Winter Wonderland or something like that

Whew! So much has happened since the little TV episode. (if you go to www.myfoxstl.com and click on Tree of Lights Campaign, then go to their videos link, you'll see me and a number of Army highlights. The best one happened this morning, click on their morning show then to the video of the bed jumping - yes, it is Army related. That's my friend Will with the painted face - our communications director.)

That same weekend on Sunday, I started at the Euclid corps for morning worship. I preached and was blessed by the people, as I always am. I look forward to actually getting involved in the corps and being a real part of their family. I ran home from there to dress warmer because I had to meet a Missouri Senator who was going to do a little bell ringing for us (yes, on Sunday - against my better judgment. "all opinions given here are mine and do not represent TSA.") I was the token Army person to ring with him. It only lasted 20 minutes and was really a photo op for him. Then I changed clothes (in the car!) and drove to St. Alphonsus Church on the Rock to hear my cousins gospel choir concert. That made my whole day. The music was amazing, the Spirit was powerful, one of the singers reminded me of Aldona! It was a new thing for me to be able to worship with my extended family. We went out for a long dinner afterward. I'm so grateful to be living near them. So, that was a wonderful day, bell ringing and all.

Last Friday I had one of those 'God' moments. I had a message from a woman named Lynn, who didn't even know where she had gotten my number from. "Maybe I had called her or maybe a common acquaintance had given it to her" She didn't know why she was calling me either! "Maybe to work on Dred Scott?" She is his great, great granddaughter - very cool! http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/africanamerican/scott/scott.asp. Well, I knew why she had called, even if it wasn't the original intent. I called her back and told her that I was hoping to be involved in the planning committee for Global Day of Prayer in St. Louis and I knew she was on the committee. http://www.praystl.org/ That got her very excited and we talked for several minutes. I attended their planning meeting on Monday evening. The plans are great. But, even more moving was the prayer time at the end. I felt like I was back in Latvia during a prayer conference. The Spirit was definitely working and speaking to people in that room. I don't know exactly where this will lead, but I feel like it is one of the connections from what I experienced and learned in Latvia to what I'm doing here in St. Louis.

Lots more happening, especially in my spiritual journey, but that's for another time. I finish with a little nature trip. We had a 'snowstorm' this weekend. I understand that is a relative term, based on where you live, but I've been making fun of St. Louis for a few days and will refrain here. Anyway, on my way home from church on Sunday I drove through the World Bird Sanctuary. Yes, you can laugh. It sounds crazy, but the snow was beautiful and I thought it might offer some nice pictures. Wow! It was beautiful and while I didn't see any birds, I did come across elk and bison (big ones!) Check out my pictures for the rest of the story.

During these busy days of Christmas, take some time to consider what it is all about - Who it is all about. Immanuel - God with us - even if you are counting wet kettle money or packing up from toy distribution. God is with us!
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st louis winter 07