Where's spring?

So, I knew it had been a long time since I last wrote a blog...but I was a little surprised that it has been since October! Oh well, at least I've sent out a few e-mails to keep folks up on what's going on.

In the last post I listed my activities and jobs so I won't repeat that here. I will just say that things are going well. In the music schools most of my students are from 7-9 years old. This is a big change for me. I'm used to starting students around 11 years old. So it has been a bit of an adjustment but I like it. I am thankful for my 3 groups at church where the youth are from 15 to 21 years old. And then at Daniel School I have the ages in between. It balances out nicely. Doing a variety of groups and types of music keeps things interesting.

At the end of February we had 3 friends from FOC come to visit. It was a great time of discovery, building connections and releasing God's goodness for one another. Greg, Bobby and Amanda came ready to give and receive. There has already been a lot of fruit from what they released during their time here and from the relationships that were started. It was clear from the beginning of the trip that God had great things prepared because they had a lot of trouble getting here! Chris Abington, who had organized the trip, was unable to come because his daughter broke her arm the day of the trip. Then the three missed every flight because of delays, etc. But they got here and they were in a good mood when they arrived after all of that. Thanks guys, for going the extra mile! I am very grateful to see my two homes becoming more and more connected. I think we will see relationships grow from here on out as the bridge from Arkansas to Alsace gets bigger and wider. One of the people that will be continuing that connection is Deborah Beck. She is a young French woman who will be doing an internship in webdesign in Russellville starting sometime in April. You folks in Arkansas be sure and give her a warm southern welcome and help her feel at home. I know you will. That's who you are and what you do! Deborah is great and she's going to fit right in and have a blast discovering Arkansas and it's culture.

I am happy to say that we are seeing progression in the areas of the school that I asked you to pray about. There have been several financial gifts to the school. It is amazing to see God's provision and His timing. Please continue to pray for a steady stream of financial blessing for Daniel School. Also, we see God's order coming in the leadership and organization of the school. It is a process but things are moving forward. Please keep praying for the school and for Christian education in France and French speaking countries.

Another important event coming up in April is the Love After Marriage (LAM) seminar that our church will be hosting. LAM is a ministry of Bethel Church in Redding. The couple that leads it is coming to teach and two couples from our church are helping to organize and lead. The Leighs and the Becks have both already done the seminar and will be counted on for translation and leading small groups. Thanks for all of you who have already been praying because of my e-mails. Please continue to pray for these couples and for all of the couples that will attend the seminar. This is the first time this seminar will be held in France. It is a powerful tool to heal and equip couples for strong, happy marriages and families.

Personally, I've been feeling the urge to get 'out of the four walls' a bit. After talking with others I think there might be several of us who would like to do Treasure Hunts or just get out and pray for people and see God speak and heal people. I'm not looking to start a program. We just want to see the Kingdom grow and the miraculous in our town.

Like many of you, we are waiting on spring to reveal itself. Winter doesn't want to let go. It may be a little slow in coming but when spring hits it's going to be splendid. I have this same hope to see the presence of God manifested in my church, in my town, in my country and on my continent. Let's go, people of God, let's love God and release heaven on earth!



Prayer requests recap:

~That God continue to grow the Alsace-Arkansas connection according to His desire and plans.
~Prayer covering for Daniel School in all areas and for French Christian education.
~The Love After Marriage seminar the week of April 22nd and the Leigh and Beck families.
~God's Kingdom come, His will be done in our lives and that we can take it to the streets.

A call

It's autumn time once again. The colors are changing slowly here but it is beautiful. The vineyards are gold and green and the trees are like fire. I love this time of year.

I will give you a quick update on Carolyn. The last post she was in the hospital but she has been out for a while and is doing much better. In fact, she is doing a bit of traveling and visiting friends in Russellville. God is good. She still needs complete healing and mobility in her legs. Thanks for all of your prayers for her.

This school year has at least doubled my work load from last year. I am now teaching at the music school in Guebwiller (like last year) and I've added classes in a nearby town called Meyenheim. In addition, we have started an 'orchestra' at the Collège Daniel the Christian school where I volunteer. We are continuing to build with the choir as well and I have a worship group of 'high school' students. I am continuing English with the missionaries' daughter, Olivia, as well. I have also added another worship group at church. That makes 3 youth worship groups at our small church! Needless to say, I am staying busy and enjoying it.

