Living in De-Nile

The hubby and I just got back from a conference in Cairo. While we had truly informative, helpful meetings during the day; we also got out to see some sites in the evenings. There were about 80 of us exchanging information and ideas about how to communicate the Gospel in some of the most difficult places in the world. The participants engage in letter writing, telephone counseling, internet ministry, and even tv and radio production. Mark did a presentation answering some technical questions and discussing statistical trends. During the meal times and our treks out to the pyramids I was thrilled to connect with several of the women, encouraging them and learning how to better pray for them. One woman is fearful of another war in her country this year, one woman is discipling a girl who is being beaten by her family, another wants to move to another country in the region to minister to women. Praise God for these faithful ones who continue to find their joy and peace in Jesus.

Leaving Comments

Several people have told me that they had trouble leaving comments. I think I just fixed the setting which will allow anyone to leave a comment. It has been fun to be back in touch with so many friends.

Hey, Don, You are right. Blogging is habit-forming!

Amazing Grace

The month of May is the best of the year in France. We have a total of four public holidays; the 1st, 8th, 17th and 28th. That means that there has been plenty of time for things besides work. I mentioned in an earlier post that I've been quilting like crazy. There has also been time to engage in my other passion--music.

Last year I joined the Chorale of Villabe. We practice every Wednesday night. Along with the fun of singing in a choir I also get the scoop on village goings-on. Most of the 40 people in the Chorale are retired and have lived in Villabe for many years. Last Wednesday we performed at the inauguration of our new town auditorium. There were speeches by local dignitaries, performances by children, string ensembles and the local theatre group. Finally it was our turn to take the stage. "Amazing Grace" was one of the four pieces we performed. As the only native English speaker in the group it was my duty to teach my fellow choristes how to pronounce all the words to all four verses. Let me tell you, it was no easy task! But as we performed I think I was beaming with just a bit of pride as we got through it. (how sweat ze zound). It helped to make up for all the times I sound dopey singing in French!

That you may excel all the more

A few years ago I studied I Thessalonians during my devotions. Chapter 4 v. 1 struck me as the central theme of the epistle "Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more." This last phrase has been rattling around in my head all week. Maybe it's because at work I have been immersed in Excel spreadsheets. It makes for a lousy pun--but a good life lesson. So many things that I do every day; drive kids to school, wash dishes, prepare Excel spreadsheets are outwardly so mundane. But God wants to sanctify, make holy these divers activities.

God wants me to worship Him. Every morning for the past few weeks, while I sit at the table enjoying my coffee, I ask Jesus to show me how to worship Him in the midst of each thing I have to do that day. It sure has helped my relationship with the computer--and the people who ask me to spend several hours a day working on spreadsheets! So today, I have to mop, do laundry, cook for a women's dinner at church (and sing two songs!); Lord, may I worship and glorify you--that I may excel still more.

The Village Quilter Quilts

Quilting is one of my great passions in life. I love the feel of soft cotton fabric, the excitement of putting colors and textures together and the inspiration that comes to me in the middle of the night for the next quilt. Sometimes quilts make me weep. Last year my dear husband good-naturedly tagged along with me to a major quilt show in Lyon, France. One exhibit featured quilts all with the theme "I Remember Mama". We both cried looking at some of the fabric art we saw. All of that to say that quilting is much more to me than cutting fabric up into little pieces and sewing them back together. It is a way that I express love, celebration and mourning.



My sewing machine is on a desk at our bedroom window and I have a great view of our village and the valley and town beyond. When I am sitting there it is one of the times when I am still, contemplative, serene. I pray for the person that will receive the quilt.



This week I am on a quilting rampage. Evenings, I am handstitching binding on a Log Cabin quilt for our guest bed; after posting this message I will cut out the borders for a giant Dutch Rose pattern baby quilt for Souad and Mamdou's baby they adopted in Morocco; and I just ironed the fabric for a coffee-themed Irish Chain quilt for a friend graduating from lycée--going off to America for University. It is all so energizing!



I am the Village Quilter!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I miss being with you. Today is not Mother's Day in France--I have to wait until June 3rd here. We don't have Hallmark reminding us that it is coming up. One year the Princess drew me a pretty little picture. T.C.T. #2 signed it, T.C.T. #1 put his initials on it. I still have that one hanging in the kitchen.

Well, here's to all the Moms getting fresh refrigerator art! Have a special day!

Two Terribly Cool Teens and a Princess

Cool teen #1 (in the middle) was called "Madame" at the store yesterday. He thought it was hilarious.

Today we bought him a hat from Mali (where he was born) in a French village and had Turkish doner sandwiches for lunch. He thought that was really cool.

T.C.T #1 played electric guitar at church this morning. It thrilled him to turn the amp sound to "dirty" on the last song. I have to admit--it sounded cool.

T.C.T #2 played electric bass. He is shy about it but it adds a lot to the Austin family band. (Mom still just plays acoustic guitar)

Welcome to my blog

It seems irrational for me to start a blog. I am a terribly poor writer and a great procrastinator when it comes to keeping in touch. But I thought perhaps if I had a place to share thoughts, experiences and random musings that my writing would improve and my thinking become less muddled. Also, I am asked from time to time, "what is it like to live in France?", "what do you do?", and "what is a typical day like?" Now I can respond with my blog address!
So, for what it is worth--welcome from the Village Quilter.

The Princess and me