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.