I would like to take just a minute to share my heart and vision with you once again for why I am in France. My heart is to see revival in France and in Europe. I am definitely not alone in this. I want to be a part of what God is doing and is going to do here. Teaching is one of the ways that I can share God's love and hope with people. I know there is more to do and be a part of. I am also involved in teams that go and worship and intercede in different places. It's all about expanding the Kingdom of God.

Another thing I can do is be a connection between France and the States. For example I would like to send out a call to prayer to all my American/anglophone friends for the Christian school Etablishment Scolaire Daniel. I have talked about the importance of Christian education in the francophone world. Daniel School is a flagship for Christian schools in French speaking countries. Currently, there is a lot of pressure spiritually, practically and financially. The school has been operating from a financial deficit for months now. This means that several teachers are not receiving any salary as well as the fact that bills don't get paid. Can you imagine continuing to work in a job if they can't pay you!? The teachers and staff are dedicated to the students and the vision of Christian education. Also, prayer is needed for the order of God to come in the organization and leadership of the school and the association the governs it. In the midst of the difficulties God is doing great things in the lives of the students, teachers and staff of the school. God is at work! We just need to partner together in prayer for this school to push back the enemy and see the provision of God in all of these situations.

I pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to many of you to pray for Daniel School so that we can stand together to see the school fulfill it's destiny for the Kingdom in the midst of the darkness!

May God's joy and peace flow in your lives in abundance!!

Prayer requests:

~COMPLETE healing for Carolyn!
~God's provision in all things for Daniel School (Etablissement Scolaire Daniel)

**The pics are from a fun time with Olya (our sweet Russian friend who takes great pics). I thought they went along well with the Clarion Call name. And they're just fun.

Plenty

Have you noticed that God's economy is not the same as the world's economy? I hope you have all had the chance to experience God's economy and His generosity from two angles, the side of the giver and the side of the receiver. It's so important to be active from both sides. We all have SOMETHING we can give no matter how little we have. Often the giving releases God's provision. Then to the often more difficult part...receiving. As Americans, and I think as French as well, we have been taught to be independent and self-sufficient. It is often hard to receive and it's even harder to ask for help. It is humbling. When we begin to understand how God has created us to live in community and to be interdependent giving and receiving becomes normal life. It is honoring and it brings freedom. Acts 2:44-47. This is a stark contrast to the world system of acquiring things to gain happiness and power and then to rule and sometimes oppress those who have not. Who is really happy? Who is really free?

I thank God that He has blessed me with an Acts 2 kind of life. Even though I may not always have plenty in the bank, I live a life of plenty and I lack nothing I need. I have the joy of being able to bless others and the family of God blesses me. Thanks to all of you who are a part of this family and God's economy. What a great model of God's Kingdom come on earth!

Before I launch into my news I just want to ask again for prayer for Carolyn and her kidney. She went for a check up on her kidney and was admitted to the hospital for further tests because they suspect that the kidney is rejecting her body. Please pray for complete healing from the inside out for Carolyn and for complete kidney function.

The May elections brought a new president for France, François Hollande. This brings a big change from Sarkosy. I've heard a few people say they have felt a difference in the atmosphere since Hollande took office. What is certain is that it is time for the church to rise up and take its place by praying for the president and the government. The people of God always need to see that we can shape our world and our society through prayer and action. We need to hear the Father's heart for our nations and then imitate that heart and release it in prayer and declaration. We heard very clearly that we needed to release peace and joy over France. This is God's heart which is completely opposite of the reaction of fear and worry that was produced in many. Martin Scott also wrote in his blog that peace and joy needed to be released over France. God is speaking the same thing to His people in different places.

The legislative elections are coming up this Sunday. I have heard many say that 2012 is a year of shifting and changes. There are big changes already. Please pray for France and the elections this coming Sunday. Please release joy and peace over France when you pray.

