My friend Tanya died unexpectedly last week. She was one of the most hospitable, servant-minded people I have ever met. She was very involved in so many things, always hosting and serving and being thoughtful. I've known her through our Finnish church and community since I was 4. She taught Sunday school, she lead youth group, she drove youth around. She was a missionary in India for awhile. The list of things she has done for people, the number of people she's clothed, cooked for, supported, housed, and/or counselled is truly immeasurable. Her staff at the care home where she was director of care raved about how she went out of her way to show appreciation for her staff. For me personally, she hosted an amazing party for me on her patio when I turned 50. She MC'd our wedding. She ran the kitchen at my dad's funeral. She hosted a buffet breakfast for all the families at our neighborhood Easter egg hunts for years. She hosted countless parties and potlucks that I was lucky enough to attend. We went camping, on girls trips, to conferences. If there was a Mother Theresa award, I would nominate her and everyone who knew her would agree. In fact, last year, she received the Order of the Lion of Finland for all her service.

So, it's hard to imagine the world, but specifically the Finnish community, without her. And it's impossible not to question why. She was still very much needed and it'll take an army of people to carry on all that she was doing. I miss her.

church retreat

We had our first whole church retreat this past weekend. Previously there have been women's retreats, men's retreats, and youth retreats, but never whole families. This time, the retreat was for everyone. There were about 300 of us who came together at Rockridge in Princeton. It was such a good time of connecting and relaxing and walking and playing cards and fellowship. Sunday morning conversations at church barely scratch the surface. Community groups fortunately go much deeper and do life together in a more meaningful way. But it is still another level of community to spend a weekend together. To eat together. To go for walks and play games. To have extended time to just hang out. Needless to say, it was great! The icing on the cake was Sunday morning worship. Pastor Jon preached such a moving message about unity and meaningful dependence on one another. It made me want to serve more, to give back more and to love on the people in my church more. What a wonderful weekend with some of the best people that I know.

Food for thought from Bonhoeffer, which Jon quoted in his sermon: "He who loves his dream of community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter". 

Thanksgiving 2025

 

We came to my brother's house for Thanksgiving weekend. We had our big dinner tonight, which was delicious. Other than that, we've been relaxing. I've walked and gone sauna every day. I finished my Bible study homework. It's been very low key and restful. I am grateful.

CG

Community group for church resumed last week and we picked up right where we left off before the summer break. We meet to discuss the past Sunday's sermon, but we often end up having tangent theological discussions in addition to talking about the Scripture passage. There is always laughter, prayer and snacks. Below is a free verse "poem" I wrote a couple years ago after a community group gathering. 

Eleven Friends and a Dog

How are you/How was your trip/Have something to drink/Did you taste the appetizer/ Hugs/We're going to Australia/Those grandkids are easy/What's in this salad/Everything is so healthy/I thought that was your leg, but it's just the dog/Laughter/What do you think about electric vehicles/Anyone want more ice cream/I'm sad about what my son is up to/The spa was great/How's it going with her living at home again/This corn is delicious/God's working on his testimony/We're the old people now/She got a tattoo/Thank you/This was lovely/We'll resume in September.

Outdoor learning

 

I promise this blog is not becoming a teaching and outdoor learning blog. But, I do write about whatever is top of mind that day and today was another good day at school. It was a sunny autumn day, so we went outside to find "sit spots". Each student had to find a quiet spot to sit down and observe the nature around them and write/draw in their science journals. They were encouraged to sit alone, and to really listen and see what was around them. We talked about how being quiet and still would hopefully bring any scurrying creatures back. I was amazed at how focused the kids were and what all they were able to observe. 

PS. In case you're wondering, we did also do math, reading, writing, and gym today. And it was also picture day in there somewhere. 

perseverance

We did Metis finger weaving today as part of our patterns unit. I love doing this lesson because every year I tell the students that it is hard and someone will cry. I ask them to repeat after me; we can do hard things. I warn them; you may not pick it up right away. You may have to start again if you mess up. You may want to give up. It's such a great lesson in perseverance and what to do when learning something is difficult. I love it because most students find it hard. But once they get it, they feel so accomplished. This year no one cried, which was a first. But I had a few who really struggled. A few who had to restart. But everyone kept going and eventually everyone finished their weaving. The best part was when a boy who had really struggled and who was one of the last to finish asked if I had more yarn so he could make an other one. I was thinking, you wanted to quit in your frustration and now you want to make a second one....lol?

family weekend in Hope

Well it seems the autumn deluge has started. It's pouring rain this morning and to top it off we're headed to a funeral. But, what a wonderful sunny weekend we had in Hope. It was the four of us plus my nephew Noah who was staying with us for a few days. It was also Pentti's 50th birthday. He didn't want to celebrate at all, but he did want to spend it in Hope. He went golfing with the boys three times, so that was a gift. Otherwise, we just hung out and relaxed.

I can't believe that we have had the house in Hope for 20 years! Twenty years of weekend trips and so many memories. When the kids were small, it was the easiest place to get away. There were seasons of toys and a bouncy castle and playing in the yard. Now, our weekends there look very different with teens. Our noisy weeekends have turned very quiet. But we're together and doing our usual things and it's still the perfect escape.