But first, a quick announcement to clear up some minor confusions: I am not in fact living in Norway yet. Sweet Home Alabama is still the state I call home and will be for at least the next couple of months while I continue the adventure of raising support and mentally preparing myself for a move that is not just a move, but is the beginning of a new life and hopefully the beginning of many new lives. Besides, Norway has to prepare for me-- I’m a lot of awesome to handle; they must be primed and in tip-top shape!
And don’t worry. . . I’ll be more than happy to inform you all when my official departure date has been set. But until then, let’s rewind a bit, shall we?
I think in this installment, I’ll do a sweeping cover of the question, “Why Norway?” Next time, perhaps we’ll begin to get a bit more up-to-date (circa 2011).
“So. Why Norway?”
I’ve heard this question more often in the past six months than you probably get asked, “Paper or plastic?” (Did you know you have to pay for your plastic bags at the store in Norway?) And, well. . . it’s a great question. Why Norway?
Now, be honest. Before hearing about my soon-to-be adventures in Norge (That’s ‘Norway’ in Norwegian), had you really ever thought about Scandinavia? Oh, perhaps it skipped across your mind as you perused the mock rooms of Ikea while trying to pronounce the names of their couches and tables, or watched How To Train Your Dragon for the fifth time this month, or even as you cheered/jeered as fill-in-the-blank NFL team played against the Minnesota Vikings. But really, what do you know about Norway?
Let me give you a few quick stats:
- Norwegians speak Norsk, or as we say in English: Norwegian. Norwegians speak Norwegian. Easy.
- Norway is a unitary constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. AKA-- the King of Norway is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
- Population: 4.9 million people. Total. That’s one million more people than Los Angeles and 3.4 million less than New York City.
- Norway is the second wealthiest country in the world. This is primarily because of their oil and natural gas industry.
- 79.2% of Norwegians are members of the Church of Norway (the state church)
- But less than 3% of Norwegians actually believe in Jesus.
I studied abroad in Trondheim, Norway, during the second half of 2005 with one of my dearest friends from college, Charlotte, who is half Norwegian. It was probably one of the hardest and strangest experiences of my life, but as I left, I remember thinking, “Some day, I’m going to return. There’s something about Norway.”
Fast forward to the beginning of 2008. I just graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I was ready to conquer the roller coaster world. I was ready to show those Imagineers as Disney what I was all about. I wasn’t ready to move back home with my parents. But, alas, that was my reality. So, while I was hard at work utilizing my education by working at Pottery Barn (hello discount!) and doing random temp work, I toyed with the idea of moving back to Norway with Young Life International. I even sat down with someone in the Service Center (YL Headquarters) and asked them questions about that sort of opportunity. That was great and exciting until she spoke these seven words: “You have to raise your own salary.”
Hold up. Come again? What’s that? No, no, no. . . You don’t understand. I just graduated from college with a great degree. . . I deserve to be paid! What is this business of asking other people to give me money so I can have a job? Yeah, um, no thanks.
[Oh, how one changes their tune when God changes their heart. . .]
So, that wasn’t happening. But what did happen was I was given the opportunity to move to Huntsville, Alabama to work for a government contractor. So, to Sweet Home Alabama I went, ready and willing with an open heart for what God had in store. Within two weeks my mother had already connected me with the YL community here (that, in and of itself, is another spectacular story full of shock, awe and laughter that we shall save for another day) and I was plugged in as a volunteer leader for the largest high school in the state.
In the 2.5 years I spent as a volunteer leader for Bob Jones High School, my heart grew, was refined and renewed. I loved these kids like I never thought I’d be able to love any high school aged person. They made me laugh, cry and regain hope time and time again in a Savior who dells out grace & mercy constantly and endlessly. But, even through two summer camp trips to SharpTop Cove and one ski trip to Crooked Creek Ranch, I couldn’t get Norway off my mind.
My mom had been in contact with Thor & Kate Odland, the founders of YL Norge, since they first moved to Stavanger back in 2005, around the same time I was in Norway during college. So, now, in 2008, she was forwarding me their occasional newsletter and link to pictures and videos. I would receive these emails and read them at work, where I would begin to cry due to an overflowing heart and spirit. I mean, my love for the people and teeneagers I didn’t even know was evident down to my bones. These reactions left me confused, because, I mean, I had never even met or talked to anyone over in Stavanger! Why was my heart so attached to them??
After the encouragement of a new mentor God had wonderfully and perfectly placed into my life, I decided to attend the International Information Weekend that YL puts on twice a year, in order to get a better feel for this international ministry. In March of 2009, it was at SharpTop Cove, roughly three hours away from me in the Georgia mountains. Convenient? Perhaps. . . Divine placement? I believe it. I attended and learned and absorbed and was, in the end, whelmed. Not overwhelmed, not underwhelmed. Just. . . whelmed. My heart was just beginning to love and accept Alabama and my YL kids at this point. I wasn’t ready to think about the craziness that accompanies going on staff, much less that of moving to an entirely new country.
I was given the 9234971957985 page application to fill out to begin the process of applying for YL International, but, turned out, didn’t actually start until November of that year. . . and, um, didn’t finish until March of 2010. (I swear, it took me longer to complete that application than it did to fill out my security clearance!)
During that year, God continued to walk beside me by placing new and magical friendships and opportunities in my life. I realized that I wasn’t in love with my current job, but I was absolutely smitten over the opportunity to love my YL students and be their friend. So, in August of 2009 I began to pray that either God change my heart for my current job, or, well, change my job. That prayer was answered in May of last year. I was about three months into the application and interview process for YL International when I was laid off. Most people are devastated when they hear that sort of news. Me? I was relieved; I was excited. I had been praying that God show me what He wanted me to do and where He wanted me to go. . . Well, I think this was a pretty good start!
About two weeks later, I was singing, mountain biking and blobbing along with my YL girls at SharpTop Cove for summer camp. We were having the Best Week of Our Lives. Little did I know that in another two weeks I would be experiencing another Best Week of My Life. But, as this blog post is already way too long, I think I’ll save that for next time.
Thanks for seeing me off for my maiden blog post voyage. Stay tuned for the continuation of this story!
Keep on loving. Keep on living.
