I cry.

In the past few months since being home people have asked me about the many places we've visited.  I tell them about our time in Palenque (over a year ago now), the dumps in Nicaragua, the mountains of Peru, the tribal people of Thailand, the slums of the Phillipines, the schools filled with Chinese orphans.

But when I talk about Africa, I can't hold back the tears.  Why is that?  Did Africa really have that profound of an effect on me?  What makes it so different than the other places we lived? 

One of my best friend's leaves for Botswana in about a month.  When I came home she asked me to talk to her about my experience in Africa.  She told me that she'll be doing AIDS education as her role in the Peace Corps.  I then shared with her the things I learned about the AIDS epidemic (as if she never heard the stats... after all she did graduate with a masters in international public health).  But it's different after you've seen it.  AIDS has a face now.  It seems as though everyone is AFfected even if they aren't INfected.  And that is life in Africa.

I handed my friend a copy of Tom Davis's new book, The Red Letters.  I read it myself, and cried.  I cried because the statistics are people I've met.  If you haven't read this book, do yourself a favor and get it.  Even better, go to Africa and experience it.

I'm working again.  I'm a personal trainer at a large fitness center in the most affluent area of metro Boston (along with Scott).  Sometimes as I pick up fitness equipment around the gym I think about the orphans I played with, the adults I danced and sang with, and I get choked up.  Potential clients have asked me if it's hard working in a place that is obviously "rich".  I can't say that I wouldn't want to relocate some of the cash, but what I can say is that these people are some of the most altruistic I've met.  And these people let me share my story, even if I get a little teary eyed.

Sometimes I sit behind the desk and talk with other trainers about the things I've seen... and the flood waters begin their rush.

Am I where I'm supposed to be?  If I cry this much shouldn't I just go back to Africa now?

But then I'm reminded of the dreams and passions God has placed in me.  A dream of having people realize that the body, spirit, mind, and emotion are meant to be balanced, in order to reach wholeness.  And then I understand that my tears affect the people here to see that life is more than just about self. 

I just don't ever want there to be a day where I think of Africa and feel nothing. 

God, please make Africa burn in my heart.  I know it burns in yours thousand times hotter.

It's almost February, and I'd yet to post a blog in over a month.  Ouch.  I guess I didn't think I had anything to write home about.  But I guess that's not entirely true.  Especially since Scott and I have undertaken a bit of an excursion.

We left Wilmington, MA at around 8 pm on January 15th, just so we could make it through New York City without any traffic.  At around 2 am we stopped at the Thomas Edison rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike and slept in the back of our Xterra with Sequoia.  The next morning we woke up and meandered our way down Delaware and Maryland, until we reached our destination close to Richmond, VA.  We spent a few days visiting Scott's brother and his wife, son, and two doggies (Sequoia's new boyfriend Loki, and Shadow, the bitter ex).

After leaving there we spent a night in the Raleigh area with Scott's old boss and her husband.  Fortunately, Sequoia was a welcome guest in their apartment complex.

The we travelled on to Gainesville, GA where we made it just in time for dinner with the Barnes's.  Karen is a phenomenal cook, and we enjoyed her home cooking for the few days we spent with them.  We managed to spend some time at the AIM office.  Thank you to all of you who sat with us as we shared our experience of the past year on the World Race.  Thanks for listening, for encouraging, and for empowering.  We are very thankful for our relationship with you all!

We are excited about how we can help with the future married couples of the world race, and helping with creative fitness for the mission field.  (As far as we know, that's what we'll be trying to help with at this point... maybe a little more or less).

After spending three days there, we left for Nashville... our goal... get to Olive Garden to get together with Jeff Goins, and meet his new wife Ashley (it was awesome to spend time with you!)  We were excited to hear about the wedding and honeymoon (obviously some of the details get left out :)). 

After dinner, Scott and I got back in the car and made our way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  We found the only hotel that allowed dogs and spent the night on the wi-fi.  The next morning we got in a workout, and had lunch in the area before going through Smoky Mountain National Park (yay!!).

