tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68787582253226034762024-02-20T22:10:34.977-08:00The WilhelmssonsMiska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-85365727486998551292016-08-22T21:05:00.000-07:002016-08-22T21:05:26.647-07:00The Coming Semester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPQXogKieM4SMImgrbXGY_f-QRXI5KBTUsy38QmFM1Wi7YfCjeeFU6_nS3Dc4maIktrpzwhgGfDP8GAuLvRcIrEFI6S3d97auCToTA9LACu2yQlTR5y_qafKu2dGKKxy_MyhO4MJHJD3q/s1600/miska-jeremiah-july2016-bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPQXogKieM4SMImgrbXGY_f-QRXI5KBTUsy38QmFM1Wi7YfCjeeFU6_nS3Dc4maIktrpzwhgGfDP8GAuLvRcIrEFI6S3d97auCToTA9LACu2yQlTR5y_qafKu2dGKKxy_MyhO4MJHJD3q/s1600/miska-jeremiah-july2016-bw.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Time to stay true to my word and write another blog post.<br />
<br />
The fall semester of Seminary will be starting in about a week. Also, this semester Miska has the added responsibility of being the Associated Student Body (ASB) president for 2016-2017. So I hear you ask what do the ASB do? Well here it is in a nutshell (<a href="http://www.tms.edu/m/asb_update_june2016.pdf">as published in the ASB newsletter produced by the team</a>):<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Look after Spiritual welfare</b>: Your ASB team leads in the reading of the
Word and prayer for chapels on Tuesdays
and Thursdays each week. Additionally,
each month, ASB chapels are held with guest
speakers and special music.</li>
<li><b>Look after your Academic welfare:</b> Your ASB officers act as a liaison between
the faculty of the seminary and students. </li>
<li><b>Look after your Social welfare:</b> Your ASB provide organization of special
events and fellowship opportunities. </li>
<li><b>Look after your Physical welfare:</b> Your ASB make the arrangements for moving
assistance and fifty mile hikes (the 50 mile
hikes were added by the Dean of Students so
ASB is not responsible!)</li>
</ul>
<div>
As a team they identified the theme of the year which is, <b><i>“Men of the Word. Men of Prayer.”</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is another excerpt from the ASB newsletter explaining the reason why:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><i>The new ASB theme for 2016-2017 will be “Men of the
Word. Men of Prayer.” The purpose of this theme is
to remind us as seminary students of the essential,
but easily neglected spiritual disciplines, namely
personal devotion in the Word of God and prayer.
Striving to be men of the Word and prayer is a lifelong
journey and struggle against sin and temptation in
various forms.
We all know that the Word and prayer need to be the
focus of our personal lives, but it is good for us to be
reminded and challenged to put that knowledge into
action in our lives more and more. Lest you be
tempted to think that times of personal devotion are
something that you can simply leave to the side
until you are done with seminary, be reminded
of the statement that we hear often from the
professors, “The man you are now in seminary is the
man you will be when you’re done with seminary.”
Brothers, let us strive to be:
“Men of the Word and Men of Prayer.”</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
Miska will also be carrying on his paid employment for the Marketing Department of TMS. Miska, works around 15-20 hours a week, and throughout the semester will be likely working Monday and Friday, then attending classes Tuesday-Thursday. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other main responsibility Miska has throughout the semester is to our Bible study group, Miska and our our neighbour (a fellow Seminary student from England) co-lead the Glendale Bible Study group from our fellowship group Faithbuilders at Grace Community Church. Last year was the first year for the Bible Study and I really feel we have knitted together well as a group growing in accountability and fellowship. We have gone through the book 'Praying the Bible' (Don Whitney) and also been learning about the basics of Bible interpretation. The Bible study meetings are always a great time of discussion and learning. We meet twice a month on a Friday evening and it really is one of my favourite times of the month.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, of course, the biggest commitment Miska has is to his family. I can honestly say, that I was a little nervous at the start of seminary that I could be losing my husband to books and study and work for three years and that we would be reunited at the end. Happily this is not the case, and the seminary wouldn't even allow that to happen... since so much emphasis is put on taking care of your family first. Miska, has been great at balancing seminary/work/family life. Yes, there are times when seminary takes over as papers are due, but we are both good at planning time together to do family activites and also importantly to have time together just the two of us. Also there is always protected family time, when Miska gets home from seminary until Jeremiah goes to bed - these I am sure are Jeremiah's favourite times, always a smile and excitement when 'Daddy' comes home as it usually signals time for sword fighting/rough and tumble/silly dancing :-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, how about me (Alison), what will my semester look like? Firstly, I hope it will be me practically serving my husband as best as possible throughout the semester to lighten as much as the load as I can. Then of course to being a Mum to Jeremiah and raising him (with Miska) in a God honoring way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As with the past few years, I plan to return to Every Women's Grace (EWG) on a Wednesday morning. This is a ladies Bible study which takes place over two hours. The first hour we meet in small groups and go over home work that we have completed throughout the week, there are five days of homework and the aim is to spend around 20-30mins a day going through the questions, as with anything, the more you put in it the more you get out of it. The second hour is teaching time, where the speaker concentrates on what we have been studying the past week, for me it is always a great conclusion to the weeks study and always said more eloquently than I could begin to say :-) Last year the focus was on God's redemptive plan through the Old Testament, this year we will continue with looking at God's redemptive plan through the New Testament. After the study there is the option to go to 'mindset for missions' which is where we have a potluck lunch and hear from Grace Church missionaries, either in person or via Skype, I love this time to hear about how God is working across the world. Jeremiah gets to be in Nursery the whole time, which he enjoys and is nicely tired out for his afternoon nap.</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwsmD68cNmpvk6kdg1ZNXNENprb73O0LL1hNlHOh1nWnAj10gHs2WCxgNsN1jlaeeGTt-wOJM9JVnHc1-86WYhkeQEHGFVe4gUUJ33QtYZmyEnAaSlFgFn-MRNef3_6S7NRhuS75LXvAT/s1600/12694709_1213668215314808_7336962990468129333_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwsmD68cNmpvk6kdg1ZNXNENprb73O0LL1hNlHOh1nWnAj10gHs2WCxgNsN1jlaeeGTt-wOJM9JVnHc1-86WYhkeQEHGFVe4gUUJ33QtYZmyEnAaSlFgFn-MRNef3_6S7NRhuS75LXvAT/s1600/12694709_1213668215314808_7336962990468129333_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Seminary Wives (Photo by Louise Essex)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
This year, I will be returning to Seminary Wives, which meets on Wednesday evenings. This is a ministry for the wives of seminary students, we meet in small groups again and have speakers covering a wide variety topics related to being a seminary wife. last year, I missed this meeting as I undertook a Biblical Counselling course, this was so valuable, but I also missed seminary wives, and am glad that I will be returning.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also, will continue to attend Women Walking Wisely, which is the women's ministry from our fellowship group Faithbuilders. Last year I was an assistant leader, which was a great opportunity for me, to be surrounded by older women who had been in this ministry for many years. I stepped down form being an assistant leader, due to being pregnant as I knew I would not be able to commit, come December when baby was due. Though I will still be going as a participant, this year we are studying Bruce Wares' book <i>'Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles and Relevance'.</i> Again, we meet in groups at tables and also here teaching on the chapter we have read that month (Miska will be one of the speakers, next year). The meeting is once a month on a Monday evening.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am also part of a prayer group of six ladies, we meet once a month to pray together and have fellowship. We continue to pray for one another in specific ways throughout the month. This is a wonderful opportunity again for me to be surrounded by ladies who are more mature in their faith and also for accountability.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then, there is the opportunity to have sweet fellowship with friends. I continue to be blessed by the complex we live in, since there are 13 seminary families living within this one complex, by last count there are 9 different nationalities represented, 23 children under the age of 6 and 4 more on the way. We regularly meet on Tuesday mornings, mainly in the courtyard which as you can imagine with that many children can be noisy and busy, but it is a joy. Though we are often outside or at someones apartment, it is a sweet time in our lives to have so many Christ loving neighbours who are always willing and eager to help one another out and pray for one another. There is also, many opportunities to have fellowship with others from church or seminary. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, my post was a bit longer than I imagined, but I hope that gives a small picture to what our semester will look like. We will also begin turning our attention to our future back in Finland and start thinking and planning for this move, the last thing I want to do is leave it all to the last minute, as this would simply not work with two small children around.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Please feel free to get in contact by email (alison.wilhelmsson(at)gmail.com), I would love to hear from you, and I am certainly on a drive to stay in touch with people better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Praise/Petitions:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Praise to God for providing all we need and more, throughout the past two years.</li>
<li>For Miska's studies this coming semester, in particular for time management.</li>
<li>For me (Alison) to be a good helper to my Husband.</li>
<li>For us both to be good parents to Jeremiah, prayer for wisdom in raising him in a God honouring way.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Until the next update,</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Alison</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444713259444009383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-67174335227748614342016-07-20T20:02:00.000-07:002016-07-20T22:37:33.556-07:00An update, long overdue!<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXhvboStb1z9BcTUuxKXKBBif6CVqy5OyBCc3NwlaI9HcNyIQwC4rCCTDD0oR8H_GqeRQR-JiKjmEulKmOxf_axug_YTKXwznjNua8MZUcWb10TCZfgAWyGt7TGTEh6ntykRppyjCiB8/s1600/12247975_10156238006380416_1431324589727803068_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXhvboStb1z9BcTUuxKXKBBif6CVqy5OyBCc3NwlaI9HcNyIQwC4rCCTDD0oR8H_GqeRQR-JiKjmEulKmOxf_axug_YTKXwznjNua8MZUcWb10TCZfgAWyGt7TGTEh6ntykRppyjCiB8/s1600/12247975_10156238006380416_1431324589727803068_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">Hi everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
So it turns out that Miska and I are not so great on updating our blog! O</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">ur previous post was over a year ago! However, I
(Alison) have decided to take this into hand and aim to write regular posts,
especially as we are approaching our last year at seminary and will be planning for
our return to Finland.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
So I thought I would just begin this recap with a quick overview of the past few
years, it is always an encouragement to look back and see how God has richly
provided for us over these past few years. We arrived in Los Angeles just under
two years ago, there was Miska, I and a little 12 week old baby growing inside me, we had just four suitcases and two hand luggage bags. God abundantly provided for us through the generosity of other believers, when we arrived we had an apartment that was fully furnished waiting for
us right down to the smallest of kitchen utensils. Getting a car, at
first proved a struggle, but through patience and perseverance we finally found a good and reliable Toyota Corolla and I soon got used to driving on the wrong side
of the road!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
Miska, soon found his feet and settled into life at TMS, making friends
and thoroughly enjoying his studies, delighting in the fact that he was where
he had wanted to be for so many years and getting to study the Word of God in detail. For
me, it took a little longer to find my feet, sure I was happy to move to Los
Angeles, but for me I guess it felt like I was giving up more to come here, I was giving up
my family, friends, the only church I had really ever known, job and even my own country. I certainly felt home sick for several months and cried a lot.
