Halfway

Well...it was a pretty eventful week for me and I've not been very good at writing often, so this entry may get rather long, so I hope you'll stick it out!

I am officially halfway through my time in France, which is crazy! I have several days off until the next session starts which is nice. This week was filled with events, some of which were unexpected others were just sad or difficult... I talked to with Amy and we decided that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger...we're smart people. Let me see here...Monday was so long ago! It was just an ordinary day though. Katie and I got to hang out a bit in the afternoon getting to know each other more. It was nice. Tuesday I took my 2nd exam of the month. The afternoon was stressful for me however. Alex, Sandra and I went to buy train tickets to go to Italy, and struck out. There was no train tickets to get us to Florence, we could get to Milan and then MAYBE get to Florence. So we decided to go back Wednesday with a plan B. Tuesday night my host parents daughter and her family arrived...2 little screaming children in tow. It was fun seeing them and watching the little kids run around and play. That brings me to Wednesday. Wednesday was not a happy day...probably one of the worst I've had here. I got up and went to go meet Alex and Sandra at the train station to look into other tickets. They were supposed to meet me there after their class. I got there a little earlier to start looking. I wasn't finding much. By the time they got there I had to leave to rush to class, so I left ticket finding in their hands. I was running late, so I had to walk fast, and it was hot, so I got sweaty haha. Then I thought I'd try a new way which I thought might be shorter...I nearly got really lost...it was not shorter! So I arrived to school a little late, hot, sweaty, upset, and annoyed. Alex and Sandra told me later they bought tickets to Milan for Mon-Thurs. I told them we have class on Thursday so we can't do that, and it wasn't going to be worth going Monday, and coming back Wednesday, so they took the tickets back. Needless to say, I'm not going to Italy any time soon haha. It was a really disappointing and stressful day, I was pretty sad when we couldn't get tickets to anywhere in Italy, but I thought there must be a reason!

Thursday was a long day...I ended up having to take a proficiency test all morning, which was SOO hard!!! My head literally hurt after. It was lots of listening and reading French and answering questions. Then I had lunch and had to sit in class for 4 hours...blah! I got my presentation grade back and got a good grade so that was happy! Yesterday was another long day, and sad. I had morning class which was nice, we watched a movie and then had a little party. Katie and I did some shopping after class, then went back to school for a little "graduation" ceremony. We all got certificates! yay! then there was refreshments. Then it was sad to say bye to some of the people I've met here this month...including Katie. It was weird having these people leave, and yet I'm staying. It's almost like I'm starting all over again, which is good and bad. Once classes start back up again on Thursday, I know July will fly by and I'll be home before I know it.

Today, I went paddle boating which was fun, with some girls I've not really had the chance to hang out with...3 of them being Mormon. I enjoyed being able to be open about Christian things. I got sunburned pretty badly, which is a little sad, but oh well. The Japenese girl that has been living here leaves Tuesday I think, and then the new student comes that same day. It'll be crazy. I'm not sure what I'm going to do in the next few days, so we shall see I guess!

Summer is here!

Well...there has been a drastic change in the weather this week...it's been sooo hot!! I think it's been in the 90s the past couple days. I live in a house with no airconditioning, so it gets pretty muggy and gross! We ate dinner outside tonight which was nice.

I've been in Annecy now for 3 weeks, which is crazy to think...I feel like I"ve been here ages, but at the same time, it feels like I just got here. Tomorrow I start my last week of the first session. It'll be sad at the end of the week to say goodbye to some people, including Katie. I know my way around the downtown part of Annecy fairly well now, found some places that we love to eat at, and have been enjoying sitting by the lake. Yesterday was the music festival in the town. There were SOOOOOOOO many people!!! I told Sandra it was like the Woodstock of Annecy! What the music festival is, is there were several different bands stationed all over the town, at least like 7 different spots. And people just walk around and listen, or can sit at a restaurant and listen. There were just lots of people in general...a gridlock of people, mostly drunk people. Sandra, Katie, and I got Chinese food and tried to enjoy some of the festival...we found it hard to do being hot and tired and unable to move very far at any speed. We heard some REM remixes, some regage, some jazz, etc. It was a cool part of the culture to experience.

