These days are funny!

So, now that I've announced I'm leaving I have to admit that I occassionally get hit with a wave of sentimentalism. Last week was a rather difficult week and I was not feeling very sentimental! This week we have Stuart and Marjory Watson from the UK with us. Stuart is teaching an OT prophets course and Marjory is working with the cadets on their voices - she is a professional singer. We started yesterday with a Spiritual Day together. (Well, that's after I stuffed them with Lido food on Saturday evening!) The cadets responded so well to them and we had a great time with worship, teaching and fellowship. I also have had a guest from Sweden, Beatrice. She's a cadet and met us at our Northern Training Conference. She joined us on Sunday. It was one of those days when I felt very proud of our cadets. Not that they did anything special, but just because of who they are. Yesterday afternoon and evening Watsons, Bea and I walked around Riga and had a great time. Today the teaching started. First we had prayers together and for some reason I got a bit emotional, listening to Velta share and as the cadets were singing the worship songs. I know they don't have the most beautiful voices (sorry if any of you are reading this!) but, I thought today "I'm going to miss this sound!" I've grown used to our little 'choir'. During the Bible class, I didn't sit in but from the times I was observing, they were really challenged and eager to understand Stuart's teaching. I'm glad for them that they can have some deeper teaching than what I can provide.

But now the fun has begun! We discovered they were nervous about this 'music clinic', as I've dubbed it. They couldn't stop talking about it - but I also understood that they were excited. They know they can be helped by this, so they are very open. I'm not in there, as much as I'd like to be, because I don't want to make them nervous. But, of course I'm standing outside the door as much as possible! They are having a great time! Marjory is making it fun and they are responding well - all of them! I think they are very impressed that a professional has come to teach them. I know some training schools are too sophisticated for this kind of teaching (you know who you are!) For us, this is important - actually for all officers. We use our voices non-stop and whether we sing or speak, we need to know how to use them properly. There's my soap box for today!