MY PUMPKIN PIE

Usually on Sundays, I have a reality check after trying to understand French all morning. I usually come away wondering if I really am making progress with my language learning and if I ever really will be able to really participate in friendships with the French in French,or a medium to long conversation in French, or ever really understand the message that the pastor preached. How am I to be a light and a witness in this place where I really cannot fully communicate or participate? Sometimes the week goes great, but when I end up sitting in the nursery at church with SA and several non-English speaking adults, I am reminded that I really am living with a huge handicap here- the inability to communicate and be understood. This for those of you who know me well is hard, for I am a communicator by nature and believe that part of good communication is understanding. Here in France I am unable to understand much of the time and unable to be understood as well. So, Sundays bring me face to face again with my weakness as I enter into the French world at church. You see, most of the time I live in an English speaking world - at home with my family and with English-speaking friends -simply because I am unable to particiapte in the French-speaking world. After living here a year, I am able to shop and do all of the things that are necessary in French. But, life isn't all about just surviving; it's about making a difference for the kingdom wherever we are. So, how to make a difference without the ability to communicate or participate? Well, today I am reminded that just being a reflection of God's grace to those around us matters and that "His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). It is this weakness that has made me more aware of my need for His grace. Also, I am reminded that one of my primary purposes in this season is to care for and train my little precious daughter, and for that I need God's grace as well.

Isn't she the cutest thing ever? I know, I am a little biased. When we walked into a creperie, she immediately pointed out this "big pumpkin" in the fireplace. I love it that she talks so much now. Jesse and Tracy taught her to say "Hallelujah" with both hands in the air, so now she is praising the Lord in line at the grocery store. I love it! Her mama has a master's degree in missions but can't communicate well enough to be much of a verbal witness over here, but SA is a little missionary at 19 months! "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise." (Matt. 1:16). She is my little piece of encouragement for today. When I think about my life and its purpose here and remember that just caring for and pouring my life into this little one is enough for now, I am able to rest and be content, for He has given me a precious gift in her and I will treasure this time that I have to focus on just being the mommy that He has called me to be and asking Him to make me a reflection of His grace in marriage, in motherhood, and in friendship.

Here's another shot from le Puy en Velay. My sweet friend T has been visiting us, and it has been so nice to have a friend from home here. We have enjoyed hanging out, watching movies, girl talk (in English), exploring the region, etc. She has been such a help to me with SA too. Last week her husband, J, joined us after having worked in Iraq for the last couple of months. J and T went to Paris for a long weekend, and now they are back until they leave for Amman, Jordan, on Friday where they are moving with J's job. D has also been enjoying having his friend J around. They have been smoking cigars, hanging out at the local Irish pub, sharing copies of "The Economist" and "Foreign Affairs" and discussing the politics of the Middle East. We will be sad to have them leave us but excited about their adventure ahead!
Check out their blog at http://the-cubbyhole.blogspot.com/
They have some cool pictures of Clermont-Ferrand and Billom on their blog!

We went to visit Le Puy en Velay, a city that has "beaucoup" history. See the church on top of the hill in the background? It was pretty neat to climb all the way to the top. I didn't think I would be able to make it as I sprained my knee a few weeks ago. But I let D carry SA, and I made it. The climb was not as bad as it looks. The craft that this town is famous for is lacemaking. We were able to observe this firsthad at some of the shops.