Lots of Fish

A few months ago one of the largest fishing vessels from the Faroe Islands came into port in Grimsby. (This just happens to be the town where Ragnar's Dad sold his fish for many years!) Since he knew many men on the boat, Ragnar went to visit the crew and get a little powwow in Faroese. As he was leaving the ship, he was generously given lots and lots of fish for our freezer - cod filet, cod cheeks and 2 large blocks of ground cod. We are so thankful for it and have felt blessed to be able to share it with many students, staff and members of our church.

Ragnar dividing up the fish.

This was a first time for us to have ground fish. So we have been experimenting with different dishes. Lots and lots of people have been brave enough to try this unique dish for the first time. I usually forget to take a picture of the brave folks, but here are a few.

As you might notice, they were always taken post fish tasting. They have all been good sports though!!

North American Thanksgiving

We missed celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving while being in the Faroes.  Our one Canadian student had no one else to share the day with either.  One evening a couple weeks ago one of the American students came over for a chat, which I really enjoyed. 

As we were talking about both the Canadian & American Thanksgivings, the idea began to form of having a North American Thanksgiving celebration. Since there are only 3 Americans, 2 Canadians and 3 European spouses, 8 could fit around our table quite nicely. 

Soon the menu was planned, the groceries bought, the aroma filled the house and we were sitting around the table sharing with each other what we were thankful for!! We realized afresh how very blessed we are. 

 

Faroes from A-Z

Our recent 3 weeks in the Faroe Islands were great.  We are so thankful for the time we were able to spend with Ragnar’s parents, other family members and lots of friends.  Everyone is always so welcoming, kind, encouraging and helpful.

Ragnar's mom and dad in their dining room.  Elly is knitting another blanket.

Enjoying dessert at their granddaughter's home.

The idea of blogging about the Faroes from A-Z began formatting in my mind while we were still there.  However since coming back to North Cotes, the idea has had to be put on the back burner for a few weeks.  For one thing, our pace has picked up considerably, but also when I first tried to download some pictures I was told that I had used up all of my space for photos on our blog.  Since the original surprise, I have found out how to take care of that problem, but it will involve several hours work.  Slowly but surely, I trust to be able to get it done, so that at least I can continue to blog on this site while we are still here in England. 

Maybe I can adopt that as one of my projects for when Ragnar is in the Philippines in January.  I know these next few weeks will pass by quickly and I'll soon begin with the ABCs of the beautiful Faroe Islands.

Couple Days in Denmark

On our way back to England from the Faroe Islands, we had a couple of nights in Denmark.

Sunday morning, Ragnar had the opportunity to share at a Faroese church.  This group is great for lots of young people who study in Copenhagen.

After eating lunch at the church we went home with the Hoj's.   They live in a huge student complex.

We were happy to meet sweet little Paula!

An hour's train ride took us to our niece's home.

Lots of fun with the great nephews.

... and a game of Settlers. 

 Beautiful leaves at the Train Station.

Darling Little Girls

We think they are the sweetest girls in Europe!

No wonder we love each visit with them sooooo much!

Looks like we enjoy clicking pictures too!

Off to a Good Start

Our 5th and final school year here in North Cotes is well on its way.

 - picnic outside the classroom building on the last day of 'summer vacation'

 - after a student walk about to all the staff houses, the day ended with hot chocolate around a huge bonfire

- Italian and Dutch students joining us for a fish BBQ

- looks like our Saturday Open Houses are off to a good start

 

Hodge Podge '12

 My 10 'odds and ends' round up before beginning the new school year happenings.   

 

1. ROOF REPAIR

Father-Son Niclasen team - what better combination could we ask for, when we need roof repair? 

Craig is not afraid of heights or work, and we sure appreciated his help in getting the broken tile replaced on the roof. 

2. BABY SHOWER

 One or two of our married students usually give us the opportunity to have a Baby Shower each school year. 

This year we had 2 - a girl born to a Dutch couple and a boy to one of our German families.

Although other ladies organized it, they asked if they could host it in our home.  I was abit concerned about the size of our house, but in the end it worked out fine with me only having to move some furniture around and plan the games.  

My baby gifts always come a little later, since I like to cross stitch a bib for each of them- I need be sure of the name!

Just thought I would include our youngest granddaughter's bib too.

 

3. MISSION SIMULATION

Visiting the students who are living in tents during their time in Mission Simulation always brings excitement.  

A family who had lived many years in a remote village in Brazil did a demo of a meal in their area. 

Roaming around from tent to tent enjoying hearing how they are doing in language study while sipping cup after cup of steaming hot coffee.

Here is a good way to kill two birds with one stone - get your exercise while doing your laundry - it works!

 

4. FIXING FENCE

You don't hear us talking about the wind too often here in North Cotes.  It is basically just an expected part of our everyday life.   However what stands out to us, and generates a good conversation is when we don't have wind! 

Yet recently the gusts were a bit stronger than usual, with the goal in mind to give Ragnar an extra Saturday project.

5.  VISIT IN NORWICH

Our week-end in Norwich with Margaret Willcock was very pleasant - walks in the woods as well as along a lake in peaceful surroundings.  We first met Margaret. and her husband David, more than 20 years ago when they came to work in the Philippines for a few years. 

We have enjoyed keeping in touch and popping in on each other from time to time - either when they were back in the Philippines or when we were in England during Home Assignments.

Since we have been living in Great Britain Margaret has been to North Cotes a couple of times and kept telling us the welcome mat was always out.  We are glad we recently took her up on her offer.

 

6. OPEN HOUSES

  We really treasure our times with the students on the Saturday nights that we are home and no other activity is planned on campus.

 We enjoy seeing every nook and cranny occupied, games being played or hanging out in the kitchen with a cup of coffee. 

 

I often tell the students they can have their choice of shoes when it is time to go home.  

7. CANNING

Each year I teach a class on canning meat.  The students often 'can' a variety of meats for their time in Mission Simulation.  It is also an opportunity to know this is a choice they have for the future when they are living in a remote area.

 

8. WILLI & IRMI

 Classes are all finished, graduation caps are taken off and the apartment is spick and span - now for a little down time before moving back to Germany the next day. 

It wasn't the final good-bye though as we knew we would see them in Germany. 

Although we only had a few hours with them, it was great to see the beautiful apartment that God provided for them for the next few months before they head to Indonesia. Lasagna for lunch, and a walk in the woods (basically their back yard) were also part of the package deal.

9.  MEET UP IN HULL

One of our Malaysian friends who was visiting in England, made arrangements to meet us in Hull, which is about an hour's drive from North Cotes. 

You need to cross the Humber Bridge to get there - I'd love to walk across it some day.  The architect did an awesome job - the pedestrian path is quite a bit lower than the road for cars and trucks.

 

10. HOUSE PROJECTS

As all house owners know there are always projects needing to be done.

- splashing on some paint

 

 - finishing off wall in living room

- cutting wood for living room floor