March Forth! Marssige Edasi!

My mother used to sing this song to us all the time. She ended it with something like,
"Oh, I used to sing this song to Danny, Bobby, Reggie, Evelyn, Debbie, Mary-Kay, Andy, and Katherine too!"

Click here for the tune.

PRETTY BABY(Gus Kahn - Tony Jackson - Egbert Van Alstyne)« © '22 EMI Feist Catalog »(Baby of mine pretty baby baby of mine pretty baby)
Everybody loves a baby that's why I'm in love with you
Pretty baby pretty baby
And I'd like to be your sister brother dad and mother too
Pretty baby pretty baby
Won't you come and let me rock you in my cradle of love
And we'll cuddle all the time
Oh I want a loving baby and it might as well be you
Pretty baby of mine
(Everybody loves a baby that's why I'm in love with you)
Pretty baby pretty baby
(And I'd like to be your sister brother dad and mother too)
Pretty baby pretty baby
Won't you come and let me rock you in my cradle of love
Oh I want a loving baby and it might as well be you
Pretty baby of pretty baby of pretty baby of mine

My mother never liked computers ("the e-mail machine" she would call it, in disgust). But with two daughters living away, she did force herself to send us an e-mail once a week to update us on life in Maine.

My sister saved them, and here are some excerpts from a year ago:

--------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 08:31:49 -0500
Subject: My Darling Daughters

Well, today's the day I have my bronchoscope & biopsy. I'd like to tell you that I'm not scared & be brave like Aunt Joann; but that's not true. I'm terrified of what the results will do to you kids & Dick. He puts up a brave front, but I can see the concern & sorrow in his eyes....

God has been very kind to me; distracting me with thoughts of stories I need to write down....

God has shown me amazing grace & mercy. Sunday, in church we sang "He Touched Me". For years I have sung in my heart "Touch Me Again, Lord" as a counter-melody when the chorus is sung....

Remember, I love you & you are going to be okay... I can feel your love & prayers,
Love & prayers,
Mama
I want this to be all done when the baby is born, Ev, so take it easy so you don't go early. I won't be too upset if it's a girl,but I do think this family needs more boys

--------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2004

Well, I woke up feeling 16 & thinking of all I want to do today, & you are first on my list [of course, the first load of wash is in, bed made, & spent my time alone w God already, but you're still #1].Hard to realize that your 16 yr old Mama has a son who was 45 yesterday....Dick & I took Danny to the "Good Table" for supper last night. We had a grand time & it was so joyous to be laughing together. Danny has that subtle humor that really gets to you. He turned so red, he was purple; when a piece of cake w candle came & we sang Happy Birtday to him....

You know God has shown our family a lot of mercy & grace. Last Fri I was fussing @ God that I didn't want to be a burden & God reminded me of how he used me to hold Aunt Carol & Uncle Jimmy, our friends Mike & Jane, Marie & Donny, Aunt Joann & Uncle Reg up in prayer [as well as many others]. I found myself praising God for his mercy & allowing me to be his instrument to encourage others of his loving care.I'd like to get things done so I can see our new baby, & maybe even go to Moldova w Dick. Mary-Kay, is Holland or the Netherlands on the way there? Our plan is to go to Penn for Easter & then to Williamsburg. I've talked an awful lot about me & I bore myself...Will write a better letter the next time I use this dumb machine.
Love & prayers,
Mama

It's amazing how God keeps opening doors for us in unexpected ways.

Today a man came to the door and wanted to speak to me. His first language was Russian, which I don't know at all, and he knew a bit of Estonian, but we simply weren't able to talk. I called Ermo and put the two of them on the phone together and when they were done Ermo told me that the man wanted to meet with me and that he could be there in around 30 minutes to translate. I hoped the man would want to come back, but he wanted to wait so I invited him in for tea. If there were a video camera, it would have made for funny viewing. Using my little Estonian, I offered him tea and cookies (tee ja küpsid) and we sat together in the kitchen trying to make small talk. I apologized (in English) for not knowing Russian or Estonian. He let me know that he studied English in school but knew only a handful of phrases. Then he showed me that he could count to 12 in English, then he said the English alphabet (Russian uses Cyrillic and in Estonian the letters are pronounced differently). We were like two pre-schoolers showing each other what we knew! This didn't last too long, however, and much of the time was spent in silence, with only the noise of sipping and swallowing tea and the crunching of cookies.

