We are now home and real life is now in high gear. We so loved our experience of Estonia And Finland. It was well... Wonderful. Thank u for reading. We will use this again if we have another travel story.
Love always
Kevin and Kathleen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, August 24, 2015
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Estonia.
Dear friends,
I had to wait till my feet hit home to write about this next story. It effected me deeply and emotionally.
One of the tour events was a reenactment of the day 30,000 Estonians were deported to Russia. Siberia. At least 500 were JW's. On the bus ride there we were laughing and talking but when the bus opened for the tour the brother said what you will see now is sobering. Please follow quietly.
We had heard no spoilers but that it would make us cry. I expected something different than what we felt.
Imagine this, a older beautiful train station. Small neat and still feeling from that era. Cracked stones and old wood flooring.
The guide takes us thru explains that we can take pics but not to talk or go beyond the platform. By chance the three off us were in separate places watching. Up the track a bit was a train car and other older trains. A group of people dressed from 1951 dark cold ruff clothing. Old bags. A make shift tea kettle. A woman wrapped in a babushka scarf with a babe in her arms. Old ones sitting on old suitcases. Quietly standing waiting heads bowed and sad looking. 30 people maybe. There was a train whistle blowing here and there a slight breeze. I tell these details because every sense was on alert. I was thinking at first oh this is dear ones just play acting. Actors. Not any more. As I got in front of the scene a military officer in full garb and hateful hard face walked past on the platform. I no longer thought fake but real. I started to then really imagine it as if I had been there.
There was soft talking from the 1951 Estonian brothers and one brother pacing quietly got to close to the military captain and he Yelled and shouted an order and slammed the brother back. Fierce. Hard. Hurtful. All gasped. The older brother a few min later got up and not really near enough but a target of this military bully was screamed at again and then ... A shot! In the air but u didn't know at first. The sound had my nerves on every level jumping. So loud so frightening. The tears for MY BROTHERS over came me. Beyond what is normal. I had always had a sympathy and love for our brothers here in this side of the world but it was too much. The hurt the unjust treatment then The Calm reserved dignified response of the brothers and sisters. I was sobbing quietly. I backed my butt away from the front of the group and leaned against the railing and just sobed.
How on earth does a person react to something reenacted as if it were real?? Am I weak minded? Just a cryer? There other handful that were near the rail were my husband and a couple of other brothers. I was not alone in my grief for our brothers. I am afraid to tell u this but I felt such anger I wanted to knock the soldiers on their duff. I think one soldier saw it in my eyes earlier. It would have been hard to look him in the face later out of the Scene.
We now are guided to the other side where this is a cattle car open we are instructed to get in. There r no windows. It is old. It is used for live stock. There would have been animal dung and smell in their times. Cassandra was a distance off kevin was near me but the strangest thing this tall gorgeous sister cassies age who was our tour guide another time named ImBI had put her arm around me. I had gone to the corner to not be noticed for my uncontrollable stream of tears. She was there she was a foot taller than me but she blended right in my side. We stood quietly as all the bus group entered the cattle car. Kevin in front of me IMBI next to me. She and I didn't talk just held quietly. She was such a part of me. You know when u hug someone and there's a time limit? Either yours or theirs? Not us. As we watched and experienced this together I thought they too must have bonded deep in their bones with their brothers and sisters. I will never forget the comfort of her arms and the safety of my husbands back. ( I was hiding a bit behind him). The sisters in charge of the train car said they are closing the doors for a moment. 40 of us in there. Barely room to move.. It was dark even tho day time. Only filtered light thru the cracks. And then...
Someone started to sing quietly. A kingdom song that we all knew and in different languages of the group we sang. And instead of putting me into the mental ward I stopped crying. And a calmness and peace settled on my heart. You can find peace in adversity. And how it is increased when you share in this with your brothers and sisters.
This was my earth shaking moment of our trip to estonia for the 2015 special convention. May JAH be Blessed.
