"EASTER MORROW STILLS OUR SORROW"

We had a good sleep and decided to go to the Easter service at 11:00. The buffet breakfast was spread out for us - bread ready to be sliced as you like it, raw veggies and fruit, scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, polse, fry your own bacon, cereal, milk, juice, coffee, tea. We left for church at twenty to 11 and were there in five minutes, just in time to hear the church bells ringing . There was a good crowd out for this special service. The service had seven hymns, many of the tunes were familiar to us. I was glad to hear "Påske Morgen" again but there was no trumpet today. This was a communion service with silver cups, no disposable ones here! A choir sang during this part of the service. "God Påske" was the greeting after service but we had no personal greetings from pastor or members of the congregation. I guess these were typical reserved Norwegians!

After service Todd drove us up to the ski hill area. What a view from the site of the Olympics in 1994. We had some lunch at the cosy cafe there. Then we drove back to the Clarion and relaxed in the living-room area complete with sofa, stuffed chairs, library, fireplace and a flat screen TV. We were pleased that Howard's second cousin, Dagmar Buen, was able to come by and visit with us for an hour or so. We were so sorry to hear that her nephew had been stabbed in the leg last July 4th and almost lost his life. He did lose a leg and is still taking therapy. Dagmar's 97 year old mother still lives in her own place, but has more help now and no longer bakes cakes. ( She made two for our visit four years ago!) After she left we posed for some pictures in the sunlit library/lounge and then enjoyed "make your own waffles" with yogurt and strawberries and coffee. The tie Howard is wearing was made for him by my mother. She loved Norway and would be pleased that her tie was worn to an Easter service here. She and Dad visited Norway in 1969. They both spoke fluent Norwegian and spent six weeks visiting her cousins, sight seeing, and of course, shopping! Howard is wearing the ring that I had them buy for him.

This is our favorite hotel. Where else can you stay that feels like home, includes a breakfast buffet, waffles and coffee in the afternoon plus an evening buffet. Oh yes, and free internet service! Here we are in the lounge/library area.

Todd and Kristy tried out the sauna while Howard and I relaxed in our room. I caught up with my journal and sent some emails. We enjoyed hearing from Clare, Jodi and Abbey who spent the Easter weekend in Minneapolis. Laurel, Greg, Dawson, Eric and Ashley spent Easter at home, as did Kirk, Shauna, Carter, Lindsay and Jamie. Carter and Lindsay spent a fun two days at the Diekragers later that week.

Spending Easter in ahotel was a new experience, but it was a very special time. We all missed being with the rest of our family and celebrating Easter in our traditional ways, but that is not the focus of Easter. Attending worship together and rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord made our Easter a very meaningful one. Even though the service was in Norwegian, we were familiar with the Lutheran liturgy and knew what was taking place - the confession of sins, the Lord's prayer, sharing the peace, taking part in the Lord's supper. The hymns were so special (especially Påske Morgen, which we sang again today on my Grandma Haaland's birthday) as many were familiar tunes and we could hum along even if we couldn't join in singing the Norsk words. We were able to be in touch with families back home through email and Kristy had phone calls as well. We will never forget Easter 2010, spent in the land that our forefathers and mothers left behind. We are thankful for the faith they had in striking off for a new land and never seeing or talking to their loved ones in Norway again. What a sacrifice they made! As my Grandpa Haaland remarked "They said it was free land, but it cost a lot." Blessed be their memory. I am so thankful for my Norwegian heritage and so blessed to have visited this land four times with Howard.

None of this would have happened if Todd and Kristy hadn't married and moved here in 2003! Thanks Todd and Kristy for some wonderful, precious memories.