Finally, Ermo arrived. When we could finally talk I found that the man, Igor, is a student at the Methodist seminary in Tallinn. He lives in Tartu and needs to do a social work related practicum for his degree. He had spoken with the lady I met on Tuesday at the Russian language prayer meeting and she recommended he see me! It is amazing how God brings all things together. After hearing what he needs to do, I feel that he could do this with us here in Tartu and with the work that will be taking place in Võru. It is amazing the capable helpers God is bringing alongside us. I can't wait to see how things work out!
--Tim

Chris has the same thing that Peter and I had.

We have all been sick more often and more ... violently ... in the past 10 months than we ever have been in our whole lives.

Please pray for Chris, and for all of us.

Thanks!

Evelyn

General John Larsson and Commissioner Freda Larsson Meet Pope Benedict XVI

The International Leaders meet Pope Benedict XVI

General John Larsson and Commissioner Freda Larsson attended the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI in Rome as guests of the Vatican. This was the first time a General of The Salvation Army has been present at a papal inauguration and only the second time the Archbishop of Canterbury has attended since the reformation.

Great respect and hospitality was extended to The Salvation Army throughout the weekend visit. The General was seated on the front row during Sunday’s inauguration service, also attended by Majors Massimo and Jane Paone (Command Leaders, Italy).

‘The Sunday morning worship was a very inspiring and moving occasion,’ said General Larsson. ‘I was struck by the history and beauty of the location and the sheer joy and freedom of the estimated half a million congregation. The Pope preached a powerful, Christ-centered address using simple gospel imagery. It was pastoral and evangelical. And it was interrupted by applause again and again.’

The Pope concluded his sermon saying: ‘Today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life.’

More than 60 Christian leaders from Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Churches around the world were accommodated in the same hotel providing a unique opportunity for fellowship and dialogue. In addition, the General had opportunity to talk with a number of the cardinals.

The next day, the Pope met the General and Commissioner Larsson during an ecumenical gathering with Christian leaders and representatives of different faiths. The General thanked the Pope for his Christ-centered message on the Sunday and assured him of the prayers of Salvationists. The pontiff thanked the General and expressed his hope that all Christians everywhere would work together to meet the challenges of a secular society.

Commissioner Larsson commented: ‘We came away from this historic occasion with a sense that Christian leaders have a renewed willingness to talk to each other and build on our points of unity. The General added: 'Cardinal Walter Kasper, who is responsible at the Vatican for ecumenical matters, spoke for us all when he commented that the things that unite us are greater than those which divide.’

Captain Dean Pallant

So I'm almost done reading this book called Catholic Christianity, and it has been fascinating for me! Please get a copy if you can because it is truly worthwhile!

One thing it has done is made me feel even more secure in my own beliefs as a Salvationist, including our position on the sacraments (we don't practice them).

Before too many more days go by, though, I wanted to bring up this question from the ArmyBarmy Blog:
Saturday, April 23, 2005
April 22, 2005.Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.My astute friend , in discussing those of us (Salvos) who dilute our prophetic testimony to the rest of the Body, and noting that we are not historic protestants (descending, as we are, from the Anglicans), wondered if they (the diluters) were connys or trannys (substantiation). Good question. I'd like to hear answers (info@thewarcollege.com).

Hmm. Always something to think about from those folks! (Glad I'm not a diluter!)

Evelyn

I've been busy the past few days following up on the people I met at the meeting on Sunday.

Yesterday afternoon I invited one man, Tiit, to the house to chat. He had been to the opening meeting and to the follow-up meeting and was interested in learning more about the Army. It turns out he comes from a Methodist background. He has seen that there are many needs in his community and wants to do something about it, and feels that maybe he could to this by helping the Army. He was impressed with the Army's approach to meeting human needs. He seems to be a capable and intelligent guy, so I will be keeping in touch with him as our work develops.

