this is it!

Tomorrow at noon I leave RHQ to go to the airport. My flight is at 2:40. And I'll be in Chicago at 7:35 p.m. Lots to write but no time, energy or brain left. I'll try to write soon after I get home. Unless I'm enjoying my vacation too much! Love to all who have lived with me in Riga through this blog.

more last things

Saturday was a great farewell party for the Smiths, Oltermans and me. Thanks to everyone who did the planning and work - Sarah, Dace, Ilona RT, Ieva and Olesja plus a few extras in the kitchen and other places. I'll post pictures and you can also check out Ieva's gallery (see side bar). The pictures describe our fun better than I can. I think it was one of the best farewell parties I've been part of. Lots of food (Latvian - mmmm), games (Latvian - hmmm) and noise (all languages!) Sunday was my last time at Riga 1 and it was a good day. I seemed to attract the kids at the beginning. Angelina and Josh were very interested in what I had in my bag - not very interesting to me. I was holding Josh during the worship time and it hit me "this is the last time I'll sing these songs in Latvian" and got a little weepy. Josh noticed my tears and patted me on the back and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then he went back to clapping and swinging with the music. A little later I gave my testimony and again got a bit weepy (only because Erika was crying!) When I went back to my seat, Josh came over grabbed my hand and put it around his waist for me to give him a hug, held it for a while then went back to playing with Sian. I suggested to Sarah that he has the gift of discernment but she thinks he is a bit young for that. He definitely is very special and very sensitive. One of my favorite memories will be singing "Blessed Be the Name" and feeling like that praise was filling the hall. We didn't have a huge crowd but it sounded like it. It was beautiful and I'm sure the Lord was pleased with our offering. The song ends with this phrase "You give and take away but I will always say 'Blessed be Your Name!'" The truth in that line really struck me. Yes, this was a moment of taking away, but the last 3 years have been a gift. And so, I know that there is more to receive and yes, more to be taken away. But, through it all I can say "Blessed be Your Name!" Sarah had a time of prayer for me, which was very special. I had the feeling that I needed to be open and soak up all the prayers, love and blessings that were coming during those moments. I also received some beautiful "Aivis" prints of Latvia to hang in a special place in my new home.

More and more individual goodbyes have come - Olesja (pray for her, she is on a mission trip to India), Arturs and a number of the corps people. Of course, by Friday the good byes will come for everyone. Tonight Ieva and I went for dinner and then she came over for tea. We had a nice walk through Old Riga and good conversation along the way.

Tomorrow is house cleaning with Marika and Erika and who knows who else? Will be fun! Lots of photos here!

2007_07_21

musings about life - amusing or not

Taken from Ieva's Gallery (see side bar link)

• One of the things I've learned from reading Palau's book and 2 Corinthians is to trust God with the little things more often. Palau says "Often it's the little problems, not the big ones, that reveal the weaknesses in our character." This is so true for me. I'm great in a big crisis but the little worries of the day get me frustrated, nervous and distracted from what's important. So, I've been working on this. I know that part of it is my understanding of prayer - is God really concerned with whether I lost my keys or forgot to do some task? Well, that's a question I'll leave for you to answer. I am sure He is concerned with my reaction to those little problems. Here's my experience this week...Monday I had to get 2 documents prepared for the shipper to use for Latvian customs. One had to be translated, the other notarized. I thought all translators were away this week and I had a bad experience with a notary public previously. My first reaction was to be worried about getting this done. My 2nd thought was to practice what I've been studying. I decided to trust these 2 things with the Lord and see what happened. I walked in to the office and there was Olesja, returned for 1 day to do some things in the office. She had the letter written in 2 minutes. Next I was off to a notary public, who turned out to be as friendly, helpful and efficient as could be. Small miracles! Next little problem I'm trying to trust the Lord with is my flight home - Lot Airlines which doesn't have the best reputation. But, I'm looking at it as the end of this great adventure! Maybe I'll get some extra hours in Warsaw. I hear it's a nice city.