We drove through to Monroe, NC to spend some time with my aunt and uncle, and their two dachsund pups.  We enjoyed time with their friends as well.  Since leaving there, we've spent a night in Raleigh again, and tonight we're back in Richmond.  We'll get up to northern PA to visit a farmer friend by the end of the week, but we'll be home in time to watch the Pats win the Superbowl on Sunday! (So we're a little biased)

This has been a wonderful time to have a last hurrah before getting jobs (the bills don't stop, unfortunately).  But God is really giving us vision and direction when it comes the desires He's placed in our hearts.  Right now we'll do the brunt work to get us there, but I'm sure the fruit of this will be immeasurable.  Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in the journey (not just this physical road trip, but in life).

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.

No church today because of the feet of snow we received today.  So, what do we do? 

Go play!!!!!!

And then we get warm and cuddle with those we love.

Many move away because of the snow.

But this is what I love about New England.

(That, and our amazing sports teams... Sox, Pats, Celts.... Go Boston!!!!!)

Thank you Jesus for a place to call home (at least today).

My last blog showcased my wonderful, supportive family.  The first week we were home, we spent with my family and Scott's family, going back and forth between Wilmington (Scott's hometown north of Boston), and Braintree (my hometown, south of Boston).  And I even managed to attend my 10 year high school reunion.

It was fun to answer questions from old schoolmates.  most of the questions centered around "where are you living?" and "what are you doing for work?".  To which i answered, "I'm homeless" and "I'm jobless".  Needless to say, some eyebrows raised, and some lips were bit.  My friends Denise and Jess made me come clean though.  I would then explain about this year, and that I really haven't a clue where life is taking us at this point.  But as a Tom Petty song explains, "the future is wide open".

After the craziness of our first week was over, my friends planned a weekend get together so that we could all connect before the Christmas season got into full swing.  And i had another chance to cry again.  Seeing their smiles, sharing stories and feelings from the last 11 months, I couldn't help but get a little emotional.

We went to my best friend, Denise's home up in southern New Hampshire.  She and her husband have 2 kids (Tony was a new addition this year, and he's already huge!).  She's a music teacher and he's a chef.   Lia was probably one of our biggest prayer warriors.  They know ministry is their future, and their doing the faith thing.  Everything's unclear, but that's the way it needs to be.  And it's good.

Jess, my other best buddy, and only single friend (dating a really nice guy, Chris), just got her assignment for the Peace Corps.  She'll be headed to Botswana in April for a couple years.  And she had me in tears, as she'll be going to help with AIDS education.  She asked for my thoughts on Africa, and the only thing I could say through tears was "just love them".  Regardless of what the purpose is of her stay is there, if they know her love for them, things will change.  Never go in with an agenda, go in with a heart that longs to love and serve.  And she'll cry... a lot.  It hurts to see others hurting.  And sometimes it hurts to love others.

Becky and Bernie, Scott's sister, and brother-in-law (who were very instrumental in the Scott and Linnea love story), also came to our winter weekend.  Having gone to Malawi while we were in Nelspruit, South Africa, we were excited to hear their stories.  And we're still looking forward to more chats on how Africa changed us (well, really God, but He managed to use Africa in a big way for the Molgard crew).  Haley, their daughter (ok, weimeraner pup), was in tow, and Sequoia loved putting Haley's whole head in her mouth.

Jodi and Nate had also had an eventful year.  And they were actually the first friends I saw when we got home.  I went to parent's church of which they are members, and spoke for a few minutes about thankfulness during their church's thanksgiving eve service.  Nate made his way through police boot camp, and now serves the community as an officer.  They'd gotten married last summer, so they experienced their first anniversary this year.  Congrats!

And last but not least, Rachel and Tim added a new member to their family.  Joshua came along this summer, and already sleeping most of the way through the night.  Parenthood certainly changes you.  And life takes on new meaning as a parent.  It was awesome to see the new parents in action.

