And so we begin...

I have so many things I should be doing to get ready for commissioning but I need to write to you who have been our prayer support and encouragement throughout training. We are coming to the the big ending - the commissioning and ordination of the cadets. It's what we have been heading toward since January, 2006 - well, really since before I came to Latvia. Would you join us in prayer that this weekend will be God honoring and that His plans will be fulfilled? I know that you have already been praying. How do I know? Because I'm relatively calm just 1 day before the events begin. If you know me, you know that's a miracle! I have peace about the details and about the big things. Several people have stepped up and taken much of the responsibility on themselves. I'll write about you all later. We do have potential for disaster in a couple of areas, but I'm not worried. It will all work out. So thank you for praying - past, present and future. And can I ask you to comment if you will be praying for us this weekend? Some of you (many of you) have never made a comment. Don't be scared! It's not painful and it's not a commitment to anything, including spam. It would be a great encouragement to me and to the cadets if we heard from you. And if you can't bear to put your note in public, an email will do.

When this is all over I'll probably do some reflective writing about the whole process. For now I'll just update on what's been happening. I don't really want to talk about last things, but that's my reality right now. Nearly every day there is a last something or other. Today was the last day of classes with the cadets and even more significant, my last opportunity to speak to them on my own. For 2 days we've been studying 'covenant' (thanks to Kelly and Linda for great notes!) Today I was able to share my own thoughts about the officer covenant. Maybe I'll write a bit about that later, too. We ended the day with a picnic and singing. The food and fellowship were great - a good ending. Last weekend I decided to rest a bit. Friday evening Ieva and I went for a long walk. She showed me some nearby parks I'd never seen before. And as usual, we had a good talk along the way. The next day I spent with the Smiths. We went for 'brunch' at coffee nation, moved on toward another coffee shop for coffee and then to see "Shrek 3". We ended with some time in a park. A lovely, warm and pleasant day together. Sunday, I went to Riga 2 for my last visit there. Always, it's a good place to be. I made a treat for coffee after church - ice cream sandwiches. And my dear friends there presented me with beautiful roses and chocolate. And so the farewells begin...
(Photos and videos from this week. Memories I want to keep!)

last days 1

cadets singing