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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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
I have thought more about my grandmother recently and miss her. She was the matriarch and spiritual leader in my family. Everyone looked up to her and she was someone that you could always talk to.
She has a special family history. Her grandfather and his family accepted the Adventist message in Norway before coming to the United States.
Her spiritual influence had a big impact in my life and the values that she taught her family carried into my family.
I decided to journal my conversations with her during her last months of her life and I am so glad that I did for they are interesting to read.
Here is one of the conversations:
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 Special moments were spent with Grandma today. After lunch today I read to her the Sabbath school lesson. It was about the faith of Abraham. I had to read two passages in the Bible to understand the story of Abraham going to the top of Mount Moriah to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. At the end we were both contemplating on how Abraham had a lot of faith to have almost lost Isaac on the altar. But he also had faith to believe and told his son Isaac that God would provide a lamb. I remember Grandma agreeing with me about Abraham's faith and saying "yes". Also, I remembered studying and being taught as a child that Abraham placing Isaac on the altar was an indication of God saying that His beloved Son would one day die on the cross. Grandma's prayers are beautiful. Today her prayer was, "Lord, thank you for this beautiful day. Help us to surrender our hearts. Thank you for the privilege of hearing this message. Help us to hasten your soon return." Every day is precious with her. I am so glad I have the time to spend my summer vacation caring for and watching her. It's been a blessing to me.
Another one of my favorite conversations with her was about how she met my grandfather. When I asked her about the details about how their interest for each other developed she said, "Those are very happy memories. Thank you for asking me to recall." They met in Loma Linda, CA and had a lot in common. They both grew up in big cities, Chicago and New York and their families came to the US from Europe. Their mutual love for each other was evident. At the end of the conversation when I said to Grandma, "I really enjoyed talking to you about that." She said, "Well, April. It's my favorite subject."
Here are some of my favorite pictures taken with her and during last years of her life
My uncles, mother, and aunt with her at her 95th birthday party
(from left to right: Uncle Dave, my mother, Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Albert)
There is a special place in Madison, a suburb very close to Nashville. One of the reasons it holds a special place to my heart is because my grandparents attended Madison College many years ago.
This place has Adventist history dating back to the time of Ellen White. Ellen White had an important role in helping the Adventist work to start in the Southern states. She gave instruction to Percy Magan and EA Sutherland about righteousness by faith and true education. True education is physical, mental and spiritual found in the first angels' messages in Revelation 14:7. In 1904 Percy Magan and EA Sutherland who were working at Battle Creek College saw the need for work they were doing there to come to the South.
Magan and Sutherland met with Ellen White and her son, Edson White and crossed the Cumberland River on the Morning Star. The boat broke down in a place called Neely's Bend near Madison. They came and looked at this horrible looking property with rocks. Sutherland and Magan knew about gardening and thought this was the worst kind of soil. Ellen White said, "the Lord has shown me this is where you are going to start your school."
We can find what Ellen White had to share about that experience in her writings, "The work that these brethren [E.A. Sutherland and P.T. Magan] can do because of the experience gained at Berrien Springs, is to be carried on within easy access of Nashville, for Nashville has not yet been worked as it should be. And it will be a great blessing to the workers in the school to be near enough to Nashville to be able to counsel with the workers there." LDE 105.2
Magan and Sutherland bought a farm on that property and started a school with fourteen students. In the school they had a nursing and medical program, industrial work and had a strong agriculture program to grow crops for livelihood. Madison College became an example of true education and was the blueprint of the divine model. It had a work and study program in the school, sanitarium, and a farm for agriculture. The sanitarium was the beginning of the medical missionary work in our church and Ellen White said, "it would be instrumental in establishing the faith of many in Bible truth."
The influence of Madison is far reaching. Some of the students wanted to start other schools like Madison and use what they learned about agricultural methods and community education. All of the Adventist schools in the South were started because of Madison College including Highland, Pisgah, and Georgia-Cumberland academies. Also, several Adventists have started medical missionary programs here in the States and around the world. It was also the beginning of ASI (Adventist Laymen's Services & Industries).