A group of 9 youth from Joshua Church is planning a mission trip to the Philippines this July. A project like this is much more complicated than in the U.S. They have been working hard to raise funds and to get all of the paperwork in order. I think most of you understand the difference a trip like this can make in their lives and in the lives of the people they will go to help. Some of you from FOC will know several of these youth which includes a young lady from Moscow who will join the group when they pass through the Moscow airport. Please pray for Vincent, Elisabeth, Claire, Séphora, Jérémie, Benjamin, Uriel and Olya and their intercessor Timothée. Feel free to contact me if you would like to support them. You can check out a short presentation of their trip by watching this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFsk3oxIHKw&feature=youtu.be

June is the last month of school in France so we still have a few weeks of class left. I get to play trumpet with a group (rock band) from the music school on July 21st as a part of the Music Festival that is held all over France every year. I am really looking forward to it!

I think that's it for this entry. Thank you all for reading along and for praying along. I discovered that people from several countries are reading and that is encouraging. However, I don't know anyone from several of the countries and that makes me think they were searching something and came on my blog by accident. So, whether you be a friend or whether you are here by a happy accident, be blessed into the fullness of all that God has for your life!!

Prayer requests:

~Continued prayer for Carolyn Gore who is currently in the hospital waiting for tests results to see the condition of her kidney. Pray for complete healing!

~Pray for the youth who are going to the Philippines on mission this summer. Pray that all the paperwork and finances will come in as well as good health, protection and divine appointments.

~Pray for France as another round of elections approach. The legislative elections are next Sunday. Please pray and release peace and joy over the country during this time of change.

**A picture of one of the many poppies in bloom in the vineyards. One of the symbolic meanings of the poppy is 'resurrection.' Yes, Jesus, your resurrection power for France!!

Joy

The Holy Spirit is doing a new thing in me...and I like it. He is at work in our church body...I like that too. I am looking forward to the fruit. His touch is releasing joy, singing and strange sounds! More, Holy Spirit!

Last week I went with a team to Labeshuus near Thun, Switzerland. We took a few days to just pray and worship and enjoy the presence of God. It was a rich time and God birthed something and touched us deeply and brought refreshing. We also spent time praying for several European nations, some individuals and some people groups. Labehuus is beautifully situated and gives a spectacular view of the Swiss Alps. The view in itself inspires worship of the Creator!

I am very happy to report that the government aide that I was waiting on came through in a timely matter. Thanks for all of your prayers! God is good and faithful!

Carolyn is at home and doing good and getting better, especially concerning her kidney. She still has a lot of pain with her leg and has been told it could be months before it returns to normal. Please continue to pray for her.

Nadine has been named the Director of Sozo Ministry for France by Bethel Church in Redding!! She has been working hard training a team here in Guebwiller and traveling to do trainings with Janet Richards all over France. This is a big step toward God spreading inner-healing in France. It is much needed. Of course, new titles come with more authority, responsibility and pressure. She has already experienced some spiritual resistance. Nadine is definitely the woman for the job but she could use all of your prayers for provision and spiritual protection as she walks in this new dimension. She and Janet have two trainings coming up quickly in May. You can keep these in mind when you are praying for her.

I am thoroughly settled into my new home and thoroughly enjoying it. I am reminded daily of God's goodness.

I am happy to say that my dad is still doing well and enjoying life.

French elections are May 6th. As in the States, this will be a very important election during a difficult and pivotal time in France and in Europe. Please pray that God's choice to lead France is elected. A disturbing trend that has been seen is that because of the difficult times people are voting more for the extreme right, the fascists. The good news is that they didn't make it past the first round but they had way more votes than they should have. Now there is the current president, Sarkozy, who is the most moderate who is facing the socialist Hollande. It is a very important moment for France. Please be praying this week for France and the upcoming elections this Sunday!

Thanks again for reading along and taking this journey with me!!

Prayer requests recap:

~France and the upcoming elections this Sunday, May 6th!
~Spiritual protection, traveling safety and provision for Nadine in her new role as Sozo Director for France.
~Complete healing of Carolyn's leg.
~That the Holy Spirit continue to pour Himself out on us and accomplish His purposes in this time.

**This picture was taken from Labeshuus near Thun, Switzerland. It's beautiful isn't it!?

New Life

I'm writing to you from a sunny spot in the south of France. It seems that Spring is starting a little early this year for many of us. The new life is getting an early start. May we all benefit from the abundant life of God in this season!

