Farewell, Sweet Summer

The air has already turned chilly; we've bought school supplies; ordered bus/train passes; and are counting down the last few days of laziness. The past few weeks I've been working on the annual report for our office but am trying to be home every afternoon to be with Wuke (the boys have combined their names--Wuke even has its own facebook) and the Princess. So here are some random bits as we kiss "les grandes vacances" goodbye.

Two little kittens showed up in our office parking lot. In a moment of cuteness induced insanity I had a friend help me catch one which I brought home. So what if I'm allergic? Bingley is cute, and very active. Mark is completely in love. I remember when he used to look at me as he now gazes at his kitty.

One afternoon the kids tie-dyed some t-shirts. I had forgotten how treacherous doing crafts with children can be--no matter the age of the "children". I suppressed my neurosis about permanantly staining every thing in the house and some pretty cool shirts were the result.

Berry Warriors? We went picking blackberries (berries, not PDAs) in the forest. Wuke removed their shirts within two minutes and moments later were applying blackberry warpaint to their faces and chests. Will I ever understand boys? As we like to say, "Vous n'êtes même pas civilisés." The Princess and I kept our distance as they ignored nettles and thorns to get the best berries. We picked the easy ones.

So this morning we had blackberry muffins, tomorrow is Luke's 16th birthday. Summer's last hurrah. When did I get old enough to have two kids over 16?

They're Baaack

The boys are back! They had a five week adventure in Mexico, made new friends, learned new things, spoke Spanish, shared their faith, helped the poor, lost clothes and money hither and yon. They arrived in Paris after a 30 hour delay (a cancelled flight, two very late flights and 24 hours at Chicago O'Hare in the unaccompanied minors room!). Happily they were with five females also returning from the project.

The most striking changes were 1. Luke is now strawberry blond. 2. Luke let a girl pierce his ear with a safety pin, ice cube and apple slice ala "Parent Trap" (we are happy to report that the hole is almost completely closed.) 3. Will wants to attend university in Mexico City. "But Mom! They have an AWESOME music department!" 4. Will wants to take a gap year after high school.

The parental units are quickly losing control! But we still think they are two of the most adorable boys ever!

Tour de France

We just enjoyed a great visit from Mark's two sisters and one of his nieces. We took them to the usual places; Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, a chateau, etc. We saw a few uniques sites, like a constuction site for a 13th century chateau. They are in the middle of a 20 year project to build a medieval castle using only techniques of the time.

On the last day of the Tour de France bike race we went to the starting place and saw the beginning of the day's race. It was like the Cowley County Fair--a parade, celebrities, live television (well maybe on a little like the fair). The Princess nearly fainted b/c she saw the winner of Star Academy perform. "Quentin is even cuter in person!"

We also bopped over to Bruges, Belgium for a day and night, passing through a sliver of the Netherlands before returning to France. Everyone appreciated something different about the time; chocolate, the magnificance of Fontainebleau, the cuteness of Quentin, tour of a brewery, shopping. I loved hearing Mark and his sister reminisce about their childhoods. I also loved sharing a bit of our lives with them.

Not Alone

God makes a home for the lonely . . . Psalm 68:6a

Our good friends, Don and Be are on their way home from China with their beautiful little girl, whom they have just met. They are great bloggers and allowed their friends and family to rejoice, cry and pray with them through this journey. Someone posted a comment with the above verse. Isn't it beautiful? We are not alone. At our little church we make a home for one another and a house of worship for our Lord. Nothing is too big or too small to share.

Mark prayed out loud that I would find my new glasses--which I've already lost. I felt my face go beet red. I so ashamed of losing such a valuable item. It also seems petty when some are facing far greater challenges. The Lord touched my heart to reveal my self-centeredness. What does it matter if everyone knows I'm a fool! After church, several people encouraged me, laughing and sharing tales of things they've misplaced.

I still haven't found the glasses, even after gathering up my last shreds of dignity to go ask at the Town Hall if anyone had turned in a lost pair. But, I am not alone!

*you can catch some of Don and Be's story at www.donandbe1@blogspot.com

Hurray for Chocolate and Friends and Switzerland!

The house is soooo quiet since the boys left. We are eager to hear of all the wonderful works of God in them and through them as they reach out in love to people who need love and tender care.