Thursday I gave a presentation in class...10 min in French. I gave a mini short version of my testimony and talked about a song that Les and I wrote (My little girl...) I translated it in French and showed the class the words. I told them what I like about the song etc. I was really nervous mostly because I was talking in French about Jesus. I was worried how the class would respond. They responded really really well. Conversation was sparked, and I was asked what I believe. It was pretty cool. Surprisingly, one of the guys I was most worried about actually went to the church where Lifeteen (a Catholic organization for youth that my church also does) started. Anyway...it was good, and I felt good after...it was kinda like me coming clean, ya know? I was happy after, needless to say. Oh, and they made me sing part of it in English...that was the most terrifying!!! Hopefully what I said planted some seeds somewhere along the way!

Friday, Alex, Sandra and I leave for Italy...Florence, for 3 days. We're pretty excited, just a little scared about not knowing any italian haha. It'll be good, I've always wanted to go to Italy, so hopefully it'll be a good trip.

This morning I attempted at going to the church that I found on my walk last Sunday. I thought there may have been a mass at 11, but I was wrong. I walked into the church and there were not a lot of people, I just sat in the back and observed. I had brought my Bible so I started reading while I waited to see what was going on. Needless to say, it didn't take long for me to realize that the priest was going to be baptizing several babies. I felt like everyone saw me and was wondering why I was there. I watched a little bit of the ceremony in between reading...it was hard for me to understand what was being said. A little old lady, on her way out of the church, saw me and stopped and asked me what I was reading, and so I showed her. She said that I was admirable for being there and reading. Then she asked if I was at mass and I told her no because I didn't know what time it was at. She then asked if I was French, and I said no, and she asked if I was American and I said yes. I told her I was studying there and staying with a family. Then she left. I didn't stay for the whole baptism...after a bit, I went to a park across the street and sat and enjoyed the view and read my Bible for a while before coming back home. It was a nice morning, but embarrassing!! haha

So yeah...it's hot here. I'm missing home of course, but am trying my best to live it up here while I can!! I have some more pictures to post, but that might have to wait until tomorrow or Tuesday, as it is my bedtime now!

Friday the 13th

So it's Friday the 13th...and also the halfway point for the month of June, which means I"m a quarter of the way through my time in France. I'm still missing home, but am in a routine and adapting to a life here. Today was an interesting day... I had an exam this morning which wasn't much different from my French tests back home so that was good...hopefully I will receive a good mark! After class, Katie and I were on a mission to find lunch! We'd never gone down the road our school was on in the opposite direction of which we came and I wanted to see what was down that way, if anything. So Katie agreed and we went walking...and walking...and walking...we saw some great scenery! The mountains and the lake were beautiful!! It was just a few miles later that we found civilization again haha. We had been seeing signs for restaurants and whatnot but for whatever reason nothing was open! Finally Katie saw a sign for McDonald's...we walked all that way to find something exoctic and exciting and we found a freaking McD's....what the heck?! Oh well...Katie was happy, it was a piece of home for her...But we had a nice long walk too so that was fun. We saw lots of bikers and rollerbladers while we walked...apparently biking here is like...idk...it's so serious!!! haha Then seeing all the rollerbladers made me miss my rollerblades...weird, I know...missing rollerblades...but it's true. Then after we got back, we went riding the bus to find out where it ended...not the type of place we thought it ended at!! That was funny....ah...

My host parents' grandson is here for the weekend I think, so he was at dinner tonight. He's 13 and seems pretty cool I guess. He speaks really fast so I couldn't understand much of what he said. Tomorrow I'm going to Geneva for the day! It seems like lots of people are going, including my friends, so hopefully the weather will hold out and it'll be a great day!

One of the things I knew God would be teaching me here long before I left was to be a stronger person...not the weak small little Emily everyone knows, but to be able to stand up for things etc. Today, I felt like I was able to see a little bit of that strength come out...On the walk I took with Katie, we walked past this lady at a bus stop who glared at me...I'm not sure if it was something "crazy" or not about it, but I could feel something start latching on to me as we walked past and instantly felt sad. I recognized what was going on and was able to stop myself from falling into that trap of sadness and depression. I was excited to realize that God was giving me chances to practice being strong.