Shortly after that Ermo (who had been translating in our first meeting) and I headed to a meeting of what I thought was a group of pensioners. I have felt a deep concern in my heart for pensioners here and thought this would be an opportunity to see what their needs really are. Well ... Leonid, who invited me, is a pensioner, but it turns out that it was actually a prayer meeting of his Russian-speaking church group! It worked out fine, though, because the people there (six of them) were very interested in hearing about the Army. They are a young church and are interested in reaching many of the same groups I am, such as the homeless, and one woman has an active outreach to people in the prisons. So although it was not what I expected, it was still great and I think we may find ourselves working together.

One funny thing was watching Ermo translate. When we first hired him, I did not know he has a conversational knowledge of Russian as well as his native Estonian, and this has been an immeasurable help. But he told me that he has not used his Russian as much lately, so it was a challenge for him in the meeting. At times he would stop, smile and say that his head hurt from the effort. Sometimes after a person spoke in Russian, he would turn to me and start speaking to me in Estonian, going on for several sentences not realizing he was using the wrong language. We had a great laugh after we left there! Since I have only one language right now, I can only admire his ability to juggle three.

This afternoon, I had another man come over. He is an older gentleman who is involved with several pensioners groups here. He told me that many pensioners have it very hard because their state pension is not enough and there are few resources to help them with things like rent, wood for heating, food and clothing. He told me that most of these people are too proud to beg for help and so they simply go without things they need, like food or medicine. This is clearly a group the Army should reach out to! And many of these needs are things the Army can get via humanitarian aid, so we can help with the short-term need, then look into what will help with their overall situations. I was even invited to speak to one of the groups and tell them about the Army and our work. I feel very excited about this meeting and think it will open many more doors to serve the older population here.

Tomorrow I am meeting with another man who came to the meeting. He said he would like to preach for The Salvation Army, but I don't know much about him. We will see what comes of this meeting.

I'm so happy because I feel like all of the ground work and relationship building we have done up to this point are bearing fruit and we are moving ahead now. Please pray that we will listen closely to God's leading as the opportunities present themselves so that we can make the best choices about what we should do and where we should begin.
--Tim

Peter basically slept through the night last night! For the first time since we got back from America a week and a half ago! Tim and I have been like zombies (with a hangover!) this whole time.

And I think we're both done being sick! I'm even eating solid food again!

So life is good.

We have an outdoor thermometer, and this morning it said 20 degrees! I almost fainted. We looked online, and it's really 8 (more like it!). When the sun shines directly on it, we get a false reading. But even so, we are excited that it is spring and so beautiful out. The sun has been shining every day (and night! sunset is 8:50 right now).

Tim has all kinds of exciting corps-related things to blog about, but I thought I'd update the domestic side of life.

Evelyn

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will reach bookstores in Britain on July 16!

So please write me if you live in Britain!

We're planning a visit this summer!

Evelyn

The following is all from the Organized Home web site:

