Behold the Lord's Maidservant....

Sunday was Annunciation Day

The birth of Jesus announced.

To a young unmarried girl from Galilee. Her name was Mary.

This is what happened:

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NOW IN THE SIXTH MONTH the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her,

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel,

“How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said,

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

And the angel departed from her.

(Luke 1:26-38 KJV)

Mary, the mother of Jesus, have always been special to me as God's plan for her life have always given me much to ponder. I've often been reminded of her courage, her obedience, her yes, whenever I myself had to face "possibly life altering" choices in my own life.

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Mary gave up everything. I'm sure she had dreams for her future until that day the angel Gabriel appeared,

I even think that in her dreams, future looked quite different.

I don't believe that Mary fully grasped what she really agreed to when she answered the angel

"Behold the maidservant of the Lord..."

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But her yes was

a yes to God,

a yes to laying down her own dreams,

comforts, plans and purposes,

her very life,

for the sake of His will being carried out.

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She might have known or not known what

Hannah Whitall Smith knew when she wrote*:

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"-His lovable, lovely will, which only means loving-kindnesses

and tender mercies and blessings unspeakable to their souls. [...]

better and sweeter than health or friends or money or fame or ease or prosperity

is the adorable will of our God."

*The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, 1875, page 45,47

Whatever Mary's thoughts on the subject, she heard His calling.

And she answered

Yes, Lord,

Thy Will be done.

When He asks me...

What will I say?

What I have learned today...

(I'd love to illustrate this with updated pictures, but unfortuneately and by accident I broke my mother's camera beyond repair (sorry, mum) and this is not the appointed time to buy a new one.)

* When you joke about a passing cat to be a tiger, you might suddenly realise it was really a lynx.

* When you get very excited (from like seing a live lynx ten meters away from your breakfast table), people (here I refer to my one and only beloved brother) grow tired of it and start teasing you (like referring to a small black lynx called "kitty").

* Dishes should be done before people see them, at least before they've finished dinner. If you haven't done the dishes, people won't get that you love them. No matter what you say or do.

* The word "defile" means spot, stain or pollute and is in use in Markus 7:20-23 (in KJV and NKJV that is)

* My mother likes to teach me things (and is the only one who jumps up from a comfortable chair and a good book to find an English grammar to tell me how I use "whom" in English)

* This is a funny video

*Sewing a broom skirt may very well take three days or more (especially when you just pull yourself together enough to sew one part a day and you have four of them)

* A letter doesn't write itself.

*Even if you do something fun (like tidying/unpacking/organizing your room) you will eventually get tired after a few hours of work

*Chocolate-chip-cookie-sandwiches-with-ice-cream-in-the-middle DOES taste heavenly when you're up in the middle of the night having fun and writing a blog post.

*Base your decitions on facts and not feelings

*God is so beautiful

*God is good

*Abide with me is a hymn with much meaning.

*There is a time for everything, and THIS is the time for going to bed

(and get up early in the morning to make your precious mommy pancakes for breakfast)

Sleep tight people,

much love,

åslaug abi

In Honor of ******, ******* and *******

-Because I love those girls so much =)

I didn't have a diaper pin (since none in my household wears diapers), but we do wear clothes, so I used a clothes pin instead.... =)

This morning the landscape was still covered in snow (this is the view from the kitchen window).

Flowers on the table. When you have no flowers in the backyard, you'll simply have to do with potted ones... They're still beautiful, though (even if they in real life are purple, not blue)






A clean kitchen =) such a pretty sight, isn't it?

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And after cleaning the kitchen, it's time to be ambitious about everything that should be done today (should probably have been done yesterday as well, but was never completed).
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It's time to be brave and jump right into sewing a blouse from a pattern (when you've hardly used a pattern before, and never by yourself). And after falling asleep on the couch (accidentially), ending up sewing both sleeve pieces together to one big sleeve (in stead of two normal sized ones) and having a good laugh (and lots of stiches to take out in the evening), it's time to make dinner (guess who...).
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Well, you take a leek...

And start sharing the recipe for

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OVEN BAKED TOMATO FISH

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300-400 g fish filet (cod, coalfish etc.)
1/4 teaspoon (american teaspoon) salt


1/4 teaspoon (still american) pepper


2 tomatoes (I didn't know this, I always use 3-5), sliced anyway


1/2 leek (it's sort of obvious that you'll have to cut this one, isn't it?)


1/2 teaspoon basil


some grated cheese


15 ml whipping cream (I use milk)
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Well, you actually start with the fish (not the leek). Cut it in pieces the size you'd like to get on your plate, put in greased pan and sprinkle salt and pepper over it (I never ever measure salt or pepper or basil, just so you know...). It should now look about like this:

Slice tomatoes, as many as you want...Put on top of the fish and sprinkle with basil

Cut leek and make a second layer of vegetables upon that poor fish (it doesn't mind, it's dead). See how small my family is? I can hardly fill half the pan (and that's a small pan). Little pretend to be-housewife-and-homemaker-and-other-things-she's-not putting this lovely fish-dish in the oven, and realising that the family is perfect in size (she truly couldn't manage another one!) But she does love her family, not despite, but even because of the small size and quiet ways. God has blessed her with something He knew would be perfect for her, only for her. Who is she to complain?

