tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90552789574584679942024-02-07T19:48:15.874-05:00The Bennett's Journey to ParisUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-51235319533541095492015-01-04T16:30:00.002-05:002015-01-04T16:35:05.155-05:00A glimpse of Christmas in Paris<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopWUBMFgzsZK41ZvcxPRT_4WK1SR00DzHMnrrWa8Ks-Kk5SNErNQ8AIsSh9EsSI45z3p2sLMkuLlJUppBn8Kwvpu3sleWhu86UFaeeqkekubTBkbgsO40lk9v7kTzDI2dl3XkkWUjsGO1/s1600/ParisNoel1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopWUBMFgzsZK41ZvcxPRT_4WK1SR00DzHMnrrWa8Ks-Kk5SNErNQ8AIsSh9EsSI45z3p2sLMkuLlJUppBn8Kwvpu3sleWhu86UFaeeqkekubTBkbgsO40lk9v7kTzDI2dl3XkkWUjsGO1/s1600/ParisNoel1.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>All the main streets had lights on display</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ymVl27qpLSRMJdK8g9T8FfyERmtKIcRvEARY7Abzo-CvuKVgIjhX1u_zAwCGxXFCSWRVuW14ZiAiTpHyYhAzvG2JWu25THUh7o14pqQltKBsi9Bb54dx8onMo5wBmlHwh4MBCfRTkIEa/s1600/ParisNoel2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ymVl27qpLSRMJdK8g9T8FfyERmtKIcRvEARY7Abzo-CvuKVgIjhX1u_zAwCGxXFCSWRVuW14ZiAiTpHyYhAzvG2JWu25THUh7o14pqQltKBsi9Bb54dx8onMo5wBmlHwh4MBCfRTkIEa/s1600/ParisNoel2.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little bread shop not far from us</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiARs9dKMvQU0UAUEoKTQjqmOzXiUHbw8fGGrSW8e3XoeSoQiamZQsbPmp5W45NGPcitApNKwFDOvOXdpE9FjW0QiPDQZutkbdMDzzyZk4cXsJn-g1C4z2CZwa7llI2iXJrUCKN0OSOnA/s1600/ParisNoel3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiARs9dKMvQU0UAUEoKTQjqmOzXiUHbw8fGGrSW8e3XoeSoQiamZQsbPmp5W45NGPcitApNKwFDOvOXdpE9FjW0QiPDQZutkbdMDzzyZk4cXsJn-g1C4z2CZwa7llI2iXJrUCKN0OSOnA/s1600/ParisNoel3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas markets throughout the city</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4Ne_43AaHnhHN1f6gOv7cSo_md9J1gCBQjmoSwfj7uGdexkFCvfBJCa7clQVoR3pRCZv-1yLknq7xZ6o2E-XF0OfAJWSROIKjzMH-MZ1APMpSoKsP0N5f13NjNQ_zFm_AjOCM1bF6bKE/s1600/ParisNoel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4Ne_43AaHnhHN1f6gOv7cSo_md9J1gCBQjmoSwfj7uGdexkFCvfBJCa7clQVoR3pRCZv-1yLknq7xZ6o2E-XF0OfAJWSROIKjzMH-MZ1APMpSoKsP0N5f13NjNQ_zFm_AjOCM1bF6bKE/s1600/ParisNoel4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Get your onion soup and omelets at this one</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC9hN8PMWpXcmNS15IHDD0aElfdoINuC-nQIbfDMmcGA_mZ75janqDnRAVRPTG0mlhgOnw_ZPTiCT6_gH91YvspBNBIgsNQedNQo7x37Fh6niP-qkSHlnxkPsKkuvNgJXhRtpO02KUxRn/s1600/ParisNoel5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC9hN8PMWpXcmNS15IHDD0aElfdoINuC-nQIbfDMmcGA_mZ75janqDnRAVRPTG0mlhgOnw_ZPTiCT6_gH91YvspBNBIgsNQedNQo7x37Fh6niP-qkSHlnxkPsKkuvNgJXhRtpO02KUxRn/s1600/ParisNoel5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The famous </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Champs-Élysées</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSSZTee5HZUI8d-DHaSaciVCsCHdCpbaEnJdWwOiMAw6awPH-__9tE-2XPa9RcezvyUJ2dlNvtgCzfy0uiaxyiiyPbPcVnqJvPmCxTfosl5_dhyphenhyphenU31IEJRZlst5-sF2NGOGFHDVH40sTP/s1600/ParisNoel6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSSZTee5HZUI8d-DHaSaciVCsCHdCpbaEnJdWwOiMAw6awPH-__9tE-2XPa9RcezvyUJ2dlNvtgCzfy0uiaxyiiyPbPcVnqJvPmCxTfosl5_dhyphenhyphenU31IEJRZlst5-sF2NGOGFHDVH40sTP/s1600/ParisNoel6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>Chocolate shops</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOXNCZfMDXZKiCbdKTqyehyCQGuWcDHB2cUJnyMrxAq8KOgeR2GfvjidDR_uSubkKfJqMEyOkSke7Z-gMKcmpR-SmarIcNIQ7D2jzwj2Pz-RH1N8yC0eBdXsanZ7q6rMt4Aim-2EdV-Uh/s1600/ParisNoel7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOXNCZfMDXZKiCbdKTqyehyCQGuWcDHB2cUJnyMrxAq8KOgeR2GfvjidDR_uSubkKfJqMEyOkSke7Z-gMKcmpR-SmarIcNIQ7D2jzwj2Pz-RH1N8yC0eBdXsanZ7q6rMt4Aim-2EdV-Uh/s1600/ParisNoel7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>Awesome window displays</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtGT2XE_gMA-_EIWvyL4KxD3F-eqTWNrcQ-KO0ZIkrT5lDvNx8IbebkOKqE112u_Zr7Ni9AZSCUZhRZBV8t5rWAHDUk_zqC0TRvsyo9HtEBBTv1gJZo4e1UMVsjxzVMzfQRoL-XL2wPQr/s1600/ParisNoel8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtGT2XE_gMA-_EIWvyL4KxD3F-eqTWNrcQ-KO0ZIkrT5lDvNx8IbebkOKqE112u_Zr7Ni9AZSCUZhRZBV8t5rWAHDUk_zqC0TRvsyo9HtEBBTv1gJZo4e1UMVsjxzVMzfQRoL-XL2wPQr/s1600/ParisNoel8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>And animated window displays for kids!</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOWQPqtA5Z94nISR4mHOn6RRjwhc6A9mExuqA6uPFJfw5NhfEP3hmzuZyNBSl-o9RbMW7ATLjzSP28kNSaLNvlN499zjjsavZMyF4MVLst4MHtajC9w7dijyPnM_awAZrorIrsTha3H4C/s1600/ParisNoel9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOWQPqtA5Z94nISR4mHOn6RRjwhc6A9mExuqA6uPFJfw5NhfEP3hmzuZyNBSl-o9RbMW7ATLjzSP28kNSaLNvlN499zjjsavZMyF4MVLst4MHtajC9w7dijyPnM_awAZrorIrsTha3H4C/s1600/ParisNoel9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The famous </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Galeries Lafayette ceiling & upside-down Christmas tree</i></span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiuD2adAcGriTameezh8zLQIDX99YIRncx9PGl19Wi38PEZ9Jipc4UNQr1iTTFkPDy7TVvo1hXbWbnHqUW-xXYdqVL7x0uqz2DSPRpCZV_-4UNtycFNJdlhs_F2owIiLi4EERfoDbhPf5/s1600/ParisNoel10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiuD2adAcGriTameezh8zLQIDX99YIRncx9PGl19Wi38PEZ9Jipc4UNQr1iTTFkPDy7TVvo1hXbWbnHqUW-xXYdqVL7x0uqz2DSPRpCZV_-4UNtycFNJdlhs_F2owIiLi4EERfoDbhPf5/s1600/ParisNoel10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>More street illuminations</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn6tiQxOqA3S_EYxuA-tJn3U4M5E4GGmsWZUq1Pen0-iTwJTi42qLUmKM6aXDIZ5i7uoGXnXzFEWmjdL1pSvd4bkfKaDSEW6ty44hiG1axZptRp4Q8YRCD35Qgs0nAx10da_AkgGMbihN/s1600/ParisNoel11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn6tiQxOqA3S_EYxuA-tJn3U4M5E4GGmsWZUq1Pen0-iTwJTi42qLUmKM6aXDIZ5i7uoGXnXzFEWmjdL1pSvd4bkfKaDSEW6ty44hiG1axZptRp4Q8YRCD35Qgs0nAx10da_AkgGMbihN/s1600/ParisNoel11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>Each design is different</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMSYWsa6LA_gZSdLPEPr0fh6einZkD8rZmNWlssBv1wObL0JvrAmZLGZIW8XNKz4VawOgINiLr3sAonIDxPO485Oiz7ELYvHa1GoRNgQx-ZSmw6Ca5KwF_iJ7x0j57LS3ZIjFZ4e3-OR9/s1600/ParisNoel12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMSYWsa6LA_gZSdLPEPr0fh6einZkD8rZmNWlssBv1wObL0JvrAmZLGZIW8XNKz4VawOgINiLr3sAonIDxPO485Oiz7ELYvHa1GoRNgQx-ZSmw6Ca5KwF_iJ7x0j57LS3ZIjFZ4e3-OR9/s1600/ParisNoel12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>The lights are paid for by the shops on each street</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMo5xk-_HhLUq-mns7sOh2CyW303PRezGw1RPbYBNMx_7IyTbNlwxG0prbvBAUTBKxSeg7SAU10NyxiqNDepmRNRNa9MoZdVli32NzSZUFe-CJib8THUmUFtmlFBi5R5qS3gjJE-IE39h/s1600/ParisNoel13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMo5xk-_HhLUq-mns7sOh2CyW303PRezGw1RPbYBNMx_7IyTbNlwxG0prbvBAUTBKxSeg7SAU10NyxiqNDepmRNRNa9MoZdVli32NzSZUFe-CJib8THUmUFtmlFBi5R5qS3gjJE-IE39h/s1600/ParisNoel13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Peppermint chocolate donuts & countless other yummy treats</i></span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9osXgxCA4857OwCltGPYDrU8Xu1DlY0iKZP7Zn4ELVAdW5dDeJwFKPM3_5n8aT7MI5tRtpJftWb1qKwM2UeTM7NS9rEHMS9cfGxhhqGOotEg46RIlMraOCvTRxHnmkWhyN_FG25s_WNeL/s1600/ParisNoel14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9osXgxCA4857OwCltGPYDrU8Xu1DlY0iKZP7Zn4ELVAdW5dDeJwFKPM3_5n8aT7MI5tRtpJftWb1qKwM2UeTM7NS9rEHMS9cfGxhhqGOotEg46RIlMraOCvTRxHnmkWhyN_FG25s_WNeL/s1600/ParisNoel14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>Fun parties with friends and teammates</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPh240R-FlwlnvF-T-SSRnCt_D2X5qvhJApc_RjsKzzl5vud0ztOFa88n1jYsIsMb7nj5ACvB7wfUBk1mbl5edoV3Ay5T-rFfaFe-fBqlJUW4wZsKaCWYh9K73kPNPm7o1Z-YDXNnXJRcO/s1600/ParisNoel15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPh240R-FlwlnvF-T-SSRnCt_D2X5qvhJApc_RjsKzzl5vud0ztOFa88n1jYsIsMb7nj5ACvB7wfUBk1mbl5edoV3Ay5T-rFfaFe-fBqlJUW4wZsKaCWYh9K73kPNPm7o1Z-YDXNnXJRcO/s1600/ParisNoel15.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>Christmas Eve candlelight service</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgjzDxnMIHvqZUc02fkHIQe8wk15f6fAwaSYmD-2ISLjhDyffL55QnQ4vJa98emiGP16wF1N9Bhx7Wh-wyZ_-tiNG2M4suB9g5SZiSQcHGb76usb2BsrMA32-kOfVFVk0BhNRMQ9U5AQX/s1600/ParisNoel16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgjzDxnMIHvqZUc02fkHIQe8wk15f6fAwaSYmD-2ISLjhDyffL55QnQ4vJa98emiGP16wF1N9Bhx7Wh-wyZ_-tiNG2M4suB9g5SZiSQcHGb76usb2BsrMA32-kOfVFVk0BhNRMQ9U5AQX/s1600/ParisNoel16.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Our humble tree</i></span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiakYAhL3tMKPdT9Hed_Pn0dM8oeIwRyvL67jdtCIkBbqVs8-bqrp9aF6-vDoed9bK0qoes7Ad1K3f231S1GbNiS5TqIwCeg4XNAvTdBqhLzNZeo_reU7ncJtAq4WGGOEm2CEbVGakQoIu/s1600/ParisNoel17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiakYAhL3tMKPdT9Hed_Pn0dM8oeIwRyvL67jdtCIkBbqVs8-bqrp9aF6-vDoed9bK0qoes7Ad1K3f231S1GbNiS5TqIwCeg4XNAvTdBqhLzNZeo_reU7ncJtAq4WGGOEm2CEbVGakQoIu/s1600/ParisNoel17.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>...and the Notre Dame Christmas tree</i></span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-72422915574396788122014-12-24T06:41:00.002-05:002014-12-24T06:49:31.127-05:00Reflecting on the season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year marks our second Christmas in France and also our second Christmas away from where we grew up and family. Last year we went to Strasbourg, France right before Christmas which was such a treat to see Christmas lights decorating that beautiful town and to visit all the Christmas markets that lined the squares and streets. This year we are staying in Paris, but we are all settled in our apartment, which feels more and more like home (although home feels like a less clear concept these days). Paris is lovely this time of year. All the main streets have lights running across them, each street’s display is unique in color and design. And there are large Christmas markets the whole month long in several locations. There is mulled wine, bratwurst & sauerkraut, oysters, Champagne, chocolates, and all kinds of gifts. It’s been a pretty full Christmas season, more so than we anticipated, since we have met several new friends in recent months and have been interning at a church in central Paris. Tonight we will go to a candlelight service with some friends, and tomorrow will be a low key day at home as we rejoice and reflect on Christ's coming, eat good food, Skype with loved ones, and open some presents as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ve started observing Advent more and more the last few years and it really helps me to remember each day what it means that Christ came and what it means that he will come again. This year the word <i>Immanuel</i> or “God with us” has been my focus. Tim Keller’s message on <a href="http://www.gospelinlife.com/sermons/god-with-us-5744.html" target="_blank">God with us</a> was really helpful for me. The message is about: “The meaning of Christmas is that the Creator of the universe has become a human being. It means that the terrifying God who appeared in the Old Testament as a whirlwind and a fire has become a vulnerable baby in order to be close to us. What, in turn, will we do in order to be close to Him?” It is really worth a listen if you want to better prepare your heart this season or if you just want to better understand what Christians believe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas and may God’s loving and merciful presence draw you closer and closer to him. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-60569396978294210042014-10-24T03:50:00.000-04:002014-10-24T03:50:04.359-04:00My first French Association<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">‘Associations’, or clubs, are a vital part of life and culture here. Not everyone, but many people, are involved in one or more association. And you can find an association for just about anything; sports, art, activism, cooking, choirs, wine, hiking, the list really goes on and on. In just our section of the city, there are hundreds of different groups. To help people choose a group, each September there is an <i>Association Fair</i> where many clubs get a small table to promote their groups. Ryan and I went with our friends in September and we were excited but nervous. Although we had prepared beforehand (which took hours to look at hundreds of groups and their descriptions in French) and knew which groups we wanted to talk to, when we arrived there was so much activity, we couldn't find any of the groups we had planned to search out. