Between The Troll and Sisterly Love

Do you see him?  This is a real Norwegian troll.  As I understand

it, when the sun comes out, the trolls turn to rock and this is 

what happens.  They are all over Norway.

Watch out, trolls! The sun is shining!!

Far to the North where the winter storms whip the weather-beaten coasts, you

will find a long and narrow country. Here you see dark forests with moonlit

lakes, deep fjords surrounded by mighty snowcapped mountains, and long

rivers and cold streams cascading down the mountain sides.

Nowadays this country is covered by snow and ice only six months a year. A

long, long time ago, however, there existed a massive glacier that brooded

over the entire country for thousands of years.

As the climate gradually warmed and the glacier slowly retreated to the

North, Man to the South of the glacier followed in its wake. Looking at this

country and finding it to be magnificent, they considered themselves to be

its first inhabitants. People settled there and named it Norway. They were

themselves called 'nordmenn' (Men of the North).

It did not take them long, however, to realize that on this land there were

various other creatures hiding out in the forests and mountain sides. People

did not know what these creatures were, but they were generally believed to

have supernatural powers, and they came to be known as trolls.

The trolls would come out of their hiding-places only after sun-set, and

they would disappear before the morning sun arose in the East. Direct

exposure to the sun could cause them to crack, turn into stone and possibly

burst. On occasion the trolls would evidently forget to hide from the sun,

and rock formations can today be found in various places with troll-like features.

The trolls were mostly seen on bright moonlit nights, or during stormy

nights that could frighten about anyone who happened to be outdoors at that time.

Now, even in modern times it is well advised to keep a good standing with

the trolls, since you never know when you will meet one yourself. The next

time you go to the dark forests and the mighty mountains with their deep

lakes and roaring waterfalls, just remember, they probably mean no harm. But

be aware. In the twilight hours you are no longer alone.

Then it is only you . . . and all the trolls.

                                                                                 (From, "The History of Nyform Trolls")

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We had our first visitors last week and had such a fun time with them! No trolls but Eldste og Søster Rasmussen.  They are the senior couple at the Oslo YSA center, are at the end 
of their mission and wanted to visit Kristiansand and the surrounding beauty before they left.

Eldste Nelson, myself and Kathy

We drove around K-sand and then headed south -

   a beautiful sunny day made for amazing photos!!

Jim, Robert and Kathy

Åvik is the cutest little fishing village!

Look at that blue sky!

We met a fisherman and his wife just returning with

their catch of the day.  A bunch of halibut.

We watched him quickly and artfully filet them

This filet is full of eggs. 
Caviar, anyone?

Red boathouses are everywhere!

We even had a little picnic 

on the shore.  Typical smørbrød - 

bread, sliced hard boiled egg,

cheese, tomato, cucumber with chips,

and a little chocolate for dessert.

Norwegian Freia chocolate is delicious!

But, the Ramussens just happened to have
a bag of Red Vines - they were yummy!!
Thanks for sharing!

Looking over the North Sea

A beautiful "brown cheese colored house".

Hearts and an orchid in the window - of course!

"By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea.

You and I, you and I, oh how happy we'll

be!"

Tusen, tusen takk for a great time!!

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Several months ago, Søster Torjesen, our R.S. Pres., 

asked if I would host an older women's group at the center. 

 It is a privilege getting to know these good sisters,

 hearing about their lives, heartaches and joys; laughing
crying and figuring out life together.

We recently had, maybe the best one yet - Aida and Peggy

taught us how to make Spring Rolls.

Meresi, Bjørghild and Peggy 
filling and rolling

Aida frying them to perfection

They tasted as good as they look!

Enjoying the rolls and each other.

 

Jim and Hannah enjoyed them too!

  We really need to come up with a 
better name than
 "The Older Women's Group"!!
Any ideas?

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Just two beautiful sisters and friends 
caring about and loving each other!


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Trolls, rolls, missionaries
 and sisterly love ---
Life is great!  We are blessed!