Thanks to all of you who prayed, read our blogs, and supported us financially.  We are truly grateful for friends like you!

Yeah, so I've explained our month in China.  I haven't really gotten to talk much on Hong Kong, but essentially it started to feel like the States.  Just a lot of last nights out together, debriefing with AIM leadership, feeling less and less like I know where the heck we're going to end up in life.  I thought I had the answers until debrief.

But then Hong Kong ended November 19th.  We got on a plane for LA, said our final quick goodbyes at the luggage carousel and through customs, and got to the American Airlines terminal.  I couldn't believe how much Spanish I heard and understood!  And I couldn't believe how less efficient LAX was than the international airports we'd travelled through.  But it was amusing to listen to the swearing rants of the couple behind us in all of the zillion lines we traversed to get to our gate. 

Our first steps into Boston, seeing family.

Our flight ended up leaving at about 11:30 pm on November 19th, and arrived the next morning in Boston's Logan airport.  From the air we saw the familiar sites as we flew over Boston Harbor and Quincy's shore.  It got more and more exciting as we neared the ground.  We had no clue was was awaiting us in the terminal.  So, we taxied to our gate (first we had to wait because they didn't have one of those walkways into the gate waiting for us), got off the plane to a cool gust of fall/ winter air, travelled toward the baggage claim, and then got bombarded.My parents, Scott's dad, My brother Jeb, his wife Joy, and their sons Zack & Jake, my other brother Steve, his wife Michelle, and baby girl Sydney (who travelled from California for Thanksgiving), and Scott's brother-in-law Bernie met us right outside the terminal. 

Zack, Jake, Sydney & Mom Anderson, waiting for us to show up

And then the tears and hugs came, at least on my part.  I couldn't believe how emotional I was.  the moment I saw them all I immediatly started crying.  Once we finished hugging, Joy and Michelle bought some Dunkin' Donuts coffee and donuts for us, and we made our way to get our checked bags.

Over the next few days we celebrated Thanksgiving with both Scott's family and mine, got our family photos professionally taken (as this was the first year in about 8 years that we'd all been together for Thanksgiving), and went to Kennebunkport, Maine with my brother Steve's family to have a little down time.  Needless to say, it was quite a whirlwind.

Family photo day: my sister Heather, her husband Mike, and Lindsey (right), Megan (left), and Hannah (middle)

My brother Jeb, his wife Joy, and Zack (left) & Jake (right)

The Anderson kids; Jeb, me, Heather, & Steve

My brother Steve, his wife Michelle, & daughter Sydney

Yay Boston.  I missed you!

Today is December 16th.  Almost a month later.  The sentences get shorter because there's less going on in them.  But more time to think.  When I finally formulate a thought I'll let you know.  But the Pats are on. It's snowing out.  Sequoia's sleeping.... What a nice rest.

It's been quite a while since I've hopped on my own blog site.  China turned into Hong Kong and Hong Kong turned into LA and LA turned into Boston within two winks.  That's how fast it all came and went.  I look back on the year and think, "Man, that was the longest year of my life," but then I think, "Whoa, where'd that year go?"

Since being home most everyone has been wondering about China.  So here's the synopsis (sorry for the non detail and vague pictures, but it's to protect the long term workers in China... I don't really want to screw up their ministry).

We started in Central China (somewhere with a Chinese name) to do a cultural exchange at an area college.  We learned about Chinese culture in the morning and in the afternoon offered our services as English speakers to the English majors (to practice theirs on us).  We learned how to do Chinese calligraphy (I stunk at it, so i ended up just drawing pictures of my dog... who was really happy to see us, by the way), paper cutting, embroidery, Mandarin lessons (I used some of it on the guy at the Chinese food restaurant in our home town when he handed us our take out chicken wings.  He was so excited that he kept talking, then I had to tell him I didn't understand him... I had exhausted all my Mandarin.), and tea ceremonies. 

From there we made friends and ate in the cafeteria A LOT, as it was the cheapest dining around.  Some people had the opportunity to share Jesus with some of the students, but we had to be very careful in this setting as there are many monitors (we call them snitches) which are highly regarded positions in the college.

