Fireworks and studying with twizzlers

Hello,

So now I'm alone in my room. We moved Katrina to her new aparment on Thursday and it was a lot of stuff but luckily we had couple cars and lots of people helping us. I can tell you that it felt little bit lonely in the evening when I came to my room. After hard work we went to this Mexican place Chipotle, where we got free burritos and drinks. That was awesome. It was somekind of an advertisement thing for schools and students here. It is good and your stomach will be full after that, I promise. Then we went to Shasta Lake City to get Katrina's packages from Kalias, Candaces and Christinas house. We were supposed to have this quick trip there but it took more than that. But I have noticed that our time together there is good, I mostly listen but still being small part of the group and listening what others talk about.

On Friday morning I had meeting with my revival group pastor, at 9 am. I was ready to walk but I said to God that if any chance I would love to get a ride. Little later my roommate says that she can drive me there. Thanks God! It was only 30 minutes meeting but it was good. I was able to say what I had to, of course some tears and the work in me is started now. I will meet her again like this and it just felt so good to break lies that had been in my life. It was so nice when she said like many times how we are a family now, this is my family and I'm also part of this. yep.

Did I tell you that there's the 5th person from Finland, after all.. I haven't met him personally yet but I know pretty much what he looks like so I could go introduce myself, or not. But he is in Paules groups so she said she can introduce me. Thanks Paule :)

So Friday day at school went well, Danny Silk was speaking and just awesome. ( Just remembered that Thursday was good day too. We met with our revival region groups, got good teaching and I'm not so nervous anymore going to knock peoples doors.. hahah. God will use us. I also hope to do some Treasure Hunts in Finland when I get back.. yeyeaa. ) Friday evening I just spent at home, well, here in the dorms. For some reason I didn't feel the need to go to the dining hall. It's Parent weekend here now and there's lots of people here.. Even though in India I enjoyed it much but here I don't. crazy..

Today I was studying with Candace and Christina. I got some help with words etc. Then we went to take care of things with Katrina, like grocery shopping.. She's not used to that sometimes I can buy her something and I like it. I like to buy people stuff sometimes. Anyway, she needs to learn receive. It was fun. Then I went to see her huge sofa ( well, it's her roommates but anyway.. ) and then we went to see fireworks.. They were cool but I didn't know like why there were fireworks.. But thanks for doing that!!!!

So, I think my time to go to bed. Take care!

S

on daddy's lap.. and other stuff.

Hello. I have no clue what I wrote last day.. I could also read but why bother :D
I feel these days are flying so fast here.. So fast that I don't even remember what I have been doing.. So let me take a look into my calendar where I try to write down what I'm up to so I can share those things to you.

So Katrina has still been living with me. Even though it's legally allowed visitors to stay 3 days.. Here's some extra. But today we heard the good news that they got the apatment and I think tomorrow they can move in. I hope so ;D Last weekend we did lot of job searching for Katrina and also went to Red Robin and "celebrate" this one week living together.. What a great reason to go eat an hamburger. On weekend we also read a lot and spent some time at the Barns&Noble bookstore. There's also Starbucks inside and on Sunday Katrina's chai latte nicely fell over the table on my hands and my new book.. How cool is that.. haha. Luckily I didn't get burned, badly..

I have been little bit sick. Flu if to be more exact. But on Tuesday after our AMT's my friend Ben prayed over me because I was feeling like getting fever and being dizzy. After the prayer I wasn't dizzy at all. Amazing, thanks God! First time I ever experience anything like that. Wow.
That Tuesday evening I went to the movies with Leah and Joe. We went to see the Fireproof. It's Christian movie. For me it's nice to see that they show Christian movies also in the movie theatres. Great.

Also have to share about my AMT, where they talked about Strengthening yourself and really praying for things that people have prophecied over you and also finding your call. Going after it, getting yourself ready. It was good. Also Kris' teaching was really good about how we are placed in peoples lives that in what ever they might fail or be bad at, we are there to fill that place and help with that. I didn't really get that first but after the service and talking with others I really understood how real and important that is. Everyone has different giftings and so as it is in the body of Christ we have different roles. Then we help each others with things that they don't know how to do it and they help us with things that we don't know how to do that. Simple as that. :)

Today we had good Bible history teaching by Dann Farrell and then we heard awesome testimonies from a team that were in Kentucky last weekend. Then Heidi Baker was with us and taught us about her life and how we just are and shared life in Mosambique. My first time ever seeing her life, but I have heard A LOT about her from Katrina.
Then we had our small group meeting. we were at Christina's house, lovely place. Eating cookies and bagels and talking about connecting.
For me it's still difficult to put my thoughts, especially the deepest thoughts into words, especially into other language. But I'm working on it. NExt week starts my turn as the group leader. Will see how that works out :D hopefully good.

