Britt-Arnhild's House in the Woods

Rise, Shine, Give God Glory

The Mailbox

            With a stack of postcards in my hand I went into the tiny little shop with the post office sign.

"Can you please tell me where I find the mail box?" I asked.

"Sure Madam. Out the door, to the right and behind the rosebush." The clerk pointed out the door giving me a bright and friendly smile.

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Another pile of oversea postcards is on its way.

Mamma Mia

           Marta and I went to the movies last night to see Mamma Mia. On our way there I told her that this music was popular when I was young and I used to love it.

Marta stopped, looked me into my eyes and asked: MOM, what do you prefere today, ABBA or opera?" "Why, opera of course" I had to admit.

"Oh MOM, I really hoped that you could, for once, be a rocky, cool Mom!"

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The soapy movie was pure delight, and for one night I was happy to listen to the old ABBA music. And guess what, Bill, the travel writing father in the movie, had his moleskinfor writing down his travel notes :-)

Book of Creation

           There are two main books in my life, The Book of Salvation and The Book of Creation. The first one (the Bible) is always in my backpack wherever I go, the second one (God's creation) surrounds us always.

I am a bookaholic, reading always, buying book wherever I go. So also during my trip to Lindisfarne. Books where packed before I left, more books were bought at the airports we passed flying down there, Waterstones in Durham is a wonderful bookstore, and packing my backpack every morning for a day of walking on the Holy Island I always made sure to make room for books.

It didn't take me long though to realise that The Book of Creation became the most important book during my stay. I am going on another pilgrimage the coming days (to Vadstena and St.Birgitta in Sweden). This time I will make sure that there is space enough for The Book of Creation.

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It is time for another Blog of the Week. Bridget in Francebrings pieces of creation inside and make the cutest miniatures. I am the happy owner of one of her paintings.

Photos: my beloved island Lindisfarne

What is your accent?

         Walking around the island is very different depending on wether the tide is in or out. When the tide is in, only those living or staying overnight on the island are there. You easily find peace and quiet if that's what you search, you easily starts to talk with people you meet.

I met a man with his beautiful granddaughter during one of my walks, and it didn't take long for ice to break. After a while he suddenly asked: "What is your accent?"

My heart beamed. He didn't ask me which country I came from, he actually asked "where in England are you from"! I felt very proud and very Bristish :-)

Marta is studying English hard and eagerly these days. Every day she has new words to learn, and she writes pages up and down. Before leaving for Lindisfarne I asked her if she could send her cell phone messages for me in English. "Oh no, Mum. I will not do that. It will be just like doing homework when I write you!" The last night though her longing was too heavy, and late at night I got an sms: "To day I have ben in birthday. I miss you a lot. Love marta"

Beads on the shore

         On the shore between the main island of Lindisfarne and the small St.Cutbert Island I collect small pieces of broken glass and porcelain. The place used to be the garbage place for the island, the only remains of this part of history today are these small colourful pieces. I keep them in a glass bowl on my desk, and from time to time let one or a few slip through my fingers while I say a prayer, (as a non-catholic this is my rosary)

             As so many times before I walked in the sand, gathering "beads", praying, and after a while I sat down on one of the benches in silence.

Then all of a sudden the colourful beads got life. Bright, happy life. And the shore filled with laughter.

I felt blessed, picked up one of the beads from my pocket and kept on with my prayers.

Gone fishing

"Mom, do you know my favorite way of watching the sunset?". Marta had been playing out in the forest which surrounds the cabin and came in to see what we were doing.

"Hm, let me think. Climb a mountain? Or curl up near a window with a mug or hot chocolate! Or dress in your pink princess dress dancing a sun dance? Or....."

Oh, no. Mum, be serious!"

I tried to remember back to being 11, and then suddenly I knew! "Of course Marta. Go fishing!"

What is your favorite way of watching the sunset? How often do we take time to go out and enjoy nature, wether it is just a glimpse of the sky from a city street, or it is climbing the mountain or walk on the beach? God has given us his creation. It is for us to take care of it. And to enjoy it.

Have a happy day.

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Note: this is a repost from May 2007. I'll be back home from Lindisfarne around midnight tonight.

"Mom, do you know my favorite way of watching the sunset?". Marta had been playing out in the forest which surrounds the cabin and came in to see what we were doing.

"Hm, let me think. Climb a mountain? Or curl up near a window with a mug or hot chocolate! Or dress in your pink princess dress dancing a sun dance? Or....."

Oh, no. Mum, be serious!"

I tried to remember back to being 11, and then suddenly I knew! "Of course Marta. Go fishing!"

What is your favorite way of watching the sunset? How often do we take time to go out and enjoy nature, wether it is just a glimpse of the sky from a city street, or it is climbing the mountain or walk on the beach? God has given us his creation. It is for us to take care of it. And to enjoy it.

Have a happy day.

Are you able to open the right doors.....

         There are alot of doors in my life. Most of them are open or easy to open when I need what is behind. But a few doors have been locked too long.

During my days on Lindisfarne I search for keys. Some keys are light and shining and can be worn in a golden chain around my neck for all the world to see. But some are heavy, stained and burns when I try to touch them.

There are doors in my life wich needs to be opened, there are doors in my life which needs to be closed. God, help me to find the right keys. God help me to use the keys you are giving me to open and close the right doors.    

Bless your people Lord

           Light shines through the windows in the cathedral in Mexico City. I sit down in prayers. "God, let your light shine on all of us who are affected by the HIV-virus. Bless your people Lord"

The Body of Christ is Living with HIV. We are all affected.   

Back in Durham, back on Lindisfarne

       With a Moleskin, a pencilcase and a mind open for reflections, I am back in the northwestern part of England. The cathedral city of Durham today, the tidal island of Lindisfarne from tonight and till Monday.

Blue spots are what has caught my eyes today.