Me - a blogger?!

My friend Eric thinks I'll like this blogging. I've just looked over some blogs from people I know or who know people I know (aka links). Here's what I think - I'm too old (not cool enough) and I'm not sure I want to publish my random thoughts for the world to see. But, I love to write and will try just about anything once.

I've been home (in Latvia) for almost two weeks. I haven't had much time to think about what happened while I was really home (in Chicago/Livonia). I'm so glad I went and I'm glad about the timing. So many significant things happened while I was in the States: Eric & Cathleen's wedding, OBT prayer partner BBQ (OK, not so important to most but a nice moment for me), YouthQuake and Commissioning (more later), Russian cadets with Chris and Steve for the summer (a great connection to here), Joan & Patrick's wedding, Brad & Heidi's farewell (and the whole Bailey gang!). And the most precious - Steve and Ketsia were able to get out of Haiti and I got to spend my last weekend with them. Their circumstances do not seem like a blessing but it was sure an unexpected blessing for me to be able to see them. Thanks to Bob & Anne & Erin for sharing their home.

And because of all of those special events, I got to see hundreds of friends. If I start to name them, I'll be in trouble. But, I have to mention a few who I did have some good conversation and sharing with: Mark & Carolee and the God's Soldier's gang!, Miriam & David & extended family for Shelagh's 40th!, Chrissy S., Comms. Baillie, Bill & Sue, the whole gang at Shays! And some very special prayer moments with Rachel, Jeremy & Rachel, Miriam and Kirsten and my OBT family (Lisa!). Of course, time with my family in Livonia/Dearborn Heights - I'm so glad I could just hang out there and be part of their lives. I really miss them - enough said.

Comm. Baillie asked me what I thought about the Army in the Central - based on Youth Quake. I think there is a great future in our youth, but I've thought that for a long time. I think we need to make sure they are well grounded in their faith, with room for questions and challenge to our traditions. I think I really miss my interaction with the youth/young adults there and realize how much I treasure their openness, encouragement and vision. I think we need to really make visible changes in our traditional way of doing things - i.e. TEC and other 'oldies' like me with seats in the front. I think we have an incredible wealth in our new officers and they need pastoral care, continued support and learning and to be challenged to live out our mission and not just do the job. I think we could use a Steve and Danielle team who would have the respect and ear of the field and our leaders. Someone needs to be the outspoken, edgy one - even if I might not agree with their thinking! I realized how much I really care about what happens in the territory when I was able to look from an outside, uninvolved perspective. Not about the gossip or the system, but about the people and our real mission.

Enough (or too much) for my first entry. Later I'll talk about my return to Latvia and what I've been feeling and thinking.

Ata (bye) - Evie