Not about training!

Something totally different: Here are some pics I just got from my outing in the fall with Veronika, Dana, Marina and friends.

Solveiga translates my strange stories and the cadets and guests listen intently!!!

The first day in class - trying to get organized. See the green tables? We have nice, new ones now!

Openings Days of the Training School

The Salvation Army Training School in Latvia has officially opened.  Here’s a little bit of it all from my perspective. (This is a bit abbreviated from what I just sent to my ‘journal’ friends, so if that’s you, feel free to skip and just look at the pictures.)  Last weekend was a bit crazy, running around trying to make everything perfect.  I realized that wouldn't happen and so just tried to have it ready.  Even that was not quite possible.  I remember spending lots of time cleaning cadets' rooms and the rest of the college in Chicago, so that all was spotless.  That's what I hoped I could do here, but no. I did get to do a little sweeping and shifting on Monday morning and then decided it was fine.  Not up to the Marilyn Arnold test, but OK.  I was very calm on Monday amazingly.  I had a sense of all of the people praying and a picture of myself just resting on Jesus and not worrying.  And I didn't.  I had invited the cadets’ corps leaders and the training program committee to join us for dinner and a short program.  I'm trying to keep as many people involved as possible.  Henrik (RC) couldn't be there but Lisbeth came.  Aivis shared some scripture and a few nice thoughts (I think, it was in Latvian).  He will be the discipleship coordinator.  We had a few get acquainted activities and then I had the cadets spread around the room and 2-3 of us gathered around each and prayed for them - very powerful.  Lisbeth ended with a beautiful pastoral prayer.
 
Tuesday was orientation, of course.  Solveiga has to translate everything.  Please pray for her.  She may have the most demanding job.  I'll explain in a minute.  We started the day with prayers, which I led. It was a special time.  We prayed for each other and many shared their concerns about those they left at home.  I think we were much more open than would be normal for the first day of training.  Another answer to prayer.  Remember we have 3 Latvian speaking and 3 Russian speaking.  So - it's always complicated.  Some understand English and so they get the original info.  More understand Latvian and get the second.  That's what we can manage.  I thought all would be able to pick up something from one of those languages. But, after an hour Irina came to me and said she didn’t understand anything.  I'm glad she came but I have to admit I wanted to cry or scream.  I said she would have to sit through the morning and we would try to think of a solution.  I slowed down my speech until I nearly put myself to sleep.  And afterward I simply walked toward my office and yelled (silently) "Help, Lord!"  All I could think of was that I would have to teach each class twice and that nearly sent me packing. On instant messenger was Henrik who asked how I was so I told him!  He said he thought he had the answer in one of our temp employees who may be able to be hired, if he is interested.  That was a fast answer!  He speaks Russian, Latvian and English!  The cadets are great.  We talked today about the hard things like their finances, uniform wearing and discipline, etc.  They were so good about it all, even when it was confusing or they didn't really like the information.  Everything is brand new to them.  We laughed a lot today, too.  Especially when I gave them their work detail assignments.  And when the ladies met privately to talk about how we should wear uniform.   So, all with the cadets has really been great.  Even the language issues are not causing them to be angry or negative, at least not to me.  Everyone is working to make this as good as it can be.  I have to admit that being the only full-time staff person has been exhausting so far.  All of this talking and thinking of every detail and finding every answer is going to wear on me.  So, you can pray for me, too!
 
We did have one big crisis today.  Sweden's training college has donated some of their old (not really) furniture to us.  Our warehouse arranged for a truck to pick it up and I hoped it would be done before the cadets arrived.  No, it came today!  I had to cancel afternoon interviews, skip lunch and go.  I climbed into the semi-truck and realized there was way too much furniture for us.  It got very complicated and very stressful.  Lisbeth was with me and trying to keep me from freaking out.  The truck driver needed to leave and only wanted to go to my place. Which meant I had to store it all.  Of course the cadets were not in, except dear Arturs.  So with a few from the warehouse, Arturs, Lisbeth and I, we unloaded a semi truck and took most of it upstairs to the training center.  Our friends from Riga 2 also pitched in. The more furniture we got, the more worried I became about what I would do with it all.  We had to fill the corps Sunday School room. Before everything got carried into the building our 3 warehouse men left. Lisbeth had already left, so there stood Arturs and I looking out at a snow-covered yard with lots of big pieces of furniture.  Panic set in!  I called Lisbeth and as soon as she heard my quivering voice she went into action and made Henrik and another guy (on their way to teach a Bible course) come and carry the rest in. By the time they arrived I had calmed down and Arturs and I had started to arrange the furniture we did want.  Anyway, a very long, long day and I've left out lots of interesting and frustrating details.  But, we ended OK and thank goodness for Lisbeth today.  The training center library is filled with furniture and I still have to figure out how to get some of it out.  All before our Open House and Welcome next Saturday!  And I'm gone all weekend on the cadet retreat.  But, it will work if I have to push it all out the window!  The good thing is, we got some very nice furniture that we never could have afforded.  Just way more than we can ever use!
 
So, 3 days into it and I love the cadets.  And as we have found so many times here, the Lord does provide, sometimes in very surprising ways. I'm looking forward to the retreat and enjoying fellowship with the cadets and also the new lieutenants.  I expect the Lord has some wonderful plans for us.

about yesterday and today

P.S. I know there were lots of people praying yesterday and actually it ended up being kind of a fun day, in a masochistic sort of way. I get something done and we would think of 2 more things I should do. My shopping list was updated every 5-6 minutes. I didn't get it all done, but we accomplished a lot and I felt good about it when I left. I also remained fairly pleasant, I think. You'll have to ask Solveiga to be sure. So, thanks for your prayers. Zoe and Graeme and Sian went shopping with me today and helped me get a lot checked off of my list. We also had a great lunch. We had our regional employee 'holiday' party today, too. It was very nice. We had it here and Edgars' sister who is studying catering did an amazing and beautiful job with the food. Then we played a couple of the usual mixer games, always fun in 2-3 languages. The big programming bit was getting us all to try line dancing. Funny how many had to leave suddenly! I tried the first dance - the traditional beginners line dance steps and did all right. I'm a plodder not graceful, but at least I had my feet in the right places most of the time. The second one seemed easy until the music started and the tempo was sooooo fast. I sat right down. Henrik stuck it out and managed to do some of the steps. Hope someone got a picture of that!