The Princess, hubby and I skipped town for a few days to visit friends near Geneva. It is such a cool area. We drove over the Jura mountains, around lac Leman and visited a chocolate factory (free samples!) as well as a Gruyere cheese factory. Guess which I preferred?

Mark was thrilled to go with Sue to every thrift shop and junk store in a 30 km radius. As always he found some little treasures. I got to spend an afternoon with my friend Nada who is there for the summer with her family. She recently lost her mother and has faced many other hardships these past two years. We talked and cried and talked some more.

We love Switzerland, but home is pretty great too.

Identification

Will followed up on his first concert, with an even more important day on Sunday. After seeking and praying, he decided a few months ago that he was ready to be baptised. He shared his testimony with the church and then was baptised by his dad. It was an awesome moment. He and his brother leave in one week for a month of ministry in Mexico City. We pray and trust that God will by His Holy Spirit bring to fruition the work that He has begun in these two cool guys. Yes, I'm proud.

First his testimony and then the baptism!--

A Big Day

Saturday was a big day full of important events. The biggest event was TJ (Mark's nephew) and Kylee's wedding in Branson MO. We spent much of the day thinking of all the family gathered for this special day, wishing we could be with them. It was also Uncle Brother Will's birthday. That is always a big deal!

June 21 is also the national Fete de la Musique in France. While I was up singing with the old folk in the town auditorium, Will was giving a three song set at the much hipper outdoor stage near the train station. A bunch of town kids and some of Will's friends cheered him on. Check out his performance a song he wrote himself called "Peer Pressure". He dropped his guitar pick about halfway through--that explains part of his stage demeanor.

Sunday was an even bigger day for him--stay tuned!

Time Keeps on Tickin' Into the Future

Today I picked up my first pair of prescription glasses. My! the computer screen is so much clearer! But it also means that age and time are creeping up on me. Just look at my little Princess. Six months from now she will be taller (and probably more clever) than me.

Some things, however, don't change all that much. My sweet roomie from college, Lia, came to visit two weeks ago. (she took the picture). Even though we have spent precious little time together in the past 20 or so years, her sincerity, faith, unique perspective and humor reminded why she has been a friend for all these years. One thing that I have missed is her way of describing the world around her. As an artist she speaks of line, form, color, space and perspective. I know that she opens my eyes to different ways of seeing and thinking.

So as we are winding down another school year, everyone getting bigger, smarter and older, I hope that I continue to grow, learn and hold on to dear friends!

From Ruins to a Mansion

this story was in an e-mail received by my friend Ali from Nicodemus* who lives in N. Africa

As you ask and suggested I have sought God. I'm bowing before Him with all my heart and will, praying for Him to show me the truth. God heard me. He showed me through a dream.

I was sitting in a broken down house, one that was completely demolished. Before me I saw a beautiful house. I longed to move from the demolished house to the beautiful one.
A shining white cloud appeared and a voice said, "Stretch out your hand to Me."
"How? I can't."
"Try, if you truly love God."
I tried, but it was impossible. Because I could not reach Him though I tried and tried, He reached out to me and pulled me to the beautiful new house.
As He was leaving, I asked, "Who are you, my Lord?"
"Didn't you ask Me? I am the Lord, the Christ. You belong to Me now."
My life has changed.

*Name changed for security purposes

Aliens and Strangers

My favorite husband is still off in Egypt. His trainees asked him to perform in the short films they are making for this media training. In one he plays a college dean, in another he plays a clown. Look out Sundance!

On the home front we had a plethora of church and office activities. On Saturday we took two neighbor girls to a church youth group. One of the French families brought a Spanish exchange student. I managed to communicate enough with him to learn that he likes neither Enrique Inglesis nor Juanes (his nose wrinkled at the mention of Ricky Martin as well).

That evening the tots and I helped with kitchen duty for some big dog meetings at our office. We served food prepared by our Persian sisters. As the Princess and her friends giggled and washed all the dishes I enjoyed listening to a conversation between an Algerian woman who has lived her whole life in France and an American girl that spent 18 years in France and has now completed her first year at the University of Michigan (see earlier post about her graduation). They both spoke on the phenomenon of being at home neither here nor there. As those great songsters, Switchfoot sing, "I don't belong here". It is comforting to feel solidarity in our alienation.