Everything felt new, we spoke the same language, but even in that there were
differences and the paperwork to get medical insurance and even a driving
license was just completely foreign to me! Through it all God sustained me and
strengthened me. As we started to get more involved at Grace Community Church, things started
to fall into place, we joined the fellowship group called 'FaithBuilders' which also had a home Bible Study that met in our apartment complex. I started attending Every Woman's Grace
(EWG) a women's Bible Study meeting on Wednesday mornings and Seminary Wives meeting on Wednesday evenings, also Women Walking Wisely a monthly women's meeting from FaithBuilders. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">Attending Membership classes was also a great wake up call
for me, I thought when joining a church this size people would be rushing to
make friends with you, and don't get me wrong people were certainly friendly, but in the class I
learnt that it is our responsibility to put ourselves out there and reach out
to people, that was a wake up call for me and I realised that I need to reach out
the hand of friendship, rather than expecting it to be given to me on a plate. Also, that friendships can take time, when I compared them to friends at
home, I realised that I had known them for years and of course our friendships were therefore closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
In our EWG group for the first semester we studied 1 Peter, firstly I don't
think I have ever studied a book so thoroughly, and I learnt so much from that
book study that was so applicable to me in that time of my life. We were
encouraged to learn the passage 1 Peter 1: 3-9 by heart, below is just a
portion, but it certainly spoke to me that at time, knowing that we have all that we
need through Christ, we have an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us, and
we can rejoice in this through all trials we may be facing in our lives.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><b><i><span style="background: white; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="background: white;">3 </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">Praise
be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great
mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, <b>4 </b>and into an
inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is
kept in heaven for you, <b>5 </b>who through faith are shielded by
God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be
revealed in the last time.<b>6 </b>In all this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer
grief in all kinds of trials.</span></i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
</span></i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial";">I guess
the biggest change came to us on February 25th 2015, when Jeremiah Ryle
Wilhelmsson was born weighing 9lb 11oz! The first few weeks were again a
struggle for me as I had some problems with breast feeding, but again perseverance paid off and all started working well. Jeremiah has truly been a gift from God to us. He is
now almost 17 months, running around, saying random words, feeding himself and just generally being a little boy - head bumps and all!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
Another blessing came to us in the form of moving apartment complexes,
although we enjoyed where we lived and were happy there, the expense of the
place was making a huge dent into our bank balance. Thankfully God provided for us a
two bedroom apartment at a much cheaper rent than we were first paying, and what’s
more the new complex was full of other seminary families, many of whom also had young children. This
community has been such a blessing to me in so many ways I can't even express, and will be dearly missed when we return to Finland.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
Okay, so this recap is getting longer than I expected and I feel like I have only covered
such a little part of our time here so far. Miska has continued to enjoy the
seminary and get to know more fellow students. He has also been blessed with several different work positions at the
seminary and is now working as a designer for the
marketing department at TMS. He was also recently voted to be the President of the Associated Student Body at TMS for the next academic year, which demonstrates how well he has settled
in and adapted to seminary life. Also, our involvement in ministry at FaithBuilders recently resulted in an opportunity for Miska to preach at FaithBuilders in June. I was
probably more nervous than him, but it was such a joy for me to see how much he
has learnt over the past few years, and how he was able to put this into
practice when preaching, it has made the whole seminary experience so worth it. If you would like to listen to the sermon, you can do so on the Grace Community Church website.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial";">Sermon link: </span><a href="https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/12178" style="font-family: arial;">https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/12178</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
So I think I will leave it there for now, my aim is to be brief on my posts and
keep them more frequent, so watch this space :-)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
Points for prayer and praise:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
God has sustained us and provided so much more than we ever could have imagined.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
Miska, as he finishes his last assignments for summer school by the end
of July.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
me (Alison), that I will be a good helper to my husband and mother to my son, also
for the little baby that is currently growing inside me.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Ps. Even though Miska hasn't written any blog updates here for over a year, he has actually published a few articles on his theological blog 'Nordic Preacher.' Here's the link if you're interested to read what he has written: <a href="http://www.nordicpreacher.com/">http://www.nordicpreacher.com/</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444713259444009383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-67519965061045550562015-05-16T21:43:00.001-07:002015-05-16T21:43:37.320-07:00Video Update #2 (May 2015)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/amdMiHKR24c?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Hi everyone! Miska has just finished his first year at The Master's Seminary, so we thought it was a good time to record another video update speaking about how the time has gone. You can watch the video (about 18 minutes long) here above or by clicking this YouTube link: <a href="https://youtu.be/amdMiHKR24c">https://youtu.be/amdMiHKR24c</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary of topics covered:</b><br />
- Completed first year at TMS<br />
- Birth of Jeremiah<br />
- Blessing of new apartment<br />
- Thankful for all support<br />
- Plans about visiting UK & Finland<br />
- Jeremiah sucking his hand and interpreting for toddlers as Daddy is speaking ;-)<br />
- Summer school at TMS<br />
- Brief summer holiday<br />
- Overview of classes completed<br />
- Fellowship group and Bible study at Grace Community Church<br />
- Alison at SemWives and EWG<br />
- Thankful for godly seminary professors<br />
<br />
We hope you enjoy the update.<br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
<br />
Miska, Alison & JeremiahMiska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-81752091872146599842015-03-29T20:56:00.000-07:002015-03-29T21:01:07.255-07:00Introducing our baby boy Jeremiah! (photos)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyppvcUP8bXMUhhWOZXo8Y3sH6aaAf0aMXDaN7wV6lSFnBvbccMdUv1sJ2uLmhTSdvH-dTqtC1J_foSdnPKAtNOSDTqn66uhUkJwyYBYM-_LFnOGpuvZMyGp7k-PdDjq1c3kL2oqd7TWEz/s1600/10995075_1563373440576027_23387773_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyppvcUP8bXMUhhWOZXo8Y3sH6aaAf0aMXDaN7wV6lSFnBvbccMdUv1sJ2uLmhTSdvH-dTqtC1J_foSdnPKAtNOSDTqn66uhUkJwyYBYM-_LFnOGpuvZMyGp7k-PdDjq1c3kL2oqd7TWEz/s1600/10995075_1563373440576027_23387773_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremiah was born on 25th February</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamHSy2sIuNf71LjjYMEeOffE8ckoRJZ8ayV-y-DEgl4dhaprlclpeWl-hqzx6FuwDO-RDrFku8orV6TsXIIvp0rP-baG2P8nARuD8J7vf57Fl3BSnGp1HN2g8YnBtDxoGfieLwzQOD8A4/s1600/jeremiah_+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamHSy2sIuNf71LjjYMEeOffE8ckoRJZ8ayV-y-DEgl4dhaprlclpeWl-hqzx6FuwDO-RDrFku8orV6TsXIIvp0rP-baG2P8nARuD8J7vf57Fl3BSnGp1HN2g8YnBtDxoGfieLwzQOD8A4/s1600/jeremiah_+(1).jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Family Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJfpIRNXNlj-pXC-YG_LlQv4CuQcO69FHT_C8VK8q1XsQmbeb4s_13JOvQUMEHvY1_VLeFrW0yfOVA19F5awKoZyEYWe_ikCYGt0mm6r8NTitK30mcHLwRy25ma6Dxy3C6FJjPby-L6zk/s1600/jeremiah_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJfpIRNXNlj-pXC-YG_LlQv4CuQcO69FHT_C8VK8q1XsQmbeb4s_13JOvQUMEHvY1_VLeFrW0yfOVA19F5awKoZyEYWe_ikCYGt0mm6r8NTitK30mcHLwRy25ma6Dxy3C6FJjPby-L6zk/s1600/jeremiah_.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother and Son</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JtzzilyD31Vo1i907rHxlXqxKodd0cKCb-ma51PnbkzxWONo3TVuMVpFryvrBPwa5hIf4vDTOiERkSFmxSbcFLzb-ZaahzG83zp5QyjMzNr67l8r-EK6hFEWgJKLaxyHQxvj18zqdFzL/s1600/11032799_1588276248089432_1904465659_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JtzzilyD31Vo1i907rHxlXqxKodd0cKCb-ma51PnbkzxWONo3TVuMVpFryvrBPwa5hIf4vDTOiERkSFmxSbcFLzb-ZaahzG83zp5QyjMzNr67l8r-EK6hFEWgJKLaxyHQxvj18zqdFzL/s1600/11032799_1588276248089432_1904465659_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father and Son</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHF0hUX1uXguMlP-NgYSS38KVe4PWiobL9oe2kbMUiCWNFOll8UuYRpTCYQewNCKh2VmOFO0IdEIeetT0xtOUw899whGD0tpIoLfbjInB0mWF6HXNk2h1igai9rEnOijAO2hH9pA-PjNS/s1600/10553974_1560366700895105_645954307_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHF0hUX1uXguMlP-NgYSS38KVe4PWiobL9oe2kbMUiCWNFOll8UuYRpTCYQewNCKh2VmOFO0IdEIeetT0xtOUw899whGD0tpIoLfbjInB0mWF6HXNk2h1igai9rEnOijAO2hH9pA-PjNS/s1600/10553974_1560366700895105_645954307_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremiah at four weeks old :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Miska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-4757395708550599432015-02-14T20:49:00.000-08:002015-02-14T20:49:02.780-08:00First Update of the Year (February 2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Greetings to all,<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5r-i-95i2IW1CRCQskKVYJtfYACK08ncoa1EK7M9cHnvMSzAYDOanHzHdLxadKGMki1totPZOyPNLhj_iWE1f5AjQj7ExSF7rXsHaNSvAxvwKnL32VXwoGn8TpzUd8I0s7H1fDjUj3I0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-14+at+4.51.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5r-i-95i2IW1CRCQskKVYJtfYACK08ncoa1EK7M9cHnvMSzAYDOanHzHdLxadKGMki1totPZOyPNLhj_iWE1f5AjQj7ExSF7rXsHaNSvAxvwKnL32VXwoGn8TpzUd8I0s7H1fDjUj3I0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-14+at+4.51.25+PM.png" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the Baby :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yet again we realise there it is way over due that we write another blog update. Time seems to go so quickly.<br />
<br />
So it is February already, Miska has already completed his first semester and is now well and truly into his second semester at The Master's Seminary.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy0VWiZYR_MMaRP5HXCvbZ00Upr7Ogb3HsOsUtfeJ_Rydf-8f031eoWU63esWSy_WUQMZrcKTSHLH1Fcbjx8PAWMVHeY78wJz1CMYqMX_rRS7WGsIgjZ3sKm-Rbxfm6wYTlNCh9b3g-qc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-14+at+4.51.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy0VWiZYR_MMaRP5HXCvbZ00Upr7Ogb3HsOsUtfeJ_Rydf-8f031eoWU63esWSy_WUQMZrcKTSHLH1Fcbjx8PAWMVHeY78wJz1CMYqMX_rRS7WGsIgjZ3sKm-Rbxfm6wYTlNCh9b3g-qc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-14+at+4.51.52+PM.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska writing seminary papers during Christmas break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Between the Semesters we had the Christmas break, Miska had three weeks off school but was still a busy period. Christmas was a little different to what we are used to, what with not being around family and it being hot and sunny, but we were thankful to be around church family. On Christmas Eve, Miska and I celebrated together having the non-traditional dinner of Steak and Cactus. Then on Christmas Day, we had dinner with some other seminary families in our apartment complex, in the evening we went to our friend Jeanne's house and spent time with her and her family. Miska got to go in the sauna and cool off in the pool :-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip85vvRDxg4aDx1w3nsdyhlSgNGFue5shWfVeh4p3Ss6yI-Ein9D0R1xJEMIAhaCoADo2_rg48b6IWnATItX5A322jwpipnzxZhzooWBW3dtVznh492Olat0Qc51BESCaDWtF73hnGjfo/s1600/DSC_3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip85vvRDxg4aDx1w3nsdyhlSgNGFue5shWfVeh4p3Ss6yI-Ein9D0R1xJEMIAhaCoADo2_rg48b6IWnATItX5A322jwpipnzxZhzooWBW3dtVznh492Olat0Qc51BESCaDWtF73hnGjfo/s1600/DSC_3501.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our non-traditional Christmas dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH66rkaUccO5-kIj9d9n6WYJjfeY9PnHW_rUKt7-neAPVvnyG7Euiz7AJa3lMNozfDFXrHpFaP5IOBZOQzpWF9-bBiHyNpyzZz7_F9TvIQNj5i5IdqqS59wfvpUkp3Ke-7K_IUUqUfvYQ/s1600/IMG_20141225_235102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH66rkaUccO5-kIj9d9n6WYJjfeY9PnHW_rUKt7-neAPVvnyG7Euiz7AJa3lMNozfDFXrHpFaP5IOBZOQzpWF9-bBiHyNpyzZz7_F9TvIQNj5i5IdqqS59wfvpUkp3Ke-7K_IUUqUfvYQ/s1600/IMG_20141225_235102.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day with friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Miska was also an orientation leader for new incoming students so the last week of the holiday was mainly spent in school helping the new students orientate to Seminary life. The role also involved helping families settle into their new life here at in Los Angeles, we took care of two international families, one from the United Kingdom and the other from Madagascar. This has been a blessed time as we have seen how God has been working in their lives to bring them into seminary and we were also able to help them practically like we were helped when we arrived in Los Angeles. We have also built up some vey wonderful relationships with these families.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqqur8nOmDGZfIZZkBWCpFGlBmfVzwOLITMUE79ceVx_hLErl0cHAlzVcqwOcGQYEv6lIElamV3mnefctc3MifJRjR4tw7yV-SHJW-SwfPnKN0YIPP61sF923NJjMhAY3z1mMG2plSgUx/s1600/10689498_10152996705981112_286112124320478978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqqur8nOmDGZfIZZkBWCpFGlBmfVzwOLITMUE79ceVx_hLErl0cHAlzVcqwOcGQYEv6lIElamV3mnefctc3MifJRjR4tw7yV-SHJW-SwfPnKN0YIPP61sF923NJjMhAY3z1mMG2plSgUx/s1600/10689498_10152996705981112_286112124320478978_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pick-up at the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97Gs0WQINdaqjHICIsoypyVjYshUJHqkK7-cY5rEjbmRQXycKsEjLPqJeUEPeVKdxgyZef8lO7S2CHmsxZOZmvyPKub48A6mwucY6LEe-LpCZ7TvCpcXyAbbghTDyAU11SvOZE74jAPDB/s1600/1502486_10152996705966112_4006989832486315009_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97Gs0WQINdaqjHICIsoypyVjYshUJHqkK7-cY5rEjbmRQXycKsEjLPqJeUEPeVKdxgyZef8lO7S2CHmsxZOZmvyPKub48A6mwucY6LEe-LpCZ7TvCpcXyAbbghTDyAU11SvOZE74jAPDB/s1600/1502486_10152996705966112_4006989832486315009_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family from Madagascar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