I wish everyone of you could have been there . I love you.
Kathleen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I had to wait till my feet hit home to write about this next story. It effected me deeply and emotionally.
One of the tour events was a reenactment of the day 30,000 Estonians were deported to Russia. Siberia. At least 500 were JW's. On the bus ride there we were laughing and talking but when the bus opened for the tour the brother said what you will see now is sobering. Please follow quietly.
We had heard no spoilers but that it would make us cry. I expected something different than what we felt.
Imagine this, a older beautiful train station. Small neat and still feeling from that era. Cracked stones and old wood flooring.
The guide takes us thru explains that we can take pics but not to talk or go beyond the platform. By chance the three off us were in separate places watching. Up the track a bit was a train car and other older trains. A group of people dressed from 1951 dark cold ruff clothing. Old bags. A make shift tea kettle. A woman wrapped in a babushka scarf with a babe in her arms. Old ones sitting on old suitcases. Quietly standing waiting heads bowed and sad looking. 30 people maybe. There was a train whistle blowing here and there a slight breeze. I tell these details because every sense was on alert. I was thinking at first oh this is dear ones just play acting. Actors. Not any more. As I got in front of the scene a military officer in full garb and hateful hard face walked past on the platform. I no longer thought fake but real. I started to then really imagine it as if I had been there.
There was soft talking from the 1951 Estonian brothers and one brother pacing quietly got to close to the military captain and he Yelled and shouted an order and slammed the brother back. Fierce. Hard. Hurtful. All gasped. The older brother a few min later got up and not really near enough but a target of this military bully was screamed at again and then ... A shot! In the air but u didn't know at first. The sound had my nerves on every level jumping. So loud so frightening. The tears for MY BROTHERS over came me. Beyond what is normal. I had always had a sympathy and love for our brothers here in this side of the world but it was too much. The hurt the unjust treatment then The Calm reserved dignified response of the brothers and sisters. I was sobbing quietly. I backed my butt away from the front of the group and leaned against the railing and just sobed.
How on earth does a person react to something reenacted as if it were real?? Am I weak minded? Just a cryer? There other handful that were near the rail were my husband and a couple of other brothers. I was not alone in my grief for our brothers. I am afraid to tell u this but I felt such anger I wanted to knock the soldiers on their duff. I think one soldier saw it in my eyes earlier. It would have been hard to look him in the face later out of the Scene.
We now are guided to the other side where this is a cattle car open we are instructed to get in. There r no windows. It is old. It is used for live stock. There would have been animal dung and smell in their times. Cassandra was a distance off kevin was near me but the strangest thing this tall gorgeous sister cassies age who was our tour guide another time named ImBI had put her arm around me. I had gone to the corner to not be noticed for my uncontrollable stream of tears. She was there she was a foot taller than me but she blended right in my side. We stood quietly as all the bus group entered the cattle car. Kevin in front of me IMBI next to me. She and I didn't talk just held quietly. She was such a part of me. You know when u hug someone and there's a time limit? Either yours or theirs? Not us. As we watched and experienced this together I thought they too must have bonded deep in their bones with their brothers and sisters. I will never forget the comfort of her arms and the safety of my husbands back. ( I was hiding a bit behind him). The sisters in charge of the train car said they are closing the doors for a moment. 40 of us in there. Barely room to move.. It was dark even tho day time. Only filtered light thru the cracks. And then...
Someone started to sing quietly. A kingdom song that we all knew and in different languages of the group we sang. And instead of putting me into the mental ward I stopped crying. And a calmness and peace settled on my heart. You can find peace in adversity. And how it is increased when you share in this with your brothers and sisters.
This was my earth shaking moment of our trip to estonia for the 2015 special convention. May JAH be Blessed.
I wish everyone of you could have been there . I love you.
Kathleen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Promised story
Hello! I hope you like this story too.