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7kKb74SGuPEcHAnRM0PMlKAdxwoJOFxsL7lGZ_Wpul6U68DSKV1iFOWxzOQdaK26B4l9V3EejVu3GXIP5j65XxjTjdFXtny9ag3Q3WgKKU3rwPH-C3ILy2UrfbLhdwgnCsWqoV-s2UP9/s1600/associationFair2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7kKb74SGuPEcHAnRM0PMlKAdxwoJOFxsL7lGZ_Wpul6U68DSKV1iFOWxzOQdaK26B4l9V3EejVu3GXIP5j65XxjTjdFXtny9ag3Q3WgKKU3rwPH-C3ILy2UrfbLhdwgnCsWqoV-s2UP9/s1600/associationFair2014.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Association Fair, booths were lined both outside and in the Mayor's building</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkDuDcDVAIM9kgbYof2JYtNPeHltCJhGcSYc1lbqx6RpGzhVxJbQO2l8UkaA1l4rVuTP98ZfIMNKGhz79U93nNCCx7szgSRJPSFZpiRdtwFUPZcrUDnsl8MNxaQ7sGlEixqXdV968GN6B/s1600/associationFair2014_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkDuDcDVAIM9kgbYof2JYtNPeHltCJhGcSYc1lbqx6RpGzhVxJbQO2l8UkaA1l4rVuTP98ZfIMNKGhz79U93nNCCx7szgSRJPSFZpiRdtwFUPZcrUDnsl8MNxaQ7sGlEixqXdV968GN6B/s1600/associationFair2014_2.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>We saw a few weddings finish up as a few newlywed couples <br />exited the building to loud cheers from their friends and family</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After an hour and a half or so of exploring and talking with different club representatives we were starting to reach saturation point, <b>when I noticed a very simple and discreet table with a small sign that said “new community garden in the 15th.</b>” I had thought about a gardening association and had even noted a few that I was looking for, but this one was brand new. So I worked up the courage to go over, and waited patiently as 2 or 3 others pushed their way in front of me (this happens a lot to me, I am often too timid in situations like this). But once I made it up to the front, I had a nice chat with the woman, the President of this new association, and she said I was in luck as they still had space available and the garden was just a couple minutes walk from where I lived. I just had to write a 1 Euro check to the association to reserve my place. So I joined! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple weeks later, I went to the first ever meeting for the association, and tomorrow, I will go and get a key to the garden. It is in an enclosed park space, but it will be open for the public to enjoy a few afternoons a week, and also when any of us are there to garden, we leave the gate open so nearby neighbors can come check it out. It will be a team gardening approach, so for each plot, 3 people will work together to plan, tend, and one day share in the harvest. I am still a little nervous, but mostly eager and excited to both get my hands dirty and to get better acquainted with several others who live nearby.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-40582107298989976712014-10-21T11:27:00.001-04:002014-10-21T11:27:37.351-04:002015 Paris Prayer Conference: Save the Date<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIcRRjM3cEb-76yR322VR2FkLHeh5S-5uA6seX5uTBo4l_Qh1Q-_L8nAJSMUlfeTx7QpqXuRzm1OcdmeT-RNYEnZMvC3DEO-VpDYSyRT9W5w8isWJQfmEdaefqwidwIlUPnPgiXNjHi_f/s1600/SaveTheDatePPC15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIcRRjM3cEb-76yR322VR2FkLHeh5S-5uA6seX5uTBo4l_Qh1Q-_L8nAJSMUlfeTx7QpqXuRzm1OcdmeT-RNYEnZMvC3DEO-VpDYSyRT9W5w8isWJQfmEdaefqwidwIlUPnPgiXNjHi_f/s1600/SaveTheDatePPC15.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each year World Team invites those interested to come and see what God is doing in France and to pray. The date for next years conference is June 15–22, 2015. Registration for this conference will be opening soon, and you can get more information by emailing <a href="mailto:info@francevie.fr">info@francevie.fr</a> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D9055278957458467994%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4058210729898997671%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-o3gfcb18_jQ%252FVEZ6EVvx56I%252FAAAAAAAABNo%252F4_siAmWLt6M%252Fs1600%252FSaveTheDatePPC15.png%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 155px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D9055278957458467994%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4058210729898997671%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-o3gfcb18_jQ%252FVEZ6EVvx56I%252FAAAAAAAABNo%252F4_siAmWLt6M%252Fs1600%252FSaveTheDatePPC15.png%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 155px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-14246976984939102982014-09-28T10:01:00.001-04:002014-09-28T16:45:19.458-04:00The Summer of 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today’s post is just a short and sweet “let’s get back on the blogging horse” post. Things have been going well. Summer in Paris was beautiful and very different than at other times of year, especially during August, when most of the city's residents left for vacation and were replaced by tourists from around the globe. We enjoyed the slower-paced Paris and watched free movies in the park, visited other parks, read several books between us, and put several afternoons into decorating our place. We also went to Budapest, Hungary in August for a European Conference with our organization. It was refreshing to drive there and see a bit of Germany and Austria along the way, and it was fun to explore a new city for a couple days. The conference was on leadership development and we took home a lot of new skills, which should serve us well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As soon as we got back, it was “La Rentrée” in France, which is the kick start to the new year here (both scholastically and professionally as many families returned from their month-long vacations). It felt like “La Rentrée” for us as well as we jumped into an internship at a French church, started a (much lighter) course load of French classes, and began meeting with our ministry team to start discussing all the BIG ?’s like the why, what, when, and how we plan to start a community of believers in our neighborhood. But all these activities are going well and as we dive into the activities of the church, where we are interning, we are starting to build some relationships and feel more settled. We also have had the chance to get to know some of our neighbors a bit better too which has been great. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But more on all of these topics soon… maybe?! Summer photo montage time...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthdhV6skBgLAH3dhMp6PCzjdL51WY9a4wjkv_9q2Y744YoPJ25OevuzU1nmsgMZLCkWLx9ZCBs5gtJBBEMID72GpMLv0yWc5zMf3UKT4_xCpmaCz6KGY1qB33F__TmLMvq5MX5vFyMPn8/s1600/summer2014_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthdhV6skBgLAH3dhMp6PCzjdL51WY9a4wjkv_9q2Y744YoPJ25OevuzU1nmsgMZLCkWLx9ZCBs5gtJBBEMID72GpMLv0yWc5zMf3UKT4_xCpmaCz6KGY1qB33F__TmLMvq5MX5vFyMPn8/s1600/summer2014_1.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Free movies at Parc Villette</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCDpvXHA3wxi4S_1eVmI9HQJHsEHtSYfAi1rVSf7rwg1UhJ4qBniDtAGUkmkkX7VCHciRpkJsdBk33rcVjZINNf_iM8_YsB1Z9VV4E9DrJ_4lAgzfCK-JwptoLNjDbzerYjrN2R7ked6D/s1600/summer2014_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCDpvXHA3wxi4S_1eVmI9HQJHsEHtSYfAi1rVSf7rwg1UhJ4qBniDtAGUkmkkX7VCHciRpkJsdBk33rcVjZINNf_iM8_YsB1Z9VV4E9DrJ_4lAgzfCK-JwptoLNjDbzerYjrN2R7ked6D/s1600/summer2014_2.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Exploring Paris parks, there are so many great ones</i> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4NOBGrwmXSvIOomx8TsA0dkq81kf1XUitEh_CC2NV-E15cSkGOBmevSSey0FwDudp7uz-f_H69T9UkllaHBXPRExC7DtTyvmS65vImKfe09PMdVK2WDv6W85gtzguNR2IX_hth803ZU4/s1600/summer2014_3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4NOBGrwmXSvIOomx8TsA0dkq81kf1XUitEh_CC2NV-E15cSkGOBmevSSey0FwDudp7uz-f_H69T9UkllaHBXPRExC7DtTyvmS65vImKfe09PMdVK2WDv6W85gtzguNR2IX_hth803ZU4/s1600/summer2014_3.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Ryan having fun climbing giant rocks at Fontainebleau forrest</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYjRNNCngB_0fTzTjYSzU6WSPeAwiLrGg3iO9f7hYo8N22pxswYJjfD2BnxRnKinuxpx_qwCX1qmMfUazfFPlKJO40fCLfu9rCriJcbyLyy8k0jlKgE6wWnS7Rav1u6zVP1TQ_Cm9ju3O/s1600/summer2014_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYjRNNCngB_0fTzTjYSzU6WSPeAwiLrGg3iO9f7hYo8N22pxswYJjfD2BnxRnKinuxpx_qwCX1qmMfUazfFPlKJO40fCLfu9rCriJcbyLyy8k0jlKgE6wWnS7Rav1u6zVP1TQ_Cm9ju3O/s1600/summer2014_4.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Kids playing in fountains at Parc Citroen, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">totally ignoring the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">sign saying it's forbidden</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqKPzKqyE0ukzoNBU0EkskD6AgKU656c5G3NIQTOKYrTE59-asyzZXYssgMrjqFRg_LHBe7bX5qLy92Ke6LnWg7RhZrPhxiwNRYhSG7DAMMR9YuWiFavpOlJsFw69h4euQUPm2buux7Dx/s1600/summer2014_5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqKPzKqyE0ukzoNBU0EkskD6AgKU656c5G3NIQTOKYrTE59-asyzZXYssgMrjqFRg_LHBe7bX5qLy92Ke6LnWg7RhZrPhxiwNRYhSG7DAMMR9YuWiFavpOlJsFw69h4euQUPm2buux7Dx/s1600/summer2014_5.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Visiting our first medieval castle in Pierrefont</i> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFU28zgc_9Z6N07w5mJIqneyolCMkicvFT1LmyaSxIb6Q3NKncfSHxbOu6fUixT1NOeY5QoAGdYmDi1Y3NwQik1KS4oEsjIuNXbkvMLxaHSvASbjZv74UM7w4dB6EIiurvk-Kp9rXzzxc/s1600/summer2014_6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFU28zgc_9Z6N07w5mJIqneyolCMkicvFT1LmyaSxIb6Q3NKncfSHxbOu6fUixT1NOeY5QoAGdYmDi1Y3NwQik1KS4oEsjIuNXbkvMLxaHSvASbjZv74UM7w4dB6EIiurvk-Kp9rXzzxc/s1600/summer2014_6.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Paris Plage (beach along the Seine for 1 month in summer)</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8dnVGupBy2vzg5ZvsMH20E7iD9GW04cduEznUWP4GoDySZ2O0QNPuQ0Aeog1or0PSVqe_Ype3CfMd_QcyVbUsmoIl8JEbRyTFULmh6V2aFmJ_IXrDPqyxJ8GYDkW1dghsQKvxf0jhPR2/s1600/summer2014_7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8dnVGupBy2vzg5ZvsMH20E7iD9GW04cduEznUWP4GoDySZ2O0QNPuQ0Aeog1or0PSVqe_Ype3CfMd_QcyVbUsmoIl8JEbRyTFULmh6V2aFmJ_IXrDPqyxJ8GYDkW1dghsQKvxf0jhPR2/s1600/summer2014_7.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Walking around the St German de Près area</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo4JXPGvB6K2d3K0jNsuoD9Sd3gLrIAvoF5pgWultP5s-7G5TbHSJc1myLRKuGaynmsyMoP4ldC1_a80t3lVgwrLLsuF4LoJvHEQkdue-FJWFiKLXnV9bRkNokloaYyErKqy-K4J8Zpwy/s1600/summer2014_8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo4JXPGvB6K2d3K0jNsuoD9Sd3gLrIAvoF5pgWultP5s-7G5TbHSJc1myLRKuGaynmsyMoP4ldC1_a80t3lVgwrLLsuF4LoJvHEQkdue-FJWFiKLXnV9bRkNokloaYyErKqy-K4J8Zpwy/s1600/summer2014_8.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Parliament building in Budapest</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbVdLk66pE2rSu0RLImSsMWrjoLLkMVTIZOnog5R9KYK89dftmFHt1VR_U3RBByxxkaGPNJmIGIujiZe7IeyFBrc7oCcQK_45ccS7UnDdVIhloMbir6OyPTAzfN8QjI4eD1_WyzDVkem2/s1600/summer2014_9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbVdLk66pE2rSu0RLImSsMWrjoLLkMVTIZOnog5R9KYK89dftmFHt1VR_U3RBByxxkaGPNJmIGIujiZe7IeyFBrc7oCcQK_45ccS7UnDdVIhloMbir6OyPTAzfN8QjI4eD1_WyzDVkem2/s1600/summer2014_9.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Tour of Budapest</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCj2pVY1dMcl3vbHYJaCthVTsWgGtxKDhsh9VY87AK8bEJ35XNYDC04KHdw6YZiHBP4N7BNgnG3i333gAaF7eKfm9mblhire2K-Z_Hw50_5R5RKp67E61p6VZjzmB1taaAeQSS84b5G3T/s1600/summer2014_10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCj2pVY1dMcl3vbHYJaCthVTsWgGtxKDhsh9VY87AK8bEJ35XNYDC04KHdw6YZiHBP4N7BNgnG3i333gAaF7eKfm9mblhire2K-Z_Hw50_5R5RKp67E61p6VZjzmB1taaAeQSS84b5G3T/s1600/summer2014_10.