My Norwegian heritage

Happy New Year! 

I have been wanting to write this post connecting the places we visited in Norway to my family heritage. My interest in my Norwegian heritage started in 2018 and when I went to a piano concert of my uncle that year. He shared during the concert that he had discovered through research that his great-grandfather, which is my great-great grandfather was one of the first converts to the Adventist faith in Norway. I became very interested in this and approached him later and asked him about it more. We started doing research on our Norwegian ancestors on Sabbath afternoons and I loved studying it. The beginnings of Adventism in Norway is so special. 

We found this article on my great-great grandfather, Hans Steen. 

It touched my heart to read this. He was baptized into the Adventist faith by the evangelistic efforts of John Matteson in 1880. Here are pictures of the Adventistkirken Betel church in Oslo, the first Adventist church in Norway. My Steen relatives attended there. 

My uncle and I outside of the church.

My grandmother, Elinor Steen grew up in Chicago before she met my grandfather and became Elinor Dittes. It was neat to read how Hans Steen was involved in ministry in Chicago and Minnesota. 

John Matteson also ministered to the Scandinavians at the Humboldt Park SDA church in Chicago before he went to spread the Adventist message in Norway. My grandmother attended this church. I love this article too. 

Later in the trip we were able to visit Moss, Norway. My grandmother's mother, Eris Haroldsen grew up there. It was a beautiful place to visit. Here is part of an article about my great-grandmother. 

We also took interest in visiting Moss because Thorwald Steen, my great-grandfather and Hans Steen attended a campmeeting with Ellen White there around 1887.  We went to an area where there was likely a campmeeting held there. Here are some pictures.

We visited the town of Halden on the same day we visited Moss. The Steens moved to Halden after living in Oslo. My great-grandfather attended school there. We went to the top of a fortress in Halden. It was so nice. 

In conclusion, I am grateful for the missionary efforts of John Matteson. My great-great grandfather's spiritual influence carried into my grandmother's life. She was a godly woman and how she raised my mother impacted the wonderful Christian values my mother taught my brothers and I. I'm thankful for my family heritage and I look forward to meeting my ancestors in heaven. 

First part of Norway trip!

It has been nearly a month since my uncle and I traveled to Norway. It was a wonderful trip. I am still thinking about the different parts of the trip daily and I wanted to share more of the details of the trip here. On a Thursday night my uncle and I excitedly boarded an airplane from Nashville to London. My first time to cross the Atlantic ocean! We arrived in London the next day and took a connecting flight to Oslo. When our plane descended into Oslo the mountains, trees, and green were so beautiful to look at. It was also really nice to see Scandinvanians for the first time in Norway when we walked in the airport. We went to the baggage claim area and waited a while for our baggage to come. My uncle's suitcase arrived but mine did not. I kept looking hoping it would come but it was not there. This threw a big hurdle at the beginning of our trip. We had to stay at the airport for an extra couple of hours to make a report the suitcase was missing. We waited in a long line. It was a stressful situation and my uncle's car rental was cancelled due to it. I highly recommend to pack a carry on suitcase if you travel internationally. God provided. Two very nice sisters helped us a lot during the weekend. We got to stay in an apartment in Oslo on Friday night. I loved my first glimpses into Oslo! 

On Sabbath we drove over to Fyresdal for the Living Water summercamp (campmeeting). It was such a privilege to be with godly, like minded Adventist Norwegians. The theme was "Almost Home". The focus of the event was being prepared for heaven. Speaking of heaven the nature at the event was a taste of heaven. It was so beautiful there. 

The summercamp was evangelistic focused and they had an baptism on Sabbath afternoon. In the picture below you will see a picture of a girl preparing for baptism. 

                      The baptismal event!

Two weeks until...

 Two weeks until I visit Norway! 🇳🇴 I can not wait!!

My Favorite things!

Yesterday while I was driving during work I started singing "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. The main line on the song says "I simply remember my favorite things" for when one feels down. It clicked with me about how the writers of the song knew a good approach for mental health and redirecting thoughts to positive thoughts. We often encourage this in behavioral health. On a spiritual note the Bible says, "if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

Summer 2021

The last few weeks have been full! 😊

I had my birthday on August 20. The years seem to go faster now. God is so good and has blessed me with wonderful family and friends. I was in the Chattanooga area during most of that weekend and was able to see Sunset rock and the Walking bridge as some of the highlights. 

   

I am also so happy to be back in the Madison campus choir in Nashville. We are family. 

Testimony

This blog post to add to my previous blog post about how the Lord led in getting the job that I have now. The last few months have gone by so fast. A lot has happened since January!

It was a Monday morning and my phone ran in the office I was working in. I was not able to take the phone call then but I listened to the voicemail as soon as I had the opportunity. It was the program director, from Health Connect America and he informed me they were looking for a Master's level therapist. I called him back to follow up on the phone call. We discussed possible times to interview. I was going to be flying out of state to friend's wedding at the end of the week but I would be able to meet with him shortly after Christmas. On December 27, I drove through the heavy traffic of Nashville and arrived for my interview.
I interviewed for a good hour and shared my aspirations and passions in social work. The program director discussed with me the opportunity for a need for my interests in Hickman county. After the interview we discussed the next steps before being offered a job. I earnestly prayed in the days afterwards about the opportunity. On January 15, I was offered the job!!!

My experience getting started out with my job has been awesome from the beginning. On my first day a young lady who mentored and answered questions for me by phone as I was in the process of applying for the job took me out to lunch at La Fuente restaurant in Lewisburg, TN. It was nice to meet her in person!
My training with the other in-home worker in Hickman county was also awesome. On the first day I trained with her I met with her at the court house in Hickman. I accidentally went to the old court house before going to the new court house to meet with her. My first sights and sounds of Centerville was of the old court house in the picture below:

I love my job and doing what I do everyday. It is rewarding to help children with anger and behavioral problems and work with families in their home environments. It is also fulfilling to provide emotional support to children who have had very difficult backgrounds in their families. I also do a lot of coordination of care with case managers from the state, primary care providers offices, and guidance counselors.

I wake up every day filled with God's love for me. I also remember that God has a plan for my life!

Starting a new job! God is faithful.

I want to share an important update that has happened in my life. On January 22, 2020 I started an in-home therapist position! It is rewarding to work with children and families and keep them together. I am very thankful for the God's providences in my life.

I want to share this promise with you as I reflect on God's leading,

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11