Verdal Chapel

While planning this trip, I wrote Tora about our attending a Sunday service in Grandma Lena's childhood church at Stiklestad. I did this for two reasons: the family's historical connection and the cultural experience to understand Norway's church today.

Upon our arrival, Tora explained that Stiklestad holds services bi-monthly – this was an off week. She suggested attending the 11 AM service at the nearby Verdal Chapel and then continuing over to Stiklestad for a tour.




In
the
church
yard,

before
the
bells
rang,





Tora showed us her parents'

(Lena's sister and husband's)

resting place.


Inside we received a surprise.

The presiding pastor greeted us. Learning we were American, he explained he'd just returned from a six-week stint in Texas serving the Norwegian sailors stationed in Houston.



He apologized for this service being held in the community's native tongue adding, "I'm not sure how much you'll understand, but you are welcome!"

During the call to worship, the pastor offered an official "Welcome to our Minnesota visitors." Before launching into his sermon, he gave a brief summary in English. And before calling the congregation forward for communion, he also invited us to part take in the bread and the wine.




Following the service, church members served "kaffe." We each took a coffee cup and a sweet.

While chatting, the pastor told us that he and his wife had also stopped in Minneapolis to visit with her relatives in residence.

Upon his return to Norway, he was asked to stand in here for the regular pastor who was on vacation.





So by
divine
intervention,


we made another
unique connection
on our tour –

this time at the
Verdal Chapel.

Knitted Canvas

We soon learned Tora's talents extended beyond paints and brushes.

She carried in an armload of hand-knit sweaters to the coffee nook.

She confided, "These ladies are so warm and wonderful. I wanted to give each one something, but I hadn't time for much. I went up to the loft and found these."

She held out the sweaters. "It's not much, but maybe you each can find one that suits you?"

"Did you make these?" I asked. And she nodded, "Some, a long time ago."

"They're beautiful," I said. "Now each one of us will have a Norwegian sweater to take back home."

By this time, half our group had purchased her own Norwegian sweater. The other half wasn't convinced about such an expenditure. When daughter found one particularly beautiful sweater in the Hurtigruten gift shop, she showed her mom and coaxed, "You have to get a sweater to take home and wear to church!"

Mom tried on the sweater, admired its fit in the mirror, and then checked the price tag. As she put it back on the rack, Mom said, "You wanna bet?"


The sweater-modeling sessions, over the next two days, were different.


No tags attached!


Each of us tried on various sweaters and found a place
in our suitcase to pack a

Knitted Canvas –

a gift from (this gal)
Cousin Tora's Gallery.

Tora's Gallery

Later this morning, Tora and Kjell arrived back at Our House to guide us on the day's tour.

I asked her about the artwork displayed throughout the home.





Tora confessed a great passion for painting – a hobby she took up as a newlywed.

Kjell said, "I had my hobbies and she needed her own."





Because Tora enjoyed art, Kjell encouraged her to try painting – buying her supplies and supporting her in classes.


Tora said she found the hobby relaxing, especially after coming home from her work as a psychiatric nurse.


Over the years, she's produced numerous paintings and needed a place for their display.

"We noticed them in your other home and here," I said. "Little
did we know that
we'd be treated to
Tora's Gallery."

Of Our House

O
n



t
h
i
s






l
e
i
s
u
r
e
l
y









m
o
r
n
i
n
g










we



took












t
i
m
e












to


explore












the




interior









Of

Our

House.

Kindness Continues

"Maybe you'd like
to wash clothes?"

Tora said
continuing
the home tour.

She led us down
the steep steps

into the cellar
and showed us

a brand new
washing machine
waiting to spin
its first load.




This morning
I rose early

to follow
her directions

for collectively
cleaning clothes.



Using the lower door,
I carried

the laundry basket
outside –




as

the

sun

rose

over

Bjørga –





to the
laundry
post
where I
hung up
our wear






for a
fragrant


Trøndelag


outdoor
freshness!



(How 'bout
our ladies'
photo humor
here?)

Our House

"We
bought
you
a house,"

Tora told
us

when
we
arrived

earlier
today.




"We thought
you'd be
more
comfortable
staying here

all together

than
spread out
among the
relatives."






Then she smiled

and went on
to explain

the incredible
circumstances

of the purchase

just two
months ago.





The owner –

Tora's school-
days classmate –

had recently lost her
husband and desired
to move into town.

Tora and Kjell
had been considering
moving to Verdal to
spend retirement
in their childhood
hometown.















This home's location – with the Trondheimsfjord view – as well as its spacious living areas and multiple bedrooms enticed the couple to buy the home now, giving them time to fix the place to fit their future needs.

As a bonus, they could house us – their six family members visiting from America – for a few days in August.





Kjell told us

he had just

one qualm

with the

whole plan.



He asked us to write a letter of recommendation to the neighboring farmer explaining why it's essential for him to sell a piece of the barley field to Kjell who needs space to build a proper garden.

To Bjørga

Shortly
after
6 PM,

our driver
hopped
into
the van
and
prepared







to

take

directions










for
transporting
us












around

the

hills











hugging

the

fjords






past

the

golden

grain

fields










To

Bjørga –
















The


Hillside.