The Adventure Begins

 As I write this, I am sitting safe and sound at the DTS base's lounge, my new home. Actually, safe might be an understatement because the DTS base used to be a prison. But more about that later. 
 Okay, I know I said that this blog would be about more than just me and the beautiful country of Norway, but the story of how I got to the base in Skien from Florida is rather interesting and my parents, who are probably up by now checking the computer every five minutes, just might want to know the fine details of their child's journey abroad.  
 There were some highlights in my trip to Skien like seeing the fjords and countryside of Norway from the train to Skien, waking up on the plane to behold the stars and moon as never before, and then finally meeting all of the staff at the base, but the main point is that I am here by the grace of God: literally.
 If you were to ask me what God was speaking to me throughout my journey, the answer would be that He was telling me to trust Him. The plane I took to Philadelphia to make a connecting flight to Oslo was delayed both in taking off and in landing by storms. After getting off the airplane in Philadelphia, I ran to my gate and with no time to spare for a bathroom stop or dinner, I got on the plane to Oslo. I was the last person on and minutes later we were in the air. Needless to say, my suitcase is missing in action. For all you praying people, please pray that it comes soon. 
 Did I also mention that I experienced the grace of God a lot on my journey here? Sleep plus me plus planes equals one tired person the next day, so figuring out the Norwegian train system and then getting off at the right stop to catch the bus to Skien was something I definitely did not do alone. Thanks also to everyone who was and is praying! I have no doubt that your prayers opened doors in my travels.  
 So back to trust. Even if you have figured out what this has to do with trust, please let me explain. There were times in my travel where I had no idea if I was going to make a connection and I asked God what the heck was going on. All He said was "Trust me Emily". I had to trust that He was calling me to Norway, that I was supposed to be at this school, and that God was going to come through for me. Long story short, He did. There is a verse in Proverbs that says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." I trusted in God, although my flesh screaming at me to panic, and He led me straight here. Even now I am trusting in Him still to come through for me. My God, our God is mighty to save.
 Next time I write, I will give you, my readers, a tour of the Skien base and an opportunity to meet some of the people here via this blog. For now, there are no pictures because the necessary equipment to connect my camera to the laptop just happens to be in my suitcase that is coming sometime hopefully soon.