How do you feel? That's the big question that people have been asking and I guess I've been asking myself, too. I feel really blessed and cared for by God. Not just through this week but over the last 3 years. Specifically, about these days. . .
Thursday was our first big event. We had an open house at the training school. Everyone who had any connection to the cadets' training was invited. About 20 or so came. Ilona Rasa-Trupa, Dana and the cadet ladies put the food together. Wonderful Latvian treats. Thanks to them for all their work. Don't think the men and I were lazy, though. We were at Riga 1 setting up for commissioning. Commissioners Poke and Kristina Frisk (Chief Secretary) were with us for all 4 days. After the open house, we went with Goran and Chris to Lido (you'll hear that name often, too) to go over the plans for the rest of the week. It was an excellent first day of our big Commissioning!
Friday was an especially sacred day. We came back to the training school for the Covenant Service. This was a private meeting, only the cadets, Larssons, Pokes, K. Frisk, me and translators – Guna and Dana, along with Sergejs wife, Aižan. The program was simple but moving. Three testimonies helped focus our thoughts. Interesting that they all shared a common theme – fathers. Kristina and Guna talked about their calling and their fathers' encouragement. I talked about God's commitment to us during difficult days and shared about my parents. Each of us were able to testify to God's faithfulness to us. A good message for the cadets to hear at this important hour. I could sense the cadets were starting to feel the seriousness of the next hours/days in their lives. Already they were starting to act like officers/leaders, instead of cadets/students. I noticed it most in Arturs as he translated for Guna, in an almost professional manner and then as he, along with Ilona, movingly read a beautiful poem about God's call on Abraham's life. (I might post it later.) We sang a beautiful song, tune by Paul Fleeman - “The Cross is not greater than His grace”. (If you want a copy of the melody, I'll be happy to share.) Then Chris prayed a powerful prayer over each of the cadets. Vic Poke challenged them with some words from scripture, then on to the covenant signing. What an amazing privilege to sit at the table as they signed and witness this commitment with my own signature. We ended with one of my favorite songs to sing with them, “Blessed Assurance” to the new tune, of course!
Of course, we couldn't be serious all day. After lunch at, you guessed it, Lido – we went to Riga 1 for commissioning rehearsal. I have never enjoyed this part of commissioning but we did OK. They listened most of the time and Vic was sure of what he wanted, so that made it easier. We also laughed a lot. The day ended with dinner at the Steak Haus with our guests from Sweden. This included Brittmarie Karlsson and Lisbeth Mansson. Brittmarie has been a good support to me and our training from the beginning. Lisbeth is the officer appointed to take my place. She came to see more about us. (more later) Of course, after dinner we had to have coffee and dessert so Chris and I took charge. We went to the Hotel Latvia to see the view from the top and finished the evening with nice fellowship and treats in the hotel. A long but important day.
Saturday morning we all were back at the Training school to celebrate with the families and special friends of the cadets. We also invited Henrik and Lisbeth to join us. I'm so glad they were able to come for the weekend. Of course, as soon as Lisbeth saw we could use a little help, she joined in. Thanks, Lisbeth! The cadets were each given 4 tickets for this luncheon. One of these was for the person they had chosen to receive the Silver Star. A special recognition for the parent or significant person who had helped them through life. It was so much fun to get to see and meet the family of the cadets. Sergejs' sister and father were lovely. Velta, Ilona and Andrejs/Irina had children there and for V. and I. grandchildren, too. Arturs' mother was with him. In addition, they all invited people who had been spiritual parents for them. It was beautiful and inspiring to hear their stories. Some of those present are not Christians and we pray that some word or the simple witness through the life of the cadets will draw them to Christ. I have to mention the lunch – good homemade Latvian food. I was a happy girl! I rushed home from there because I had to write a speech for the evening. A phrase that stuck with me from my scripture reading during the week had been 1 Corinthians 2:16b “We have the mind of Christ”. I prayed that my words would reflect the mind of Christ. And so we moved into the actual Commissioning and Ordination Service. So far I had remained fairly unemotional – or perhaps my emotions were held in check until later. There are Vic and I standing in front of a hall full of people as Janis Mucinieks marches in proudly bearing the flag. Then it's the cadets turn – Arturs first. Unexpectedly my eyes welled up as he came down the stairs. I would have held it together but Vic chose that moment to lean over and say “This must be a very special moment for you.” And there you go...I didn't lose it but only barely. The cadets were so excited marching in, some could barely keep from flying through the hall. Fortunately, that made me laugh and I got a grip. A bit later I got to present the cadets to the TC and the Army in Latvia. I'll put that talk up later. Then Sergejs, Arturs and Dace did a fun drama. That followed with the cadets reciting the doctrines and then the commissioning/ordination. We had chosen a special verse for each cadet and that was shared during their individual commissioning moment. Vic gave a short challenge to the cadets and the congregation and we had a good time of response and prayer. And then...finally the cadets had snuck out the back door and reentered wearing their red 'captains' trim. We greeted them loudly and they were presented with arm loads of flowers and gifts. Then a nice reception, organized by Ilona RT and catered by Katrina. Sunday was a day of worship. Sarah and her team did a great job and we sang the best songs! The theme for the meeting was 'Called to be holy'. 2 cadets and Ros Poke gave their testimonies based on that theme. Arturs, Velta and Ilona did a hysterically funny drama - who taught them to act?! Vic preached a clear message to all of us about the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to live a holy life. There was a great response and I believe some important decisions were made. Following the meeting more food and fellowship, put together by the same great team. One sad thing - it was time to say good bye to Guna, Andre and Manuela. And we were done.
For me the rest of the day included lunch, at another Lido (!), with Smiths, Andersens, Ilsters and Dace. Then a nap, followed by a good time at Ilsters' house with them and Andersens. I had to really say goodbye to Henrik and Lisbeth this time. Who knows when we will meet again. But, I finish for tonight with my new life theme “We'll always have blogs!”
Check out this wonderful website for Ieva's pictures from the week.(check out her other pics, too) http://ieva.class8.be/main.php?g2_page=3 Specific thanks and probably more reflection will come later.