Jesse and I have been married for 10 years. We are completely different people and we are disciples of Jesus so we did not live-in together before getting married. We dated for 3 years and even though we are attracted to each other, we did not sleep together. Now as a married woman, looking back , I think our culture has enforced different kinds restrictions- the dating couples in our local church has to go on double dates and are not allowed to spend time alone together or go on a summer trip alone together because of the temptations - I think there is that sexual suppression that turns some into perverts -sorry just thinking out loud.
So having been able to travel to a European country and observing the church culture -it is different from where I come from. Dating couples can go out on their own and enjoy and plan together. I would like this for the others too however being open with temptations is the key! We know Satan's schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11) -he wants to bring single couples to sin and destroy marriages designed by God.
However, I believe it is necessary - I commend those that can handle themselves decently and are not burning with desire -but really?
We decided to do another loop hike but apparently this one took us much longer. We still started late because the bus schedule that we got in Nydalen was I think 10:40 AM or something. Originally we planned to get ready at 9am (and by now, we should have learned that there are bus and metro schedules : p that we can check on the Ruter app -which I don't have we only rely on Malou)
Nydalen bus stop but, we have to take the #51 Bus in the other side of the road
there is a toilet in this mall
apple pie from Baker Hansen
waiting for bus #51 Maridalen
follow the signs
some things to remember while roaming the forest
there are clear signs and paint marks on the trees too
going to Oyungsdammen first
Oyungsdammen -brought sandwiches for lunch
we got to have a picture of Oyungsdammen - had to climb up a steep area for this
Our company sponsors our cause.I pray that this gift will come up as a memorial offering before God.
#hopeworldwidephilippines
#openit
Acts 10:4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
I remember volunteering in Baseco and Payatas starting in the early 2000's. I didn't have much myself but distributing relief goods, Christmas care packages and books or cleaning out the Hope center where the kids had their day care/computer classes brought joy to my heart. ❤️ Today I am able to give because of my work. Our CEO once told us that he could have stayed employed and help some, but starting a company can help even more people - which is true to this day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBwXJ4FK2P/?igshid=1w105e1syfpna
Since our flight has been canceled again, Jesse and Malou headed for a Medium hike at Kolsåstoppen still in Oslo. We packed some sandwiches and left the apartment at 10:30AM and went to National Theater station after which we headed to the Bus Station to take bus 150 to Gullhaug to Stein Gard. We had to wait about 22 mins because we missed the other bus 3 mins before we got there. It is handy to always check your Ruter app for departures so you can plan ahead especially if you have a tight schedule.
Bus 150 Stop
From Stein Gard we entered a farm and from there followed the mobile app for the trail.
Stein Gard farm jump off
Sometimes we get off tangent so we check the app and go back a couple of times until we are on the right trail again because there are some forks.
Lunch at the lake side
wild flowers along the path
clover leaves
pine trees
are we there yet?
this is not it yet
OK this is the spot
under the shade
the farthest I can go
it's better than the pics
We stayed at the top for about less than an hour I think. It was probably 20 degrees Celsius that time. I still brought a down jacket 😅 just in case the temperature drops in the middle of nowhere. The decent was not as I expected, it was more challenging and there were more people going up and down there. There were loose rocks but I'm surprised I made it out. The contrast is there were steps with railings too in the steep areas. I also saw many teens and little kids on this side. Overall it was great. We had an afternoon worship service at 1700 so we had to go at 1600PM but we missed the bus 150 again because we didn't flag it I guess. So we had had to wait another 30 minutes or so.
A day after the annual Give a Gift from the Heart Christmas gift giving event, I decided to stay home to rest before heading to Manila to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family. However, I experienced flu like symptoms and had to delay the trip. Four days have passed (December 26th) and I still don't feel okay to travel so I went to the see the doctor and as expected, I was advised to take antibiotics (co-amoxiclav) for 7 days and another meds for colds. The meds made me feel better along with malunggay soup and I was able to travel to Makati for the visa appointment.
On January 1st we headed to Makati for our visa appointment at the embassy the next day. We stayed at the Green Sun Hotel which we booked in Agoda and paid in 7-11.
Green Sun Hotel
New Bistro Deli Pasong Tamo
Starbucks - got ourselves the blueberry cheesecake
I was advised to come back on January 3rd for another check-up. I had lab tests and I was relieved I was not anemic,my kidneys are okay and my lungs are clear thank God. I had to take another 7-day antibiotics dose because of UTI and scheduled the routine urinalysis and consultation on January 13th. I went hiking (link for Maynuba) on the last day of taking my meds which was a Saturday so I made sure I took them - strictly not on an empty stomach. I tried to eat a rice meal early in the morning after hours of traveling in the van, I tried so hard not to puke everything I've eaten hahaha.
So the results were okay and I have to maintain what the antibiotics have cleared by eating clean and having less coffee. I have cut down on colas for many years but have not really avoided coffee. But these days I limit myself to one cup a day in the morning from 4 cups a day! I was also given cranberry pills as supplement. Also, when I look back, I can say that it probably was for the best since we had to review for the APLA NTS final exams set January 10th. So we had plenty of time listening to the recordings of the three-day class and focused on reading Luke and Acts which was a great experience to me. Anyway, I am planning to visit my family this February. That sums up our holidays!
