Tanja @tanjaostman@dingdash.com

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.

@StevenBerry well done!

We were walking a 4,5 kilometers nature trail today, not far from home. Thankful to have nature all around us in Finland. Never far from the forest, the sea or one of the 188 000 lakes.

Our garden today. This season at its best, before all leaves have fallen off. We have had many rainy days in Aug-Sept so I have enjoyed this Saturday.

@sinbach such a great picture! Perfect! Mittåkläppen sounds so familiar. Think we went there when we were in Funäsdalen.

@sinbach thank you! Wow, still snow left! I believe you that it's possible to ski until the summer months.

@sinbach beautiful! ❤️

@sinbach perfect! Thanks! 😊

@davereimer he is in Sweden.

@sinbach thanks so much for that info! 🙏 Many people from Österbotten (the area where I live) go to Åre, and take the ferry from Vasa to Umeå or Turku-Stockholm. But we prefer the same things as you - nature! Bruksvallarna and Funäsdalen sounds perfect! If we go skiing, we don't need entertainment and shops. But restaurants and grocery stores are of use.... My husband loves cross-country skiing, so that would be perfect for him as he does long distances! I do it as well, but short distances. I prefer downhill 🎿, but I'm not 20 anymore, so I am fine with slower slopes. Edvin would also be fine with it. You are guilty of giving me temptations!! 🤣 I just feel that I have to go there!

@sinbach thanks for that information! Good to hear that we can save money by taking the ferry to ski in Sweden instead! (I use to go to Sweden every year, but don't know anything prices for ski passes and lodges). And even if we wouldn't save money, I suppose it would be worth the money to experience the mountain area. We don't have any mountain ranges in Finland, like Skanderna! Yes, Finland is super expensive. Our cars are among the most expensive in Europe so few people drive with brand new cars. Just one example. Some people buy cars from Sweden, and save money even if the tax for imported cars are around 20 %. Sweden don't have car taxes. That's why it's so much cheaper to lease a car in Swe, compared to Finland with 24 % VAT.

@sinbach wow, that's early! You clearly have different climate in the mountains than we have on the coast, on the same latitude. Every year I wish for a white November and December, to make it more fun and less dark, grey and boring. We sometimes get the first snow in Nov, sometimes in Dec. But it stays on the ground only from mid-Dec the earliest, or January. Hope you will share some pictures on DD soon of the beautiful landscape!

I suddenly remebered that I've been in Funäsdalen many years ago in the summer. We rented a cabin with a couple of Swedish friends and were hiking in the mountains. I would like to go there skiing sometimes... we always go skiing in Finland, because it's just to take the car. It's more expensive and takes more time to go to Sweden. But I would appreciate to ski downhill i de svenska fjällen!