OUT MY DOOR TODAY

Guess what was outside my door this morning?
(With my photograph skills the grass is in focus and the critter isn't, but you get the idea!! Actually I was so worried that he would take off I hurried, But then Alex told me how slow they can move hey but like I said at least the grass is in focus!!)

This morning when Alex got up to let the dogs out(yes we have an extra dog for a couple of weeks. Alex Dog sits and gets paid 130 Kroner/$25.00 a day. My kids couldn't work here because of work permits and the language so we started a dog sitting business. It has provided well for my kids and their expenses over the past few years) So anyway back to the story. She went to let the dogs out and we had a visitor in the front yard. A Norsk critter. A HEDGEHOG. They are everywhere here but this is the first we have ever had one in our yard. He is a cute little thing. He would roll up in a ball and make a thumping sound. It was probably his heart because he was scared to death of this crazy thing that had something that kept flashing a bright light. He would get curious though and stick his head out to see what I was doing.

Below is my home. We live in 2/3's of the house. It was originally built in 1736 or close to that time. In it's early days it was a tavern/lodging house for people who had been traveling by boat on the North Sea. It has been in the Monson family the entire time!!

For the first time ever in The Stavanger Branch ( our church) we have started the early morning Seminary program( a religion class for youth 14-18)for the youth. The English speaking kids have been participating for a couple of year but this year we raised the bar. We have 16 students, 4 teachers (two who teach in English and two who teach in Norwegian) We meet at 6:30 at the church and have our opening together then divide into English and Norweigan speaking classes. On Thursday we do combine and teach in the English language. On Friday we all do Scripture mastery together. There is a great spirit of unity (we are bringing two different cultures together to be united) and they seem to be having fun. On Friday a parent brings in Breakfast!! That's the part they all like the most. Notice the mural on the wall in the back of this picture. Our primary room was rather dull so a member of our branch who is an incredible artist painted this mural. It depicts the creation and Christ with children on his lap.

I am setting out on my front step and wondering how many people have climbed these rock steps and from where they have traveled from over the last couple of hundred years. The sun is shinning today!! When the sun shines you have to get out and enjoy it because very soon it will be dark and rainy. In winter the sun(if it comes out) will rise at about 9:00-9:30 in the morning and set at 3:30-4:00 in the evening. So when the sun shines you partake of it! I hope that you all have a great day and a good weekend. See you Monday