HAPPY NEW YEAR!

After a rather peaceful holiday pause and with 2012 well on its way, it's time for another NEWS UPDATE — looking back to what has happened at Holsby! First, however, we want to wish all of you a JOYOUS NEW YEAR — one filled with expectations from our Lord! HE is so worthy of our trust in all of our days! Keep walking "forthward" with your eyes on the goal — JESUS!

CHRISTMAS CAMPUS SHOTS FROM 2011

At this point in time, Christmas seems like long ago. However, we'd like to share with you some of the highlights of those last couple of weeks before the Christmas break.

St. Nikolaus: A German tradition is celebrated at Holsby every 6th of December. It's the early–morning arrival of St. Nikolaus! Shoes were lined up in the hallway the night before .... and when morning dawned, they were filled with goodies!

Students think this is the end of the celebration, but breakfast was interrupted with a surprise appearance of St. Nik himself with a bag full of surprises — especially thinking about our "Teebees."

Öppet Hus: For the second year in a row, we invited people to our campus for a Christmas Open House. The program, held in the festively–decorated Chapel, presented a wide range of performances — student choir, smaller musical arrangements, and skits (both reflective and amusing). The concert was presented in two parts, with an interval for getting to know some of our guests.

The evening before the concert, the dress rehearsal was recorded for Norwegian television. Our connection was through the parents of two of our current Swedish students. It included both music and interviews of some of our staff/students. (It was also shown on the Swedish Christian TV channel). What a wonderful avenue in which to share God's work at Holsby.

After the concert itself, everyone was invited to the main building (Brunnsgården) for fika and fellowship. Magda and Christopher, responsible for much of the musical preparations (especially the choir), were acknowledged as well. As the old song says, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" — and first term was soon to end! That meant travel to many places, both far and near!

Julbord: First term always concludes with a cultural experience — a smörgåsbord. Although it does not include all the menu items of the traditional Julbord, it certainly does not take a back seat to any!! Enjoying the homey atmosphere and partaking in the delightfully tasting cuisine, everyone enjoyed that evening to the full (no pun intended!) Thanks to our wonderful kitchen staff (with probably some helpers as well) for all those extra hours spent to make it SO exceptional!

The students were totally surprised at the conclusion of the dinner when they expected to find out who the lucky ones were to do dishes, pots and pans, etc.!! Students who had messy rooms were even asked to come up — thinking they were IT! They stood there, almost unbelievingly, when told the staff would care for all the clean–up.

Dorm life: Although this has nothing to do with Christmas, all the guys celebrated their last dorm life meeting of the term with a heap of cheeseburgers!! Can you imagine walking into a fast food place and ordering 100 cheeseburgers?!!! Well, I'm sure that is NOT how they did it. However, this picture clearly shows the results of their endeavor!

PRAYER DAY

Once a month, the students have a day of prayer. For January, that day was the first Monday after returning to Holsby.

In the evening, students and staff met together in the BIK for a time of sharing and goal–setting for the coming year. Principal Luke reminded us of Hebrews 10:24. One paraphrase states:

We were also reminded that what we have learned from the Lord, someone else needs to hear. In other words, these truths need to go further — we need to pass them on!

Some of the goals and desires shared that evening were ...

• To pick apart a passage of Scripture one time a week.
• To be disciplined in daily structure.
• To fix my eyes on Jesus and not be distracted with things around me.
• To slow down and make more of opportunities.
• To have a willingness to be vulnerable, to go deep.
• To listen!! And to apply what I'm learning.
• To read and pray with more purpose.
• To pay more attention in lectures.
• To see HIM in everyday things. Even if times are NOT hard, we can still get to know HIM.
• To learn to not only talk to God, but listen to HIS voice (know HIS voice) and distinguish it from surrounding influences.
• To be more intentional in study; to not waste so much time.
• To know how to live life to the full and see HIM in everything. Also to learn through others.

ANOTHER 2nd GEN!

Joel Heard, from Colorado, is one of the new students who arrived in January — and he is also a 2nd Gen! Joel's dad, Matt Heard, attended Holsby's spring session in 1979. Currently Matt is senior pastor of the Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Joel's brother, Andrew, was also a Holsby student 2010–11.

Joel came here from Tauernhof (Torchbearer school in Schladming, Austria) after being there for the fall term. He had heard a lot of good things about Holsby from his dad and brother. While here, Joel is hoping for guidance for the next step. He shared: I have not come here just to decide what to do after Holsby, but while I am here I want to listen and discern at the same time I'm growing and learning. It is one step at a time.

When Joel first arrived, his impressions had to do with darkness and jetlag. However, the next day he was surprised at how spread out the campus was. As a nature buff (including photography), he commented: We went on a hike the second day, and I knew immediately it would be an awesome place to spend time with God in creation.

During high school, Joel went on 3 mission trips — to Mexico, Peru, and South Africa/Swaziland. Immediate plans following Holsby include more involvement with the youth in his church, and attending university in the fall.

BASKETBALL

Basketball is a part of the program at Holsby, and has been for quite some years. In fact, even before it became official, "Ye olde editor" remembers the Holsby guys playing regular ball just for the fun of it!

Recently a home game was played against Nässjö. Our students are ardent cheerleaders for their guys!! They really go all out as you can see in the photo on the right. This kind of cheering is very North American. One does not see that in the same way from the Swedes for local games. But who knows — maybe it encourages both teams.

Unfortunately, Holsby lost this time. But you know, there is something that supersedes having the winning score. It is having a winning attitude on the court. Coach Danny said: The guys played hard and stayed positive right to the end even though the game was out of reach. After the game, we shared a testimony and it was received well. We hope to have further opportunities to talk with this team and others about our faith.

Yes, that is the true mission of our basketball team — and we're proud of you guys!!

EBENEZER!

It was the first Sunday morning of the new term. As a group we were about to sing the well–known hymn, "Come Thou Fount." It was prefaced, however, with some thoughts — who/what is Ebenezer? How does he/it fit into the message of the song? (Ever stop to think about that? Or do you just sing it and move on?)

Our principal's wife, Cheryl, shared a passage of Scripture from 1 Samuel 7:3–12. After realizing their sinful condition, Israel had gathered in Mizpah, along with Samuel, to fast and come before the Lord. However!! The enemy heard they were all together and thought, This is our chance! Of course the Israelites were terrified!! But God (oh I love that phrase!) answered Samuel's plea, and victoriously intervened. You've got to read the whole story. After the victory ...

As we have stepped into a new year, it is a time to reflect. But it is also a time to look ahead. "Ebenezer" indicates a looking back and seeing what God has done. But it is also a challenge to look ahead and trust — to trust the Faithful One Who has helped and been true all along the way. And HE is not going to change! To you who trust and obey HIM, HE will be all that you need for every step!

Well, "Ye olde editor" sought a stone! (We have lots of them in our house, and I chose one). Why don't you find one too. Mark it, as I did. Remember what it represents. Then walk on remembering, and praising and thanking HIM.

Let the days of this year echo with songs of loudest praise!! Raise your Ebenezer and remember all HE has done, all HE is doing, and all HE will do!