Tanja @tanjaostman@dingdash.com

@bethany @sinbach 😂 👍 🙌

@Berrybunchfamily so true!

@Berrybunchfamily yes, you're right regarding Nokia! There is even a city close to Tampere called Nokia. But Nokia lost the battle against the Asian brands.

https://youtu.be/yCbqqTFGsUk

Did you know that Linux was invented 30 years ago in Finland, by a guy called Linus? https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/news-in-brief/20083-linus-torvalds-a-finnish-swede-who-changed-computing-forever.html?fbclid=IwAR1Tjo_jNoCndyQOnCiXp6AHLFC4xQfhpLDrA2zhhFIc_dFQN8ugg03b5Zc

@MaryMamuzich I've visited that city once - it's close to the Swedish border where Eugene stays. All of Norway looks like a fairy tale. All cozy wooden houses. Lots of mountains and fjords. The only other place in the world where they have similar fjord landscapes, is the Lord of the Rings movie locations in New Zealand. Most Norwegians are outdoor people. They use to regularly "gå på tur", meaning hiking in the mountains. They own small mountain cabins.

@bethany congratulations 🎊! I am so glad that you made it! God hears prayers! Your thank speech is more touching than the Oscar winners' speeches! 👍 😀

A perfect evening for kayaking and canoeing tonight! With a group of teen scouts.

Such a beautiful season! (From Vasa, Finland).

@sinbach they look VERY young! Not a movie from last year... 😀

@Biblestudent thanks for that response! I've got the same personality as you - it doesn't come natural to me. I was extremely shy as a child. It's getting better. I think that those who are born extrovert are more often evangelists. Some people are called to write and reach intellectuals etc. The point is to be ourselves, but to challenge ourselves and step out of the comfort zone.

@Berrybunchfamily thanks for sharing! Life is not fair, but God is good. Yes, the term narcissism is used in both Swedish and Finnish, and I understand that phenomenon well. I own a book by PhD Karyl McBride: "Will I ever be good enough? Healing the daughters of narcissistic mothers." It works for sons as well, I suppose. She writes out of her own experiences as one of those daughters, and as a professional. She is not writing from a Christian point of view, but her values seem quite Christian. She sheds light on the phenomenon, which gives some valuable insight. It's been helpful for me, even if I haven't experienced the most extreme end of the spectrum.

@Berrybunchfamily good to hear that it spoke to your heart! It's sad to hear that you were criticized as a child by those who should've encouraged you and confirmed your gifting! Thankfully God is our perfect Father who gives us second chances, who confirms us and speaks to us! I have book in Swedish with the title "Your inner testimony" (my translation). It has meant a lot to me. It's based on Hes 36:26-27; Jer 31:33-34 and other verses. God has put his will in our hearts, and we can learn to listen to our hearts (meaning born again spirits). It's the still voice, that gives peace. If we learn to listen to the still small voice, we can be lead by the Lord! BUT it's more difficult if we have grown up suppressing our true personalities and emotions, being controlled by controlling people (instead of learning to listen to God's voice). We don't know who we are and don't always belive in what God has put in our hearts. Remember that you are precious to the Lord, and keep being yourself!

Wow, wow! This interview about the Church in the Middle East is so powerful! They are doing so many things right that we are doing so wrong in the Western world. https://youtu.be/1Ph30WlScRs

Wise words by singer Beckah Shae.

Our dear American friend Eric (to the right) visited our home. We had fellowship with another family. Eric moved to northern Sweden around 30 years ago to become a missionary to Swedes, indigenous Samis (in northern Swe, Finland, Norway), Swedish-speaking Finns (like us), Russians and others… He travels regularly to Armenia. He is a kitchen table mentor and teacher, even if he is okay with the pulpit as well. He was one of the first I met around 15 years ago, who said that he prefers gathering in homes instead of church buildings, that he was leading through friendship and mentoring. He is setting an example (not only talking from distance), and he brings people with him when he travels. It’s OK to call him on the phone when there’s a need, and ok to ask any question. Today he told me: “Remember to be a human being, not a human doer!” He knows my upbringing and background, so I need that reminder every now and then. It makes me sad that there are so few spiritual mothers and fathers.