A Nice Day for an Outing

Today was a holiday; the Monday after Pentecost. The hubby is out of town, the kids and I have hung around the house all weekend (two quilts are in progress!), the sky was bright blue, so an outing to Paris seemed the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Normally the kids go to Paris to go to America. They prefer Starbucks, Subway, movies and Ben & Jerry's. I foolishly proposed something more cultural. Our piano playing boy loves Chopin, so I suggested that we visit Chopin's grave at a famous cemetery, one where many other famous artists are buried. Chopin's tomb has a beautiful alabaster angel playing lute on top of it. An abundance of fresh flowers adorned the area all around. So far so good--yet I was unwilling to stop there! As I led the children up and down and around looking for Jim Morrison's grave one of them asked, "Who is he anyway?" Eventually we found it--it had been terribly vandalised, and compared to Chopin he wasn't really that great of an artist. None of the brood was very impressed. Well, maybe traipsing about a cemetery wasn't the best idea; but we did get out of the house!

Christian Zeal

Dear Friends and Family,

After a long absence, I'm back! It took several weeks to get internet at the new house--and several weeks more for me to get back to my old routines. Today I'll just post a quote from Jonathan Edwards that I read this morning. (I'm progessing usually one paragraph at a time through this rich book, Religious Affections)

" . . . some are much mistaken concerning the nature of . . . Christian zeal. It is indeed a flame, but a sweet one; or rather it is the heat and fervour of a sweet flame. For the flame of which it is the heat is no other than that of divine love or Christian charity, which is the sweetest and most benevolent thing that is, or can be, in the heart of man or angel. Zeal is the fervour of this flame, as it ardently and vigorously goes out towards the good that is its object; and so, consequentially, in opposition to the evil that is contrary to it and impedes it. There is indeed opposition and vigorous opposition, that is a part of it, or rather is an attendant of it; but it is against things and not persons."

Follow up on Semsa's Quilt

Since my last post we have moved into our new home (more on that later), I've gone to Turkey and back (more on that later), and passed the one year anniversary of Dad's death while continuing to mourn the loss of Karin. Sometimes life happens all at once.

However, I wanted to give an update. I met with one of the ladies who gave our quilt to Semsa. Semsa has been feeling very isolated and lonely. When she received the quilt she was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love. She said it was the most precious gift she had received. Thank you again to all who contributed in stitches and prayer. Continue to pray for her as the trial drags on, meaning that she has to relive that painful experience over and over.

Karin

Karin was born and raised in South Africa. She spent many years as a biology teacher. Several years ago she went on a prayer journey to North Africa and knew God was calling her to commit her time to taking the Gospel to the world. Three years ago this confident, goal oriented, funny woman of faith arrived in France. I helped her in those early weeks to look for housing, get settled etc. She struggled with enormous culture shock in those early weeks--dealing with French, American and Middle Eastern cultures all at once (our team is a real melting pot). But Karin had great faith and an eagerness to learn new things and experience everything.

In three years Karin became our resident expert on France. Her keen sense of observation caused me to learn much about my own culture. Her dependance on prayer challenged me. She proved to be humble, teachable and full of perseverance.

Monday morning at our home was typical. The phone rang as I was brushing my teeth--no time to talk to my boss now--meeting this morning? no problem. Mark's boss called as well--we're late to drop off the kids--meet with him first thing? no problem. We got to the office and were taken immediately aside and received the shocking news. Karin was in an accident. She died at the scene. She's gone. But her desk is still there--her car, her apartment, she hadn't yet told me about her first trip to America, this is not possible. Karin had traveled to some of the most dangerous places on this planet. She had only gone to Colorado for a training. It was a Sunday morning. She was going to church. I miss her.

The Lord gives. The Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

The Bitter-Sweet Taste of Irony

I was shocked to see that 3 weeks have slipped by since my last post. Our house has become a maze of boxes as we pack, waiting for that elusive moving date. One delay has piled onto another (will we ever understand how everything is supposed to work here?). But keeping our eyes and ears tuned to our Good Shepherd is faith building.

The headlines here in France have been blazing with a story that has made me chuckle out-loud. No, not Sarkozy and his heiress/model/popstar girlfriend. Societé Génerale, the bank that sifts through all their accounts, down to the most meager accounts in order to prevent and extract any undesirables, is enduring a scandal of global proportions. If you recall, our bank closed our account with no warning or explanation a couple of months ago. The explanation we finally received is that we were suspected of money laundering because every few weeks we deposited cash into our account. (to pay for things like rent, utilities, phone--shocking!) They were very keen to keep riff-raff like us out of their bank. Now it has been revealed that one of their young employees managed to play with 20 billion euros more than the entire worth of the bank and lost 5 billion euros (more than $7 billion). Well, at least they don't have to worry about us ripping them off.