• After my things left Riga, I was told it would take 15-20 days to get to the states. My plan (admittedly procrastinating) was to finish the forms for Latvia and then do the ones for the US. I was headed to that task on Thursday morning when I had an urgent email from the US shipping company. "This is an emergency, please get your forms completed now." I won't comment about how she'd been trying to call my soon-to-be cell phone number in St. Louis and couldn't figure out why I wasn't answering, but hadn't tried to email or use the Latvian phone number listed in my correspondence. Anyway, I filled out the forms and faxed them to her and asked to be notified whether they were OK or needed some editing. A few hours later the same woman called to say my forms were fine and..."please hold..." "Your shipment has just arrived in the States." Yes, that's just 2 days after they left Riga. When I reminded her of the suggested shipping time, her response was "Well, in a country like Latvia I expected it would take much longer." I didn't say anything, which I think was great restraint on my part. The good news, my stuff arrived at US customs and will be in St. Louis before I leave Riga!


• One zoo story from last week - you know how in the old days and I suppose in some countries today pregnant women are kept hidden? No, I'm not advocating that - stick with me...in Latvia pregnant women often continue to wear what they wore pre-pregnancy - short shirts and low, low riding trousers. Now I know from Zoe's experience that maternity clothes are expensive here, so I'm not making any judgments. And Latvian women start out tiny, little things anyway. By the end of pregnancy you often see very large bare bellies walking down the street, protruding from those tiny women. Really, that's not what my story is about. I saw the most disturbing pregnancy at the zoo. Have you ever seen a pregnant camel? At first I thought the camels had some kind of disease, their humps were flopping over, one on each side of their bodies, but then Johanna pointed out their extended sides. The strangest sight I've every seen and there were 3 of them. I'll be happy never to see it again.


• I threw out a favorite pair of sandals today which I figure are more than 10 years old. The sole on one is completely separated from the shoe. I could probably repair it but as I only paid $12 or so I think I've got my monies worth. I did love those sandals and haven't found anything I like as well.


• Since my DVDs and most of my CDs are gone and I'm in my flat most of the day, I've been listening to recordings of Norridge Citadel's meetings. They have been sending them for a couple of years and I haven't been able to keep up. I also received recordings from Flint Citadel and Dearborn Heights. I won't deny that I immediately listen to the DH CDs, as I get to hear my sister and brother-in-law. But those only come one per month. Norridge sends a whole month's worth at a time. I still have several I haven't heard and this week I'm catching up. I've heard Doug Rowland, Darryl Leedom and Jesse Collins preach so far. I also love to hear the worship time and the band. I have only one complaint - Pete McBride's offertories are usually deleted. No offense to the preachers or other worship leaders, but I'd really love to hear Pete's piano creations each week.


• And finally, (aren't you glad?) tonight is the divisional welcome for Neal and Patty Richardson, my new DCs. I am sorry I can't be there but they are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. The pilgrimage camp follows for the rest of the weekend and it's the first big thing for the new divisional team (minus me.) I've been praying that this will draw the team together in a powerful and purposeful way and that they will all get a vision for what God wants to do in the division. Then I'll come along in a couple of months and join in with them physically. I'm joining them in prayer right now.

The boxes are gone...

Today the movers came and took away my things. Everything except what I can put in two suitcases and a carry on. I don't know what I'm supposed to be feeling, but except for a headache and tired I'm not feeling much of anything. OK, that's not true. The removal of most everything from my house exposed lots of dust and dust 'elephants' (too big to be called bunnies.) So, my main emotion is disgust and a longing for a maid! I think the headache also is caused by the dust. During and after the movers, I spent a while in Sarah's office just catching up. She's been away for a while on vacation and at camp. It was nice to talk but I think she was wishing I would leave so she could get some work done. The moving company is great. They are helpful and friendly and seem to be efficient. They said my things were going straight to the airport and I haven't had any calls from them, so I assume they had no trouble with customs. Why would Latvia want to keep my stuff? When it was all gone, I realized that I really don't put a lot of value on my personal property. I mean, it could all disappear and the things I would miss the most are my photos and books. I do have a lot but none of it is very dear to me. So, the question I have for myself is why do I keep so much? I guess most of it has a memory behind it of someplace I've traveled, someone I've met or of my family and friends. The memories can't be taken away (unless you read Lesa's blog of Monday, July 16 -http://www.xanga.com/Emjaymom) Sunday and Monday were wholly devoted to packing. I didn't have to do it all, the movers would have done whatever I left. But, as long as I had to sort through it, it was easier just to pack it away and get it out of my sight. Also, it will be much easier when I unpack if I know what I put in each box. The movers were surprised I hadn't left something for them to do, except the pictures. So, they double packed some things. They are well protected. I did have a momentary panic this afternoon, wondering if I might have packed something I really need, like my passport...just checked and it's still here.