Staten Island, NY (PRWEB) March 13, 2005 –- With spring around the corner, many women have turned their thoughts to the traditional “Spring Cleaning” – cleaning and clearing out the clutter that has gathered over the winter. What if you could sweep that broom through your life and clear out the clutter that has gathered there?
“Actually, that’s just what many women would love to do” says Life Coach and Certified Master Neurolinguistic Program Practitioner Millie Padilla, facilitator for the Clean Sweep Program™, a 12-week journey for re-vamping your life.
With the many roles that women juggle today and so little time to devote to any one role, it is no wonder that clutter gathers in one's life. “Women tend to put themselves on hold”, says Padilla, “setting aside their own dreams and aspirations while handling the day-to-day demands of a family and career.”
But, as John Lennon once said, “life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans” and it is this that leaves many women feeling frustrated while wondering what happened to their lives.
There are four areas of your life where focused attention can make a huge difference:
Physical Environment
Health and Emotional Balance
Money
Relationships
“Simple changes can lead to profound results”, says Padilla....
Taking a different approach is key. Padilla has developed a Top Ten List for Making Effective Changes. Here are three you can use today:
Identify Your Values – Identify five of your top values. Examples might include integrity, love, compassion, contribution, etc. Now, take a moment and reflect on your past and your present life. Are your thoughts and behavior consistent with these values? If not, then you are most likely encountering feelings of guilt, frustration and short temper. If you are living your values, you will always feel a sense of peacefulness in your life, even when you encounter challenges.
Master the Art of Making Choices – Identify at least three areas where you believe that you feel you "have to do" or have "no choice" in a situation. List these three items on a sheet of paper.
Next to each item, answer the following questions:
1. Why do I believe that I have no choice?
2. What do I want?
3. How am I going to achieve it?
Below is an example:
Situation: I do not like where I live
Why do I believe that I have no choice?
My income is limited and I have not been able to find a place that is nice, safe and affordable.
What do I want?
I want a home that feels warm and comfortable, that I can be proud of, and share with family and friends.
How am I going to achieve it?
Short-Term:
1. Make sure my home is clean and clutter-free....
2. Decorate with items that give me pleasure, such as family photos....
Long-Term:
1. Search for a nicer place, there may be new or better options of which I am unaware.
2. Take steps to increase my income. Look for a better position to achieve my dreams.
Remember, if you know why you want something – why it is important to you – you will find it easier to stay focused on your goals. You will become more alert to opportunities while maintaining a sense of adventure and excitement, with a dash of anticipation for achieving your dreams.
Eliminating Energy Drainers – Energy drainers are those things that add to your feelings of dissatisfaction, failure and frustration, and even your physical and mental tiredness. Energy drainers may include a wide range of items, from something as seemingly innocent as a cluttered home or office area, or a dreaded task that is continuously put off, to more obvious matters such as a personal or professional issue that is unresolved.
Addressing energy drainers immediately – even when they cannot be totally resolved – provides a feeling of satisfaction and control and helps in reducing your frustration and sense of failure.
So how do you know if you are dissatisfied or unfulfilled with life in general? Most women have a sense that things just are not as they want them to be. Here are five questions whose answers can alert you to a need to make a change:
1. Does fear keep you from taking action - fear of failure, fear of looking silly or stupid?
2. Do you find yourself using negative self-talk – a language that supports a premise that you are wrong, incapable, or have little worth?
3. Have you focused on one area or role for too long, making you feel that you do not have a life of your own?
4. Do you live in the past? Are your goals vague or overwhelming? Do you have goals?
5. Do you believe the statement that you are the architect of your future?
If you find yourself pausing over any of the above, maybe it is time for a Clean Sweep in your own life. Find a good coach or work with a trusted friend and start the process for taking charge of your life. A Clean Sweep may be just the answer.
Millie Padilla, Life Coach and Certified Master Neurolinguistic Program Practitioner, offers the Clean Sweep program in April and can be reached at e-mail protected from spam bots or visit her website at www.coachmillie.com for a complimentary session or for more information.

While technically only a pink hatter wearing lavender (not considered old enough to wear purple and a red hat that doesn't go!), I still would like to wish everyone a very happy Red Hat Society Day!

Evelyn

You gotta read the latest post on Chris's blog:
http://www.chrischronicles.blogspot.com/

I can't add anything to it. Just read it already!

Evelyn

On the down side, now Evelyn has the same sickness that Peter has. She was really miserable last night and this morning, but we are hoping that it will run its course soon and she will be through with it.

On the up side, the meeting this afternoon went well (even though Evelyn missed it). Our regional commanders, Majors Tyrrell, had planned this gathering at the same hall where we had the opening, and intended it to be an opportunity for follow-up with the people who attended before. We didn't learn about it until just before we returned to Estonia, and so didn't have much time to prepare, particularly with jetlag and sickness slowing us down. I wasn't too optimistic about anyone showing up, but went thinking that if nothing else, we could spend some time with the Tyrrells and our translator Ermo and his wife. But people actually came!

This is mostly because Major Tyrrell stood on the street and practically forced people to come in, but we had probably 15 or 20 people. And the best part is that they were almost all Salvation Army people: several were homeless, a few others were drunks and there were a good number of pensioners. These are the people I've wanted to reach! We sang "I Serve A Risen Saviour (He Lives)" and then I shared a brief devotional. After that we had tea and cookies together. The people were eager to talk with me, and it is a good thing that Ermo speaks both Estonian and Russian. I met several people who are interested in helping with the Army's work; I spoke with two older men who are involved with pensioners' groups who said that these people need the Army's help (something I've felt in my heart for a while); and I spoke with one guy who asked me for 10 krooni (around a dollar) for alcohol (at least he was honest). I felt right at home with these folks!