On a personal note my grandfather, Albert Dittes was not an Adventist growing up. He lived in New York and wanted to become a doctor. His second cousin, Frances Dittes was teaching dietetics at Madison College. She encouraged him to take the pre medical program. As a result of his time at Madison College he became an Adventist. He then went to medical school at Loma Linda and met my grandmother, Elinor Steen. He came back to TN after medical school to practice. My grandmother also took some classes there after they were married to further her career. My family owes a lot to the mission of Madison College.
In conclusion Madison College was the model of true education that has spread to our whole church in school systems, medical missionary work, and agriculture. Our church is spreading the three angels' messages through this work. May we remember the work of our pioneers and the special history behind Madison College.
Last weekend I was inspired by attending Madison campus's block party.
They had a lot of booths that showcased the church's different
ministries and schools including Madison campus elementary and academy.
They also had games, free food, and a lot of items to help parents and
children to prepare to go back to school. I saw a lot of visitors from
the community. My heart was moved with the love that the church had for
the community. There were stories that came from the event. Some people
expressed interest in taking their children to the church's Sabbath
school classes. There was a homeless lady that did her school shopping
for her children. Lastly, there were two young men who went to Madison
academy's booth. They do not attend a good high school. They expressed
interest in attending the academy. The Holy Spirit worked on their
hearts and they toured the school a day or two later. They are now
making plans to do what they can to attend the school this year! They
recruited a friend to join them. That is awesome!
In reflecting on this event, it makes us as a church realize that we
have a lot to offer our community and world. People are craving for what
we have. and in the case of the young men they want good Christian
education.
The block party at the church was a bridge for many people to experience
what we as Adventists have. We need
to do more of this to spread our good news of hope with the world.
It is hard to believe it has already been five years since I graduated from college. I remember being so nervous moving to Collegedale and starting college. I had wonderful experiences at Southern and I made my best friends there. I also appreciated the spiritual environment at Southern.
These are the highlights of the last five years:
1. I had the special opportunity to serve for two years on GYC Southeast as their Secretary. If I had not stayed on do my Master's, I would have missed the wonderful year I had with the GYC Southeast team. We truly became family that year - and will always be!
We took GYC Southeast to a different level that year by partnering with ARME during the Spring.
2. I graduated with my Master's degree in December 2013. A very intense year and half - with classes on the weekends, working as a graduate assistant during the week, and doing an internship at a skilled nursing facility. I am glad that I stayed on to finish my Master's after I graduated. I have that done and behind me and will always have it.
3. following my Master's degree, I had to do some post graduate work to become a licensed social worker. The test I took was challenging and difficult. I spent several hours a day for weeks and months. I am now a licensed social worker. God is faithful!
4. Nashville is a great place to be. I have meet some very nice people in the communities of Nashville in my work. One of the blessings that I have received from living in this area is my church family.
It is nice to have like minded friends in Sabbath school, who care about spiritual things and getting closer to Jesus.
I also enjoy being a part of a choir. Singing is one of my favorite hobbies - and singing songs for Jesus is a blessing.
5. being close to family is the best. I am grateful I can be as close to most of my immediate family right now. I have been able to spend more time with my Mom, uncles, and brother's family and nieces.
I love living and working in the Nashville area. I work for a home health agency that provides home care services to adults in the middle TN area. I really enjoy my job. I am going to share more about what I am doing in my job.
I work as a care manager, social worker. When my agency receives new referrals for clients to receive services, I do home assessments on clients and set them up our services. one of the first things I do prior to going to homes is to read about their home situations/support systems, medical histories, and the doctors and nurses recommendations for the care that they need. The services that we provide are important for their health. The goal that the medical providers have in referring their patients to our agency is to prevent institutionalization. I have read this on referrals - so I see how important this is! Once older adults leave their homes to go to nursing facilities they lose a lot of their skills and depend on others.
