Swedish Meatballs: Let's pass around the THANK YOU's

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Note: If you met us within the last two months then you’ll want to read the message we wrote you below. Feel free to skip past the other people, but by all means, read them too, if you like!
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Did you hear? We all got the stomach flu and had to cancel our return flight to America. Fortunately for us, Brian and Alison let us stay at their home in North Carolina until we had thoroughly infected their entire family! What great people they all are, eh?

Dear Mom and Dad - The biggest thank you goes to you for picking us up at San Francisco Airport, for letting us sleep in your master bedroom, and for letting us use one of your cars the entire six weeks we were home. And thank you for feeding us and especially for allowing us, albeit reluctantly perhaps, to roam around the state of California to visit the many friends we have made over the years. We know how difficult it was for you to not see us so often, but you enabled us to kindle friendships that don't get to be kindled very often. You will never know what a blessing you were and still are to us.

Chapel in the Pines – Thank you for being so welcome to us every time we show up! We felt rather famous when we saw our family photo hanging out in the foyer among the other missionarys' photos. And thank you for allowing us to preach and teach. And to think that you allowed me to preach, even after I preached about beer last year! Incredibly non-religious of you :-)

David and Annalise - you two are key players in your community. Thank you for hanging out with us and for the good meals. Don't stop dreaming and asking God for those big dreams you shared with us! Our hearts are with you.

Aunt Ada – We were so glad we got to see you. We wish we could have visited you more, and we really have no excuse to give to such a wonderful aunt! We hope to see you next time we come.

Steve and Claudia - as usual you guys make us feel at home as soon as we hit your doorstep. I mean, you never know who is gonna show up on your doorstep these days, do you? ;-) We felt a bit underdressed during our last visit. And, Steve, did you know that that one unusually odd app on your iPhone is actually the most downloaded app right now? Magine, the guy who created it gets a percentage of the 99 cents it costs for each download!

Mick and Michelle - We had a blast with your family at the cabin in Arnold. Your boys make great babysitters. Heh!Heh! The food rocked and so did our conversation. We only wish we could have spent the entire week with you, and then some.

Denise and Dave - we had one of the best Thanksgivings we have ever had, at your home in Oakhurst. The Wii kept us all in shape after that huge meal.

Mike and Linda – It was cool to be able to run into you guys so much. We think your art store and jewelry business are the coolest! Thanks, as always, for the deep discussions and fun chats.

Michelle Bauer - It was fun eating pizza with you at the Mikkelsens' barn. Hunter and Bo were Rasmus' best dog orientation yet! I don't think he has been licked that much to date.

Foothill Community Church – Thank you for supporting a local boy, for believing in what we do over here, and for letting us talk At your meeting. The food was delicious too. Hey, what a great Christmas play you put on at Bret Harte theatre. Very impressive.

Dave and Jeanette – As usual, you guys know how to host a dinner event. If it weren't for you, Jeanette, Pampered Chef wouldn't be where they are today. Dave, you inspired me with your 6 am marathon run in Sacramento. Why, just this evening, I braved the dark Scandinavian winter night to head over to the training room to keep in shape. To both of you, all the best in your future chapters. God will take care of you.

Kyle – Wow! What a blessing you were to us, finding us a great room with an awesome view, at an affordable price. We were able to relax and prepare for the next few weeks of busy work and visits. We hope you have a wonderful time in South Korea. Kam sa ham ni dah! (Thank you in Korean:-)

Tim and Jeanette – I think the time we spent at your home was the most exotic part of our time in USA, especially for Veronica; perfect weather and wonderful hospitality. The way you let us just be ourselves there was refreshing.

John and Cathy – We wish we could have stayed longer with you two in Fullerton. Thank you for the dinner, the bed and the friendship. Welcome to Sweden.. anytime.

Ryan and Elin – So glad we could meet up with you and have lunch together. And thank you so very much for listening to God and lending your aprtment to us to use whenever we wanted to stay there. It meant a lot knowing I could escape there to work on teaching or to take our family there for a meal and a video. The cappuccino maker rocks!

Mountain Christian Fellowship – Thank you for inviting us to speak on that Sunday and also for the wonderful Christmas banquet you put on. The only problem with events like that is we don't get a chance to talk with everybody :-( Still, we won't forget your friendship and your support.

CITP Christmas Choir – How fun to walk around the Arnold pine trees and sing carols with you all! I don't think I got so much exercise since the Two Rivers 5K run I did there in 1995.

Mindy – It is always a pleasure to spend time with your young students teaching them geography and a little about what missionaries do in Sweden. Next time you need a supporting actor in a play, call me! I'll act out anything for those doughnuts.

CITP Mens' Bible Studies – It was a pleasure to get up so early to spend time with you, sharing about the things that are on God's heart these days. Your excellent questions and your great sense of humour made my time with you a 'peace of cake'. I think, between the two meetings, I drank five cups of coffee! I was buzzin' on the way down the hill that morning.

Mom and Dad – It was also fun to spend some evenings with you just enjoying a movie and playing with your grandsons in your living room.

Saint Patrick's Italian Catholic Federation – Thank you for feeding us so much breakfast! We ate almost an entire barnyard of eggs and bacon.

Ernst and Marie – Now that was some meal! And as usual, the conversaton, stories and friendship were first class. We love your new dogs as much as your former ones.

Dusty – It was an honour to share such important news and truth to your high school students. And the way you introduced me made me feel ten feet tall spiritually. I think you will have a tremendous impact on those kids.

Rasmus' birthday party guests – Thank you for coming and celebrating with us. It was fun to sit around and chat. Willy, I've always wanted to hear one of your songs. Thank you for making the effort to bring us the CD. Oops! Did you ever get that back?

