You’re going to Sunnemo? Why?!

The Swedish police stopped us on the highway as we zoomed across the country in our Lilla Billen for a spontaneous road trip. He questioned why two young ladies would be heading that direction of all places, as the small town of Sunnemo in Värmland County is not typically known as a drawing destination to our generation.

Josefine explained that her family has a house there and we were going to enjoy it for the weekend. The officer let us move on with a confused and amused expression on his face.

Little did he know what adventurers he had happened upon!

Beauty seekers.

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

Our first evening at the lake house we explored every nook and cranny. So much of Josefine’s childhood and family heritage has been safely kept in this place. Treasures! Kaysha Dawn loves a treasure hunt!

Upon finding the canoe, paddles, and life jackets [of course each was locked in a different out-building] we made our way to the river.

Our mission? To find the beavers!

Small fact from Wikipedia: The beaver works as a keystone species in an ecosystem by creating wetlands that are used by many other species. Next to humans, no other animal appears to do more to shape its landscape. 

It was still slightly early in the evening for a beaver sighting, being somewhat nocturnal creatures-therefore, we had some time to paddle around, have a picnic dinner on the canoe, and silently follow the river through its windy passageways.

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

As we floated on the stillness, munching our pizza picnic, our ears perked up when we caught the motion of a rustling in the reeds–

Beaver? No. 

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

Out scurried a small bird running on the water full speed ahead!

Maybe I am very easily amused but this was HILARIOUS to us. So we decided to follow the little bird to see if we could get it to run again! We were giddy as children– Again, again! Dance birdie!

Photo Credit: Josefine Frendin

Well that little bird did love to run! He led us out into the open water where the light was gleaming through the breaking clouds in the smoldering skies over us.

Gasp.

I didn’t ask for this. All I wanted to see was a brown, water rodent.

And here– in the middle of Värmland County, we saw Heaven.

In His goodness He brings us to life.

All that we seek after in this world is so small and brown compared to the vastness and the fullness of his HEART for us.

See maybe I’m too quiet for you– you’ve probably never noticed me–  But if you’re too big to follow rivers–

How you ever gonna find the sea?

His fullness, His love is so deep that when we experience that love, we are never the same again!

If all you want are answers to your questions–  And you can’t seem to find love for free–

If you’re looking for the right direction–

Then darling look for me.

It’s a quiet love. His love. He moves in ways not seen. For His thoughts are higher than my thoughts, His ways higher than my ways.

See I can make the load much lighter; I just need you to confide in me–

But if you’re too proud to follow rivers, how you ever gonna find the sea?

“For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.

Even as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish—

So will My words go out in love toward you.”

“Yes you’ll go out in joy! — You’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade- bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause.”

–Isaiah 55: 8-12

 

Song Lyrics (c) Emeli Sande; River