|
bakatree
|
read my profile
sign my guestbook
Name: mikael
Birthday: 9/27/1985
Gender: Male
Interests: let's see... God, the Bible, Anna(my wife<3), dancing(breaking), drawing (painting), carpentry and craftmanship...*sigh*
Expertise: frying Saarioinen's pizza to perfection... ;) Procrastinating!
Occupation: Student
Industry: Other
Message: message me
Member Since:
1/26/2004
|
|
| "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
This is the most comforting thing I have read in ages! Especially considering the dark depths of theology I've been delving through lately- things which are at the edge of my understanding, things which completely blow my mind away. God's transcendency, His sovereignty, His imminance, His grace and love... thinking about these things and not going mad must be a work of the Holy Spirit! So much to think about, rather dangerous things, but I'm loving it.
mikie// -embrace the paradox
| | |
|
So we hiked up Divis and Black Mountain a few days ago, John and I. It was a good time, making our own trail; scorning the already paved paths. Nay, we are men and seek the path less wandered, if there be a path at all! ...I just wish I had brought my rubber boots from Finland, for as the title says, the whole mountain was of the peat-bog kind. Bizzarre, but beautiful. And wet. But once you've misplaced a foot, as is easy in a bog, and the shoe is thouroughly soaked through you might as well trek wherever you wish and are able.
This isn't my picture, for unfortunately our camera ran out of batteries. This is more or less how it looked though. Can you see the quietness? It was surprisingly silent up there. Except for the herd of cows we had to pass through, which was an experience for us city-boys lol. After making the summit of Divis, we headed over to Black Mountain, where we took the opportunity to pray over the city below. Good times.
This is a map of our route for your viewing pleasure:
School has also started now, and it is a lot of running around and getting things sorted. Or at least it feels this way. We found out that our college is quite esteemed, classed as an A+ Premium grade college! This means, that there are universitys interested in certifying stuff, and this might lead to us getting a degree here instead of a diploma. Time will tell.
But on a less academic note, Anna and I have started taking dance classes; last night we took a beginners class on the 1920's Charleston- it was a blast! The music was nice and the pace was relaxed, we will definately return for more. And tonight we're going to a Lindy Hop class, which we're looking forward to!
 
//mikie- the latest happenings
| | |
|
So we're back in Belfast and it feels really nice. The weather, against all odds, has been very nice. We're not letting the opportunity slip out of our hands, so we're capitalizing on the amiable conditions and heading for a hike on a nearby mountain. (Will post pics later if possible)
We're living with John & Rebecca, our good friends, and this is a blessing to us. We're eating really healthy, porridge every morning (Mommo will be proud!) and a variety of grains and fruits and meats and what not otherwise. Soon they will leave us though, but it'll just be one more excuse for us to visit Texas- yeehaw!
Other big news is that we have a car. It has been interesting learning to drive on the narrow (very narrow) roads of the British Isles, but driving on the wrong side of the road isn't as hard as you'd think. Maybe it's all the mental practice of riding with Pete last year...
Even the rush-hour traffic in Belfast wasn't to difficult to handle, so I'm happy about that! Also, the driving culture is very different from Finland; you are more or less expected to drive like a buffoon, so nobody really minds that much as long as you wave or otherwise show your intentions.
Or maybe it's just that after being in African and Central Asian traffic, driving on the other side of the road doesn't seem to be that big of a deal.
//mikie- should've brought my boots anyways
| | |
| "Seven characteristics are found in a wise man. A wise man does not offer his answer before one who is wiser than him. He does not interrupt another man who is speaking. He is not hasty to answer. His questions are pertinent to the subject under discussion. His answers are in accord with the accepted decision. When he speaks, he presents his material in an organized, linear manner. When asked a question to which he has not heard the answer, he answers honestly and says, "I do not know, I have not heard." (m.Avot 5:7)"
(from the latest eDrash I got from First Fruits of Zion)
//mikie- food for thought
| | |
|
So in the past 6 weeks we've travelled from Ulster to Finland to Estonia to Finland to Tajikistan to Turkey to Finland and back to Ulster, with one more flight home to Finland awaiting us.
Hectic.
I'm so looking forward to going home for a while, although this time has been enjoyable and profitable in many ways.
So much to process, so much to think about. Some of my thoughts might make it here later.
But as of this moment, I have no strength to write about it.
//mikie- gifts to one another from our Father
Some redeeming qualities about our travels was seeing this like this:
The sword of caliph Osman I at Topkapi palace.
A close up of the hilt:
Talk about unique sword!
//mikie- or maybe it's just epic?
| | |
|
