Finishing the Finnish Summer

Few words and heaps of pictures from this summer in Finland.

I came back to Finland in the end of May. The most important reason for coming back just at that time was my brother's wedding in the beginning of June. I am so happy for my brother! It has also been a joy to get to know his wife better during the summer.

The wedding also brought all the siblings together.
From the youngest to the oldest.

The wedding wasn't the only party - of course not!
Some friends graduated. 

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I was asked to help with a youth camp of my church in June. So I prayed and said yes. The camp took us almost around the Finland! We went to the East, then to the North, West and finally back to the South. Most of the places I had never visited before and I was more than excited to know my country better!

I changed shirts with my new friend. I like my new one.

Finland is tiny, but anyway we got to sit hours on the bus... 
Me drinking mate.

This is not me. I haven't become a fish yet.

Lapland - the northern part of Finland.

Delicious food in the middle of nowhere.

Welcome to Finland! What would u like to do?

I know the Beautiful Maker of all this!

BTW, it is true that in the north the sun never goes down in summer! 
It shines through all the night. 

Ok, this time it was not Table Mountain in Cape Town, 
but we made it! 546m :D haha, it felt like 5k

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However most of my summer I worked... hard. Haha, not that hard, but a lot though. We have a summerhouse 20 minutes away from our house. We had heaps of things to fix there. About an half of the time I worked there with my father - rest of the time alone. 

The work was physical and I liked it. The best thing was I didn't have a strict schedule and I was able to live in the summer house if needed. Whenever I wanted to sunbathe or swim in the lake I just took a break and continued after a while. Cool, right?

Here's something we did:

Renovation of the SAUNA..! We made a new floor, renovated some walls, put a new ceiling... Many things!

I made the steps and the path next to the house.

The path to the shore

A platform for the table & chairs

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As most of the ywamers know the time after (or between) the mission field is not always easy. Even though I had a perfect summer the time was also hard for me. I have already got used to live in a Chirstian community surrounded by people. Being at home only with my parents easily made me feel myself alone. 

We are always living in the middle of a spiritual war - no matter if we realise it or not - no matter if we decide fight or not. I didn't see this reality all the time. During this summer I needed to humble myself with certain things. In the midst of my weakness I had to seek the Lord. However most of the time I felt I was failing because I just couldn't do what God had asked me to do.

In the midst of this pain God showed His perfect faitfulness again. He never asks us to do anything without also giving us the courage and humbleness we may need. God showed me again that it's all about Him. So this period of time became a time of victory, real joy, a family restoration and intimacy. All the promises God gave me for this time have been fullfilled.

"On that day I will gather you together

and bring you home again.

I will give you a good name, a name of distinction,

among all the nations of the earth,

as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes.

I, the Lord, have spoken!"

Zeph 3:20 (NLT)

I have no words to describe all the joy and peace God suddenly gave me. His faithfulness just blows my mind!

I have become so blessed by my friends! 
Praise God I don't need to be (stupid) alone..:D

Maybe far away from each other, but in the same boat anyway.

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Well, the summer is over and I'm leaving to the late winter of Argentina. However I have SO much good memories from this summer. God has been so good for me. I love my country, I love my language, my food and SAUNA. And that's why it's always so good to leave. You know you want to come back when it's the time.

Now I'm in the middle of the preparation for leaving. My flight is on Wednesday. No, I haven't packed :D But I'm not that stressed. God has showed His favor even in the small things: I have managed to sell many goods I haven't even used for years. There's so many details I could tell you where I can just see God's favor over my life.

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I wana praise for:

• this opportunity to spend summer in my country
• my family and my friends
• the faithfulnes and favor The I Am has showed me

I'm praying for:

• these two days of preparation for Argentina
• for my flight

Be blessed!

"If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, 

for he cannot deny who he is." 

- 2 Tim 2:13 (NLT)