I will be meeting with one of the pensioners' groups on Tuesday, and will be making follow up visits to a list of others this week. It was such an encouragement to see in this small group a composite of those I believe God wants us to serve!

After that, I went to Võru (around 75 km south of Tartu) for a meeting with the Tyrrells and a ecumenical group that has been working there doing a soup kitchen and work with seniors. The Army is opening the work there in August and may take the lead in this work. Evelyn and I will assisting with this and offering support to the new officer--Captain Ave Kalme, the first Estonian officer. They are very welcoming to the Army coming to the town, so I think it will be a great work there.

Please pray for us this week as we follow up on the contacts we made today. And please pray that we will be able to work our the details of our ministry here. I believe God has big plans for Tartu, we just want to be faithful.
--Tim

One month ago today was Maundy Thursday. I had a wonderful time of worship and fellowship with several friends here in Tartu.

It is also the day my mother was Promoted to Glory. (It was Thursday in America, but already the beginning of Good Friday here in Estonia.)

Here is a great quote from Catholic Christianity, by Peter Kreeft, a book that my dear friend Mary Walker sent to me while we were in America (recommended reading for everyone!):
"Since [death] is natural, we honestly confront it and accept it as a fact of our being, instead of avoiding it by endless diversions of our attention or, by living in denial, pretending it is not there.
"Since it is also unnatural, the inescapable punishment for our sin, we hate it and fight it as our enemy, 'the last enemy' (1 Cor. 15:26).
"Finally, since it is also supernatural, transformed by Christ's Resurrection, we welcome it. For if we are in Christ, death comes to us as God's golden chariot sent to fetch his Cinderella bride from the cinders of this dying world to his golden castle to live with him in eternal ecstasy."

Gotta love that last sentence!

This book starts out:
"We need faith because our world is full of death.
"And so are we. Each one of us will die."

I am so glad that God asked my sister to give me this book, that she was obedient, and that I have already read almost half of it! It has been a comfort to this grieving heart of mine in a way that a book specifically about mourning never could be.

Evelyn

Well, it looks like Peter is really getting better now. It's always so hard when your child is sick and you feel like all you can do is watch and comfort him. He slept a bit more last night, but Evelyn and I had difficulties sleeping, and around the time we did finally doze off, he woke up! He was up again until around 5:15, and he and I just played together until he was ready for sleep. We'll get him on a regular schedule soon, then we will all finally be able to sleep and I won't feel like my head is full of fog!

I was thinking today about the hotel where we stayed while we were in Maine. They served breakfast for the guests each morning (which was such a treat!) and the woman who prepared the food, Svetlana, was from Ukraine, which borders Moldova. We had great conversations with her and felt a real kinship with her. We felt kind of like refugees and aliens there, and she understood. Every morning Elizabeth would say good morning to her in Russian; often she would speak to Peter, who pretended he was shy; and hearing her accent, although not Estonian, gave a nice reminder that we would be going home again. On our last day, she even had gifts for us, which is typical in her culture but not so often seen in America. It was good to have a reminder of home even in that difficult time.

Now that we are back, it feels almost as if we never left. I've had to use my Estonian a few times and in the moment, even though I do tend to panic with language, I was able to make myself understood. They say that home is where the heart is, and I am finding new depth to that old saying.
--Tim

Today its been snowing off and on. Once the sun went down some of it even began to stick. Winter isn't letting go quite yet, and neither is our jetlag.

Peter is still sick, so that isn't helping either. Last night he slept for an hour or so, but Evelyn and I couldn't get to sleep because we are still adjusting, so we finally made it to bed at around 1:00 a.m.. Then Peter woke up fussy and didn't get back to sleep until around 5:15. We felt like zombies by the time we got to bed! He woke up two hours later, but by then Elizabeth (who has been doing great with jetlag) and Chris were up and offered to take him so we could sleep. Good kids!

Peter had only nursed and had nothing solid all day yesterday, and so seemed to be on the mend. The kids asked if they could give him a little toast and we said sure. Big mistake! It just irritated his stomach all over again, so after only a few hours sleep we were up again taking care of a sick baby. He finally settled down and we got a few more hours sleep, but Evelyn and I feel like torture victims at this point. We know we'll get past this, but at the moment it is not fun.