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Nightlife in Budapest</span></i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 20px; left: 127px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2381px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 20px; left: 127px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2381px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 127px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 499px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 127px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 499px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-16170132981999897212014-06-29T07:16:00.008-04:002014-06-29T07:18:35.461-04:00Language School Wrap-up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is hard to believe, but our full-time language studies have come to an end. We will continue to study and work on our french until we feel fully confident and comfortable in the language, but not with the same intensity as these first 10 months. We've now experienced and seen how important it is to be very strong in the language if we want to invest in France long-term. Not feeling fully confident can add extra pressure and stress to both the little and the not so little things we do everyday. But we can say with confidence that in these 10 months of intensive study, we have learned a lot and improved a ton. There are days when our french just flows and we have no problems, but there are still days that we struggle to find the right words or sentence structures. It is such a cool thing though, to learn another language, and so far it has been very rewarding. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are so thankful for the school we attended and the amazing teachers who passionately taught us with patience and perseverance every day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJeDCvvdtxYE2xsyVqg5mIQfCHfoMhDJC_dSm_6tOZeTd54rCHBc9goQWP-TR3JZO0DYm0A8wxl3wHF8MPllbzefpJAa2-FQSxzBIcdqxpbm8Sdyg-O6KDmEsS-Qj8cnDgAvsWTEOWoP6/s1600/LesCed_1a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJeDCvvdtxYE2xsyVqg5mIQfCHfoMhDJC_dSm_6tOZeTd54rCHBc9goQWP-TR3JZO0DYm0A8wxl3wHF8MPllbzefpJAa2-FQSxzBIcdqxpbm8Sdyg-O6KDmEsS-Qj8cnDgAvsWTEOWoP6/s1600/LesCed_1a.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The place where we studied, laughed, cried, and even lived for several months</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvJI3cq-u54EC92wQ1Xf1EuqATajPfFg0_3U6hs4cwLf_oJMHaj5AAzn8iwWDgl9xmc58q25BPYTr_i-RNXLY0WD955Ni4BRTpHzChKPENuNDhnqF6WdYzIVaQFHfJWLc3VL3jFc8PzoE/s1600/LesCed_1b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvJI3cq-u54EC92wQ1Xf1EuqATajPfFg0_3U6hs4cwLf_oJMHaj5AAzn8iwWDgl9xmc58q25BPYTr_i-RNXLY0WD955Ni4BRTpHzChKPENuNDhnqF6WdYzIVaQFHfJWLc3VL3jFc8PzoE/s1600/LesCed_1b.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our amazing teacher Régine whose passion and humor made learning a blast</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMews3BKq4AZyu2rCH-Zo_23OHQcLdHNnA61hJn62_BWoy7r8T5H-fbz-YixtFRejlAH1eZVzwz5ElUHxhWQBmHKN9DW8HGocxv9a6buJr5X4Q9VS6SDA2S44XPfB7BgPkBagiTfmVPvj/s1600/LesCed_1c.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMews3BKq4AZyu2rCH-Zo_23OHQcLdHNnA61hJn62_BWoy7r8T5H-fbz-YixtFRejlAH1eZVzwz5ElUHxhWQBmHKN9DW8HGocxv9a6buJr5X4Q9VS6SDA2S44XPfB7BgPkBagiTfmVPvj/s1600/LesCed_1c.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our class (1 of 4 classes, with around 50 students each year)</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVldr_QBYaswqwcRalFRrFOqYhbF6OnfKBGg-66BIo-XrOeDQrc3b82GBxibV_9Tj8KBTS6cuapKjQdUfCpMflxxn8Jiqf-jXIdc5-mgBHNa-07tCfE5h71cwUtK4GRa8p4ILbtoZEQ2L/s1600/LesCed_1d.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVldr_QBYaswqwcRalFRrFOqYhbF6OnfKBGg-66BIo-XrOeDQrc3b82GBxibV_9Tj8KBTS6cuapKjQdUfCpMflxxn8Jiqf-jXIdc5-mgBHNa-07tCfE5h71cwUtK4GRa8p4ILbtoZEQ2L/s1600/LesCed_1d.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Our class, throughout the year many others came and went as well</i> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwpd0qjnhXWDtycyQr-vdQXP9i_q6FuFqMJ1L3TVZ44WxzjhjyFXN8wneAXruWxrp1Zbj4B_t571HrOlhVn0ceqt7H5YN7AoEyqHzJhXX4IzYQOTMPM67pdLE6oK0I85KxjwLVm1iqsWr/s1600/LesCed_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwpd0qjnhXWDtycyQr-vdQXP9i_q6FuFqMJ1L3TVZ44WxzjhjyFXN8wneAXruWxrp1Zbj4B_t571HrOlhVn0ceqt7H5YN7AoEyqHzJhXX4IzYQOTMPM67pdLE6oK0I85KxjwLVm1iqsWr/s1600/LesCed_4.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The learning environment</i> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFfJSlXBauzZFBDylVTRwwABvHY0-f_B5bRoFR9r0LyHZBu-YqqDKQMy1cAbSw0KZvmsJg6Q9-UWOWSKGgnw8EfW-zqAE3ktvq2cbvWmBngXhcg0XQ4DXCiHtSdGKOR2UUhouuakKumOd/s1600/LesCed_cartoon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFfJSlXBauzZFBDylVTRwwABvHY0-f_B5bRoFR9r0LyHZBu-YqqDKQMy1cAbSw0KZvmsJg6Q9-UWOWSKGgnw8EfW-zqAE3ktvq2cbvWmBngXhcg0XQ4DXCiHtSdGKOR2UUhouuakKumOd/s1600/LesCed_cartoon.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The phrases we learned well and still use a lot!</span></i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-33030033503543850002014-06-24T17:34:00.002-04:002014-06-24T17:34:56.615-04:00Our Paris Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a post a couple weeks ago <a href="http://bennettsofparis.blogspot.fr/2014/06/introducing-ourselves.html" target="_blank">here</a>, I mentioned that we were doing some work on our kitchen. In France and other parts of Europe, it is still fairly common to get an apartment with next to nothing in the kitchen. When we got our place, our kitchen had one very old cabinet with a huge sink and a gas range... and that was it. So we had to get appliances, and we decided it was worth it to replace the base cabinet and add a few other cabinets for more storage. The kitchen has a lot of interesting angles and old external pipes that made planning a little bit tricky. But with a little planning and the help of friends, teammates, and a trip to IKEA, our "petite cuisine" or little kitchen became a whole lot more functional. Here are some pictures that capture the process. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsMPtY02-q3M25-NAJ_Z4wS_VLUYYXGvR3Ey5_NBXoSwKWib23NqO7-3-kdGXobbcIwWxRxcqJL5f8LGrB6dayf69ohdbRKgTuCheDaMcGbSCMb715VHzSLKkEppiyArK2-qzi3Zkw7gF/s1600/cuisine_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsMPtY02-q3M25-NAJ_Z4wS_VLUYYXGvR3Ey5_NBXoSwKWib23NqO7-3-kdGXobbcIwWxRxcqJL5f8LGrB6dayf69ohdbRKgTuCheDaMcGbSCMb715VHzSLKkEppiyArK2-qzi3Zkw7gF/s1600/cuisine_1.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The before shot</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfmO_rwfuE6VoTOkF_N4flN5usQ7G2e_cLrTRBq_M4rKgvqqe0Nf8-tKKGr9TJu-DQ-5HEh966vjckiucmCZQblZwYdsXZHgY8m7dh4v-HzH0wvJfN-Vt_IMVp7tiv9SHMObULjkpX-qg/s1600/cuisine_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfmO_rwfuE6VoTOkF_N4flN5usQ7G2e_cLrTRBq_M4rKgvqqe0Nf8-tKKGr9TJu-DQ-5HEh966vjckiucmCZQblZwYdsXZHgY8m7dh4v-HzH0wvJfN-Vt_IMVp7tiv9SHMObULjkpX-qg/s1600/cuisine_2.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We got a great deal on our oven and fridge from a couple who was moving</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRbv_nAH_fp6iNz76BxYB6Qwu9P88Kxbm2NUBG3A4lU9NEyCXIKJNWWqRPEdDpbKOBn46Y5N6o6Y-6xFXYzD793XmS_0u-QBtqU0rgy_cdoJQzqnutMZhmQTUB3M7bPbBZ5a3xCczMLtl/s1600/cuisine_3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRbv_nAH_fp6iNz76BxYB6Qwu9P88Kxbm2NUBG3A4lU9NEyCXIKJNWWqRPEdDpbKOBn46Y5N6o6Y-6xFXYzD793XmS_0u-QBtqU0rgy_cdoJQzqnutMZhmQTUB3M7bPbBZ5a3xCczMLtl/s1600/cuisine_3.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our kitchen still in boxes</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgUihU7BkINSdTrK3HoIC_WYbuu1lxfBrkzaaJyWRcxGBCN_uVfg_3lBfYraGsJp_xuLIdkz-teEkui4KET-FAup2Ekt8XyVp2zngUdx9s_L_Y-HSJZrG0-frHsBFnA_XfJxb0_FovFOO/s1600/cuisine_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgUihU7BkINSdTrK3HoIC_WYbuu1lxfBrkzaaJyWRcxGBCN_uVfg_3lBfYraGsJp_xuLIdkz-teEkui4KET-FAup2Ekt8XyVp2zngUdx9s_L_Y-HSJZrG0-frHsBFnA_XfJxb0_FovFOO/s1600/cuisine_4.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Demo day, we had to clean behind the cabinet and the pipe needed re-sealed</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmpvSG_uXvJqM3iPkygQhDDbcr3yEQm0GjsGL7lZqE-IYl0XoKfk4x29P3qSV-tCc7cV8xYg5eUxzWq10DaGs8CraTpsCy0bCh8Q63aDS2nK4aKYKFZ17DzNciuO2rJNLf89BOQwxaGLu/s1600/cuisine_5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmpvSG_uXvJqM3iPkygQhDDbcr3yEQm0GjsGL7lZqE-IYl0XoKfk4x29P3qSV-tCc7cV8xYg5eUxzWq10DaGs8CraTpsCy0bCh8Q63aDS2nK4aKYKFZ17DzNciuO2rJNLf89BOQwxaGLu/s1600/cuisine_5.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ryan and our friend Andrew assembling all the elements</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURkUGHLzQDojYjeEBZLYKlgMRGssS1T2DuiL6C8ihyu-_z0rl2dBjHebx67m-VO4RxY7L_mj1AjgiedMslfAFompcqCkNtOZ7XmnFXhyphenhyphenvCsrRWuKHx2pFVMkKYqZjnUwHaQnMyTKOAybJ/s1600/cuisine_6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURkUGHLzQDojYjeEBZLYKlgMRGssS1T2DuiL6C8ihyu-_z0rl2dBjHebx67m-VO4RxY7L_mj1AjgiedMslfAFompcqCkNtOZ7XmnFXhyphenhyphenvCsrRWuKHx2pFVMkKYqZjnUwHaQnMyTKOAybJ/s1600/cuisine_6.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The day of installation</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccFU0EmOYAFQ8lwM1PMgoUQ8QCgtdRxadEjI7ayDq7NP5n7sRkEYZDnT7XcfWeMxv8Hb4nLk-95a8KVjyeSl7IotVD_CGlYaGECqT43YV84UFInL4Qm-uHXLoEe5cahJOy3lJVEbJwI7c/s1600/cuisine_7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccFU0EmOYAFQ8lwM1PMgoUQ8QCgtdRxadEjI7ayDq7NP5n7sRkEYZDnT7XcfWeMxv8Hb4nLk-95a8KVjyeSl7IotVD_CGlYaGECqT43YV84UFInL4Qm-uHXLoEe5cahJOy3lJVEbJwI7c/s1600/cuisine_7.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Two of our directors worked for us for the day, what an incredible gift!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjisrK9EX7CaNGvhsbOdZHICViMWORGoGbXYgH1iCelz7UNWsTTJmHI-S_ScZaiPb_oF0Ktxy5UALpuCGE1K_5FXDADf4r1JiMzqh1i3l64mZtSnrBHX7Az3doTQYZQG1nWe-HqEZ9U36R/s1600/cuisine_8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjisrK9EX7CaNGvhsbOdZHICViMWORGoGbXYgH1iCelz7UNWsTTJmHI-S_ScZaiPb_oF0Ktxy5UALpuCGE1K_5FXDADf4r1JiMzqh1i3l64mZtSnrBHX7Az3doTQYZQG1nWe-HqEZ9U36R/s1600/cuisine_8.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And here's our kitchen now, this is the first time we've ever had a dishwasher, <br />or a washing machine. We feel truly blessed and maybe even a little spoiled. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwxRTkqlz71mwka46bbL9ZDGtbdiiArxiCn7riVZKcgiD-phL2nIeXLYIlWEdSJLNlAN_L7obf3PN7-Xdal74RJxHdrdmTUhxSp58pL5706F7AITtojBbiom_zfLpO13FBxLw4TVU0fpG/s1600/cuisine_9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwxRTkqlz71mwka46bbL9ZDGtbdiiArxiCn7riVZKcgiD-phL2nIeXLYIlWEdSJLNlAN_L7obf3PN7-Xdal74RJxHdrdmTUhxSp58pL5706F7AITtojBbiom_zfLpO13FBxLw4TVU0fpG/s1600/cuisine_9.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>If we get a microwave, it will go where my cookbooks are, we still <br />need to add a new backsplash and touch up the wall a bit</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqdV3Y9kx73d-HwQ1__cUp2xbOdHd1KWVmTotRqgT9djhinblFKsTCj4qNeh4zH3pupo7JgqhgQbUEyuvv62q4HOeIRH0F28Z6wKpyKlV0SBI2vdw2u48xUDmoWdKEtFfySsfXkXgrGGN/s1600/cuisine_10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqdV3Y9kx73d-HwQ1__cUp2xbOdHd1KWVmTotRqgT9djhinblFKsTCj4qNeh4zH3pupo7JgqhgQbUEyuvv62q4HOeIRH0F28Z6wKpyKlV0SBI2vdw2u48xUDmoWdKEtFfySsfXkXgrGGN/s1600/cuisine_10.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The other wall</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje-ytakKuJOeBwxUINTUVSjkhza-HlYfJpP_HxQiiji0EEmuXg0CpS74uTGeQEZonc0CtegQK_syDItChpGK5ikyJShHZBBBfsS0T0TOnMAexMb3FHBWlv5crhN4lcz7-lMU5JO31iPV4/s1600/cuisine_11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje-ytakKuJOeBwxUINTUVSjkhza-HlYfJpP_HxQiiji0EEmuXg0CpS74uTGeQEZonc0CtegQK_syDItChpGK5ikyJShHZBBBfsS0T0TOnMAexMb3FHBWlv5crhN4lcz7-lMU5JO31iPV4/s1600/cuisine_11.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>So if you come and visit, I will make you dinner</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-59598765120469219692014-06-22T05:29:00.001-04:002014-06-22T05:29:10.125-04:00Day 6 (Last but not least): Pray for Magny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqTwS4lpUzOOZ4rjBOFRUaA63ZCS7IexaTPJezm-AK4eIoaKtWlOdoE93G02j5CzR0bPrlFzH2rkzd2s88QX1qzlhk6gQOjEDBEaZzdTk1-esl7oqhvpkG1gNf6Rwi-DCgohll_aY8h_Y/s1600/Magny1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqTwS4lpUzOOZ4rjBOFRUaA63ZCS7IexaTPJezm-AK4eIoaKtWlOdoE93G02j5CzR0bPrlFzH2rkzd2s88QX1qzlhk6gQOjEDBEaZzdTk1-esl7oqhvpkG1gNf6Rwi-DCgohll_aY8h_Y/s1600/Magny1.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The view in this area is just breathtaking. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgEIkjbsKYBkHeftz0vqfdYRFyIWwi6T0aIguYKm3vkPCnTl9zQeqN0pqDp_RVMF6k4hcXzTgEGktw4B6Fn43k9f487dE0uvDmhN4pHQrEoT4EeIx_MlBMuK8VYl9hbmusytlB5E3XizY/s1600/Magny3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgEIkjbsKYBkHeftz0vqfdYRFyIWwi6T0aIguYKm3vkPCnTl9zQeqN0pqDp_RVMF6k4hcXzTgEGktw4B6Fn43k9f487dE0uvDmhN4pHQrEoT4EeIx_MlBMuK8VYl9hbmusytlB5E3XizY/s1600/Magny3.png" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The church in Magny is in a similar place as the church in Meru. Most of the initial church planters have stepped back from the church to allow the French to take over leadership. This can be an exciting but also challenging time for the church. Please pray for: </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The French pastor and elders who are now leading this church</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A consistent meeting space to be found</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More and more spiritual growth and maturity among the members</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The body to catch the vision to share the love of Christ with others</span></li>
</ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the final day, tomorrow the conference wraps up and everyone heads back to the States, please pray also for safe traveling and that these prayer champions would go back to their homes and churches advocates for what God is doing here in France. We've said it many times, but we are just one tiny piece in what God wants to do here. We need many more to come, to give, and to pray for this work. Thanks to everyone who followed along and prayed with us this week!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-80580503202869402182014-06-20T16:54:00.000-04:002014-06-20T16:54:35.816-04:00Day 5: Pray for the Gospel Café<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipK2dDzRxfkFSmp7r9HDLeHICIIsHclNt3hLI6M7m-ByF19V3KtMfHjqpos0si5s8tN_vyRLkT7UuO7oruOAQX736H26uuwEU-1aIPcL7x2lcK6NqvHf3dXHsktqA-L6cWNuzFAL96RGX9/s1600/gospel_cafe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipK2dDzRxfkFSmp7r9HDLeHICIIsHclNt3hLI6M7m-ByF19V3KtMfHjqpos0si5s8tN_vyRLkT7UuO7oruOAQX736H26uuwEU-1aIPcL7x2lcK6NqvHf3dXHsktqA-L6cWNuzFAL96RGX9/s1600/gospel_cafe.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.” Psalm 98:4-6</span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
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<div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
The Gospel Café uses music as an outreach to build connections with French people and create an environment to talk about spiritual things, with the goal of starting bible studies and a new church. Please pray for:</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Consistent funding to rent spaces and pay musiciens</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Direction and wisdom as to the ideal location for concerts</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the word to get out to more and more people, and especially people who are open to learning more about the Christian faith</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-85754255883930983952014-06-19T13:55:00.000-04:002014-06-19T13:55:44.254-04:00Day 4: Pray for our interns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to the prayer conference happening this week, World Team has sent 4 awesome interns, who are helping us with all kinds of things and seeing how God wants to use them, both now and in the future. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please pray for these 4 university students who trusted the Lord enough to come to France for part of their summer and serve. Their energy and presence is such a blessing. Please pray for:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God’s direction in their lives</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their relationship with the Lord, that it would deepen even more</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That they would gain a lifelong heart for missions</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That their heart for other cultures and people would grow</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And here are a couple photos from the prayer walk we led through our neighborhood.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAZ2r4RkQ81XA6uxdbWXWvu5jgMwGV5XaS7WXnC2YO3hVQQRyO9M77lpo3s9-l3V8slb1rYkzUocRf1T-8Ro3ak4BU5ulNhA-cycoTjauulJwjJJbJYJ1I-ifOkpXkRNgNRJ573JHBk3W/s1600/Paris_Walk2014.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAZ2r4RkQ81XA6uxdbWXWvu5jgMwGV5XaS7WXnC2YO3hVQQRyO9M77lpo3s9-l3V8slb1rYkzUocRf1T-8Ro3ak4BU5ulNhA-cycoTjauulJwjJJbJYJ1I-ifOkpXkRNgNRJ573JHBk3W/s1600/Paris_Walk2014.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqmzZfpr2XgHueNA9xpDrMhTvgMMmU0KFT96LkyY1_zG5DRomLQ2et14FcvBFGudjr2H5ANUj5anto5uCQjfv7-0VoQK1WYLDeX5ORXgZwbDOp88xdyUiLmAuV_KsAscuRodOT_VV207f/s1600/Paris_Walk2014.2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqmzZfpr2XgHueNA9xpDrMhTvgMMmU0KFT96LkyY1_zG5DRomLQ2et14FcvBFGudjr2H5ANUj5anto5uCQjfv7-0VoQK1WYLDeX5ORXgZwbDOp88xdyUiLmAuV_KsAscuRodOT_VV207f/s1600/Paris_Walk2014.2.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVu3TuJRclsQCeoAEpoxnpYWfhEU5DTyX2IJVo7XLJbmx3hC1AvG-cZyB3M1RGSKdlr82328YMoct3-lNecGJhJiagpuRQigEDlC-TMgvsRPKhjkEt1H4S1eJL1_Prmgg6-02NLeGJwBd/s1600/Paris_Walk2014.3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVu3TuJRclsQCeoAEpoxnpYWfhEU5DTyX2IJVo7XLJbmx3hC1AvG-cZyB3M1RGSKdlr82328YMoct3-lNecGJhJiagpuRQigEDlC-TMgvsRPKhjkEt1H4S1eJL1_Prmgg6-02NLeGJwBd/s1600/Paris_Walk2014.3.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-60059642306242697812014-06-18T15:12:00.000-04:002014-06-18T15:12:53.920-04:00Day 3: Pray for Meru<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfmFCAMTub0CD8theg3RR97O2-oqPHyTJBrpTxffoGYAYAetHc9yCHNJcl6C1BCYlXM3AiF64zdZKdU5cqpbQBuriHr48kS2fPvMrILcg2oqWv993w_eTZqqvblagxAN5smCUei9peY02/s1600/meru_ppc.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfmFCAMTub0CD8theg3RR97O2-oqPHyTJBrpTxffoGYAYAetHc9yCHNJcl6C1BCYlXM3AiF64zdZKdU5cqpbQBuriHr48kS2fPvMrILcg2oqWv993w_eTZqqvblagxAN5smCUei9peY02/s1600/meru_ppc.png" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>every respect the mature body of him who is the head, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>as each part does its work.” — Ephesians 4:15-16</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The church in Meru is continuing to grow and flourish. After several years of effective ministry there God has continued to bring the church toward maturity. Please pray for:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaders to be raised up and trained to direct the church</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The missionaries as they transition leadership of the church over to the French</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unity as the church continues to grow</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The church to catch a vision for mission and church planting</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-17332489428058234522014-06-17T12:51:00.002-04:002014-06-17T12:51:21.321-04:00Day 2: Pray for Gisors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzypqO1EqFA1xy5my-ftXH5Dc1IziUgH17Lpm2jejjYHvtBOlHhlkY095TnM4jFhUVzazqHhoN5JbASyx9EPEYDUYlA1ALKc8sDf08NfZN1rdFi9fF9p3UJraXPpNeBKZPg-4-wSjBsxY/s1600/Gisors_PPC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzypqO1EqFA1xy5my-ftXH5Dc1IziUgH17Lpm2jejjYHvtBOlHhlkY095TnM4jFhUVzazqHhoN5JbASyx9EPEYDUYlA1ALKc8sDf08NfZN1rdFi9fF9p3UJraXPpNeBKZPg-4-wSjBsxY/s1600/Gisors_PPC.png" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…” — Colossians 4:3</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The church in the town of Gisor is one of the newest church plants that World Team has begun in France. Several years ago participants of the prayer conference went and prayed in Gisor when there was no work there at all. Now a small church is beginning to grow and show God’s love to that town. Please pray for:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The team as they host Alpha courses to introduce people to the Faith</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People who have shown an interest in Bible studies</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first worship services of the church in Gisor</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That the people of Gisor would experience the love of God from this church</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-38681967094145563802014-06-16T11:47:00.000-04:002014-06-16T11:47:01.971-04:00Day 1: Pray for Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1TaTO1MXMB0_z1Sok6ZqAOLhkN00ab6LvmBagEwGQJeDsWxNh94CEfWCOj1w2TcajSc8ge-C0_vsOkKg_4wQJl8Q_ilOC5PBM02fMLZlt-Cx1um3ebLqCUTTfVOTVjz990EMtFzkKezz/s1600/Paris_Skyline.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1TaTO1MXMB0_z1Sok6ZqAOLhkN00ab6LvmBagEwGQJeDsWxNh94CEfWCOj1w2TcajSc8ge-C0_vsOkKg_4wQJl8Q_ilOC5PBM02fMLZlt-Cx1um3ebLqCUTTfVOTVjz990EMtFzkKezz/s1600/Paris_Skyline.png" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“And should I not have concern for that great city.” — Jonah 4:11</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paris is the heart of France. For the Gospel to take hold in France, it has to take hold in Paris. Right now we are forming a team to begin a church planting movement in an incredibly dense area of the city that has only three churches. We would ask that you pray for:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The formation of the team</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our research of the city and its' people</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finding men and women of peace in the 15th arrondissement</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An open door for the Gospel</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That we would love and serve our city </span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-17202709359795852792014-06-15T14:36:00.001-04:002014-06-15T14:36:43.936-04:00Paris Prayer Conference: Introduction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQLIvbfsYvKa0inLYRIziU4XQh7vQ-hepg1gzmOufvdXW00iNdobPm7VJJMDq3UCyr2gPf9bCYNMB1w20e5CuUA-RJr3j4HKK5vcQYguir9LfIdR0wwYoR9-q68OdEVSEdZZ0dhDSwSe-/s1600/2014_PPC_Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQLIvbfsYvKa0inLYRIziU4XQh7vQ-hepg1gzmOufvdXW00iNdobPm7VJJMDq3UCyr2gPf9bCYNMB1w20e5CuUA-RJr3j4HKK5vcQYguir9LfIdR0wwYoR9-q68OdEVSEdZZ0dhDSwSe-/s1600/2014_PPC_Cover.png" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Paris Prayer Conference is happening this week.</b> Each year World Team invites anyone who is interested to come and see what God is doing in France and to pray. If you are interested in coming next year or in future years, please let us know. Until then we want to share with you what is taking place this week, so that you can pray together with us.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-35779710207948523422014-06-10T03:08:00.001-04:002014-06-10T03:12:04.927-04:00Introducing ourselves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is interesting how most cultures have some sort of norm in terms of how to meet and greet new neighbors. And unfortunately, a lot of the old cultural norms aren’t really observed anymore. In the States, the old standard was when a new neighbor moved into a neighborhood, within the first few weeks, the surrounding neighbors would come, bringing with them their warm welcome and often some cookies or a jello mold (I don’t know why the jello mold?). In France, the tradition (as far as I understand) was similar but reversed. Here, it was usually on the initiative of the new neighbor to reach out and introduce themselves to the established neighbors. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before moving into our apartment, I had thought a lot about how we could make this initial contact, but of course once we moved in, the busyness of cleaning, painting, and outfitting our place kind of distracted me from following through. But this weekend, our opportunity presented itself. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>In France, it is normal to post a note on the eve of a big party or construction work to give your neighbors fair warning that you will be making a lot of noise during a set period of time.</b> Today we knew we would be installing our kitchen, thus creating a lot of noise for a couple days. One day for demo, one day for painting, and the third day (today) for installation. So we decided to stick a note along with some chocolate chip cookies in each neighbor’s mailbox, to introduce ourselves and also to inform them of our kitchen installation this weekend. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsID03lTGnrtrIAWiULxhrZciIaKnQaMUDxXJAJj8hdGwBBX4U8ONA53wWYoCD3Oy2jsOoxCzSkdkXMLNNflV1tJX_iNfW4v0Ju0y8XtoZ1X-SKcdD_vn8qqDoWVg-QzzGCLpKh_aiusxF/s1600/note1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsID03lTGnrtrIAWiULxhrZciIaKnQaMUDxXJAJj8hdGwBBX4U8ONA53wWYoCD3Oy2jsOoxCzSkdkXMLNNflV1tJX_iNfW4v0Ju0y8XtoZ1X-SKcdD_vn8qqDoWVg-QzzGCLpKh_aiusxF/s1600/note1.png" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZZU-3EPa0dtZZAdptH9RwEuKnM4i18LeXFtwWsl0Xprt51iC6Y68HZ-G9AvGhnLLFJV0yidKL7anvAP-VB67FWoNAIl_p-mwh2iU-bzqmTyLNMb1uDDPmUMcZ1XYO7R0t8_WL_slnMOj/s1600/note2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZZU-3EPa0dtZZAdptH9RwEuKnM4i18LeXFtwWsl0Xprt51iC6Y68HZ-G9AvGhnLLFJV0yidKL7anvAP-VB67FWoNAIl_p-mwh2iU-bzqmTyLNMb1uDDPmUMcZ1XYO7R0t8_WL_slnMOj/s1600/note2.png" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was a little nervous. Seeing as how we hadn’t run into any neighbors at all so far, I had no clue as to how they would feel about this gesture. But we have been so encouraged. Since the cookie & note delivery, we’ve met 3 neighbors (who stopped by to introduce themselves) and we were thanked by the “Gardienne” (who lives and works in the building). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So who knows what will come next, but we are very pleased that this initial contact was a step in the right direction. I will post some pictures and details about our kitchen remodel soon. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-40553230128704569582014-04-17T05:17:00.001-04:002014-04-17T05:17:29.008-04:00Quick play by play of recent life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whew. The last 2 months have been exciting and exhausting. After the rush of finding our apartment 1 month ago, we went to Spain for 5 days for a great training (there is a nice group photo below). At this training we learned how to teach in a way that our audience really learns and remembers. It is appropriately called “Learning that Lasts,” and one of the main objectives is to involve and empower your learners as much as possible, it’s very interactive. The biggest take-away for Ryan and I was starting to see how we can integrate a lot of these methods into leading a church, it was eye-opening to see how learning doesn’t just take place in a lecture-style classroom, but that it can take place anywhere. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MgM2Pu-c7GccrMIz1sP2C23d5YjSQTAlKkjAxr0y9RtELccXR-wwpxMGpw5jv73aNA8GX_lBV4VLO2YdkyplvK138k1FXOCSLSUgjNMWCIXXKrnkQdIWxqCFQnCdRXHruu-GW-U4w78R/s1600/LTL-Group-Spain-2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MgM2Pu-c7GccrMIz1sP2C23d5YjSQTAlKkjAxr0y9RtELccXR-wwpxMGpw5jv73aNA8GX_lBV4VLO2YdkyplvK138k1FXOCSLSUgjNMWCIXXKrnkQdIWxqCFQnCdRXHruu-GW-U4w78R/s1600/LTL-Group-Spain-2014.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The <i>Learning that Lasts</i> training group photo with </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">representatives from Italy, France, Spain, and Cameroon, Africa </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that, we hit the ground back in France working hard to catch up in our French studies since we had missed a few days and a big test. Since then it feels like we have taken test after test after test after test. I (Erin) was really struggling for a couple months in French, I did very poorly on several tests in a row in February & early March and I was quite discouraged. It was a good experience for me though because I have always been one of the first people to try to encourage people if they are struggling with something (be that grades, finances, whatever), but this time I got to experience what it actually feels like to be the one getting the bad grades, and it felt worse than I thought. It showed me I had a little more pride in my abilities than I realized and it drew me closer to God in repentance. So in that area, as well as others, my compassion is growing because God is showing me what it feels like on the other side. But recently, Ryan and I both have been making a lot of progress in French. We both meet with conversation partners regularly and exchange some French and some English, and just a couple months ago, one meeting was very draining, but now it feels more and more like real communication is taking place!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, just a quick update on the new apartment. We got the keys on April 1st and since then have been going there once or twice a week to clean and paint, and most recently to set-up our oven and fridge so we can prepare and conserve food (very exciting). And next Monday, April 21st we are making the move. We have one week off from classes next week so we will have a little time to settle-in before returning to class the following Monday. Even though it is just beginning it already feels like we are making a cultural transition from riding a bike with training wheels to the real thing. I have already had a nice chat with our ‘Gardienne’ (in France many apartments have a ‘Gardienne’ who lives and works in the building and collects rent, cleans and takes out the trash, and helps the renters with an assortment of things). And yesterday we had our first delivery from IKEA and the delivery guy was a little (searching for the right word here… <i>gruff</i>... <i>French</i>… I’ll just go with…) perturbed. So I had my first negative French conversation in which he complained about several things and I tried to be understanding but also communicate that it wasn’t our fault. And that was just one day after we took a French test that covered subjects like how to complain, contest false accusations, etc. It was one of those wow… God has a good sense of humor type moments.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That mostly brings you up to the present. We don’t have Internet yet at our new place, but as soon as we do we’ll be back to tell you what’s happening!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-71719138426729844952014-03-26T03:01:00.000-04:002014-03-26T03:01:26.052-04:00Apartment search update: Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we have an update about something…. which is that we kind of... sort of.. have. AN APARTMENT! In case you are wondering, yes it is the one featured in our last post.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-U8vB1zZrOVo2y_7Md3Ccgvl8u_BSa7FezC8RMU4Bi8LDCmd-lpp6pr3S4LMXcHAeYPbIvHulrM35TKMY63mbG3u9Fvzu4gn5U3okRQ5KrhzoBkmDERjMIzMMMtoSh1MOoQVrprAB6jK/s3200/appt_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-U8vB1zZrOVo2y_7Md3Ccgvl8u_BSa7FezC8RMU4Bi8LDCmd-lpp6pr3S4LMXcHAeYPbIvHulrM35TKMY63mbG3u9Fvzu4gn5U3okRQ5KrhzoBkmDERjMIzMMMtoSh1MOoQVrprAB6jK/s3200/appt_1.jpg" height="400" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our entrance (not our motorcycles but that would be cool!)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXC6gECbYWChzTTAfiZt7odVGui9Qxl08r2i0ZkDdONjPj_vk1aBy3G98Z1EgVzxAwB4ebWMttYCKpFXhyJy5-S59KZvvozf697xfvBOolmWS9FxOZl21XY_hbGXvXY2LaFxKfkv3dH3SP/s3200/appt_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXC6gECbYWChzTTAfiZt7odVGui9Qxl08r2i0ZkDdONjPj_vk1aBy3G98Z1EgVzxAwB4ebWMttYCKpFXhyJy5-S59KZvvozf697xfvBOolmWS9FxOZl21XY_hbGXvXY2LaFxKfkv3dH3SP/s3200/appt_2.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Signing the papers…</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeOD_75Ja3IL3xPWycgbstE5sWz9h853AhjBROZUtI0AWJU6IWjavWpquQWp5WziFg5vIaQE_L5ZY4pXzclADYUHnBKv_0APh4MrXBZMmwwsTh4CC_i9sgzoAdovpbMtbPLQFzdjsfwlt/s3200/appt_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeOD_75Ja3IL3xPWycgbstE5sWz9h853AhjBROZUtI0AWJU6IWjavWpquQWp5WziFg5vIaQE_L5ZY4pXzclADYUHnBKv_0APh4MrXBZMmwwsTh4CC_i9sgzoAdovpbMtbPLQFzdjsfwlt/s3200/appt_3.jpg" height="400" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting the key!</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are excited, for many reasons including the following: </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have prayed and planned about serving the Lord in Paris for over seven and a half years. Before we were even married we started talking about this and now it is really beginning and we can’t wait to see what God has in store.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We haven’t had our own apartment in two and a half years, we often joke with people that every place we have lived in since being married has been smaller than the last. And that for the last two and a half years we have lived with family, friends, and in training centers with dorm-style living. We wouldn’t trade any of these experiences for the world, but we are looking forward to having our own place to call and make home again. And thankfully, this place is actually a little bigger than the last 2 or 3 places we have lived in!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I mentioned in the last post, it can be tough to get an apartment in Paris, especially one that meets most of your criteria and is still in budget. We encountered several hesitations from agencies about our income, our line of work and the fact that we haven’t been in France very long, our current level in the language, and just general competition. But despite the potential obstacles, God provided us a place we believe will be great for our work and lives. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, we believe this area is a strategic place for us to go. We will share more about that soon but just a sneak peak is to say that there are around 250,000 people living in this area of the city and only 3 small churches exist currently. There is much work to do. And we are blessed to have found a place very near to some teammates so even from day one we are part of a small community, which is so important. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is especially interesting because two weeks ago, we were having lunch with teammates talking about our apartment search and we had no expectations that we would find one for weeks or even months. After that meeting (the same day) we visited a couple places with our teammate Detlef, and after we didn’t really like those, we tried to articulate what we were looking for. The next day, Detlef called us and said “I’ve found your apartment.” I have to admit, at this point I was feeling a little skeptical and guarded, not that I didn’t believe him but I didn’t want to get my hopes up too soon knowing how much of the decision was out of our hands. But we made an appointment and went and looked at it on Friday. We liked it, expressed our interest and gave them our paperwork. And late Monday evening (about 2 business days later) we found out we could have the place if we wanted it. Last Wednesday, we signed the papers and we can start moving in as earlier as April 1st. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honestly, it feels a little surreal. And we know that this is just the beginning. It’s not about having a place in the city, it’s about making disciples and starting new communities of followers of Jesus in the city. Now that we’ve found a place, please pray that we would make a good start there, making the most of every interaction with the people we will meet. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s3200/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s3200/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-71588379322012962232014-03-16T09:29:00.001-04:002014-03-16T09:33:58.768-04:00Apartment search so far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to update you on our search for a place to live and work. The hunt started with months of browsing apartments online in different places in Paris. We wanted to get a good sense of what was available for what prices throughout the city. Then, we worked with our director to determine our budget. The cost of living in a big city is always significantly high. We had done some research and learned that in most big cities renters spend an average of 40–60% of their income just on rent alone. In France however, there is a fairly strict rule that they don’t want the rent to be more than 33% of your income, this makes it more likely that renters will be able to pay. I think part of this is because there are more rights for renters than for landlords here, it is quite hard to kick someone out if they're not paying. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So when looking for a place to live, the first thing we had to do was prepare our “dossier,” which is basically a packet of all our paperwork, visas, proof of employment and salary letter, paystubs, proof we’ve been paying rent and other things like that. Some apartments will require you to have a “garant” which is basically a co-signer, someone who will pay if for whatever reason you can’t. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After our “dossier” was prepared, we started making appointments to visit places. So far we have seen 6. For the first two, we went and learned fast that there is a lot of competition for apartments in Paris (who would have thought?!). Several people arrived at the same time to visit as well. We had a nice chat with one woman who said this was the 20th place she had visited, she looked at it first and as she came out she told us ‘jokingly’ that it was terrible, no place we would want to live, which in fact it was beautiful and well renovated. We were not chosen for either of these two but we were surprised how fast the process took, in just 2–3 days, both places were gone. The 3rd place we went to see, the agent was a no show, which was a little discouraging, but we’ve heard it happens a lot because there are so many interested people. The 4th and the 5th were rather spontaneous opportunities and the prices were right but the apartments were not exactly what we had in mind, so we didn’t throw our names in for consideration. And the 6th place we just saw on Friday. It needs a little work but has a lot of potential. Like most places in Paris, the kitchen is not equipped so it just has a sink and a burner on the counter, if we got it we would then buy appliances and cabinets. It has a nice double living room that would be ideal for hosting people, the only two potential drawbacks are that it has just 1 bedroom and it’s on the 5th floor with no elevator (which is more a negative for hosting than for us). But the location and everything else seems very ideal, so we did throw our name in for consideration and now we are waiting to hear. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the mean time, we keep looking and praying. The waiting time is kind of a comfort actually, because it gives us more time to reflect and also it makes us trust God in a very tangible way, because if we’re not selected, then we have faith that it wasn’t the right place. So thank you so much for praying for this process, please continue to pray that the Lord would place us right where he wants us to live and minister, and that we would remember each day that he is in control <i>and</i> that he is good. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some pictures of the 6th place, but a quick disclaimer here... this is not our apartment yet. We just wanted to invite you into the process with us as we look. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBfESdKuLxn5_ADZlVwtQkqMoDoWOIbUHoabpqc22GxHTxIAZ0LmVNc3IVLiiPGy9Q3Wf8MYW8jJ8utBuU4hUnJj927LQ7x9bzPz_npleNNoyUUHQw1Mg0n8UXpy6SYkMR-9kodpPVXA4/s1600/appt6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBfESdKuLxn5_ADZlVwtQkqMoDoWOIbUHoabpqc22GxHTxIAZ0LmVNc3IVLiiPGy9Q3Wf8MYW8jJ8utBuU4hUnJj927LQ7x9bzPz_npleNNoyUUHQw1Mg0n8UXpy6SYkMR-9kodpPVXA4/s1600/appt6_1.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUz7Vuw0kw54sU-vuKRUpDbkTwrT2SNZ-wMk_NQOpWsjErOws8DmxXPSvHt2HEOWmeBgzYDpQkRElHXPXDUbeSwosx-L3BQARfqE7k0d1mwHuq7Yokk3KApHIpDeMevXj-7ONPf7oob6n/s1600/appt6_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUz7Vuw0kw54sU-vuKRUpDbkTwrT2SNZ-wMk_NQOpWsjErOws8DmxXPSvHt2HEOWmeBgzYDpQkRElHXPXDUbeSwosx-L3BQARfqE7k0d1mwHuq7Yokk3KApHIpDeMevXj-7ONPf7oob6n/s1600/appt6_2.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietbG1y1oIHQobKaszmTOC9F7mWk9567oL4V5_eSE1woOsO_KayQPrPOEnNFE2gias8-u-neJify4rLqS16XmQSsJJTZrOvCToT_RYjpWomxo-jzWsA0hC6xcWtVLngwW3PWB8TiFofozW/s1600/appt6_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietbG1y1oIHQobKaszmTOC9F7mWk9567oL4V5_eSE1woOsO_KayQPrPOEnNFE2gias8-u-neJify4rLqS16XmQSsJJTZrOvCToT_RYjpWomxo-jzWsA0hC6xcWtVLngwW3PWB8TiFofozW/s1600/appt6_3.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CDQXoXckSz4IzTn2p3qUEQ9skxkgMt8fiTNu_wU0oGeIAXqwDhJqyO_WmeF7wozv3zBQghqigsF6XU2SioqaGOVxB82Nj-gQ_qo71t1fjDSvEfOF_ukhHuMbv2bP5uEix7YkYGQZ7Yzp/s1600/appt6_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CDQXoXckSz4IzTn2p3qUEQ9skxkgMt8fiTNu_wU0oGeIAXqwDhJqyO_WmeF7wozv3zBQghqigsF6XU2SioqaGOVxB82Nj-gQ_qo71t1fjDSvEfOF_ukhHuMbv2bP5uEix7YkYGQZ7Yzp/s1600/appt6_4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The kitchen would be a challenge to configure well but I think </i><br />
<i>I would have fun making it work. It is kind of a triangle shape.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7ZMlfD-hC4TitjtUiYjEYgGn1rkEozMzcpw-pdB6DLDtWDkIM7kDpLv5x7aq5cJTrkn6pj-0SIobSRG57n96lvSk9yB52DTBnDGR5NgyGaGwRAs0X8zOuQBskBNsjHzSqVZ4MPEidRXD/s1600/appt6_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7ZMlfD-hC4TitjtUiYjEYgGn1rkEozMzcpw-pdB6DLDtWDkIM7kDpLv5x7aq5cJTrkn6pj-0SIobSRG57n96lvSk9yB52DTBnDGR5NgyGaGwRAs0X8zOuQBskBNsjHzSqVZ4MPEidRXD/s1600/appt6_5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The shower is in the bedroom but the toilet is by the </i><br />
<i>front door, another interesting feature of many French apartments.</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-29426898236923818762014-01-24T11:45:00.002-05:002014-01-24T11:47:13.788-05:00Favorite little things in France right now (5 months in)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Frozen <i>pain au chocolat</i></b> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(they are the best warm from the toaster oven)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgRA7vfTHXyoMawGiDaZ9Nwtav7gXlLEAZOri91TfdOpwlYIJ_nFfQOKZFi_tvSqtNg5CQOlAaMijP-YjybVipBgxzlV5nRLMhqx6Lz-CjIg19GGTgKDXghYLxjCENOeLp-KNPtISmpPS/s1600/fave_things_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgRA7vfTHXyoMawGiDaZ9Nwtav7gXlLEAZOri91TfdOpwlYIJ_nFfQOKZFi_tvSqtNg5CQOlAaMijP-YjybVipBgxzlV5nRLMhqx6Lz-CjIg19GGTgKDXghYLxjCENOeLp-KNPtISmpPS/s1600/fave_things_1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Christmas markets</b> (I loved them)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ancient buildings in Paris</b>, every detail was thought </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">through and it really is just breathtaking</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Parc de Sceaux:</b> We’ve actually only been once but </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it is an enormous public park nearby that is stunning</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK6xa9cknKIV8PuFKFKWh6MgImjFWFaYmgSAp3-try5q9mBKjQfwGhRR2i0lYEWXf_YC1FessxDcNFRkJUD2e9PzMN3Rh9sux3_LLTUYMeKfxixdhyphenhyphen6a0liozRH56OkCf431kX_u0l0Lj/s1600/fave_things_2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK6xa9cknKIV8PuFKFKWh6MgImjFWFaYmgSAp3-try5q9mBKjQfwGhRR2i0lYEWXf_YC1FessxDcNFRkJUD2e9PzMN3Rh9sux3_LLTUYMeKfxixdhyphenhyphen6a0liozRH56OkCf431kX_u0l0Lj/s1600/fave_things_2.jpg" height="170" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Just walking the streets of Paris</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The pride the French take in the little things</b>, the cheese </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you want to select, or the flowers you are looking at. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They want to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tell you all about it, and hopefully soon </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will understand more of what they’re trying to tell me!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO1NUTvlvxzq-Y_hCnZQilInma6l66ml7xRQGTirPqCtChFgw9qKnyl2Yrz-V3dQHpd-0XXcu4Ipk7FAAthnaGqXKWcN0mBR_bwwdjEi2ZiFrbM6TcnAYmA1NPj1G97YbQbrRiqh_93WR/s1600/fave_things_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO1NUTvlvxzq-Y_hCnZQilInma6l66ml7xRQGTirPqCtChFgw9qKnyl2Yrz-V3dQHpd-0XXcu4Ipk7FAAthnaGqXKWcN0mBR_bwwdjEi2ZiFrbM6TcnAYmA1NPj1G97YbQbrRiqh_93WR/s1600/fave_things_3.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every day that there is a <b>clear blue sky</b> or <b>a little sun</b> is a gift</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWi8_LAAGEqfU9bwtiZXgQgpWb_7jxi0qgi4_jSH-sBg0cedNFBQ6bMjWh9d6lKX-wUAz33Gzq8MQFRnppIhWl8vUaHzUNsa18rff6bS3IznfOg3Hk0ukMEEMgz7HXzUGRtND7na__HMG/s1600/fave_things_4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWi8_LAAGEqfU9bwtiZXgQgpWb_7jxi0qgi4_jSH-sBg0cedNFBQ6bMjWh9d6lKX-wUAz33Gzq8MQFRnppIhWl8vUaHzUNsa18rff6bS3IznfOg3Hk0ukMEEMgz7HXzUGRtND7na__HMG/s1600/fave_things_4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <b>Eurasian Magpie</b> birds we see everyday</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAXsYvbd9Kd4Vqfq9ZXJPJS2KddBFI_vu8fo8mW8vYcHLYJZOLRT5hYZHfcBAg9s8kG0NoBjEoUWsof2n0MI1Hw0tgfFRAc7JFi17HeH5Pa-TVd02BAYna-thmepJoRRFCSA7dNiAOFAi/s1600/fave_things_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAXsYvbd9Kd4Vqfq9ZXJPJS2KddBFI_vu8fo8mW8vYcHLYJZOLRT5hYZHfcBAg9s8kG0NoBjEoUWsof2n0MI1Hw0tgfFRAc7JFi17HeH5Pa-TVd02BAYna-thmepJoRRFCSA7dNiAOFAi/s1600/fave_things_5.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Associatons:</b> I love that everyone is in some sort </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of club, people seem eager to learn new skills or </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">improve existing ones. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Singing at church.</b> I thought it would be a long time </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">before we could engage in worship, but we are understanding </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and genuinely worshipping through most of the music </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">which encourages us every week.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopIOMn31xaeMkmR1xregpqUuS7TJzXZti0Tvav8OYgenFLulHMv9QJ2RRwtGmYn_DqLfNu1seg3IWAZgMRmY60ywRBB0jPfl_JM58xk6tdKa-lkCKDsaanow2RGCRspUOIPAUN635hF4P/s1600/fave_things_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopIOMn31xaeMkmR1xregpqUuS7TJzXZti0Tvav8OYgenFLulHMv9QJ2RRwtGmYn_DqLfNu1seg3IWAZgMRmY60ywRBB0jPfl_JM58xk6tdKa-lkCKDsaanow2RGCRspUOIPAUN635hF4P/s1600/fave_things_6.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-11888097357474309322014-01-12T12:53:00.000-05:002014-01-12T12:53:31.190-05:004 and half months & homesick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I kind of feel bad when people ask me how I’m doing or feeling lately because usually it is either really good, really bad, or I have no idea how I’m feeling and doing. And after a while I start to feel silly because one week I’m great and the next week I’m struggling again. And Ryan and I are usually going through different hills and valleys so we are supportive of one another but not always experiencing the same things in the same way. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But this week has felt a little different. I have had more pangs of homesickness than ever, thinking about family and friends, our old stomping grounds, jobs, and what not. Admittedly, I have just started crying several times this week without warning and without external reason. Everything is going fine, nothing is particularly hard at the moment, but for some reason I am grieving leaving home right now. Seems like it should’ve happened sooner than this but maybe not, at first things are new and exciting. Ryan did note that we’ve been here for 4.5 months now, and it is longer than I have ever been out of the United States. Each day is a new record. And I think the weight of our commitment is sinking in. We feel sure that we are going to be here for a long time. Not just a year or two. So that reality is hitting home now I think. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I really am doing fine (in case you’ve asked or are worried), I am trying to allow myself to walk through the emotions that come and not avoid them or overanalyze them. But it is another week already, so maybe this week will be different too.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-10595943477914373162014-01-05T15:04:00.000-05:002014-01-05T15:04:01.106-05:00The First Step: Purifying the Soul<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got Ryan several books for Christmas, and we started reading one of them together called </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>An introduction to the devout life</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> by Saint Francis De Sales. It is an old classic and sometimes the writing is a little flowery, so much so, that sometimes I read whole chapters without knowing what in the world it is talking about, but it is getting easier to follow and the chapters are very short which is nice. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday’s chapter was called “The First Step: Purifying the Soul.” Here are a few of my favorite quotes from this section that are encouraging to me as I attempt to change some habits in my life, and I hope they encourage you as well.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Before the captive maiden can be engaged to the Israelite, she was obliged to shave her head and pare her nails (Deut 21:12), and so the soul which aspires to be the bride of Christ must put off the old man, and forsaking sin, be clothed with the new man, pairing away and shaving off any hindrances which come between it and the love of God.”</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like the idea of the maiden shaving her head and pairing her nails as an act of preparation. First she had to be clean, before she could even be presented. In the same way, the first step (or preparation) I take when I want to change something is reflection and repentence. First, I have to take the time to see the way I am living my life. Then I need to confess my shortcomings and errors to God and ask for his grace to move forward differently. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“Such purifications are a miracle of grace. Ordinary purification and healing, whether of body or soul, are accomplished by little and little, progressing slowly and often hardly at all.”</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my favorite part, because it really challenges the whole notion of instant gratification that so many people, myself included, can fall prey too. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then it goes on to say that we must be patient and courageous, not falling into either the trap of instant discouragement at slow progress (this is me), or the trap of believing you’ve already arrived. And I would add a third trap to be on the look out for, which is, believing the illusion that it is you who needs to (or even can) fix yourself. The key is to move closer to God (little by little), because he is the only one who can help. His love and his grace are what can renew and change us from the inside out. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as it says above… “Such purifications are a miracle of grace,” they are not natural, but supernatural. So if you can, reflect on and thank God today for all the ways he has already changed you and ask that he would continue the work he has begun in you. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year everyone!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s320/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-32451010110935652882013-12-31T08:30:00.000-05:002013-12-31T08:30:06.776-05:00The first step of a new year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am excited for a fresh start in 2014. Because I know that even though I am a follower of Jesus, I am a sinner every day. There is the saying (I don’t know from where, sorry… ), that whatever we feed in our lives will grow, not just our bellies, but every habit in our lives, whether good or bad. We are never staying exactly the same, we are always either shrinking or growing in every area of our lives. And for a while now I have been feeding a few of the wrong habits, like:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Food:</b> One of the ways I am coping with culture shock is baking constantly (in my tiny toaster oven, which I know is funny to imagine but it’s true) and then eating way too much of what I bake, so starting today we are going to stop feeding ourselves as much bad and more of what is good again. I have realized that food is actually one of my biggest passions and joys in life, which is not bad, but I have to be careful that it doesn’t consume me or ever become an idol in my life. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Exercise:</b> With a smaller living space, no more gym to go to, and colder days, I have not been moving enough, so today I am starting to work on this too. Not to lose weight, but to be stronger and healthier (in all ways). I still don’t have a great strategy, so pray for that, because those first three barriers are still present.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Learning:</b> I actually love to read and learn, but this is not a habit I feed nearly as much as I would like too. It’s probably because I’m always baking or cooking. So I want to learn to carve out more space in my life for learning and experiencing new things. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Prayer life:</b> This is the hardest one to freely admit but it is true and I know others can relate so I will share it. My prayer life has been really struggling lately, I know because as I look through my prayer journal, there are several weeks or sometimes whole months missing. I am not sure why, and I am tempted to blame culture shock, or spiritual warfare, or anything else, but the true blame rests with me. God is always present and it is just me he is waiting for to show up. So I am working on that too. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will post part two to this tomorrow, because I don’t want it to be so long I bore you all to tears. But have a happy new year and come back tomorrow to read part two. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-11230734919976761662013-12-24T10:21:00.004-05:002013-12-24T10:21:45.365-05:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went to Strasbourg this past weekend, which is the “Capital of Christmas” (self-proclaimed, I’m assuming). The city gets all decked out for Christmas with lights, garland, and all sorts of decorations. It also hosts markets the entire month of December that sell spiced cookies, mulled wine, books, toys, German food, and almost anything you could think of really. We had a great time wandering the narrow cobblestone streets and taking it all in. Here are some pictures if you’re curious.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3E0zbHSRIUs_Xlje6a23nQv4dMmEurFKp3xwFptyQ_2Zbx0bAYPffHhGqofYDTJE9ffy-xZjsN_2FiirnBrlCw3WqG7nouCiqko4xRc4XPw9RBCKkWqGOyF60wKsBQWUYu8-uBCvWxN4/s1600/Strasbourg2013_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3E0zbHSRIUs_Xlje6a23nQv4dMmEurFKp3xwFptyQ_2Zbx0bAYPffHhGqofYDTJE9ffy-xZjsN_2FiirnBrlCw3WqG7nouCiqko4xRc4XPw9RBCKkWqGOyF60wKsBQWUYu8-uBCvWxN4/s1600/Strasbourg2013_1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Strasbourg was a part of Germany until after World War I. <br />Now it’s French, but many buildings have a German feel.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3c-Cd_ck-8fNsL-4dpqY1s5b6lEM9fRDIMDBvtPwrjcFbpJ7WMegRQxGBuLY3umAXgGSy6GrV0eNMQmyex0UPbBBjqVDFPLFCfnb5U6bGSAfSnmtVsGNrbaRJ23b4w_h6EKawToQsvTn/s1600/Strasbourg2013_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3c-Cd_ck-8fNsL-4dpqY1s5b6lEM9fRDIMDBvtPwrjcFbpJ7WMegRQxGBuLY3umAXgGSy6GrV0eNMQmyex0UPbBBjqVDFPLFCfnb5U6bGSAfSnmtVsGNrbaRJ23b4w_h6EKawToQsvTn/s1600/Strasbourg2013_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Decorations, people, and the Cathedral in the background.</i></span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXfIIIznxomAgh_WfU2z5GeN_1jqKi4-YlDp5OzupiMvfq_8tsyfJx9VrBETcCxZx2_K5zVjUWhC9Xo8iqhJnhvUC16uLLrh0DI8yniSdKaxxTXUq6kfwqUD9QKxV1GarF8GEw5sHANCP/s1600/Strasbourg2013_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXfIIIznxomAgh_WfU2z5GeN_1jqKi4-YlDp5OzupiMvfq_8tsyfJx9VrBETcCxZx2_K5zVjUWhC9Xo8iqhJnhvUC16uLLrh0DI8yniSdKaxxTXUq6kfwqUD9QKxV1GarF8GEw5sHANCP/s1600/Strasbourg2013_3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>A more imposing view of the Cathedral.</i></span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20E6k2YT_nyrtPwjDrB5tnruhTVTNVg4WMW7qCD2c1oMOOfoN837cQm97g-xDe9Hm9s_yYmpJCWx53SxqRbANEIw1lKpLlslHbCnorOU38KxIWLSVnr5k9wa0_6XDj-x09N0WrXmpKvhl/s1600/Strasbourg2013_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20E6k2YT_nyrtPwjDrB5tnruhTVTNVg4WMW7qCD2c1oMOOfoN837cQm97g-xDe9Hm9s_yYmpJCWx53SxqRbANEIw1lKpLlslHbCnorOU38KxIWLSVnr5k9wa0_6XDj-x09N0WrXmpKvhl/s1600/Strasbourg2013_4.jpg" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Erin would take a picture of every single bakery if I let her</i></span>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGGHByd5hVFdkFEQDYk2Qe52BPCB5vXFwDLzO3-WQDXyh43ANJ6yHJinZRG5LycwhryHVEw4jWKdkpRHWj7eVoX0DsfWMjPmKiKtnoHiihlFBKlL14m-fN4CMWbASdQflQOMFFZ9z_ohp/s1600/Strasbourg2013_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGGHByd5hVFdkFEQDYk2Qe52BPCB5vXFwDLzO3-WQDXyh43ANJ6yHJinZRG5LycwhryHVEw4jWKdkpRHWj7eVoX0DsfWMjPmKiKtnoHiihlFBKlL14m-fN4CMWbASdQflQOMFFZ9z_ohp/s1600/Strasbourg2013_5.jpg" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>A stand in one of the markets</i></span>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXPE5VdF8Vl7iu_SCM3CgjlyfdOH_PPelzuZZBjPqOxo5Zo8jsz9xa-3git9y3osp4sehlpcNUx3D3ocEIfFjJUh8NwkcQ5uIW33JUmXslzjciL9oJY-NAhyphenhyphenCW1qhoN3wkfJpFKeg7ynM/s1600/Strasbourg2013_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXPE5VdF8Vl7iu_SCM3CgjlyfdOH_PPelzuZZBjPqOxo5Zo8jsz9xa-3git9y3osp4sehlpcNUx3D3ocEIfFjJUh8NwkcQ5uIW33JUmXslzjciL9oJY-NAhyphenhyphenCW1qhoN3wkfJpFKeg7ynM/s1600/Strasbourg2013_6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Another stand.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KX3peADLElHg8h-L3zS2CXTeDEBzCRLfHsUPwtuPfomhCspaKR1GqW9wgFq_oojgKd3lXZ9PVG48xH5WcPH2Vh_5WUK8DB7pF-yWDjgT3-hLfkiXxc5_NHLz2jguRiH4AfTIElF1e0ym/s1600/Strasbourg2013_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KX3peADLElHg8h-L3zS2CXTeDEBzCRLfHsUPwtuPfomhCspaKR1GqW9wgFq_oojgKd3lXZ9PVG48xH5WcPH2Vh_5WUK8DB7pF-yWDjgT3-hLfkiXxc5_NHLz2jguRiH4AfTIElF1e0ym/s1600/Strasbourg2013_7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The streets at night.</i></span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip60i5-jf9g8FOxme1qmT8bL3C-QmejGC9v9cLZ4VkpY7XF3tRCsB1QtbGF4Ojn1pbR7Gj9UmVJR6sCqlI_J3esXLaiOCktWnYyPK45fr-5YsPz-70Gi0UT6G17sGXP4MNw83BFyRVs5tE/s1600/Strasbourg2013_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip60i5-jf9g8FOxme1qmT8bL3C-QmejGC9v9cLZ4VkpY7XF3tRCsB1QtbGF4Ojn1pbR7Gj9UmVJR6sCqlI_J3esXLaiOCktWnYyPK45fr-5YsPz-70Gi0UT6G17sGXP4MNw83BFyRVs5tE/s1600/Strasbourg2013_8.jpg" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>More streets at night.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQEf3YeAwXcpmlGlfFIWXVWRMhNKNIClhi2R8s0CFzmRWcyFLosan8Ks2IAoxzz6oXKaySOvHB9HPeayuF5801VXDp6s4o6ZukEz87q3uD4OA0hvU70SOcj5jMBZhCEWQblcgbY0x0op0/s1600/Strasbourg2013_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQEf3YeAwXcpmlGlfFIWXVWRMhNKNIClhi2R8s0CFzmRWcyFLosan8Ks2IAoxzz6oXKaySOvHB9HPeayuF5801VXDp6s4o6ZukEz87q3uD4OA0hvU70SOcj5jMBZhCEWQblcgbY0x0op0/s1600/Strasbourg2013_9.jpg" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Us (just to prove we were there).