I was supposed to go to this Scandinavian Revivalist meeting thing but my phone didn't work, I'm out of minutes. I was supposed to get new phone yesterday and it changed tomorrow but not able to call or text. And these people who were supposed to give me a ride didn't reach me and well, didn't come pick me up then and it was sooner than i expect so I'm here. But it turned to be good because I had some great time with daddy, some awesome time actually. I even did couple drawings.. And this morning or noon time, papa Bill and some other guys had prophetic art table outside Bethel so I went there and he draw me a picture. Yey. ( with some meaning on the picture of course.)

So this is my life right now. I have Spanish tomorrow but kinda tired to go there. I guess I have to walk depends if Katrina comes here tonight to sleep or not. And if we move her tomorrow morning to the new house. Or not. We will see that then what happens..

But I'm ready to bed. Laters.

S

so much going on.

hey!
it's me again. It's Saturday and days go so fast here. I can't believe it.

Last time I was excited about my small group. Yes, It revealed to be good. The best guys from my revival group that I could ever believe. Lucy, Mirlandra and Christina and me. Good team!
Even though our small group situation was short and we stayed at school which was crowded but I think next week it will be good. We are going to be our small group leaders home, making cookies and listing our hopes to God :D

School days has been good, I have enjoyed so much. I have learned a lot. We got like 5 books this week and most of those aren't even in our book list but we are using those in our Bible studies etc. So good.
On Thursday we were taught about our outreaches, how to minister people etc. We quickly met our groups and I even know already few persons from my revival region team. We are going to work in Boulder Creek area. I'm afraid but also excited.

Katrina is still staying with me. I hope and she hopes too, that on Monday she could move to the new places with these other girls. It's fun but also different, I just got used to live by myself in the room but now with someone. It's fun. I am also connecting more with my other roommates which is good.

Yesterday I was at Mirlandras place with our small group and her roommates. We had some dinner ( tortillas) and then we watched the movie Sweet Home Alabama.. ALso we had a lot of discussion about the Purity book, which is Kris newest book. Interesting. I was mostly just listening but we had crazy time.. Also we realized that many of us wants to get married some day, what a surprise :D Anyway, we had good time and I got some sweet carrot cake. It was goood.. hahahaha.

So today it's free day. No school. But I think we are getting more stuff to read and more homeworks and more to learn. Just need to get used to that. I have had also great conversations with a friend from Finland via msn. I can keep up my Finnish skills, that's good.

So many thing on my mind but don't know how to put it into words. So much going on here. I try to write with better time.

Have Joy, Go deeper, Know how you are!

S

amt's and stuff like that..

Hey..

Time flies so fast and I forget to write in this blog.. So sorry about that.
So FUN week was last week and we did our collage journaling which was fun, even though I had some trouble making it look like me.
Then was this retreat that many had said that it's the best thing during this year.
It was nice thing but I wouldn't agree that it would be the best of this year.

Our retreat was in JH Ranch, two hours north from here. Some revival groups had their retreats in Chico at YWAM base.
We stayed in cabins with 9 other people. My cabin was called Birches and others named after trees.
We went there with car caravans. In our caravan there was 3 cars and our car that Kalia was driving was leading the caravan. In the first 20 minutes we already had to stop because the second car had some problems, well problem called overload. 4 guys and trunk full of stuff. Oh, you should have seen this guy cutting the medal of the car that was touching the back wheel. Well, we took some of their stuff in our car. Also on our way there we saw a truck cabin on fire and then we took this short cut there which was helpful but the roads there were soooo narrow. It was scary.

Retreat place was nice, huge, lovely place. But, I think it is made for being able to be outside. And it was raining almost all the time. Not nice at all. With our revival group there was Gabes rg and 2 second year revival groups too. So a lot of people.
On Friday we had this group meeting. we had some group games, well one long game. Then Sheri asked us if there was some people that felt little bit outsiders for different reasons or just that wasn't really a part of the group. And I put my hand in the air, after little bit of fighting inside my head. And yeah, brave me to do that. I still wasn't only one, there was some other people too who felt the same way and we all stood up, went in front and the other guys and girls arounded us and prayed over us and prophecied over us. That was awesome. It felt good.
Of course there are things in my life that I know I need to take care of but yesterday when I went to school, it was fun. I think I haven't smiled that much during a day earlier here.
Bad thing on retreat was that it was raining so much that it wasn't nice to be outside.
But I played some games with others that I want to buy and take with me to Finland. yeyaa.

Weekend went so fast. Katrina moved/is visiting me here at the dorm. I don't know for how long exactly but couple days. Well, we have passed those couple days but it's fun to have someone here. But it shows that it's also difficult to find the own peace and rhytm to do things whenn there's other one around. But we have made some s'mores and on Monday evening we attended Movie Night here on campus. It was supposed to be on the lawn, that's what we were waiting for but it was inside the cafeteria. The movie was called the Sandlot. It was nice movie, it made me laugh and there was some s'mores too in the movie.. hahah.

On Monday I got my first package from Finland. Some Salmiakki.. yam. I also got an envelope from my brother which included my international student card. So like my brother that he didn't even include a note inside it. Just sent that to me..