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Fish dish (not family) is baked in a 200 celcius and 392 fahrenheit oven, for about 35 minutes



Meanwhile, use that beautiful, super-convenient apron sewn you by beautiful, super-convenient, dearly beloved and so missed friends far far away to carry some potatoes out to in the kitchen. Cut them, put them in a frying pan on the oven, put a lump of butter in the pan, sprinkle onion powder, salt and pepper over them, stir once, cover and leave (now, do remember to turn the heat on).
Get back in a few minutes later and stir again. Repeat this till potatoes are cooked (soft in the middle).
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Set the table and give thanks to a lovingkind God who provide you with food, love, family, snow, laughter, friends (though far away) joy, peace and happiness, every single day =)
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He is the Saviour.


The Messiah, the Lord.


Praise Him!
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åslaug

Sweet February Morning

I woke up this morning from my alarm clock,
after turning it off about six times, in between dreaming of being around beloved people in far-away-places, I opened my eyes.

Six o'clock.

The view outside was simply beautiful. Snow fell yesterday, and in the dark of morning and glimps of lights from the shopping centre the hills were shining. Such a pretty gift to receive when you just woke up =)

What you see if you look out the sitting room window

I put on my apron (yes, of course I got dressed first)
sneaked upstairs and made a batch of muffins. I cut oranges, pears and apples, I made coffee, my father made bread (in the bread-baker, so it was just to pop it out). In other words, I made breakfast. I lit the candle and listened to "Fairest Lord Jesus" while working away by myself.

I did the dishes. By hand.

Tasting the first muffin, yes, it was quite nice, never mind my expression =)

Breakfast....

The kitchen this morning, my mother is hiding (or reading)

After walking my mother to work, I stood for what felt like an eternity in the snow enjoying the sight of beautiful snow covered hills, drizzeled with morning rays giving them a slightly blushing pink color.

I thanked God, for the beauty, for all my beloved ones, praying for them and for me, singing to Him, smiling, silently conversing with Him. Knowing that I don't have the answers, thanking Him that He has.

I walked home, trying to be frugal by not buying colored paper for a birthday card-to-be, and again when the yarn store (I was planning to knit a few dish cloths) was closed till ten o'clock.

Now, I've been alone in my house a few hours.

I am the only person here, the only living thing (except for plants, which there are plenty of).

I might be the most noisy person of my house

(which says more of the rest of the household than of me),

but in myself, I've discovered I make very little noise at all. So it's quiet.

Me and my father's Yucca palm

Who's doing the dishes?? Mmm, excactly...

But she's doing a good job =)

Dishes go quickly. But I do them alone.

Talking is non-excistent. Who should I talk to?

I read aloud, I pray out loud, I play music. I sing.

Loneliness is lonely. I miss beloved noisy people, in beautiful noisy far-away places.

But I would rather miss them for the rest of my life, than never meeting them... And I will see them again.... soon.

God is so good, so loving, such an expert at removing the all-consuming feeling of loneliness. Such a perfect friend. So good at removing worries, anxiousness, troubles and hurt from my heart and instead fill it up (to overflowing) with peace. Perfect peace.

He is so precious. I love Him so much.

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He is where you are, as you read this,

watching over you,

kissing the top of your head.

Whispering I love you,

and I thank Him for that.

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lovingly,

åslaug

Oioioi, språket som vart vekke...

I dag har eg prøvd å setta English-label på alle dei engelske innlegga mine,

og eg fant ut at det var 56 av dei, og dei siste norske fant eg først etter 20 engelske.

Når eg då har kun 100 innlegg på bloggen min
er det klart at eg har neglisjert morsmålet mitt her. Unnskyld =(

Her er eit norsk innlegg =)

Ein oppdatering? Skal me ta det? Jaja, viss dåke insistere så...

*Eg er 19 år, 8 månader og 3 dagar gammal.

*Eg bur i Bergen heime hos mor&far.

*Eg jobbar (på ein måte, akkurat no har eg ferie) i barnehage.

*I går hadde me besøk av farmor

*I dag får eg besøk av Ingrid (hu superskjønne som e så flink te å tegna og sova i timen)

*I går bakte eg brød

*I dag er eg lat (eller berre overstadig lukkeleg fordi eg endeleg har fått strømkabel på dataen min og kan skriva vidare på "bøkene" mine)

*Eg skal snart ut og handla mat til Ingrid og meg

*I går var eg på Fretex og handla kle

*Dei hadde ingen kjolar

*Eg har lyst på kjole

*Kanskje eg må sy ein kjole??

*Korleis gjer ein det? Dette må eg finna ut.

*Snart skal eg til USA og besøka ei god venninne =)

*Så får eg besøk av nokon som kallar seg "3mx", huh? Veit ikkje kva det betyr.... kan det være eit sprengstoff?

