My Lelde

September 26, 2006Dear Friends, I greet you from Latvia- thanking you with all my heart for your prayers. I arrived here safely, and sought to get used to again living in Latvia. Which was harder than I had at first expected. One week has passed since my arrival, and I never would have anticipated what could and would occur in such a short time. I have lost a friend- what tiny words to describe the loss of those so dear to our hearts. I am sure you all remember from my many pictures one girl, Lelde. I was always with her. She was my translator, my friend, my sister. Even Thursday we laughed and talked till our faces hurt with the delight of seeing each other and catching up on 2 months apart. How filled with pride and delight I was to see all God had been doing in her life this summer. Saturday- September 23- Lelde and her family, as well as all the Grinberg clan joined for a birthday party. I too had been invited to attend, but other plans delayed me or I too would have been there. On the return trip home that evening, 3 of the brothers were caravaning together. Edmunds was in the lead by some cars when a fox darted in front of the car- he swerved, and lost control- thus resulting in a horrible accident. Lelde, her eldest brother and father will all killed by this accident, her mother was the only one buckled and has only bruises. Aija, and her two youngest sons (not with them at the time) are with us still. Our hearts scream, "Why God? Why would you allow this?" Lelde was so young with so many dreams, and plans, just 18 years old. So full of life and joy, always laughing and bringing joy to everyone around her. She's gone- never more to join with us. Yet we know that she is with Jesus as are her dad, and brother. All praises to our Heavenly Father. Oh Lord, you are our only hope and comfrot. Just a moment can forever seal the fate of ones life. We must be ready, we must today choose the path of Christ, who knows if our lives will reach beyond this day. Sunday Aija was in church- not 24 hours after having lost half her family- she boldly proclaimed, "Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever! Are you ready, do you know Jesus?" We never know when we will face our ends, don't delay, know Jesus today. Our hearts have broken, and tears have spent themselves. Yet we know that God is with us. That He who allows pain to his children, knows what he is doing and will do. Now so many things that seemed fuzzy grow clear, as we see the events leading up to this time, we know that Lelde, Edmunds and Kalvis were all ready to meet their Savior. Aija (Lelde's mom) says she is overcome with a peace that passeth all understanding, and while relatives are hysterical, she must comfort them. That is God my friends, only he can comfort like this. Are you ready, are you ready to meet your Jesus? Settle today this question- you may never have another chance.