One funny thing, though, is the one thing that would calm Peter today. We are not big TV people but have some DVDs that people sent us as gifts which have been a real treat when we want to relax some evenings. When Peter was crying unconsolably last night, in desperation we put on the Veggietales video "A Snoodle's Tale." He didn't seem impressed at first, but when it got to the silly song, "The SUV Song," he suddenly quieted down and watched in rapt attention. When the song ended and the next story started, he fussed again! Since then, whenever he has been really upset (his tummy is still bothering him), that song will calm him right down. I don't know what it is about that song, but we are sure grateful for the DVD!

Peter is asleep now and we are hoping he will rest through the night so that we can too. We really want to get on a regular schedule! We are just waiting for the fire to die down and we will head to bed too.

We are still preparing for our meeting on Sunday here in Tartu, and the meeting in Võru that will follow. Please pray that all will go well with the first meeting, and that people will even show up! And also please pray that in the second meeting, God will show us the ways in which He wants the Army to work in Võru.
--Tim

Following persons from Estonia are accepted to our delegation:
1. Caroliina Kalme Kopli corps
2. Eero Jämsä Kopli corps
3. Erika Ginzburg Kopli corps
4. Tanel Gabtsenko Kopli corps
5. Chris Clark Tartu corps
6. Maria Korvelis Narva corps
Together there will be 12 young people + 2 leaders.
Please inform your young people that they are accepted.
More information and registration form for participants comes soon.
Web-page for youth congress is www.powered2005.org

The Salvation Army Tartu Corps

Salvation Meeting
tea & cookies reception

Sunday, 24 April
2:00 p.m.

The Illusioon
Raatuse 97

Captains Tim & Evelyn Clark

Timothy_Clark@fin.SalvationArmy.org
SMS 564 77 365

2CH 20:4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
2CH 20:5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:
"O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 `If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'
2CH 20:10 "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
2CH 20:13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.
2CH 20:14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
2CH 20:15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: `Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "
2CH 20:18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.
2CH 20:20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
"Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever."

Almost eight weeks ago, the USA East THQ Youth Department sent us a package of things to give away at the opening meeting (bracelets, bookmarks, posters, pins).

The package was addressed perfectly, but we just got the notice yesterday to pick it up at the post office. There is a little red stamp mark on it with the words "MISSENT TO BELIZE"!

What a journey this little parcel has taken!

Do you ever feel like you are doing everything right but you're still ending up in the wrong place? Hang in there, you'll get there eventually!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

Evelyn

It's funny: as we go through this time of transition getting back on Estonian time, the world around us is also in transition. As we drove back to Tartu on Monday, we could see that spring was about to begin. The snow was all melted, the sun was shining, the temperature was nice, and the trees--although still bare--seemed ready to break out in new growth. Then this morning when I woke up it was snowing, and some of it was even sticking. Spring is having a tough time making the transition so far, and so are we.

Of course, it doesn't help that Peter is sick now. He was up off and on getting sick until after 3:00 a.m., which didn't help me and Evelyn getting our schedules onto Estonian time. Elizabeth couldn't fall asleep either; I think the last time I saw her was around 1:00. But she got up at 10:30, which is a little better than the day before.

I feel like we have so much to do now that we are back, but it is so hard to focus on anything but getting on schedule here. Just like spring, we are having a transition with stops and starts, but I have faith that we will get back to normal.
--Tim

My mother had this poem in a frame, hanging on the wall in her bedroom. She loved it years before the current "Red Hat Society" fad. My dear friend (who was once my high school English teacher) brought my mother a red hat and purple scarf just a few days before she died. I am so glad that my mother took seriously the advice to "practice a little now"!

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me....
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit....

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

by Jenny Joseph

This poem was read at my mother's graveside by her Methodist pastor:

"THE ROSE STILL GROWS BEYOND THE WALL"

Near a shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God's free light,
Watered and fed by morning dew,
Shedding its sweetness day and night.

As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall,
Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength,
With never a thought of fear or pride,
It followed the light through the crevice's length,
And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before;
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing its fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve,
And make our courage faint or fail?
Nay! Let us faith and hope receive:
The rose still grows beyond the wall.