Hannah and Patrick, with Angelina, have arrived from Sweden to do regional youth work. They will add a nice flavor to our multicultural staff. More about them later, I'm sure.

Thanks for praying - don't stop, please! Still much to do but at the moment I'm feeling a bit too tired to do much. Maybe I'll go to bed early and work extra hard tomorrow.

Prayer please!

Quick - if you read this would you pray for me (and my support staff, such as it is) today and this weekend. We are in the last hours before the training school opens and of course, there is much to be done, some small crises and I'm trying to hold it all together. I don't doubt that we will be OK on Monday, my prayer is that I will be loving and kind to those around me NOW!

Sian helps me open a Christmas gift





My sister sent a cute and crafty gift














The Sunday School pageant

Caroling at Ilsters - food, food, food and all you give me is this jar of stuff?!

Words for today and the new year

"And where I cannot see - I'll trust"

John 15:16 Jesus says: "you did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last (has eternal significance - Evie's note), so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name."

My promise and Jesus' promise - I can only make mine based on His.

Reflections on the season

It's New Year's Day and I've been gathering Christmas decorations to put away. So, anything for a distraction - I decided to write a bit in my blog! Christmas in Latvia (or maybe I should say, Christmas outside of the US) is much quieter and much less stressful. However, at least for me, it is also missing much of what brings me joy - the ministry of helping others. I miss helping with kettle counting and even the occasional playing at the kettle, nursing home caroling and gift distribution, Cook County jail visits, helping sort gifts and various other tasks around the corps. It dawned on me this week, that this is especially the time when I miss the corps fellowship of Oakbrook Terrace. Don't feel sorry for me - I have wonderful fellowship and friendship here. And because there is less activity, I have more time to do some special things. Here are some of the blessings I received during this season - Christmas Day with Smiths and extended family. We had a very nice meal and then walked to Old Riga. Just as we got there the snow came in great big, beautiful flakes and we were soon covered with it and because it wasn't too cold, very wet. But, it was perfect! This year I received many more gifts than I expected - my friends and family were very generous. I also got some creative and fun gifts. A santa scarf, a denim apron, lots of socks and some good music. The day after Christmas I visited Sarah, Aivis and Josh. What a nice day we had, eating their leftovers and lots of sweets, talking and playing with Josh and then a really nice walk around the neighborhood. I'm so grateful for the Smiths and the Ilsters, who take care of me and are real friends.

The week was quiet at work and I had time to catch up on some things to get ready for the training school to open. (next week - AUGH!) I had some eclectic music experiences, all of them special. First, I went to hear "The Messiah" at the Riga Dome Cathedral. It was AMAZING! The acoustics were perfect and the conductor used them beautifully. I met Solveiga and family there, but sat on my own. This is one of my favorite musical experiences of each year and especially this one. I didn't sing along...maybe hummed once in a while! During the Hallelujah Chorus I felt like I was being lifted to heaven - the music rang through the room and seemed to fill every space. I could hardly breathe. And then as they sang "Come unto Him all ye that labor and are heavy laden and he shall give you rest" - I could feel my burden being lifted. It is such a soulful and moving melody and just what I need. For the first time I noticed the difference in the tempo of the next piece. When "His yoke is easy and his burden is light" is sung, the music picks up speed. I thought how much easier it is to move and what energy comes when the Lord carries the burden, instead of me. Handel got it right (duh!)

So from that I woke up the next day and went to Ilsters again. This time to do our own caroling. The Smiths, Andersens, Ilsters and I sang traditional carols together, in English! It was a lot of fun and of course again, included eating lots of sweet things! I got home and raced right back out to go to another concert of a totally different nature - The Harlem Gospel Singers. WOW! I knew that would be good but I had no idea how moved I would be. Maybe because it was from America, maybe because I really miss the African American influence in my life and maybe especially, because it was clearly a Gospel message, I couldn't sit still or keep a tear or two from falling. They sang mostly old gospel songs, so I knew them and this time it was OK to sing along! I did and danced (well, swayed) and clapped, too. Not sure what my neighbors thought (again, I went alone) but I didn't really care. This was my comfort zone and I took full advantage of it.

Last night (New Year's Eve) I spent at Smiths again and we had a nice evening. I brought one of my new CDS, The Chicago Staff Band chorus. Such a blessing, again and not just because I'm in a few of the pieces. I just love the music and the message. We also watched part of the BBC Proms concert, which was fantastic.

I just heard a conductor on some music special I'm watching say, " music is one of the most beautiful things of our life -our spiritual nourishment". That is definitely what has been the primary food for me this Christmas (OK, along with all of the chocolate). I've listened to Christmas music since Thanksgiving, gone to these concerts and through it all I've been blessed by the images of Jesus, the Messiah, Immanuel and my Savior. It's been a lot of fun, too!

Winter in Riga

God With Us!

“And His name shall be called Immanuel” – God With Us!

What makes life splendid is the constant awareness of God. What transforms the spirit into his likeness is intimate fellowship with him.  We are saved – from our pettiness and earthiness and selfishness and sin – by conscious communion with his greatness and love and holiness.  
From Discipline and Discovery by Albert Edward Day

Corps Christmas party

1. Russian group - yes that's an upside down training potty seat on her head!
2. Jonah and her sailors
3. &4. The devil after Vika and group.
5. Worship team does a little line dancing

It's Christmas

It’s Christmas!  Well, barely – 12:34 a.m.  Since it’s only me I didn’t see any sense in waiting until the morning to open gifts – I’ve waited this long!  The box came from Chris and family yesterday, so I had lots under my little tree.  It was fun to open them because there were lots of surprises and goodies.  One was the Polar Express DVD which I promptly put in and watched.  That’s why I’m still awake.  It’s a really sweet movie.  So, Christmas in Latvia…it’s not so bad.  People are very loving and kind to me.  I got a few gifts from unexpected people and many hugs tonight at the Christmas Eve service.  Last was our corps Christmas party.  Our small group did a little drama, which I let them put together without me and told them I’d do anything they needed.  Wrong thing to say – I had to be the devil.  I’ll try to put some pictures up later.  The party was great – we had a very funny drama from the Russian ministry group about Jonah.  I can’t begin to explain it but I’ll also put some pics from that here.  There are lots of people home from all over the world and many of them were in church tonight.  That was nice.  The Sunday School did a pageant complete with dancing angels.  It was great.  

