Sunday morning (early!), 29 April, 2007, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve! Miitu kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaa!

Sari here. I am sorry for not writng sooner, but my eyes were giving me fits. I have multiple sclerosis, and sometimes when it flares up, my eyes are affected. I get double vision, and I can get very lightheaded; this is when I have to lie down in a darkened room and rest. It isn't fun, believe me!

My eyes are better today; my MS has quieted down (somewhat). I am using my crutches today, but at least I don't have problems seeing. For that I can be thankful. :)

As I was saying in my last journal entry, I found a soul mate in Nikolas Artemis Constantinos. He became my boyfriend; and eventually we fell in love and got married (in Greece). We have been married now for almost two years now, and he has given me two beautiful children (Birtta Aurora, who is nearly a year, and our newborn son, Erik Karlssenn, who was born about a month ago). Our children are both healthy; for that we can thank the Good Lord above. We are now a family.

Spaaking of family, my friend in America, Louisiana Sandusky (she lives in Tennessee), has adopted a little boy from Finland (he was born near here). His name is Bjorn Wilhem, and he is just three years old. She says he was born without sight or hearing, and he was born an albino child (he has pale, pale skin, white hair, and pale, pale ice blue eyes). He is a very pretty little boy; she sent me his picture, along with a picture of the kids that was taken around Easter. What a beautiful looking family! They remind me of the northern lights--or a rainbow, perhaps: so many different colors!

Louisiana is doing very well: she is busy working at hospital, and she is busy taking care of her brood. Bill (that's her husband; they've been married for nearly 15 years onw), works at a large department store (Wal*Mart); he's worked there for over three years now and enjoys it. I don't know if they are going on any trips soon, but I think Louisiana and Bill need a break from all. those. KIDS!! LOL

I heard from Ilsa Rekkonen, my friend who lives here in Ivalo; she is doing well, and she is now attending university; she wants to become a teacher. She started a few months ago, and she loves it. I hope she does well in her studies!

I also heard from Helvig, my friend who moved to America;  he still lives in Nashville, and he has a girlfriend named Bahiri; she is from Kenya, Africa. He met her at the store a few months ago, and they are in love. *siggggghhh* Ah, yes. It is spring: new love is truly in bloom! :)

Ha, ha, ha! I am laughing now: Birtta is busy chasing our cat, "Nemo", around the house: they are tearing around the house like two tiny cheetahs. It is exhausting to watch their energy. How I wish I possessed some of it! She (Birtta) should be in bed, not playing! I will have to have Nik put her to bed; it's waaaaaaaaay too early for her to be up and about!

Oh, good. Nik is up; I guess our dear little Birtta woke him up. He is now talking with her, telling her to go to bed. Hopefully she'll be a good little girl and go to sleep until at least eight or nine. That is a more respectable hour, not at one in the morning! LOL

Maybe, depending on how I feel later, we'll go to church. I hope so; it's been a while since we have gone to church. We attend the Greek Orthodox church in the next town. I'd like to attend the new Assembly of God church they built, but so far, we haven't made it there. I am thinking of giving my heart to Christ; just haven't made that decision yet. Louie has been talking with me about Salvation, and I feel I am ready to do it. I feel I need God in my life.

Well, I am going to go now. I am getting sleepy now myself. Going back to bed suddenly sounds like a good idea. I am also cold; it's chilly here this morning, with snow flurries flitting about. No auroras this morning: too many clouds for one thing! LOL I will write in here again. Take care, and until next time, Nakemiin!

~Love, your friend in Finland, Sari Annike. :)