I can hardly believe that it's already June! To kick off the month I thought that I would post some silly holidays that Americans have come up with. I find this such a funny thing about American culture that I haven't found in Bangladesh is that Americans come up with the most bizarre things to celebrate. I'v left out most of the wierdest ones but I thought that some of the things would be fun to do with the kids and so here I am spreading the news... :D

June 1 National Go Barefoot Day
June 4 Applesauce Cake Day
June 5 National Gingerbread Day
June 7 Freedom of the Press Day
June 9 National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day
June 9 National Iced Tea Day
June 13 Weed Your Garden Day
June 14 Blood Type Awareness Day
June 15 Fly a Kite Day
June 16 National Fudge Day
June 18 International Picnic Day

June is also...
Great Outdoors Month (4th week is National Camping Week)
National Iced Tea Month
Potty Training Awareness Month (thought this was relevant since Jake is trying to get potty trained... :D )


Monday I went barefoot all day celebrating National Go Barefoot Day. It wasn't much different then most other days. Unless I'm going out in a car I'm always barefoot, inside or outside. In Bangladesh most everyone was barefoot, especially the children so it's not to much of surprise that I rarely wore shoes and still shy away from them (unless they're heels or pretty climbing shoes. :D ). As a result my feet are pretty tough. When I went climbing with Phil, Joe and Dave they were always flabergasted that I prefer bouldering barefoot as long as the rock wasn't to hot. I don't know there is just something about feeling the ground beneath your feet. Whether it's out in the garden with the soil seeping through my toes or the hard ground it always brought comfort to my heart. What I love most about going barefoot is it often brings back memories of Bangladesh, running on the little divisions of the rice fields or walking around the mission compound climbing the occasional mango/guava tree. I can't help but think that if God had wanted me to wear shoes he would have created them on my feet and so I continue to grab every moment to shed my shoes and allow me feet to find some freedom.

I've actually made it to a computer to post, I know shocking! I also changed my URL address if you hadn't noticed yet. It is now Saturday Scribbles. I'm hoping it will keep me accountable to writing on here. So every saturday I will write a new post, hopefully more in between but I definitely don't want to be one of those blogger junkies who does nothing but blog everyday. So this will give me some balance. If I find I'm not writing at all, you guys can count on one post per week on saturday. However if I find i'm throwing up multiple posts a day (eek!) then it will be time to chill out the addiction a little and LIMIT the posting to just on saturdays. I also changed the title of my blog to "kjærlighet er skjønnheten av sjelen" which translated is "love is the beauty of the soul". My mother is full norwegian which makes me half and I've always grown up with norwegian culture around me so I'm getting in deeper touch with this side of myself hence the norwegian title. Christ's two greatest commands to us is to love him with our heart, soul and mind & to love people. I've been learning over the last couple years that is the only true beauty within a person. "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Cor. 13:4-7 ESV) This is my goal in life, this is the reason for my being. Living here in Illinois is teaching me continually about loving like this, I pray that my heart, my will and my actions are continually changed day by day as I learn to love this precious family.

So here's a bit of a map to my blog. A couple of my favorite things about this blog is the Celebrations and Projects section.

"Celebrate This Month"

• Norwegian holidays that I've grown up celebrating or new ones that I've been wanting to learn about.
• Bangladesh celebrations that I've grown up with but mostly haven't invested the time to uphold the tradition.
• Birthdays, Anniversaries, National Holidays etc...
• Events I'm planning on going to and ones that I'm not but bring back memories.
• Any other reason I can think of celebrating, if you can think of anything that would be fun to celebrate it let me know! I'm always looking for new things.

“Projects”
• This section is for crafts, things around the house I need to get done, things I'm learning/want to start learning, gifts etc...