I have a lot of good news to pass on...

I will start with my dad. He is doing REALLY well. He looks even better than he did before his operation and he is feeling well and getting his strength back. His wife, Melba, is also feeling good and looking good. I am so happy and thankful for God's goodness to heal and take care of my family. Thanks for your prayers for my family!! I see A LOT of fruit!

My friend, Carolyn, is doing well too. Her journey is still just getting started. She had some set backs with blood clots in her leg and lungs so she is back in the hospital recovering. The clot in her lung has cleared up but she still has trouble with her right leg and foot. Her incision is healing well and best of all her kidney is happy in its new home! Please continue to pray for a complete recovery and no more complications as well as hope and good spirits to finish the journey.

In the past few weeks I have had dinner with one of my music school student's family. The mother approached me and asked if I was a person of faith. She had seen me going to the Christian school and made the connection. When I told her that yes, I was, she said that was obvious to her. Then she invited me to dinner with their family. It is great to make connections. I also met many musicians who are students or teachers at a concert where I worked the snack bar. I didn't know anyone at the beginning so it was a bit challenging but I was happy to be out 'of the 4 walls' and make new contacts and hopefully eventually new friends.

I am now well settled in my new home complete with a bedroom that I have decorated, my first in France. It is a joy and a blessing. I made known the need for help with the new costs and several of you responded. Thank you! I am blown away by your generosity and the provision of Our Daddy! I have also filled out all of the papers (until they ask for something else!) to get government aide for the rent. I have a number and I'm in the system so hopefully it won't be too long before I can receive the aide.

I had two good moments as a teacher/coach this past week. From the past I received a tag from a former student from Danville on Facebook. He had written a paper about something that had influenced his life. He wrote about our band trip to Washington, D.C. to march in the Memorial Day Parade in 2005. He said it was challenging but was an event that changed his life. He realized the importance of music in his life and he was proud of himself for what he had accomplished. I tear up just writing about it. That's what every teacher wants, to provide an opportunity for a young person to discover what he's made of and to take pride in himself. Wow. In the present, just this last Sunday my oldest worship group, The Beans, led worship for a conference with about 250 teachers attending. It was the biggest group they've ever played for and well they ROCKED. The most powerful moment for me was watching a lady near me who remained seated during the worship time. She was bent over and looked like she was in a dark cloud. During the last song, "In Your Eyes", written by someone in our church (it's the song the girls played this summer in Arkansas) the lady stood up and began to sing. I was almost in tears. The Beans are good musicians but the best part is the presence of God that they release. I am so proud of them. Thank you, Father, for the joy and the privilege of working with young people.

There are a lot of good things coming up this Spring too. In April I will go with a team to a 24/7 House of Prayer in Switzerland. We will take 2 hour slots to worship and pray. A few of the youth will go with us and be a part of our team. Then in May there is a week long celebration of 100 years of non-stop prayer and worship that took place in Herrnhut, Germany and was a part of the Moravian church that birthed a missionary movement. Again we will take a team to participate in 24/7 worship and prayer during that week. We hope one day to have a house of prayer "maison de prière" at Joshua Church too!

I will leave you with that thought. Thanks to all of you who keep up with what's happening in my life and pray into it. You are a huge blessing to me!

Prayer requests:

~Continued good health and recovery for my family and for Carolyn.

~For the paperwork for the government to be processed in a timely manner to help pay the rent.

~Holy Spirit inspired times of prayer and worship that help shift that spiritual atmosphere in Europe!


**The Danville High School Marching Band in Washington, D.C. in 2005. The age range was much more like a JR high group but they did a fantastic job and we had a blast. Needless to say, we've all changed a bit since then. The guy standing beside me is the one who wrote the paper, John Cerna. He now stands a full head (at least) taller than me. =) Thanks for sharing your paper with me, John!

