Gratulerer med dagen! 🇸🇯
We've made it all the way back to summer! Today marks one year since I started my missionary service. I went from Tromsø to Fredrikstad and am now in Haugesund, over on the west coast.
Haugesund is rich with viking history and Norwegian culture and tradition. It has been neat to learn about the history of the area and to meet the people that call Haugesund their home.
One of the biggest days of the year, May 17th, was a highlight for me! I got to travel to Stavanger and spend the day with the other missionaries in the area celebrating Norway's independence day. We watched the parades, listened to live bands that were playing in sentrum (the city center), grilled some pølser (Norwegian hot dogs), and ate lots of ice cream! It was so fun seeing the city full of people out and about in their traditional dress, enjoying the holiday.
The missionary work we have been doing here has also been neat to be a part of. Our days have been full of miracles! I can't begin to count the number of times we have been in the right place at the right time to meet someone's need or to be an answer to their prayers. It has become so clear to me that God is aware of us and knows and loves each one of His precious children.
In addition to the missionary work, I have been able to connect to some distant relatives that just happen to live a few kilometers away! Hearing about their family history and connecting over our shared relatives has been a tender experience for me.
I have absolutely loved getting to meet such incredible people throughout this past year and to see how God has touched their lives. It is easily the best part of being here! Looking forward to making the most of these last 6 months!
Thanks for reading! Feel free, as always, to reach out if you have any questions. You can reply to this email or go to ayleeandersen.com and contact me there.
Until next time!