August 29th

Another day closes in England. Ralph and Ruth left this morning for a much needed holiday. They are such inspirational people. Through difficult life circumstances they radiate hope and faith. If you want to know what it is to be a human 'being' and not a human 'doing', these are the people to watch.

I am reading "The Shack". It is fantastic. It is stirring me and I'm actually making notes on what God is showing me through it. I was apprehensive to read it at first, but I am very glad I overcame that. If you haven't read it yet, pick up a copy.

Steph Carr took us for a curry (Indian food) tonight. It was great to see her, as always. She is full of God's Spirit and seeing miraculous things happen at work. Isn't that where we should be seeing God stuff is in the work place or really wherever the people of God are?

Hannah Glover made it here, lost luggage and all. It should arrive sometime tomorrow. I was impressed at how well she handled the stress of her trip!
We are on to Paris Monday!

I am feeling good. I still get a little foggy from time to time because of jet lag, but that is minor. Do you think I can use jet lag for an excuse at school? Just how long does jet lag effect one? I might could get a good months worth out of this one.

Being in Europe seems to strip away clutter from my mind so that I can focus on hearing God. It is a gift to be able to walk or sit and meditate on what God is saying without distraction. I guess it's part of what God is working in me for the continent. It's been that way anytime I have visited. Or maybe it's being away from a daily grind and routine that makes it easier. Either way I am grateful for the time to be quiet with Him. We will see if it is the same when I have 20 hours of class and 10 hours of homework a week.

August 28th

This entry is coming to you from Cobham, England. I am so glad to be here visiting my dear friends Ralph and Ruth. It is a good way to recover from jet-lag before moving on to Paris. It is good to be back in Europe.

I had a great journey. On the flight from Cleveland to London I had a great chat with a young man on his way to an art school in Ireland. He was very friendly and easy to get along with. I was grateful to have someone fun to sit by on such a long flight. We had a great talk about God and I got to share the Gospel with him. He is a very spiritual person and seemed to enjoy hearing the Gospel for the first time. It was obvious God had orchestrated our meeting. I pray he finds God and His peace.

I had a wonderful walk and talk with Ruth this morning. Friendship with the people of God is a special thing, a lasting bond through the years. We walked up to an old church on a hill. Ruth said it was a Norman church probably built in the 1100's. We simply don't have the history Europe does. Columbus hadn't even been born to think about discovering a new world when that church was built. Cool, huh.

I plan on rediscovering Cobham today or tomorrow. (I lived here ten years ago.) They have a Starbucks now. Which will mean nothing to most of you and something to a few of you. Starbucks seems really out of place on such a quaint English high street. But the English do love their Starbucks just like Americans. (Isn't that right Greg and Brandon?)

I have had my first comment. (Thanks, David.) Keep them coming. It's good to know people are actually checking these out.

Until next time...

August 24th

In my last blog I asked for comments but did not have it enabled. My apologies. I think I have that resolved now.

Two days and counting... I started packing today. I must say not my favorite thing to do. I will be glad when that part is done. It's always a good feeling when you're on the plane and all the prep is finished.

I am really looking forward to seeing my English host family from my DNA year. I will be in the UK for a few days before moving on to Paris.

Some of you may not know that Hannah Glover is going with me to study at Les Cedres. She attended FOC during her time a ATU. Now she has sold her house in North Little Rock and is setting off to learn French too.

I don't know how often I will be able to blog or email in the next week. Once I'm in Paris I will have more consistent access to internet.

That's all for now. Wish me a bon voyage!

Just for fun.

Margaret told me to add fun factoids, so here goes....

I lived in England for a year. England is known for rain. Mme. Freeman tells me it rains a lot in France. So, it seems to me that God is preparing me to return with the Noah-like rain we've had today. :) I waded through the Wal-Mart parking lot today with four months worth of survival supplies for dorm life in Paris. I needed some wellies (rain boots). One step closer.....

Please let me know by email or by comments on this blog what sort of factoids you would like to know about the people and places I will be visiting.

Entry 1

Hello, All. This is my first blog. (Hopefully, many will follow.) My departure date is coming quickly. I leave Tuesday, August 26th. I am very excited. I have details to take care of yet, however, I am ready to go. I want to thank everyone who has shown your support and encouraged me. You are making this possible.

The next four months will be spent learning French at a language school in Paris, Les Cedres. (Check our their website: www.lescedres.com ) I will return to Arkansas on December 22. After that is a big '?'. My heart is to get back to France to live and work in some capacity. I don't know what shape that will take. I'm sure that the next months at school and visiting American missionaries in Alsace will help answer some of these questions.

God has shown his faithfulness and generosity through this process. I am once again humbled and in awe of the love of God. It is wonderful to finally be walking into something God called me to years ago. I don't know what's going to happen in the next months. I don't know what God is really up to, but I know it's gonna be good! This is the great adventure.