Current happenings

So, it's 1:00 pm and we are waiting (me not so patiently) for our lunch to arrive - pizza delivery. It's 30 minutes late and we have a tight schedule the rest of the very long day. I'm ready to cancel but they don't answer their phone! Other wise, things are going OK! Well, that's if you consider we arrived to heat coming from only one register and it's sooooooo cold! And, both of our delegates are sick with flu/cold. But, otherwise, viss kartiba (all is well!)

The cadets are away for the week in Lithuania - without me! I have not heard from them and was a bit worried that they were not doing well. The only message I had yesterday was 'It's OK:)' What does that mean? So, I was a bit restless - wondering. I sent a text message to Ilona, but she didn't reply. That made me even more concerned - was something wrong and they didn't want to tell me? (Yes, I realize that makes me sound paranoid) By accident, one of the Assessment conference delegates called Ilona's mobile. I got to talk to her and her report is this: 'The bed is good, the food is good, the fellowship is good, everything is good! Now you can sleep tonight!' She knows me!

(pizza update - we cancelled and had the salads and sandwiches planned for supper. Now to figure out what to have for supper! Have I said, I love this job?)

Just a quick note. Please pray for us this weekend. We have our candidate assessment conference Friday evening-Saturday evening followed by Candidates' Board. We have 2 delegates/prospective candidates. Not many, you think? Well, with the 10 candidates we had last year (= 6 cadets, 4 Lieutenants) and these 2 plus several possible for our next conference we have a pretty high percentage of our people looking for ministry. We only have 7 corps! Thanks for you prayers and I'll try to post a report later.

Words for today

'It's all about You, Jesus

And all this is for You

For Your glory and Your fame

It's not about me

As if You should do things my way (!)

You alone are God and I surrender

To Your ways'

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

I would feed you with the finest of the wheat

and with honey from the rock I would SATISFY you."

Psalm 81:10 and 16

European Training Leaders Conference - Oslo, Norway

etln norway0207

I'm trying something new with this photo link. Let me know what you think...beware - lots of photos!

This was my 3rd training leaders' network conference. It was another good one! We had inspiring teaching from Lyn Pearce, IHQ and Clive Adams, Norway. Both have a gentle and calming spirit and I think it's what we all needed. We, of course, also had lots of good fun, fellowship and food! Although I only meet most of the other training leaders once or twice a year, they have become good friends and a wonderful source of support and encouragement. I came home with lots of new ideas, more books to add to my 'to read' list and also, refreshed and blessed. You can tell by the photos that I loved being in Norway, too. It's a place where the truth of God as Creator is obvious and beautiful.

I am supposed to be studying Salvation Army history and I also have a lot to post about from the last few weeks. All that will wait. I need to write about today. I slept in and fully planned to start right in on my studying. But, as I was getting ready I felt urged to spend some extended time reading the Word. I am reading Revelation and 2 Samuel currently and finished reading a chapter of each then turned to my devotional book, "Disciplines for the Inner Life" (http://www.deeperlife.org/products.html) and read this prayer:

'I pause, Father, to commune with you. Help me to be still and know that you are God. Ease awhile any tense muscles or strained nerves or wrought-up emotions. Let me be relaxed in body and calm in spirit so that I may be more responsive to your presence. I pause, Father, to commune with you...Amen' (Roy E. Dickerson in "Daily Prayer Companion")

I knew that even though my 'to do' list is long and causing me a lot of stress, I needed to spend time in silence with the Lord - I needed to be aware of His presence and find His peace. At the same moment I was listening to The Sparks, "Flesh and Blood" (thesparks.com) and Rebecca began singing "Be Still and Know that I am God". I know that some would say that was just circumstantial but I believe it was the answer to my prayer. My Psalm for this week is the 91st: " 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Coincidence? No, a faithful and loving God who showed Himself to me today.