Tuesday, January 31, 2006
A personal miracle
This morning during our prayer time, I was suddenly hit with a feeling of total inadequacy because of my inability to communicate effectively. I can teach with translation but I can't understand people's hearts as they pray and testify. I can't really talk to them about what is burdening them or about what areas they need to develop. Our conversations are limited to a few simple and not very clear words. How can I possible train them to become competent and mature leaders of Salvation Army corps? Well, that all hit me at once as I sat in prayers not understanding what people were saying and especially their prayers in both Russian and Latvian. So, rather than sit and feel sorry for myself I opened to the scripture we had been reading and searched for something for me. Psalm 145:14" The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." I focused just on those 9 words, as I was feeling very bowed down (over). I practiced lectio divina - saying those words over and over and finding emphasis in one or two as I repeated this line. ( http://www.bhsu.edu/artssciences/asfaculty/dsalomon/ld/lectio.html )After a few moments, I was silently praying to the Lord 'lift me up.' As prayer time ended, I did feel my burden lighten. But, here is the amazing and wonderful God-moment...as I was saying "class starts in 15 minutes", Velta said "We need to pray for Evie". I don't know if she was watching my face or if the Lord sent her a word for me, but I know the Lord was doing something through her. And she had everyone gather around and lay hands on me as she prayed. Honestly, I have no idea what most of her words were, but I believe the Spirit gave her the words and certainly the inspiration - as I was calling to Him, He heard me and answered.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
A week (or 2) in the life of a training officer
Wow! I’ve been so tired at night that I haven’t done anything, let alone write here! But, I’m starting to get into the routine and this weekend I’m FREEEEEEE! So, here goes a little catch up. It will probably be long again…
The retreat was great. I did a little teaching from a book called Soul Shaping (http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/6w6/6w6114.html) to start our spiritual development program. I’m going to use this book as a guide for teaching, preaching and mentoring. Now, just need to get it translated! Anyway, the cadets love to talk and laugh and pray together. It started at the retreat and 2 weeks later and many hours living with each other, it continues. I frequently thank God for this little (or maybe giant) miracle. With language, cultural and historical differences this is a very special thing for Latvia and the Army. They are developing important friendships which will be invaluable for them and for the future of the work here. This was a very long weekend for Solveiga, as she was the only translator. So, I cut down quite a bit and as they were getting along so well, they did a lot of small group discussion and prayer. I also assigned them some solitary time. We ate a lot and laughed a lot. What more could you ask for from a retreat?
Then classes started. Monday is a light day – house (dorm) meeting and then afternoon electives. Some are in computer classes. One is taking driving lessons and the last one is not yet in anything. I’m trying to set up beginning English classes. They will have lots of choices throughout training, as long as we can afford it and find teachers. Tuesday I teach Salvation Army Principles (‘who are we and why’). Dace has agreed to translate for that class. I’m really enjoying it. This week we watch some of the webcast from the Welcome to the High Council. That was cool. This Tuesday we also had Strategy Force meeting at RHQ. Remember I said Solveiga had a lot of work, well…by Wednesday she was sick and couldn’t come in. And no translator available – first crisis! But these cadets are wonderful! I walked into Doctrine class and said they only had me and would have to figure out how to translate. First they tried Arturs translating to Latvian and Andre to Russian. But then all of them said that was silly – they all understand Russian and only one translation was needed. This was another miracle because in Latvian society there are some issues about the Russian language. But, they showed such grace and goodness (and patience with me.) . Remember the furniture delivered to us last week? Well, an hour into class and a truck showed up to take it. So, class ended and we all became movers. This week Doctrine class got a bit heavy and I’m afraid I overwhelmed them with new terms and too much information. I have to slow it down. Guna (Riga 2 corps leader) is team teaching with me and she’ll teach in Latvian so that will help them. (of course I’ll have no idea what she is teaching.) Wednesday afternoons Sarah and I are team teaching Public Ministry (platform skills) class. So far this one is going fine. I don’t teach on Thursday or Friday this term. I have time to work in the office and set up meetings. Last weekend was our official welcome meeting. It was so good, even though it was the coldest day in decades. I was unbelievably calm and excited! I could feel the Lord working through the prayers of so many people around the world. (more on that subject another day.) It went great and everyone was pleased and I think inspired by the day. (pictures coming) Sunday we met together with Henrik, Lisbeth and our Chief Secretary from Sweden, Royston. It was a nice day. As I said, they love to be together and worship and pray together. By Monday I couldn’t function – so I stayed home and tried to put my house and everything in order. When I sat down to read and pray I was nearly wiped out. The Lord came to me in an amazing way and really restored my soul. As great as the weekend had been, I ended by feeling like I would not be able to last for 20 months doing this. It is wonderful and there are so many miracles happening, but I don’t have that much faith in myself. Anyway, the Lord provided both scripture and music to reach me and reassure me.
