Another Birthday

September 14 .... there is a feeling of Fall in the air.

The rain stopped, so we went for a birthday walk.

The "famous" Norwegian slugs were out sunning themselves.

Black ones.....

and brown ones.

Saw this cute, "Children playing, drive carefully" sign.

This older lady must live in the care center near our apartment.  We came upon her, taking a rest from her morning walk, sitting on her walker, enjoying this scene.
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."
                - Marcus Aurelius

Friday brought some fun surprises.
Flowers from the R.S. presidency

A yummy birthday cake from the YSA's along 
with cards and kind words.

Tom brought down this piece of edible art made by Turid.  Layers of bread, spreadable caviar,
topped with cucumbers, shrimp, lox and 
red and black caviar.  The YSA's, including the 
missionaries, devoured it!  

Speaking of missionaries - these four have been
our total district for the past 6 weeks.
Eldstes Broadbent and Nelson, served in Arendal.
Søsters Smith and Peterson in K-Sand.

Eldste Nelson and Søster Smith were transferred.

The new Kristiansand missionary force -
Eldstes Jefferies and Sogla; Søsters Williams and Peterson
and the Ektepar.
It is always sad when these amazing young missionaries leave - but we have learned that new, amazing young missionaries will come to take their places.
This is going to be a fun group!

After some shopping on Sat. morning, we brought home a kebab pizza, from "Happy Time".  It is delicious!  Topped with kebab meat, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and corn.  

A wonderful birthday week surprise - the three big, noisy
fans that have been drying out our apartment, were picked up
and taken away.  It is so quiet!  So, in preparation for
the apartment to be put back to normal, (after new carpet
and baseboards are installed), Jim shampooed the couch
and love seat and oiled the shelves and the new, free, coffee table.
One of our YSA's works at a recyclable center where people
can drop off anything they no longer want and other people can just
come and take what they want.  Jim and I stopped by one evening, and there was this wooden table - so we took it.  (We felt a little like thieves - but that is how it works).  The table matches the kitchen table and other wood in our apartment perfectly. 

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I have shared how much Norwegians love hearts - they hang them on their homes, doors, flower pots, candles, baskets, etc.
Recently, I saw these - heart shaped Fiske Kaker.  Fish cakes.

We heart our mission!
The older we get, the more we heart 
our family and friends
on both sides of the Atlantic!