In the process. In the waiting. Your presence is a promise. For I am a pilgrim on a journey.

Today my feet found Tromsø, Norway.

The beauty all around is breathtaking.

Our first day in the thriving fishing city of Tromsø, was one of the most gorgeous I have ever experienced. We woke early with the exciting plans of having breakfast with Andreas and Elise Scagøy. Fredrik, Josefine and I followed their leading a little while away from town and ended on the shores of the sea near the mountains for a picnic breakfast.

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

Andreas quickly cooked up some whale steak for us on his camp stove while Elise spoke of her experience in making her first documentary exploring northern Norway about living fully awake to the beauty of nature. Seeing the film earlier this year, I was completely captivated by her story Out in Nature: The Spring of My Youth — You don’t have to understand the Norwegian language while watching, to grasp the depth of her sweet spirit and her gifting in teaching others to seek beauty.

Follow this incredible couple and their adventures pursuing outdoor living here:

Elise and Andreas Skagøy

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

We spread the whale meat on bread smeared with cream cheese, along with fresh strawberries, which were followed by seagull eggs.

The thought of eating a seagull’s eggs has never, ever crossed my mind I can assure you. But that morning, nothing seemed more perfect.  The mountains rose over us, guarding majestically. The sea glistened and lapped the shore as the Scagoy’s pointer Tuva sniffed and explored every moss covered rock and cove within reach.

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

May we never lose our wonder. Wide-eyed and mystified.  May we awaken each day with the eyes of a child staring at the beauty of our world.

God’s nearness is our good. So good is the work of His hand presented through creation all around us. Are we are awake to see it?

Sense it fully. Breathe it in. He cares to fascinate us — fascinate us with His love. 

After saying a happy goodbye to the Scagoy’s we piled back into our van and took off for Sommerøya — The islands named for summer and the turquoise waters that capture them.

Have you ever felt as though you were walking in a dream? — Walking through someone else’s painting? — Walking through a work of art?

We traversed through a picture that afternoon. A sleepy town with not even  the movement of another human soul in sight, Sommerøya is a gem of a dream.

As we climbed higher up and still further above the village, I turned, exclaiming my soul was about to fall out of my chest in death by experiencing beauty.

You will lift my head above the mighty waves. You are able to keep me from stumbling. In my weakness you are the strength that comes from within.

Good shepherd of my soul. Take my hand and lead me on.

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

The next morning came all too soon with adventures of it’s own. Fredrik promised to take us up the mountain by way of the cable car for an overall view of Tromsø while the skies were still holding the snow and rain at bay.

We skipped up the mountain jerking and quickly taking speed. Before we knew it we were at the top, peering down over the railing of the lookout point. There, Fredrick challenged us on a hike to continue to even greater heights.

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

Surrounded by white light and snow, I began to feel extremely small and at the same time I have never felt more known. Running blindly toward the whitest edge of the ridge not knowing what’s on the other side can only be described as truly alive.

You make my footsteps and my path secure. Walking on water is just the beginning. You cause my face to arise, stand at attention. For you are calling me to greater things.

The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places!

-Habakuk 3:19