Do swans attack??

Today was a pretty good day--it didn't rain!!! I had afternoon class today, and I've not been doing a whole lot before my afternoon classes. I like to sleep in if I can...yesterday I was rudely awakened by a man on the roof trying to fix my window! Today I was able to sleep in, and then I did my homework before heading into town for lunch. I met up with my friends and we went to our market to buy little lunch munchies. We decided to take it to the lake for a little bit and today we sat right on the edge and dangled our feet in the water...my first time "in" Lac D'Annecy...FREEZING!!! It was sooo cold! Shortly after we had started eating, we were joined by a rather large swan!!! He got right up by where we had had our feet, but we took them out...it was really scary! I thought we were going to be attacked, like in Gilmore Girls! haha I didn't realize how big some swans are...my goodness...I have a picture I'll have to upload soon. Anyway...we finally decided to vacate the area and head to class. It was class with Rosa again today...and I just love being in her class! I feel like I learn a lot and she really cares and wants for us to learn a lot. I have my first test tomorrow!! Scary...

As the weather begins to shift, I'm finding my mood shifting as well...I'm starting to feel more like doing things and seeing things, which is good, but not tonight! I have to go study!!!

Sunny Day #1

Today was the first real beautiful day in Annecy since I've been here. It was wonderful and a blessing to be able to be outside all afternoon. I had morning class today which went alright. It is sometimes rather discouraging and difficult when we do oral exercises like on cassette tapes...I just feel stupid sometimes haha because I'm not very good at them...never have been actually. I feel incompetent because I can't understand everything they say, it's just so fast. Anyway, I get easily discouraged after that, but hopefully it can only get better, right? Sandra decided today that she wants to speak more French with us since we usually speak English. So I was like yeah, let's try it, so hopefully it'll help us with our speaking and whatnot. After class the 4 of us went for a picnic by the lake. I got my first rays of sun! it was happy, I even got a little red. After we had finished eating, the three of them wanted to go check e-mail at the school but I wanted to stay in the park, so I stayed. I ended up falling asleep for a bit, but then I read my Bible. They came back to find me a couple hours later. We chatted some more before heading home.

Someone complained to me the other day that there's not been much about the battlefield in my blog, and I've guess I've been kinda neglecting that part, and the battlefield in my life. I told a friend that I felt like I had been retreating for so long I no longer knew the direction of the battlefield haha. I started spending a lot more time with our Jesus after that...the General as we now affectionately call Him. I've been noticing more areas where I could choose to fight...however, I've still been sitting back. A few examples...I'm around Alex a lot just because we know each other, but sometimes it gets really hard for me to be around him so much. Most of you don't know, but Alex is openly gay...he is also perverse, promisicuous, vulgar, etc. He knows my views on things, and sometimes, like the other day, he will stop because he doesn't want to upset me. It's just so tiring not having any strong Christian friends right now here with me. I often feel like he judges me because of my views. I know I'm dealing majorly with the fear of man here. I just need to keep praying boldness and courage into my life. Another example was yesterday on the bus before we left for Chamonix, there were people making bad jokes and talking about how the church has hurt them (I think more specifically the Catholic church, but I'm not sure...) and how they don't need God because they've done fine without Him. I wanted to say something, but I wanted to ignore it because I was getting angry and didn't want to speak out of anger. I ended up saying nothing...stupid fear of man. I'm hoping that God will show me the right time to minister to these people and prompt me to speak to them when that time comes...that He will light something in me that will burn and hurt until I speak! I'm believing Him for that and for boldness, I hope you will believe Him for that for me too!

Chamonix

Today I went to Chamonix, a cute little toursity town near the Alps. It was really cute and a great view! We got there about 10:30 and went to find food for lunch before our hike. Our guide took a small group of us on a little hike through the mountains. It was fun!! Luckily it wasn't raining and the sun was out. I got really warm though! C'est la vie! We had a great view of the glacier and Mount Blanc. I was a little sad I didn't go into the snow, but we're talking about going back so we can do that when it's not so cloudy. After the hike me and Alex and Cecila (from Sweeden), Natasha (from England), Katie (from Colorado) went into little shops and then we found a cafe and had some drinks and enjoyed the view. We had heard that McDonalds here sells wine so we wanted to check that out before we left since there was one there. When we got there, we learned they only serve beer! haha We thought it was really funny. We just hung out in town for a bit and then came home. It was a really long day, but it was good for me to keep busy so I wouldn't think about being homesick, etc. Plus I got to meet some new people which was fun! I'll try to upload some pics so you can get a glimpse of what I saw today! Enjoy!!