After two weeks there, our team  (O'Phun, minus Josh), prepared for a strenous hiking trip to area villages.  It's uncommon to be able to sleep in villagers homes (as the government forbids it), except for where there are no hotels.  So we lightened our load by handing off a duffle bag full of stuff to team Salt (THANKS AGAIN!!) and psyched ourselves up for the long ten days.  We knew we'd be sweaty and stinky without a shower, and so these were things we accepted, and prepared for (yay baby wipes!)

We lost Lynette to a family visit in Tokyo (she would have been miserable hiking with her bug net and all of the extra gadgets she had to ward off bugs).  So we were down to 6.  But then we added a guy who came straight from the States.  He'd heard about this opportunity to go into the boonies of China but didn't have anyone to go with, so this was his chance. 

Turns out, this 24 year old guy was a pastor, and was a total extrovert, and had prepared to evangelize China.  Our leader came in the night before we left and debriefed us... we were going to pray in the villages.  We wouldn't really be able to communicate with the people as they spoke a different language from Mandarin.  And the girl going with us didn't speak much english either in order to translate for us.  Hmm... and to top it off, our little guide didn't like to hike.  So all the mental preparation spent on the hike, fell by the wayside as we hopped into a bus to get to our first village.  We visited schools and prayed.  That's what we did. 

As we know, prayer changes things in the heavenlies, and we felt the Holy Spirit in these places where we couldn't share Him verbally.  We bussed to the next location, and then "hiked" (walked down the road) to the third stop, where we did home visits.  We began singing praise songs in one woman's home, and she began to cry, not because she knew the words, but because of the presence of God.  At our final stop (which we bussed to as well), we visited school and did some prayer walking.

It was truly a good foot to end the race on.  All year we'd had the opportunity to speak with people, evangelize, read scripture with them, but here we were left with none of those devices.  Our goal: pray.  Pray for the villagers, for the school children, for China.  Break stuff over this nation.  China has a very strong spiritual air to it.  Between ancestral worship and the one child policy(forced tubal ligations, abortions, murder of newborns), there is a huge spirit of death, and meaningless of human life over China.  These people need to know their true identity in order to give their lives meaning.  Foreigners who come in to just hug, and visit for a couple of days do a major work.  Their presence alone in these remote areas shows the locals how much their Savior cares for them (even if they don't know Him yet).  It sounds like we didn't do much, but I disagree.  I think we did a work that we may never see the ROI (return on investment) on, but someone else will.  Please pray for the long term workers over in China... they are the ones that are reaping the harvest!

So, without the hiking we ended up with a little more down time on our hands.  Time that we spent sharing with our new team member.  We didn't always see eye to eye on some issues, but I realized how much i've changed over the year.  I used to be so quick to let people know that i was right and they were wrong.  I used to decide not to like someone if they disagreed with my point of view, or were very vocal about their view.  I used to choose to be right over choosing to love.  So I didn't have to win arguements, and we could agree to disagree (also things I was able to do with team O'Phun).  Grace... Those who have been forgiven much, forgive.  O'Phun spent hours around fires and lazy susans debriefing our year.  And we realized how much we were going to miss fires and lazy susans to talk around.  (sniff, sniff).

At the end of ministry our team flew up to Beijing for a little tourist fun!  The Summer Palace, Tienamen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall.  (BTW... if you ever want to visit, prepare yourself for the spitting, the dirt, babies pooping on the streets, and vendors charging 80% more than the actual value of items).

So, there's the synopsis of China.  I'll make sure to write about debrief in Hong Kong, and life in Boston (or as we like to say Baastan).  Oh, and we told the college students that we can't get into Haavad (Harvard to the non-Bostonian) because all the Chinese are there. :).... (remember, be unoffendable!)

So this is our last day in Bangkok, Thailand and I'm trying to tie up some loose ends, that is if my computer will stop erasing my blogs! (There's one thing I've learned on the Race… Satan even tries to screw with us by erasing blogs… he knows that blogging is a big deal in the Kingdom).