On Saturday, the Smiths and I went out to our camp near Liepaja. It's about a 3 1/2 hour drive each way. The day couldn't have been anymore perfect. We got to the camp with enough time to walk down to the sea (Baltic) and then come back for lunch. We joined the Riga 1 and 2 corps Family Camp, which also included some other corps and several people who don't attend a corps but have some connection to someone at the camp. Ilona RT did most of the organizing, with help from Ieva and Sarah. It was a great camp - about 45 people of all ages. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. After a really good Latvian soup lunch, there was a concert by some young women. They were good, especially their guitar playing. It was a nice, restful hour. I wandered around the camp taking pictures, some of them are linked below. I have never been to the camp and thought I should see it once before I leave. I'm glad I did - I think I've found a project to support when I get home. It's a beautiful place, but needs a lot of work. If you are interested, let me know. I'll show you all of the pictures and give you some project ideas. We were back at the beach for the last couple of hours. Then I suddenly realized I was going to have to say my final good bye to a few of the people - 2 new captains: Ilona and Velta and Lt. Aldona. All 3 were difficult. There I was on the beach with tears running down my face. It was also the Smiths last time to see those people, so we were all feeling a bit emotional. But, all in all a very nice day with good friends.

Thursday and Friday were spent with another good friend, Johanna, from Sweden. We met when she was a cadet and came to Riga 2+ years ago. We've had a special connection ever since and try to see each other whenever I'm in Stockholm. This time, she came here. I decided to leave my farewelling work and just spend time with Johanna. Thursday we walked around the old city and then came home for the evening. While we were out, we heard an interesting music performance. I heard a pan pipe and was sure it was a group from one of the central Asian countries. I dragged Johanna over to see and she said she thought they looked like american Indians. I couldn't believe it, but when one of them took his tom tom drum and started dancing around I had memories of Nebraska and Black Arrow. Then one of them came out with a cowboy hat and I had to admit they didn't look Asian. I went to see their albums and saw they were identified as Indians, but the contact information was for Germany. Someone explain that to me. I didn't buy an album but you can see some pictures. Friday we went to two places I've never been - a Latvian cemetary and the zoo. The cemetary made me think of Miriam - she loves to walk through cemetaries and I would never have gotten her out of this one (actually many connected to each other.) It was really interesting but can't be properly explained. Latvians take their cemetary plots very seriously - gardens and benches included. And no, I didn't take pictures. The zoo was, well, OK. The older I get the less I like seeing animals caged or in small confines. Maybe it's my own fear of being closed in and controlled? (no psychoanalysis please) But, the time to walk and talk was special. Even though we haven't seen each other a lot, it's been a nice friendship which will be hard to keep up from such a distance.

So, there you go. 5 days in Latvia and only 10 more to go. I caught up on blogs and internet gossip today and realized that a lot of my friends will be having babies soon after I get home. That should make it fun to get around and visit! Saturday is the farewell for me, Smiths and Oltermans. I thought it was just Riga 1 but now understand that everyone is invited. So, lots of goodbyes coming up. Thanks so much for your prayers during these days. You are getting me through - with the Holy Spirit's help, too! (see pictures in previous post)

Fun days in Latvia

Photos here. Words coming...