Yesterday I had one of those ‘catch my breath’ moments.  I was walking to the Christmas Market in Old Riga and not really feeling very Christmasy.  The shops were full and the streets were dirty with most of the snow gone.  Then I walked into one of the city parks and it was as if I walked into another world.  There was clean, white snow everywhere and the trees were all frosted over and beautiful.  I had to stop because it was so amazing.  I had my camera and pulled it out (more pictures to put here).  Everyone in the park was walking around as if they couldn’t believe it was real.  Wow – another beauty of the Lord scene.  

Ieva bought me a ticket to see the Chronicles of Narnia with her yesterday.  I loved it!  No, it wasn’t as technically impressive as Lord of the Rings but it is the best story and the actors were good.  Even though I knew what would happen, I got a bit emotional a few times (I won’t say anymore in case you haven’t seen it.)  As we were leaving, Ieva said, “It’s great that so many people are in the theater to see this.  I just wish the knew the real message.”  I pray that somehow they do hear the real message of redemption and new life through Jesus Christ.  Or at the least, that it makes them seekers after the truth of the gospel and that there are people prepared to share this truth.  

Isaiah 9 - [2] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
    

    

Eternal things!

A required part of my Christmas routine includes Handel’s “Messiah”. Whether is actually attending a concert or sing along (preferred) or listening at home, it’s not Christmas for me without it. Last Christmas I discovered I don’t have a recording with me, but I did find a concert and it was wonderful. This year, Lisa sent me a recording and I’m going to the concert – I just have to be careful not to make it a sing along! Yes, the music is amazing and fun to sing, but every year I’m overwhelmed by some part of the text that applies directly to my life and what I need to be reminded of regarding my relationship with the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Yesterday I was listening to the CD while reading my devotions. At almost the same time, I was reading Isaiah 40 and it was being sung on the CD.

Isaiah 40:1-5 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. [2] Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. [3] The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [4] Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: [5] And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Honestly, it made me long for heaven. Not a death wish, but an amazing hope and expectation of eternity with Jesus. Just think – the crooked made straight and the rough places plain! I find comfort in that in the ordinariness of today and draw on the promise when life seems very crooked and rough. It makes me want to sing!

Surprise!

On Sunday, Sarah talked about God being a God of Surprises.  The fact that the shepherds were the first told about Jesus must have been a surprise to them and to everyone else.  So, I started thinking about how God has surprised me.  Of course, the first thing I thought was that 2 Christmases ago I had not one idea about the country of Latvia and now – here I am!  That’s a big surprise and certainly all God’s.  God sends lots of little surprises too.  After church I was talking to Dana about doing some work at the training center and I felt the urge to tell her that she was a definite answer to prayer.  She got a surprised look on her face and said that I was an answer to her prayer!  We spent a few minutes talking about that.  What if I had simply made it a business conversation?  We would both have missed out on a blessing and a surprise.  What if I hadn’t listened to the little voice that has been telling me for months that I needed to involve Dana in my plans?  A lesson – I have to be in the place God wants me to if I want to experience His surprises!  Another lesson – instead of worrying today or even in the next few months about what I will do ‘after Latvia’, I need to wait and see what surprise God might have planned.  Who knows where I’ll end up!?  

Liz leaves early tomorrow morning.  I hadn’t realized how much I’ve enjoyed her being here.  A little bit of the US and a friend who’s willing to do just about anything.  I’m going to miss her.  And now, I’m the only American again!

Smile!

Tonight, Graeme and Zoe and I went to hear the BBC Singers concert at the National Opera House.  We talked about how we would probably catch ourselves singing along with the English Christmas carols.  Well, it wasn’t exactly what we expected.  It was a classical concert with music in several languages and only a few songs in English.  But, it was beautiful.  They are really good, especially with tight harmonies and varied rhythms.  They sang an amazing version of “Lo, how a rose”, one of my favorite carols.  They also sang some really fun pieces with lots of odd syllables and rhythms.  But, it definitely wasn’t a sing along concert.  I did smile a lot and even once got the giggles because a song was so silly – but also very difficult and they did it incredibly well.  I found myself filled with joy as they sang “Glory to God” and told the story of salvation through Jesus’ birth and life.  One line that especially hit me was “Why are all the people so sad, when God has given us life through His Son?”  That is maybe not an exact quote, but you get the point.   And I got the point – smile!  Let people know that there is joy this season, because of Jesus!

Lesson from a friend

Today my friend, Ieva, who is one of the corps leaders for Riga 2 and the regional prayer coordinator, had some good words for me.  She reminded me that I had nothing to worry about regarding training – “It’s all about God’s grace” she said.  Every step of the way it is a miracle and grace moment.  She also reminded me that the whole process, including me, is covered in so much prayer that she knows we are protected from a lot that might happen, especially due to our (my) own will and wisdom or lack of.  She says these things so casually and matter-of-fact(ly?), it’s all natural to her.  I know the truth of what she says and am experiencing it, but my nature wants to fret and worry and be in control.  I have a lot to learn from Ieva.  And then my advent reading for today reinforced and took me further with this lesson – IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!!

Rev. 1:8     "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Our repose is to rejoice in the infinite happiness of God and, on a lower scale, in our own crosses, and to desire still more of them, for in them we have the privilege of imitating him and proving our love, and there is nothing dearer to the heart that loves.  We shall never lack either this happiness, nor God nor the Cross.
    
How can one pity anyone who is doing the will of the Lord?  Is there anything sweeter on earth than to do the will of him one loves?  And if it gives one some trouble to carry it out, the sweetness is all the greater.                                

