Oslo to Sweden

Hi Becca and other grandkids or family

Our third day in Oslo started with a great breakfast that included orange juice from a mechanical squeezer machine.  The oranges are in a basket at the top and one orange drops down into a series of   holders that slice the orange and turn the two halves to squeeze them and then drops the two rinds below.    Meanwhile the glass fills up with fresh juice. This reminds me that a half glass of fresh juice is half full because every drop is a treat.  This is how God wants us to think- thankful for every day and every friend and every adventure- not so much about what we don't have.

We walked to the old fort in a drizzle and walked around the stone buildings to the Norway Resistance Museum which tells the story of what people in Norway did to resist the Nazis who invaded one cold morning in 1940.  People started secret (hidden printing press) newsletters, formed small groups to help people escape over the mountains to Sweden or in fishing boats to England, sabotage German equipment, and used secret radios to listen to BBC and smuggled radio transmitters to send messages about German troops and ships to the English army. We learned that Hitler feared an allied landing into Norway instead of Normandy- so he sent lots of men to defend an attack that never came.  This reminded us that God wants us to resist evil and defend the helpless- be friendly and watch out for people who need help, but avoid or flee from troublemakers (not counting your brothers).  A cruise ship was docked right next to the fortress walls- look how big the ship was!

Old buildings and church in Oslo

Cruise ship is taller than the Oslo Fortress

The Royal Palace rooms were closed because they are only open in June and July since the King and Queen actually live there.  The fortress palace rooms built by a king in about 1750 were closed for renovation and two other museums that we tried to visit were closed because Oslo is constructing a new museum building to combine several museums.  We happened to see a new Bible museum in the old town area- they explained how many christian kings supported Martin Luther's idea that the Bible should be translated into each language so every person could read for herself.  Aren't you glad your Mom taught you how to read the Bible and other adventure books?  How about science and history books?  

The first printed Bible (in German) was completed in about 1455 (Gutenberg Bible) and the kings of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark each sponsored Bibles translated from hebrew, greek, and latin (roman language) and printed in their languages within the next 50-100 years.  King James of England had a group of men translate and print the Bible in English in about 1615- some people still like to read this version of the english bible, but many of the words sound funny- because our common language changes over time.  Printing each sheet was hard work but copying the pages by hand was really hard and took many years to copy a Bible. Bible translation into other languages is still an important task- uncle Jeremy and aunt Sara helped make videos of Bible stories (sections) in five languages of Congo.  The Bible is one of God's greatest gifts to us because He tells us (reveals) about himself and how he wants us to live.  Reading a few pages from the Bible is a great way to start each day- God promises that He is our fortress, so we don't need big stone walls to protect us against our enemies and our troubles.

Hand-decorated page from an old printed Bible

We visited the Oslo City Hall that was decorated with huge murals on every wall showing people from Norway doing their work as farmers, loggers, teachers, builders, and also enjoying time together at meals and family gatherings and festivals.  Norway has high taxes (50% of earnings) and expects the government to provide lots of services.  The very elaborate City Hall was dedicated to common citizens and workers- they are important for a country's success and not just the king and noblemen.

Becca- God is the only person who really knows all about you- what you enjoy and what makes you afraid.  He is the only one who knows what you will do- this year in a new school, and many years from now when you will... ?  I don't know and even your Mom and Dad can only guess and imagine your future, based on the talents and abilities that God has already given to you.   Our government can help us and provides services like schools and roads but only God can love us and direct our steps. Let Jesus be your best friend and guide you through happy and sometimes difficult experiences.

Large murals in City Hall

Today we ate our delicious breakfast and took a taxi to our car rental office that was 6 miles out of downtown because they don't have many cars in the downtown area- everyone rides the trolleys and busses and subways.  Because about half of the streets have been blocked (pedestrians only) the taxi driver had to go almost in circles (like a maze) to get us out of town. There are lots of buildings being constructed and this blocks other streets.

We rented a car (VW Golf) and drove to Gothenburg- the major port for Sweden where many ships filled with emigrants left between 1850 and 1925- bringing Grandma Judy's grandparents and my grandparents to America.  Your dad is about half Swedish so you are one fourth Swedish. Isn't it great to know that many of your ancestors read the Bible and believed that Jesus is our Savior? Our human ancestry (genes) are important but our spiritual heritage is even more important. This is one way you can talk to your friends about who you are- part Swedish but fully adopted into God's family forever.

Construction was everywhere in Oslo

On the way to Gothenburg we stopped at the locks (steps of river gates) that connect Lake Vannern to the Gota river that flows past Gothenburg to the ocean.  The locks allows lumber and farm produce and meat and iron and copper ore to be transported from central Sweden to ships at Gothenburg that carry the products to other cities and countries.  The total lift is about 125 feet- the first locks were built in 1800, the second larger locks were built in 1845, and the largest locks were built in 1915 (same time as Panama Canal).  I like seeing dams and hydro-electric power plants and locks and river gorges, so I was happy we found our way to Trollhatten and that the canal museum was open with a good film in english to explain the history of the canal and locks. Here are pictures of the 1845 and the modern locks and a boat passing downstream. Judy enjoyed the nice walk along the gates and canal.  

We are staying in a really old hotel across from the train station- I think both were built about 1850.  Fortunately the bathroom has been remodeled but some of the furniture may be original vintage.  Becca- I hope you enjoy each week at school and that you make more friends by being friendly and helpful and kind- just like the Bible says that Jesus wants to help us love God and love other people.  I love you too!

Our Historic Hotel Eggers in Gothenburg

Train Station across from our Hotel