I love developing relationships with the clients and families that I meet with and providing support for the care that they need. In the home assessments I assess their medical situations, home environments, and the skill of care that they need. I also do home safety assessments to make sure they live in safe environments and have access to important needs. At the end of the home assessments the clients sign service agreements to start services.
Another part of my job is doing monthly supervisor visits with the clients that we service. I ask questions about their services. I also assess and monitor their health. if there is any significant changes happening with their health, or if they need more skilled care it is my job to address that.
The Nashville area is a very diverse area. We cover the Sumner, Robertson, Wilson, Davidson, and Rutherford counties. I have enjoyed driving throughout middle TN to see clients. It is beautiful.
It has been a blessing to use my Social work skills to reach out to people who need support and assistance in their homes. and most importantly to make people feel cared for.
Last weekend I had the privilege of singing with the Madison Campus choir and orchestra for church we sang, "Revive Us Again," "Psalm 23", and "Crown Him with Many Crowns."
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, nothing shall I want
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters, He refreshes my soul,
guides me along the path of righteousness, for the love of His name https://livestream.com/accounts/58396/events/6937063/videos/147910753
Last week was the political election and it has been one of the most intense presidential elections our country has ever witnessed. I was shocked with the results. I am not ashamed to say that I do not support Donald Trump. His hateful rhetoric and bullying during the whole presidential election was heart breaking to watch. He does not represent our American values. I believe that we as citizens have a duty to stand up for those around us and not tolerate the language and culture he has brought to the county. Love trumps hate!
I also think about that this unusual presidential election shows how soon Jesus will come. We can not look for our hope in man, and in the different presidential candidates who ran for president. We need to be daily preparing our lives for Jesus' Second coming. The uncertainty this world faces reminds us that we must be prepared for Jesus, because the end is very near.
The beginning of fall is coming to TN and I am loving the cooler temperatures!
It's time to update my blog and I really do want to try to do better in share updates about my personal life.
The Lord has blessed this year. I am so blessed to have a wonderful church family and friends. Last December I started the visiting the Ridgetop church and from the first time I visited the church I felt at home. Thank you to those who made me feel so welcomed when I first started visiting. I officially became a member in the summer. We are a family. I also have enjoyed making friends with the young adults. We like to do fun things together on a monthly basis.
I also have started playing the piano for the beginner's Sabbath school class once a month. It's been fun to be a part of their class!
Since I finished college and graduate school at Southern, I have really missed singing in choir. I finally joined the Madison Campus choir. It has been a blast!
We had our first fall performance yesterday and sang, "Great is Thy Faithfulness," "Blessed Assurance", "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," and "He's Been Faithful"
Singing these songs brought encouragement to my heart and a reminder on how faithful the Lord is to us.
I also appreciated Pastor Ken's sermon on service. We need to do a lot to more to reach out to others in our communities. We are here on earth to build God's kingdom and to reach out to those in our communities in need.
Happy New Year, on the second to last day of the month!
Praying that this year 2016 will be like one we have never had before. Oh, how my heart longs and aches to share Jesus with as many people as I can this year. I don't want anything to get in the way of doing every thing I can to be a witness for Jesus.
Some ministry goals that I have for this year:
1. Start a Bible study group/ARME group
2. Scripture memorization.
3. Spread 30-40 GLOW tracts a week (a powerful witnessing tool!)
4. Give Bible studies to two to three people. (by God's grace)
This year...I want to record my progress on this Blog. I in no way want to make this, or my spiritual walk something of works. However, I do believe Jesus wants to join Him as co laborers in spreading the three angels' messages to the world!
I am still trying to work on blogging on here more often. Life is full, and there are many things to share with you all here!
My main burden I feel on my heart today is the urgency of Jesus' Second Coming. Yes, our jobs and careers are important. The day-to-day responsibilities that we have are also important. Let us not get so busy and caught up with the cares of this world and of life that we forget the ultimate goal of heart preparation for Heaven and sharing Jesus' with others.
