By Wisdom A House Is Built

The turf houses in Iceland are over 1,000 years old. They were built to be well-insulated because of Iceland's climate.

The foundation was made of flat stones and the frame was made of wood strong enough to hold the load of the turf. The wood was obtained from the birch trees that one time grew on 30 percent of the island.

The turf was then fitted around the wooden frame in blocks, often in two layers.

The floors were covered with wood, stone, or earth.

When I looked at these turf houses, I saw a great deal of wisdom in which they were built and understanding in which they were established.

"By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding it is established."

Proverbs 24:3 (NIV)

Enjoy The Fruits Of Your Labour

After taking pictures of the Icelandic horses, I spotted two riders and their trusty sheep dog herding the first group of sheep.

The corral looked like a large wagon wheel with a circular pen in the middle and divided triangular-shaped pens outside of it.

The sheep are first herded into the circular pen to be sorted out by the sheep farmers, their families and friends into the triangular-shaped pens. Each sheep has a tag in its ear, so they are sorted out according to these tags. (The different tags represent the different farmers in the area.)

The roundup is one of Iceland's oldest cultural traditions that dates back to the days of the early settlers.

The sheep in Iceland roam freely in summer to graze, so roundup is a big job because many of them were grazing in the mountains. And there are a lot of mountains in Iceland! Here is a picture of  a lone sheep Brian and I spotted high in one of the mountains. (I wondered if the farmers found that one.)

Afterward the roundup, there is always a big celebration of singing, dancing, eating and drinking. The Icelanders enjoy the fruits of their labour, which the Bible says are gifts from God.

"And people should eat and drink

and enjoy the fruits of their labour,

for these are gifts from God."

Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NLT)

Here is me in the black jacket and beige pants watching all the excitement!

Has God Not Given The Horse Its Strength?

In September of every year farmers hop on their horses to round up their sheep to sort them.

It is a two-day event in which Brian and I had the pleasure of attending.

The first thing I did when I got there was take pictures of the Icelandic horses.

I couldn't believe the variety of colours and patterns I saw in these horses.

I loved how their shaggy hair covered their eyes.

They were also very friendly and gentle in nature to touch.

They loved being caressed and talked to.

These horses originally came from Norway from the first settlers in the 10th century.

Since settlers often made a stop over in Ireland, Scotland and the Shetland Islands, the Icelandic horses are a blend of many different breeds.

However since as early as the 10th century, it has been forbidden to import horses to Iceland.

A horse that leaves Iceland can never return.

I liked that these horses were small. I wouldn't have been nervous at all to ride one. I really wanted to! They were so cute!

Even though these horses are small in height, they are very strong, powerful and tough.

"Have You given the horse its strength

or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?"

Job 39:19 (NLT)

Whoever Trusts In God Will Be Kept Safe

In the darkness of the night on March 13, 1948, a British fishing trawler, the Epine GY7 wrecked east of Dritvik.

The steel remains of this vessel can still be seen on the black beach of Djupalonssandur.

Sadly, fourteen lives were lost that fateful day and only five were saved.

Miraculously, one man was washed up on the beach still alive. The other four, who tied themselves to the rigging of the ship, were rescued by an Icelandic rescue team. A line was shot out which the remaining crew tied to the mast. They were then brought to shore in a rescue seat.

Upon a formal investigation, it was determined the Captain of the ship was at fault.

But as God's children, we can put our trust completely in God as the Captain of our lives. He will never let us down.

"But whoever trusts in the Lord

will be kept save."

Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)

God touches The Mountain, And They Smoke

"He looks at the earth,

and it trembles

who touches the mountain,

and they smoke."

Psalm 104:32 (NIV)

On April 14, 2010 Dyjafjallajokull erupted in Iceland.

As a result of the eruption, the family farm of Porvaldseyri, located at the foot of the mountain, was buried in enormous amounts of ash just when their crops were sprouting and their sheep were lambing.

The evacuation process for this family was frantic and furious, and the recovery process was challenging and stressful. Incredibly, the farm today thrives, as the ash provided much nutrients to their soil.

Even large areas of northern Europe were covered in ash when Dyjafjallajokull erupted, causing chaotic disruption to air travel for six days, as twenty countries in northern and western Europe had to close their air space to commercial jet traffic, affecting ten million travellers.

God Made The World Jubilant For Us To Enjoy

The vibrant purple flowers of the Alaskan Lupine can be seen throughout Iceland. It was introduced in 1945 to the  lowlands of southwest Iceland to add nitrogen to the soil and combat erosion.

The Fly Amanita is an attractive-looking, but inedible red mushroom with white spots that grow naturally in the wilds of Iceland.

The Icelandic wheat grows well in Iceland because of the long hours of daylight in the cool summers.

In God's Word, it says that everything He created expresses jubilancy----great happiness and triumph.

"Let the fields be jubilant,

and everything in them."

Psalm 96:12 (NIV)

Prayers For Safety Rescues People From Mortal Danger

In 1973 a United States Navy Douglas Super DC-3 crashed on the southern shores of Iceland's black sand beach in Solheimasandur.

The plane was forced to land because of severe icing.

All crew member survived the crash. (I wonder if someone prayed.)

"And He did rescue us from mortal danger,

and He will rescue us again.

We have placed our confidence in Him,

and He will continue to rescue us.

And you are helping us by praying for us.

Then many people will give thanks

because God has graciously answered so many prayers

for our safety."

2 Corinthians 1:10-11 (NLT)

However, the plane wasn't so lucky. The wreckage still remains, but the wings and tail have been removed.

The remaining fuselage is filled with numerous bullet holes and is crumbling from erosion and decay.