I have a lot of free time on my hands, lying around doing nothing. I know people are jealous, but I feel like I’m wasting away. I’m afraid my mind will turn to mush if I don’t challenge it. I try to fill my day with constructive activities. My body can only handle an hour’s walk. Ace agrees with this as well. Thankfully the Librela shot and collagen powder in his food help with his bad hip. But walking any longer than an hour, makes us both limp back to the couch to retire for the rest of the night. My retired budget allows a few outings. Just to have a sandwich, soup, and coffee with cake is $30. FYI, you will get the best carrot cake in Norway at the Umami Cafe in Mosjøen.

Also, if you need a dog groomer, Lekker-Bisken is the only one within a 200-mile radius of Mosjøen. The next dog groomer is in Bodø. I looked up what Lekker-Bisken means and it translates to Yummy Bisque or Delicious Bisken. Reidi, the dog groomer, is self-taught in her skills. She learned by YouTube videos, back when she owned her first standard Poodle. From a general American perspective, not having a service available is strange. In Lancaster, Ohio, there are at least 10 dog groomers available. Norway feels limited in access to certain services but makes up for it in its serene natural beauty.

(Picture: On the day Ace got groomed, he’s giving me the look.)

Gas is costly in Norway, despite dominating the market for oil in Europe. Fuel costs limit my travels, so I sit at home thinking of ways to gain more income. I am not tech-savvy and the only skill that comes to mind is writing. Yes, writing… I sit on the computer watching podcasts and YouTube videos on daily news, Business Basics, Diaries of a CEO, and The Deep End with Taylor while playing solitaire. All the while, thinking about the fact that I am supposed to be writing.

First of all, Russia is in terrible condition. I feel bad for the citizens who are stuck under the mobsters running the country. My fierce weapon is praying for the people to be freed from their oppressors and to give the Glory to God. Amen. Secondly, I miss being home to America, but I am wondering if I can afford it now. Especially with all the tariffs being put in place. I understand the concept of promoting economic independence from the world, but maybe promoting trades in school for skills needed to become economically sound should have been a priority. It doesn’t help that everyone is trying to get rich quick with followers and media. Also, the rise of AI has had a devastating effect on writers and artists. I can still tell if certain things are fake, but can kids who don’t know better?

(Picture: Ace taking a dip in the ice-cold waters of Mosjøen.)

Thirdly, I had to come to terms with my season. If you have been following along with my progress. You know that I had left America to become a screenwriter and get into the film industry to share one particular story. None of that happened and I had been traveling around the United Kingdom and Europe trying to stick somewhere. After I didn’t go to Greece and had a scary incident in Scotland. I felt broken and found refuge with a dear friend. My independence was shattered, my confidence was very low, and I seriously contemplated retreating back to America. I could only stay in the UK for 6 months and in Europe for 3 months at a time.

The best thing to do in these situations is to pray and then be obedient. Not the easiest, but crucial to the walk with The Holy Spirit. You know the song by The Score, Breakout? The song goes:

Trying to make it through the darkness
In a world that’s heartless
This place is taking all of me

I need to learn to flip the pages
Running through these mazes
The road is getting hard to see Is it too much to ask for to know what I’m fighting for?

Tired living like I’m faceless
I was made for greatness
Now it’s time that I believe

Counting up the days I’m wasting
Trying to find my place in
The madness here that we call life

I need to find a way to silence
All I hear is violence
A battlefield inside my mind

I know I am not alone in how I feel and that is why songs like these exist. So many people wonder what their purpose is in this life. Some feel destined for greatness, but that doesn’t mean everyone will reach their full potential. What does it take to get there? Is it a good start with a sound foundation of loving parents and wealth? When I look at the Bible, I see different stories. God used people with dysfunctional backgrounds, he used the youngest and the ordinary. The consistency in each story is the relationship between the chosen and God. God is more patient with us because Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to intermediate for us. We have grace. We have what we need to learn and grow in discernment and wisdom, but people still have to ask.

When you ask, do not expect to get it right away. We have to learn it, to earn it, and to make it our identity. Words are important, so be aware of what you say internally and externally. A cop is held to a higher standard when it comes to the law. An ambassador of God is also held to a higher standard when speaking on behalf of the kingdom. They are also under the most attack physically and with accusations. I am thankful that I have a season of being hidden. I watch public figures speaking on podcasts and I know they get many negative comments. They are being meticulously watched for any behavior or word out of line. Part of my growth is learning to handle stressful situations and people with my own actions. How do you handle it? Do you easily cry? Do negative thoughts flood your mind? Do you immediately react or shut down? Therapists like to use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). Amazingly, if you read the Bible, you will find that God used this technique way before psychologist was a title.

I am thankful that I am not completely alone. When I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit what I should do next. I heard Norway. While I have been here, I have met an annoyingly nice man. Which is a good opportunity for me to work on prayers that produce fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

My season is slow, but it doesn’t mean that it is unproductive. Today’s verse of the day in my Bible app is Exodus 33:14 “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Rest is productive and healing. It also gives me time to mesmerize verses, which I never taken seriously before. Rest gives me time to pray because it is way more powerful than we give it credit. If your prayers are not being heard, then look into it. Prayers are a lifeline in the stormy seas. Prayers allow rain to wash over us in a dry desert. We need it. I added a link below to The Mechanics of Prayer. Even if you are a seasoned prayer warrior, it is good to sharpen iron with iron. Never stop learning more ways to grow closer to Jesus.