So during the tour of the Bethel in Finland we came upon a door normally closed but was open that day. The brother doing the tour was a very relaxed and funny guy. We asked what is in there and he said oh the video dept for sign language in finish. Cassie and I peeked in and said awesome or something and we saw a hand raise from over the partition waveing. I said hello! And from around the partition comes a brother w a big smile and big hand raised in greeting. We expected to just wave and cont the tour and the brother invited us in and the tour brother said sure! We'll get this, one brother was hearing and two were deaf. The hearing brother was getting instruction and advice on what signs to use so they were in practice. They were so welcoming! Most in the group knew nothing of sign language. Not even the I love you sign so it was a new experience for them. We have been struggling w Finnish and Estonian and Russian and you know what!?!? We understood each other immediately. The signs are different but enough the same we had so much fun. Cassie took off like a rocket signing with them and I followed behind. Oh man. It was a beautiful set up of a stage and equipment. I seriously never know where the blessings are gonna come from. They almost never are from where I expect and are better than I ask for.
There are pictures at the bottom of the event!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So during the tour of the Bethel in Finland we came upon a door normally closed but was open that day. The brother doing the tour was a very relaxed and funny guy. We asked what is in there and he said oh the video dept for sign language in finish. Cassie and I peeked in and said awesome or something and we saw a hand raise from over the partition waveing. I said hello! And from around the partition comes a brother w a big smile and big hand raised in greeting. We expected to just wave and cont the tour and the brother invited us in and the tour brother said sure! We'll get this, one brother was hearing and two were deaf. The hearing brother was getting instruction and advice on what signs to use so they were in practice. They were so welcoming! Most in the group knew nothing of sign language. Not even the I love you sign so it was a new experience for them. We have been struggling w Finnish and Estonian and Russian and you know what!?!? We understood each other immediately. The signs are different but enough the same we had so much fun. Cassie took off like a rocket signing with them and I followed behind. Oh man. It was a beautiful set up of a stage and equipment. I seriously never know where the blessings are gonna come from. They almost never are from where I expect and are better than I ask for.
There are pictures at the bottom of the event!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Sahamäenpolku,Nurmijärvi,Finland
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Sunday's memoirs.
It's really hard to be short and to the point. But I will try.
So there was this lonely looking little old brother hunched over in his seat in the elderly section. Only one there. 100 seats empty because of the rain that was coming down before and during the morning program. Our elderly had to climb stairs and try to get under an awning. But this little man was not going to be beaten by the rain.
See pictures. His pants are getting wet and the other picture is from a distance. Look carefully many walk by and cannot believe his endurance. Not many stop to talk to him. For some reason I did. He was so precious. And sincerely deep in personality. So happy even in these circumstances. Well he doesn't speak english and I don't speak his language ( possibly Estonian and Dutch). He said " ok. I'm a good boy. You are a good girl. I love you. " talk about flooring a person with pure joy. What a man. I asked his name. He showed me his badge. Just learned a lesson. Don't walk past our infirm brothers. Look what I would have missed. You can read about him in the yearbook. Just type in his name in watchtower library.
I had prayed to Jehovah please let me meet ONE faithful servant from old times. Russian or anywhere. I got what I asked for. Thank u so much for reading this. I really just had to tell somebody!
Love you lots
Kathleen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So there was this lonely looking little old brother hunched over in his seat in the elderly section. Only one there. 100 seats empty because of the rain that was coming down before and during the morning program. Our elderly had to climb stairs and try to get under an awning. But this little man was not going to be beaten by the rain.
See pictures. His pants are getting wet and the other picture is from a distance. Look carefully many walk by and cannot believe his endurance. Not many stop to talk to him. For some reason I did. He was so precious. And sincerely deep in personality. So happy even in these circumstances. Well he doesn't speak english and I don't speak his language ( possibly Estonian and Dutch). He said " ok. I'm a good boy. You are a good girl. I love you. " talk about flooring a person with pure joy. What a man. I asked his name. He showed me his badge. Just learned a lesson. Don't walk past our infirm brothers. Look what I would have missed. You can read about him in the yearbook. Just type in his name in watchtower library.
