So I'm sitting in the salle d'equipier getting quite frusterated with my stupid computer. I have now typed this silly update TWICE...no not once, TWICE. It keeps deleting. This is my last attempt then I give up. Right now I'm watching gilmore girls and eating some yummy Tabole left over from dinner. Ramone is cooking (he's our crazy french chief) who cooks with tons of dairy. Basically I live in the land of cheese and wine and I can't/ don't have either. Horrah!
On another note Christmas is around the corner. Yes it's only the 28th of November, but already we're beginning to celebrate. Yesterday we plastered, sanded, and cleaned the villa to the wonderful music of the Trans Siberian Orchastra. We have been listening to 103.3 everyday as it's begun the seasonal streaming of non stop christmas music. Sure it get's old and by christmas everyone is ready to give a sedative to dominic the donkey, but its still festive. If you didnt know or didn't yet realize I LOVE CHRISTMAS. I love the cheesy holiday stuff, the decorations, the whole message of Christmas, and just everything. Thus the excitment at the premier of the christmas season once again!
Justin...see I mentioned you. Happy?
Right now the DEFI kids are also getting into the spirit of the holidays. They are practicing their christmas pageant thingy in the salle cheminer. It's great. They dress up in crazy middle eastern esque clothing and then prance around singing and talking rapidly in french. Meanwhile Meghan and I sit and watch laughing hysterically. I'll post some videos of the performance later.
Yesterday we had PJ AWANA night. Pretty crazy. Then chorus where we practiced for the last time before the christmas concert. It's gonna be crazy! Tomorrow DEFI leaves for their week of evangelism. They are going to be traveling around performing and ministering and such. Actually I have no idea what they are doing, i guessed. On a really cool note yesterday in chorus Lisa like usual talked only in french...we are in france after all...and I understood everything she said. Kinda weird because I actually didn't think about it I actually didnt realize they were speaking in french. I just understood. Yes for progress. I love understanding something, even if I still don't get the whole morning devo thing I do understand some.
Alright this post has gotten long and random. A sure sign that I need to stop. The end.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
A French Thanksgiving.
Today was beyond words one of my favorite days here. Ahhh it was just that good. This probably had something to do with it being the day we choose to celebrate Thanksgiving!
First we began the day later than usual because DEFI was tired . yes for DEFI. so Kristin, Noelle, and I spent the morning hours navigating the Casino nearby for all the supplies necessary for food prep this evening. It took us forever to get everything. My purchases consisted of 2 chocolate santas...because who can pass up dollar santas with cute chubby belly's and little fuzzy beards? not me. there are now two sitting on my kitchen table mocking me for spending 2 euros.
The rest of the day looked like this:
Petite deg.
Cleaning Chartreusse.
Cooking.
Morning Meeting. The funniest one yet.
Chorus. We all had such ADD today.
Painting the apartment and villa. ended with more paint on us than on the walls...nice one mike
Cooking. Painting. Cooking. Painting. EATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we had chicken (shh he thinks hes turkey...or a hampster depending on who you asked), stuffing, corn casserole, mashed potatoes, green beans with garlic, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and home made wipped cream and gravy. We went all out. After all for half of the group this was the first Thanksgiving dinner they had EVER attended. We sang and we ate and we talked. We had a few guests from staff and from Grenoble. They enjoyed the evening too je pense. I guess Blain has it best when he says that each group is differnet that comes through here. Our group is categorized by two words...well three I guess: family, love, quirky. That's us and I wouldnt change it for the world. Only 2 weeks left. :(
Then cleanup. This part almost needs a paragraph in itself. GREAT music tonight and of course that led to some scottish jiggs performed by none other than team equipier '07. That's right we all had a dance competition in the middle of the kitchen. It rocked everyones socks. Did I mention that I love these kids...well they arent really kids, but I love them still.
The rest of this week will consist of two more days filled with paintbrushes and hammers to take apart tile. AND THEN...ready for this...4 days off!!!!! Saturday night we have our big christmas concert in the alps and we're all heading up there for an awesome all nighter. We've been practicing for months and are excited to worship with some other people now. Kristin has a solo in one of the songs and it sounds soooo sooo good. I'll leave her to tell you more about how the concert goes in our next email update...coming soon. With pictures from tonight. Perhaps a video even!
