Our Trip to Copenhagen

This past weekend, to conclude our visa application saga, SAAB sent our family to Denmark.  It turns out that Denmark isn’t only home to Hamlet and Legos. Copenhagen can also claim the closest Swedish Embassy branch outside of Sweden. If there’s anything better than being able to take a weekend trip in Europe, it’s being able to take a weekend trip on the company dime and not having to use any vacation time! Technically a business trip for Matthew, we made our appointment with the Embassy, booked a hotel, and fueled up the car. After our obligatory hour at the Embassy where we presented our passports to prove to the Swedish Migration Services office that we had indeed left the country, the weekend was ours!

We arrived in Denmark via the impressive Øresund Bridge, the longest road and rail bridge in Europe which connects Copenhagen and Malmö.

Like good tourists we walked through the city, cameras in hand snapping pictures of every gargoyle and oxidized copper roof or statue we saw. Like Floridians, we pulled our coats closer and scarves tighter to brace against the blustery winds brutally cold from the inner harbor. Like shell-shocked Jönköping -ians, we ogled the size of the city, much larger than we’ve grown accustomed to over the past three months.

Stumbled upon Occupy Copenhagen

We saw the famous street in Legos and as the real deal.

Found a Lego that looks like me!  What are the odds?

We had a full agenda, starting with a boat tour of the canals and history of the city.

The Little Mermaid

Our tour boat went through lots of low bridges

We toured Copenhagen’s National Museum, Denmark's largest museum of Archaeology and cultural (both Danish and foreign) history. Sadly, we barely made a dent in the free attraction’s vast collection, but I was equally impressed with the curator’s imaginative displays of history and the interactive children’s museum. 

Taking her friends around the museum

Look! An elk!

1.8 kg of solid gold. I'd wear that.

Children's Museum!

In the ship's cabin

She actually wanted to take a nap in the ship's bunk!

Mummies!

Matthew managed to squeeze in not one, but two, trips to the Carlsberg brewery where he observed the largest collection of bottled beer and brought home a couple of souvenirs for himself.

Copenhagen has the two oldest amusement parks in the world. Our hotel was literally across the street from the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.  Tivoli Gardens opened in August of 1843 and claims the oldest operating roller coaster and the oldest Ferris wheel in the world. In addition to the carnival style food and thrilling rides, we also enjoyed the fabulous display of Christmas lights in the park, decorated in the theme of a Russian Christmas.

Matt wanted to ride the really scary swings!

On our way back to Sweden, we indulged my literary curiosity and stopped in Helsingør, more popularly known as Elsinore, the setting of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Helsingør, as it currently stands, was founded in the 1420s by the Danish king Eric of Pomerania. He built the castle 'Krogen', which was expanded in the 1580s, renamed Kronborg and is now the main tourist attraction.

I don’t want to disagree with Marcellus, but as far as I could tell there is nothing rotten in the state of Denmark. We really had a wonderful time! Now back in Sweden, today marks our 90^th day in the European Union. Our visas were approved just in time to avoid deportation; we’re now halfway through our stay and preparing to introduce the Thanksgiving Holiday to SAAB.

My Husband: My Constant Blessing

When I was a little kid (admittedly a nosey, little kid), probably no more than 6 years old, I found a love note my dad had written to my mom. I don’t remember it word for word, but it went something like this:

Things that are always true:
1. The sun rises in the east
2. Ice floats
3. I love you

At the time the most significant part of the note was the two cool science facts I just picked up.  (Ok, fine… I was a nosey, NERDY, little kid.) After all, I already knew my parents loved each other. What I’m realizing now as a married woman is how powerful a husband’s love can be.

When Matthew and I were dating, he told me he first realized he loved me when he saw how happy I was and he knew he wanted to make me happy for the rest of my life. He works very hard to do just that. For seven years I have lived with his patience and forgiveness, his kindness, his humor, his intelligence, his spontaneity, and his generosity. He works hard so I can stay home with our daughter and his leadership for our family shows how dedicated he is to caring for us.

Since I found my dad’s note, there are a few more things in life (besides death and taxes) I know for certain. I know that the Lord of all holds me in his hand, guides me and loves me, and forgives me daily through the blood of Christ for my countless failings. Through God’s lavish grace, I also know the certain and deep love of my precious husband, and I am most thankful for him.

Visa... It's everywhere you want to be?

There’s a reason why pregnant women shouldn’t ride rollercoasters. Literally, you get jolted about and dragged along for the ups and downs, the sudden starts, stops, and drops. The emotional rollercoaster I was on last week felt much the same. Our visas are in limbo, and the coordinators at SAAB are trying to figure out what to do with us. As with most bureaucratic processes, the information available is murky and difficult to decipher. First, we were told, we would have to leave the EU for ten days and return to Sweden, or take a weekend trip outside of Sweden and then re-enter, or leave Sweden and return home to wait for our visas to be approved before returning, or apply for an interim tourist visa and stay in the country. It is a hassle for the company and emotionally draining for me.

