Wow! I always have good intentions and good ideas for writing here, but somehow it doesn't get done. So, I'm going to try to give you a little bit of what's been happening in the last few weeks. Sorry if it gets long. I've realized that I need this blog for my own personal history so I don't forget any of this amazing and challenging time in my life. I actually got to do some teaching again - SA History, part 2. I'm afraid I get a little too involved in the details and we were taking forever to get past William and Catherine. But finally we laid them both to rest. I even noticed a few tears as I told of Catherine's last days. The cadets and Aldona loved hearing about some of the more unique characters from our early days - Joe the Turk, Elijah Cadman and others. I found it really challenging and gained some new insight as we talked about the development of the Army and how that was related to the culture of the day. Things I take for granted aren't necessarily easily understood here. The industrial revolution, the British colonies and theological issues like Booth and others believing the Kingdom of Heaven would come in their time and be established in London - the center of the world at that time. Or so they thought. We still didn't finish. I have to add one or two more days to bring us to the present. Patverums celebrated their 5th anniversary a few weeks ago and said farewell to Smiths. (Although they aren't actually leaving yet.) It was a great day. See the pictures and report at http://patverums.blogspot.comWe have had some difficult days at the training school. We are nearing the end, nerves are getting edgy, everyone is tired and I believe we are being tested, too. I've taken a lot of the trouble personally and am spending a lot of time praying and sighing. But, in spite of the hard days God has been faithful. One of the ways He has provided for me is through our 'English-speaking' small group. We've been together for a long time now and I realize they are a very important part of my life here. A couple of weeks ago someone suggested that I might need to have a meeting on a Thursday evening. I reacted quickly, without even thinking I said in a very whiny voice "I can't miss small group. I really need them to survive these days!" That was a little 'aha' moment for me. The small group of friends is for me what they are supposed to be - encouragers, prayer partners and great fellowship. So, if any of you are reading this, thanks! Last week we met at Stuart and Cei's home. There were only 5 of us but we had such a fun time. We were silly, laughing, talking non-stop and of course, also sharing and praying together. What a blessing!I also had a little fun - once (at least)- in the last weeks! Graeme, Zoe and I went to see Stomp! I'd never seen them and loved it! I was a bit nervous about the little life Zoe is carrying, but the baby and Zoe seemed to survive! Last Sunday, April 1, was 12 years from the day my mom died. I didn't mention it except once in church to Zoe, but I thought about her a lot during the day. Here is a quote from my devotions that day. "My Father of infinite love, enter and fill me and take control of every area of my life...Let the threads of my life be interwoven with the tapestry of Your eternal purposes." If you know me and my family, you know that the experiences of 12 years ago have definitely been used by God to change our lives and lead us (my family) in new directions, for His purposes. My brother, Steve, took a risk and moved first to Jamaica and then to Haiti and most important, he has become a man of God, trusting even in difficult situations. My sister, Chris, is a confident and loving, pastoral woman who knows what her priorities should be in regards to family and ministry. And here I am - still learning so much about how God wants to work in and through me. One of those areas God still has a lot to do in me is teaching me about contentment. To help me along I just finished a book called "The Contented Soul" by Lisa Graham McMinn. I love the first 1/2 of the book and the last chapter. She spent a little too much time on being contented with the earth. I'm afraid it sounded very suburban, upper middle class to me. But, there are some important truths in the book. Here are a few:I want to be a contented soul that savors life in the midst of its ruin as well as its beauty.
The soul organizes the whole person...living souls grounded in a physical world held together by a spiritual one.
...happiness is linked to and emerges from knowing and loving God, which takes place in our soul. From that place of contented rest we can engage, love and serve others.
...serving or celebrating within a community of others could move me beyond any disappointment of sorrow that had derailed me and could draw me into greater contentment.
What eases my lonely soul more than pampering it is blessing someone else.
Rather than attempting to escape some unpleasant experience, I want to learn to rest in God, knowing that God desires my transformation, and would use this moment to help me see, understand and love more deeply.
As we grow less preoccupied with ourselves we are filled with wonder at the God who created us and all that surrounds us.
Well, you get the idea - this is how I want to live. And that's a bit (a lot) about what's been happening to Evie in Latvia.
(see fun photos below from last night at Riga 1)