First off, Scott and I sent a couple packages out from the Bangkok post office (they'll get to my parents house in a couple of months… we'll be home before they are).

Next, we got our last Thai massage yesterday (2 hours long, and worth every penny, or baht, I should say).

We've finally taken two nights away from our team at a hotel. Unfortunately it's the same hotel that the World Race is using to hold it's debriefs so we're constantly faced with other members of A, B, C, and the new D squad. The D squanders left on Sept 15^th and have just finished their first month away from the States, and they keep walking up to us as if we're celebrities. We'll introduce ourselves and they'll say, "yeah, I know who you are". This is a bit of a strange experience.

Our new team, Lynette, Leah, Alissa, Amy, Rusty, Scott, and I held our first debrief together with Jerry Goode. We gave him all the contact information for our time in the Philippines. We told him how much we loved the contacts we made, how excited we are for teams going into the Philippines, and how great it was to be on a team that has so much grace for one another. I mean, we all have bad days. I like that I can have a bad day, and still have people like me the next day. I'm sure the rest of the team feels the same way. For this reason I'm ready to finish the race strong.

This is because we've recently found out that this team mixture will finish the Race together. We can sit together, debrief with each other, and talk about our expectations for one another, and still like eachother… yay! I know this group of girls is one that I'll be keeping in contact with over time.

On a final note, there's one last thing I need to do.

And that is…. Sign off.

That's right, you read that right.

Sadly, when we arrive in China we'll need to sign a "no blogging" form. So that's it, all those hours of typing and picture taking, and it all boils down to a final month of NOTHING. Weird, huh? If you've followed me all year this blog seems somewhat anti-climactic.

I mean there are minimal parting thoughts, not much being imparted, and no pictures to show for all of it. All I can say is… go back and read my old blogs. There's so much that I've learned this year, that putting all together into one blog wouldn't do this year justice. There are so many places we've gone that putting in a few pictures wouldn't show where I've really been this year.

From the dumps to the wonders of the world. From the Atlantic, to the Pacific and everything in between. And ending in one of the largest countries in the world. And what will I have to show for it. Well, I can tell you for sure, it won't be blogging. And I won't even be able to check to see that you've commented (as I can't go to the world race website at all).

I know I'll have pictures, and I have memories, as well as journal entries. But you won't know any of it, until I get back to the States.

You can still contact me though. I will be able to communicate through email.

Swedishflwr1013@netscape.net

Even if you can email, you still have to be very careful with what you write to me. In fact, I'd hold off talking about Jesus or God. The Chinese government will be reading all my emails sent and received. I'll be pretty vague about what I'm doing in China, or probably not tell you at all.

One thing is for sure… I'll be back on American soil in 40 days. So even without blogging and receiving vague emails, you'll at least know that I'll be within reaching distance in a little over a month.

Again I want to thank all of my supporters. Without you, and your faithfulness, this life changing wild ride would not have been possible. I continue to pray blessings over your lives. As our future looks like we'll be continuing on this path of missions, I encourage you to continue to support us through our Adventures in Missions account (at least for now). We may be going home to Boston for the holidays and for a time of "regrouping" and "alone time" (this only means that we won't be living in 24/7 community like the World Race), but we're pretty sure we're called to go back out on the mission field shortly. We've already agreed to head to Swaziland for the summer of '08 to help with World Race training, so we'll need the support.

Again, we've appreciated all of the support you've given us. We know that we live such an amazing life, and we have been thoroughly blessed and recognize how much you've given to make this happen! I know this life is charmed!

So with a little sadness, I'm signing off linneamolgard.theworldrace.org. I'll be back in 40 days!

So we celebrated Leah's birthday in an interesting way (she said is was ok).  All she'd mentioned is that she wanted to go to an island for her birthday... so we did.  It just happened to be a little slice of American history, that's all.

