Sverige!!

Hello there!

Ok, so it is going to be difficult beyond words to describe how freaking awesome my trip to Sweden was. However, I will attempt to give it my best shot:

Thursday: So, we left the house at 4:30 am. Normally, I would be completely exhausted, but I was so excited about Sweden that I was full of a ridiculous amount of energy and couldn’t stay still, or quiet for that matter (totally not at all like me right? haha). We walked to the bus station and got on a bus that would take us to the airport. The whole 2 hr bus ride I was so hyped up on energy that I actually did homework (that’s how awake and crazy I was) and spent some quiet time with the Lord. When we arrived at the airport, we went and checked in to Norweigen Air and went right through security. Now, I have been to several airports in my life, but I have NEVER had an easier time checking in or getting through security. Seriously, I thought it was almost a joke how easy and efficient they were at the airport! Anyway, we then went and got some coffee from McDonalds and sat down to people watch and talk before we got on our plane. We had about an hour to kill, but it went by super fast. Then, we went to our gate and got ready to load the plane. The most exciting part of the plane ride was getting to walk out on the tarmack and up the stairs onto the plane instead of walking through a tunnel!! Call me weird, but I have always wanted to do that!! I felt like royalty as I stepped down the stairs. Yes, I waved and pretended like I was the Mavericks getting off of their plane after they won the championship (don’t judge me, it was awesome!). The plane ride was smooth and easy. I colored my fire truck coloring book (thanks to the Abilene Fire Dept) and listened to music as I eagerly awaited our arrival in Sweden. As we got closer and were getting ready to land, it hit me: I WAS IN SWEDEN. SWEDEN: THE PLACE OF MY ANSESTORS!! I’m not going to lie, I had a moment. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes and started bouncing up and down in my seat like a 5 year old who was getting ready to go to Disney World for the first time. This entire trip has been filled with moments where I just look at God and start crying because he has given me so many blessings!! Our God is so cool. We got through customs easily ( I must have looked like a Swede haha) and took a 20 min train to Stockholm City. First off, the weather the entire weekend was BEAUTIFUL!! A little bit chilly at times by the sea, but I would consider 48-52 degrees to be really nice, especially during the winter in Sweden! We then walked around and found our hostel. Seriously, the best hostel ever! It was really clean and safe, and the shower pressure is actually better than my shower here in Oxford! Haha we then walked around the city and took tons of pictures!! Our hostel was seriously right across the street from the Baltic sea, and the view was INCREDIBLE! We then ate at the Taco Bar. I know, Mexican food in Sweden? My answer is YES! It was seriously the best Mexican I have had since leaving Texas! I only had to go to Sweden to get it…. I felt a little weird eating Mexican food in Sweden and having the Swedish waiter talk to us American kids sitting in a Mexican restaurant in Sweden using Spanish. Weird culture shock there haha. After this, we came back and went to bed after talking for a bit. We had been up for a while and we were all exhausted!! My friend Alex counted the number of times I mentioned “Sweden” the entire 5 days, and the total came to 454… yea, that’s right. I couldn’t stop saying that word! I was so excited!!!

Friday: I got up, and while everyone was eating breakfast, went and sat on a bench across from the hostel right by the sea and did my quiet time. Holy Cow. The view was absolutely INSANE! The sun had just come up, so it was sunny and very pretty by the water. I enjoyed sitting there and praising the Lord for everything he has done for me!! And as I was walking back across the street, I saw a fire truck! That’s right, a SWEDISH fire truck. Unfortunately I was so awe-stricken that I didn’t think to get out my phone and take a picture. I then ran back inside to tell my friends about yet another gift the Lord had just given me!!! You couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off of my face haha Anyway, we then took the underground to Stansen, where we went to the open air museum. This was a huge area that had an aquarium (soooo happy!), a zoo (with many native Nordic animals), and a bunch of old houses and buildings from Sweden hundreds of years ago. This place was awesome!! The aquarium made my day, but I also got to see moose, wolves, and seals!! And we got to see the seals being fed, which was pretty legit. The only disappointing thing was finding out that I wouldn’t be able to see the bears because they were hibernating (makes sense I suppose). After this museum, we got some Swedish candy (we prob ate enough collectively this trip to feed a third world country). We then got lunch! For lunch, I got the special hotdog. Now this consisted of mashed potatoes on top of the hot dog. AWESOME. I don’t know why we haven’t thought of doing this in the States before. I loved it!! Then, Rebecca and I went to the Junibacken Museum, which was a children’s museum. I felt like a kid in there and it was soooo fun!! They also take you on a ride that takes you through a traditional Swedish story (translated in English for us thank goodness!).  Then there was pippy longstocking’s house! I had a great time playing with everyone and having a bunch of kids and adults looking at me funny as I was doing it. I then had the best apple juice I have ever had in my life. I also bought a curious george book about firetrucks that was in Swedish!! A triple win!! Best. Book. Ever. We then roamed around and chilled for the rest of the night! Very fun and low stress day!

