laupäev, jaanuar 01, 2005
Happy New Year!
It is hard to believe it is 2005. It was so exciting to ring in the new year in Estonia. We literally brought the year in with a bang, as it is Estonian custom to set off fireworks. From outside our window on every side of our house, we could see colorful lights filling the sky as our neighbors celebrated. I can still hear the crackling and popping of fireworks as I type, although it was at a full roar at midnight.
Earlier in the evening, we and Karl Gustav attended a new year's eve service at Colgata Baptist Church. We even were able to understand the sermon because the pastor (who was not preaching for this service) sat behind us and translated. One moment that stood out for me was when we sang the gospel spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" in Estonian ("Mind vii kui inglikäel, tule kanna koju mind siit"). What feeling, to hear the familiar music, sing in flowing Estonian language and know what I was singing. I'm sure those who first sang this song never imagined it being sung half way around the world in a language they weren't even aware of. I had the same sensation on Sunday when we sang the Appalachian hymn "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
After the service, we wanted celebrate by having lasagna at a local restaurant we really like. We wanted to go for this on Christmas Eve, since having lasagna that night is a tradition in Evelyn's family, but the restaurant was closed. Well guess what: It was closed again. In fact, we tried most of the restaurants we knew in town and they were all closed. So we learned another lesson about Estonia. The only place that was open was McDonalds, so we treated Karl Gustav to a burger, and as we ate remembered why this is only the second time we have eaten there in almost six months! That is one part of American cuisine I don't miss.
From there, we brought Karl Gustav to the childrens home and headed to the home of some American missionary friends of ours, the Masons. We had chocolate fondue together, dipping fruit like bananas and cherries, pretzels and sponge cake. The kids had a lot of fun. Then we watched the movie "Iron Will" together. Unfortunately, Peter has been getting new teeth (his third tooth--his first on the top--came in yesterday) and was miserable. He was crying uncontrollably and finally we felt it was best to head home. So that is why we saw the fireworks from our house. But it was good. From the top floor, we had a good view of all that went on, and the kids went from window to window watching it all.
We've seen God do amazing things in 2004. We are excited to see what He will bring our way in the new year. Happy new year!
--Tim
Earlier in the evening, we and Karl Gustav attended a new year's eve service at Colgata Baptist Church. We even were able to understand the sermon because the pastor (who was not preaching for this service) sat behind us and translated. One moment that stood out for me was when we sang the gospel spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" in Estonian ("Mind vii kui inglikäel, tule kanna koju mind siit"). What feeling, to hear the familiar music, sing in flowing Estonian language and know what I was singing. I'm sure those who first sang this song never imagined it being sung half way around the world in a language they weren't even aware of. I had the same sensation on Sunday when we sang the Appalachian hymn "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
After the service, we wanted celebrate by having lasagna at a local restaurant we really like. We wanted to go for this on Christmas Eve, since having lasagna that night is a tradition in Evelyn's family, but the restaurant was closed. Well guess what: It was closed again. In fact, we tried most of the restaurants we knew in town and they were all closed. So we learned another lesson about Estonia. The only place that was open was McDonalds, so we treated Karl Gustav to a burger, and as we ate remembered why this is only the second time we have eaten there in almost six months! That is one part of American cuisine I don't miss.
From there, we brought Karl Gustav to the childrens home and headed to the home of some American missionary friends of ours, the Masons. We had chocolate fondue together, dipping fruit like bananas and cherries, pretzels and sponge cake. The kids had a lot of fun. Then we watched the movie "Iron Will" together. Unfortunately, Peter has been getting new teeth (his third tooth--his first on the top--came in yesterday) and was miserable. He was crying uncontrollably and finally we felt it was best to head home. So that is why we saw the fireworks from our house. But it was good. From the top floor, we had a good view of all that went on, and the kids went from window to window watching it all.
We've seen God do amazing things in 2004. We are excited to see what He will bring our way in the new year. Happy new year!
--Tim
