This is it.
In two hours I will wake up and get ready to go to the airport.
My flight leaves at 6:55am.
This is it.
I can feel my heart pounding in my chest.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
God is good, yet again.
I am absolutely speechless. It started today with the Ifle brunch. We were all gathered in the girl's dorm kitchen, feasting on our various favorite brunch foods when I overheard my french teacher tell another colleague that I had written a song, half french and half english for her class and that she wished I would sing it for everyone. I at that moment decided to get over my fear of performing in front of others, walked up to her and told her I would do it if she really wanted me too. She told me to get a guitar and start singing so I asked my roommate if I could borrow hers. After retrieving the guitar I sang my little song. A little woman, seemingly in her 30s came up to me afterwards and asked if I could find her later and sing to her because she wanted to record my song on her tape recorder. I said yes and forgot.
Fast forward to later on that evening. Esther and I were to sing for vespers honoring those theology majors who are graduating this weekend. So we did. Afterwards I went to the restroom and when I got back I saw the woman and her little boy sitting in her lap in the bag row. I felt so bad for forgetting so I went up to her and asked her when would be a good time. She said after the program.
So, I just got finished singing for her and having such a lovely conversation with her. She is a pastor's wife and currently lives in Paris. She is African but was adopted by Italians and lived in Italy all her life. She married a guy from Martinique and now they have a cute little boy, his name I have already forgotten. They speak Italian and French to him. I love it. I have digressed so back to my point. We got to talking about life and God and before I could even really share much with her she told relayed to me everything that I was struggling with this year, without even knowing it.
Everything pertaining to my spiritual struggles, she touched base with. I felt like God was using her to show me that he cared. My issues with trusting God fully, and the influences of certain friends. My questions and curiosities, my doubts and fears. The list goes on and on but she really hit the spot. The funny thing is, this isn't the first encounter I've had this year. A few weeks ago I had a random encounter with another women who did and said most of the same things to me.
I think He's trying to tell me something.
Fast forward to later on that evening. Esther and I were to sing for vespers honoring those theology majors who are graduating this weekend. So we did. Afterwards I went to the restroom and when I got back I saw the woman and her little boy sitting in her lap in the bag row. I felt so bad for forgetting so I went up to her and asked her when would be a good time. She said after the program.
So, I just got finished singing for her and having such a lovely conversation with her. She is a pastor's wife and currently lives in Paris. She is African but was adopted by Italians and lived in Italy all her life. She married a guy from Martinique and now they have a cute little boy, his name I have already forgotten. They speak Italian and French to him. I love it. I have digressed so back to my point. We got to talking about life and God and before I could even really share much with her she told relayed to me everything that I was struggling with this year, without even knowing it.
Everything pertaining to my spiritual struggles, she touched base with. I felt like God was using her to show me that he cared. My issues with trusting God fully, and the influences of certain friends. My questions and curiosities, my doubts and fears. The list goes on and on but she really hit the spot. The funny thing is, this isn't the first encounter I've had this year. A few weeks ago I had a random encounter with another women who did and said most of the same things to me.
I think He's trying to tell me something.
Coming to a close
This is insane!! I am currently in my room surrounded by all my things, trying to figure out an effective way to pack. This year has flown by and so much has happened inside of me. I don't feel that much different, but something tells me that upon my arrival back in the states I'll be having a MAJOR culture shock.
Collonges has been my home for a year. I'm going to miss the sun peeking up over the Saleve every morning. I'll miss walking down to the Cocci Market to buy my groceries. I'll miss the painful walk up the mountain after spending a day in Geneva. I'll miss all the random encounters with people. I'll miss couchsurfing. I'll miss taking trips all over France and learning about the different cultures within the French culture. I'll miss watching French dubbed movies in the theatre. I'll miss spending time with my french friends; Aurélie, Benjamin, Audrey, and my friends from Portugal Rita, Sam, & Froid. And of course I cannot forget my Tahitian friends Virginie and Mattatini.
I've learned so much this year, but feel as if I could learn so much more. It's a bittersweet feeling. I've gotten accustomed to the life here. I've learned how to survive in a different country, and culture. I've learned how much I need God in my life more than anything else. I've really broadened my horizons while being here and I wouldn't take it back for the world. I've had my ups and downs sure but these things make us stronger. Sometimes, anyway.
So here I am, amidst all my belongings taking in the last few bits of France. I'll have to come back one day and visit my friend.
Collonges has been my home for a year. I'm going to miss the sun peeking up over the Saleve every morning. I'll miss walking down to the Cocci Market to buy my groceries. I'll miss the painful walk up the mountain after spending a day in Geneva. I'll miss all the random encounters with people. I'll miss couchsurfing. I'll miss taking trips all over France and learning about the different cultures within the French culture. I'll miss watching French dubbed movies in the theatre. I'll miss spending time with my french friends; Aurélie, Benjamin, Audrey, and my friends from Portugal Rita, Sam, & Froid. And of course I cannot forget my Tahitian friends Virginie and Mattatini.
I've learned so much this year, but feel as if I could learn so much more. It's a bittersweet feeling. I've gotten accustomed to the life here. I've learned how to survive in a different country, and culture. I've learned how much I need God in my life more than anything else. I've really broadened my horizons while being here and I wouldn't take it back for the world. I've had my ups and downs sure but these things make us stronger. Sometimes, anyway.
So here I am, amidst all my belongings taking in the last few bits of France. I'll have to come back one day and visit my friend.