Saturday: We first got up and went on a boat tour all around Sweden!! One of the best decisions we made for sure! I was a tad chilly, but completely beautiful! What a view. After this, we roamed around another part of the city we had not seen yet. We initially looked for Ikea, but when we found out it was really an hour away, we decided to just roam awhile for a while. As we were roaming, we came across a Christian book store that we spent like an hour in ( I could have spent all day there haha). It had everything from Veggietales to Christian Novels, all in Swedish! I felt like I was in heaven. It was there that I found a Swedish bible!!!!!!!!!! The most amazing thing I have ever purchased in my life! It was a used bible from the 1800’s and I absolutely love it!! I also bought a children’s bible written in Swedish. I cannot put into words how excited I was to have found this bible and how much it means to me to have a Swedish bible! It’s a long story, but I had another moment when I was leaving that bookstore!! I was so full of joy!!! After a lot more laughing and window shopping, we came back to the hostel to chill for a little bit before going out again for dinner and such. We all sat around the table and chatted for several hours, and this was such a life-giving conversation!! I absolutely love my friends and I am so thankful for each of them. Then, a guy we met in our hostel came and hung out with us! Michael was from Germany, and he was pretty legit. He taught me the German word for fire truck, told me that he knew where Dirk’s family lives (he’s going to give me directions, no worries) and that he likes the backstreet boys. Instant friendship occurred. We then all went out for a while, and I ended up talking to Michael for a good hour at least. I learned so much about Germany and his studies (he is pre-med) and was presented with an opportunity to share my faith with him. I love when God works in these ways!!! Before heading back to the hostel, he showed us a German church in the area, and we decided we would go there in the morning for church. Then, we taught him how to play Go Fish and War (card games) and played cards for a while before going to bed.

Sunday: We got up and went to a German church in Sweden!! It was seriously the coolest part of the trip for me! It was the first time that I had really sat and listened to German in that context, and let me tell you it was beautiful!! And it was helpful to be sitting by someone who could help translate for us (Michael came with us). I understood basically nothing the whole service, but it was absolutely breathtaking having the Lord talk to me in a different language!! And the building was gorgeous as well!! After this, we shopped. We dedicated this whole day to shopping and getting beautiful Swedish things to take home with us. It was so much fun!!! Exhausting, but so fun! We then went out for a nicer dinner that night, and we came back to the hostel and played games. Holy cow, I pretty much peed in my pants with all the laughter that happened that night. I laughed soooo hard. Then we went to bed!

Monday: First, we woke up and I attempted to fit everything that I had bought into my backpack. The fact that it all fit and zipped should earn me an Olympic medal, just saying. Then, Alex and Chelsea went to the Harley Davidson museum while Rebecca, Melany, and I went to the photography museum. It was a pretty cool place, I’m not going to lie! And at the top, there was a breathtaking view of the entire city of Stockholm with the sea and all its glory. I had another moment there too haha Then we found a great place for lunch as we were walking back to meet our group at the train station (and we stopped for more candy…. I had no idea that Swedish candy was so freaking good! Don’t tell my dentist). We got to the airport with no problems, and we had a good 3 hours or so to kill. We played more cards and talked, and then I bought a Winnie the Pooh coloring book that was in Swedish (it is so cool). Then, as I was coloring, I noticed that a little girl was eyeing me and my coloring book, so I went over to her and asked if she wanted to color with me. I always love a coloring buddy! I ended up having a wonderful conversation with her mother, and I was invited to stay at a lodge they own in Northern Sweden if I ever come back! The plane and bus ride back to Oxford were sad, but really uneventful which was nice. I slept a little bit, which was great. Then I got home and took a shower and went to bed! However, the heat in our house was broken this entire weekend as we soon found out, so it was rather cold in our room. Seriously, our room was colder than it was in Sweden.

Tuesday (Today): Since classes don’t start till tomorrow and none of the other traveling groups are back yet, I had a wonderfully relaxing day full of homework and sleep. I volunteered tonight, which is always the highlight of my week. My German friend Theis and I spend most of the time laughing at each other, and I think I convinced him to let me help edit his dissertation for his PhD. He says his English isn’t very good so he needs help, but I think it is just because he knows I’m such an awesome editor (TOTALLY KIDDING). We will see if it really happens, but I am honored to even have been considered to do it haha.

God has blessed me with amazing friends and experiences this trip, and his blessings are overwhelming!!! I could talk for hours about this trip, and I probably will the next time I see anyone!!

My closing thought:

“If then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7: 11