Merry Christmas!
Mum and dad
Dear all! Life is indeed not boring these days. I am still working at the local school, this year teaching 28 4thgraders. Luckily teachers have holidays, and this year we have had many great holiday experiences. During easter we went to Spain with some good friends, and in summer we got to meet Lillian’s (Magnar’s girldfriend) family. Visiting Lillian’s mum was like staying at a wonderful hotel. I also had a nice trip to south-west Norway, and spent some nice days with Else and John-Olav in Risør. Seeing them again was just so nice. We are lucky to know so many open and welcoming people! This fall I also got to tour around bridal shops looking for a dress that Solbjørg will need in March – great fun. We also got to spend a weekend in the mountains this fall, with 6 of our friends. The most important this year, though, was getting a grandchild for the first time. Sigve has spent a lot of time here with us at Radøy, and it is great every time. He was also baptized here, in the local church. My mum turned 80 this year, and also this celebration took place in our home, and was a really enjoyable and memorable family happening. Now we are looking forwards to Christmas, and celebrating with the house, yet again, full of children, and children in law, grandchildren, parents and siblings. I hope you all are just as lucky!
Solbjørg
Dear all! This year I have really been looking forward to writing the Christmas letter – so that I can tell you all that I am getting married. Mathias was introduced in last year’s Christmas letter, and I am still just as happy and excited about him, if not more. Thinking about it – definitely more :) I feel so lucky, and we will be getting married in the emmigrant church at Radøy. This is a church that immigrants from Radøy built in the USA years and years ago, when they first settled there, and that was later brought back to the Norway, when the village where it stood was deserted. We are much excited. I am currently working as a postdoctoral fellow at the university, doing cancer research. It is very challenging, and enjoyable too. Last but not least, as of June I am an aunt for the first time. I love it, and Sigve must be the smartest and most adorable kid ever. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a joyful, calm and love-filled new year!
Ingrid
Hi all, this is Sigve speaking! I am not sure I am the mot suited to write this Christmas greeting, as I think it is suppose to send you news from the last year. As I was born in June, I only know of the last half. But it has been a good half, indeed. I spend most of my time at home playing with my mum. She is on leave, so she can spend all her time with me, which I do like. My dad is also here a lot, he studies as effectively as humanly possible, and then comes home to us – and then we have even more fun. We live in Bergen, and some times we go to my grandparents on Radøy (where we are now, for Christmas) and on Sola (where we will be celebrating new year). Dad just finished his tenth semester of med. school, and mum is almost done with her theology studies. This spring, while I was still in mum’s belly, mum was staying with my grandparents in Sola, to finish off her last classes at the Mission College in Stavanger. In June she will become a priest! Luckily she did not have to spend all the time in Stavanger without dad, as he was there too, doing parts of his studies at the local hospital. I understand that they prefer spending their time together rather than apart, which I am glad of, I definitely prefer that too. Now I am curious about this “Christmas” that is getting closer, that people have been talking about for so long. So far my grandma has put up all sorts of nice and sparkly stuff about the house, and they are baking things in the kitchen that they do not let me eat. But apparently it is all really about God being born in a stable. Don’t ask me, don’t get it yet, but I’m told it is great stuff! Merry Christmas!
Magnar
2016 has brought lots of changes. Ingrid has had her first baby. Solbjørg got engaged. Mum and dad became grandparents. And I, I no longer live with a truthful sister, making sure I’m fed and that my clothes are clean. As the family got bigger, Solbjørg and I decided to move out so that Ingrid, Jørgen, and Sigve could have a bigger play area. I bought an apartment in Gyldenpris, where I am now living – truly on my own for the first time. Luckily I have a great girlfriend, Lillian, who comes by to make sure I am ok. We have been together for almost 2 years now, and «the more we get together, the happier we’ll be»! We are also going away together for New Years, to a place that cannot be named – as it is a secret. I am much excited and sure it will be a great end to a good year, and a splendid start for a yet better year.
«For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.»
Isaiah 9:6
Christmas is here – this year as well! Maybe it even arrived a little bit early – there are so much to be done before Christmas, this Christmas letter, for example! Christmas always comes on time. The challenge is being ready for it, ready to receive God’s gift, the child in a manger.
During the year that is now coming to an end, the family has experienced a lot of joys. A child, Sigve, was born. We have spent time with old friends and gotten new ones. The year can be summarized in a big «thank you»!
Our thoughts go out to all who are suffering from illness, war and other misfortunes. We hope that Christmas will bring rest and hope, and the new year health and fortune.
We wish you all, family and friends, a blessed Christmas and a happy new year!