*I går snakka eg med den irske vertsfaren min i telefonen.

*Eg begynte å grina etter at eg la på. Eg trur eg saknar Irland litt.

*Eg skal baka med Ingrid i helga.

*Jesus blei født i ein skitten stall i Betlehem, Judea, berre for å leva blant menneska i trettitre år, berre for å bli drept, berre for mine synder, berre for at eg skulle ha samfunn med Gud, berre for at døden ikkje lenger skulle ha makt over meg, berre for at synda ikkje skulle ha makt over meg lenger, berre for at det same skulle vera ei gåve til deg.

Var eg flink nå?

Gud velsigne dåke!!!

Blessings of a First-Day

Today I'm up. I'm back in the living world.

A world with people, shops, dogs and little roads to nowhere-in-particular. I'm back to everything that can't be found on my bedside table or under my duvet. Or on my pillow.

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After three weeks staying in bed I have worked up an appetite for working. For living. For do anything and everything (knowing that I won't even try to accomplish that literally). I ready. Bring it on.

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And so I was showered with blessings, again =)

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The blessings of listening to the wind howling outside, when you're safe and snug wrapped up in duvets and woollen blankets.

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The blessings of holding a precious little cousin, just six months old.

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The blessing of all his lovely faces, of his two little teeth already able to mark your fists with red scrapes as he bites and gnawes them.

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The blessings of another little cousin, almost two, so alike your own little sister when she was that age that you want to cry.

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The blessing of his small hands trying to squeeze the pencil into your own hand so that you can draw him crabs and mice and other wonderful creatures on the paper on the floor.

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The blessings of being able to walk on your own two legs to the shop and buy flour and sweets.

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And the blessing of those wonderfully, tasty sweets.

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The blessing of making two rye-breads with your own hands. And to taste them in the evening fresh from the oven and realize that God made something supremely tasty from the work of your hands.

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The blessing of seeing the delight on your parents face as they eat and clearly enjoy.

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The blessing of giving something back for all the years of nursing, feeding, cleaning up, tidying, explaining, loving, caring for and providing that they gave to you, receiving little but ungrateful behaviour for all their work.

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The blessing of worshiping the Lord with music, and song, even from a very hoarse morning voice.

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The blessing to know that Yahweh is good and long to give me good gifts.

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That His plans for me are of a future and of hope. His thoughts towards me filled with peace and not anger for my failures.

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The blessing of His love.

That the King of Kings has taken interest in me, a sinner.

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The blessing of an unprovoked and long-lasting joy throughout the day, and in the afternoon to learn that so many blessings are in store.

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The blessing of a long, warm shower, and a head massage

from a servant-hearted mother.

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The blessing of many short but bonding conversations throughout the day with one of the people you love the most.

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The blessing of having been bought at a price, and paid, to always and forever belong to Him, the Prince of Peace.

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The blessing of an unexpected call and soon-coming visit of an old and dear friend.

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The blessing of being able to work out, for real.

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The blessing of , when a tiredness so demanding that your head falls down on the page you're reading comes, being able to, taking time to go to bed for a short nap.

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And they are so many, many more.

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May He, who has blessed me so, bless you likewise

and open your eyes to see His good gifts to you,

so that you may thank Him

and give Him glory,

as He deserves.

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åslaug

2009 - A Year of Organizing

I think I started off well with the title.

*It might give people who know me a good laugh

*It might give me the small but well-placed kick I need to get organized.

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I am a messy person.

I can add very without getting extreme,

I can even add extremely without exaggerating.

I am a very, extremely messy

(disorganized, ineffective,

messmaker) person.

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And I'm ready for change.

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I find myself in a new year,

with a clean slate and new chokes.

And several (meaning many) bad, old habits ready to die =)

I'm the one that classify them as "ready to die", it's not excactly something they've come up with them selves.

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I also find myself in a new season of life, as a homemaking daughter in my parents house. Due to some financial difficulty I can't stay at home full time, I have to work, at least for a while. And I do some part-time studies. You see I'll need to be a little more organized. And also since half the point in my staying at home is to help out with the making of the home, there's even more reasons to get organized.

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"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

(Ephesians 5:15-16)

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Give me one issue this book haven't got any comments on! =)

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Of course, all you head-shaking people sitting by your computers thinking "where now did she get THIS from": I did get this idea from somewhere =) Somewhere as specific as Crystal Paine's Biblical Womanhood Blog,

this post to be accurate.

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She writes:

For those of us who are home managers,

I believe it is vitally important we seek to

glorify the Lord by being

an efficient and organized

keeper of our home.

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And I agree with her, of course.

I have even decided that I am a home manager,

and so I can take her words to heart.

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I will make an effort to become organized through this year.

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It's not a resolution, it's not even a promise.

It's a goal,

and that, my friends, is a far more valuable thing.

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A goal is something to reach out after,

something to constantly measure up to and refocus on,

something to look at and redefine your course after.

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I have hereby made my first goal for 2009, await many more.