This week we were in full swing with classes and the routine. I’m really enjoying studying, teaching and getting to know the cadets. I’m practicing taking one day at a time and doing what I can but trying not to worry or become crabby about it. Not sure I’m always accomplishing that but I am trying and finding much strength. There is much more to tell but there are also 20 more months of writing and life to come. I’ll try to write more often so it doesn’t get so long. Now you know a little about how it’s going and what my routine will be.
The retreat was great. I did a little teaching from a book called Soul Shaping (http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/6w6/6w6114.html) to start our spiritual development program. I’m going to use this book as a guide for teaching, preaching and mentoring. Now, just need to get it translated! Anyway, the cadets love to talk and laugh and pray together. It started at the retreat and 2 weeks later and many hours living with each other, it continues. I frequently thank God for this little (or maybe giant) miracle. With language, cultural and historical differences this is a very special thing for Latvia and the Army. They are developing important friendships which will be invaluable for them and for the future of the work here. This was a very long weekend for Solveiga, as she was the only translator. So, I cut down quite a bit and as they were getting along so well, they did a lot of small group discussion and prayer. I also assigned them some solitary time. We ate a lot and laughed a lot. What more could you ask for from a retreat?
Then classes started. Monday is a light day – house (dorm) meeting and then afternoon electives. Some are in computer classes. One is taking driving lessons and the last one is not yet in anything. I’m trying to set up beginning English classes. They will have lots of choices throughout training, as long as we can afford it and find teachers. Tuesday I teach Salvation Army Principles (‘who are we and why’). Dace has agreed to translate for that class. I’m really enjoying it. This week we watch some of the webcast from the Welcome to the High Council. That was cool. This Tuesday we also had Strategy Force meeting at RHQ. Remember I said Solveiga had a lot of work, well…by Wednesday she was sick and couldn’t come in. And no translator available – first crisis! But these cadets are wonderful! I walked into Doctrine class and said they only had me and would have to figure out how to translate. First they tried Arturs translating to Latvian and Andre to Russian. But then all of them said that was silly – they all understand Russian and only one translation was needed. This was another miracle because in Latvian society there are some issues about the Russian language. But, they showed such grace and goodness (and patience with me.) . Remember the furniture delivered to us last week? Well, an hour into class and a truck showed up to take it. So, class ended and we all became movers. This week Doctrine class got a bit heavy and I’m afraid I overwhelmed them with new terms and too much information. I have to slow it down. Guna (Riga 2 corps leader) is team teaching with me and she’ll teach in Latvian so that will help them. (of course I’ll have no idea what she is teaching.) Wednesday afternoons Sarah and I are team teaching Public Ministry (platform skills) class. So far this one is going fine. I don’t teach on Thursday or Friday this term. I have time to work in the office and set up meetings. Last weekend was our official welcome meeting. It was so good, even though it was the coldest day in decades. I was unbelievably calm and excited! I could feel the Lord working through the prayers of so many people around the world. (more on that subject another day.) It went great and everyone was pleased and I think inspired by the day. (pictures coming) Sunday we met together with Henrik, Lisbeth and our Chief Secretary from Sweden, Royston. It was a nice day. As I said, they love to be together and worship and pray together. By Monday I couldn’t function – so I stayed home and tried to put my house and everything in order. When I sat down to read and pray I was nearly wiped out. The Lord came to me in an amazing way and really restored my soul. As great as the weekend had been, I ended by feeling like I would not be able to last for 20 months doing this. It is wonderful and there are so many miracles happening, but I don’t have that much faith in myself. Anyway, the Lord provided both scripture and music to reach me and reassure me.
