Tanja @tanjaostman@dingdash.com

I'm so overwhelmed and thankful for my first trip ever to the USA, for 2.5 weeks with my family. So much to process after all that we have seen and experienced in NYC, VA, WV, PA, NJ, and DC. We had the privilege and joy to stay with @Williams_girl and to meet with @Cherishingsparrows2020 at her mother's AirBnB. I especially enjoyed all nature experiences (Shenandoah national park, Susquehanna River, the countryside of Virginia, Jones Beach on Long Island...). We were there during the assassination attempt of Mr DT. We could feel the tension, and people (especially little older) we didn't know very well expressed their worries about the future of the country. But on the other hand we didn't see any unrest, but life seemed to be going on quite normal. It's like in Europe. So much is bubbling under the surface both here in Europe, and in the US. Feels like we've been holding our breath for a few years now (esp here in Finland that is bordering Russia). I'm learning to trust the Lord.

The blue colour is where people drive on the wrong side of the road (equals left). 😀 😉

All of these are not nations, but they have their own flag anyhow. For instance the Åland Islands between Finland and Sweden, have their own flag, is a self-governed district, is demilitarized, belongs to Finland but is more Swedish in language and culture (used to belong to Sweden but when Russia got Finland in 1809 Sweden had to give away Åland as well). These cross flags is a reminder of our Christian heritage! Do you know what nations and islands these are?

Passenger trains in the US VS. Europe

With more than 70 percent of its surface covered by forests, Finland is – by far – the most densely forested country in Europe.

We are on our way from Vasa (Vaasa), Finland, to Umeå, Sweden, a 4 hour trip by Wasaline ferry. It's the northernmost year round passenger ferry. As you can see the ice is thick (30-50 cm close to the coast), but icebreakers keep the fairway open. In the second picture the colors represent different kinds of ice. Dark grey is the most solid and thick. Blue stands for open water. So the open water is only a fraction of the total travel distance. https://www.wasaline.com/en/

The city of Porvoo (Finnish) / Borgå (Swe.), Finland. (Unknown photographer). It means "castle river" in Swedish (its original name). It was founded ca. 1380 when Finland was a part of Sweden.

Turku castle in Turku / Åbo (Swedish), Finland. (Photographer unknown). A start was made on building the castle in about 1280. The castle served as a bastion and administrative centre in Eastland, as Finland was known during its time as a province of Sweden. Only once did the castle figure in the defence of the realm, when Russian invaders from Novgorod destroyed Turku in 1318. The castle's heyday was in the mid-16th century during the reign of Duke John of Finland and Catherine Jagellon.

The castle was the center of the historical province of Finland Proper, and the administrative center of all of Finland. Its strong walls and dungeons also served as the state prison for centuries. The castle has been the place of many historical events; in 1573–1577, for example, the deposed Swedish queen Karin Månsdotter was kept prisoner here.

The castle is Finland's most visited museum. (Source: Wikipedia)

A picture from Helsinki, Finland. (Street name: Huvilakatu (in Finnish), Villagatan (in Swedish). Photographer unknown.

If I need to seek counsel from a Christian, or want to listen to good teachings, I don't look for those whose only goal is a platform and a big audience (either in real life or online). Of course there are humble servants of God who have big audiences, but it's about their focus and the state of their hearts. I've noticed that I after a whole life in the Christian world look for people that are bearers of the Lord's presence (because their minds are focused on him), that have "no names or titles". Why would a narcissistic leader, whose main goal is to make himself a name, really care about us, normal people, with compassion? Of course they can give counsel as a part of their visible ministry. I know a few Christian leaders personally that I can email/message or call when I'm in need or have questions. I know that they care for real. I don't need to be a part of the same church for them to care. These people are rare, even if it's the NT way of leading. They have real, authentic relatio

Had a great night last night in Stockholm, Sweden, with the BTJ team @sinbach @bethany and Brother Yun and his Swedish-Finnish interpreter. Many young people who responded to Yun's message.

I love her voice. This is so heartbreaking 💔! I agree that we should start talking about the elephant in the room. And imprison those who are behind this horrific crime.