P.S. I've talked with my parents and they were basically like you're not coming home early, we'll pay for the housing so don't worry. So I will be staying until July.

End of 1st week

So it's getting late, yet here I am writing to all you lovely people. I have been gone for a week now. I have had 4 days of class and now my first weekend. I'm starting to learn my way around better...like the other day I was able to find this little food shop called Chez Barnabe and that was exciting. I met my other professor that I"ll be having this month today. Her name is Isabelle, she seemed pretty nice. It's been sad not seeing Sandra and Alex much because they have different schedules than I do, but Katie and I hang out a bit which is nice. I don't have much to report. I'm falling into a routine, which I guess is nice. It has been really rainy here, raining everyday. I was able to do homework by the lake yesterday though and that was peaceful. This weekend I'm going to Chamonix with the school. It's up in the mountains so it'll be cold and snowy! It should be fun though.

There was a bit of drama today, though. Before coming here, I had to pay a $500 deposit on my housing. Then the other day I was told I had to pay 330 euro which is maybe a little more than $500. Then today I was told that that amount of money only covered the month of June. Most of you know I'm supposed to stay through July. To stay through July its another 640 euros for housing alone...another $1000. No one told me I was going to have to fork over about $1500 when I arrived here. Being a poor college student and all, I told the lady that I cannot afford that and would have to go home early if this was true. There must have been a miscommunication along the way. So now me and Alex and Sandra are trying to figure out why we were not given this information, and who dropped the ball. I talked to my dad and he sounded willing to pay the money for me, but I just feel so guilty about letting the pay so much for a months housing when they've already paid so much for me. My parents don't want me to have regrets, and want me to experience as much as possible while I'm here. Of course, I want this to. But right now it is hard for me to say what I would feel in the future about this. I've been saying all along that 2 months is too long...Tomorrow I hope to have a chat with the rents and see whats up. We're all pretty heated that no one told us about the amount we'd be paying. I guess the bottom line is I may be coming home early...but I don't know if this is what God wants.

That's the latest drama in my life...please be praying! I will keep you posted friends! I miss you all!! God bless!

School days

I want to start this blog off with a big thank you to everyone reading! It has been really great getting the responses I have...everyone is so encouraging and I thank you all for writing and reading and sharing and your thoughts and prayers!!!

Ok, well...I have started class officially now. Yesterday I met my class...theres about 16 of us I think. There are 9 different groups of classes, each one ranging in size. I was placed in group 5, which I'm learning is easy for me so I may see if I can move up to group 6. The way classes work are each group has a different schedule. We have class for 4 hour blocks each day, morning or afternoon depending on the group and day. My current schedule is that Wed and Thurs I have class from 1:30-5:30, the other days I have class 8:30-12:30. I also have 2 different professors, one just teaches monday and Friday so I've not met her yet. The other, Rosa, is really great! I love her! She's really nice and I can understand her pretty easily. There are some really cool people in my class...from ALL over the world!!!! China, Japon, Korea, Netherlands, Sweeden, England, Mexico, and the U.S. I met a nice girl Katie from Iowa, we've hung out and talked a bit. It's good to have a friend in class. It's weird for me to have the common language among students be French, because some of these students do not speak much English. Me and my friends have done some more exploring and are starting to learn more our way around town.

Today I went to the Salomon warehouse with Christiane because her and Eric used to work there. They sell Salomon name stuff cheaper than in the stores, but it was still pretty pricey so I didn't buy anything.

It's been pretty rainy since I got here, I'ved used my umbrella every day I think! Oh well, it will get nice soon enough. I really do miss home and I really enjoy hearing from everyone! There still are times when it's hard to imagine 2 months here...it just seems so long...hopefully once I get into a strong routine, I'll be even better! Again, thanks for your encouraging words and I hope that everyone is well and enjoying summer!!!!