You may have heard about our car accident that happened just before Christmas, thankfully no one involved in the accident was hurt, including baby Wilhelmsson. However, the car situation and getting it fixed caused me a little bit of anxiety as at one point it looked like the insurance company were not going to fix it. Though God has taught me a lesson in patience, finally after seven weeks we got our car back, fixed and looking even slightly better than it did before. We are so thankful to all who prayed over our car situation and also to our friend Jeanne, who kindly lent us a car in the mean time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sd_YFU0DPWdjHZjz5fpETXKaHjNbD3XyN-bC-YVO25N-B3l-TLwIX3p5ocsGy4rBKZ1oU31BpJx0AnVNvL5zaxHvVOVYIzKARSXNpbgImJp7OVONgpqHv-MDNa306GxVNItceh67WJg/s1600/IMG_20150130_182814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sd_YFU0DPWdjHZjz5fpETXKaHjNbD3XyN-bC-YVO25N-B3l-TLwIX3p5ocsGy4rBKZ1oU31BpJx0AnVNvL5zaxHvVOVYIzKARSXNpbgImJp7OVONgpqHv-MDNa306GxVNItceh67WJg/s1600/IMG_20150130_182814.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our car back and fixed :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So Miska, has started back at school and is already about 5 weeks into the semester. This semester he has classes in Old Testament, Biblical Counseling, Prayer, Hebrew and a Discipleship Lab. Although it is hard work, Miska is still very much enjoying his studies. He is also continuing to work in the library 20 hours a week. Also, as we are fully aware, being in seminary is not about grades, it is about building Miska up to be a future pastor, but we are still thankful that Miska's hard work is paying off and he did very well in his exams and papers last semester.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KZ_gRnwAl-1Jp4m7pD-JV4KYGWTCW1NP4e0rjE4W5ibboMD4DtwZ2pDGldcOOxupsl9L8wFdCUIKhFu3XnPN_Ukcr2_ELW3xUBW3Kk2lUYq2PetN8KdPOg7cf5CEcqTMzV9ddldZ6Mo/s1600/IMG_20150119_153236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KZ_gRnwAl-1Jp4m7pD-JV4KYGWTCW1NP4e0rjE4W5ibboMD4DtwZ2pDGldcOOxupsl9L8wFdCUIKhFu3XnPN_Ukcr2_ELW3xUBW3Kk2lUYq2PetN8KdPOg7cf5CEcqTMzV9ddldZ6Mo/s1600/IMG_20150119_153236.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at 8 months pregnant<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I am now 39 weeks pregnant and the due date is 19th February. I am still thankfully doing very well, baby Wilhelmsson is growing as he should and is now ready to come into the world in the Lord's timing. In my head, I think I will be over, but time will tell. I see the doctor now weekly, who continues to monitor my progress. I am feeling as ready as I will ever be for baby Wilhelmsson and we have truly been blessed by people's generosity, we have not had to buy hardly anything for this baby.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwDjtZTerh-IQ15mnDxYPZ2PVRDQdc7-f1SozqzuDQWFVeYCI2ahfFyxrOr18P9cqNMjvxtXxivoMtEhp1njgPkIHXkor1zX_oWbBEGHAkTo2-RmQHUKBOB4iRFZvbQiih8ljnH-LebE/s1600/IMG_20150130_140000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwDjtZTerh-IQ15mnDxYPZ2PVRDQdc7-f1SozqzuDQWFVeYCI2ahfFyxrOr18P9cqNMjvxtXxivoMtEhp1njgPkIHXkor1zX_oWbBEGHAkTo2-RmQHUKBOB4iRFZvbQiih8ljnH-LebE/s1600/IMG_20150130_140000.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things already for the baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Things to pray for:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Safe delivery of baby Wilhelmsson</li>
<li>Miska and his studies, especially for time management when the baby comes</li>
<li>Adjusting to life as parents</li>
</ul>
<br />
Until the next update,<br />
<br />
Alison (and Miska)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444713259444009383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-64274011762271482762014-12-24T09:01:00.000-08:002014-12-24T09:01:33.325-08:00Happy Christmas!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqn7YmaDTBZXtVf6gn7FhRymRmnsVjVfwPRRSoUGX99ZaWTGp3cdWHRzt_9BjiBUGXHee300oTC95K9bCSPcN0PrHeaKbDs0TarwdPQ3v00Wl44DlZnWY2yIGOJZu2yLX38mOlttOZPZR/s1600/wilhelmssons_christmascard_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqn7YmaDTBZXtVf6gn7FhRymRmnsVjVfwPRRSoUGX99ZaWTGp3cdWHRzt_9BjiBUGXHee300oTC95K9bCSPcN0PrHeaKbDs0TarwdPQ3v00Wl44DlZnWY2yIGOJZu2yLX38mOlttOZPZR/s1600/wilhelmssons_christmascard_2014.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Christmas from the Wilhelmssons!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Miska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-49592780022630257192014-11-22T20:07:00.000-08:002014-11-22T20:07:37.702-08:00A Long Overdue Update (Oct. - Nov. 2014)Greetings to all :-)<br />
<br />
So I thought it is time I should write a long overdue blog update, I am not sure where all the time really goes, but it is going quick! Miska's first semester will be over before we know it and it will be Christmas :-)<br />
<br />
We have been here in America just over four months now, in some ways it feels longer than that, we definitely feel a lot more settled here now and like this is our home for now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tUOjn4qgVrlOJf3dIJJ8v9mc4emDhCU6VWCFbChBeVubzyISRdyDAgy7b4NjIeNXTGSDKovsIGg0l7ui9AWucGyZyP059H4pNRVvHmpLbgIzXznQY40qkDwDN3pd57eXimGcIO2V4biY/s1600/miskalison_tmsbanquet2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tUOjn4qgVrlOJf3dIJJ8v9mc4emDhCU6VWCFbChBeVubzyISRdyDAgy7b4NjIeNXTGSDKovsIGg0l7ui9AWucGyZyP059H4pNRVvHmpLbgIzXznQY40qkDwDN3pd57eXimGcIO2V4biY/s1600/miskalison_tmsbanquet2014.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the annual TMS banquet - Novemeber 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Miska has been busy with his studies, which he is still very much enjoying, it is getting towards crunch time as he has many assignments due at the end of the semester and although he has been trying to work on them throughout the course of the semester, time seems to have flown by and there seems to be a lot to do in a short period of time. By all accounts, talking to other seminarians and their wives this is normal seminary life. Prayer would be appreciated for Miska over the next month that he would be able to work diligently and get all the assignments done to the best of his ability.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK644IOSTY0zzwB7SgCwyFaZy7XUbiImnd5M_brK_5CkzP92r451GrJQNBbKQl_S_d8mLZb8ffrz1qbMsF3HMF2DWMTT8fbgwNAUr2lWawR5SUJSQk04ptxzSrM4LXvch6Y-lrRabD0-Vn/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+7.47.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK644IOSTY0zzwB7SgCwyFaZy7XUbiImnd5M_brK_5CkzP92r451GrJQNBbKQl_S_d8mLZb8ffrz1qbMsF3HMF2DWMTT8fbgwNAUr2lWawR5SUJSQk04ptxzSrM4LXvch6Y-lrRabD0-Vn/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+7.47.51+PM.png" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Miska's Hebrew flash cards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We are also so thankful to God for the provision of a job for Miska at the seminary library, Miska was working in the church events department serving at weddings and memorials and although he very much enjoyed this work, the hours were not regular or for as many as he would like to get enough fincancial income. The library job gives a secure 20 hours a week (the maximum Miska can do on international student visa), he is very much enjoying being there, it is a great opportunity for Miska to meet many people and he loves being around the books. There is also an opportunity to buy second hand books from the library, so as you can imagine, Miska comes back most weeks with a few books in tow, this always makes my heart sink a little as I imagine the number of books we will be taking back to Finland, but the prices are very cheap and it's a great opportunity to build up his personal library, especially when you think there is not exactly a huge abundance of good resources in Finland, and if there are they are so much more expensive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QHoLbFGz5Ha3PcSMWjPUbx2UGz9XN3w4kYwPYQlFklCQbzN3yH9BvGiyTozK3nsT4jH_JXaAZDk_DxLqDO3ie-Xmv6SShf0DrcQZjqegw8WPvqa13wdj4KpJm_PmHgaHWgFOU7ZXzHCd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+7.47.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QHoLbFGz5Ha3PcSMWjPUbx2UGz9XN3w4kYwPYQlFklCQbzN3yH9BvGiyTozK3nsT4jH_JXaAZDk_DxLqDO3ie-Xmv6SShf0DrcQZjqegw8WPvqa13wdj4KpJm_PmHgaHWgFOU7ZXzHCd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+7.47.34+PM.png" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TMS Library leaflet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have joined as members of Grace Community Church and also settled in a fellowship group called FaithBuilders. FaithBuilders meets between 8.30am and 10.00am, then we have main service at 10.30 and an evening service at 6.30pm. With three sermons on a Sunday it can be a lot to take in and digest, but we are thoroughly enjoying our time at Grace Community Church. We have become involved with the FaithBuilders fellowship group, Miska has volunteered to help with sound on Sunday mornings every now and then, so is currently being trained up. We also attend a local small group Bible study two Friday's a month, which is very conveniently held in out apartment block, Miska will also start teaching in the Bible study come the new year as we start on the book of Ephesians. Faithbuilder's also has a men's and women's Bible study once a month, both groups have been reading through Tim Challies' book 'The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment', we have both found the book very helpful so far, it is a nice easy read but also challenging and I would certainly recommend it. We have been building up good friendships in the church and within the fellowship group, we even house/cat sat for a couple of weeks for a couple in the group, it was nice to have a garden to sit out in and enjoy the cooler sunny weather. Miska has been out once with the evangelism team on a Sunday afternoon and would like to go again, but as yet the timing has not been right. I must admit, when you first go to Grace Community Church you can be overwhelmed by the huge size of the church, but I must say, when you plug yourself in and get to know people, it soon feels a lot smaller in a good way :-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcQltyYzMc823Gf9cDUFBQdMmN6kbRYjX_xaJPVAN9fyZoNFbE4w7l4PrnsQOJlRewUfz-CbCL74okXRtvRpIJeRnjIrpyupn7IvZoIZAaJIKI_iqjVxeOC5Q0X3asTKXJljYkj6YEcGQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+7.52.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcQltyYzMc823Gf9cDUFBQdMmN6kbRYjX_xaJPVAN9fyZoNFbE4w7l4PrnsQOJlRewUfz-CbCL74okXRtvRpIJeRnjIrpyupn7IvZoIZAaJIKI_iqjVxeOC5Q0X3asTKXJljYkj6YEcGQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+7.52.04+PM.png" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvest pot-luck dinner with our church fellowship group</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Baby Wilhelmsson is doing well. A huge answer to prayer came in the result of my medi-cal (government provided insurance) coming through. This means I am fully covered for my pregnancy and delivery at no cost. It is a huge weight of our shoulders and we are both so thankful for this provision. My pregnancy is developing well and he is growing on target. I feel very blessed to be having a straightforward pregnancy so far. Every so often I get the anxious attack and start worrying that he is not moving around in there, but then he soon gives me a reassuring kick :-) Miska has been able to feel him move a couple of times also. All being well, he is due on February 19th 2015. A good friend of mine here is also due on exactly the same day, we are both having boys and are under the same doctor, who knows we may be in the hospital at the same time :-) My Mum and Sister have booked flights for a few weeks after due date, which I am very excited about and also Miska's Mum will come out soon after they have left, so it will be great to have family around us here in L.A. when the baby comes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kxc4rhvuaaubm6fORVDxSbeazPWqndbrfwSDE7rNGFEhSw2DW8AftuKtZWhw96iKUecXw35hQDRisXPUrJcTT8X7HMfuVtf5GDBnCtwgxCv-7BrLKvyb3Jj8rmkNGM6QRm2-N4y9uDdt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+7.48.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kxc4rhvuaaubm6fORVDxSbeazPWqndbrfwSDE7rNGFEhSw2DW8AftuKtZWhw96iKUecXw35hQDRisXPUrJcTT8X7HMfuVtf5GDBnCtwgxCv-7BrLKvyb3Jj8rmkNGM6QRm2-N4y9uDdt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+7.48.14+PM.png" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proverbs class with Dr. John Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've been enjoying going to the Seminary Wives group mettings and have a lovely group of ladies with whom I share a table with. The teaching has been great, as well as the book we are reading through - 'One with the Shepherd' by Mary Sommerville. The meetings have just ended this week for the Thanksgiving and Christmas break and I am already looking forward to starting up again in the new year. I have also been doing a 6 week Logos Institute course with Dr. John Street on the book of Proverbs and especially how the book can be used for biblical counseling purposes, this has been great, I only wish it could continue, though God willing I will also undertake a biblical counseling course at some point in the future while I am here. I'm also very much enjoy going to a knitting group that occurs on a Friday afternoon at the local library, I have learnt there is a whole world to knitting and crochet I never knew exisisted! The ladies are so talented and friendly, also so patient to teach me new knitting skills, I have successfully knitted my first sock... now I just have to knit the other one!<br />
<br />
On another note, I passed my driving test, and now have a Californian driving liscence, makes me feel a little bit American! I am also having to adapt to using American phrases, I tried my best to stay strong and use my British terms, but have to concede to American terms, quite simply because otherwise people do not have a clue what I am talking about!<br />
<br />
I am also very excited as my best friend Miriam will be arriving here tomorrow :-) It will be so lovely to have her here for two and a half weeks, we have a few exciting things planned but to be honest it will be just great to hang out together properly.<br />
<br />
So, things on the whole are going very well. Financially, we have learnt that things are a little more costly than we first though but we are learning to budget our money as best we can. The use of coupons here is something I am getting used to as well as shopping around at different stores to find the best deals. This does mean at times doing my food shopping at three different stores but the savings are worth it. One thing we would value prayer about is our apartment living, we realised we could save some money in this area by dropping to a smaller apartment - pray for wisdom in this, potentially we could move within our apartment block or more likely it would be when our contract ends next July. We love living where we are and have a lovely home, but we are trying to be wise with finances, so we would value prayer in regards to housing situation and saving money.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