Josh and Steph – If only we could serve in missions together. Then Rasmus and Ava would get married for sure. You guys rock! And we are so glad to have gotten to know you over the years. Your humour, energetic spirits and honesty make you one of the best couple-friends we have. We can't wait to hang out with you again. Maybe we will meet at Monte Cristo!

CITP Discipleship Group – Thank you for letting me come and share some hard stuff with you all. I am always impressed when a group of young men get together regularly to pray and grow in Christ. I can see that you guys are doing that. Keep doing that!

Tom and Julie – We enjoyed our time with you in your home. What more could we have asked for? Pizza, a dog for Rasmus to play with, toys for Lucas to chew on, a place to change diapers and a three-year-old showing us how to whistle during our meal. Tom your monthly letters are one of the reasons we are so excited to serve in mission. It is people like you who are the backbone on the calling of God in our lives. Because of your faithfulness to us, we try to do the same to others. Thank you for your example. It was a real treat to drive down to Modesto with you. It gave us a chance to catch up and spend some extra time together. I hope your car troubles have now subsided.

CITP Adult Sunday School – Veronica says “Thank you” for letting her teach you about what is happening with many of the children in Cambodia, and other parts of the world. She hasn't forgotten about you, and she will be sending news to many of you very soon. Hang in there. May God use you to make a difference for those children through your prayers and gifts.

CITP Sunday school kids – Wow! You kids are super smart. Wait till I tell all my Swedish friends that you can locate countries on a map faster than they can! And thank you very much for the gift you have been saving to give to us. It will go to Cambodia to help children your age have a better and safer future. What an investment you are making into God's world.

Betty – You definitely went the extra mile for us by making such a delicious dinner. Thank you for all the kindness you show to us whenever we come home. It is one of my highlites to visit you, because you have always been kind to me ever since I was a naked toddler on Amador Avenue. Wobbie Dobbie!

Rod and Julie – It was well worth the trip to visit you guys in Santa Cruz. Julie, you were unphased by our crying, sick baby at 12 am, 3am and 6am. There aren't many people I know who would drive to Safeway at that hour to buy baby Tylonol for us. Rod, your insight into the environment and the election were eye-opening and encouraging. You challenged us both to question the status quo and search for the truth when it is hard to judge. P.S. Rasmus is still imitating sea lions. Ar!Ar!Ar!

Aunt Elda and Uncle Earle – Thank you for the festive Christmas party and all that incredible food! The thing I appreciate most is that you force us all to shut up and listen to the reading of the birth of Jesus. God is smiling on you for that :-)

Mom and Dad - Christmas dinner was fun! Thank you for letting Veronica help out with her fancy-everlasting-grahamcracker-chocolate-cream-cake. And thank you Dad for turning the TV off during the opening of the presents. We know what a sacrifice that was for you ;-)

Tony and Celeste – Thank you for trying to make a lunch date work. We realise how hectic the holidays can be, and we appreciate the effort you took. We're only sorry we couldn't make it work out. We hope we can see you all next time we are State side. And thank you for your support over the years. May God prosper your future because of your sacrifice.

Kimberly – You goof! heh!heh! We truly are thankful for your friendship and the way you opened your home to us. You deserve the status of 'Auntie' with our boys. The way you loved on them and said kind things to them will leave an indelible impression on them for years to come.

Marty and Karen – It was an adventure to enter your home! I felt like I was in a natural history museum. What an incredible life of faith you live. You inspired us through your stories. Thank you for building our faith. We hope to get to know you better as time passes.

Evan – We are so glad we could spend more time with you this time around. I must say, your hobby has impressed my palate immensly. I shared the winter ale with my friend Brian, in North Carolina, and he was quite impressed that a home-brew could taste so good (and it didn’t explode on the plane:-)! Put a star on that recipe. I expect even greater things next time around.

Daryl & Lisa – It was a mega-pleasure (I that a word? It is now :-) to get back in contact with you guys. 15 years+ is way too long to stay out of touch. We look forward to more contact in the future J Daryl, you haven’t changed a bit since college days. Your personality I mean! Heh!Heh!

Harmony Life Center – We loved the freedom among you, and are so excited to see where God will lead you. Thank you so much for the prayer and words from God on the Tuesday prayer meeting. Veronica felt so free to pray and listen to the Lord.

Rocky – I don't know whether to thank you or curse you for lending me your snowboard. Kidding! It was an exciting experience to learn the sport. I never knew a body could feel so sore the day after.

Brian – Thank you for taking me snowboarding. If you had told me when I was young that you and I would be carving it up at Bear Valley when we are in our forties, I would neve have believed you.

Craig and Nancy – Nancy's bean soup recipe wins the “Best recipe” during our time in the States. When we left your home, we both said that it was so relaxing to hang out and visit and chat with you guys. It was as if you, Craig, had never picked on me when I was young! Hmmm! Can you imagine that? Probably not. HAR! Love you man. Keep digging.

CITP Youth Group – Thank you for letting me come and share tough things with you. And thank you for praying for those things. I hope and pray that God will use you, in mighty ways, in the future, to help end some of the abuse that you learned about that night.

Dave and Gloria – It was short but very sweet to hang out with you two. Wonderful to see you two in your new home, living your new life together. Gloria, we hope you find Calaveras County as accepting and friendly as we do. All the best!

Dr. McKinley – We appreciate so very much your generosity to us while we were sick in North Carolina! We will talk about the amazing American doctor for a long time to come. May God bless you and your work.

If we have forgotten anybody, we deeply apologize.

Brian, Alison, Kaleb and Luke - We cannot thank you enough for your hospitality, letting us invade your home for so long. Not once did we hear a complaint from you, not even an expression of annoyance. Well, maybe a couple from the boys, but that's understandable :-) You guys did a fantastic job in spite of it all.