A quick blurb...

I just wanted to write a quick little note before I start my day today since I failed to write yesterday. Before I left the states, I was loaned a little devotion book by a friend ;). I started just readng one a day...what I was reading went very well along with what I was feeling and going through. Let me share some examples...

Day One I read was on the train to Annecy...In what I read in the book, God was reminding me that His love is always the same, even if my love for Him is not. He wants to be alone with me and spend time with me. His love will give me strength. The joy of the Lord will be my strenghth...

Day Two was Monday...first day at school...In the devotion God said "My child, do not expect the trials to be lighter than in the past..." He is testing all areas of our lives. Some trials may require more strength, endurance, etc. But He still reminds us that through whatever trials we face, to seek Him.

Day Three...first day of class...Yesterday I read two different devotions on the bus ride to school. The first talked about letting Him set the course...He has a plan and it is in motion...DO NOT MESS WITH IT!!! We are called to be obedient to this plan. The second devotion I read was so perfect I may just have to type it all out...even thought it is really long...
Behold, I have sent you out alone, bue I have gone ahead to prepare your way; yes, through the darkness to bear a light. I ask you only to follow Me, for I will surely lead you in a safe path, though dangers lurk on every hand. yes, I will be your protection. I will be your comfort. I will be your joy...My arms shall hold you, and you will not fall. My grace shall sustain you, and you will not faint. My joy will fortify your spirit..Yes, I will surely keep you, and you will not know fear...You shall have My constant care. I will not leave you for a moment. I will keep you from despaire: I will deliver you from confusion...Lo, the hour is upon you. Do not look back.

After reading this, I couldn't help but smile. It was such a good reminder for me and helped me start my day off. I think I'm starting to adjust to things, and hopefully that will continue. I'm still missing home a bit, but I know I will return soon....Thanks for all the encouragement that you all have given!!! You're great!!! I will post again tonight!

First day at school

Last night as my first night at my French house, I had a small breakdown and began literally crying to God. I cried out telling Him how much I miss home and everyone and the comforts it has. I also ended up crying out that I miss Him. Realizing that I miss Him gave me the realization that He's the only one right now I can do something about missing because He's here with me...always.
Waking up with that realization was an alright way to start the day today. I got up and dressed and had a nice little breakfast. Then Christiane showed me how to get to school...we took the bus for about 10 min then we got off and had to walk about 25 more min, luckily it had stopped raining at that point. When I got there, she left me and I met up with Sandra. Her and I chated a bit until Alex got there. A girl from Sweeden is staying at his house too so we got to meet her...her name is Rebecca. She seems pretty sweet and is really good at French. We had to take a written exam and an oral exam so they knew where to place us for classes. We had an hour for the written and after that they saw us one at a time for the oral part. The written part wasn't terrible, some easy some hard. The oral part, for me, was really difficult. The professor who I spoke with spoke really fast, so I left that feeling discouraged! Alex and Sandra both had a nice professor who spoke slowly. After we were all done with our exams, the 4 of us went to find some lunch. We found a cute little cafe and had some crepes. After lunch we walked around for just a little before heading back to school for a tour of the city. The tour was alright except it poured rain the whole time. After the tour we just kinda hung out until the classes were posted. They had a little welcome reception with cheap wine and some small snacks. When we found out our classes, I was a little sad to learn I was lower then Alex and Sandra(who's only had a couple years...) I'm thinking I just didn't do well on oral, but maybe once I'm in class, I might get moved up, or I'll just get really good grades in the lower level class. After that we left school and wandered back towards town for a while until we decided to go our separate ways home. It was good today to be around people and friends. It is at night, I'm learning, that I miss home the most because I am alone. Two months is still seeming like a very long time...again, hopefully things will get better...