We have had a little bit of downtime too and have enjoyed getting to know the area in which we live in a little better. I still maintain that Wales and Finland are more beautiful than here in the desert but there is still natural beauty to be seen certainly. We have enjoyed exploring some of the local canyons for short walks, many of which have been seen on film sets and this past week Miska and I had a whole date day where we went to Santa Barbara Zoo and also the city centre, it was a lovely place and I enjoyed my day there and know it is somewhere to bring visitors. At the Zoo I got to fulfill a life long dream to feed a giraffe :-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27KWZDyA3zBX9hjbUJ5b_1UOA0EuLMGbQIfGJSvSvIyHCQ6lk1X48r4hMq45wwZxL1HhRWSjIDKuDWSdjw7eD7nUCPEdA8-H9R9LrgrLSZ93q4CrDXVzRdVYsVbQCbA9n6nFMDEAiC9ML/s1600/10755712_544585102352551_311786553_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27KWZDyA3zBX9hjbUJ5b_1UOA0EuLMGbQIfGJSvSvIyHCQ6lk1X48r4hMq45wwZxL1HhRWSjIDKuDWSdjw7eD7nUCPEdA8-H9R9LrgrLSZ93q4CrDXVzRdVYsVbQCbA9n6nFMDEAiC9ML/s1600/10755712_544585102352551_311786553_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a 'zooper' day at Sanata Barbara Zoo :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I do hope all is well with everyone who reads this, wherever you are in the world. Remember you can always contact us at either of our email addresses or at thewilhelmssons@gmail.com we would love to hear from you and also let us know if there is anything we can be praying for you. I do miss the UK and Finland, though also thankful I am now feeling settled here in L.A.<br />
<br />
In summary here are some things you can pray for us:<br />
<br />
Praise God for answered prayers:<br />
<ul>
<li>Miska has a job in the library</li>
<li>We feel more settled here in L.A.</li>
<li>We feel settled in Grace Community Church</li>
<li>Baby Wilhelmsson is growing well and my pregnancy so far has been nice and straightforward.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Current prayer requests:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>For Miska and his studies, especially getting all his assignments in the next few weeks</li>
<li>For wisdom on our housing situation as an opportunity to save money</li>
<li>For myself not to be anxious about the baby at times and learn to trust God in all things</li>
<li>That I (Alison) will be able to put into practice the things I am learning in Seminary Wives and the Logos class and other Bible studies into practice.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until the next post (or video),</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Alison (and Miska)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444713259444009383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-55797632914932695652014-09-18T21:14:00.001-07:002015-10-10T13:54:07.188-07:00Brief update and mindset for Finland (+video)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sm2YTmh64a_nshq-LAEeoc4nVZiGreko2J4rM90QEkNCoIha__T_zfnpIE0ru7w0nXtVwXtrorRr5Nd0vW-bzXv015C_rvJvguGoJGjyYc7hcMjgdr5PUhNDsIdAkCIW29oAoUW6Y3eN/s1600/10628207_10152731640205990_6742250869092874911_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sm2YTmh64a_nshq-LAEeoc4nVZiGreko2J4rM90QEkNCoIha__T_zfnpIE0ru7w0nXtVwXtrorRr5Nd0vW-bzXv015C_rvJvguGoJGjyYc7hcMjgdr5PUhNDsIdAkCIW29oAoUW6Y3eN/s1600/10628207_10152731640205990_6742250869092874911_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska in class (front row bright blue shirt) with Dr. MacArthur.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Greetings from sunny and hot Los Angeles (it's been up to +43 celcius at times this week!). We have now been here about 8 weeks and are now much more settled into our new surroundings, we are thankful for those who have been praying for us. Miska has now completed about 5 weeks of the 1st semester at Seminary and he is managing to keep his head above water with the big amount of studies, reading and homework. It is encouraging for me (Alison) to see his dedication to his studies and the real joy and pleasure he has from attending The Master's Seminary.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNInU9O0tHSL07N-jkPeanoGMFWctWzkWiEksBbGr_6dFsS5nUqdjEI9Ja09OvU3MBy-DjWUo6UEsd5TF-eKTBLUhv-qzRkHsDEK3K1f6hCTxJe1APtUCycPnnlpvykdSKDr1pr9QHVEco/s1600/IMG_2943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNInU9O0tHSL07N-jkPeanoGMFWctWzkWiEksBbGr_6dFsS5nUqdjEI9Ja09OvU3MBy-DjWUo6UEsd5TF-eKTBLUhv-qzRkHsDEK3K1f6hCTxJe1APtUCycPnnlpvykdSKDr1pr9QHVEco/s1600/IMG_2943.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with Tom, Linda, Nathaniel, Daniel & Julie and family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even with all this change and adaption to our new environment for the next years, we have not forgotten where we have come from and especially our goal (God willing) to return to Finland and continue the work at International Baptist Church (Tampere, Finland) started by Tom and Linda Ruhkala. We are thankful to have Pastor Tom and Linda now here in Los Angeles and it was a joy to meet up with them about a week ago, along with another church member Nathaniel who was visiting from Finland. What a pleasure to have a reunion of church members from Finland here in Los Angeles. Tom and Linda will be based here until March 2015, using it as a base to visit many supporting churches around the state of California.<br />
<br />
To give an update about their missionary work in Finland, Tom and Linda have produced a short (about 15 min) video explaining some of the work they have been doing in Finland for over 35 years, we feel it gives a great insight into the work in Finland and the need for sound biblical teaching and solid biblical churches. We are glad to share this video for your to watch and hope you find it interesting, informative and encouraging. It also provides an insight to what we will be doing Lord willing after Miska finishes his seminary training here at TMS.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="298" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/111567444?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="530"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Tom and Linda are serving as missionaries under Baptist Mid-Missions. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the 'leadership training fund' they have set up to help support Miska's theological training here at The Master's Seminary. Without this financial support for Miska's tuition fees we would not be able to be afforded this wonderful opportunity. We would like to thank all individuals and supporting churches of Tom and Linda who have kindly donated to this fund. We would also like to extend a huge thank you for your prayer support.<br />
<br />
As a side note, please take this opportunity to visit our updated <a href="http://thewilhelmssons.blogspot.com/p/support.html">'Supporting us'</a> page if you're interested to know how you might be able to support us through prayer and also financially should you wish to do so.<br />
<br />
Warmest greetings,<br />
<br />
Alison & MiskaMiska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-80440721121861465562014-08-24T07:17:00.000-07:002014-09-07T21:15:54.595-07:00Video Update #1 (August 2014)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hetB_gTcBtA?rel=0" width="540"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Hi everyone! We have just recorded and uploaded our first video update (20 minutes long), talking about our first two weeks here in Los Angeles. You can watch the video here above or by clicking this YouTube link: <a href="http://youtu.be/hetB_gTcBtA">http://youtu.be/hetB_gTcBtA</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary of topics covered:</b><br />
- First week tiredness<br />
- Culture shock<br />
- Sorting practicalities<br />
- Moving to our new appartment<br />
- TMS orientation week<br />
- Course with Dr. John MacArthur and Dr. Steve Lawson<br />
- Study workload and books<br />
- Learning Hebrew<br />
- Joining Grace Community Church<br />
- Bible-study groups<br />
- Prayer requestsMiska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0Santa Clarita, CA, USA34.3916641 -118.5425860000000334.1820591 -118.86530950000002 34.6012691 -118.21986250000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-44011304918793606042014-08-04T10:47:00.001-07:002014-08-04T10:47:54.937-07:00Short update: Baby Wilhelmsson!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje59GCEouzkpaw1nKjlZqGScaX0E8vCU3QeKu8tmyVIJza3z2gaWlLiw-RAE0aOiptGOtfU0YAym2E9KqH4_3FyAZi9-ln4s_wv8l_z_RFT3u41HWmQh2OkfGj96at8tUw7y_2I_0gElEU/s1600/10441372_10154431716480416_5546554486797526556_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje59GCEouzkpaw1nKjlZqGScaX0E8vCU3QeKu8tmyVIJza3z2gaWlLiw-RAE0aOiptGOtfU0YAym2E9KqH4_3FyAZi9-ln4s_wv8l_z_RFT3u41HWmQh2OkfGj96at8tUw7y_2I_0gElEU/s1600/10441372_10154431716480416_5546554486797526556_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-shirt for the baby and the 9 week scans.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
We are excited to publicly announce the little but growing baby Wilhelmsson! The baby is now almost 12 weeks, the scan photos are from 9 weeks. While having the scan, we saw the baby wiggling it’s body almost like some dance moves ;-)</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Due time is mid February, will be wearing this Finland coloured shirt in America, whether it’s a boy or a girl :-)</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Miska & Alison</div>
Miska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-67728824135098621712014-07-24T12:33:00.000-07:002014-07-24T12:33:13.416-07:00Two weeks to go!Wow, time flies when you're busy!<br />
<br />
Last time I blogged, we had been in Finland three weeks, now we just have only two weeks to go! We fly out on 7th August, taking off from Helsinki at 7am local time and landing at 17.30 L.A. time. Someone else can do the maths to how long our journey will take, too confusing for me with the time difference.<br />
<br />
Not really sure where the time has gone or where to really begin writing an update.<br />
<br />
So news in terms of preparation for The Master's Seminary/Los Angeles:<br />
<br />
First thing I guess, is a huge answer to prayer that we got our visas to USA easily, quicly and with very little problems. The biggest concern for me was that Miska's arrived on a Friday and I had to suffer the weekend waiting to see if my arrived on the Monday (which it did!). I know patience and learning not to worry are two lessons God needs to teach me!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGUl7lBJT8SPBFNW5Nkwq9mKP3jLkypzwZTjVU5qLIHo5FFKsjkXLsQVq1iufiUB65V4XoRSeWSiV-yv6ZiR2tyvC6H1Nw8E6waxjcEhyeEX1AAssfzL2psPU-_XJxhNlreNxrJy5yiE/s1600/IMG_20140519_170550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGUl7lBJT8SPBFNW5Nkwq9mKP3jLkypzwZTjVU5qLIHo5FFKsjkXLsQVq1iufiUB65V4XoRSeWSiV-yv6ZiR2tyvC6H1Nw8E6waxjcEhyeEX1AAssfzL2psPU-_XJxhNlreNxrJy5yiE/s1600/IMG_20140519_170550.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our visas :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have also secured an apartment, we will be living in Newhall, Santa Clarita. It is about a 30 minute drive from The Master's Seminary and Grace Community Church - which in L.A. proportions is quite close! It's an area heavily populated by seminary couples and families, with even a few families living in our same apartment complex. This is great for car pooling to and from seminary for Miska and also lovely for me as I will be more free to use the car - when we get one ;-) It is also a nice area to go out and about and has amenities nice and close, including by the looks of google maps a sewing shop - so I can get a nice supply of wool to continue my knitted Noah's Ark animals. We visited this area with our friend John Hester when we visited in October last year, he took us to The Egg Plantation, which sells over 101 different filled omelette's, this is just a five minute walk from our apartment so I wander how many we will try over our three years :-) So our apartment has two bedrooms, so visitors are more than welcome - that is an honest offer, so if you fancy a holiday, just get in contact. The apartment comes unfurnished, but we have been very fortunate to have been lent lots of furniture from our good friend Jeanne, and also our great orientation leaders Curtis and Christa have also organised items for us. We have been overwhelmed by the help from our orientation leaders, they are certainly making sure our move to Los Angeles goes as smooth as possible, which helps so much with my anxiety and nerves.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36ql8WwmfxRbrpGOuIBBz_GyR2VUkW1FkUDi2S6CrwK8OllOqXcusTigIxDkv8qs44Cb7E7Y7JRS-vpZcTCEtb4zcufQgA_mlavn6xB9NEEZ3kmcAvIG4f1OuT3iTlSN9Ki3-pKvNtFM/s1600/10388217_10154249898700416_5172243300263082575_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36ql8WwmfxRbrpGOuIBBz_GyR2VUkW1FkUDi2S6CrwK8OllOqXcusTigIxDkv8qs44Cb7E7Y7JRS-vpZcTCEtb4zcufQgA_mlavn6xB9NEEZ3kmcAvIG4f1OuT3iTlSN9Ki3-pKvNtFM/s1600/10388217_10154249898700416_5172243300263082575_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our apartment in Newhall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have done lots of other bits and bobs in preparation, mainly paperwork and investigating things like medical insurance, which is straight forward for Miska (because being a student) but a lot of confusion for mine. We are also thankful that Miska has been able to secure study aid from the Finnish social security system. Basically, Finnish people are still in the fortunate position that they are able to get support for attending higher education. Miska will get about €300 a month for the months he studies out in Los Angeles, for almost the three years. We are particularly thankful for this money as we in no way thought it was guaranteed because we were not sure they would accept The Masters Seminary as a formal education centre, contrasted to goverment supported universities.<br />
<br />
So now to news about International Baptist Church. We have been so blessed to have this time at the church. Miska has been preaching a series on Ephesians 6:10-20 - The Armor of God. It has been a great experience for him in preaching each week regularly and and also leading the weekly Wednesday Bible Study meeting. He wrote a brief post a couple of days ago (see previous blog post) and this is a sample of what Miska wrote:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
'<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It's been a great experience to preach regularly every week, certainly a lot to learn and grow still — even more motivation for my Seminary studies!'</span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
I have really enjoyed the experience too, makes me aware of where I need to grow as a Christian and develop. I have enjoyed the chance to get to know the people in the fellowship further and deepen friendships. We have also had the opportunity to fellowship with Agape International Church which has been a huge blessing. Agape International Church is located about 4 hours to the north west of Tampere and is in the heart of Swedish speaking Finland, the church is English speaking, but most of the members first language would be Swedish. It is pastored by Kyle McCartan, he is from Northern Ireland and has a lovely Finnish wife (Sara) and they have been living in Finland together now for around 15 years, they have six amazing boys ranging from 13-1 years old. Last weekend we were able to get together and spend a weekend of fellowship out in the countryside and also have a joint worship service here in Tampere, the sermon p<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">reached by Miska that Sunday <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19px;">'Prayer for Bold Gospel Proclamation (Eph. 6 : 19 - 20)'</span> was recorded by Don from from Agape C</span>hurch and is now online, so if you are interested to listen: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/agapeinternationalchurch/prayer-for-bold-gospel-proclamation-eph-6-19-20-by-miska-wilhelmsson-20072014" target="_blank">click here for the sermon link</a>. We were also blessed to witness the baptism of one of their church members. Here are some photos of a lovely weekend together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoyC_Bkv6C2mYV7SXTlRX76Yy_HQrmpbbDqCVEZHy6NbcvODi7ZIuMAobJgWYVQ2mykUTLjmDtCg0q_tykTMgxbXudTWTjlV3SVjP8szc8iS6FE3rf07KR8Kn49gTFUQfgxgK2sHf8WY/s1600/DSC_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoyC_Bkv6C2mYV7SXTlRX76Yy_HQrmpbbDqCVEZHy6NbcvODi7ZIuMAobJgWYVQ2mykUTLjmDtCg0q_tykTMgxbXudTWTjlV3SVjP8szc8iS6FE3rf07KR8Kn49gTFUQfgxgK2sHf8WY/s1600/DSC_1301.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Baptism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOfRBfIKOpmHvWQMzjRu89k9MApIdWvvgpzgJR0dSR3EQbV7vyDJ38zzL9YZPsuLlW__JDiY3rQ-IqZAT49jWnRDctWUeC66UkoPfq8K5nOLIAUH_QWmEHq4oPWeHXqj_TTGSGAocTJU/s1600/DSC_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOfRBfIKOpmHvWQMzjRu89k9MApIdWvvgpzgJR0dSR3EQbV7vyDJ38zzL9YZPsuLlW__JDiY3rQ-IqZAT49jWnRDctWUeC66UkoPfq8K5nOLIAUH_QWmEHq4oPWeHXqj_TTGSGAocTJU/s1600/DSC_1312.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a great BBQ together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0PluYHfgfmmEEqzGnRjPEJNPDVLh-zKPryMIoX6YB0LDmHxKLXyV59hL2IQ0j8IcfAdUeA7qsIBdT-3pN0oISDoc5MC1rcANGR4Rtw5qUucrXHi8gVPXWGOdaAsqjr-b8C-hQ0taccw/s1600/10505486_10154380350460416_2345793676879311434_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0PluYHfgfmmEEqzGnRjPEJNPDVLh-zKPryMIoX6YB0LDmHxKLXyV59hL2IQ0j8IcfAdUeA7qsIBdT-3pN0oISDoc5MC1rcANGR4Rtw5qUucrXHi8gVPXWGOdaAsqjr-b8C-hQ0taccw/s1600/10505486_10154380350460416_2345793676879311434_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo after our joint Sunday service with Agape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What else have we been up to. Well, spending lots of time with friends and family. From the UK we have had three visitors in quick succession which was lovely. Andrew, my parents and Miram. Sadly the waether was not always the best, we seemed to have a lovely May, cold and wet June and now we are having a scorching hot July.<br />
