Several have asked what is life like for me now and over the next few months. Here’s the summary:
- Learn Swedish: I’m using many great resources engaging multiple learning approaches (Duolingo, Pimsleur, Anki digital flash cards with some audio, Swedish Bible with audio, online news with audio, YouTube, Abba songs in Swedish, text books, other books, and a wonderful Swedish tutor, who is originally from Stockholm, which is important to have a central dialect). I will need to become fluent and teach in Swedish! This is a never ending lesson in humility, and again, I’m challenged to keep on keeping on despite the frustrations connected with the intrinsic needs to communicate and be understood.
- Revise and publish my dissertation: There will not be major revisions, but it will keep me busy for a while.
- Revise and publish a paper or two: The paper I presented in Tanzania in April will be revised for a collection of essays. I can consider revising and finding a publisher for my trial lecture. I’ll have to think about this strategically, as there is some diplomacy issues related to this one.
- Work on the work permit process and residency: The process of approving the work permit is delayed due to the 140,000 refugees on the rolls in Sweden. So, I need to figure out how Anya can enter the country to start school on Aug. 19 with or without me. We have two (!) invitations for her to stay with my future colleagues, but what will be the best way to avoid complications for moving to a resident status!?!
- Preparing to move: Time to declutter, downsize, prepare to pack, and get the upstairs ready for others to live here as we will rent out the whole house. I’m also trying to make the lawn care a bit lower maintenance.
- Get a job? If things continue to be delayed, perhaps I’ll look for some good options to plug in and work in meaningful ways. My priority is to get the dissertation published first, but I may take on some projects that fit well.
- Prepare to go to Tanzania: I’m facilitating another mission team from my church for 17 days in July. So, there are still important things to do in preparation.
- Connect with friends and family: Anya and I will make a 10-day trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin in the end of June. We’ll be with my parents and sisters for most of the time, but we’ll also take a road trip to Eric’s aunt’s farm in Wisconsin and visit Eric’s grave in the graveyard of Norway Lutheran Church. We haven’t been there when the headstone has been installed, though we’ve seen pictures. I have a list of people in the Seattle area that I’m eager to see and catch up with their lives, so I’ve already started with walks, lunches, and conversations over coffee and tea.
- Attend the regional SBL: The Regional Society of Biblical Literature conference (geek camp for adults) is coming up soon at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. I’m going to support one of my dear mentors, Charlie, who is giving the Presidential Address. I wouldn’t have pursued the PhD journey without Charlie’s and his wife, Pam’s, encouragement and guidance. My SBL conference roommate, another Beth, is a good friend and colleague.
- Be mom: I’ve been away quite a bit this spring, so I’m intentionally being present for Anya, which is great joy (ok, most of the time but not all the time). Pole vaulting at meets is over, but Anya is going to track practice still this last week because she love it and was just developing new skills.
With blessings,
Beth