Yesterday, I visited the Nashville First SDA church. I was very blessed and encouraged by Pastor Melvin Santos' message, "Deployed by the Holy Spirit"
Here is a paraphrase of some of things he shared and my thoughts and reflection about it:
God has given us the command to go and make disciples. Go and help other people. Are you willing to say,"Lord use me"? - The Holy Spirit will deploy you." -Pastor Santos.
This message called me to examine my own heart. Am I allowing the cares of this world to take away time from doing what I need to do to prepare myself and others for Jesus' Second Coming? Is there something that I keep delaying to do? Please let's not allow circumstances and time to get in the way of finishing the work and preparing for Jesus' Second Coming. Time is running out! God is calling people to enlist in His service!
Application: This is how I want to daily apply this message in my own life and in preparing for Jesus' Second Coming.
1. Share GLOW tracts with others. Spreading the messages of truth through literature with others.
Goal: Share 25-40 tracts a week in gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and parks. Make a special effort to spread several in parks near the churches that I attend.
2. Give Bible studies!
I am a certified Bible worker and there is no greater joy then giving Bible studies to others! I need to strategize on getting Bible study leads and finding those who are hungering for truth.
3. Become earnest in evangelistic efforts.
The Nashville First SDA church is having an evangelistic series Oct. 2-31. I am planning on attending and participating in the meetings.
Comprehensive urban evangelism is another passion of mine and for Nashville.
Goals: (a) Spread flyers in the Goodlettsville/Millersville/Madison area to promote the meetings.
Bring a friend to the meetings.
(b) Start a group in the Nashville metro area that focuses on comprehensive urban evangelism.
4. Start an ARME A-unit Bible study group.
This has been a dream of mine, especially for young adults in the greater Nashville area.
The Bible study would have a focus on preparing people for Jesus' Second Coming including Scripture memorization, and studying Bible prophecy or topics relevant to what is occurring in the world.
Goal: Invite 4-5 young people in the Nashville metro area to the Bible study meetings. Start the meetings in the beginning of November. Use ARME A-unit materials for the Bible study. Focus on Scripture memorization.
I am going to share weekly updates with you, it will be a part of my own accountability.
Oh, please give me a heart dear Jesus to share you with others. May we be ready for your Second Coming and Kingdom!
I want share the recording from yesterday's service at Madison Campus. It really brought courage to my heart. Everything the minister said, was exactly what I needed to hear.
A little over a year ago, I completed a Master of Social Work degree. I moved to the greater Nashville area. I loved visiting the churches in the Nashville metro area.
One of the first churches that I visited was the Madison Campus church. Madison, TN has a very special story to our church, because the beginning of the Adventist work in the South started there. I'll write more about that later in a blog post.
I was impressed on my first visit, the lady sitting next to me made sure that I felt welcomed and invited me to join her at her Sabbath school. The church has hundreds of members, and I honestly wondered if I would connect well with the members. Every time I have visited this church, the members have made me feel so loved and welcomed.
In a couple of the Sabbath school classes I have visited, the main
leaders of the class made sure to welcome me and get to know me
personally after the class ended. One of them gave me a welcome gift
bag!
I am also so thankful for the leadership of Pastor Byron Corbett at Madison. He has brought a vision for evangelism projects in the Madison and Nashville metro communities. He preaches on Rock Solid TV that reaches thousands of people in the middle TN area every Sunday morning on Fox 17 news. There was also a Relevant Seminar prophecy seminar series held this last Fall at the church. (I will share more details about this.)
I love the Madison Campus church because every time I visit, God's love is shown me me. I am spiritually uplifted, and the pastor gives biblically based and relevant messages. It has also been nice to get acquainted with people that I attended Southern with, and that I did not know personally while we were in school together. There are several people in my age group that are now living in Nashville.
There is another church in Nashville, that has been a real blessing to me. I will share more about it and how it reach the community with the Three Angels' Messages in a blog post soon.
