911 in France

Well, we have had our first real emergency situation that called for the fire department. Last year in Paris I had to go to the emergency room because SA managed to get the top off the Children's Tylenol and I didn't know how much she had ingested. That was a scary experience in a foreign city by one's self (D was working). Well, this time we were at home. Our home is pictured to the left. I went out to open the gate for the mailman. I was expecting a package and wanted him to be able to come to the door. Thank the Lord that I had opened the shutters to the french doors in the dining room. Ok, I realize that those of you who are American have no idea what I am talking about- shutters that open. So, here is a picture of one of our windows.

The shutters open and shut from the outside to cover the windows, so every night we close them for security- not to mention to keep the cold out. In the summer it is to keep the sun out during the day. Anyway, one has to open the windows (which open into the house) in order to open and close the shutters. Needless to say, this chore of closing the shutters is D's at night (when he is here) and I always open up the shutters in the morning. Well, Wednesday morning, after seating SA with her breakfast in her high chair, I opened the shutters, to the dining room. Then I remembered that the gate was shut (D usually opens it in the morning when he drives to work or to the train station) and needed to be opened. So, having left the dining room door locked, I went out the front door (leaving it unlocked) to shut the gate. I heard a strange click, but thought nothing of it. Having returned from the gate, (in my pink pajamas and robe with my hair a mess, I might add), I discovered that the front door was locked. I did not have my key as it was in the dining room door on the inside (each door has its own key and lock). Panicking, I went all around the house to try to find a way into the house, but all the shutters were shut and there was no way in (which is actually a good thing, but not in this situation). So, with no phone or phone numbers (basically, completely helpless) I ran to the next door neighbor's house for help. This is at 8:00 in the morning, and all of his shutters were still closed too. I rang the bell and he kindly came out to help. An elderly couple lives next door, and the husband has been so helpful and nice to us, but his wife is not in good health and stays in the house all of the time. We determined that the hook on the inside of the door had unhooked itself causing the door to lock on its own. Again, I know that is hard to picture, so here is a picture of our "ancient" front door and locks. The picture shows our front door with dead bolt at the top. At the bottom right of the picture is the hook which remains hooked all the time (except not this time). On the left in the middle of the door is the doorknob on the outside. If the hook is unhooked, there is no way to turn the doorknob, unless one has a key. So basically, I was locked out of the house in my pajamas at 8 in the morning and SA was inside in her highchair. Fortunately, I could see her, and talk to her, and she was in a safe place. My neighbor and I tried unsuccessfully to force the front door open using our bodies and a crowbar. Finally, we decided that we must call the fire dept. for help. I am so thankful to have this neighbor, as he insisted that I stay with SA and he went to get his cell phone to call. In addition, he was able to communicate in French and I would not have been able to explain the situation in French. The huge fire engine and 3 very nice firepeople (one was female) arrived in about 15-20 minutes. They had to break a window to get into the house to open the door from the inside. SA was fine thankfully, and I had to then call the " vitrerie" to repair the broken window as well as our insurance company. Turns out we will have to pay.

It seems that the Lord constantly places me in situations of need in which I am dependent on others. This is not enjoyable for the independent, wannabe self-sufficient side of me, but it is great for humilty (especially when you can barely communicate in the language of everyone else). Ironically, there is usually an outreach opportunity in all of it. When I asked my neighbor what I could do for him and his wife, he told me that I could just come and visit, so SA and I went today and had a nice visit with them. They really enjoyed playing with her, and we took them a flower to show our appreciatiion for their constant help (for which I got in trouble with Monsieur). He said it was his pleasure to "rend me service." I pray that we can be a blessing to these neighbors as they have been to us. The Lord had been working on my heart about going to visit this couple, but I didn't really know how to approach it as I am pretty bad at communicating on the telephone, and I didn't want to just show up unannounced. Today, Monsieur came by with some oil to help my lock and I asked if I could come and visit this afternoon. And voila, the conncetion was made! Such drama should not be necessary for me to hear and obey the Lord, but unfortunately, sometimes, I guess I require it.