Today, Pam and I had the privilege of worshipping together with an awesome woman of God, Carole. She is one of the two worship leaders at CBF. We had connected on Sunday, and she called to see if we were still up for getting together and worshipping God together! On Sunday, I had been gung-ho about it. Worshipping God, what could be better? But today, after 2 droning hours of art history, not to mention totally in French, I was physically and mentally spent. Okay, so the fact that I was in the Musee d’Orsay did help a bit, but still, one can only stare at a Corbeut painting for so many hours. And after 500 paintings, nude women become a bit much. Okay, so I exaggerate, but you get the picture.
So then, I couldn’t find Pam (she was in the first group, I was in the second). And then when I found Pam, we were already 25 minutes late meeting Carole. And then we couldn’t find Carole. And cell phones don’t work in the underground train station. And I couldn’t quite remember what she looks like. At this point, I was quite ready to go home and sleep. But then as we were going up the escalator, who should be coming down the other side but Carole!
So we took the train to her place in a banlieue (suburb) of Paris. (First time outside the city limits of Paris! For now, at least). What happened next was definitely a reminder of God’s grace and goodness. Carole made crêpes for us, served us drinks, and then we spent about an hour worshipping God together! While worship is for God, this time it was as if God knew that to worship Him and to be in His presence was exactly what I needed! It was literally as if all the tiredness and fatigue of the week and from being sick was washed away in the power of His presence.
Journaling by the Seine
I’m not exactly sure what God is going to teach me throughout my time in Paris. One thing’s for sure, this past week He has been reminding me that He knows what I need before I know it, He knows me better than anyone I know… even better than myself. I guess my response to that revelation is to trust Him fully for everything that I need. For direction. For wisdom in making decisions. For everything.
So today as I was sitting by the Seine, the Eiffel Tower behind me and Trocadero in front of me, I thought about some of the highs in the past week, and then I thought about some lows. And when it’s true what the song says that “the things of the earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”. All the lows really didn’t seem that low anymore. And through it all, the recurring theme was: “I know what you need before you could even know it”. And it’s His hand of providence, His hand of blessing and of favor that I’m so thankful for.
I’m thankful for the blessing of a great host family – I’ve been sick these past couple of days, and my host mom bought “Le miel francais” (French honey) and made honey and lemon for me, she bought chocolates too. And my host dad bought escargot for me! Can’t wait to try that. And they keep telling me to “Fais comme chez toi” (Make yourself at home). And I’m thankful for that. (Just right now, she came into my room and gave me a box of tissues so I can blow my nose hehe) For being able to use their ASDL internet line! For my cell phone… my number is +33 6 26 50 19 24. So send me SMSes! Except so far the only person to successfully do that from outside France is Mei Phing! L For the dinner conversations that we have, my host family and I. It’s really hilarious to watch them interact and to be a part of that interaction. For carte orange so that I can travel about Paris with ease. (Today I discovered that you can only use the card once in the station… security feature. See, I went in one gate, and decided I wanted to go the other way, and instead of taking the long way underground, I thought I would exit and re-enter… but it refused to let me in!! So I had to walk down the street to the next metro stop! Ah well) For being in Paris! For people back home and in the US who are praying for me and who write to me! J
I also thought about some things that I am kind of anxious about. Things like the extensive traveling I’ll be doing during the midterm break after we get done with Berlin. As of now, I still need to figure out where I’m going to stay or if I’m going to Lucerne and Interlaken. I know, I know, those aren’t things I should be complaining about… and I’m not. Not really. It’s just things that have been on the back of my mind.
And while I’m looking forward to all that He has prepared for me these next eight weeks and then some that I’m in Europe, talking to Francis today reminded me of home, and I’m definitely looking forward to that too!
Week 2 in a nutshell
Okay. Since I’ve rambled on so much already, I’ll make this quick and succinct. Ha.
Went to a cabaret. No, not that kind. It’s like a comedic variety show. Except it was all in French. It was good though. Except some of the “stand up comedy” type skits… it was kind of hard to understand because there were a lot of jeu de mots (wordplay) that I couldn’t get.
Had wonderful food this week. Pam and I were walking past this Greek restaurant and were hooked by the offer of a free aperitif for being their first customers. Only 9 euro for a three course meal! Yum.
Went to Comedie Francaise to watch a play. It was LONG (like Lord of the Rings long) and HEAVY. I didn’t enjoy it. But I enjoyed dressing up for the event. Haha. The best part of the night? When the old man three seats down fell asleep and started snoring. Very loudly.
Yes the stars of Place des heros
Then Pam and I went to the Louvre (because I had just finished reading the Da Vinci Code – which is extremely well written but also extremely sacrilegious, so you’ve been warned) to take pictures at night. Me? I wanted to look for the pyramide inversee but I couldn’t find it. Darn. I tried to take a panoramic shot but I screwed up. So you don’t get to see it. Oh did you know that the pyramid at the Louvre is made out of 666 glass pieces?? Oooooh. Conspiracy theorists, begin!
Louvre
On Friday, I had class at… the Musee d’Orsay! Haha. Ain’t that GRAND?
And today, I wandered around my quartier soaking it all in and enjoying myself. Came across this crafts sale and thought of my mom!
Mom and Dad, we were here 11 years ago! Do you remember?
Its Trocadero
Spring has sprung!!!
Someone have an idea for this picture?? I thought of something along the lines of seeing Paris through rose colored lenses. But decided against it for two reasons: 1-those arent roses and 2-it was a bad idea!! Thats it for now! keep em emails coming! i must say people on the malaysian front are doing farrr worse than the americans in keeping in touch! :) Love you all!