It took most of the week for SAAB to verify what I learned on Wikipedia: if our visas are not approved we have to leave the European Union after 90 days (November 18) and wait to return when they are approved. After pleading with the migration services board, our visa application, for which an expedited processing request was originally denied, has been approved. However, since SAAB should have had our visas processed and approved before we even entered the country the embassy will not stamp our passports while we remain in Sweden.

In all honesty, I was hoping that these visa shenanigans were part of an elaborate, divine plan for God to get me home for Thanksgiving. While trying very hard to maintain some realistic expectations, I began trolling the Lufthansa website for three roundtrip tickets from Gothenburg to Orlando. Obviously, SAAB doesn’t want to spend $3000 so I can nosh on roasted turkey, mashed potatoes drenched in gravy, and a hearty slice of pumpkin pie slathered in whipped cream. (What?  I’m three months pregnant.  Food is kind of a big deal right now.  Don’t judge me.)

The current compromise is this: SAAB is sending us to Copenhagen. The plan is, if we go to Copenhagen for a few days, we can visit the Swedish Embassy office sometime between touring castles and spending too much money at the Lego store and get our visas stamped into our passports. All in all, it’s not a bad deal. We wanted to visit Copenhagen during our time here anyway and we were even hoping to go in November, so to be able to go without using up Matt’s vacation time or having to pay for our lodging is a very generous blessing.

Even with an exciting trip to plan, it is hard to start another week in Sweden. As much as I miss the food that I’m used to, being able to walk outside without bulky layers, and the freedom of my driver’s license and a full tank of gas; it’s my family and friends that I long to see. I can’t deny that part of me is still hoping our visas won’t be processed while we’re in Copenhagen and we’ll have to make a last minute dash to the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I can’t say for sure what God’s plan holds for our family, but I know that no matter where we are, he will be also… And I know I can trust him to take good care of us.

Light

I am consoling myself with candy corn that arrived this morning in box number I-can’t-even-keep-track-anymore from my parents. It seems that my move to Sweden will result in a financial bailout of the US Postal Service singlehandedly financed by my parents. Usually receiving a package from home is the highlight of my month, but today I find myself feeling melancholy even after tearing into the box like the birthday girl who’s had too much cake.

My mom is such a thoughtful person. Everything about receiving a box from home reminds me of her.  Her careful print addressing the box in bold black marker, the maternity pants that she washed before sending so I wouldn’t have more laundry to do, the cheery card with a happy puppy on the front, pumpkin spice candles because she knows how much I love them. She knows me. And I miss her. As I try not to cry into my laptop, my ever-sensitive daughter is wiping at my tears and hugging her delicate arms around my neck.

I have so much to be thankful for, starting with my compassionate little girl, my caring parents, a husband who is dedicated to his family and diligent at work. I have a sturdy roof over my head, clothing to keep me warm, and food in the pantry. I have the freedom in my relationship with the God who is above all things and assurance that he will hear and answer my prayers. As the days become shorter I resolve to focus on these things; they bring light into my dark days.

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About a year ago, my small group at First Baptist Church of Oviedo encouraged us to take a Spiritual Gifts Survey to see how we can best serve the church. My results were interesting, but not surprising, ranking highest in administration, teaching, and hospitality. If you’ve spent much time with me, you’re probably grinning as you read this. I have an unusual affection for spreadsheets and checklists, I actually enjoyed (and sometimes miss) teaching middle school English for five years, and nothing makes me happier than planning a party, hosting girls’ night, or having friends over (for cupcakes, of course).

I was overjoyed to use my talents at planning to prepare my home for our first set of visitors. Matthew’s grandmother, mother, and youngest sister came to visit for a week in October. A mundane grocery list takes on a higher calling when you’re planning meals for family you haven’t seen in months!

Top on our list of sights is Stadsparken, the city park across from our house. The trees are ablaze with red and gold autumn leaves, something my Florida eyes can’t seem to get used to. We also explored the nearby city of Gränna (population: 2600, about half the size of my high school!) where peppermint rock, locally known as polkagris, was invented.

Gracie and GG (Great Grandma) playing with the iPad

Peekaboo!



Joy in Gränna



Though our time passed altogether too quickly we enjoyed sharing our new home and acquaintances with them. Gracie loved having new people to play with during the day and I enjoyed having some extra time for a nap! I hope these pictures have encouraged you to book your visit at Villa Furulid.  We would love to have you stay with us!  And I promise to make some tasty food while you’re here!

Breakfast included!

Dinner is also included (We're practically a resort!)