I had prayed to Jehovah please let me meet ONE faithful servant from old times. Russian or anywhere. I got what I asked for. Thank u so much for reading this. I really just had to tell somebody!
Love you lots
Kathleen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Tallinn,Estonia
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Saturday evening.
Hello dear friends.
I'm finally in bed at 11 pm. This is the first night it is actually dark outside. It was always like dawn.
I'm almost dizzy and kind of rummy from all the experiences I have been through. Living someone else's life in another country is sobering and grounding. Perhaps because our focus is the brotherhood and the teachings from the bible it is so much richer. I know we are not supposed to compare ourselves to others but I am anyway.
We have associated with brothers who's experiences are in the year book, face to face, the rto bethel brothers and sisters, and was entertained at events by assembly speakers and coordinators the hospitality crew are ready to give u a hug and undivided attention... And why do I mention this? Not once did we know they were of any important job for Jehovah. The brother yelling at us at the end of a 2 mile hike saying"you did it!!!" Like it was Mount Everest was so adorable and friendly and then later we see him giving parts and having big jobs. He still stopped to talk to us making us be just the same.
Today was an especially tender and lovely day. Our friends we made at the Indianapolis convention organized a special dinner at a restaurant. There was a total of eight of us. Kevin me Cassandra two married couples and .... RAUNNI HAANPAA !! She has been in Finland all her life and has a wonderful reputation of being a fine witness. They are all friends and now we have made contact with our new Haanpaa family member. She is little bity all of 4 ft tall and 80 lbs. but she can hug like a bear and laugh like Jerry Haanpaa. It doesn't take much to make her tear up with emotion she had the rest of us a mess because she was so happy to meet us. She sends her love to all of u HAANPAAs reading this.
I'll put some pictures on for you to see. We feel this sadness of knowing we only have one more day of the assembly. And happy for the adventures ahead. We now have the goal to use this blessing to motivate us to really make the changes needed individually. Not just say it. But do it.
I have 2 girl friends who haven't been to the convention yet so no spoilers. Love you all
Kathleen
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I'm finally in bed at 11 pm. This is the first night it is actually dark outside. It was always like dawn.
I'm almost dizzy and kind of rummy from all the experiences I have been through. Living someone else's life in another country is sobering and grounding. Perhaps because our focus is the brotherhood and the teachings from the bible it is so much richer. I know we are not supposed to compare ourselves to others but I am anyway.
We have associated with brothers who's experiences are in the year book, face to face, the rto bethel brothers and sisters, and was entertained at events by assembly speakers and coordinators the hospitality crew are ready to give u a hug and undivided attention... And why do I mention this? Not once did we know they were of any important job for Jehovah. The brother yelling at us at the end of a 2 mile hike saying"you did it!!!" Like it was Mount Everest was so adorable and friendly and then later we see him giving parts and having big jobs. He still stopped to talk to us making us be just the same.
Today was an especially tender and lovely day. Our friends we made at the Indianapolis convention organized a special dinner at a restaurant. There was a total of eight of us. Kevin me Cassandra two married couples and .... RAUNNI HAANPAA !! She has been in Finland all her life and has a wonderful reputation of being a fine witness. They are all friends and now we have made contact with our new Haanpaa family member. She is little bity all of 4 ft tall and 80 lbs. but she can hug like a bear and laugh like Jerry Haanpaa. It doesn't take much to make her tear up with emotion she had the rest of us a mess because she was so happy to meet us. She sends her love to all of u HAANPAAs reading this.
I'll put some pictures on for you to see. We feel this sadness of knowing we only have one more day of the assembly. And happy for the adventures ahead. We now have the goal to use this blessing to motivate us to really make the changes needed individually. Not just say it. But do it.
I have 2 girl friends who haven't been to the convention yet so no spoilers. Love you all
Kathleen
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, July 23, 2015
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