CBSI

CBSI stands for Community Bible Study International.  This is a Bible Study program from the US that has gone global.  Two other women and I co-lead a group of LCC ladies that meet on Thursday evenings at my apartment.  We are doing a study on the "Servants of God" which focuses on Joshua, Judges, and Ruth.  I have been glad to be a part of this ministry because of the way we really dig into God's word each week.  I haven't spent a lot of time studying the Old Testament recently, so I've enjoyed re-reading the stories and finding fresh ways to apply them to my life. 

I also have been especially blessed to spend time each week with this amazing group of women.  Our ages span 30+ years, but we all love the Lord and are learning together.  Each one is a precious part of my LCC experience! 

Back/middle row: Maxine, Bethany, Kim, Leona, me, Gina, Kristine, and Diane

Front row: Marietta, Marina, Judy, and Sharon

Final day with my company

Sunday we enjoyed the best thing about Sunday evening church...Sunday morning sleep in!  :)  After we had our leisurely start to the day we took the bus down the the mall for a bit and then came back for church.  It was a relaxing day filled with lots of conversation and fun. 

Kristine & me on the bus! 

Old Town closes the main street on Saturday and Sunday.  It's fun to walk down the middle of the cobblestone street. 

My birthday is at the end of March, so we celebrated my birthday together a bit on Sunday evening.  You can see a basket full of presents in this photo.  The basket was from Kristine and is a gorgeous one from Uganda.  The other gifts were from Rebecca - one for me to open each Sunday up until my birthday.  I have two more to open.  Once those are open I'll write a post about them - they are super fun!  :)

I was very sad to see my friends leave on Monday morning.  The memories of our time together in Lithuania are precious by themselves, but when added to the amazing history of friendship that I have with these women - spanning so many years and life happenings - they are priceless! 

Saturday afternoon at the Spit

Saturday afternoon we donned multiple layers of clothing and took the ferry boat out to the Spit.  We walked out to the beach and saw some gorgeous ice formations along the coastline.  It was an afternoon filled with lots of walking and cold wind blowing all around.  Thankfully though the sun was shining and we were all in good spirits.  It was a fantastic afternoon! 

 Rebecca, me & Kristine on the ferry ride over to the Spit.

Rebecca and me walking through the forest. 

The squat pit toilet on the way to the beach.  Brrr! 

Rebecca and me with the sea in the background. 

Susie was here. 

Picutres of the sun and the sea.  Each time I see a view like this, I gasp at the fact that I actually live here!  

Water, ice, and sand - a beautiful sight! 

Dipping my hand in the icey Baltic Sea. 

I wasn't as brave (CRAZY) as these folks who were swimming in the sea!   

Rebecca warming up with some coffee while we waited for the ferry tocome get us to take us back to the mainland. Isn't she cute?!  :)

Me with the dog statue.  I'm slowly working my way through all the statues in town!

Saturday morning

Saturday morning we got up, went to the bandele shop for breakfast, shopped around the Old Market, and did a little more sightseeing before heading back to my place to warm up with a bowl of fresh broccoli cheddar soup.  A delightful, albiet chilly, morning indeed!

 Kristine & Rebecca outside the bandele shop.

Delicious breakfast treats! 

Kristine with her new little friend. 

What's trip to Old Town without whispering a wish in the mouse's ear?! 

Rebecca & me at lunch. 

Me & Kristine - don't you love my sunny kitchen?!

Friday - a glimpse at my regular routine

Friday we went to LCC to see where I spend my days, went to Biskvitas for some yummy Lihtuanian food, and then in the evening we went to Kim & Andrew's for dinner and games.  A fun day of my guests seeing what my day to day life is like around here!   

Me in front of the LCC sign!

Me outside my office at work. 

 Ieva and me with the oreo cupcakes I made for dessert!

 Isak LOVED the cupcakes!  :)

Visitors from home...well, kinda.

Two of my friends from home came to visit me in February.  I call them friends from home because I met them when we were younger and living back in Goshen.  Now we each live on this side of the world.  Rebecca lives in England and Kristine lives in Uganda.  So, they are friends from home, kinda.

Anyway, they came to visit and I was SO excited and pleased that they did!  They spent 4 days here and we had so much fun!  I enjoyed playing hostess - showing them around LCC, exploring Klaipeda together, cooking meals for them, etc.  It really was a blast!  Plus it was just wonderful to have friends here who know me, like really know me.  It was such good medicine for my soul.  I am so grateful that they made the trip here to visit me.

I worked a half day on their first day here.  They slept in while I had my Residence Life staff meeting and did some office stuff.  I headed home around lunch.  After we ate some lunch we headed out and explored Old Town - the area of Klaipeda that I live in.  After exploring we came back to my place in time to eat dinner and get ready for Bible study that evening.  It was a nice intro to my world.

Kristine & me standing at one of my favorite spots in Klaipeda - on the bridge going into Old Town.

Me & Rebecca on the bridge as well. 

 Rebecca riding the cat statue.  I'll never forget this moment...too funny!

The chimney sweep statue on top of a building in Old Town.

It's said you'll have good luck if you touch his button, but since he's so high up... 

They put buttons on the building below so that you can actually reach them! 

Me & Rebecca - enjoying mochas at my favorite chocolate shop in Klaipeda. 

Kristine & me - enjoying some chocolates! 

Rebecca saving me from being eaten by the dragon!!!

Ice hockey fun

No, I didn't go to a hockey game.  I just went to the mall.  My favorite mall in Klaipeda has an ice rink in the middle of the food court.  Kim and I went out to eat one evening before doing some grocery shopping and enjoyed watching some little tykes playing some hockey as our meal time entertainment!  :)

Look how little they are!

They may be small, but they sure can play...

look at the dude on the right with the high stick action going on! 

This one was so tiny that he had to use the penguin skate walker to help him along!

Lithuanian Indepedence Day #1

Lithuania has 2 Independence Days.  The first one is on February 16 and celebrates when Lithuania originally gained independence back in 1918.    Here are some photos from the celebration down on the square across from my bus stop.  It was a beautiful ceremony...not that I could understand anything that was being said...but the flags were gorgeous, the people were joyful, and it was a gorgeous day! 

A sea of Lithuanian flags 

Military folks standing at attention. 

I'm beginning to have warm feelings about this red, green, and yellow flag! 

Part of the military parade.  Sorry, no floats, just men in uniforms marching. 

Ieva!  My favorite little American who thinks she's Lithuanian.  :)

Valentine's Day at LCC

Residence Life hosts a "Blind Date" event to celebrate Valentine's Day each year.  The event is sort of like the old tv show "The Dating Game" meets "The Newlywed Game" meets "So You Think You Can Dance" meets a couple other couplish tv shows!  It's quite funny and made for an entertaining evening.

Olena and Sergiu were the hosts for the show. 

A video of the dance portion of the competition...so funny! 

These aren't from the "Blind Date" event.  They are the flowers, candy, and fun paperclip I got for Valentine's Day from friends.  It felt wonderful to be remembered on this day of love!  :)

Day of fun with the Rissers!

On our Monday in Florida the Rissers and I slept in, strolled through the shops at Downtown Disney, perused the books at Barnes & Noble, and then took in a dinner comedy show.  It was a fun and relaxing day.  I love being with the Rissers - it's so relaxed and fun to hang out with people who know you well.  :)

I found Nemo!

Hugging a palm tree in the Florida sun! 

I'm not the only one turning 40 this year! 

Disney magic was everywhere! 

Denise, Mickey, and Deanna 

The magician at the dinner show.  Pretty funny guy.