Sighs, Cries and Joy

Last week my good friends (the Stuarts) lost their mom and grandma. The funeral was beautiful, a real testimony to God's faithfulness and Jean's faithfulness to Him throughout her life. But, still my friends are sad and my heart hurts for them. I know something about losing a parent and that pain isn't easily removed. In fact, some of sadness and loss remains even 10+ years later. I pray that they will also find joy and peace, knowing that Jean is at rest and her body is healed forever. There is hope even in grief.

Officers' Councils was amazing, if I say so myself, since I was responsible for it. God's faithfulness came through in so many ways. Everyone pitched in and made the week go smoothly. The Holy Spirit was evident from the first meeting and His work continued all 3 days. We had time to pray, worship, learn and laugh. All of it was needed. I especially appreciated the retired officers. They are a wonderful group, who offered support, encouragement and friendship. I am so glad they were with us and look forward to good times with them in the future. I also loved working with the DHQ staff - what a great group of friends. God has put us together for a purpose and I'm excited to see how that works out. And the officers in the division were great - positive, friendly and responsive. It will be a blessing to visit them and support them.

Latvian friends (you know who you are!) I really have missed you these days. We sang songs that we also sang in Latvia, I've been telling stories about you and well, I miss you! I'm not very good at communicating but it doesn't mean I've forgotten you. I pray for you often and think of you daily!

Once again, I am so thankful for God's faithful and loving work in me and around me. In spite of challenges in 'transitioning', I know God's presence and guidance. He's in it all!

Looking for a new name

Any suggestions for a more up to date and relevant title for my blog? Although most days I still feel like I'm somewhere in between Latvia and the US.

Let's see...what's been happening since I last updated? Do you have a few hours? Here are some of the highlights:

• Men's camp was fun to be part of - I loved hearing the men sing. Have to admit I didn't stay 'til the end, though. I was beginning to feel like I was in the way. Reports are that the Spirit moved wonderfully among them.
• I've visited 5 of the corps for their Sunday meetings, so far. They are as varied as can be, kind of like the 7 corps in Latvia! I'm hoping to choose a corps to soldier at by the end of the month. Pray that I make the right decision.
• We had a great United Meeting here in St. Louis at the Temple Corps. Their worship team is amazing and it was a good opportunity to meet lots of the people from the division.
• Our DHQ staff retreat was exactly what we needed - a spiritual retreat and lots of fun. It was a wonderful start to our team working together. I'm so glad that our DCs see this as a priority. We have some big challenges ahead and unity will be extremely important. The Lord was faithful in meeting with us. We laughed a lot, too!
• Last weekend we had a city fund-raiser at Grant's Farm. It was super - fun working with other DHQ employees/officers; great music (70s & 80s), including a chance for a couple of our young adults to play with the band - they were amazing and impressed the pros too and a good PR moment for the Army.
• Sunday morning I went to the Gateway corps, where I was corralled into playing in the band and then stayed for the best pot-luck lunch I have had in a long time. This corps has lots of retired officers, many who are important in my life. It was good to be with them.
• And the best thing I've done so far is attend the Multi-cultural Conference this past weekend. I can't begin to explain how powerful and inspiring it was. 2 of the best speakers I've ever heard challenging us about building multiethnic congregations - all Army leaders need to hear them. Great worship led by the St. Charles worship band, including Brian R., a phenomenal musician who I haven't heard in years. And lots of fun catching up with old friends and even meeting some new. Maybe I'll write more later.
• Had my debriefing interview at THQ on Friday. I blabbed on and on, although I didn't intend to - are you surprised?! It was a good meeting.
• This week is a little overloaded with Officers' Councils preparation and starting tomorrow evening I'm attending a Christian Community Development Seminar for the rest of the week. It should be very good, but maybe not the best timing.
• I'm adjusting to life in the suburbs. That includes living in a large house, commuting up to 1 hour, 1 way every day (that means getting up in the dark and often coming home in the dark), figuring out how to maintain a lawn when I'm never home, trying to get rid of a skunk who seems to be living under my house (we've called an expert in for that!) And trying to avoid eating fast food for most meals. To handle that, I've joined Curves and am excited about feeling healthier and having more energy.
• Want to pray? Pray for our officers, especially our meetings together next week. We need unity of vision, they need to know they are cared for and supported and we all need to worship and pray together. I'm expecting the Lord to do something great among us - pray toward that end, would you?
• Finally, I've been reading Nehemiah - what a great book! I'm finding great inspiration from his life and from the rebuilding of Jerusalem. That historical story seems applicable to much that is happening today. Need a good read? Try it!