This week we were in full swing with classes and the routine. I’m really enjoying studying, teaching and getting to know the cadets. I’m practicing taking one day at a time and doing what I can but trying not to worry or become crabby about it. Not sure I’m always accomplishing that but I am trying and finding much strength. There is much more to tell but there are also 20 more months of writing and life to come. I’ll try to write more often so it doesn’t get so long. Now you know a little about how it’s going and what my routine will be.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Our retreat
Readings for Training Work
Here are 3 separate readings which were part of my usual devotional study this week. How appropriate and inspiring and what a joyful surprise! I’ve had them translated and we will use them this Sunday as the cadets meet for their first worship meeting together with our regional leaders and chief secretary.
Almighty God, in every age you have called out men and women to be your faithful servants. We believe you have now called us to join that great company who seek to follow you. Grant unto us today and always a clear vision of your call and strength to fulfill the ministry assigned to us. We pray in the name of Christ. Amen
O God, you are the fountain of all truth; we ask you to protect your church from all false teaching.
Protect the Church
From all teaching and preaching which would destroy men's faith;
From all that removes the foundations without putting anything in their place;
From all that confuses the simple, the perplexes the seeker, that bewilders the wanderer.
And yet at the same time protect the Church
From the failure to face new truth;
From devotion to words and ideas which the passing of the years has made unintelligible;
From all intellectual fear and laziness.
O God, send to your Church teachers,
Whose minds are wise with wisdom;
Whose hearts are warm with love;
Whose lips are eloquent with truth.
Send to your Church teachers
Whose desire is to build and not to destroy;
Who are adventurous with the wise,
and yet gentle with the simple;
Who strenuously exercise the intellect,
and who yet remember that the heart has reason of its own.
Give to your Church preachers and teachers who can make known the Lord Christ to others because they know him themselves; and give to your Church hearers, who will follow truth as blind men long for light. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(adapted from Prayers for the Christian Year by William Barclay)
Go forth now as God's servant. Remember God's presence often and draw strength from the knowledge that the One who calls and sends also sustains. Amen
Almighty God, in every age you have called out men and women to be your faithful servants. We believe you have now called us to join that great company who seek to follow you. Grant unto us today and always a clear vision of your call and strength to fulfill the ministry assigned to us. We pray in the name of Christ. Amen
O God, you are the fountain of all truth; we ask you to protect your church from all false teaching.
Protect the Church
From all teaching and preaching which would destroy men's faith;
From all that removes the foundations without putting anything in their place;
From all that confuses the simple, the perplexes the seeker, that bewilders the wanderer.
And yet at the same time protect the Church
From the failure to face new truth;
From devotion to words and ideas which the passing of the years has made unintelligible;
From all intellectual fear and laziness.
O God, send to your Church teachers,
Whose minds are wise with wisdom;
Whose hearts are warm with love;
Whose lips are eloquent with truth.
Send to your Church teachers
Whose desire is to build and not to destroy;
Who are adventurous with the wise,
and yet gentle with the simple;
Who strenuously exercise the intellect,
and who yet remember that the heart has reason of its own.
Give to your Church preachers and teachers who can make known the Lord Christ to others because they know him themselves; and give to your Church hearers, who will follow truth as blind men long for light. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(adapted from Prayers for the Christian Year by William Barclay)
Go forth now as God's servant. Remember God's presence often and draw strength from the knowledge that the One who calls and sends also sustains. Amen
Monday, January 16, 2006
Not about training!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Openings Days of the Training School
The Salvation Army Training School in Latvia has officially opened. Here’s a little bit of it all from my perspective. (This is a bit abbreviated from what I just sent to my ‘journal’ friends, so if that’s you, feel free to skip and just look at the pictures.) Last weekend was a bit crazy, running around trying to make everything perfect. I realized that wouldn't happen and so just tried to have it ready. Even that was not quite possible. I remember spending lots of time cleaning cadets' rooms and the rest of the college in Chicago, so that all was spotless. That's what I hoped I could do here, but no. I did get to do a little sweeping and shifting on Monday morning and then decided it was fine. Not up to the Marilyn Arnold test, but OK. I was very calm on Monday amazingly. I had a sense of all of the people praying and a picture of myself just resting on Jesus and not worrying. And I didn't. I had invited the cadets’ corps leaders and the training program committee to join us for dinner and a short program. I'm trying to keep as many people involved as possible. Henrik (RC) couldn't be there but Lisbeth came. Aivis shared some scripture and a few nice thoughts (I think, it was in Latvian). He will be the discipleship coordinator. We had a few get acquainted activities and then I had the cadets spread around the room and 2-3 of us gathered around each and prayed for them - very powerful. Lisbeth ended with a beautiful pastoral prayer.
