Merry Christmas 2008

We wish all of you a very Happy Christmas and New Year full of God's wonderful blessings!

Where are we? U.S.A. California
What are we doing? On furlough, visiting our family, friends and supporters.
When will be return to Sweden? January 14th.
What have we been eating? Pizza, Grilled pork chops, salami and cheese, apple pie, polenta, Starbucks!
Who have we visited so far? Tom & Julie, Steve & Claudia, Ernst & Marie, Josh & Steph, Aunt Ada, Marlene & Bob, Ryan & Elin, Betty, Dave & Jeanette, Kyle, Evan, Denise & Dave & Andrew, Brian, Mike & Linda and the boys, Mom & Dad, Rod & Julie & the kids, Mick & Michelle and & boys, Tim & Jeanette & the kids, John & Cathy & Mia, Ruth Ann, CITP Missions Board, FCC Board & youth group, Dave & Anna Lisa (hmmm! May have forgotten a couple :-)

Holiday in Northern Sweden

We moved into our new flat the day before heading out of town for three weeks. We drove to YWAM Dalarna where I taught on a Mission Adventure course. 5 wonderful girls from a youth group in Stockholm are now on outreach in Latvia. I had a fun time with them and the Mission Adventure staff and also relaxing with my family. We got to swim in the Dal River, eat great food and huge amounts of ice cream. I got shocked by a cow fence.. and so did Rasmus.
Here we are, the MA team, YWAM Dalarna staff and us on the front steps of the YWAM training centre.

Then, we headed north to Övik where, again, Rasmus thought it cool to shock himself, this time by sticking his finger into a live lamp socket. Kids, go figure. I also climbed an amazing nearby mountain (Skuleberget) for exercise.. and a good view. It's part of the world heritage. It's been so good to be with my family after all the hours I have been spending in our new flat. I'll show pictures next time.

A friend upgraded my flickr account, so I can upload more photos. Check them out here.

Swedish Meatballs - July 2008

Hi!

This time it's me, Veronica, writing so that Rob can spend his free time renovating our new apartment on the other side of campus. We don't see each other much these days, since he is either working on videos during the day and scraping and spackling walls in the evening. But that's okay; it's only for a few weeks. I'm gaining a lot of compassion for single parents and those whose spouses are often away on business trips! It's really so much easier when two people share the load. My part in the renovation project, except for keeping our kids alive, is to keep Rob and all his helpers full of coffee, cake and sandwiches. We will be forever indebted to everybody who is helping us get the apartment done on time!

Lucas and Rasmus are doing well. Lucas cries a lot. I guess that's part of being a tiny baby. But in between the cries he smiles and coos. And his eyes grow big whenever Rasmus nearly tackles him, with affection of course. So far Rasmus hasn't done any serious damage to Lucas. Rasmus' two favorite things to do are kiss Lucas good morning and goodnight, and tell other people to stop touching him.

Lately, I've listened a lot to a song called “I can only Imagine” by Mercy Me. Click on the play button when you get to the web page. It's a song about what it will be like to meet Jesus one day. Every time I listen to it I'm moved, and the tiredness from hearing childrens' cries and from everyday life fades away. I'm not into trying to figure out when Jesus will come back. Actually, I quite enjoy living life here on earth. But I think it's so important to remind myself of my end goal: My life isn't ultimately about living a good life, and it's definitely not about living in a nice house or even about raising kids who love God. The end goal is meeting Jesus and spending eternity with Him. I don't at all claim to understand what that will be like.. I can only imagine. And for me it's been really encouraging, the past few weeks, to focus and try to imagine what it will be like to actually meet Him face to face one day.

Darby's Calender
July 24 - Move to new apartment (see photo at right)
July 25 - Drive to YWAM center in Dalarna where Rob will teach at a youth camp
July 30 - Vacation for 2 weeks with my family in Ö-vik.
Aug-Nov - Work, work, work
Nov -Dec - The plan is to fly to the US for a 6-week furlough.