<br />
Andrew came for a weekend and we introduced him to many Finnish customs and delicacies including sauna, lake swiming, Reino slippers, squeaky cheese with cloudberry jam, rowing on lake, forest walking and much more. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPsi43VOvo_Y39Sy6eVCdprG7KaVi-7J6ybeVGDTzlZswpuzTjZsy2Zm51xp_EOcKg5oPKfFH2tbsM3HSoBon_OKYFJrITQimP2s_o0WDwG5CAzV5RuOIjvlqE8yu1-2UIZWlUDDG6sA/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPsi43VOvo_Y39Sy6eVCdprG7KaVi-7J6ybeVGDTzlZswpuzTjZsy2Zm51xp_EOcKg5oPKfFH2tbsM3HSoBon_OKYFJrITQimP2s_o0WDwG5CAzV5RuOIjvlqE8yu1-2UIZWlUDDG6sA/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Should we have left Andrew in the middle of the lake? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8xKoUNZAJhI5MwHbenQoJ54YZJVirgFTrY0OXrx9vLo9Q9KL99YQHpwQlzGYEwf_ThhJTtDiOKVwqy4JK1VUTum74PKLgoX_Et3yw6FydcYMtob1My31KV36-H1qY9CVNXq4vZTh0XU/s1600/DSC_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8xKoUNZAJhI5MwHbenQoJ54YZJVirgFTrY0OXrx9vLo9Q9KL99YQHpwQlzGYEwf_ThhJTtDiOKVwqy4JK1VUTum74PKLgoX_Et3yw6FydcYMtob1My31KV36-H1qY9CVNXq4vZTh0XU/s1600/DSC_0635.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska and Andrew being braver than I and swimming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLbdZ0eicrxfNeYwF-mTuAgtB44x4k_tpXlxO_KRkrmxGy5V0mlrAnSu0kumQmhm_ywnoU-Se1rLIgtjwi2GJjMbLXctsmuHaQJpD0SETG11B9At2lH0dvaY-9RCq5R5LNzHTOjmXygs/s1600/DSC_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLbdZ0eicrxfNeYwF-mTuAgtB44x4k_tpXlxO_KRkrmxGy5V0mlrAnSu0kumQmhm_ywnoU-Se1rLIgtjwi2GJjMbLXctsmuHaQJpD0SETG11B9At2lH0dvaY-9RCq5R5LNzHTOjmXygs/s1600/DSC_0650.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coolest slippers in town - Finnish 'Reino' slippers :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then we had my Mum and Dad visit for a week. They came over the weekend of Midsummer, which is a big national holiday here, with people mainly taking to the summer cottages to celebrate. Being so far north, it pretty much does not get dark, the land of the midnight sun! In fact the days have been so long here, I can't remember the last time I saw actual darkness. We all went and visited Miska's mum's summer cottage over midsummer, was lovely time away. The weather was a little cold, but atleast we had some sunshine, some areas of Finland had hail! I also found out that I am rubbish at the game of darts - even my Mum beat me which to me a huge competitor in games was hard to swallow! Miska and my Dad built a shelter in the forest as a playhouse for Miska's nieces, or alternatively a place for Miska to take naps ;-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt9yyAdv7Hxqv-QAX0IdCmvxvTROvXQS0h9qVAu95CzR3k0j4EHvNDPhluZOBw1YzEWCXEayBa1RCkyYFB-jOrO_FuHMbmlMdxG4El_3lOYx1aQ-wS368xfu93KjZfgBfqHUpQJdnV3I/s1600/DSC_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt9yyAdv7Hxqv-QAX0IdCmvxvTROvXQS0h9qVAu95CzR3k0j4EHvNDPhluZOBw1YzEWCXEayBa1RCkyYFB-jOrO_FuHMbmlMdxG4El_3lOYx1aQ-wS368xfu93KjZfgBfqHUpQJdnV3I/s1600/DSC_0661.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family group photo in the forest in Vaasa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsfr94XBIO4H2jXq0PNhK3dwt4fhQrHAl18rW9M_o4FMa-Kt7WMFPQc8kSct2Rh2zOv0XPsH2FgnFLOWL2lyFQH3EN7XfrxEh_x7ITa2wlPDXrkmBo5Q860SVus40FyNtDHKd78ugxZc/s1600/DSC_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsfr94XBIO4H2jXq0PNhK3dwt4fhQrHAl18rW9M_o4FMa-Kt7WMFPQc8kSct2Rh2zOv0XPsH2FgnFLOWL2lyFQH3EN7XfrxEh_x7ITa2wlPDXrkmBo5Q860SVus40FyNtDHKd78ugxZc/s1600/DSC_0709.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CtfV-6P27XUYRQR3VBnIG4i2CArYPJ09E9LqEgOwX4lyZq9pH8TXsUthq-YKxw9H6LeFpcwtmY-1IsKuKjzcUPVkmZGqjTca3U-vWRGPPMSCQQhm1oq0AVES_hDNCK4eHRRlk6kvtNE/s1600/DSC_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CtfV-6P27XUYRQR3VBnIG4i2CArYPJ09E9LqEgOwX4lyZq9pH8TXsUthq-YKxw9H6LeFpcwtmY-1IsKuKjzcUPVkmZGqjTca3U-vWRGPPMSCQQhm1oq0AVES_hDNCK4eHRRlk6kvtNE/s1600/DSC_0734.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing darts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdzh98W0nnEwf9VKZFt82MqyGvUL0xBTACfgFYHemDf3BMw5MHLSW8QuESSsUBzwNq1zffsSW2S445OgvhNyA0T9G7L1LC7IoE2uK3yrL48OAjxqwM1tv1ygEd4FGOcBCdZJlNt9erS4/s1600/DSC_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdzh98W0nnEwf9VKZFt82MqyGvUL0xBTACfgFYHemDf3BMw5MHLSW8QuESSsUBzwNq1zffsSW2S445OgvhNyA0T9G7L1LC7IoE2uK3yrL48OAjxqwM1tv1ygEd4FGOcBCdZJlNt9erS4/s1600/DSC_0752.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska and Isabell in the completed shelter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then a ryanair flight flew into Tampere bringing in Miriam and taking home my parents. Had a lovely four days with Miriam. We had a lovely time out at Miska's grandparents summer cottage, where we got to have proper Finish sauna, grill Makkara (sausage), go fishing, Miska and Miriam went swimming despite the cold water. Had a nice girly day on the Saturday shopping and generally was most fun catching up properly with my best friend visiting :-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIL1hMCEA02wf3V6nLkWUH2Vxqvmy5Mrh0Qkv-QKRwN-6Lt_NL0knYcvAmX64UCJqPhJeCDZbf9qKISS5QzOSaW2XZ9KP_9_0zXyGfF4nxczVl0ehfqNGLGMRsubG_0ITdFONqAAoCX0/s1600/DSC_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIL1hMCEA02wf3V6nLkWUH2Vxqvmy5Mrh0Qkv-QKRwN-6Lt_NL0knYcvAmX64UCJqPhJeCDZbf9qKISS5QzOSaW2XZ9KP_9_0zXyGfF4nxczVl0ehfqNGLGMRsubG_0ITdFONqAAoCX0/s1600/DSC_0792.JPG" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best friends reunited</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4unkYgqXnuKwfWSOjsByj0-sdf8_mqIJ2Z1IBgeNjzV-mILVniK4KaOQoSutvvm19HS05xsvj8D2DIYc0alQuVeCvl1xjGkMvbcSZnpPBPGsnGHfjn6IpdUNShwRU58N3Y342PybQTc/s1600/DSC_000001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4unkYgqXnuKwfWSOjsByj0-sdf8_mqIJ2Z1IBgeNjzV-mILVniK4KaOQoSutvvm19HS05xsvj8D2DIYc0alQuVeCvl1xjGkMvbcSZnpPBPGsnGHfjn6IpdUNShwRU58N3Y342PybQTc/s1600/DSC_000001.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing fun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7vzH8xjzfDAyqyeYiLNbm8dzl-jSTkCidrxUb0jU-_SovtcmJ5unGMc7FIjjtwtY5C0xjjy4teQOSwANISLCOod1TOdy0rFM2XgkNl7Up7-wrr3R3Eh7rJUq9cuqGQNAgGnDoUQwXKI/s1600/DSC_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7vzH8xjzfDAyqyeYiLNbm8dzl-jSTkCidrxUb0jU-_SovtcmJ5unGMc7FIjjtwtY5C0xjjy4teQOSwANISLCOod1TOdy0rFM2XgkNl7Up7-wrr3R3Eh7rJUq9cuqGQNAgGnDoUQwXKI/s1600/DSC_0864.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brave swimmer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTB1lt2js7B6BwsTv239Cuuq6fduNTC56_fMgImcRzkgsDIETL3EOUkg7JqvdOx5EN-m3cvlDx3neylYtOcQuSwnJRo0yuuktO2HaGxIJuN_7rF-nomPMAKP4t9q0ng8yOplVIw0JGxQI/s1600/DSC_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTB1lt2js7B6BwsTv239Cuuq6fduNTC56_fMgImcRzkgsDIETL3EOUkg7JqvdOx5EN-m3cvlDx3neylYtOcQuSwnJRo0yuuktO2HaGxIJuN_7rF-nomPMAKP4t9q0ng8yOplVIw0JGxQI/s1600/DSC_0919.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funny faces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, we have spent time with Miska's family, especially his Mum and Brother's family. This has been lovely, sometimes can be hard for me with the langauge barrier, but nice to spend time with them all and get to know them better.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-FqigVEFEkFORbx4_TLh6H7ABIvzTNjuK4t2vurAIp63J6s_JcYzZx96_VLLXyIfyZTumClNmtI9efBW1DEf1ofq9bMUGbpR5FPUpYG9hr9GiByuam7dUqfi-LKbUTnK4CJLXXGRvgE/s1600/DSC_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-FqigVEFEkFORbx4_TLh6H7ABIvzTNjuK4t2vurAIp63J6s_JcYzZx96_VLLXyIfyZTumClNmtI9efBW1DEf1ofq9bMUGbpR5FPUpYG9hr9GiByuam7dUqfi-LKbUTnK4CJLXXGRvgE/s1600/DSC_1450.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabell and me on a hot sunny afternoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQgqKdsYCd4Ofw1WQJ2APduCmbeRbpmbhcee9JODH7RcEjy0viDpVd2FnGsdxjgRRaWdNyjf2Dx1svPhhAPsL7oW_LAG010d-dNyzPpYYEaax0rt_x1WwsKTEjqpJZlMayE6eEwfZBwU/s1600/DSC_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQgqKdsYCd4Ofw1WQJ2APduCmbeRbpmbhcee9JODH7RcEjy0viDpVd2FnGsdxjgRRaWdNyjf2Dx1svPhhAPsL7oW_LAG010d-dNyzPpYYEaax0rt_x1WwsKTEjqpJZlMayE6eEwfZBwU/s1600/DSC_1109.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska, Jonathan and Isabell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8mlagwbYJ11swt0DrnTPgCSYGWrGESbNnXGzzzjvj4GtldU71t43ANrGTPF-i1lQcbo2NQwKSS_44UVUtPPGEED0Pzk5UV_y_b1gnwPBCT29lkTNvwXA2mrVOzxDOYCCJa-GspQ90S4/s1600/DSC_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8mlagwbYJ11swt0DrnTPgCSYGWrGESbNnXGzzzjvj4GtldU71t43ANrGTPF-i1lQcbo2NQwKSS_44UVUtPPGEED0Pzk5UV_y_b1gnwPBCT29lkTNvwXA2mrVOzxDOYCCJa-GspQ90S4/s1600/DSC_0697.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emilia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
We have also spent time with Miska's half-sister Rosa, she has just moved to Tampere to start at a new school, sort of equivelent to sixth form in the UK, it has been lovely to spend time with her and get to know her a little more. The three of us played scrabble together once, I won, but can't help but think I had an unfair advantage as I am the only native English speaker, I know for a fact if we played in Finnish I would lose terribly!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi6WlKb6istdZL_BwILi8Ym9rP30CJ_b2T7t4xf1ds47ccQX5jOlrg1ZaPbIdV6JqsLJxL9Hsv80ATYZxp0TwmBweRxpvmrbpZSXe70oE0NwZlx9iL2n2TWGqt5mse-13UnyVp6T0m5Q/s1600/1491675_10154062181805416_7114285300618119057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi6WlKb6istdZL_BwILi8Ym9rP30CJ_b2T7t4xf1ds47ccQX5jOlrg1ZaPbIdV6JqsLJxL9Hsv80ATYZxp0TwmBweRxpvmrbpZSXe70oE0NwZlx9iL2n2TWGqt5mse-13UnyVp6T0m5Q/s1600/1491675_10154062181805416_7114285300618119057_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Miska with Rosa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If I thought I would be bored during our transition time in Finland, I was certainly wrong, I have been so busy, not had any time to be bored! I could write a lot more, but the hour is getting late and I need to head to bed.<br />
<br />
We have another busy couple of weeks ahead, saying sad goodbyes and also packing and tying up lots of loose ends, would value prayer that all would go smoothly and would not be too stressed or anxious.<br />
<br />
Until the next post,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Alison</div>
Miska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-23231919978439192142014-07-21T05:03:00.000-07:002014-07-21T05:03:16.006-07:00Short update: Preaching at IBC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwt4v-jyOHN80bKaH505u3EFjNXZh4Twf_rASATW75d7i0eSu3yLiF-kp2MjHY1AQQFy_bOKz1btGbQfJfAHU5cJzOTUvvAIauwFm3IjMMlF5B_MfbjV7vRm1ytJmx9FlW_l_2RNXtymS/s1600/10553492_10152554576358057_1637140980100481398_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwt4v-jyOHN80bKaH505u3EFjNXZh4Twf_rASATW75d7i0eSu3yLiF-kp2MjHY1AQQFy_bOKz1btGbQfJfAHU5cJzOTUvvAIauwFm3IjMMlF5B_MfbjV7vRm1ytJmx9FlW_l_2RNXtymS/s1600/10553492_10152554576358057_1637140980100481398_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska preaching on 'Prayer for Bold Gospel Proclamation'<br />(Eph. 6:19-20) - 20th July 2014.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Next Sunday will be my last time preaching at IBC (</span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ibctampere.org%2F&h=HAQF_joIw&enc=AZPqsJ7VSrmqpucSzLWZLt5D01tt8cHD6L-rCtiE1i6q8zmHa0MEon_kpHHVfRAwp3bzxwFROnJ99_FSOHT_2mEHWrHvJ4upvTXZCB1_z3TzPJLztD3-Enoa3XTbW_VlbV16hOCAO3vZ51P_Nklea3uN&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.ibctampere.org</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">) before heading to California. I'll be doing a final overview and summary of the whole series 'Armor of God' in Ephesians 6:10-20. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It's been a great experience to preach regularly every week, certainly a lot to learn and grow still — even more motivation for my Seminary studies! Three years and we will be back, Lord willing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Miska</span>Miska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-29329106765213694792014-05-15T06:08:00.000-07:002014-05-15T11:12:30.832-07:00We are now in Finland!So I haven't written for a while... I guess we have been kind of busy ;-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oqTrskFwqhs55SVhYtOfVHM8SnbCgfMiMcmSqbyNviqhKufo4BqbXHGmWUBkcsgshXCi0_mQOVBM17svMCRpnCTQafTjYdyc3kiuErrlNcpJoccwPOouSv2nNgUruNIGqAKV-xBE3fU/s1600/20140423_113739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oqTrskFwqhs55SVhYtOfVHM8SnbCgfMiMcmSqbyNviqhKufo4BqbXHGmWUBkcsgshXCi0_mQOVBM17svMCRpnCTQafTjYdyc3kiuErrlNcpJoccwPOouSv2nNgUruNIGqAKV-xBE3fU/s1600/20140423_113739.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Finland from the plane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have now been in Finland for three weeks - moved here on 23rd April. It has been a busy few weeks, but things are now beginning to settle down a little and we can start getting into a more 'normal' routine - well whatever 'normal' is!<br />
<br />
