Niclasen Birthday Month

Six of our family have birthdays in February - Kara - Noah - Craig - Andrew - Ellie and Rebekah. Of course we would love it if we could be with each one for their special day, but this year we will only be able to be with Craig. We are thankful for the telephone that allows us to at least be in communication with the others.We were so glad that it worked out for us to be with Craig this year, especially since it was his 30th. In many ways it is so hard to believe that it was 30 years ago that I was on the back of our motorcycle, weaving in and out in the middle of Manila's busy traffic, wondering when this little guy was going to join our family. It worked - he arrived later that night. We actually weren't there for the exact day - but the week-end before when they celebrated. Why not give him his gift early Saturday morning since things would get busier later? And why not hide it, getting him to find hidden clues throughout the house which lead to it.

Being the good sport that he is, he went from the shower,

to the girls playhouse outside,

back to their bedroom,

and then out to the car, with all of us following close behind.

Not exactly wrapped in birthday paper, but at least hidden under blankets in the back of the car - out comes the bike.

Since a friend from Nova Scotia was in London for the past week, and had a few free hours Saturday afternoon, Ragnar hoped on a train and went down to spend a few hours with him.

They were able to see some of the well known sights and have a chance to catch up with happenings over the last couple of years.

Too bad I wasn't there to remind him to have Darcy in one of the pictures!!! He will have to come back!!

Now to the party - Claire nicely displayed some yummy goodies she and a few others had been working on for this special day.

Three happy 'guests' - Hilary (Claire's mom) with Ellie and Rebekah.

As usual, Ragnar not finding it difficult to find someone to chat with.

Claire in their veranda enjoying time with 2 of her bridesmaids.

Spoiled Birthday Girl

I think I have been blessed with the two sweetest daughter-in-laws possible. They both were worth the 23 year wait! They are wonderful wives for our sons, and the best moms for our grandchildren. Then to top that off, they both make me feel so loved and special. My recent birthday was a top notch example of that.

The day before my birthday I received this cute card in the mail from Canada - 'Happy Birthday Omma'
Isn't the inside wonderful? Hand prints of those 3 special kids in Ontario!!
How cute and creative!
And this beautiful card with my favorite colored flowers made by our daughter in law in Birmingham. While I was having lots of fun in the living room with Ellie, Bekah and Lydia,
Claire was working away in the kitchen for this fantastic roast beef dinner with all of the trimmings. The wonderful cook with Bekah.
She even went to the trouble of grinding hazelnuts so she could surprise me with a gluten free cake. I think each candle represents 10 years, not one though.
Ellie watching me open my gifts.

Modeling the home made scarf from Claire, and a music book to test my skills.

Some of the side benefits of growing old are well worth it!!

The morning of my birthday I was also blessed with another special treat - hearing Craig share from the Word in a local church. I was sooooooo happy I could be part of that audience and have the blessing of listening to him share with us things that God had taught him. What a great birthday treat - icing on my birthday cake!!

Then on our way back home we stopped in at The Oak Tree for some fuel for the trip ahead of us.

The day began with Ellie and Bekah coming into our room and 'waking' us up with 'boo' followed by lots of hugs and kisses.

Now I needed one more hug from each of them before we set off.

On our way back to the car for the 3 hour journey home.

As if I hadn't been spoiled enough, a coworker took me out to lunch again the next day. I am so thankful for our friends and family!!

Couple days in Denmark

One of our evenings in the Faroes we enjoyed a NTM reunion with lots of people who have either graduated from the Bible School or Missions Training Course, and others who have also been overseas with NTM.

We set up displays of various works, and enjoyed chatting with people we hadn't seen in several years.

Representing people who have worked in Greenland, Senegal, the Philippines and Venezuela.

Of course the evening began and ended with lots of yummy food!

Sharing time with people asking lots of questions.

Enjoying dessert with Ellie, Rebekah and Lydia.

Lots more people joined us for a meeting in the evening, where we talked about translation,

church planting,

and Ragnar explaining the various opportunities to work short term.

The day we left the Faroe Islands, we left early and had a meeting with the NTM Committee at the Airport Hotel.

Then we had 2 nights in Copenhagen. We were so happy to have some time with our friend Jancy, who is studying in Denmark now.

What a cute little apartment she and her husband have.

Many Faroese young people are studying in Denmark. The Faroes churches have set up a place for them to get together and enjoy their own church services while they are away from home.

This is the beautiful building where they meet, and where we have often stayed while we are in Copenhagen.

Sunshine in the Faroes

These 3 sweet, precious little girls sure brightened up our days in the Faroes - lots of fun filled times with Ellie, Rebekah and Lydia.

Ellie with her great grandfather - he calls her his best friend!! (Craig used to have that title.)
Rebekah with her great grandmother.
Now it is Abbi's turn for a big hug.

Ellie and Rebekah are both good at doing puzzles and I love to 'help' them.

Ellie with her new doll from great grandma.

Rebekah modeling her new necklace.

Lydia quickly making her way from one room to the next.

We are having a 'frog picnic'. One of the local bakeries makes these 'frog desserts' that are basically green marzipan shaped frogs filled with coloured cream. I can't resist getting them one each time we are there together.

Ellie is ready to dig into hers.

Rebekah with Abbi just after the Christmas Ship arrived in town.

Here I come!

Ellie making one of her many creative Hama Beads projects.