Um...other than that. Life is amazing. I love this song. Our Love is Loud--David Crowder Band. This is a great song. If you don't know this song than you are no longer my friend until you do. Just kidding. But seriously go get the song and listen to it...it will blow ur mind. Make sure its loud.
I am great at random. I live randomly and so my writing tends to be the same. In keeping with this randomness...
I read this quote in a blog yesterday that I loved and can't stop thinking about. It's from one of the bloggers at BIOLA who's a Junior this year and being paid to write once or twice a week by the admissions office. Here it is (sorry it's so long):
"It seems that in life, we often are living for sometime that we will have freedom. I hear many people, and I myself, have said things like: “I am just holding out for the weekend…for when this test is over…for Thanksgiving…for Christmas break and summer…for graduation…for marriage…” If I jumped to this weekend, how many things would I miss? How many smiles, embraces, moments of fatigue, sleep, good conversations, laughter, thoughts - would I miss? It’s true I am excited for those things, some of them, but I am not ready for them yet. I am ready for today: for a shift in a cubicle, for dinner at six, for another shift in a cubicle, for homework, for a group meeting, and for sleep. I am ready for that. I do have a multitude of things going on in my life right now, but I don’t long for them to end, I desire to enjoy them. I have homework, arguments, tired eyes, emotional issues, bad days, and all sorts of things like that - but that’s life. Why not dig it and live off that stuff? That’s where I am at right now…and where I want to remain."-Andy Pandy Biola Junior
I guess he sums up how I've been feeling and thinking lately. So many times I catch myself thinking wow I can't wait for BIOLA, or for the Christmas season, or for this weekend, or my four days off, or Paris, or just life beyond France even. Because I am thinking ahead like this I tend to miss some things or even if I'm not missing I'm not appreciating the here and the now. Like right now. Life is quiet. Kristin is killing people with Justin on the computer...dont worry the people are villagers from the 1900's, Mike is reading, Verena is reading, Doris is making tea, Megan is talking to her mommy, and I'm writing and talking to friends, meanwhile as we're doing all these things we're listening to a mix of worship songs and when one comes on we all know the room fills with song. It's moments like these that I wish I could freeze time. It's times like these that I can't stop and thank God enough for, for these people, for this place, for everything. Life is very regular and it's these moments I want to remember forever. O and did I mention that we've been having acoustic guitar worship nights...this might be my new favorite thing to do with my time. I dig the acoustic guitar. That said I'm ending this blog to go and enjoy Life in the here and now. Have a good evening all. Or day for those of u silly people in differnet time zones a good afternoon. All my love to ya'll.
First we began the day later than usual because DEFI was tired . yes for DEFI. so Kristin, Noelle, and I spent the morning hours navigating the Casino nearby for all the supplies necessary for food prep this evening. It took us forever to get everything. My purchases consisted of 2 chocolate santas...because who can pass up dollar santas with cute chubby belly's and little fuzzy beards? not me. there are now two sitting on my kitchen table mocking me for spending 2 euros.
The rest of the day looked like this:
Petite deg.
Cleaning Chartreusse.
Cooking.
Morning Meeting. The funniest one yet.
Chorus. We all had such ADD today.
Painting the apartment and villa. ended with more paint on us than on the walls...nice one mike
Cooking. Painting. Cooking. Painting. EATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we had chicken (shh he thinks hes turkey...or a hampster depending on who you asked), stuffing, corn casserole, mashed potatoes, green beans with garlic, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and home made wipped cream and gravy. We went all out. After all for half of the group this was the first Thanksgiving dinner they had EVER attended. We sang and we ate and we talked. We had a few guests from staff and from Grenoble. They enjoyed the evening too je pense. I guess Blain has it best when he says that each group is differnet that comes through here. Our group is categorized by two words...well three I guess: family, love, quirky. That's us and I wouldnt change it for the world. Only 2 weeks left. :(
Then cleanup. This part almost needs a paragraph in itself. GREAT music tonight and of course that led to some scottish jiggs performed by none other than team equipier '07. That's right we all had a dance competition in the middle of the kitchen. It rocked everyones socks. Did I mention that I love these kids...well they arent really kids, but I love them still.