In our first few days, we spent much time with Tom and Linda (the pastor and his wife of International Baptist Church, Tampere). It was a bit of a transition time for both of us, to Miska and I as we had just arrived to Finland, and to Tom and Linda as they prepared to leave Finland for their furlough in America for about 10 months. We were blessed to have a lovely service on the Sunday, and also had this group photo taken in front of the church meeting place:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10294335_10154065479815416_8594003995179599925_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10294335_10154065479815416_8594003995179599925_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church group photo - April 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are thankful to Tom and Linda for allowing us to live in their apartment while they are away and while we are in Finland. It's an ideal location close to the city centre and the church. Also has the bonus of an amazing view.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2N9T_rKH7jxUiy6UYrNmy6OXmtgVP4LUFLLCzESkEZHzERA3UhVXzzjtgx_moKsq88vLw6v9Xu7XabOZdUow57ywUEx0bg_XkzQ4E1kxdVBWcQQpgfln2tr0cH_DPOUSdK76-e7eTI8/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2N9T_rKH7jxUiy6UYrNmy6OXmtgVP4LUFLLCzESkEZHzERA3UhVXzzjtgx_moKsq88vLw6v9Xu7XabOZdUow57ywUEx0bg_XkzQ4E1kxdVBWcQQpgfln2tr0cH_DPOUSdK76-e7eTI8/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have also spent much time over the last week catching up with family and friends which has been lovely and a real blessing. Miska's mum had a week off work, so she spent the time with us in Tampere and also Miska's home town Vaasa. We spent some time too in the Finnish countryside visiting both Miska's grandparents summer cottage and Miska's mums summer cottage. The weather here has been a bit of a mixture, we arrived to lovely warm sunshine for a few days, then Finland appeared to almost have its 'taka talvi' (back winter), which meant on one day it actually snowed! Seems appropriate I guess as Miska's mum was actually on her 'winter' holiday. The weather is now warming up again, the forcast is for 22 degrees this coming weekend and the days are getting longer, sunset tonight is not until 22.07 in the evening.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn_Ql0JcXoXK32pHTCK5HchgiCd1u0oVwxYzRFeXbQniXkdjZrGD8NLgZdWchCiP8y-locg24S422sobG3kA38zigov0HGPFCjpI3OoLo_N_crDbETc-C7TPkYsIWsOAOQ3KO-0NY6fs/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn_Ql0JcXoXK32pHTCK5HchgiCd1u0oVwxYzRFeXbQniXkdjZrGD8NLgZdWchCiP8y-locg24S422sobG3kA38zigov0HGPFCjpI3OoLo_N_crDbETc-C7TPkYsIWsOAOQ3KO-0NY6fs/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" height="86" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama of Miska's grandparents summer cottages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8uyA-3UlqTT_L-s-9aZPN-UXcBJORbicIJr2jPVIj1VaynLcWBnZ0vItlRuuk5mvALC2MH3aG4f1eR6gFfxBT0g4AQia1IvRDiPhGb9QQMsirrOnPkJlQoOjaQuQ0gi4WgfFVneKKvo/s1600/IMG_20140505_164022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8uyA-3UlqTT_L-s-9aZPN-UXcBJORbicIJr2jPVIj1VaynLcWBnZ0vItlRuuk5mvALC2MH3aG4f1eR6gFfxBT0g4AQia1IvRDiPhGb9QQMsirrOnPkJlQoOjaQuQ0gi4WgfFVneKKvo/s1600/IMG_20140505_164022.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowman and sunshine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mUMLffbtFB0WgjqURUoJ-3XzpOk_w3_cqVtZaItCaMRKivCf0P42_K3diRwJ-b7bTRdwtvs8JhKlwlUJDH6Sr1MWqMOKueQDpq5LwMkQ713MKfWPbk1X3ifoDJICqZjiP73JACe2zCg/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mUMLffbtFB0WgjqURUoJ-3XzpOk_w3_cqVtZaItCaMRKivCf0P42_K3diRwJ-b7bTRdwtvs8JhKlwlUJDH6Sr1MWqMOKueQDpq5LwMkQ713MKfWPbk1X3ifoDJICqZjiP73JACe2zCg/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" height="177" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor grilling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXQxBeiw1qviDa_PppyZt54LfS5Vao_FLTingLS3Fpqi5YAcPgpLOnRIny-niXXtKA1qYYs4tPYS6YPxAY_P0lIQZJHgsyXDJz7knALP00MSU9kIplP1T0f2motHSNJcGPTpwv3NKbaY/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXQxBeiw1qviDa_PppyZt54LfS5Vao_FLTingLS3Fpqi5YAcPgpLOnRIny-niXXtKA1qYYs4tPYS6YPxAY_P0lIQZJHgsyXDJz7knALP00MSU9kIplP1T0f2motHSNJcGPTpwv3NKbaY/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska's brother and family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's not all been a holiday off course. Miska has take over the church responsibilites, running the meetings and preaching every Sunday, and also leading the mid-week Bible study meetings on Wednesdays. On Sundays he is doing a series on Ephesians 6:10-20 - 'The Armour of God' and on Wednesdays thus far we have been looking at Bible basics such as the Deity of Christ, Why we believe the Bible. and the existence of God. It has been going well. Miska is especially thankful for this time in Finland and running the church as it gives him a brief introduction to what it will be like in the future as a pastor and preaching regularly. He is also so thankful for the three years ahead at The Master's Seminary where he will be able to learn and study God's Word further.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
We have also been busy preparing all paperwork for our visas and having the interview. This involved visiting a lot of different places. First I (Alison) had to visit the police station to register to have Finnish residency, then I had to visit the magistrate to enter the population register and also I had to visit Kela - to enter the social security system. I can't help but think this is a long and complicated system for someone who as a EU citizen has the right to live in Finland (and is also married to a Finn), but I guess it has its positives. I just don't recall Miska having to do almost any of this in UK! Then the visa application to the embassy which I guess went smoother than I thought (thanks to a kind Finnish lady who processed my residency nice and quick), from filling in the forms and having our interview at the consulate in Helsinki, it took about a week. The interview went well, appears like we had all the correct paperwork and the lady said we should have our visas and passports back in a about a week. Lord willing this will be the case.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
So what's it like living in Finland? For Miska, the transition I feel has been quite easy, he loves his home country and it's not hard to see why, it is clean, beautiful, everything seems to run efficiently and for him it is home. For me, at present I still feel a little like I am on holiday, I guess we have been so busy it is only now that things are starting to settle down and go at a slightly more relaxed pace. I do enjoy very much being here and am happy to be here, I love the environment, being able to cycle safely on the wide pavements, no traffic jams, and of course seeing family and friends here. I am also excited about sharing the gospel to these quiet, gentle Finnish people in the future.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
I am though of course missing my friends and family in the the UK, thankful for Skype and modern technology (and also that some of them are coming to visit us here next month). I do also find the language barrier hard, especially with Miska's family, I would like so much to commuicate with them and not just mainly through Miska, even though he is a great interpreter. Also, it's just my general nature that I like to be in control of things such as money and paperwork and knowing what is going on... made very difficult when you can't read the paperwork. I must admit I don't miss work at all... eek, I mean I miss my work friends and I guess to a degree I miss being a Nurse, but I am enjoying being a housewife, having to time to clean the house properly, cook food, plan meals, go shopping, read, knit, etc. I think I will work again at some point in the future and Lord willing as a Nurse, but for the moment I will enjoy being unemployed :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
So I guess that's it for now, I'll try to keep this blog updated more often now. I can give my musings from this strange land of Finland :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Until then, here are some things you can pray for us:</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<ul>
<li>That visa may come through quickly and without any problems</li>
<li>For Miska as he prepares and proclaims God's Word every Sunday and Wednesday</li>
<li>That I (Alison) don't get too homesick now when everythings settles down a bit more</li>
<li>Further preparations for moving to L.A. such as finding housing.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Every blessing,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Alison</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444713259444009383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-43059753005943186692014-04-02T01:33:00.005-07:002014-04-02T01:33:37.858-07:00Let the Packing Begin!Well April has arrived, this month we'll be moving to Finland! It's finally drawing very close and all becoming very real indeed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GNUmTZPT-LzWBKUripFMrD0wgEEvjclbLj0PFQ3y4gU3p6t2-Fb1a3R238VMWDvFmrMkGw7TaAsvWhuHLWMdRQWoWigOY4mIVkXyX3HkYnD3PMv00b0auxODapDzEGlXRGXLv-v8RvP3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-02+at+08.47.37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GNUmTZPT-LzWBKUripFMrD0wgEEvjclbLj0PFQ3y4gU3p6t2-Fb1a3R238VMWDvFmrMkGw7TaAsvWhuHLWMdRQWoWigOY4mIVkXyX3HkYnD3PMv00b0auxODapDzEGlXRGXLv-v8RvP3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-02+at+08.47.37.png" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the border from Wales to England.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A couple of weekends ago, Miska and I travelled to Herefordshire to meet up with my family for a weekend away. We were staying in a house that was a converted barn on a working farm, complete with loads of sheep and baby lambs and many cows. It was a lovely chance to spend time with my Mum and Dad, my sister and her family and my brother and his family. We had a lovely weekend, ate lots of food and had a nice time together as a family. Though reality hit home especially on saying goodbye to my nephews who are aged one and five, not knowing when I will see them again and knowing how quickly they change at such a young age is at times hard to come to terms with. Fortunately there is Skype and many other forms of communication open to us these days and I believe sometimes when your far apart you make more of an effort to keep in touch than if you lived in same country. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAws_uSyDNQVo9U3U8OObGJBJXetPn78vhRoed-u7G3DvAnLDO4wDMC5nddLBqsDcpkFvzVzapmu_Qr6XzphHSpzv2pOs9wzP1QMoAepypokXWMDmoFQB_lqRPyrDL1GxNX8fp-9jMEQ/s3200/20140322_114326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAws_uSyDNQVo9U3U8OObGJBJXetPn78vhRoed-u7G3DvAnLDO4wDMC5nddLBqsDcpkFvzVzapmu_Qr6XzphHSpzv2pOs9wzP1QMoAepypokXWMDmoFQB_lqRPyrDL1GxNX8fp-9jMEQ/s3200/20140322_114326.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting a local town, Ludlow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn9SnZhcpM_qG8gv-sadAoo6xCObNXDG2CLHfKjtbZyNpURwadm1YlbSrr_Snok9uucqSBg104RTAd6FGJD7-vJAUWES3r_GAuDpVU47oajmJQPqsTtEAPh3ZtuJBkxMg2yiP813jFB0/s3200/20140322_155320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn9SnZhcpM_qG8gv-sadAoo6xCObNXDG2CLHfKjtbZyNpURwadm1YlbSrr_Snok9uucqSBg104RTAd6FGJD7-vJAUWES3r_GAuDpVU47oajmJQPqsTtEAPh3ZtuJBkxMg2yiP813jFB0/s3200/20140322_155320.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lambs, only a few days old - so cute :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EwpbZ88SDuhYDzF-_yVjzCtzDYGqdPcaGUch2Eq-S5_q6pRfkwuf4HfJ5W4aUypYJgrSWarrj-qFEmSubp5ky-fFC2gcwFDrmNIKAQTc1M2uh_Pn4U7emtnpq3qv1DfjD4FljYzRkXw/s3200/20140323_162927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EwpbZ88SDuhYDzF-_yVjzCtzDYGqdPcaGUch2Eq-S5_q6pRfkwuf4HfJ5W4aUypYJgrSWarrj-qFEmSubp5ky-fFC2gcwFDrmNIKAQTc1M2uh_Pn4U7emtnpq3qv1DfjD4FljYzRkXw/s3200/20140323_162927.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archie and Miska ready to battle with swords :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
Another big change that occurred was my last shift as a nurse on 28th March. It is with mixed feelings that I leave the job. I thoroughly enjoyed working with with all my colleagues on the ward and I will miss them loads. I enjoyed nursing on the whole, the ward at times is highly stressful and both physically and mentally demanding, too much paperwork and not enough staff to look after patients and I do hope that minimum staffing levels will roll out in the very near future. The ward I worked on is a medical ward, mainly with elderly patients, there are many challenges but also rewards and I have learnt alot in my two years there. The end of my shift marks also an uncertain future in regards to nursing for me, I am unable to work in America as the nursing degree does not transfer (and also my visa doesn't allow me to work) and although my degree transfers to Finland, there is the matter of being proficient enough in Finnish. On top of this, my registration will likely lapse if I don't practice in three years meaning I would need to do a return to practice course back in the UK. I am thankful though that I have the profession there to fall back on, when and if I need it - I know it is all in God's hands. I know too, that even if I am not working as a nurse, I am still a nurse by a profession and the skills gained I will use throughout my life.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipelaMa_n7WTdqQ8__vlGKcY8BrqYvK2gSnwh13kNU-BZiB85N3xa_P0i6Beib1bY4K7qBjQHus4_q7dqgNNCk5GcABqhv7QnI3BpUPf80SirXKazF9UbdFvVGwiTWDx0kymtiizhF1mTU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-02+at+08.49.51.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipelaMa_n7WTdqQ8__vlGKcY8BrqYvK2gSnwh13kNU-BZiB85N3xa_P0i6Beib1bY4K7qBjQHus4_q7dqgNNCk5GcABqhv7QnI3BpUPf80SirXKazF9UbdFvVGwiTWDx0kymtiizhF1mTU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-02+at+08.49.51.png" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After my last shift working as a nurse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So April is here, we are busy packing, selling and throwing things out, trying our best to get organised and get other small projects done. Then also comes the sad goodbyes - which to be honest I am not good with - although I can be pretty good at hiding it! Reality is beginning to hit home, but I am not sure it will be fully realised until we are in Finland or even America.<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, I am still looking forward to what lies ahead. I am already enjoying being a full time housewife, I can actually wash up after each meal for a start ;-) Seriously though, I am thankful for the opportunity to be at home and for the opportunities this will afford me. I look forward to being in Finland, to catching up with family and friends and also to having a few months experience of being in the church as I feel this will be invaluable for when we are, Lord willing, there full-time in a few years time. Also, I am also eagerly anticipating our time in Los Angeles and especially being able deepen my own personal relationship with God.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's all for now, my Mum is coming today to visit for a few days, I am looking forward to this and also her organisational influence :-)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444713259444009383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-63464136813965327192014-01-27T09:28:00.000-08:002014-01-27T09:30:51.818-08:00Daily photos?<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw3d70ZzMhp-edOiJ63UQg4VwTm5m8BBozVmdJmsO6NxdWeI78RMFHtcp7lLgTNrQLX17QfMwJHP-A4h27fLWaIF68jOAb_70Ft-c9mrKun8P-SEOCGtGttTiwoNa_aQbGkg1Eo_Hpd3X/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-27+at+17.16.03.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw3d70ZzMhp-edOiJ63UQg4VwTm5m8BBozVmdJmsO6NxdWeI78RMFHtcp7lLgTNrQLX17QfMwJHP-A4h27fLWaIF68jOAb_70Ft-c9mrKun8P-SEOCGtGttTiwoNa_aQbGkg1Eo_Hpd3X/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-27+at+17.16.03.png" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
If you have been observant, you will probably have noticed that I (Alison) have been adding one photo each day to my social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) since 1st Januray 2014. My aim is to take one photo a day for the whole of 2014.</div>
<div>
<br />
You can see my photos here:<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/alisonwilhelmsson">http://instagram.com/alisonwilhelmsson</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYKaXifQnaMhKWVU17eHyb9M6qLbIaBUxWVOKSoCryLaHGrWShh4Oxn2ZejWPXQzbIpmtwrt9aUc2Ta3nRBqcV6lZl2nqF6_2oepdDWoSTmt8JrMGeJOVMdKtiWGYBSKALLxU9cUr6Ghq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-27+at+17.16.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYKaXifQnaMhKWVU17eHyb9M6qLbIaBUxWVOKSoCryLaHGrWShh4Oxn2ZejWPXQzbIpmtwrt9aUc2Ta3nRBqcV6lZl2nqF6_2oepdDWoSTmt8JrMGeJOVMdKtiWGYBSKALLxU9cUr6Ghq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-27+at+17.16.54.png" height="200" width="195" /></a>Why? Well I guess the main reason is that 2014 is a year of big change for the Wilhelmsson's and there's the old saying that 'a picture is worth a 1000 words'. I thought it would be a great way of capturing the year and a lovely thing to look back on at the end of the year and also in the future.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