Yesterday we started our first AMT's (Advanced Ministry Training) and my first 5week course is International Transformation. It seems very good place to be, even though when it was my turn to say why I am there, I felt that I so embarrased myself talking confusing way... Don't know.

TOday we are divided into small groups. I'm excited to know who will be in my group. I hope some nice people that I will easily get along with.

Anyway, we have this dorm meeting soon so I have to go there. I have no clue what it is about but hey, it will find out soon.

S

Whiskeytown Falls

Hey you,

time is flying. This week is the FUN week so to speak.
I have done my Scrapbook which is turning to be wonderful of course. Sunday afternoon we were hanging at Barne's&Nobles and it was fun. They have a huge amount of books to sell and you can sit there, do studies or read magazines and we got some Strawberry Frappucino to taste, there's Starbucks everywhere here. I mean EVERYWHERE!!

I have been doing quite well with my readings and now doing my book report for the second book and I have to give it back next week so I am early and doing good :D

So today was the trip to Whiskeytown Falls. I certainly didn't here anything about hiking, I just heard about having fun, do some worship or stuff like that. Well, this noon when we hooked up at Bethel and ready to go, WHAAAT?! we are going hiking to the Falls. Okay.
Anyway, it was good trip but it was hard and tough especially for my ankles and I was so ready to quit there and go back. Then I was thinkin I can't quit because these people think I'm a fat looser which is of course wrong from me to even think like that but just thought of others also going drove up there. It was nice place, There were the falls, we sat on some rocks, water passes us by and you can drink it. It was nice, cold and fresh water. I met some new people called Lucy and Mirlandra. ( I love her name). We even thought to do something sometime later when in the evenings there's nothing to do.

Last night I was in this meeting called Women of Destiny.. It wasn't really my thing but I went there with Paule. Anyway, she gave me an idea that maybe on Thanksgiving or so I could go to San Francisco for couple days . It would be great. I have to ask Nelli to give me contact info for the YWAM base where she slept couple nights with Lassi.
I am trying to find a group of people to do that with me. WOuld be so awesome.

Tomorrow we have this collage thing with journals.. I think that's fun and on Thursday we are going to JH Ranch for our retreat. So exciting!!! But I am not hiking there, that's for sure. I might walk little bit but enjoy otherwise of the time there.

Anyway, I am so tired now and my legs and ankles heart so bad so I might go to bed soon or at least I'm planning to do that :)

Love,

S

24th wednesday

hello again. I'm back.

Second school week started yesterday and still excited even though I noticed that I was tired in the class so concentrating was little difficult for me. And it is also sometimes just because of the language, I don't get all the words and when trying to write notes, oh it is hard. But I try take it easy and no panic. I try to remember what it was like when I studied in Joutseno and the first couple weeks just listening to English and writing notes about British history. That was bad :D



Yesterday I started my Spanish classes and I think it will be fun. No notes, no repeating just learning in the enviroment of hearing and experiencing stuff. Sounds new and fun.

I heard yesterday some sad news from Finland. Another school massacre there. Just makes me yell and ask WHY. What's wrong with you people. Has someone done something to you or what.

I just pray for those who lost their family members, friends, school mates, teachers or neighbours over there. I just ask God that you will meet these people, you will touch their lives in this difficult situation.



I have a lot of learning about American food culture. I like it and I don't like it. Like here in our food place, theres lined up soda machines and just different varieties of coke or soda or lemonade. What happened to milk or water. ( Well, you find also those there but like one machine for those.. ) But I have found new friend called chocolate chip pancakes that I like but I shouldn't be eating those, not healthy.. xD

I am already used to have water that tastes like swimming pool water.. Isn't it nice flavor..



I am learning everyday so much. I realize that I don't really need to do anything. Just give my life to God and be in His presence is enough. He takes care of everything else. I don't need to run after manifestations or stuff like that. What comes, will come. And I think I already have that what I need. More is just extra. I think this change of place and that kinda mixed my head up or something like that. Things that I knew already, I faced here like new things and people here just confirmed me things that I knew for sure. So yeah, this isn't that scary place after all :D



Well, I must try to learn again this rhythm of studying and try to answer some questions on my paper. SOon heading to school.



Laters.



S

and more

I just thought to divide the text because since it was so long time ago, there's a lot of text coming.

I have great girls who I share the bathroom with, Tiffany and Naomi. I have been hanging out a lot with Katrina, Candace and Kalia. and Paule, she's from Belgium originally but now from Chicago.
Tomorrow starts my Spanish class, I'm excited about that. yey. Habla Espanol or something like that I don't know, YET. soon I will.

During the day it's warm, more like hot but the nights are cold and I'm freezing because for some reason they have these automatic a/c's here.. WHY???!!!
So many things I still need to learn in this culture here but it's okay. It's normal and yeah, it will be good.
I guess now I should go do some landry. We have here the machines, but still need some money for that. I bought a roll of quarters so I can use the machines. It will be interesting to see how well I understand how they work or not.

Today I hope to finish my book and do some Bible study and stuff like that. Take care my beloved ones.

S