Redeemed

"He is not here... He has risen!"

Happy Easter! 

I love holidays.. maybe it's because they mean friends and family will be back in town and it's a time to reunite and celebrate, but I love them and Easter is one of my favorites. This season is different than the last for me. It is weird being away from home and not having the chance to help the kids color eggs or wake up in the morning and see the excitement flooding the home as they find their Easter baskets. But the thing I have come to miss the most is the opportunity to drive a couple miles and celebrate the sacrifice that was made and the joy this morning brought. 

I love Easter because Jesus is alive! It truly is a reason to celebrate. 

Happy Easter everyone. May your Sunday be filled with family, food, and the remembrance of what this day is about. 

Jesus is alive and we are redeemed!

xoxo

Drawing Near

The end of my time here in Odense is drawing near. I am currently in my final 2 weeks and enjoying lasts experiences of my favorite things. 

My trip was not supposed to come to an end quite so soon but after 3 tough losses to the top team Holte a few weeks back we were knocked out of the running for the finals. We now have 2 matches left where we fight for the bronze medal. We play another good team, Fredricksburg, but I am confident in Fortuna and determined to do whatever I can to bring a medal to the club for the 9th year in a row. With the season ending early I decided to change my flight and am now coming home April 9th. 

I am so excited to see my family and friends and can hardly wait to be back in sunny California but I am sad to think that going home means my time here is over. This has been a rollercoaster of experiences but it has been a year of greatness. There have been many hard moments but those times have been countered by the amount of wonderful memories this year has brought. I have made great friends who will be apart of my life forever and memories only others dream of.

I have exactly 2 weeks left and I will make the most of these final days here. A recap of the last 8 months is in the making but for the next week the focus is on winning some hardware. 

So here is to the final weeks of my Danish days... may many memories be made and lives be changed.

xoxo

If you would like to watch our bronze medal match online click here

it will be played at 11am California time.

Danish Birthdays

We have a birthday today!

It's my lovely roommate/friend Betsys birthday and we did it Danish style!

The day started off with an early morning wake up call and a run to the corner store. I picked up the few breakfast ingredients needed to create the perfect morning birthday surprise. Bacon, eggs, fruit salad and pancakes were whipped up and the table was set. Betsy awoke at the perfect time and our bellies were quickly filled. With first round finals beginning this week a Sunday practice was scheduled and we made our way in the wait for it..... SUNSHINE to practice. It was a great 30 minute bike ride and for once we had smiles on our faces as we walked into the gym.

Practice was short and we rushed home to shower and change for our dinner at our lovely adopted Danish parents home. Mies parents are the absolute best and have taken care of us over the past several months while being here. They have opened their home and ovens multiple times so it was no surprise when the invite was extended for a Danish birthday dinner. We were welcomed by warm hugs, homemade hot chocolate (made with actual chocolate and not the powder crap), birthday bread rolls and Danish birthday cake. The Danish traditions are slightly different than home. Though it is still revolved around food, the rolls and coco are enjoyed first in the afternoon followed by cake. 

After a couple hours of chatting and enjoying the day dinner is served. We had delicious locks (cold smoked salmon) and then fish frikadellers, potatoes and carrots.

Because the weather was so nice at the daylight is a bit loner we were able to take a tour of Mies hometown and saw the beautiful bay. Like anywhere we go we were major tourists taking photos the whole time and enjoying ourselves. It was a fun bonding time with the roommates and a great way to spend the afternoon!

All in all the day was lovely and fabulous day to celebrate a great girl. I haven't known Besty long but I am confident our relationship will continue after this year. We are together 24/7 helping each other through the good times and bad. I am thankful for the chance I've gotten to know her and so happy to have spent her 23rd here in Denmark.

Happy Birthday Bets! May it be a day you forever remember!!

Have a happy Sunday friends

xoxo