Hospital visit - A Merry Christmas - and Peace!

Stampin' Up: Kindest Gnomes

Stampin' Up: Hippest hippos


I baked Christmas cookies with our grandson, Mads, a couple of times. during December. He's so much fun. He'll do things the "wrong" way- and it'll turn out just fine.  Lesson: Why do we have to do things in a certain way?
Have fun! Try another way!

The last few weeks have been a bit difficult. I got a stomach ache again. And had another operation. Maybe I'm naive, but every time I've been hospitalized, I've hoped/believed that THIS TIME would be the last. The many operations are difficult for everyone in the family. Dec. 27th I am going to another hospital that specializes in stomach/intestinal problems. I have been told not to expect too much. But why shouldn't I? I choose to see my cup half full instead of almost empty. I truly believe that a positive approach to each day makes life more exciting, bright and blessed.

My faith helps me when it's hard. I have thought a lot of the song I have linked to.When the gray fog of turmoil and worries seems too overwhelming, I find that there is security in turning to heaven, an feel surrounded by a heavenly love that gives strength to continue. 

This year we celebrated Christmas with Lars' sister Inger and our brother-in-law Ove. In Denmark, we celebrate Christmas the evening of the 24th. Our daughter, Grethe, drove us there. They live approx. 30 min drive from where we live. Lars and I were both grateful that she would do it.

We had lovely food to eat: crispy, salted duck breast, hot red cabbage, salad, etc. There was definitely nothing missing. 

It is always nice to visit Inger and Ove. They do many things, but when you sit and talk, you have their attention. They have a home where you can relax. Where you can be who you are. It has been a Christmas Eve that I will not forget.

Where can I turn for peace? /  Hvor kan jeg finde fred?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqOC3-CynjY

1. 
Where can I turn for peace?Where is my solace

When other sources cease to make me whole?

When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,

I draw myself apart, Searching my soul?

2. 
Where, when my aching grows, 

Where, when I languish,

Where, in my need to know, where can I run?

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand? He, only One.

3. 
He answers privately, 

Reaches my reaching 
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.

Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.

Constant he is and kind, Love without end.

Text: Emma Lou Thayne, 1924–2014. © 1973 IRI
Music: Joleen G. Meredith, b. 1935. © 1973 IRI

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De sidste par uger har været lidt svære. Jeg fik mavesmerter igen. Det blev til endnu en operation. Måske er jeg naiv, men hver gang jeg har været indlagt, har jeg håbet/troet at NU var det sidste gang. De mange operationer er svære for alle i familien. .D. 27 Dec skal jeg til et andet hospital som har speciale i mave/tarm problemer. Jeg har fået af vide jeg ikke skal forvente for meget. Men hvorfor skulle jeg ikke? Jeg vælger at se mit bæger halv fuld i stedet for næsten tom. Jeg tror virkelig på at en positiv tilgang til ens hver dag, gør livet mere spændende, lyst og velsignet.

Min tror hjælper mig, når det er svært. Sangen jeg har linket til, har jeg tænkt meget over. Når livets grå tåge af uro og bekymringer synes alt for overvældende, er det en tryghed at vende sig i bøn mod himle. At kunne føle sig omfavnet af en himmelsk kærlighed som giver styrke til at fortsætte.

I år fejrede .vi jul hos Lars' søster Inger og vores svoger Ove.

Vores datter, Grethe, kørte os dertil. De bor ca. 30 min kørsel fra hvor vi bor. Lars og jeg var begge taknemmelige for at hun ville gøre det.

Vi fik dejlig mad at spise: Sprød, saltet andebryst, varm rødkål, salat, osv. Der manglede bestemt ikke noget. 

Det er altid dejlig at besøge Inger og Ove. De laver mange ting, men når man sidder og snakker, så har man deres opmærksomhed. De har et hjem hvor man slapper af. Hvor man kan være som man er. Det har været en juleaften som jeg ikke vil glemme.

1. 
Hvor kan jeg finde fred, hvor skal jeg lede,
når mørke kræfter gør mit liv så hårdt?
Når jeg i hjertesorg, angst eller vred
søgende sjælefred, vender mig bort?

2. 
Hvor kan jeg vende mig hen i min smerte,
når jeg har brug for indsigt, hvem giver fred?
Hvem vil med stille ro dulme mit hjerte?
Hvem andre kan forstå, end han som led?

3. 
Han svarer på min bøn, rækker mig hånden
i mit Getsemane, min Frelser, min ven.
Dyb er den fred jeg får, lindring for ånden,
en evig kærlighed får jeg igen.

1. Text: Emma Lou Thayne, 1924–2014. © 1973 IRI
   Music: Joleen G. Meredith, b. 1935. © 1973 IRI