The main idea is to be a snapshot of what is occurring on a daily basis. I have two reminders on my phone and so far I have been successful on taking and posting a photo each day. I must admit the days when I am in work and doing a 12.5 hour shift present more of a challenge and hence there's a large number of photos of food, mainly my meal at the end of the day :-)<br />
<br />
Ps. Miska doesn't post photos everyday, but he does it quite regularly also, you can check his photos at: <a href="http://instagram.com/miskaw">http://instagram.com/miskaw</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444713259444009383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-84567962707713277262014-01-01T03:52:00.000-08:002014-01-02T00:47:51.858-08:00Goodbye 2013... Hello 2014!Well 2013 has been and gone. On the whole it has been a very blessed year for us both and we are so thankful to God for blessing us abundantly and upholding us this past year.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Below is a short video with a glimpse of our 2013 in 30 seconds. Highlights include the birth of another Nephew Sebastian, our first wedding anniversary, a trip to Finland including meeting our new Godchild - coincidentally also called Sebastian, fun in the summer swimming in the sea and going on bodyboards, donating stem cells, and of course our trip to Los Angeles.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzgFFayZAdRbQ1cLfIXvkk3pjmpvZ6oNfxSPLIR1mlK-GtaSmyQBf0K57iJkfrKYBxd05tZFWVVrVM-v8MfZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's another little video of our 2013 that Miska made, it's only 15 seconds long so it's very fast, it's compiled of all of <a href="http://instagram.com/miskaw" target="_blank">his Instagram photos</a> (about 100 photos) taken during 2013:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzGKc2wTZ54o6VBJpxnWMEg1q0HAa7vdhPadojmxMnOguqkFsvpUbArGtlySLK8LAm0dsAUwRhcH7fDCrpk5w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Now as we turn into 2014 it is time to anticipate and plan the changes that will be occurring this year - it is going to be a big one!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have just booked our flights to Finland and will be leaving the UK on 23rd April 2014, there we will be spending around three months living in Tampere and looking after the church there. Miska will be preaching regularly on the Sundays and also running the midweek meetings. This is because Pastor Tom and his wife Linda will be going on furlow back to America for almost a year. It is going to be an invaluable experience for Miska and I, and great preparation for our future ministry in Finland at Tampere International Baptist Church.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then around the end of July 2014 is our bigger move to Los Angles, so that Miska can begin his studies at The Master's Seminary in August 2014.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For me (Alison) there is a real mixture of emotions, I am excited and looking forward to the new adventure and I have the assurance that this is where God wants us to be, I am also looking forward to the time to develop my understanding and relationship with God. I am also however a bit nervous, sad, and a little fearful and apprehensive about these big changes. I think this is natural, I am going to miss my family and friends like crazy and I am so thankful for the modern day era, with Skype and emails and even cheap air fare to keep very much in touch with everyone :-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is also a very strange feeling knowing I will be leaving the UK for good and never living here on a permanent basis again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then there is also the practicalities of packing up and moving things to different countries and selling things and organising everything. This I guess will test our planning skills and also I hope help me not to worry so much.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So there we have a brief update as to where we are. Another hope of mine is that I will keep this blog updated regularly so you can track our progress.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy new year to you all :-) Hyvää uutta vuotta kaikki :-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Alison (and Miska)</div>
Miska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-85781442433952077522013-12-06T03:22:00.000-08:002013-12-08T13:37:47.456-08:00Diary of our California Visit<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLarfcz-W54A9mBerzgtAHYo2qmVIqdSlNmuFrLg1QpoS0loryHeMcncmz1vZD_jLg7VY2_Peu3JDKWJL9BaJx8OLOiGZUHyeWAH66tDuie0RSBh0BT38lXhsGaudjjgw3huiuJ66yw8w/s1600/10707935694_422e384137_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLarfcz-W54A9mBerzgtAHYo2qmVIqdSlNmuFrLg1QpoS0loryHeMcncmz1vZD_jLg7VY2_Peu3JDKWJL9BaJx8OLOiGZUHyeWAH66tDuie0RSBh0BT38lXhsGaudjjgw3huiuJ66yw8w/s400/10707935694_422e384137_b.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The California Republic flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So here is my (Alison) summary of our time in Los Angeles:</i></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Monday</span></b><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flight to Los Angeles. Was excited as we got to fly on the new Airbus A380 which is the biggest passenger plane in the world. It had only been in commission for British Airways for just over a week, so was lovely and new!</span><br><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoHBgRMABoAF3bcjwAfmOAGqBV0Q_Jy3Kpv9Nx8tytoXOHpq9NbpxSvZ-cwW0Fh58L3_AO_O7LCe2KEGOsc8_n2Jtf1ygKkw_YNbAINjaB1aotsHJNaD3eQapnWbQFMXAedv4yvsH2W8/s1600/20131007_110650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoHBgRMABoAF3bcjwAfmOAGqBV0Q_Jy3Kpv9Nx8tytoXOHpq9NbpxSvZ-cwW0Fh58L3_AO_O7LCe2KEGOsc8_n2Jtf1ygKkw_YNbAINjaB1aotsHJNaD3eQapnWbQFMXAedv4yvsH2W8/s400/20131007_110650.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airbus A380</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Border control in LA:</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I think we picked the wrong queue! Was there a long time, definitely the most thorough check I have had, but the lady at the counter was very nice.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Introduction to Los Angeles traffic:</i> journey which can take half an hour took an hour and 10 minutes, but was excited to look out of the window, though my first impression was hello concrete city!</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taken out for food by Daniel and then to our home for our stay at Jeanne's :)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then bed at 9pm which was actually 5 am UK time :)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Met with John Hester, a lovely man who was to be our guide for the day and also teach us how to drive Jeanne's car and navigate the roads.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a side note on the car:</span><br>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was huge</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It had no hand brake</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It had no gear stick (a.k.a. stick shift) - i.e. it was automatic</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had never driven a car like this!</span></li></ul>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE75COnU13KtwxkfI8fMvCgOD2Rt8dnbP3mmoFhzxRwn-1NVjiblh530ofkMKPf8qj0EcCB_TLYk9vp6V48jNAkCYWCGtvwE6B3U75XpbrP4UzSx7SQKdj_8U1ew0iBTAy4QagD_sjEc/s400/IMG_2072.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our car during the visit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways... back to the day. Started with a lovely breakfast in a place that had 101 different omelet fillings - nom nom, food was lovely. Then a tour round some areas of Santa Clarita including The Master's College. Then over to Santa Monica Pier and the old muscle beach. That was fun, and also great to put my feet in the Pacific for the first time - was a bit cold, but the weather was lovely and hot. Then a drive up the coast on North Pacific Highway.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG540jAGvIsQJb2M_9xV0chLC7xOQroFf39UeRfR_KdtWApDRnJgNSoN9IdY95SGsC443pgX3bXs-zFKYHeuqM0Qx_7ntirLYl5MjvBVSTrq3l3CdYJIaE_Hskj-5DroZgZFiaptCZ8lSh/s1600/10707997606_bab81d0737_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG540jAGvIsQJb2M_9xV0chLC7xOQroFf39UeRfR_KdtWApDRnJgNSoN9IdY95SGsC443pgX3bXs-zFKYHeuqM0Qx_7ntirLYl5MjvBVSTrq3l3CdYJIaE_Hskj-5DroZgZFiaptCZ8lSh/s400/10707997606_bab81d0737_b.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dipping my feet in the Pacific</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was a lovely introduction to Los Angeles and am thankful to our tour guide John who was full of interesting and helpful information :-)</span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfg666mBYUsvS-7wPe8-TjaZuVJMPJJwhXH8Aus-0lAk0KIFsU3ugIdetN594PhCChoUFlTU58FYvm8jKi1NlEMbQEIvgEvg0WywulPdH9C3ewwf088naqHGx3kIrj99UHHm7MCKRjsI/s400/IMG_2024.JPG" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Santa Monica Pier with John</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the evening I had my first experience of Walmart - impression being pretty much like a giant supermarket here in the UK. Though I do get weirded out by not having to type in my pin number or sign when paying by card for anything under around £30.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was also first time Miska drove a car in the US, we are living proof that all went well on roads of Los Angeles. I did drive too but only on two occasions, mainly because I am by far the better navigator ;-)</span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday</b></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lazy morning, both of us were not feeling 100%, Miska in particular was suffering from a bad cough for past few days, which was particularly bad at night. We did go to the pharmacy to get some paracetamol - though turns out Americans don't know what paracetamol is! Turns out they use another name... confirms another reason for me not to be a Nurse in America ;-)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The afternoon was spent with Telda and Richard Peskett, a lovely couple, Richard is in his last year at The Master's Seminary. They are from England, so was great talking to a couple who know about the transition from one country to another and was great to ask loads of little questions.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the evening Telda took me to Seminary Wives, that was a great evening. Basically, it's an evening for all of the wives of Seminary students to get together. They have talks, small group studies and importantly fellowship with one another. Looking forward to this very much.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day at the The Master's Seminary sitting in on chapel and classes. One of the students Kyle Swanson, showed us around and took us for lunch in campus, where we had an amazing burger. Had the privilege of hearing Paul Washer in chapel, and also briefly meeting him afterwards. Sitting in on classes was interesting and nice to have a feel what Miska will be doing, but I can say I am glad it is him rather than me... the thought of more study is not for me... then again I have done 7 years at university so I have done more than my fair share! Although I do think I will be sitting in on some of the counselling classes especially.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqE86SP8Je5Q-DcywBqDygzOSb2eCo1tVCdE9LW0NPB1Vu2BMmS8_rH_2Luvg01EdCA8Czi7Rz524VNjcZDFQiGItgmaw10XueITJ9nEyKkBKIiaFnN7VNl_tCZQlQYBWv9RE8Df6juXY/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqE86SP8Je5Q-DcywBqDygzOSb2eCo1tVCdE9LW0NPB1Vu2BMmS8_rH_2Luvg01EdCA8Czi7Rz524VNjcZDFQiGItgmaw10XueITJ9nEyKkBKIiaFnN7VNl_tCZQlQYBWv9RE8Df6juXY/s400/IMG_2114.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska posing in front of The Master's Seminary sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In evening went to a shopping mall (look at me getting into the local lingo - we parked in a <i>parking lot</i>). Was pretty much like a UK out of town shopping centre and many familiar shops. Then we had Chik-Fil-A. That was good food and like most food places in America, bottomless refills and the lemonade is real lemonade - and it's so nice.</span><br><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoVJ6Acz7oFYOHgXH52odfwE6KUlJUOpDM__tWS6cgy3YmIYkcDpLMv34QhHWEVeQ06ToZVMVGxPjE2-yY_FCMNGVmsSuyB6pRfRka0q5dKDmCBMLgo3QnQkl66O2oOtrhUzoQWu5YwM/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoVJ6Acz7oFYOHgXH52odfwE6KUlJUOpDM__tWS6cgy3YmIYkcDpLMv34QhHWEVeQ06ToZVMVGxPjE2-yY_FCMNGVmsSuyB6pRfRka0q5dKDmCBMLgo3QnQkl66O2oOtrhUzoQWu5YwM/s400/IMG_2079.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying Chick-Fil-A!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then back at Jeanne's house we had Sauna, don't think many Californians have a sauna in there garden, but it was so good.</span><br><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzM2gTkGSy1xl6kJ_mPg4oJ1xfhNXYCyrdjaht5fsm2i6wDolmTO0AicZUxl489vIpbX7iebCRWsEMHgC0c77wOWmlYqIQCAY8S85dJ_FWm-fbSBjUW1UzJlZyrW8A76TvRWieHP8fEQ/s1600/20131014_183615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzM2gTkGSy1xl6kJ_mPg4oJ1xfhNXYCyrdjaht5fsm2i6wDolmTO0AicZUxl489vIpbX7iebCRWsEMHgC0c77wOWmlYqIQCAY8S85dJ_FWm-fbSBjUW1UzJlZyrW8A76TvRWieHP8fEQ/s400/20131014_183615.jpg" width="300"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sauna with a Finnish flag inside :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></b><div><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friday</span></b><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to The Master's Seminary again, this time we met with Ray Mehringer - vice president for admissions and placement. Again, he was so welcoming - which really is a true American trait. We got to ask loads of questions again, and found it very helpful and very much put my mind at rest about things. If God wants us there, that is where we will be... we will very much learn to put our full trust in God while at Seminary.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He took us for lunch at Cocos, a tasty diner famous for it pies, it did not disappoint, we had a lovely apple pie :-)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the evening, I finally got to meet Jeanne, she flew in from Hawaii, where she had been with her family. Was lovely to meet her at last, lovely lovely lady with a huge heart for God and someone whom I could learn so much from.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Saturday</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miska and I met up with Daniel and Julie Ruhkala and their children Hannah and Andrew. We went to a 'pumpkin patch' and I had such a great time. This is what I imagined America to be like. There was basically loads and loads of pumpkins to buy and fun things for kids, including a tractor ride through corn with scarecrows and a maize maze. We also had chilli and corn on the cob and pumpkin pie. Really had so much fun, already look forward to going again next year!