Tuesday was orientation, of course. Solveiga has to translate everything. Please pray for her. She may have the most demanding job. I'll explain in a minute. We started the day with prayers, which I led. It was a special time. We prayed for each other and many shared their concerns about those they left at home. I think we were much more open than would be normal for the first day of training. Another answer to prayer. Remember we have 3 Latvian speaking and 3 Russian speaking. So - it's always complicated. Some understand English and so they get the original info. More understand Latvian and get the second. That's what we can manage. I thought all would be able to pick up something from one of those languages. But, after an hour Irina came to me and said she didn’t understand anything. I'm glad she came but I have to admit I wanted to cry or scream. I said she would have to sit through the morning and we would try to think of a solution. I slowed down my speech until I nearly put myself to sleep. And afterward I simply walked toward my office and yelled (silently) "Help, Lord!" All I could think of was that I would have to teach each class twice and that nearly sent me packing. On instant messenger was Henrik who asked how I was so I told him! He said he thought he had the answer in one of our temp employees who may be able to be hired, if he is interested. That was a fast answer! He speaks Russian, Latvian and English! The cadets are great. We talked today about the hard things like their finances, uniform wearing and discipline, etc. They were so good about it all, even when it was confusing or they didn't really like the information. Everything is brand new to them. We laughed a lot today, too. Especially when I gave them their work detail assignments. And when the ladies met privately to talk about how we should wear uniform. So, all with the cadets has really been great. Even the language issues are not causing them to be angry or negative, at least not to me. Everyone is working to make this as good as it can be. I have to admit that being the only full-time staff person has been exhausting so far. All of this talking and thinking of every detail and finding every answer is going to wear on me. So, you can pray for me, too!
We did have one big crisis today. Sweden's training college has donated some of their old (not really) furniture to us. Our warehouse arranged for a truck to pick it up and I hoped it would be done before the cadets arrived. No, it came today! I had to cancel afternoon interviews, skip lunch and go. I climbed into the semi-truck and realized there was way too much furniture for us. It got very complicated and very stressful. Lisbeth was with me and trying to keep me from freaking out. The truck driver needed to leave and only wanted to go to my place. Which meant I had to store it all. Of course the cadets were not in, except dear Arturs. So with a few from the warehouse, Arturs, Lisbeth and I, we unloaded a semi truck and took most of it upstairs to the training center. Our friends from Riga 2 also pitched in. The more furniture we got, the more worried I became about what I would do with it all. We had to fill the corps Sunday School room. Before everything got carried into the building our 3 warehouse men left. Lisbeth had already left, so there stood Arturs and I looking out at a snow-covered yard with lots of big pieces of furniture. Panic set in! I called Lisbeth and as soon as she heard my quivering voice she went into action and made Henrik and another guy (on their way to teach a Bible course) come and carry the rest in. By the time they arrived I had calmed down and Arturs and I had started to arrange the furniture we did want. Anyway, a very long, long day and I've left out lots of interesting and frustrating details. But, we ended OK and thank goodness for Lisbeth today. The training center library is filled with furniture and I still have to figure out how to get some of it out. All before our Open House and Welcome next Saturday! And I'm gone all weekend on the cadet retreat. But, it will work if I have to push it all out the window! The good thing is, we got some very nice furniture that we never could have afforded. Just way more than we can ever use!