</i></span> </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQI-PdcCPddKWpnZidojB0P7WhWfevGSVnUTavPy-HZHqk5z-noJVttEJYm3kYInhTuAhJqf96cQvWVj7BL2qVbmHo3svroz-RNpqIK7qmpVFfRFIoQ6wqt9v7r7PDAXUNU3mCTkui8aa/s1600/ryan.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-21890627834786548332013-11-28T02:14:00.001-05:002013-11-28T02:14:43.695-05:00Thankful hearts and stomachs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is not celebrated in France, however we've been blessed to have had two Thanksgivings so far (and we'll probably have a modest one just the two of us today). We celebrated with our colleagues a few weeks ago and yesterday with our fellow classmates who are also learning French. I just wanted to share a few photos from yesterday and also a hymn we sang at our team Thanksgiving I really enjoyed the lyrics to. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May you have a special day as you reflect on all the ways God has provided and blessed your life and of course enjoy all the good eats. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3QNzrkcHZ0hmWZfkFdjIXhIQsGlxGQpQOm7nTJGyIxt-zGcD7BLdTGgJ-4Z5v9h-Hx_ePmlkrH7LofB6EJesilUiDE6F7qnwuOBUmpfbkALeZgirPWFV4vIC9UFs0Lgm3mUmXr__qwHl/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3QNzrkcHZ0hmWZfkFdjIXhIQsGlxGQpQOm7nTJGyIxt-zGcD7BLdTGgJ-4Z5v9h-Hx_ePmlkrH7LofB6EJesilUiDE6F7qnwuOBUmpfbkALeZgirPWFV4vIC9UFs0Lgm3mUmXr__qwHl/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting set-up</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblGq43aXirrGq9v2B9GvP59YP6p6wfwQov4FuYQOWR_kUMzrYT0Y4iGQCGiHk_CGLot1r57ZQNwtGFBBaR04EuEa22ANLUzJGF_owE1aXHMI3cmZowXM-S17ZBD51yP0w8ci_r2hS20Vn/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblGq43aXirrGq9v2B9GvP59YP6p6wfwQov4FuYQOWR_kUMzrYT0Y4iGQCGiHk_CGLot1r57ZQNwtGFBBaR04EuEa22ANLUzJGF_owE1aXHMI3cmZowXM-S17ZBD51yP0w8ci_r2hS20Vn/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lovely ladies making the final preparations</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4b-NxJkq6fgcnkSv3cTJEd-H-wLOixp0VSimcoYsBDHY6btjYHx88eXjIg49Hb-b9xAhlAqD-GJaxQ8yEHP8DLgPKhTV1qxs2_siOHcw0i_edgijK6IJN9d1wSMw5bBxdTWM7AM8SV7U/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4b-NxJkq6fgcnkSv3cTJEd-H-wLOixp0VSimcoYsBDHY6btjYHx88eXjIg49Hb-b9xAhlAqD-GJaxQ8yEHP8DLgPKhTV1qxs2_siOHcw0i_edgijK6IJN9d1wSMw5bBxdTWM7AM8SV7U/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had fun explaining what some things were to people from other countries. <br />This photo captures our friend eying the sweet potato casserole <br />(which was the weirdest but most delicious thing to them).<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjolImHyX3CY16jXMViFYl_ETcBWBKJ_G0OQnVHKtqCd6Xzg0NPHnViyHThYH6rNVyDO7Tg43C6aVpHCuFa4v1hAjWyXztLSMjP2C5v1nbG3eEuqJ5GwR0xtDqgbJlN9krzQ31TARKUq9q/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjolImHyX3CY16jXMViFYl_ETcBWBKJ_G0OQnVHKtqCd6Xzg0NPHnViyHThYH6rNVyDO7Tg43C6aVpHCuFa4v1hAjWyXztLSMjP2C5v1nbG3eEuqJ5GwR0xtDqgbJlN9krzQ31TARKUq9q/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan almost ready for seconds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianeAud3qs3jI2d9sLVegJiTxOT9b7M5nQWb0QD25VOMrmHGzGmEYuzCTdhvfqqlPSRVlfOffJDSawfcA5Qo2lnIsKbV8Goq03dG7HXdocxl4HtDAo5upcwcMQNy9_Q2r3xgB8_e6EG8jl/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianeAud3qs3jI2d9sLVegJiTxOT9b7M5nQWb0QD25VOMrmHGzGmEYuzCTdhvfqqlPSRVlfOffJDSawfcA5Qo2lnIsKbV8Goq03dG7HXdocxl4HtDAo5upcwcMQNy9_Q2r3xgB8_e6EG8jl/s1600/Thanksgiving2013_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grand finale, yes please...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Come, Ye Thankful People, Come</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come, ye thankful people, come, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">raise the song of harvest home; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all is safely gathered in, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ere the winter storms begin. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God our Maker doth provide </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for our wants to be supplied; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">come to God's own temple, come, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">raise the song of harvest home. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the world is God's own field, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fruit as praise to God we yield; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wheat and tares together sown </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">are to joy or sorrow grown; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">first the blade and then the ear, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">then the full corn shall appear; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord of harvest, grant that we </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wholesome grain and pure may be. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the Lord our God shall come,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and shall take the harvest home; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">from the field shall in that day </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all offenses purge away, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">giving angels charge at last </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the fire the tares to cast; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but the fruitful ears to store </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the garner evermore. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even so, Lord, quickly come,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bring thy final harvest home; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">gather thou thy people in, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">free from sorrow, free from sin, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">there, forever purified, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in thy presence to abide; </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">come, with all thine angels, come, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">raise the glorious harvest home.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniq_N3PcFQYwbPpw0oKBXiuYr2fYwnDlvTI98vRAQoLLn9lHq3VQgHeLKhjdrv14eH_if1E3G4pGYM7cg6pZliHcxhlyoZLt13kYrAcFgFPr_ux83JjvbYiENtvKVBiCIMiNd6wCjYLnw/s1600/erin.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055278957458467994.post-30034778771994798832013-11-11T17:09:00.000-05:002013-11-11T17:09:04.650-05:00Cultural Differences: Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To get started with some cultural differences, I’ve decided to list 10 this time but to elaborate a little with each one. Remember these are just some little things we’ve noticed here in France that are not wrong… but different. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Cars park on the sidewalk. </b>This one can make the narrow sidewalks feel non-existent sometimes. But, I’m sure if they could find a real parking spot, they would park there. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Motorcycles don’t appear to follow any driving laws</b>, they drive on sidewalks, through red lights, and in between lanes. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3. Trains are a little different than the good old Green line T in Boston.</b> I think they are safe, but you do feel completely cut off from the conductor, so if there was a problem, I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNWEPzPjo5-LT6gLvfWmycuPiV7zNh7gzpFgtdGN-FzDeD1VJ2dhVpqxOSnYffZs0hxmqgwBWJ1AapOFPS5_U2o90yd75xcRmm4t41_wkYXCdokrCq5hcQVC31o53P_rCvLrTLwkgXTka/s1600/cultureDiff3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNWEPzPjo5-LT6gLvfWmycuPiV7zNh7gzpFgtdGN-FzDeD1VJ2dhVpqxOSnYffZs0hxmqgwBWJ1AapOFPS5_U2o90yd75xcRmm4t41_wkYXCdokrCq5hcQVC31o53P_rCvLrTLwkgXTka/s1600/cultureDiff3.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>4. Graffiti is everywhere.</b> Some of it is real art and adds something to the environment, but there are ugly tags too on just about every train, building, and bus stop. And almost every train window has scratches all throughout so you can’t entirely see out the window.</div>
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<b>5. Dogs and grown men relieve themselves on the street</b> (usually facing a building thank goodness). I will admit that in the city sometimes it can be tricky finding a bathroom if you don’t live or work there. And for dogs, I pity that they have next to no grass, especially in Paris, so I understand that part but don’t really understand why their human owners don’t pick it up.</div>
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<b>6. Beaucracy (expect long lines and lots of paperwork).</b> We still have some important things to finish, like getting our VISA’s validated. We had to start the process over and re-mail in the information because I didn’t complete one tiny field on accident. Hoping this will be resolved soon because they are other things we can’t begin until this is taken care of.</div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFtrQ3VVBIgZdoHCTTiEvk8GftkvBnOelpi3Y0HBuaBsSi6FmxoMhNtWz_XVA9QkRiYUy1tNAd8aZpRQYAq-ZKe8Hoa66GsHvXAdp7uCMFXWEEULvTddAwXy0cIjogEcHVGJbo66caDQs/s1600/cultureDiff1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFtrQ3VVBIgZdoHCTTiEvk8GftkvBnOelpi3Y0HBuaBsSi6FmxoMhNtWz_XVA9QkRiYUy1tNAd8aZpRQYAq-ZKe8Hoa66GsHvXAdp7uCMFXWEEULvTddAwXy0cIjogEcHVGJbo66caDQs/s1600/cultureDiff1.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>7. Most stores & restaurants are closed on Sundays. </b>Not the end of the world, and in some ways it’s kind of cool that they hold onto that tradition even though they don’t go to church, but we do need to make sure we have food for Sunday’s then, which isn’t quite second nature for me yet.</div>
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<b>8. Less personal space seems to be needed.</b> This was really apparent standing in the Eiffel Tower line the other week. We had a French family in front of us and a German family behind us. We had a constant stream of people trying to pass through in front of us because we were leaving an American-sized gap between us the people in front of us (which was the only gap in the whole line), but without fail the family behind us was literally touching us or within what felt like a centimeter the entire time. And elevators, can be so tight that I literally don’t think I breathe while I am in them with other people. Normally, I just opt for the stairs. </div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MT1X1Ilp8lezhm_wvOXOaFsKfR5ul_dGjqbYnkL-7KI0tObDs0rICJWVQephWCtTYs0nadPGuo8bNfX9Nj4zFXakD3HyClCUaOB3SYrL3J3-pstlMlAGpbp35O2kyNZsHC4y-GuOCFVS/s1600/cultureDiff2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MT1X1Ilp8lezhm_wvOXOaFsKfR5ul_dGjqbYnkL-7KI0tObDs0rICJWVQephWCtTYs0nadPGuo8bNfX9Nj4zFXakD3HyClCUaOB3SYrL3J3-pstlMlAGpbp35O2kyNZsHC4y-GuOCFVS/s1600/cultureDiff2.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>9. Strikes and riots are the norm</b>, but normally it is planned and posted the day of or before which is helpful. Our teammates asked us if we were free to hangout Thursday (which we're not, bummer) because their son won’t be having school that day because the teachers are striking. So everyone knows in advance and it’s just one day, I don’t really understand what this accomplishes but it must accomplish something...?</div>
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<b>10. Men's fashion options are broader.</b> There are not as many things here that only women wear. For instance, men wear capris in summer, they carry purses, they wear scarves (not just for the cold), some even have fur hoods on their winter coats. I think the only fashionable distinction that is really noticeable are high heels. </div>
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That is all for today, but we will try to be continual observers and share what we notice, hopefully not in a negative fashion but in a fun and interesting way. </div>
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