It’s been crazy the past few days with all the cleaning and packing. I did take a break for a Swedish lesson, because that keeps me pushing forward with the learning. I often listen to a podcast of Swedish news broadcasts in simple Swedish. It attunes my ear and gives me a sense of the current events in the country. Because I am such a visual learner, I really have to work on strengthening aural comprehension.
My Swedish lesson probably paid for itself as I found out from my wonderful tutor that Icelandic Air allows for 2 free checked bags, while KLM allows only one! She knows, as her family goes back to visit friends and relatives every year. I was looking at ticket prices but hadn’t purchased yet, so this is perfect timing!
Anya took her driver’s test while I was having my Swedish lesson. She drove one of the cars she took her lessons in. She passed–and did well! Now, Anya can get her license and drive for 2 weeks before she leaves! The age for driving in Sweden is 18.
After her driver’s test, Anya was power washing the deck and backyard patio last night until 9:00 pm. She has been a great help.
Thanks to the Boysens for the loan of the power washer!
I sleep well, but not long enough. I awake with the birds and can’t get back to sleep. So, I just start the day. There’s lots to do to keep me going.
Anya wanted to get her license at the DMV, so we went to get in line about 5 minutes before the doors were supposed to open at 8:30. But we learned that on Thursdays, it opens an hour later. We couldn’t stay as we needed to do a few more things before getting picked up by Kristi for a ride to the airport.
We cleared out most of the things from the two bedrooms for painting. Jean and Marv offered to paint while we were away. How wonderful! The office is quite chaotic, but the area in chaos is slowly being reduced. I have found people who can use more furnishings, so the stuff will be a blessing for them and reduce my storage. One friend’s niece and fiance’ are closing on a house in Shoreline soon. In addition to the piano, they’ll take a desk and some storage/shelf things with some pots and pans. The other is a new family from China who just moved here from Mexico. The housing market is so hot here, that there are bidding wars for every property. We just met them on Saturday at a neighborhood block party after just a handful of nights in their new home sleeping on the carpeted floor. So, they could use some help with some basic household furnishings. Anya’s bed will get passed on to their son.
I slept well on the plane, which took off the edge of the unsettledness from the frenzy. We arrived after an uneventful flight to Minneapolis and picked up our rental car. (A good deal at $12 a day!)
We are staying at the World Mission Prayer League guest house in Minneapolis. I’ve stayed here a few times before with my sister, but this time it is just Anya and me with new guest home managers (who have a 3-week-old baby). I met the mom at Trinity Lutheran College years ago, as we are both alumni from there. The WMPL family is special, and it was nice to meet the young dad that I had heard of and prayed for. We’ll share some greetings in the morning with the office staff.
The guesthouse is huge with 3 stories plus a basement. It is a beautiful old house with stunning wood fireplaces and banisters. It is truly lovely. I’ll take some pictures tomorrow. We are in a 3rd floor suite with a full kitchen that is cozy and comforting.
Our stay here is at the grand cost of $6 per adult per night! (I’ll just add a donation out of my appreciation of this oasis.) But the best part of being connected with the WMPL family is the people and links to amazing ministries around the world. (We’ll stay with WMPL friends in Wisconsin next week on our way to see Eric’s relatives.)
The wi-fi here is giving me a chance to catch up on some Duolingo Swedish lessons, (I did review of my tutored lessons on the plane along with some vocabulary flashcards with my Anki phone app.)
We drove over to “eat street” for dinner. Anya was in the mood for Mexican food, but after dinner, we decided that Minnesota may not be the best place to eat Mexican food. Anya’s description was “mediocre.” The best part was the butcher paper and crayons on the table for some creative expression.
My former housemate, Diane, drives up from Sioux Falls tomorrow and will join us here. But we won’t be going back to that restaurant. We will, however, go to the Mall of America!
With blessings,
Beth