So, 3 days into it and I love the cadets. And as we have found so many times here, the Lord does provide, sometimes in very surprising ways. I'm looking forward to the retreat and enjoying fellowship with the cadets and also the new lieutenants. I expect the Lord has some wonderful plans for us.
Tuesday was orientation, of course. Solveiga has to translate everything. Please pray for her. She may have the most demanding job. I'll explain in a minute. We started the day with prayers, which I led. It was a special time. We prayed for each other and many shared their concerns about those they left at home. I think we were much more open than would be normal for the first day of training. Another answer to prayer. Remember we have 3 Latvian speaking and 3 Russian speaking. So - it's always complicated. Some understand English and so they get the original info. More understand Latvian and get the second. That's what we can manage. I thought all would be able to pick up something from one of those languages. But, after an hour Irina came to me and said she didn’t understand anything. I'm glad she came but I have to admit I wanted to cry or scream. I said she would have to sit through the morning and we would try to think of a solution. I slowed down my speech until I nearly put myself to sleep. And afterward I simply walked toward my office and yelled (silently) "Help, Lord!" All I could think of was that I would have to teach each class twice and that nearly sent me packing. On instant messenger was Henrik who asked how I was so I told him! He said he thought he had the answer in one of our temp employees who may be able to be hired, if he is interested. That was a fast answer! He speaks Russian, Latvian and English! The cadets are great. We talked today about the hard things like their finances, uniform wearing and discipline, etc. They were so good about it all, even when it was confusing or they didn't really like the information. Everything is brand new to them. We laughed a lot today, too. Especially when I gave them their work detail assignments. And when the ladies met privately to talk about how we should wear uniform. So, all with the cadets has really been great. Even the language issues are not causing them to be angry or negative, at least not to me. Everyone is working to make this as good as it can be. I have to admit that being the only full-time staff person has been exhausting so far. All of this talking and thinking of every detail and finding every answer is going to wear on me. So, you can pray for me, too!
We did have one big crisis today. Sweden's training college has donated some of their old (not really) furniture to us. Our warehouse arranged for a truck to pick it up and I hoped it would be done before the cadets arrived. No, it came today! I had to cancel afternoon interviews, skip lunch and go. I climbed into the semi-truck and realized there was way too much furniture for us. It got very complicated and very stressful. Lisbeth was with me and trying to keep me from freaking out. The truck driver needed to leave and only wanted to go to my place. Which meant I had to store it all. Of course the cadets were not in, except dear Arturs. So with a few from the warehouse, Arturs, Lisbeth and I, we unloaded a semi truck and took most of it upstairs to the training center. Our friends from Riga 2 also pitched in. The more furniture we got, the more worried I became about what I would do with it all. We had to fill the corps Sunday School room. Before everything got carried into the building our 3 warehouse men left. Lisbeth had already left, so there stood Arturs and I looking out at a snow-covered yard with lots of big pieces of furniture. Panic set in! I called Lisbeth and as soon as she heard my quivering voice she went into action and made Henrik and another guy (on their way to teach a Bible course) come and carry the rest in. By the time they arrived I had calmed down and Arturs and I had started to arrange the furniture we did want. Anyway, a very long, long day and I've left out lots of interesting and frustrating details. But, we ended OK and thank goodness for Lisbeth today. The training center library is filled with furniture and I still have to figure out how to get some of it out. All before our Open House and Welcome next Saturday! And I'm gone all weekend on the cadet retreat. But, it will work if I have to push it all out the window! The good thing is, we got some very nice furniture that we never could have afforded. Just way more than we can ever use!