–from Meditations of a Hermit by Charles de Foucauld

Books

From my advent reading, for those of you who are readers like me:

Leave me not, O gracious Presence, in such hours as I may today devote to the reading of books or of newspapers.  Guide my mind to choose the right books and, having chosen them, to read them in the right way.  When I read for profit, grant that all I read may lead me nearer to thyself.  When I read for recreation, grant that what I read may not lead me away from thee.  Let all my reading so refresh my mind that I may the more eagerly seek after whatsoever things are pure and fair and true.
                                   A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie

True Beauty

Wednesday evening I was driving home and it was snowing.  As I turned the corner to head down my street, I found a winter wonderland.  The snowflakes were big and fluffy and I was driving into them.  My street which is usually dull and dirty was freshly covered and lovely.  The trees were coated with snow.  I felt as if I had driven into one of my snow globe scenes.  I slowed down and took it all in for a few seconds.  My mind went right to this theme of “the beauty of the Lord”.  I thought, “God made this snow just for me!”  Then this evening I went to Bauska to do their youth meeting.  On the way there, the road was closed and I had to take a detour through unknown Latvian back roads.  I wasn’t happy about it and it made me a few minutes late.  But on the way home, I wasn’t tense or in a hurry and discovered I was driving through another beautiful winter scene.  There was no one else on the road and I had the bright lights on.  I could see the fresh snow on the ground and the evergreen trees and again, I thought how wonderful God is for creating this world for us.  Except that I took one wrong turn and ended up in a strange town, it was a very nice ride home.  

But, more than the beauty of creation, I have seen the beauty of God’s people.  During a training committee meeting yesterday, I began to talk about our candidates and I was overwhelmed at how God has ‘made all things beautiful’ in their lives and yet, He has much more that He plans to do in and through them.  It will be so exciting to see how that plan unfolds.  I can’t even imagine what they will be like when they finish training.  Then there was a moment with the Bauska youth group tonight when I felt like the Lord was really speaking to them.  I was reminding them that Advent is the time when we wait for the Lord, but we also invite Him to come.  I felt like I needed to challenge them about their relationship with Jesus.  It got very quiet (they were chatty all evening) and I believe that message was specifically for someone.  I don’t know who or if they responded to God’s voice, but I could feel His presence.  Another ‘beauty’ moment.

My scripture reading from John 1 today gave me another beautiful picture – of the Messiah:

[14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
[29]… "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
    

photos from Spain

Phillip II's library (just like mine!)
MmmmPaella
The Madrid Post Office!

Biggest Cross I've ever seen - little Brad in front!
Evie & Heidi above Toledo

Beauty and Spain

I spent a few days in Spain with my friends, Brad and Heidi Bailey.  They moved to Madrid this summer from my home corps, Oakbrook Terrace.  They were my corps officers for the last few years, but much more than that, they have been good friends for a long time.  We keep saying “Who would have ever imagined that we would be living in Europe and at the same time?!”  So, before my life is completely absorbed by the training program here, I escaped to Madrid and to my friends.  We talked and talked, ate and ate, drank many cups of coffee and watched movies, as well as touring the country.  It was exactly what I needed and I’m so glad I did it.  I realized on the way home to Latvia that they will be my last physical connection to home (USA) until this summer.  (unless someone gets inspired to come and visit me – hint, hint…)  I could write paragraphs about the beautiful things I saw.  Incredible architecture and wonderful inspiring art in museums, castles and cathedrals.  The Catholic influence means many biblical paintings and I love to see the perspective each artist puts in his work.  I’ll try to post some pictures.   I could also write about the precious conversations we had, but you had to be there to follow all the different directions we took as we talked and really, they were just between us.  So, instead I’ll share something I read while I was there.  Along with my Advent reading, I decided to catch up on some magazines which have been sitting in my ‘to read’ pile.  I grabbed one published by The Upper Room, called Weavings.  If you have any leanings toward contemplation this is a good resource.  My friend, Diana Winters, recommended it to me a while ago.  You can check it out at www.upperroom.com.  This issue is called “Behold the Beauty of the Lord” and I was blessed and moved as I read articles about discovering the Lord’s Beauty in the ordinary places and events of life.  Here are a few quotes which really touched me:

Simple Places – As Jesus’ followers, if we are to find true community with one another and with him, then we should look not just to the massive throng or the dramatic moment.  We should look as well to the simplest instance of one life brushing up against another.  We should open ourselves to the small and intimate moments when persons draw together in their joys and in their needs.

Luminous Saints – “They are persons irradiated by the grace of God who answer back to the love of God in whatever setting they may be placed and ‘in whom…Christ is felt to live again.’ They seek not to be safe but to be faithful.  They have developed a gristle that enables them to stand fast in adversity.  They love persons rather than humanity in general.  They believe all life is sacramental.” (Douglas Steere)   (Evie’s note – I started to make a list of these kind of saints in my life and filled a page in just a few minutes.  I wish I could thank them but for now, I thank God for them.  Maybe someday I’ll list them here, but I’m sure I’d miss someone or two or three – it will be a never ending list.)

Being Buoyed by Beauty – She peered down at her funny looking feet, aged by years of trudging along, marked by the effects of heredity.  Suddenly the verse came to her:  How beautiful are the feet of those who carry the good news of peace. She decided to sing a new song.

Endings and Beginnings

I finished "Aggressive Christianity" last night - not the easiest read but as I said before, definitely challenging. Here is the final inspiration: Without the power of God you cannot transform (their) hearts. That is too much for the human to do. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.

I'm not a big fan of Christmas as the world views it. But, there are some traditions that I love and one I've tried to maintain each year is to personally observe the Advent season by reading and studying something specific to Christ's Coming. Last year I read Isaiah. This year I've returned to one of my favorites: The Upper Room's "A Guide to Prayer" ( www.upperroom.org ). I love the way it takes me through the Prophetic and Messianic scriptures and focuses my thoughts directly on Jesus Christ. Monday from Colossians 1:18 came these important words: "...that in all things He may have the preeminence." And the reading for today:

And his coming and his presence are not only the result of our waiting or a prize for our efforts;

they are his decision, based on his love freely poured out.

He comes even in moments when we have done everything wrong, when we have done nothing...

from The God Who Comes by Carlo Carretto

Estonia Pictures-click on pictures to enlarge

Thanksgiving with exchange student from Hong Kong and eating alone!