Johanna and Bernati"

Saturday was an organizing and packing day. I got a pretty good start and feel like the job is manageable. Sunday was my turn to preach at Riga 1 and my last time. I didn't expect many people but since the girls planned to be there and to lead the worship, I expected a good time. And it was. We had a pretty good group, about 35, and the worship was great! I preached from 2 Corinthians, inspired by the book I mentioned a couple of posts ago (Stop Pretending by Luis Palau). Dana translated, which was nice because she knows me and so it's easy to keep the flow. I came home intending to do some more packing but was exhausted and actually took a nap in the afternoon and then lounged the evening away. There was someone playing music either in the corps or just outside most of the night and I was awake. Wonder if my new house will be quiet? Yesterday and today were devoted to sorting and packing. I now have most of the sorting done, so it will be easy to put things in boxes. The house is a disaster and I have company, Johanna from Sweden, on Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow I'll be at the office for a while and then come home to clean the house up a bit.

(My life sounds really exciting these days, doesn't it?) Here are a few pictures to see just how exciting it is!


july 07"

Latvian Preschool in Chicago

Check this out! http://www.starins.org/

How to avoid packing!

Sorry to scare you Ieva. I am experimenting with the look of my blog. I don't think I like this one but it will do for a while. I have to come up with a new name and focus if I'm going to keep up the blog when I move to St. Louis. I don't think that life as a divisional secretary will be quite as exciting as the last 3 years have been, so I need some help. I want to keep writing but about what? And, suggestions for new names are welcome. No, Henrik, I'm not going to call it 'Meet me in St. Louis!'

I've been reading 'Stop Pretending' by Luis Palau. It is an excellent study of 2 Corinthians and would be a great small group study, especially for people in ministry/leadership. One of the things he says that really struck me is "When I start my day with a positive, joyful prayer to the Lord as the Apostle Paul prayed (2:14), I can even be with people who are negative without being negative myself." That is not a new thought but I guess it is something the Lord needed to get my attention about. I realized that I more often pray "Lord, this is going to be a hard day, please get me through it." Instead, I want to pray as Paul did "Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph through Jesus Christ." Positive, victorious, hopeful not beaten down before I start. I tried it today and it was one of those days! Well, a mixed up day I guess. The morning was spent trying to sort out some problems with the living arrangements for some of the new captains, not so much the practical stuff as the attitude stuff. Tonight I was supposed to go to see the new Die Hard movie with Marika and Linda, but that didn't work out. When I got home from the training school, I had a frustrating discussion with Ronalds about my toilet which still is not working. I was feeling more defeated than victorious. And what I really needed to do tonight was start packing. The movers come in 10 days! Fortunately Ilona RT caught me on messenger and convinced Ieva and I to come over for fresh baked strawberry cake. Hmm - packing or cake with I. and I.? Packing will eventually get done, spending time with friends is much more valuable these days. And I can always pack tomorrow - unless the sun is shining!

Ieva found some new faces for me in Liepaja:

4th of July

independence day 07 Happy Birthday Ieva and Happy Birthday USA! Ieva and I went for a walk tonight and she encouraged me to find more faces in Riga. Here they are. Someday I will do a sermon or some kind of study using all of these faces I've collected.

A people on the move

Karen Shakespeare shared this poem with us. Dana translated it and we used it for Covenant Day. I need it today - maybe you will, too.

God's People? Why Abraham?

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2

Why should one be called and not another,
if you are indeed the God of all peoples?
Why are some singled out for your favors?
Why Abraham?

Abraham was called
not to have but to give
not to acquire status but to serve;
not to be elite, but to be the first true universalist.
Abraham was called
to leave the known for the unknown;
to be a wanderer in the land of promise;
to have no foothold but a burial place.
Called to be blessed;
much more he was called to be a blessing.

Is this then what calling means.
To be a people on the move,
not clinging to the tried
the safe,
the known;
but traveling,
responding to a half-heard voice?

To be a people on the move
whose goal is not their own salvation
into some exclusive heavenly club,
but the fulfillment of your purposes
for all humanity,
the salvation of the world?