Extra!
Rob just finished a new poster (left) and video for the Discipleship Training School. Check out the video below or at www.YouTube.com/ywamrestenas page!

New DTS Video

The Media Team I direct just finished a new Discipleship Training School video. Check it out!

Babies & Signs

When is the baby coming?
17 days and counting, according to the calendar. Veronica and the baby are fine. The biggest comment we get from the more experienced crowd is, “You just wait. It’s much harder with two children!” Where is the encouragement in that? V and I decided shortly after we were married that we would try our best not to tell people to “just wait...” Instead we look for opportunities to say things like, “You just wait. It gets much better!” I said that to a new mom as she sat outside a tourist shop in my home town a couple years ago. She was trying to get her 3 month old to stop crying. I ended our brief chat with, “You just wait. It gets much better!” You could have landed a small aircraft on her broad smile. And the shine in her eyes would have lit the way. Suffice it to say, we’re looking forward to a second child, even if it is harder.

How's that new Media job doing?
Do you really want to hear about my work after reading about little, tiny babies? OK, fine! My work transition is going well. But I still seem to be doing too many non-Media jobs. I’m working hard to trim them off where I can. Is it my imagination or is there always an overflow of work to do in missions? Note to self: Pray that somebody will read this and come work with me  I have been blessed to have two part-time helpers to help me with projects this spring and summer. Anders (a Swede) and Andrew (a Korean). We've got some exciting ideas in the fire, but I can't share them with you just yet.

It's a sign.. or at least it was a sign!

Swedish car prices and a weak dollar are never a great incentive for purchasing a new-used car. Fortunately, during our trip to Norway, over Easter weekend, our '95 Ford Mondeo decided to take out a yield sign in a snow storm just minutes after leaving the ferry. Seeing this as an obvious sign I asked, “Honey, do you think it's about time we start looking for that new car?” So, after limping back to Sweden in our little Mondeo, we prayed about a top price, and Veronica began searching the web for good deals. She found some promising leads, and I headed out the door one Saturday to check'em out. A week later we were driving a 2002 Skoda Octavia Kombi. Email us if you want to hear the miracles in ths car story.

Back to work

When Veronica and I decided that I would take some time to rest and pray during the month of January, our main purpose was to find out if God was leading us into a new direction. So after the Christmas break I stayed home while Veronica worked in the office, since our policy requires at least one of us to be working outside the home. All in all I had a very relaxing month. I spent much of my time taking care of Rasmus, which was a whole lot of fun! To all you moms, Yes, it was also hard work :-) I appreciate you all very much! My times of prayer and reflection included, going on hikes with Rasmus, sitting in the living room and reading the Bible or worshipping God through music, and listening to teaching from a wide variety of well-respected teachers and preachers. I even spent three days at a monestary/castle just to get away and do absolutely nothing but walk around, read and pray. Thanks Dave Waterman for inspiring me in this. Camping out in the wilderness was not an option, so I thought a monestary would be a good second choice :-)

Throughout January God showed us that my desire and gifts in photography, graphics and video (media), need to be given priority. Media is one of the most natural ways that I communicate and build God's mission best. And He told me that I need to "cut out" some things that I am currently responsible for (database, email account management, administration of the website, etc.). Already a three weeks have passed and I am now moved into my new office across the campus. I have had a real joy and peace about this new direction :-)

Veronica is back home with Rasmus but works one day a week in the office. I work from home on that day while Rasmus sleeps. Veronica is getting rounder and more beautiful these days.

Thank you for praying for us!

1. Transition into my new job & Veronicas transition back home.
2. Our baby is due 1 May, 2008.
   
3. We plan to buy a new car this year.

God bless you!
Your friends,
Rob, Veronica, Rasmus & (Baby)

P.S. I had my annual heart exam in Decemebr and it went well. No negative changes to report.