Chatting with the Wildes (Oscar and some Estonian) and great sign in Tartu









Tallinn - Old Town

Happy Thanksgiving! from Tartu

What's Thanksgiving like in Estonia? Liz and I left Riga on Wednesday on the bus to Tartu - it was great. A minibus with reclining seats, heat and it was clean. The trip took about four hours and was a nice drive. The trees were frosted and we got to see some pretty little towns along the way. We are staying with the Clarks, corps officers in Tartu. They have a house church, which is also their home, so we are staying in the chapel. It's great! On Thanksgiving we joined about 40 Americans at someone's house. Once we entered the house, it felt like we were in America for the rest of the day. The house was huge and there was food everywhere. They even had an American flag hanging from the stairwell. We had a slow start - Tim and Evelyn had to arrive late and dropped us off into a house with strangers. That was OK, until we got our food and were directed to go down stairs to eat - just Liz and I. We sat and ate for a long time and no one joined us. The rest of the 40 people were eating somewhere else. It was very funny and a little awkward. When Tim and Evelyn arrived we came upstairs and joined them, but for a while we thought maybe Latvians weren't allowed to mingle with the Estonians. I suppose if we were sensitive girls, we might have been offended, but instead we laughed about it. After that I had a nice time with the group and had several good conversations with Americans, some from the Chicago area and some students from Hong Kong and Italy. The food was amazing - or maybe it was just normal Thanksgiving food but I ate and ate. Today we went with Evelyn and Chris (their son) to see the new Harry Potter movie. I loved it - the rest gave it mixed reviews. Then a couple of hours roaming around lovely Tartu. It is a beautiful city and maybe when it's warmer I'll return. Tomorrow we will go to Tallin for the day. I thought often about my family and friends yesterday. It was nice to be with new friends and I did enjoy the day, but I really missed you all. I thank God for you!

Enjoy the experience

Iwoke up today and decided that no matter what I am going to have fun and not lose my joy during this process of making a training program and all that goes with it, including a broken computer. It's much less stressful trying to have fun than getting myself all worked up about things. So, I took Misa with me to return my computer (again) to the computer shop because I hoped that a Latvian speaking male would make a difference. I'm not sure he did but we had a nice, colddddd walk and trolley bus ride and good conversation along the way. I have to make sure I find time to talk with Misa once ina while - I always get blessed. I'm plugging away at my 'to do' list and making some progress. And I had the best hair cut today! My favorite part of getting my hair cut is the wash and today my lady, Ieva, took forever washing my hair. I nearly fell asleep it was so relaxing. And since we couldn't really communicate I had a nice quiet time. I got home and fixed a pre-Thanksgiving dinner of ham and real baked sweet potatoes loaded with butter and brown sugar - mmmmmm! I'm going to Estonia for Thanksgiving and expect a great meal, but I couldn't wait! Then I've had emails from all of my family and some friends. So, all in all it's been a really nice (and fun) ordinary day in Latvia!

Life and computers

I planned to write about getting my computer back and then show you some fun pics from our latest Leadership Training Day but...after I downloaded the pictures and deleted them from my camera of course, my computer died again. And this time I think it's for good. I got it back from the shop today and had a funny feeling about the quality of repair they might have done. I should have trusted my instinct. I think they put some old or mismatched parts in and now it's fried (my official computer expert opinion.) I'd like to say I'm very calm about the whole thing but I'm afraid my life these days is very dependent on that computer and what I have stored on it. Anyway, enough whining. Liz has graciously loaned me her computer while she is gone for a few days, so I can do some things. Tomorrow is Latvian Independence Day and a holiday for us. It's also Sian's birthday. There is a party tomorrow afternoon. Otherwise, I'm free! I'm hoping to clean house and get my life/work organized this weekend. Maybe some shopping on Saturday. This week I sent out a notice about praying for Latvia tomorrow. My friends at home forwarded it to the OBT corps email list and some other places, too I think. I've had so many responses from people who will be praying for us. My newsletter also got sent out and again, so many wonderful and encouraging notes from home and around the world. I am very blessed with such amazing support. If you think about Latvia tomorrow - pray for us!

Little events during the last few days

Thursday evening I went to the Bible Institute again...on the right tram. On the way home there was a man with his little boy on the tram. The man seemed to want people to notice that he was a good dad, trying to get someone to appreciate his son. I fell for it as they were getting off the tram. I smiled at the boy, he promptly turned away from his dad and spit at me! That didn't stop me from trying to be friendly, well, I did ignore the boy. But when I got off the tram there were a couple men trying to get directions. They spoke English so I asked if they understood what they had been told. We walked and talked for a couple of blocks when one of them said 'Your English is quite good.' DUH...my polite reply was that I was American. I don't know if I should be offended that he thought English was my second language or glad that he thought I was a native Latvian! I woke up at 3 a.m. that night thinking about how to train Lieutenants. My life is definitely out of control. When I got up in the morning I panicked because I realized I hadn't studied for my Latvian class. I decided confession was the best option, so I called Dace. She had too much to do and was glad to cancel. So, it was to be a day at home getting my house together and my work. I went to coffee break, put a carmel in my mouth and pulled out a cap from my tooth! AUGH! No worry - I just popped it back on and am trying to eat carefully. I suppose someday I will have to face a dentist but not yet. In the mddle of that our accountant started asking me budget questions. Once again the panicked feeling - I wanted to run away! I'm afraid I was a bit rude to him. After a few hours of just being alone, I went to see Zoe who was having a bad day. We talked and played with Sian for a while and later that evening went for a walk and to my new favorite coffee shop. Good cafe au lait and even, pecan pie! That is not a typical Latvian treat. We walked to the president's castle where there were hundreds of people and hundreds of candles lit for Lacplesa Day (like Veteran's day.) It was nice. Today is a leadership training day, which I'm responsible for. I managed to arrange it so that I'm not teaching workshops but had the first session. I had a power point ready and when I turned on my computer ------it died. I mean dead, no screen, nothing. Can I say - another panicked moment. I'm not good at backing up and with traveling between offices don't save on the network. But, life will go on - somehow. No boring days in my life! I'd like just one...

Joy!

You can see on their faces the joy they have! They are such a blessing. Last night we had a more serious than usual discussion and I found myself feeling very protective and pastoral about them. We do have a confidentiality agreement, but I think I can say that everyone of them deals with some kind of discouragement, misunderstanding or even abuse at home and/or school because of their faith and especially because they are so involved with Pestisanas Armija. It's easy for me to talk about witnessing to my family and friends, but I don't face what they do. It occurred to me that they really need something much deeper than what I am providing. And after January, I won't be able to do this at all. So, pray with me that we find a solution for that, please.