Edmund Banyard: Turn but a Stone

Dieva cilvēki? Kāpēc Ābrahāms?

Es tevi svētīšu un darīšu lielu tavu vārdu, un tu būsi par svētību.
I Mozus 12:2


Kāpēc viens tiek aicināts, Bet cits – ne,
Ja Tu patiešām esi Visu cilvēku Dievs?
Kāpēc ir daži,
Kas izvēlēti Tavai labvēlībai?
Kāpēc Ābrahāms?

Ābrahāms bija aicināts
Nevis saņemtu, bet lai dotu,
Nevis, lai iemantotu slavu, Bet lai kalpotu;
Nevis lai būtu elitē, Bet lai būtu pirmais patiesais universālists.
Ābrahāms bija aicināts
Pamest zināmo nezināmā dēļ,
Lai kļūtu par ceļotāju uz apsolīto zemi.
Viņš bija aicināts ne tikai būt svētīts,
Bet lai pats būtu par svētību.

Vai tad aicinājums nozīmē,
Ka mums jābūt cilvēkiem kustībā,
Ka mēs nedrīkstam turēties
Pie drošā un zināmā,
ka mums jāiet tur,
Kur mūs aicina svārstīga balss?

Būt cilvēkam kustībā,
Kura mērķis ir
Nevis personiskā glābšana
Kādā ekskluzīva debesu klubā,
Bet lai piepildītu mērķi par cilvēcību
Un glābjošo vārdu?

Weekend wanderings

It's been a fun and relaxing kind of weekend - totally at my control, which is so unusual. As I look at the Midland divisional calendar, I know it will be highly unusual for the next few years. Friday evening Olesja and I went out for dinner, walked around a bit and landed at Coffee Nation for coffee and a long talk. She starts her vacation this week, so won't be around much until after I'm gone. It was so good to sit and talk, about memories from when we first met, our small group and what the future holds. Olesja is extremely gifted and also deeply committed to faith and mission. The Lord will use her in amazing ways, I'm sure. Saturday was a 'me' day. I got up slowly. with a pot of coffee and some reading. But, then the sun peaked out and I decided I needed to be outside. I grabbed my camera and my credit card, and off I went. There are a few special souvenirs I want to take with me and I know there are some interesting sites I've still got to capture on camera before I go. I had no idea where I might end up but headed toward the Art Nouveau district. There are several buildings being renovated and I did get some new pics. I went towards my favorite building which just happens to have a coffee shop next to it. A latte and kuka were a lovely mid-morning treat. And as I sat there, watching tourists walk by, I looked out on one of the more beautiful buildings with interesting gargoyles and designs. I enjoyed it for a while, but then my mind went to the contrast I was experiencing from my outing last Saturday in Bauska. There I had been sitting outside the corps with many people who lived in much less luxurious settings, with little of the world's comforts and many difficulties in their lives. And yet, they were smiling, singing and enjoying fellowship together. But, what really struck me is the need to spend more time caring for those who are in 'Bauska' situations and less time sitting in tourist spots, drinking coffee. Don't get me wrong, I love doing that and it is refreshing, but not what my life is about. And I don't want to ever forget that or get too comfortable in coffee shops. Of course, I did also go to the souvenir store and buy some things for myself, so I guess I wasn't too moved by my earlier contemplation.

Today Graeme was the preacher at Riga 1. We didn't expect a lot of people, but most of the youth group was there, so it was a lively and good meeting. Graeme shared some good thoughts from Joshua 1 - one of my favorite passages and there's always something new to learn there. We had some salvationist visitors from Norway. They joined me and the Smiths at Cili Pizza for lunch. Riga is a popular tourist spot and we often have guests in the summer. It's fun to get to know them, talk about common acquaintances and realize again how small our Army world is. I walked them down to the tram through the rain, but again the sun peaked out. So, I showed them my favorite free tourist spot- the glass elevators to the top of Hotel Latvija, and then into the restrooms which have the best view. Come on over to Riga and I'll treat you to the best!
art nouveau riga"