first post from Chris at college

http://chrischronicles.blogspot.com/2008/08/college-chapter-one.html

Houseworks Holiday Plan beings this Sunday!

http://organizedchristmas.com/houseworks-holiday-plan

Official Bulletin

Upseerikoulutuksen kadetteina aloittavat / Entering Officer Training as Caderts
01.10.2008 Aleksei Burunov Narvan osasto
01.01.2009 Kaisa Mäkelä-Tulander Hämeenlinnan osasto

Congratulations to Cadet Burunov!

"Nor shrink from the dangers I meet" SASB 734

I'll go in the strength of the Lord,
In paths he has marked for my feet;
I'll follow the light of his word,
Nor shrink from the dangers I meet,
His presence my steps shall attend,
His fulness my wants shall supply;
On him, till my journey shall end,
My unwavering faith shall rely.

I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord.

I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To work he appoints me to do;
In joy which his smile doth afford
My soul shall her vigor renew.
His wisdom shall guard me from harm.
His power my sufficiency prove;
I'll trust his omnipotent arm,
And prove his unchangeable love.

I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To conflicts which faith will require,
His grace as my shield and reward,
My courage and zeal shall inspire.
Since he gives the word of command.
To meet and encounter the foe,
With his sword of truth in my hand.
To suffer and triumph I'll go.

Edward Turney (1816-72)

Chris's address at college

Christopher John Clark
C.P.O. Box #684
Houghton College
1 Willard Ave.
Houghton, NY 14744
U.S.A.

from the Houghton College calendar

International/TCK Student Transition Program
8/25/2008
Transition orientation program for international students and third-culture kids.

books

http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/FD899BA623E157B180256F96004D481D

my two sons

Today is a big day in the lives of both sons!

This evening will be the opening ceremony at Kaarli Kirik for Peter's Lasteaed. Tomorrow morning at 8:00, Peter starts "school"!

Chris spent his first night in his dorm room at Houghton College last night. Today will be a busy day for him as well, the beginning of MK orientation:
"The Transition Program events start on Monday, Aug 25. We have several optional events starting Monday afternoon, including a campus tour starting at 2:00, a Question-and-Answer time with Student Financial Services at 3:30, and a Dining Hall intro at 4:30. The official Transition Welcome event is Monday evening at 6:00, when we will all meet for a dessert banquet of ice-cream sundaes."

(Elizabeth is not left out! She is putting the finishing touches on her NEW bedroom, and waiting for her homeschooling supplies to clear customs!)

Evelyn

today's the day Chris goes to Houghton College!

We've been looking forward to this day for soooo long. It's the day that Chris arrives at Houghton College!

He'll have Missionary Kid orientation Monday-Friday, then Freshman orientation all weekend.

It's the hardest day for me, not being there to drop him off and get him set up in his dorm room.

Prayers appreciated all around!

Evelyn

He's got the whole world in His hands!

"The potential is unlimited - Indians teaching us to meditate and fast; Africans teaching us to confront demons; Americans teaching us fiscal savvy and optimism; Hispanics teaching us passion; Caribbeans teaching us joyful worship and prayer power; Europeans teaching us courage; Aussies teaching us a powerful balance of traditional contemporary intelligence; Canadians teaching us missional creativity... It's a dynamic mix."

So the SA is in 115 countries, or thereabouts. I love the way this quote from http://www.armybarmy.com/blog.html quoting someone else (whose last initial is M, I'm guessing) puts a positive spin on the contributions the different parts of the Army world bring to the table. I love love love being in Estonia, but I REALLY MISS fiscal savvy and optimism!!! I think it's a little sad that Europeans are credited with "courage" because I am assuming that means that we keep being Christians even though we appear to be fighting a losing battle on this continent.

Evelyn

two guys

If any of you girls out there are feeling discouraged, I want to show you this great picture of two 18-year-old Salvationist guys who are completely sold out for Jesus!

http://stellarkellar.blogspot.com/2008/08/foot-game-to-rescue.html

I'm not saying, necessarily, that this is a picture of your future husband! But I just want to remind you that there ARE young men out there who are for purity, holiness, and living their lives for Jesus!

Evelyn (proud Mama and Corps Officer)

holiness is not ... but is ...

"Holiness is not a luxury, a privilege of the few; something impossible for ordinary people, but is instead the normal vocation of all...."
Pope Benedict XVI

MKs

http://mattmcnutt.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/ministering-to-missionary-kids-and-third-culture-kids/

Mission Team -- Kelly's blog

Check it out!

http://stellarkellar.blogspot.com/

I wish this were the case here in Finland & Estonia!

http://beyondthebrook.blogspot.com/2008/07/legal-status-of-sa-officers.html

One of the hardest things for me about being here in Estonia is that the SA is so different from what I am used to in America. I can learn (a little bit) the Estonian language, I can adapt to culture and food and people. But this is a continuing struggle for me. Often, I feel like I am not even IN the SA here; it doesn't really exist here.

Harsh words, I know. But this is what makes it difficult for me to live (and work!) here. I am NOT an employee. I am an officer. I miss that.

Don't know if this makes any sense or not, but God understands, so please ask Him to help me!

Thanks,
Evelyn

Chris leaves for New York today!

We were in Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square) yesterday when the noontime concert by the Police Brass Band began, and it seemed quite appopriate when they played:
Start spreadin' the news
I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray

In half an hour, we bring Chris to the airport to fly to America to attend Houghton College in western New York.

Just before the alarm went off (at 4:30 this morning!), I was dreaming that we were visiting the first place he lived, in Pearl River, New York. So it all comes full-circle in so many many ways, including his return to New York State.

We are so grateful for all of the prayers from friends and comrades, and greedy for more!

Evelyn

"the most evangelical"

As we drive to Riga today, I can't help buy be thinking of Major Evie Diaz, a USA Central officer who used to live there.

from http://evielatvia.blogspot.com/
"A couple weeks ago I went with my cousin to her northside church, St. Alphonsus the Rock Catholic Church.... Wow, I was amazed. First, the gospel singing was strong, musical and moving. Connie and her husband are in the choir. It's a multiethnic, spirit-filled group. I loved it! This was the most evangelical service I'd been to in a long time. The priest challenged his congregation (and me) to have a sense of urgency about sharing the gospel message. He preached on the parable of the weeds and said the hope for the weeds was in us. He finished by acknowleding that he preaches on this topic frequently"

Music Camp ... Riga ... furlough ... Chris leaves

We just got back from a week of Music Camp. Lots of beautiful Estonian songs floating around in my mind, especially this one.

Eestimaa, Eestimaa
oled mu kodumaa
oled mu hingele lähedal
Eestimaa, Eestimaa
oled mu kodumaa
oled mu südames sügaval

Land of Estonia, you are my homeland, you are close to my soul. Land of Estonia, you are my homeland, you are deep in my heart.