I've been reading Agressive Christianity by Catherine Booth with Cory Harrison. Cory was one of my camp staff kids when I was a divisional youth secretary. Now he's all grown up and publishing books! I'm so old! Anyway, admittedly I don't always agree with or understand everything Catherine has written, but if she is anything she is challenging. And Cory makes her even more so. He defines this book as The Salvation Army's manual of evangelism to millenium three warriors. Here are some quotes that are significant for me and I don't mean as I look at the Army and judge it, I mean for my own spiritual journey:

We have been deceived in 'regards to the standards of our own relationship with Jesus and to our responsibility to the world.' 'The church, almost as a whole, has adopted an "It's all about me religion!"'

'If you don't want to raise your life to the standard of this righteousness, fine, but for the sake of the children, and for the children not yet even born, don't drag it down and try to make God's standards meet your little, insignificant , confined experience.'

'Do you want to know how to win the world for Jesus? Show people a real, living, self-sacrificing, hard-working, sweating, victorious life and the people will be influenced and transformed by it...'

'Faith that is EXPRESSED IN LOVE is everything.'

'There is no improving the future, without disturbing the present. The difficult part of it all is getting people to be disturbed.'

Odds and ends

Some odds and ends of life in Latvia. Today was another Latvian lesson with Dace – she is so patient with me. I seem to be able to fill out the grammar charts and remember a few words, but putting it all together is so hard. Anyway, it’s fun learning with Dace and I do think I’m making slow progress. I haven’t asked her what she thinks – that’s too risky! Tonight our training program began, preliminarily. All of those students to-be are attending a Bible Course at the Riga International Bible Institute. We are partnering with them for some intro level courses. I planned to be there early to meet them and talk with the Institute staff. Well….I confidently got on the wrong tram and since I was in my own little world, I was nearly out of Riga before I realized I had been on the tram for far too long and I had no idea where we were! Fortunately, I have some sense of the system, so I just got off, headed on the return tram and then met up with the right one. Instead of being early I made a grand entrance just as they were starting the class. That meant I got a front row seat, facing the students! Since I’m not taking the class I quietly left during the tea break. I was happy with the teaching and if it hadn’t been that it was a intro class and that I was sitting in a very awkward place, I might have stayed just to enjoy listening. I got on the right tram going home (just in case you were worried!)

I have to tell you the latest about my small group…we are studying Witnessing 101 (dumb name but you can figure out the lessons.) Each week we give an update about the people on our list who need to hear about Jesus. This week many of them had made great progress and a couple had brought their friends to the corps. This Sunday was Youth Worship Service and the girls were prominent in the leadership. The meeting was really exciting – high energy and fun. I think every one of them has potential to do amazing things as leaders in the church and who knows where else. Also, some of their friends came – some for the first time, others returning. That’s really cool – they don’t have the same reservations about talking about Jesus that some of us do. I've tried to upload some pictures but it's not working - maybe later.

Oslo

A couple of weeks ago, on a whim I bought a ticket to visit my ICO friend, Jan Harald and his family in Oslo, Norway and took that trip this week.  I left early on Monday morning and after a few minutes in a long line at the Riga airport the computers went down.  It was a mess – 5 or 6 flights all leaving within 10 minutes of each other and no one obviously in charge of the plan.  It felt less like a developing country and more like an underdeveloped (or like Chicago Midway Airport and Southwest Airlines) I made it though and when I got on the plane there was Olesja!  She’s one of the girls from the corps and a good friend who is studying to be a flight attendant.  What a funny and happy surprise.

Monday night I went to Oslo Temple band practice and ended up being THE solo horn!  It’s why I don’t like to announce “I played in the CSB for 8 years!”  Because, I don’t usually add “second horn only.”  Anyway, it was fun and fortunately not a very serious practice and 2 of the pieces I knew pretty well.  I was a disaster at the high notes (a new horn and not playing for over a year, except one wedding while I was home – blah, blah, blah) but otherwise survived OK.  We came back to watch the last game of the World Series (3 days late) and I tried to explain a little bit of baseball to Jan and his wife, Eli. (Because I’m such an expert!)  One of my goals for this trip was to get some organizing done without the regular interruptions of working in Riga.  I did have some time to do that but of course not enough – I really need a couple of weeks without interruption but that won’t happen.  We visited the Nobel Peace Center one afternoon.  It has some really powerful media presentations – very thought provoking and challenging, especially to an American Christian.  Maybe I’ll think and blog more about that later.  The weather was awful – foggy and rainy – so not much sightseeing got done and if you can believe it, I didn’t take one picture.  I’ll have to return at a better time of the year.  

It was great to talk to Jan and Eli and get some perspective on my little world.  Sometimes I think life begins and ends here and especially with my work.  Of course, that’s not true and I need to be aware of the needs of my friends in other places.  

Lots of other things have been happening, but I’ll save them for another blog entry.  

Go Chicago!

Yesterday: I woke up early (5 a.m.) so I could listen to the end of the World Series game. I'm too cheap to pay to listen at mlb.com so I listened online to WGN radio in Chicago who were practically doing a play by play. I could hear the cheers from fans in Chicago when the White Sox won. OK, I admit I am a Cubs fan but mostly, I'm a Chicago fan so I'm just happy for the city. It is one of those "I wish I was home for this" moments, though. From that excitement (which no one in Latvia cares one bit about) I spent the morning with a few of the leaders and a group from the UK Raynes Park corps who have committed to support our church planting efforts. It was a nice morning. I am constantly amazed at the number of people who have an interest in God's work in Latvia. In the evening, Liz and I went to the ballet (again!) to see Romeo and Juliet. It was a bit more modern ballet expression, but also very good and the orchestra was great. We also found a new restaurant which serves excellent Italian food. So, a very eclectic day for me.

Fall in Latvia

The leaves are falling fast and we even had a touch of snow this week. Here are some pics from my fall getaway weekend with the Smiths. It was beautiful. (a fun picture of my small group from last night also included)
from the highest mountain (hill) in Latvia
Sian plays in the leaves
Lots of castle ruins in our exploration and beautiful sites
Smiles!