Scattering fragrance far and wide,
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will for evermore.

by A. L. Frink

2CO 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
2CO 4:13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2CO 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2CO 5:1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2CO 5:6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Were back home! It was so wonderful to fly into Tallinn yesterday and see familiar sights even before we landed. Once we made it through passport control and gathered our luggage (2 carts full!) we were greeted by a group of friends: Chris, Kristi, Major & Mrs. Tyrrell and Ermo. We felt truly welcomed home! Ermo drove us back, and it was the greatest feeling when we passed that sign saying we were entering Tartu again.

Now we are dealing with jetlag, the least fun part of the trip. None of us slept much on the flight, so we were exhausted and were in bed by 8:00. Then Peter woke up at around midnight and didn't settle down again until after 5:00. I was up with him for several hours, then Evelyn and Elizabeth woke up too and we all watched a video together. So much for getting back on schedule! I woke up this morning just after noon feeling like people probably do when they are hung over: headache, tired, yucky. Jetlag is no fun, but I want to get over it as soon as I can so that we can get back to our normal life here.

We will have a meeting here on Sunday that our regional commanders arranged. Please pray for us as we make plans for it, especially that people will even come. And pray that we can overcome jetlag soon!
--Tim

We are finally going home today, after three weeks in America.

At 6:15 EST tonight we fly from Boston to Amsterdam.

Tomorrow afternoon we will land in Tallinn.

Please pray for us as we travel!

We will get back to blogging on a daily basis once we are home in Tartu.

Evelyn

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF LEADS 'ELEVATION CELEBRATION' IN MOSCOW

'I wish everyone in The Salvation Army could be here today to witness this historic event,' said the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, at the 'Elevation Celebration' Congress in Moscow marking the change in status of the Eastern Europe Command to that of territory. 'The Salvation Army is in Eastern Europe by God's design and purpose,' he added. 'There have been long, hard days, but it has been worth it all.'

The Eastern Europe Command officially became a territory on 1 March. The Chief of the Staff, on behalf of General John Larsson, was in Moscow with Commissioner Eva Gaither to lead the congress.The atmosphere at the congress was warm and vibrant as delegates welcomed pioneers from the early days of The Salvation Army in Eastern Europe, greeted the new Chief Secretary and Secretary for Mission Development, Lieut-Colonels Bo and Birgitte Brekke, and looked forward to a new chapter in the history of The Salvation Army in Eastern Europe.

Songs of praise, drama items and dance from Salvationists representing the five countries of the territory – Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia and Ukraine – were a prominent and inspiring part of the weekend celebration.

So too were the awards, honours and certificates presented throughout, culminating with the Chief of the Staff admitting Sister Nina Sergeevna Davidovich to the Order of the Founder, the highest Salvation Army honour for distinguished service.

Commissioner Gaither conferred the honour on Nina, 'For compassionate Christ-inspired ministry that reaches and embraces the needs of the poor, the ill and the homeless in Russia through which she has displayed personal courage and sacrifice, perseverance and faith despite opposition, suffering and loss.'

'You have exhibited outstanding service to vulnerable and suffering people,' said the Chief, 'and have constantly displayed a spirit of compassion, faith and exceptional bravery.'

Nina humbly thanked all who had prayed for her over the years, particularly during the months she was held hostage in Chechnya.

Territorial Commander Colonel Barry Pobjie presented certificates of appreciation to Lieut-Colonels John and Bjorg Bjartveit, and Commissioner Reinder J. Schurink, pioneers during the re-opening of The Salvation Army's work in Russia from 1991 to 1994.

'We are here because they came, and so much of what we have here today is a result of their foundation-laying efforts,' Colonel Pobjie said.

The colonel also presented the Chief of the Staff with a plaque of appreciation for International Headquarters. 'We are here because you always have been there for us,' he said.

Commissioner Gaither thanked God for the visionaries of the past, for the foresight of General Eva Burrows in re-opening the work in Russia, and for the vigorous leadership of the Pobjies.

'The spirit of God is here, alive, and in his people,' he said. 'The official elevation is not the beginning or the end, it's a continuation of the journey, and we still have more battles to fight and achievements to attain.'

He encouraged Colonel Pobjie to 'never let the flag fall'. And he challenged the delegates to continue to announce the good news, to be active on behalf of God, and never to forget the gracious God they serve.

