Winter pics

When we eventualy got snow here in Finland I've enjoyed it very much! I love the snowy landscape. I even like walking to work at the cold weather (over -20 degrees celsius). It wakes you up! All these pictures are from my way to work. It takes me twenty minutes to walk and on my way I can enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Boats are waiting for summer to come...

In stead motor sledges are working hard this time of the year. It's easy to walk on ice when you can use these motor sledge trails. I love walking on the ice! You get so different perspective to your neighbourhood from the lake.

This picture I took this morning. Sun was shinig and the weather was just beautiful! The sun coloured all the reeds with gold. I had to stop and snap a picture even though my hands froze immediately because of the cold weather...

This is how our home yard looks on winter.

And this is a view from our balcony.

When the sun sets we get a special blue moment here in Finland on winter time. it's very hard to catch on a camera for a common girl like me but at least I tried.

Next time I'll blog about my trip to South Africa. Those pictures will be different. At least warmer looking. :)

King's kids

When I was 16 I spent a summer with king's kids international touring in Kenya, Egypt and Jordan (year 1989). That was amazing summer for me. It was such a joy to be with other christian youngsters from 14 different countries. Actually in Jordan and Egypt we also had the middle east team with us, so more countries... There I learned how interesting life with God can be. Some day I'll blog more about my experiences of that summer but now to today's topic.

Ever since 1989 I've been interested in King's Kids work. King's Kids is a christian dancing group or nowadays it can be a football team etc. but for me it's christian dancing and also a new kind of a sunday school with it. (to findout more, read this) When I studied in Joensuu I was one of the leaders of that local group and also when we lived in Vantaa I was involved with the local group. So it was natural that I got involved with the local group here in Lappeenranta too. It's called Ilonliekit (joy flames). I haven't regreted it at all. On the contrary I've enjoyed evey moment with that group. Children are wonderful they've got nice dances and church which really wants to be with it's children and children activities. Actually when I had hard time getting used to live in Lappeenranta I always got strength from that group. So it's not burden to be one of the leaders it has been my biggest joy in here. And our girls love it too and that's important. I want them to learn to love Jesus already in their youth.

Anyway King's Kids Finland has a national event always in the beginning of January. Last time we were there year 2005 with the Vantaa team and had good time. Now we were with the Lappeenranta team and had even better time. I wish you could see our performance with voice and motions but this will do.

Of course it's always important for girls to get to perform on a big stage but it was also wonderful to watch other groups to perform. I loved one group a lot: Men in black, three fathers with four boys. Thery were so good and full of men power! We also heard good teaching and had good music and singing and praising together.

the only down side is that you have to sleep on the floor of a classroom. I'm getting little too old for that...
By the way last Friday we had a performance for even a bigger audience here in Lappeenranta. There was a big christian event called Nokia missio -night on a sports hall here. Over 200 people came. It was a very refreshing night all together and i was renewed in my spirit! Hopefully our group was a blessing for at least some of the people in audience.