Good things have happened this week. So far, I have made a new friend when I went out walking Sunday morning who is American. We live close together so plan to walk together in the future. It was fun talking to her. She has lived here since 2012.

On Sunday I taught my first church lesson in Swedish, mostly. It went well and I got lots of good feedback. Maddie, my friend from Mexico, enjoyed it too. After church she and I spent time together talking, which I enjoy very much. Her visa expires in March so she has to make some decisions now. Switch jobs, countries or go home. I am so glad we met she keeps my spirits up.

Enjoying my new apartment immensely. It is comfortable, quiet and just right (lagom). I love having a shopping center so close but miss the center of town. Still it is very good! I have everything I need close by and Interesting places to yet explore. I just discovered some new places I can go this morning.

I changed my address at Skatteverket (IRS equivalent). This felt strange as in the US we would do that through the post office. I waited in line for well over an hour, outside, just to get in. I am actually surprised I got in because it was nearing quitting time and I was still outside. Suddenly the line started moving quickly and they got through everyone. I was impressed but wonder why it didn’t happen earlier.

I am also on my way to getting a bank account!!! With the help of Susanne’s daughter, Emilia, I should have an account by the end of the week and a card by next week. Then I need to ask Dan to move over some money for me. This make it easier to pay rent and other things.

I started putting together my CV/resume so I can start looking for a job. My friend Mia will help me translate it to Swedish and has been very complimentary. It was a struggle at first. What should I put down? I haven’t had a “job” for awhile. With the help of my wonderful friends and their confidence in me, I started. I realized I have many skills and talents which can be useful. Now to find a place I want to work or create my own.

This week I get to spend time with friends! Yesterday the missionaries came for lunch and I went to a political meeting in town with my new friends. Today I will be meeting a friend for lunch at IKEA and do some shopping. My friend Maria will come over the weekend. The social calender is filling up, which I enjoy.

I am also starting a couple of classes this week. One is Relationship Reset to help me get a clearer focus on what I want and help me get rid of some of the baggage I am carrying. Healing the hurt. The second class is a business class to help me create a business I love and get over fears and doubts surrounding building a business. Both will be great!

I started exercising again. I look forward to feeling better about myself. I am building my self confidence and learning how to value myself. I do appreciate all the comments and encouragement I receive. For the time being I am leaning on them to help me get stronger. You may not realize the impact it has but it does so much for me.

Every day I discover new things I can do and that I can learn to do new things. I am creating a new life and it is uncomfortable at times. In the end when I look back I am sure I will realize I have accomplished something so much better than I could have imagined. It will take time and not always go according to plan but it will be how it supposed to be!