The rest of this week will consist of two more days filled with paintbrushes and hammers to take apart tile. AND THEN...ready for this...4 days off!!!!! Saturday night we have our big christmas concert in the alps and we're all heading up there for an awesome all nighter. We've been practicing for months and are excited to worship with some other people now. Kristin has a solo in one of the songs and it sounds soooo sooo good. I'll leave her to tell you more about how the concert goes in our next email update...coming soon. With pictures from tonight. Perhaps a video even!
Um...other than that. Life is amazing. I love this song. Our Love is Loud--David Crowder Band. This is a great song. If you don't know this song than you are no longer my friend until you do. Just kidding. But seriously go get the song and listen to it...it will blow ur mind. Make sure its loud.
I am great at random. I live randomly and so my writing tends to be the same. In keeping with this randomness...
I read this quote in a blog yesterday that I loved and can't stop thinking about. It's from one of the bloggers at BIOLA who's a Junior this year and being paid to write once or twice a week by the admissions office. Here it is (sorry it's so long):
"It seems that in life, we often are living for sometime that we will have freedom. I hear many people, and I myself, have said things like: “I am just holding out for the weekend…for when this test is over…for Thanksgiving…for Christmas break and summer…for graduation…for marriage…” If I jumped to this weekend, how many things would I miss? How many smiles, embraces, moments of fatigue, sleep, good conversations, laughter, thoughts - would I miss? It’s true I am excited for those things, some of them, but I am not ready for them yet. I am ready for today: for a shift in a cubicle, for dinner at six, for another shift in a cubicle, for homework, for a group meeting, and for sleep. I am ready for that. I do have a multitude of things going on in my life right now, but I don’t long for them to end, I desire to enjoy them. I have homework, arguments, tired eyes, emotional issues, bad days, and all sorts of things like that - but that’s life. Why not dig it and live off that stuff? That’s where I am at right now…and where I want to remain."-Andy Pandy Biola Junior
I guess he sums up how I've been feeling and thinking lately. So many times I catch myself thinking wow I can't wait for BIOLA, or for the Christmas season, or for this weekend, or my four days off, or Paris, or just life beyond France even. Because I am thinking ahead like this I tend to miss some things or even if I'm not missing I'm not appreciating the here and the now. Like right now. Life is quiet. Kristin is killing people with Justin on the computer...dont worry the people are villagers from the 1900's, Mike is reading, Verena is reading, Doris is making tea, Megan is talking to her mommy, and I'm writing and talking to friends, meanwhile as we're doing all these things we're listening to a mix of worship songs and when one comes on we all know the room fills with song. It's moments like these that I wish I could freeze time. It's times like these that I can't stop and thank God enough for, for these people, for this place, for everything. Life is very regular and it's these moments I want to remember forever. O and did I mention that we've been having acoustic guitar worship nights...this might be my new favorite thing to do with my time. I dig the acoustic guitar. That said I'm ending this blog to go and enjoy Life in the here and now. Have a good evening all. Or day for those of u silly people in differnet time zones a good afternoon. All my love to ya'll.
Friday, November 23, 2007
What I do with my spare time...when i have some that is :)
Nothing to really report from champfleuri today. A pretty lazy day for everyone, after classes we ALL took naps and then watching gilmore girls in the early evening. Soon we'll have dinner and then we're having a girls movie night of Phantom of the Opera. Yea for girl time!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But on another note. I have tons of music stuck in my head. In fact thanks to Justin I can now recharge my ipod once a day from the chalet and thus listen to double the music! I'm a little obsessed. I figure I'm getting ready for my concert series that begins as soon as I hit LA next fall. So here's this weeks playlist:
1. Jumper-Bedlight for blue eyes
2. Let's get married-Archie Star
3. Inside Outside-Delirious
4. Iris-Goo Goo Dolls
5. A boy brushed red living in black and white-Underoath (hardcore)
6. Day Late Friend-Amberlin
7. I've always loved you-Third Day
8. Toi et Moi-French worship song? (yea for chorus) woot. woot.
9. Goodbye-Audio Adrenaline
10. Hands and Feet-Audio Adrenaline
11. Boston-Augustana
12. Poor Man's Moody Blues-Barclay James Harvest
13. Stained Glass Masquerade- Casting Crowns
14. 18 Forever-Brand New
15. Lindsey Quit Lollygagging -Chiodos
16. Indescribable- Chris Tomlin
17. Choose the one who loves you- Copeland
18. Lyrical Lies- Cute is what we aim for
19. Our Love is Loud-David Crowder Band
20. Breakfast at Tiffany's- Deep Blue Something
21. No Rain (acoustic)-Dispatch
22. 100 Years- Five for Fighting
23. Hey Kid, I'm a computer, stop the downloading-Five Iron Frenzy
24. Emily-From First to Last
25. Sydney (acoustic)- Halifax
26. California- Hawk Nelson
27. This is who we are-Hawthorne Heights
28. Here in your arms-Hellogoodbye
29. Tell the world- Hillsong
30. Bruised- Jack's Mannequin
31. Banana Pancakes- Jack Johnson
32. Work- Jars of Clay
33. May Angles Bring you in- Jimmy Eat World
34. In the sun- Joseph Arthur
35. Crosses-Jose Gonzalez
36. Je cours- KYO
37. When I come home-Keepsake Summer
38. Can't stop- Leeland
39. I wrote this song-Making April
40. This Time is the Last time-Mae
41. Nothing Left to lose-Matt Kearney ( off that free cd we picked up at soulfest last year...funny!)
42. Jamie all over-Mayday Parade
43. Something Beautiful- Newsboys
44. We are broken-Paramore (we saw this live...yea)
45. Sidewalks- Story of the Year
46. Wonderwall- Phish (better than oasis)
47. An Ocean Between- This Providence
48. Talking about a revolution-Tracy Chapman
49. Drops of Jupiter-Train (regular radio version or live acoustic, either is good)
50. World Spins Madly On-The Weepies (they're from boston originally!)
I guess I'll stop there. They are in no particular order because who's organized to do that. Besides I can only lose so much time to blogging each day :) AND because no one is actually going to listen to all of that, besides maybe my sis. Because she's cool like that. Ha. But either way some good songs, some good bands, some crappy songs, some crappy bands, but what ive been hearing lately. Told you I was obsessed. Poor Nimon.
Dieu vous benisse.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But on another note. I have tons of music stuck in my head. In fact thanks to Justin I can now recharge my ipod once a day from the chalet and thus listen to double the music! I'm a little obsessed. I figure I'm getting ready for my concert series that begins as soon as I hit LA next fall. So here's this weeks playlist:
1. Jumper-Bedlight for blue eyes
2. Let's get married-Archie Star
3. Inside Outside-Delirious
4. Iris-Goo Goo Dolls
5. A boy brushed red living in black and white-Underoath (hardcore)
6. Day Late Friend-Amberlin
7. I've always loved you-Third Day
8. Toi et Moi-French worship song? (yea for chorus) woot. woot.
9. Goodbye-Audio Adrenaline
10. Hands and Feet-Audio Adrenaline
11. Boston-Augustana
12. Poor Man's Moody Blues-Barclay James Harvest
13. Stained Glass Masquerade- Casting Crowns
14. 18 Forever-Brand New
15. Lindsey Quit Lollygagging -Chiodos
16. Indescribable- Chris Tomlin
17. Choose the one who loves you- Copeland
18. Lyrical Lies- Cute is what we aim for
19. Our Love is Loud-David Crowder Band
20. Breakfast at Tiffany's- Deep Blue Something
21. No Rain (acoustic)-Dispatch
22. 100 Years- Five for Fighting
23. Hey Kid, I'm a computer, stop the downloading-Five Iron Frenzy
24. Emily-From First to Last
25. Sydney (acoustic)- Halifax
26. California- Hawk Nelson
27. This is who we are-Hawthorne Heights
28. Here in your arms-Hellogoodbye
29. Tell the world- Hillsong
30. Bruised- Jack's Mannequin
31. Banana Pancakes- Jack Johnson
32. Work- Jars of Clay
33. May Angles Bring you in- Jimmy Eat World
34. In the sun- Joseph Arthur
35. Crosses-Jose Gonzalez
36. Je cours- KYO
37. When I come home-Keepsake Summer
38. Can't stop- Leeland
39. I wrote this song-Making April
40. This Time is the Last time-Mae
41. Nothing Left to lose-Matt Kearney ( off that free cd we picked up at soulfest last year...funny!)
42. Jamie all over-Mayday Parade
43. Something Beautiful- Newsboys
44. We are broken-Paramore (we saw this live...yea)
45. Sidewalks- Story of the Year
46. Wonderwall- Phish (better than oasis)
47. An Ocean Between- This Providence
48. Talking about a revolution-Tracy Chapman
49. Drops of Jupiter-Train (regular radio version or live acoustic, either is good)
50. World Spins Madly On-The Weepies (they're from boston originally!)
I guess I'll stop there. They are in no particular order because who's organized to do that. Besides I can only lose so much time to blogging each day :) AND because no one is actually going to listen to all of that, besides maybe my sis. Because she's cool like that. Ha. But either way some good songs, some good bands, some crappy songs, some crappy bands, but what ive been hearing lately. Told you I was obsessed. Poor Nimon.
Dieu vous benisse.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
First off I want to wish everyone back there in America a very happy Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you all enjoy your time home and spending every available second with your families and friends :) I miss ya'll a whole lot and wish I could celebrate with you...alas that is not to be. Enjoy the parade and eat some turkey and pie for us!
Today was strange. This is the first holiday I have ever spent One: out of the country, Two: not with my family, Three: didn't actually celerate, Four: not on vacation.
Don't get me wrong it was a fine day here at camp, just really normal. I had today off from work, but with bible classes in the morning, lunch, chorus, and afternoon activity we really didnt have any time off today to cook so couscous and tomato farcies made up our Thanksgiving feast. Tonight we will spend some time saying what we are thankful for, but no meal, no family, no celebrating my parents anniversary, no silly board games with my uncle and cousin, no formal dinners by candlelight in Shrewsbury, no sorting out antiques with the rest of the clan, and of course no sleepover with the cousin and sis tonight. All those things I took for granted. I appreciate them now. Kinda sad. For those of you that are not home today. I feel for ya. For BCD and Beth who I know will spend Thanksgiving without their families and all the others out there.
The day wasn't all bad though. In fact today was a pretty good day. For one thing no dishes, Chorus was great fun, and my roomates and I had a cafe party. Either way in keeping with traditions here's a brief list ( i am terrible at being consice) of what I am thankful for today. I'm sure I'm forgetting things. I lift these thanks to you Lord:
1. My roomates here. i couldnt have asked for any better, nor would i want anyone else. to walking into closets instead of the bathroom. to endless tea parties. to dancing in the rain. to pounding out songs on our thin walls. to german/franglish convos. to cleaning lists. to hairbrush concerts. to running to breakfast. to killing alarm clocks. thank you.
2. peanut butter with oreos...my thanksgiving treat to myself :)
3. not having to work today
4. sleeping in...till 7:40
5. bible classes in english!
6. french worship. i love french worship songs. especially 'toi et moi' when sung in parts by DEFI and the equipiers.
7. BIOLA blogs...and knowing some of the people who are writing them! So exciting!
8. Family
9. Gifts that make dreams possible. Thank you.
10. BIOLA.
11. my friends back home. the old, the new, and those still out there i have yet to meet!
12. reconnecting with old friends. especially those that have been living out in the middle of the mtns camping and i havent talked to in months!
13. I've Always Loved You by Third Day...I have a God who has always loved me and always will, what better news could there be?
14. gilmore girls for reminding me of home.