**The Beans. Un super groupe de louange qui déchire !! A super worship band that rocks!!

Starting with a BANG

Well...it's an understatement to say that I haven't kept up with my blog. I have sent some emails however over the holidays to keep people informed about my dad and that was the biggest thing going on in my life. So I'm gonna call it a fair trade. ;)

2012 has started out with a bang for me. Fortunately, it's a good bang. My dad had surgery to repair an aneurysm in his aorta on December 30th. He has had a good recovery so far. This week the doctor told him that he is healing well and that he can drive again. Thank you for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for his complete recovery.

My family really benefited from your prayers. We noticed that everywhere we went that people were really nice and helpful: in the hospital, at the hotel, the restaurants, stores. The day we checked out of the hotel the lady who serves the breakfast told us she had been and would continue praying for our dad and even the manager of the hotel came out of her office to say the same!! I was almost in tears at the goodness of God.

Then the 2nd week of January a dear friend of mine, Carolyn Gore, who has been on dialysis for several years received a call about a kidney!! She was able to get a flight that day to Dallas to go to Baylor for a kidney transplant. I can't express the joy that I feel for my friend who has been given new life. She is recovering well and the kidney is happy in her body. She still has several weeks at Baylor and months of recovery but the outlook is good. Please continue to pray for her complete recovery and that there is no sign of rejection of the new kidney. God is faithful! His love endures forever.

The 3rd week of January I moved out of my room in the chateau and into a nice apartment with my good friend Nadine. The chateau was really the provision of God for me and was the perfect place for me to get grounded and established in my new home in France. This next step is again a step of faith. God spoke separately to Nadine and me about becoming roommates. She's been looking for a roommate since September. We talked about the possibility of me moving it with her then but we both agreed that it wasn't the time. God had given me a prophetic word from a friend, Fabrice Klein, about me hanging a star in a kitchen window around Christmas time and that God was going to give me a home with a family. In December I was house-sitting for Nadine and I noticed that there was a post it in the form of a star in the kitchen window that I had placed there a week or two earlier. So I asked myself if this was what Fabrice had seen. During the holidays God spoke to Nadine and when I came back from Arkansas we realized what God was saying to us. So it was clear that God was giving me a new home but I didn't know where money for rent or furniture would come from. However, I've seen time and again that when God speaks He provides. So I have moved in and have all of my stuff in my room that is waiting on furniture and I am sleeping on the sofa/futon in the meantime. It is really good to be in a home and to be en famille (in family).

It seems that my involvement in music at the Christian school will increase and good connections are being made with teachers, students and parents at the music school. I feel like my world is expanding.

SO, 2012 has started off with a big bang for me. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds.

I wish you all a year full of God's blessing, power, joy and peace. Thank you for being in my life and following what is happening. Again, I can't express my thanks for all of the prayers for my dad and my family. My whole family was blown away with the grace and peace that we had during a difficult time.

BONNE ANNEE !!

prayer requests:

~Please continue for the complete recovery of my dad and good health and encouragement for his wife, Melba.

~Please continue to pray for Carolyn's complete recovery and acceptance of her new kidney.

~Please pray for God's abundant provision for my new home.

~Please pray for the connections that God wants to make at the Christian school and in the public music school.

**My wonderful family. Thank God for them!
James(brother-in-law), Melba(step-mom),Dad, Carissa(sister), Erica(niece), Clayton(nephew)

Hope and Hopes

First of all thanks to all of you who prayed for my health after receiving the last newsletter and blog! I was feeling better by the evening and never really got sick. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16

I was so encouraged by the message shared at chapel this morning and by the prayers of the students that I was inspired to write my blog. That's sayin' something! God has been speaking to me through Ephesians 1 and 2 for several weeks. You know how something you've read suddenly comes to life and starts to transform you? That kind of God speaking through His word... Well, this morning Christine Barasino, one of the teachers at Collège Daniel, taught on Eph 1:15-19. It takes the Spirit of revelation for us to know God. We can't do it on our own. But Paul doesn't stop there in his prayer. He asks that we will have our hearts enlightened to understand the RICH inheritance that is available to us NOW, that we not just know God but know Him BETTER, that we experience the same power that created the heavens and the earth and the power that raised Christ from the dead living IN us. We are so covered up and blinded by all the negative that we hear and feel to really understand. We are prone to believe the lies and the negative before the truth. That's why we need the Spirit of Revelation to come and give us the power to see and believe what is our inheritance and our destiny. I pray this prayer with Paul for all of you and for me. I need more revelation to know Him better! Yes, God, I want to know you better!