So, 3 days into it and I love the cadets. And as we have found so many times here, the Lord does provide, sometimes in very surprising ways. I'm looking forward to the retreat and enjoying fellowship with the cadets and also the new lieutenants. I expect the Lord has some wonderful plans for us.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
about yesterday and today
P.S. I know there were lots of people praying yesterday and actually it ended up being kind of a fun day, in a masochistic sort of way. I get something done and we would think of 2 more things I should do. My shopping list was updated every 5-6 minutes. I didn't get it all done, but we accomplished a lot and I felt good about it when I left. I also remained fairly pleasant, I think. You'll have to ask Solveiga to be sure. So, thanks for your prayers. Zoe and Graeme and Sian went shopping with me today and helped me get a lot checked off of my list. We also had a great lunch. We had our regional employee 'holiday' party today, too. It was very nice. We had it here and Edgars' sister who is studying catering did an amazing and beautiful job with the food. Then we played a couple of the usual mixer games, always fun in 2-3 languages. The big programming bit was getting us all to try line dancing. Funny how many had to leave suddenly! I tried the first dance - the traditional beginners line dance steps and did all right. I'm a plodder not graceful, but at least I had my feet in the right places most of the time. The second one seemed easy until the music started and the tempo was sooooo fast. I sat right down. Henrik stuck it out and managed to do some of the steps. Hope someone got a picture of that!
Hannah and Patrick, with Angelina, have arrived from Sweden to do regional youth work. They will add a nice flavor to our multicultural staff. More about them later, I'm sure.
Thanks for praying - don't stop, please! Still much to do but at the moment I'm feeling a bit too tired to do much. Maybe I'll go to bed early and work extra hard tomorrow.
Hannah and Patrick, with Angelina, have arrived from Sweden to do regional youth work. They will add a nice flavor to our multicultural staff. More about them later, I'm sure.
Thanks for praying - don't stop, please! Still much to do but at the moment I'm feeling a bit too tired to do much. Maybe I'll go to bed early and work extra hard tomorrow.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Prayer please!
Quick - if you read this would you pray for me (and my support staff, such as it is) today and this weekend. We are in the last hours before the training school opens and of course, there is much to be done, some small crises and I'm trying to hold it all together. I don't doubt that we will be OK on Monday, my prayer is that I will be loving and kind to those around me NOW!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Words for today and the new year
"And where I cannot see - I'll trust"
John 15:16 Jesus says: "you did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last (has eternal significance - Evie's note), so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name."
My promise and Jesus' promise - I can only make mine based on His.
John 15:16 Jesus says: "you did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last (has eternal significance - Evie's note), so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name."
My promise and Jesus' promise - I can only make mine based on His.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Reflections on the season
It's New Year's Day and I've been gathering Christmas decorations to put away. So, anything for a distraction - I decided to write a bit in my blog! Christmas in Latvia (or maybe I should say, Christmas outside of the US) is much quieter and much less stressful. However, at least for me, it is also missing much of what brings me joy - the ministry of helping others. I miss helping with kettle counting and even the occasional playing at the kettle, nursing home caroling and gift distribution, Cook County jail visits, helping sort gifts and various other tasks around the corps. It dawned on me this week, that this is especially the time when I miss the corps fellowship of Oakbrook Terrace. Don't feel sorry for me - I have wonderful fellowship and friendship here. And because there is less activity, I have more time to do some special things. Here are some of the blessings I received during this season - Christmas Day with Smiths and extended family. We had a very nice meal and then walked to Old Riga. Just as we got there the snow came in great big, beautiful flakes and we were soon covered with it and because it wasn't too cold, very wet. But, it was perfect! This year I received many more gifts than I expected - my friends and family were very generous. I also got some creative and fun gifts. A santa scarf, a denim apron, lots of socks and some good music. The day after Christmas I visited Sarah, Aivis and Josh. What a nice day we had, eating their leftovers and lots of sweets, talking and playing with Josh and then a really nice walk around the neighborhood. I'm so grateful for the Smiths and the Ilsters, who take care of me and are real friends.
The week was quiet at work and I had time to catch up on some things to get ready for the training school to open. (next week - AUGH!) I had some eclectic music experiences, all of them special. First, I went to hear "The Messiah" at the Riga Dome Cathedral. It was AMAZING! The acoustics were perfect and the conductor used them beautifully. I met Solveiga and family there, but sat on my own. This is one of my favorite musical experiences of each year and especially this one. I didn't sing along...maybe hummed once in a while! During the Hallelujah Chorus I felt like I was being lifted to heaven - the music rang through the room and seemed to fill every space. I could hardly breathe. And then as they sang "Come unto Him all ye that labor and are heavy laden and he shall give you rest" - I could feel my burden being lifted. It is such a soulful and moving melody and just what I need. For the first time I noticed the difference in the tempo of the next piece. When "His yoke is easy and his burden is light" is sung, the music picks up speed. I thought how much easier it is to move and what energy comes when the Lord carries the burden, instead of me. Handel got it right (duh!)
