Simple pleasures

I’m a simple person! I’ve been in Stockholm for a couple of days (she says casually…) and am amused by the things that have brought me pleasure. I was in a grocery store last night wondering around and came upon Zataran’s Rice mixes. They were one of my favorite additions to any Mexican meal and I haven’t even thought about them since leaving the States. But, I was so happy to see them – I bought 2 boxes and already have a plan to fix a dinner for friends. Then today while I was in the very long line at the airport I started talking with the woman behind me who is from Chicago and we had a simple, comfortable conversation about life while waiting. She said as I went my way “Our conversation has made the time go much quicker.” I said I’m simple. But, here’s the surprise simple pleasure. I’m sitting at the gate waiting and a plane has just arrived from Riga. After hearing so many Swedes, I realized that it was comforting and ‘normal’ to hear Latvian. And I subconsciously began thinking in Latvian (OK, limited but still) because there was a loud noise and my first thought was not “what is that” but “Kas tas ir”? Forši! (Cool!)

About my days in Stockholm, I’ll work backwards. Yesterday afternoon I shared our training proposal with the staff at the college here. While they are very interested and supportive, I ended that time realizing again that I’m really on my own. But, they did affirm the work we have done and were very encouraging about that plan. I needed that. I spent the morning teaching the cadets and Bible school students about worship. It was fun and they were very responsive, in spite of some language hindrances. For instance, I used “worship” to describe a way of life and a specific event and as an action word. It was very confusing for them, because there isn’t a comparable word in Swedish. But, they let me know and I think that the conversation and thought process that followed was good for them and me. I need to be clearer and more careful. When I arrived on Wednesday, Johanna met me and took me to her home for dinner. We had such a nice time and again I felt a real connection between she and Anders and me, which is such a blessing. It was a quick dinner but I’m glad we managed to fit it in. And the food was great!