15. music lists created by my little sis
16. my family redoing my room to surprise me when i went home.
17. the seasons. i love watching time go by.
18. blankets. i have a really pretty soft one deb made for me.
19. good books "borrowed" from blain: the irresistible revolution, blink, blue like jazz, redeeming love. to name a few from this past month.
20. people who have this uncanny ability to make me laugh. even when i really dont want to.
21. DEFI students: for sledding, for laughter, for practical jokes, for late nights of breaking curfew, for snow dances, for chorus, for circus training, for sore thighs, for licking the bedsheets of life, for teaching me french, for being a family when we all needed one the most, for singing, for raiding the costume closet and playing narnia. thank you all and big hugs.
22. for AWANA's. and my boys.
23. for those of you back home keeping us in your thoughts and prayers these past months and those to come.
24. to an amazing chef who cooks me special meals everyday so i won't die from dairy. thanks emmy.
25. for the bible. my lifesource these past four months.
26. for church.
27. for snow. and warm heating so when the weather outside is frightful inside it's so delightful.
28. for packages and letters that make me smile and then die laughing.
29. for such a blessed life thus far and the amazing people and memories we have all made that will stay with my throughout this life.
30. for sunsets and warm days to enjoy being outside under the stars.
31. and last, but not least. for the friendship Kristin and i have. who would have thought we would end up best buds. only God.
So today as you gather with your loves ones just remember God is so good.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Today was strange. This is the first holiday I have ever spent One: out of the country, Two: not with my family, Three: didn't actually celerate, Four: not on vacation.
Don't get me wrong it was a fine day here at camp, just really normal. I had today off from work, but with bible classes in the morning, lunch, chorus, and afternoon activity we really didnt have any time off today to cook so couscous and tomato farcies made up our Thanksgiving feast. Tonight we will spend some time saying what we are thankful for, but no meal, no family, no celebrating my parents anniversary, no silly board games with my uncle and cousin, no formal dinners by candlelight in Shrewsbury, no sorting out antiques with the rest of the clan, and of course no sleepover with the cousin and sis tonight. All those things I took for granted. I appreciate them now. Kinda sad. For those of you that are not home today. I feel for ya. For BCD and Beth who I know will spend Thanksgiving without their families and all the others out there.
The day wasn't all bad though. In fact today was a pretty good day. For one thing no dishes, Chorus was great fun, and my roomates and I had a cafe party. Either way in keeping with traditions here's a brief list ( i am terrible at being consice) of what I am thankful for today. I'm sure I'm forgetting things. I lift these thanks to you Lord:
1. My roomates here. i couldnt have asked for any better, nor would i want anyone else. to walking into closets instead of the bathroom. to endless tea parties. to dancing in the rain. to pounding out songs on our thin walls. to german/franglish convos. to cleaning lists. to hairbrush concerts. to running to breakfast. to killing alarm clocks. thank you.
2. peanut butter with oreos...my thanksgiving treat to myself :)
3. not having to work today
4. sleeping in...till 7:40
5. bible classes in english!
6. french worship. i love french worship songs. especially 'toi et moi' when sung in parts by DEFI and the equipiers.
7. BIOLA blogs...and knowing some of the people who are writing them! So exciting!
8. Family
9. Gifts that make dreams possible. Thank you.
10. BIOLA.
11. my friends back home. the old, the new, and those still out there i have yet to meet!
12. reconnecting with old friends. especially those that have been living out in the middle of the mtns camping and i havent talked to in months!
13. I've Always Loved You by Third Day...I have a God who has always loved me and always will, what better news could there be?
14. gilmore girls for reminding me of home.
15. music lists created by my little sis
16. my family redoing my room to surprise me when i went home.
17. the seasons. i love watching time go by.
18. blankets. i have a really pretty soft one deb made for me.
19. good books "borrowed" from blain: the irresistible revolution, blink, blue like jazz, redeeming love. to name a few from this past month.
20. people who have this uncanny ability to make me laugh. even when i really dont want to.
