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!