Mission and Prayer Conference

I’m going to start backwards about the Mission and Prayer Conference – tonight’s small group. I asked the girls what they thought about the weekend. It was hard for a few of them because they missed some due to work. But, all seemed to feel good about it and then when I asked specific questions they got very excited. On Saturday we went out on the streets of Riga to pray with people and they had great stories about that – overcoming shyness and being bold in approaching people – all much better than me. I used language as my excuse for standing on the corner and just praying silently. Anyway, then I shared the dream/hope I got during the weekend. It started as I read Red Moon Rising and kept building all weekend. It was confirmed by our guest, Lyndall Bywater, 24-7 coordinator for the Army in the UK. I want to see a Boiler Room (community prayer room – see www.24-7prayer.com) in Riga which would draw together many churches and youth organizations. And while we were out praying I found the building. It’s on the corner of our street and ever since I’ve been here people have been saying (and praying) that they want someone to take over the building who would help the community and clean it up. Why not a Boiler Room? The girls eyes got big and I could sense they agreed with my dream. After some coaxing one of them shared her own dream – that we would have a big worship music festival (like Cornerstone) in Meža Parks. My eyes got big, too. I began to dream about combining the whole thing, making some contacts with connections from my youth department networking days and off we went! Of course, this has nothing to do with the huge task I’m involved in right now and there is no way I could give time to anything like this. But, we can keep sharing the dream and eventually the right people will hear and get inspired, I think!

Red Moon Rising

Quotes from Red Moon Rising (some of these concepts also taught by Lyndall Bywater at our Mission and Prayer Conference)

God uses young people again and again to help restore nations and shape their destiny.  Young people stand at the heart of the salvation story.  Re: Evangelism/Harvest:  Our opportunities are those of the World Wide Web, budget travel, the rise of tribalism and the postmodern desire for community, authentic spirituality and social justice.

Lectio divina:  God’s very self ‘breaks in upon the middle of our prayer, runs to meet us in all haste and restores our weary soul.’

The Vision:  The vision is holiness that hurts the eyes.  It makes children laugh and adults angry.  It gave up the game of minimum integrity long ago to reach for the stars.  It scorns the good and strains for the best.  It is dangerously pure.

The ultimate 24-7 prayer room is the human heart fully surrendered to God and not a room full of coffee mugs and hand-drawn pictures!  We don’t want to withdraw people from society to live in spiritual bubbles of perpetual prayer, rather we want to immerse ourselves in society, having immersed ourselves in the Spirit – in the world and yet full of God and overflowing.  Maybe this is a new day in which the fullness of God awaits us in the streets and clubs and pubs.  Of course God will attend our meetings…But perhaps there is a weariness, even a reluctance, in his heart as he gazes back over his shoulder, out of the church door and into the street.  We’ve spent (30) years saying “come, Holy Spirit” and he came.  Now, if the Spirit says “come”, the question is this:  Will we obey?  ‘Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.’ (C.T. Studd)

Jesus was intimate with the Father in prayer.  This gave him, and will give us, the passion to continue whatever the odds in loving our neighbor in whatever context God places us.

All of this and more prepared me for our conference and for God moving and speaking to me.  Not sure how it all fits together yet.  I’ll write more about the conference later.  

Pray!

In just a few hours our mission and prayer conference will start and already we have experienced the powerful presence and leading of the spirit as the leadership team met today. Also, already we have experienced the battle that brings - electrical problems in the hall, cold/flu among the leaders, typical leadership struggles with other leaders which seem magnified because they came as we were praying for this weekend. So, if you think about us this weekend - pray, please. We know God has something extraordinary He wants to do in and through us and we have no idea what that might be. I have a sense it is about the people of Latvia taking up the mantle of leadership and specifically the youth. I can't wait to tell you what happens!

I can do all things?

When I was young I took Philippians 4:13 as my verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Didn’t everyone?  But, I had no idea what it would really mean and I’m not sure I really believed that I could do all things.  Then, I ‘matured’ and started to believe I could do all things, but not in Christ’s strength.  Simply with my own marvelous personality and giftedness.  So, I came to Latvia and experienced the opposite – I couldn’t do anything in my own strength or with my own ingenuity.  I was completely humbled (and often humiliated.)  Now, I’m headed again toward taking this verse as my own.  Why?  Because I have experienced over and over again that God does give me strength and everything else that is needed for tasks that I think are impossible.  Do I think the process of humility is over?  Oh no, I expect I will be humbled many times in the days to come.  But, do I believe I can do all things through Christ?  Oh yes, much more than I ever believed before I came to Latvia.  It is a process of understanding my own weakness so that I can be strong with the power of God at work in me.  Am I proud? – only of what God is doing.  I know I’m only one ego step away from creating a disaster and I have to rely on God the whole way.  It’s a fun and adventurous place to be.  

I surrender

On Friday morning before I left to do the final things for our Assessment Conference, I felt the need to just sit and soak in a few moments with the Lord to prepare myself for what was coming. I had Phil Laeger’s CD in my player and went to “I Surrender”:

I surrender my life to Your blood
I surrender my name for Your glory
I surrender my heart to Your will
I surrender my dreams to the plans You have for me
Thank You for showing me the emptiness of all I held onto
I surrender it all,I surrender my everything for You.

I sat in my kitchen with my eyes closed and prayed that prayer. I had no idea what would happen this weekend, but I knew it would be demanding, exhausting and emotional. I was afraid I was going in with too much of my own agenda and so surrendered myself to whatever God wanted to do. Wow! He was faithful! First in a practical way, it all ran pretty smoothly and even when some things went wrong we remained calm. The leadership team couldn’t have been better – they were just what we needed. The translators did a fantastic job and were happy to be part of this exciting weekend. The delegates had a great time and we sensed today at the end of it that the Lord was doing some new and challenging thing in many of their lives. So, it’s over. In reality, it is only the beginning of a huge job which I cannot do in my own strength or with my own wisdom. But, seeing once again how God provides all that we need, I can be at peace (sort of) for the future. And tomorrow – I don’t have to set my alarm!