Second thing I was reminded of through the prayers of the students was how beautiful their hearts are. The father of 3 former students and uncle of one of the students died suddenly from a heart attack last Friday at the age of 42. Many of the prayers were for the family who is grieving. When you get into the daily and are dealing with the human, imperfect part of people it's easy to forget the beauty that is within. The truth is we are all precious and full of God's goodness and beauty. God deals lovingly with us even when we've messed up. God give me eyes to see what you see even when it's time to correct a student's behavior. Thank you for always being kind and gentle with me when you correct me. Thank you that our value doesn't change even when we screw up.

Do you remember from the last blog that I talked about Nadine speaking at an Aglow meeting and that many received healing after? Well, she has been invited to speak at the regional meeting this Saturday the 22nd! They also asked if they could broadcast her teaching on the radio! God's favor is on her and she has some key teachings for France. She has invited me and 2 other ladies to work in team with her this Saturday. Nadine always like to go in team. Please pray for her and for us that God would prepare us for what He wants to do and what He wants to say. Please also pray for health and protection for our team this week leading up to this meeting.

Most of you know that I am a trumpet player as well as a music teacher. My trumpet's valves have been sticking since last spring and progressively getting worse. I finally took it to a repair shop last week and was told that the valves were basically disintegrating and that they could do something but with a little time I would be in the same predicament. My horn is not a well known brand but the man said it's funny because this looks exactly like what happens to a Getzen when it is about 15-20 years old. I'm pretty sure my trumpet was made by Getzen even though it's called a Canadian Brass and it is around 19 years old. Conclusion, I need a new trumpet. Surprisingly, this news did not stress me. I feel like God's been telling me for a month or so that it's a new season. This seems to be in line with that. Finding a new trumpet is a process. It's like buying a car. Musicians are particular about their instruments and it's a big investment. This afternoon I start trying new trumpets to see what is a good fit for me. After finding the one I like there is the little thing called the expense. It will probably be around $2000 for the level of instrument I need. So, it's a new season and God's giving me peace about a new trumpet and I trust He will provide. I'm letting you all know the need. Please pray I can easily find the right trumpet for me and that God sends the provision for it.

There has been a lot of sickness in the church and people needing operations. Now one of our ladies has lost her son to a sudden heart attack. (the same man mentioned above) People are having nightmares. There are many things that suggest that witchcraft is very active right now in this area. That's not too surprising considering Halloween is approaching. We have a team of 20 people who are going to Israel for two weeks leaving this Sunday the 23rd. They are going to bless Israel and pray in the land. I am telling you all of this to ask for prayer for the church, the body of Christ at Joshua Church. Please pray into the needs and for the protection of Father God.

Please pray for the school, Collège Daniel. My hope for Christian education in France and for the future of France was elevated this morning while I listened to the fruit pouring from the mouths of the students as they prayed. It is making a difference but there remains a great challenge for all Christian schools in France. Some of our students recently went to a conference in Budapest for Christian schools in Europe. They were the FIRST French students to ever attend that conference...the first ever from France... Christian education in Europe has its challenges but it is very difficult in France.

Thanks to all of you who read this blog, follow my life, support me in many ways and most of all to those who pray. I hope that you can take some encouragement and some hope away from what you've just read.

This whole blog is a prayer request but here they are again in summary:

~Please pray for the Albiser family who have lost a son, a husband, a father, a brother, and uncle tragically at a young age.

~Please pray for protection and health for the body of Christ at Eglise Josué. Specifically, please also pray for the team that is going to Israel next week.

~Please pray for Collège Daniel, its students and Christian education in France.

~Please pray that God will speak through Nadine and her team and that He release what's in His heart for the people at the regional Aglow meeting in Troyes this Saturday the 22nd. Please pray health and protection for this team too and for God connections to be made for the future.

~Please pray that God shows me the right trumpet for me and for the provision for that new trumpet for a new season.

Pic at the top:

**New wine anyone?? I have been running again and the vineyard during autumn are the best place I've ever had to run. It's so beautiful. Thanks, God.