So from that I woke up the next day and went to Ilsters again. This time to do our own caroling. The Smiths, Andersens, Ilsters and I sang traditional carols together, in English! It was a lot of fun and of course again, included eating lots of sweet things! I got home and raced right back out to go to another concert of a totally different nature - The Harlem Gospel Singers. WOW! I knew that would be good but I had no idea how moved I would be. Maybe because it was from America, maybe because I really miss the African American influence in my life and maybe especially, because it was clearly a Gospel message, I couldn't sit still or keep a tear or two from falling. They sang mostly old gospel songs, so I knew them and this time it was OK to sing along! I did and danced (well, swayed) and clapped, too. Not sure what my neighbors thought (again, I went alone) but I didn't really care. This was my comfort zone and I took full advantage of it.
Last night (New Year's Eve) I spent at Smiths again and we had a nice evening. I brought one of my new CDS, The Chicago Staff Band chorus. Such a blessing, again and not just because I'm in a few of the pieces. I just love the music and the message. We also watched part of the BBC Proms concert, which was fantastic.
I just heard a conductor on some music special I'm watching say, " music is one of the most beautiful things of our life -our spiritual nourishment". That is definitely what has been the primary food for me this Christmas (OK, along with all of the chocolate). I've listened to Christmas music since Thanksgiving, gone to these concerts and through it all I've been blessed by the images of Jesus, the Messiah, Immanuel and my Savior. It's been a lot of fun, too!
The week was quiet at work and I had time to catch up on some things to get ready for the training school to open. (next week - AUGH!) I had some eclectic music experiences, all of them special. First, I went to hear "The Messiah" at the Riga Dome Cathedral. It was AMAZING! The acoustics were perfect and the conductor used them beautifully. I met Solveiga and family there, but sat on my own. This is one of my favorite musical experiences of each year and especially this one. I didn't sing along...maybe hummed once in a while! During the Hallelujah Chorus I felt like I was being lifted to heaven - the music rang through the room and seemed to fill every space. I could hardly breathe. And then as they sang "Come unto Him all ye that labor and are heavy laden and he shall give you rest" - I could feel my burden being lifted. It is such a soulful and moving melody and just what I need. For the first time I noticed the difference in the tempo of the next piece. When "His yoke is easy and his burden is light" is sung, the music picks up speed. I thought how much easier it is to move and what energy comes when the Lord carries the burden, instead of me. Handel got it right (duh!)
So from that I woke up the next day and went to Ilsters again. This time to do our own caroling. The Smiths, Andersens, Ilsters and I sang traditional carols together, in English! It was a lot of fun and of course again, included eating lots of sweet things! I got home and raced right back out to go to another concert of a totally different nature - The Harlem Gospel Singers. WOW! I knew that would be good but I had no idea how moved I would be. Maybe because it was from America, maybe because I really miss the African American influence in my life and maybe especially, because it was clearly a Gospel message, I couldn't sit still or keep a tear or two from falling. They sang mostly old gospel songs, so I knew them and this time it was OK to sing along! I did and danced (well, swayed) and clapped, too. Not sure what my neighbors thought (again, I went alone) but I didn't really care. This was my comfort zone and I took full advantage of it.
Last night (New Year's Eve) I spent at Smiths again and we had a nice evening. I brought one of my new CDS, The Chicago Staff Band chorus. Such a blessing, again and not just because I'm in a few of the pieces. I just love the music and the message. We also watched part of the BBC Proms concert, which was fantastic.
I just heard a conductor on some music special I'm watching say, " music is one of the most beautiful things of our life -our spiritual nourishment". That is definitely what has been the primary food for me this Christmas (OK, along with all of the chocolate). I've listened to Christmas music since Thanksgiving, gone to these concerts and through it all I've been blessed by the images of Jesus, the Messiah, Immanuel and my Savior. It's been a lot of fun, too!
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