Handsome Hubby has pointed out that it would be wrong to rejoice in the afflictions of others. He is so right.

I'm sorry, Societé Génerale for laughing.

La musique

Happy New Year! Today we are taking down the Christmas tree. Monday the kids go back to school. Happily we had a very musical holiday with the following cds being given and received: Sufjan Stevens-Illinoise, Francis Cabrel-1997-2007, Phil Keaggy-Master and the Musician, Hannah Montana,LiveEarth (CD and DVD), Led Zeppelin-Mothership, Michael Buble-Call Me Irresponsible, The Beatles--the Blue Album, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Disney Holiday album and a four cd set of Christmas tunes. We are all wrangling for our favorite in the car, house, etc. The kids made a cd for family and friends called "Willsong--Christmas EP". The boys took the cash they received as a gift and doubled the wattage of their amplifiers. I now can feel the bass guitar in my teeth and through my spine. Guess we need to build a recording studio in the back of the house!

House Update--we still do not know the closing date! It will be around January 15 and we will move bit by bit through the rest of the month. I'm going back to packing now!

Meilleurs Voeux

I sincerely hope that all of my fair readers have had a joyous Christmas. Our hearts (and our tummies) are full. We baked up a storm during the days leading up to Christmas--muffins and scones as a gift to the office folk, sugar cookies and gingerbread people for the church service, two pies and a yule log cake for Christmas eve. Yum. But the greatest joy has been celebrating the incarnation--Jesus humbling Himself, taking the form of a bond servant to sacrifice Himself for all of us--with friends and family. Happy New Year!

Bread of Life

Christmas is coming! We've watched nearly all of our Christmas movies, started reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (for about the 10th time). Practiced and played music at a variety of events, shopped, baked and taken time to sit quietly and meditate on the meaning of it all.

This is the first holiday season since Dad died. Even though it has been many years since I've been home for Christmas, I still miss him keenly. Just yesterday I was struck with such a pain while I was in a check out line at a store. Can't predict when and where it will hit. Of course for my Mom and siblings this pain is very intense.

The past year has had many sorrows and troubles; but it has also been a year full of incredible blessings. God's presence, peace and purpose give meaning and joy in the midst of all parts of life.

This December I have been studying John 6 where Jesus provides for the multitude and declares Himself the Bread of Life. Jesus was born in Bethlehem which means "house of bread". He is the Bread of Life who has come down from heaven, sent by the Father. He alone truly satisfies. So as we look at the nativity scene, and sing beautiful carols and ponder the mysteries of the incarnation may we find our greatest joy and satisfaction in the Bread of Life.

Waiting for Thee

Psalm 104 is one of my favorites. It speaks of God's creative power and His provision for all of creation. Verse 27: "They all wait for Thee, to give them their food in due season." Various trials and troubles have served these past couple of weeks to remind me to keep my eyes focused on the Provider. Some anxiety is linked to the shrinking value of the dollar against the euro. I've discovered that with some effort I can make a week's worth of groceries last 8 days--eliminating one week's grocery bill every two months! The big trial was being informed by our bank here in France that they were closing our account. The fact that we are foreigners being paid by a religious organization does not suit them. (This does not affect our housing loan, Praise God!) Monday we have an appointment to open an account with a different bank. Praying for and serving our national staff experiencing far worse trials really keeps things in perspective. We all are dependent on the Creator and Provider.

Can I count it all joy? In the power of the Holy Spirit may God accomplish the perfecting of my faith.

Cubicle Madness

Working in an office setting can lead one to do silly things. Our office in particular feels a bit like being caught up in a lovely Kansas tornado. People coming, people going, crises, urgentmustbedoneyesterday-type issues. Sometimes we need to release a bit of stress. Recently, following a few days of craziness, my friend and I innocently googled "stapler in jello" (fans of The Office will understand) To our surprise there are many websites with step by step instructions on doing just such a thing. Dental floss is the key. We plotted and planned and giggled a lot. One day we placed the stapler in jello on Josh's desk. Well, we thought it was funny. The stapler still works.