Happy Easter!

or in Latvian...

Priecīgas Lieldienas!

I pray that you have a blessed Easter celebration!

Seeing a little more of this great place

A Stork between Sigulda and Riga. :)

Castle in Sigulda

Cave in Sigulda

Turaida Castle

Church and prayer/meditation labrynth in Krimulda.

The white dunes at the bay of Riga in Saulkrasti

A church in Kuldiga

River and bridge in Kuldiga

I have been quite blessed by the friendships that have developed and grown since I moved here. Latvia is a small country with a lot to love about it. Especially as the weather warms up and as the days get a bit longer, there is also opportunity to see more of the country and get outside of Riga a bit more. One friend here has been so wonderful in making this possible. She plans out an idea for a place that is interesting and we make a day trip on a free Saturday. We have done this twice now, first a trip to Kuldiga, and the second one which was just last weekend was to Sigulda. They have both been such great trips, as we make several stops along the way at various intriguing sites. I thought I might share a few photos of the adventures, and thus share with anyone who hasn't seen Latvia with their own eyes a little bit of the beautiful country that I call home right now.

Listening to God's Nudging...

Throughout the last several months the idea to start a young adult Bible study has continually been coming up. Last week especially there were several things that really made me think about it again. Then on Monday morning I got an email that mentioned a Bible study again, and I finally threw my hands up and said "OK God- I'll do it!!!" Before I had kept thinking about it, what it should be like, where it should be, what we could study, etc. etc... well- on Monday it was like God was giving that nudge a little bit harder this time, and none of those details that were getting in the way could allow me to let it be put off any longer. I began texting and facebooking people (yes- Latvia is just like the USA in that way) and Monday night we had the first of what I hope will be a weekly Bible study from here on out. It would really be great if it got to be established enough, and the people would bond together that they would continue it even after I would leave. I realized that the thing standing in the way of this happening sooner was not getting everything "worked out" and in order, but me and (though subconscious as it might have been) my lack of trust that God would be the one leading it, not me. I am really happy that things have started up, and God finally sat me down and said "Now see here, Julia!"

Our first topic of study is "Promises"... :)