Newest Soldier in Latvia

Living in Riga

A few 'life in Riga' stories: Yesterday I went for an eye exam. The first requirement is to find an eye Dr. who speaks English. So, I did. She was great and we had no communication problems until she handed me a paper with lots of writing on it and said "Can you read this?" "No", I said "but it has nothing to do with my eyes - it's in Latvian!" Fortunately, she laughed but then didn't laugh as I actually tried to read it. Earlier that day I had my first Latvian class (level 1 1/2) which should be fun and maybe even helpful. There are five of us from around the world - Egypt, France, Japan, America and a Russian speaking Latvian. We all had different classes last spring so the poor teacher had a hard time trying to figure out what we know. We each have a different area of knowledge. Some know grammar (not me), some know vocabulary (I'm a bit better here) and others are somewhere in between (that would be me.) I didn't feel completely stupid in comparison to the rest. But, I have lost a lot of what I should know from my last class and need to do some studying. It seems to be a nice group and I like the teacher. So, what I learn may be limited by my brain, but just being with some people who aren't part of the Salvation Army will be refreshing.
Sunday evening I went to the opera and it was so good. I love Tchaikovsky and the orchestra was good. The harpist was amazing. The ballet was good too - I'm not a huge fan or expert, but they seemed to be high quality. Not perfect, but not amateurs either. I wouldn't mind going again. And it wasn't so bad being on my own. There were lots of tourists - mostly German speaking it seemed. So, I felt like I was the Latvian instead of a foreigner. One of the nicest things was that I met my friend, Jill during the intermission. She was in my first language class. We have been trying to get together but had no idea we would both be at the opera. So, that was a pleasant surprise. I had just been praying about connecting with her. I'm not sure I would call that a real answer to prayer but it was a blessing. As I was walking to the opera house a flock of noisy birds landed in the trees in the park. It hit me that the way they fly and chirp and filled the trees was a miracle of creation. It was a passing thought but I guess the idea of God as Creator was stuck in my mind. As I listened to the beautiful music and was amazed at the way the ballet dancers' bodies moved (mine doesn't do that!) I again thought what a miracle is creation - God didn't have to give us beautiful music or the ability to dance. He did that just for us and I believe to see in the beauty something of Himself. From nature to music to the miracle of our own bodies - God is trying to get us to see Him and fellowship with Him. I'm so thankful that I do have a relationship with Him and I know the Creator. That is amazing!
Sunday I was at Riga 2 for church because one of our candidates, Velta, was becoming a soldier (member) of the church that morning. Someday I'll tell you more about Velta, she is a miracle herself and the Lord is doing great and wonderful things in her life these days. Here we are - she's in her new uniform and I think she looks great! (trouble uploading photos - I'll try again later.)

My friend, Pam

I’m trying to work but honestly, my mind is somewhere else today. Here’s what I wrote in my journal last night:

Pam died yesterday. Lisa emailed me today. I was praying for Pam today and felt I didn’t need to pray so much for her but for Donna and her family and friends. I’m sure Pam was so tired and only wanted to be with Jesus. And now she is! Lisa says Donna’s OK – rejoicing. I’m so glad the Lord prepared her in that way. I’m weepy but think part of it is very selfish. I want to be home to share all of this with Oakbrook Terrace and THQ.

I had a lot of other things I wanted to post after yesterday. But, Pam is on my mind. I thank God for her life and her friendship. I’ve been listening to Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir this weekend and these words especially are what I pray Pam’s loved ones will experience:

Lord, I will lift up my eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from You
Your peace You give me
In time of the storm

You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to You.
AMEN

Saturday in Riga

A view from above and a bit of the city

Salvation Army grid::blog

My turn - am I too late?

Weekend life

Last night I had Aivis, Sarah and Josh over for dinner, but we had it at their place!  Josh goes to bed early so it was easier to spend the evening there, but I wanted to fix dinner.  It was really fun. We didn’t do anything exciting, just eat and talk – 2 of my favorite things to do.  We tried to talk about things other than work, but I’m afraid we didn’t manage that very well.  Anyway, we had good conversation and listened to a Latvian Christian CD which I’m going to get – my first Latvian music purchase.  I definitely hope to have them over for dinner again!  Sarah has become a great encourager for me.  She and Aivis are such a blessing.
Thursday I sent out the prayer alert and what an amazing response I’ve had.  From Poland, Moscow, Indianapolis, Chicago, London and many other places I know that people are praying. And maybe the most precious assurance of prayer came last night as I was returning from Ilsters.  Miša met me in the stairway and told me that a few of them had been praying for the training program, but especially they were and would continue to pray for me.  He suggested I might find my home enchanted when I arrived (not sure what that meant but if it has anything to do with cleaning windows and dusting, I’d be really thrilled!)  I think the only other time I’ve felt such incredible prayer surrounding me was when my mom and dad died.  Those prayers carried me through a difficult time.  These prayers are going to bring us into something wonderful and exciting.  I keep thinking about Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. “  We are asking for God to do something really great, but the amazing thing is He can do even more than what we are asking and I have a feeling He is going to.  I don’t have any idea what that might be, but I pray that whatever it is, we will be sure to give Him the glory and that it will all be for His Kingdom’s sake.
Today was another of those perfect Saturdays. I slept in, went into Old Riga for a few hours and came home with no plans.  I read Harry Potter (Half Blood Prince) and listened to NPR online.  It’s fun to have that connection to home.  My excursion into the city was great, again.  I made a list of some of the ‘must see’ tourist sites and tried to get in a few.  I went to St. Peter’s church and took the lift to the top of the tower, which is supposed to be the highest church tower in Europe.  It was beautiful and I’ll try to download some pictures.  I also went to Doma church, which has the world’s (?) biggest organ.  Unfortunately it was being repaired and anyway, they charge an extra 2 lats to take pictures.  I’m hoping to go to an organ concert there this fall.  Speaking of Latvian cultural events, I’ve decided I need to do as much as possible before January because when training starts I really don’t know how much time or energy I will have to enjoy the city/country.  So, I stopped at the opera house and bought a ticket to see Swan Lake tomorrow.  I haven’t been to many ballets in my lifetime, but Latvia is supposed to have a great ballet company.  Riga is a very cultural city and there are always concerts, exhibits and something to celebrate.  I have been waiting to find someone to do all these things with but that hasn’t happened.  So I’m doing some on my own.  Later this fall Graeme, Zoe and I, with Sian of course, are going to take a long weekend out in the country.  That will be fun and we are exploring an area none of us have seen before, so that will make it even better.  I talked with Dace about going out again for a day.  We will head toward western Latvia because I haven’t seen anything that way.  This fall should be a real Latvian experience for me.