</span><br><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR5L4xEOYIbyvYkIyZIlxxBYJB2l7VM44R9rx9XeUyfqQ2nEXdPd7-wncQ4tvYwLRCg1WBS3gRCNaZnJ-SFShNcBsVcSX8H2JUVPqltvV5NCU6dSQZJ2xW4NpEIbV-jOXZEuheIwJKik/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR5L4xEOYIbyvYkIyZIlxxBYJB2l7VM44R9rx9XeUyfqQ2nEXdPd7-wncQ4tvYwLRCg1WBS3gRCNaZnJ-SFShNcBsVcSX8H2JUVPqltvV5NCU6dSQZJ2xW4NpEIbV-jOXZEuheIwJKik/s400/IMG_2128.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pumpkin patch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQlVFXZy8J0RDuOFtq4c3Q3jb-xw1i4KiWmBKTyOvqZ06UkW71wPxqcoE-88htWu382YOOUwGlsSI3teKDRofUivuzH3Uprv764wCRZySqyt92d7Zv3tzNoaDW2mykF47671B9oEHWVY/s1600/IMG_2165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQlVFXZy8J0RDuOFtq4c3Q3jb-xw1i4KiWmBKTyOvqZ06UkW71wPxqcoE-88htWu382YOOUwGlsSI3teKDRofUivuzH3Uprv764wCRZySqyt92d7Zv3tzNoaDW2mykF47671B9oEHWVY/s400/IMG_2165.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating fresh corn on the cob</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the afternoon, had a little walk around the area, saw a man made lake with lots of turtles in it. Then we went to eat and had frozen yoghurt, in the shopping mall... a different one and some what nicer one.</span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First time at <a href="http://www.gracechurch.org/" target="_blank">Grace Community Church</a> (although had been to site as seminary and church are in the same campus). We first went to Sunday school - Faith Builders, this started at 9. Then we went to the main service at 10.30. John MacArthur was away that Sunday, so had a former Seminary student who now pastors large church in Florida. The church seats around 3000. One thing that surprised me was the singing of congregation, I thought with that many people it would be very loud, though I guess I am used to the hearth singing of the Welsh.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the afternoon, we visited the grave of Jeanne's husband Rick, who is now with the Lord, then we went on a search for the Hollywood sign, contrary to what I naively thought you can't see it from everywhere in Los Angeles. Jeanne, said she had only seen it a few times herself. Although we had a good laugh and adventure, alas we did not reach our goal of actually seeing it, we appeared to have chose one of the few days when there was something on at both the Griffiths observatory and the outside theatre!</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the evening we were back at church, we saw 2 people baptised with great testimonies to the work God has done in their lives and also 58 new people came into membership at the church!</span><br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSiONfXLRpT_6Ep0iBmvnYko07tx9Wom2T4tOw9nwqgsMIpEWvf6jmohs_6pEAKQbk-Zyq-bIkHzkDwGY5CY9y3Y8E8WP2Y5wns5y-_2Yef4CvB8ReFHJDByMmdyIzg4rxKDeGau9oTId/s1600/10707895894_2a1aaecbac_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSiONfXLRpT_6Ep0iBmvnYko07tx9Wom2T4tOw9nwqgsMIpEWvf6jmohs_6pEAKQbk-Zyq-bIkHzkDwGY5CY9y3Y8E8WP2Y5wns5y-_2Yef4CvB8ReFHJDByMmdyIzg4rxKDeGau9oTId/s400/10707895894_2a1aaecbac_b.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Grace Community Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Monday</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovely home cooked breakfast by Jeanne - American style - meaning pancakes and bacon :-)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we went horse riding at Griffiths park. Was my first time ever on a horse and I have to admit I was a little apprehensive and went with the option of wearing a helmet BUT I loved it! It was a lot of fun and we had some lovely views too of over Los Angeles.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj421vRAYnFYzBjJeNyJN7cn7pNHeRAFf0YlJZ7Ee35ZHDwFnaZLbcGyhViRMZAgoAJJDH42QNovVpRk6ooqqeJeUvZFpY5qA4M8-MQQ7b2q98EQxlCJvQ1DzHL_SwFMytRenh1oyO2knY/s1600/IMG_2265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj421vRAYnFYzBjJeNyJN7cn7pNHeRAFf0YlJZ7Ee35ZHDwFnaZLbcGyhViRMZAgoAJJDH42QNovVpRk6ooqqeJeUvZFpY5qA4M8-MQQ7b2q98EQxlCJvQ1DzHL_SwFMytRenh1oyO2knY/s400/IMG_2265.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the horses with Jeanne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then take two of trying to find the Hollywood sign. Woo hoo, we were successful, we went up to the Griffith Observatory and could see it from there, as well as other lovely views of L.A.</span></div><div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br></font>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83xLVQ32FoD7hbbUsG2TFQie2vJfnfpsVqpmvugNYQwsWXO2K_6Ic8elpbcZFhOXFU1cz22xVKa6_yhfspVdpu_V5rHGbcYYbBatqMIovb9_uWG_To7YljOBWq-XwQHdlPgB2okA7eYU/s1600/IMG_2284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83xLVQ32FoD7hbbUsG2TFQie2vJfnfpsVqpmvugNYQwsWXO2K_6Ic8elpbcZFhOXFU1cz22xVKa6_yhfspVdpu_V5rHGbcYYbBatqMIovb9_uWG_To7YljOBWq-XwQHdlPgB2okA7eYU/s400/IMG_2284.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hollywood sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then an evening in eating some orange food :) Grilled BBQ ribs, sweet potato,carrots and oranges.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXHD_zkOF7LIghhcodx_O7HVsMyL7ZUAoTFoJAyN2ytvuDer7qd89cLHtdgJ949ZY6d_aCH_YKW41X6la0_oqBDu3a153y0l3KYsbBVREd87hhTidQyQQDZCI20pEtW3Y0zptDdN_dig/s1600/20131014_184136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXHD_zkOF7LIghhcodx_O7HVsMyL7ZUAoTFoJAyN2ytvuDer7qd89cLHtdgJ949ZY6d_aCH_YKW41X6la0_oqBDu3a153y0l3KYsbBVREd87hhTidQyQQDZCI20pEtW3Y0zptDdN_dig/s400/20131014_184136.jpg" width="300"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange food :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our last touristy day</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeanne took us to an outlet mall, got some nice cheap clothes. Though another thing I learnt while in America, they put the tax on at the checkout - weird if you ask me, I may be bias but I do prefer the British way of doing things, this way you know what you expect when you go to pay.</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD45Ac4jYvQkFE4i6F2as_zYolNPV2c5BwF1-wDOu8De2zqupKcACUCo3RLuTptHUF6XCB4knAZL7xEuRp4D6Y6jRyYUTA9t6YS30-PCxdewXcL8it6yew4H8KQG__FjfPlxZh7mwvYzRX/s1600/10708145043_a03908a015_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD45Ac4jYvQkFE4i6F2as_zYolNPV2c5BwF1-wDOu8De2zqupKcACUCo3RLuTptHUF6XCB4knAZL7xEuRp4D6Y6jRyYUTA9t6YS30-PCxdewXcL8it6yew4H8KQG__FjfPlxZh7mwvYzRX/s400/10708145043_a03908a015_b.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanne and Alison at the beach in Ventura</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we headed to the coast, we went to Ventura, visited the beach and a few quaint little shops. We had In-N-Out burger for lunch, famous for being a good burger - it was good :-)</span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrgEqgm5DNQkKLFW7BXzyqPLNqBcXj7tUbhHXyikGVKgpweQVbBb_lbLts5cA7LDdjVaGMmSVSyK-2kP_RWLp8iba8GsJCc0-nqMVvguiNk-AbhP-x1YEOfWUy85OI-VNHtMz_Yh1xMqi/s1600/10708139273_4dc3aee705_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrgEqgm5DNQkKLFW7BXzyqPLNqBcXj7tUbhHXyikGVKgpweQVbBb_lbLts5cA7LDdjVaGMmSVSyK-2kP_RWLp8iba8GsJCc0-nqMVvguiNk-AbhP-x1YEOfWUy85OI-VNHtMz_Yh1xMqi/s400/10708139273_4dc3aee705_b.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ventura</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we headed over to Santa Clarita to meet the newly arrived Finnish contingency for dinner. Well I say Finnish - they all came from Finland, but consist of one American (Pastor Tom), one Northern Irish (Pastor Kyle) and one Finn (who is a Swedish Finn - Fredrik). Also there was Daniel and family and Julie's parents. A lovely evening of good food and warm fellowship.</span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday - Friday</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Strange Fire conference</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me - a truly eye opening conference about the Charismatic movement which has had a huge negative impact on 'Christianity' all over the world. Conference addresses from John MacArthur, Conrad Mbewe, Steve Lawson, Tom Pennington, RC Sproul and Joni Eareckson Tada.</span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrY9IVGTuBBQVYLoK3zFArbsyl4ylgosP6BKPNSyfqlyDxyUMWySTdFnBCbe62azB4wgu4xcZ_v6zr6XHXai0ejTrMJZJQ8xWGAUMk-nKGdBgp2mgcGC-ryFwPgHBLuiWh29tHwgTgVE/s1600/10707819644_1932f20a62_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrY9IVGTuBBQVYLoK3zFArbsyl4ylgosP6BKPNSyfqlyDxyUMWySTdFnBCbe62azB4wgu4xcZ_v6zr6XHXai0ejTrMJZJQ8xWGAUMk-nKGdBgp2mgcGC-ryFwPgHBLuiWh29tHwgTgVE/s400/10707819644_1932f20a62_b.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q&A Panel at the Strange Fire Conference<br>
(Todd Friel, Phil Johnson, Nathan Busenitz, Conrad Mbewe and John MacArthur)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was a great few days, which I know sparked a bit of controversy over the internet, but I earnestly ask everyone to listen to all of the addresses or read the book Strange Fire before jumping to conclusions about what the conference was about.</span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtknCSO46n5U6FwwuQUEZ6PpISdHB48MQp3g6v4ezMb5SU1SvGNKSO2wAQz6BYkYlYBJ5DkVI4IQSvE0FINcDsDnvDlpJ273s-KWlQCRfpfq9xBOGbpld_tfc1dmTGYgz4Fy_UbrKDFg/s1600/10707832955_2dc40e4c21_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtknCSO46n5U6FwwuQUEZ6PpISdHB48MQp3g6v4ezMb5SU1SvGNKSO2wAQz6BYkYlYBJ5DkVI4IQSvE0FINcDsDnvDlpJ273s-KWlQCRfpfq9xBOGbpld_tfc1dmTGYgz4Fy_UbrKDFg/s400/10707832955_2dc40e4c21_b.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joni Eareckson Tada sharing her testimony at the conference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a great time of fellowship with the Finnish </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">contingency</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and others and a truly well organised and run conference and a great way to round off a wonderful trip.</span><br><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbY6PE7q-IaWBHxNoywkKMPQVmbY90t-DFldmWEvoEJ9uyBFSQBNpQcDG3hcK3EWNi97UVnjcCioKgyPkYxjddJvkgowC3HIgtbZbSUYLinfAhZceRtOilfTA__U8NS41mQ6ZR-q0k4P0/s1600/IMG_0400a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbY6PE7q-IaWBHxNoywkKMPQVmbY90t-DFldmWEvoEJ9uyBFSQBNpQcDG3hcK3EWNi97UVnjcCioKgyPkYxjddJvkgowC3HIgtbZbSUYLinfAhZceRtOilfTA__U8NS41mQ6ZR-q0k4P0/s400/IMG_0400a.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Finnish group (Tom, Fredrik, Kyle, Alison, Miska) at the conference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Saturday</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly our trip was over, time to pack and then head to the airport. Not as nice airplane on the way home (we were spoilt on the way), but a little bit of much needed sleep was done, ready for adjusting to time difference and a drive back to Cardiff.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Overall thoughts from the trip:</b></span><br>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Americans are genuinely friendly people</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The traffic in L.A. was not as bad as I expected - though we did try our best to avoid it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trip eased my mind about a lot of details about going to study there</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not sure I could live there forever, but three years will be good, think I will miss the colour green and probably even the rain</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You need a car to get around</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And many many more but I guess this is quite a long blog post and you are all bored by now :)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444713259444009383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-30998915238025558632013-12-02T06:09:00.000-08:002013-12-03T14:23:49.164-08:00Photos from California Visit<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/10708168303/" title="LA_Oct2013_14 by Miska Wilhelmsson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/10708168303_def13491cf.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="LA_Oct2013_14"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/10707967836/" title="LA_Oct2013_42 by Miska Wilhelmsson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/10707967836_160dfe19d9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="LA_Oct2013_42"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/10707942296/" title="LA_Oct2013_70 by Miska Wilhelmsson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/10707942296_877fb946b4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="LA_Oct2013_70"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/10707840935/" title="LA_Oct2013_81 by Miska Wilhelmsson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/10707840935_b4cee15d33.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="LA_Oct2013_81"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/10707891774/" title="LA_Oct2013_100 by Miska Wilhelmsson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/10707891774_de46d42d20.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="LA_Oct2013_100"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/10707819644/" title="LA_Oct2013_170 by Miska Wilhelmsson, on Flickr"><img alt="LA_Oct2013_170" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/10707819644_1932f20a62.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/10707817704/" title="LA_Oct2013_172 by Miska Wilhelmsson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/10707817704_404379ce26.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="LA_Oct2013_172"></a>
</br>
</br>
See the rest of the photos on my Flickr page: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/sets/72157637378158753/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/miskawilhelmsson/sets/72157637378158753/</a>Miska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878758225322603476.post-77682796869527489802013-10-06T01:34:00.000-07:002013-10-06T02:12:38.934-07:00Accepted to Study at TMS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlB2bHKlijx0RQXB3Q7lDDFOUdzEnonJupJM5cMNUO-JSysgXPd6kaYMG5WHjLQIbbs5l9WvH1UCXlCCwHfJ1iY6sWZgZYwp2lhpxSJzkxtbhyphenhyphenfAdEGCMv48waxf_9J0h75AFHL_-ahQb/s1600/523534_10151887485498057_2075101449_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlB2bHKlijx0RQXB3Q7lDDFOUdzEnonJupJM5cMNUO-JSysgXPd6kaYMG5WHjLQIbbs5l9WvH1UCXlCCwHfJ1iY6sWZgZYwp2lhpxSJzkxtbhyphenhyphenfAdEGCMv48waxf_9J0h75AFHL_-ahQb/s400/523534_10151887485498057_2075101449_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So here it is, the confirmation that Miska has been accepted to studies leading towards Master of Divinity degree at <a href="http://www.tms.edu/">The Master's Seminary</a>, Los Angeles, USA.<br />
<br />
Hence also this is the start of our blog - The Wilhelmsson's. Basically we wanted a nice and easy way to be able to keep everyone up to date with our progress towards moving to Los Angeles, Miska's studies at The Master's Seminary and even beyond, when God willing Miska will be pastoring the Church back in Tampere, Finland.<br />
<br />
We thought this is a nice way to keep people updated and also a good way to gain prayer support, as we are sure there will be may things to be thankful for and pray for on our journey.<br />
<br />
I am also sitting here writing this, when really I should be finishing packing to go to Los Angeles. We are blessed with being fortunate to go out for a visit - we fly tomorrow and eill be there for 12 days :-) (we are both very excited). During our visit we will be visiting the seminary and also attending the <a href="http://www.tmstrangefire.org/">Strange Fire conference</a>.<br />
<br />
We will be sure to update the blog again on our arrival home - and give our experience on where we will be living for three years.<br />
<br />
Alison ja (<i>'and' in Finnish</i>) MiskaMiska Wilhelmssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418212976370201288noreply@blogger.com0