21. DEFI students: for sledding, for laughter, for practical jokes, for late nights of breaking curfew, for snow dances, for chorus, for circus training, for sore thighs, for licking the bedsheets of life, for teaching me french, for being a family when we all needed one the most, for singing, for raiding the costume closet and playing narnia. thank you all and big hugs.
22. for AWANA's. and my boys.
23. for those of you back home keeping us in your thoughts and prayers these past months and those to come.
24. to an amazing chef who cooks me special meals everyday so i won't die from dairy. thanks emmy.
25. for the bible. my lifesource these past four months.
26. for church.
27. for snow. and warm heating so when the weather outside is frightful inside it's so delightful.
28. for packages and letters that make me smile and then die laughing.
29. for such a blessed life thus far and the amazing people and memories we have all made that will stay with my throughout this life.
30. for sunsets and warm days to enjoy being outside under the stars.
31. and last, but not least. for the friendship Kristin and i have. who would have thought we would end up best buds. only God.
So today as you gather with your loves ones just remember God is so good.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Don't You Know I've Always Loved You?
Today we went to class for the first time with DEFI. We are studying Hoseas, one of my favorite books of the bible with the director of a Christian organization from Sweden. He spent the morning going over the history and themes presented in this book. It was so interesting. There isn't much I love more than opening up my bible and just going through and learning about the background for the writing and who it was written to and why. For those of you that don't know about Hosea it's about one of the saddest and yet most compelling love stories in the bible. There is a man named Hosea who is called by God to go out and marry a prostitute and bring her home as his wife. He does this and the story goes on to tell of their very hard life together as this prostitute resorts back to her old lifestyle time and time again and Hosea waits upon the Lord and continues to love her despite her many failings. It is a parable to us about God's unfailing love and yet his manner towards us as we fall throughout our lives. That's it in a basic synopsis. It's actually much more complex and indepth than that, but that's about all I'm going to write on that now. Either way I took 10 pages of notes on one mornings lesson. HA.
In the afternoon we worked and then we slept. Then we worked and had a raqulette party. Now we're finishing up a movie and than heading to hang out withe DEFI for the evening.
O and I also fell sledding and pinched a bunch of nerves in my neck. Pretty painful. Either way if you could keep me in your prayers that would be much appreciated.
Alright and I'll leave you off with our favorite song here at present. It's called I've Always Loved You and is by Third Day.
I don't know how to explain it
But I know that words will hardly do
Miracles with signs and wonders
Aren't enough for me to prove to you
Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will
Greater love has not a man
Than the one who gives his life to prove
That he would do anything
And that's what I'm gonna do for you
Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will
la, la, lala, la, la
Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will
la, la, la
I've always loved you, oh, oh,
And I always will
In the afternoon we worked and then we slept. Then we worked and had a raqulette party. Now we're finishing up a movie and than heading to hang out withe DEFI for the evening.
O and I also fell sledding and pinched a bunch of nerves in my neck. Pretty painful. Either way if you could keep me in your prayers that would be much appreciated.
Alright and I'll leave you off with our favorite song here at present. It's called I've Always Loved You and is by Third Day.
I don't know how to explain it
But I know that words will hardly do
Miracles with signs and wonders
Aren't enough for me to prove to you
Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will
Greater love has not a man
Than the one who gives his life to prove
That he would do anything
And that's what I'm gonna do for you
Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will
la, la, lala, la, la
Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will
la, la, la
I've always loved you, oh, oh,
And I always will
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Sledding!
Sometimes all I can do it sit back, look at my life, and thank God for each and every little thing. Each breath, each meal, every person I pass on the street, everything. I have been so blessed and love to remember the great creator and God who has blessed my life is so many ways. These past couple days have been filled with laughter, singing, joy, and spontaneous adventures, each better than the last. Once again God is pouring out His blessings here in France. Here's a little update about life lately:
Yesterday we had a red light day. That means that our electric company lets us pay triple the price on everything on these days and tons less than everyone else on every other day. Thus to beat the system we of course use no electricity...or very little these days. So we had a candle light dinner and cooked without lights and the whole deal. Not to mention the chalet decided to have its heaters die yesterday. It was so much fun, although I'm sure I won't find it fun after 30 days of it. They are really random and come without warning, but they could last potentially for a whole week at a time! ahhh.