Corregidor Island.  The American (and Filipino) military had their last stand here in defense of the Philippines.  This is where the Japanese defeated the troops and took over the Phillipines (for about a year during WWII).  But this is also where the US forces finally regained control, and eventually turned the islands over to Filipino rule (and total freedom).

The day started early with an 8:15am boat ride over to the island in Manila Bay.  We hopped on a bus to receive our guided tour.  We ate our included lunch on the island, and finished the tour with a light and sound show in the  Malinta tunnel.

We had already planned on having Leah's birthday meal at the Burdick's house (we totally invited ourselves over, the last act of shamelessness in the Philippines by our team).  Kim provided a Mexican fiesta, and a wonderful graham cracker mango cake (YUMM).

What a great day for a birthday.  The news was that there was to be a typhoon on the way... but the skies stayed clear for our journey.  A special island birthday.

Back in Bangkok... yet again.

Our stay in the Philippines was amazing.  Looking back on the month, I'd say that my team challenged me (in a good way), the new ministry of set up was refreshing, and the contacts we met along the way made me think about what I've really learned in the last 9 months.

We've experienced God's provision to it's fullest extent throughout the months.  In Mexico, we lived in our tents and had the pastor's wife cooking the best food we've eaten all year.  In Nicaragua, God provided an oasis in the dumps (a little piece of heaven on earth).  In Peru, we lived at the base of one of the highest mountains in the world, and even got a chace to climb to it's base camp (who can say they've done that?).  When we arrived in Buenos Aires we bunked in the world's most awful hostels, but it just happened to be right around the corner from a daily feeding ministry that ran out of a church basement. 

Mozambique offered some of the most challenging yet affirming conversations for me... a confirmation from the Lord that my heart really is for women.  In Swaziland, I had my worst case of diarrhea, but we were celebrating Scott's birthday and had gotten a hotel room that night... with a PRIVATE bathroom!  God provided for another man during our stay in South Africa.  While God had given us a beautiful guesthouse and "parents" for the month, He'd also used us to save another man's life (He provided life for that man).  In Thailand, Scott and I were given the opportunity to have a new team dynamic, which seemed to come at a sort of breaking point.  That provision came with perfect timing. 

And during our time in the Philippines, we found a community of American missionaries... a high school with American youth (I'm kind of attached to teens, and to high school athletics in general), and contacts who wish to be fully involved in getting World Race teams to Manila (and Mindanao).  But God provided something even more interesting; a venue for people to be asking me questions about my experiences this year.  People who genuinely want to know what the World Race has done to change me.  Their favorite question seemed to be "What have you learned this year?" 

That's a loaded question.  With many different answers.  For sure I've learned a lot about different cultures, different people groups, different religions, different communities and families.  But the key word is different.  And this applies to the people on the Race with me.  I've learned a lot about grace.  And using it in order to understand and respect our differences.

God  created us in different bodies, with different personalities, driven by different hormones, born into different backgrounds, with different intelligences, with different talents and giftings.  And He did it all with an amazing purpose... to show us how much grace He's given to us, and to have us use that same grace to give to one another.  Somehow, this translates into love.  The connection is there, I'll leave it to you to find it.

So while we've been gallovanting the globe (some of you wishing to live vicariously through us... but only during the good times), we've been doing much more than just sight-seeing.  We've been experiencing God at some pretty basic levels.  Grace seems so basic.  But why can't we exercise it that basically?  What I've found in my own life is that anytime I practice it my ego takes a backseat... my right to be right gets offended so quickly.

Just because I've learned how to respect and be challenged by others who are different from me doesn't mean that I don't try to unlearn this grace.  But that's when I'm operating out of my own strength.  which would lead me to want the Holy spirit in my life that much more... because when the Holy Spirit takes the wheel I tend to exhibit more of His fruits.  And living with fruit is what energizes (even on a basic level, fruits offer the carbs you need, not the carbs you want).

Will I ever arrive in the grace department?  Probably not.  But I've come a long way since leaving the States.  Sometimes I even think first before I speak.