So as you can all see I am absolutely horrible at keeping this blog up, I'm really going to make a conscious effort to bring some life into it. However now that i'm living with my adorable nieces and nephew I feel like I should write down some of the adorable stuff that they are doing. It's not like I don't have enough things to write about, I just never seem to take the time. I always prefer to be out there doing new stuff rather then sitting around writing about the old stuff. So my blog has had a "face lift" with a cute layout from Aqua Poppy (thanks for the tip Mary) and my resolution has been made. Now I doubt that I'll ever be a great and frequent blogger however when I saw my sister Mary put a cute idea up on hers about creating homemade gifts for the first five people who respond I thought that it might not be half bad to try to be more consistent with blogging. I'll re-post her offer later on as soon as I can prove to myself that I can actually stick with this blogging thing. Hello I live in Watseka, IL now I should be able to find the time. That said, guess what I've moved for the summer (maybe a bit longer we'll see). I'm nannying for my sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Joe. They have three beautiful children whom you will hear a great deal about i'm sure. Lily is 4 going on 16, Jacob is 2 (and so far is escaping terrible twos), and my precious goddaughter Hannah is 8 months old. They keep me busy but it's definitely fun.

Trinity Lutheran Church
1450 W. 7th St., San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 832-1189, FAX 310-832-5258
http://www.trinitysanpedro.org/
It is absolutely indescribable to convey to you the blessing that his body of brothers and sisters have been to me. They encourage me, uplift me, minister to me, offer me opportunities to serve. This church is a place of safety and love. The love of the Lord is abundant in the people in the speaking of the word, the prayers and the fellowship. Who could ask for a better family of believers?! Call them and/or visit, you will be blessed I promise! Ask for Pastor Nathan.

Silver Jeans


“Pioneer” bootcut jean; made in supreme soft hand stretch denim with high concentration pure liquid indigo; authentic destroyed wash with vintage ware pattern; features flap back pockets and vintage ware pattern detailing; red label fit with low rise (7 ½”) and slim through hip and thigh with 19” bottom opening.
I have never had a pair of jeans fit so amazingly! I know it totally seems silly after writing about Trinity to include my jeans. But if you ever had the experience of searching high and low and coming up frustrated with every pair you try on, you will know the immense feeling of relief after you find that perfect pair. They fit me perfectly! They aren't to tight or to loose even straight out of the dryer and after several days of wear they don't lose their size or shape. That is truly rare! LOVE THEM!


Saloman Women's Tech-amphibian Shoes


Ok Jackie, I know you hate these shoes and think they are ugly. But they are so wonderful to me. Yes they do always look dirty but don't judge it by it's color. It really deserves better. :D They fit in a way that makes my foot sing with joy whenever i think about wearing them. They are perfect for stream crossing since they let all of the water out so fast! they protect my feet from rocks. They stay on my feet when the river wants to take me under. (It has a heel strap to tighten it, since women have narrower heels). So well made! easy to lace up. Great arch support. Perfect for lounging around the camp or putting on in the middle of the night since the heel folds down so naturally and springs right back up when you want it. I could go on... and on... and on...

Old Navy Chenille Lined Zip Hoodie


You are so warm... so soft... so versatile... so bright and beautiful... My hoodie I do love thee.

Nutella
What more can I say... I would defintitaly take it over chocolate any day...

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte


This is such a blessing to me. It is warmth to my body and my heart AND when you're sitting at Starbucks you can ask it for there. They will give it to you in a mug, no extra charge! Of course you can't take the mug home but it truly makes the experience. As I wrap my hands around it I can really honestly feel the warmth seeping into my spirit. (Thanks Drew for the tip!)

Martin Dreadnaught Guitar


Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. ~ Psalm 100.


La Sportiva Mythos Rock Shoes
5.10 Gambit Stealth Rock Shoes
Wow. Most people are really lucky if they find one pair of climbing shoes that fit them well, I found two and they fit like the tight glove they are supposed to! ok so they may be two sizes smaller then what most of the world would deem natural and healthy but I can stick to anything with these and not just because of the sticky rubber (although they are superbly yummy). I think of these as God's personal gifts to me. I know it may sound silly to all of you non-climbing folk. But these allow me to escape the stresses/worries/concerns of life. I get toescape gravity for a moment in time. Stretch my limbs, work those muscles out and be immediately transported into a place of awe at God's magnificent complex and intricate creation... the rocks. I think even God has a special relationship with the rocks of this world. He chose them out of all of his creation. He said that even if people were to stop praising him the rocks would cry out. What an honor. I'm humbled when I'm up on those mighty formations and not just because they can be huge and seem completely immovable, but because of their future calling.