Today I had no work. I have the weekend off. Nice. I got up about 2 thanks to Mike who was pounding on my bedroom door telling me to come sledding with the group. So up I hopped and went along. We all raided the costume closet for clothing and boots and then found some floor paper to use instead of sleds. We drove up into the mountains to Les Adrets gaining snow as we gained altitude. Weird. Then we all got out and hiked a bunch till we got to a huge hill where we proceeded to sled for hours. My most dangerous sledding experience ever, but my most entertaining also. I think I might have gotten a slight concusion from my first slide as we went over a bump and I landed on my head and then rolled all the way down les adrets haha. So much fun! After sledding we had a snow fight, made snow angles, and went for a most beautiful walk through the snow covered woods. We took some great pictures that I will post as soon as I get my camera back from the students. Came back for hot chocolate and a late dinner. Then game night and some family guy right now. It's really cozy and we're all wrapped in blankets stuffed together on the couch. Strange to think the family will be broken up in a month! AHH that is the worst thought ever. I can't believe these days are going to end and DEFI is going to actually leave. It seems like they have been here forever. Tomorrow we have a presentation at church and then the day off! I have no idea what type of adventure is in store. This next will be super busy for Kristin and I. We're taking the class with the students as it's en anglais. Then in the afternoons and evenings we're working a full day. Gosh it's gonna be insane. I hope you're all enjoying ur time back home and breaks. Have some turkey and pie for us!
Had us another night of dancing. Here's a video of Mike and I learning a Scottish dance. So much fun!
Yesterday we had a red light day. That means that our electric company lets us pay triple the price on everything on these days and tons less than everyone else on every other day. Thus to beat the system we of course use no electricity...or very little these days. So we had a candle light dinner and cooked without lights and the whole deal. Not to mention the chalet decided to have its heaters die yesterday. It was so much fun, although I'm sure I won't find it fun after 30 days of it. They are really random and come without warning, but they could last potentially for a whole week at a time! ahhh.
Today I had no work. I have the weekend off. Nice. I got up about 2 thanks to Mike who was pounding on my bedroom door telling me to come sledding with the group. So up I hopped and went along. We all raided the costume closet for clothing and boots and then found some floor paper to use instead of sleds. We drove up into the mountains to Les Adrets gaining snow as we gained altitude. Weird. Then we all got out and hiked a bunch till we got to a huge hill where we proceeded to sled for hours. My most dangerous sledding experience ever, but my most entertaining also. I think I might have gotten a slight concusion from my first slide as we went over a bump and I landed on my head and then rolled all the way down les adrets haha. So much fun! After sledding we had a snow fight, made snow angles, and went for a most beautiful walk through the snow covered woods. We took some great pictures that I will post as soon as I get my camera back from the students. Came back for hot chocolate and a late dinner. Then game night and some family guy right now. It's really cozy and we're all wrapped in blankets stuffed together on the couch. Strange to think the family will be broken up in a month! AHH that is the worst thought ever. I can't believe these days are going to end and DEFI is going to actually leave. It seems like they have been here forever. Tomorrow we have a presentation at church and then the day off! I have no idea what type of adventure is in store. This next will be super busy for Kristin and I. We're taking the class with the students as it's en anglais. Then in the afternoons and evenings we're working a full day. Gosh it's gonna be insane. I hope you're all enjoying ur time back home and breaks. Have some turkey and pie for us!
Had us another night of dancing. Here's a video of Mike and I learning a Scottish dance. So much fun!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Equipiers breaks alliance, soaks boys with water.
well today consisted of very little time because it was my day off. I slept almost all day after going to sleep the earliest since september, a whopping 9:30!!!!!!! I actually fell asleep at our evening meeting with defi. so when I did get up today I literally didnt leave the house all day. meanwhile kristin worked. then this evening we had a water fight. kristin started it. thats about it. right now we're watching hotel rhawanda. so I'm getting distracted. what else is new.
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