We had some more connections with folks at church this morning. They had a nice “fika/coffee/tea” time afterwards, though they apologized that the summer fikas are not very good.
I spent more time that I typically can with Swedish language learning. I really need to learn this language, and I can’t learn it fast enough! Onward!
With blessings,
Beth