The Saturday evening concert was a night of music, dance, praise and celebration.

Colonel Barry Pobjie appointed Brother Yuri Gulanitsky as Territorial Sergeant-Major, Commissioner Eva D. Gaither enrolled four new junior soldiers, and Episcopal Bishop Sergei Ryahovski offered his congratulations to The Salvation Army and asked a special blessing on the Army's growth in Eastern Europe.

The congress concluded with the holiness meeting. Using the theme of the Moscow 2012 Olympic Bid Committee, 'Imagine It Now', the Chief of the Staff encouraged delegates to declare their belief in God and not to let anything stand between them and him.

'Just imagine what God can do with your life if you trust him with the challenges you face,' he said. 'Just imagine how Jesus can transform you in a way you've never known before. God can use you. Just imagine.'

His words were particularly encouraging to the senior soldiers who were enrolled earlier in the meeting.

Colonel Pobjie presented 'Others' awards to several people from across the territory who have shown exceptional faith and service to people in desperate need. He then concluded the meeting, thanking delegates for being there for God and The Salvation Army, despite the tough times they may go through.

'The power of God's love is with us,' he said. 'We have already received so many blessings. Don't shut the door, there are many more yet to come. Our future starts here!'

A Statement from the General

With the death of Pope John Paul II the world has lost a spiritual leader and statesman of towering stature. His courage in speaking for those who have no voice, his rock-like stand for the values in which he believed, and the tireless way in which he carried out his worldwide pastoral duties, have been an inspiration to millions. His life has left an indelible imprint on his era, and his achievements are historic.

Salvationists from around the world join with their Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in thanking and praising God for the life of Pope John Paul II, and pray that they may know the comfort of Christ in their hour of sorrow.

John Larsson
GENERAL
International Leader of The Salvation Army

My mother

Terri S.

Pope John Paul II

Peter Jennings

I'm too sad to write.

Evelyn

It has been almost two weeks spent waiting for people to die, and I am tired of it.

God bless Mama!

God bless Terri S.!

God bless Pope John Paul II!

To life!

Evelyn

Evelyn Banks, 64

CAPE ELIZABETH – Evelyn Banks worked at the Portland City Hospital, the Barron Center, and at Seventy Five State Street. She did private duty work as a nurse, specializing in geriatrics. She loved interacting with her patients.

Banks, 64, died at a Portland hospital March 24. She was born in Bangor, a daughter of Reginald and Arline Booker Groff, and was educated in Portland schools. She also graduated from the Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute.

Banks was a people person and a humanitarian who gave of herself without expecting anything in return.

She was a member of the Elm Street United Methodist Church, where she was a trustee, chairwoman of the Worship Committee, coordinator of liturgists and greeters, served on the Staff Parish Relations Committee, the Missionary Circle and the Methodist Adult Club. She was also associated with the Salvation Army Portland Citadel Corps for most of her life.

Banks loved gardening, particularly tending her roses. She also loved reading, creative writing, and was a member of the Mix n’ Mingle Square Dancing Club. Banks met her husband while dancing at Sunset Squares.

She was predeceased by a sister, Esther Ross, a brother, Reginald Groff, and sister-in-law Joann Groff. Surviving is her husband of 11 years, Richard A. Banks of Cape Elizabeth; children Daniel Smith of Portland, Robert Smith of Portland, Capt. Evelyn Clark and her husband Tim of Tartu, Estonia, Mary-Kay Smith of Chisinau, Moldova, and Katherine Simms of Portland; step-children Karen Matthews of Owls Head, Linda Onnen of Loveland, Ohio, Susan Wright of Yarmouth, Paul Banks of Durham; brother Maj. William Groff of Sandia, N.Y., and a sister, Violet Kellam of Norway; 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are by Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Forest City Cemetery in South Portland.

We saw this sign in Phil Wall's UK Mission Team office when we were visiting London for our 10th wedding anniversary in 1999:
"I was going to change the world, but I couldn't find a babysitter."

I just read this quote in an article by Phil Wall in the online Journal of Aggressive Christianity:
"Some dream at night of changing the world, others stay awake and do it."

It is not surprising at all to realize that Phil Wall spends a lot of time thinking about changing the world!

Evelyn