Day 2--meeting the Family

This morning I woke up about 8:30 to get to the train station. Last night I was able to sleep pretty well...I did wake up at 11:40 unable to fall back asleep...I tossed and turned for about an hour...there were more tears then too!! I became upset that I couldn't go back to sleep and homesick which made it harder to sleep again. I finally went back to sleep...
We left the hotel about 9:30 for the train station which we arrived at about 10. We went in search of food then got on our train to head to Annecy. The whole trip (nearly 4 hours) I was very nervous and anxious about meeting my host family. I wanted to sleep but couldn't really get comfortable so I did sudoku puzzles to distract from those feelings of nervousness and homesickness. When we pulled up I saw a man standing outside my car and I knew it was my host dad, Eric. He immediately started talking in French to me. I felt like I understood a good portion of what he was saying. When we got to their house, I met Christiane, his wife. She was really nice and understood that I'm not very good at French. She gave me a tour of the house and we went over some rules, etc. She left me to unpack my things. While I was unpacking, I was able to chat with a couple people from home. Then about 5:00 she drove me around the town and I saw my school and the downtown area. We came back and I hung out in my room doing more organizing, etc. before dinner. At dinner I met the Japonese girl who has been staying here as well. She seems nice, and isn't that great at French either! For dinner, Eric made (course one) tomatos and cucumbers with a sauce, (course 2) French version of a burger and fries (home made fries!) (course 3) cheese, (course 4) melon. It was quite delicious! We chatted a bit before we left the table.
It has been another long and tiring day...not as difficult as day one, but still feeling homesick...2 months seems like a very long time right now to be here...Hopefully I'll make some friends at school tomorrow.

First 24 hours...

Contrary to what some of you may believe...the first 24 hours were the worst. I wanted to come home so badly!!! I arrived in Paris at about 7:45 a.m. Paris time...1:45 in the morning for you reading this. It wasn't a terrible flight...I was able to sleep for a couple hours, and once the stewardess got my TV working I was able to distract myself with some movies. It was really hard getting on the plane for some reason...I was crying. I was leaving everything I knew and all the comforts I had behind and about to embark on what is supposed to be one of my best summers ever. Once we landed I started feeling anxious again, and stressed. Me and the girl I flew with (Sandra) had to find our other friend, Alex. Luckily, that wasn't too much of a problem. Then things got harder and harder...At 9:00 we got on the airport shuttle to take us to the RER (kinda a subway) to get to the subway. I was so very upset by the time we got to the subway. I had had to carry my monstruous suitcase up and down stairs and through gates and every which way (after that I was ready for an Amy massage). I was tired, hungry, thirsty and I just wanted to go home. Then we had to find our hotel which we had no address for...so we began walking around aimlessly dragging our luggage which had already pissed me off, but with some luck and Holy Spirit, we found it by 1015 or so. We left our luggage there in a room because we could not check in yet. So we left to go buy train tickets for today so we could get to Annecy, where I'll be staying for the next two months. This was not supposed to be that big of a chore...boy was I wrong...it took about 20 min longer than necessary to get there because we were unsure of a direct route, which we later figured out for today. So about 1045 we get to the train station and there were a lot of people!!! We waited in line to buy tickets for more than an hour. This was the lowest point of the day for me...I was completely miserable. I was homesick nearly to the point of tears, hungry, tired, and thirsty. I said several times to my friends that I just wanted to go home and I didn't know why I was there. We finally got our tickets and found some sandwiches...my first taste of real French bread!! Instantly felt better! haha. Most amazing bread!! After we had food, we began walking around in hopes of seeing some sights. Alex decided we should walk one way, but I wanted to go the other...we went Alex's way...it was wrong. We walked probably at least a mile before he was like oops, how did we end up down here (when he saw where we were on a map), we needed to go the other way(the way I wanted to go...) so we had to walk all the way back and then more. We were all very tired. Sadly it was a Saturday so there were lots of people and long lines. We saw the outside of Notre Dame and the Louvre, L'Arc de Triumphe Carrousel, Place de la Concorde, the Champs Elysees, L'Arc de Triumphe, and the Eiffel Tower among other less known attractions. I should have been a lot more excited than I was sadly. We were all tired and our feet killed us. We had been waslking that whole time...nearly 6 hours I think. We had crepes under the Eiffel Tower which were really good, then sat in the grass to relax for a few minutes before we walked to the metro to get back. After we got back, we were all asleep before 9:00. It was just a really long 24 hours, and it should have been more fun.
It's hard being away from home and the comforts it offered. Hopefully once I"m settled into routine it'll be better.,,