I have discovered that people I've never met are reading my blog! And God is using it to connect people and bring encouragement. God does work in mysterious ways...but His ways are oh so amazing.

DTA was a real success. It was the best of the 3 that we have had in my opinion. One of the highlights for me was the Treasure Hunt we did with the youth. Our team found 13 'treasures' from the clues that God gave us and we were able to pray with 10 of the 13!! Just amazing for 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon in Guebwiller. (A Treasure Hunt is when we pray and ask God to give us clues such as appearance and needs then you go out and look for those people.) I am sure there were people healed. The only thing is we didn't have any info to give to people so they could find us later if they had questions.

Just a reminder please be praying about this Saturday's march for Jesus in Strasbourg! It's really a historic moment. Here's the info from my last blog:
There will be a March for Jesus that starts in Strasbourg, France and ends in Germany on May 21st. Prayer walks are already good things but the fact that this will connect France and Germany is huge! There have already been administrative miracles for the governments of both cities to agree to this march. Also, Strasbourg is the capital of the European Union. Please be praying with us as this day approaches that God's purposes with be accomplished and released as we walk and pray together for France, Germany and Europe!

We had a big party to celebrate my 'carte de sejour.' It was a great time and I was really honored by all of the people who came. I had David Leigh pop the first bottle of champagne because the Leigh family really opened the way for us Americans. Then David said to me while pointing out all the people who were there, "Did you imagine this a few years ago when you started the process to be here? Look at the fruit." Yes, I did tear up. God is so good.

I'm really proud of both of my youth worship groups, The Beans and JTDR. They have both made great progress in the last couple years both musically and in releasing the presence of God in worship. What an honor to work with such amazing young people! I am always thanking God for letting me work with my passions, youth and music!

Speaking of youth, one of the young women from the older group, the Beans, is currently in Russellville. Aurélie is staying with Carl and Becky and improving her English as well as helping out with a little Spanish translation and other bits and bobs. If you go to FOC you will probably see her. Feel free to say hi and show her good ole southern hospitality.

May and June are really busy and full of good stuff. I was looking at my calendar and realizing that I don't have a single weekend free between now and the end of June. phew! Here we go! It's going to be fun but I would appreciate prayers for strength and stamina.

I'm sure you've seen the leader of the IMF in the news recently. It's really shaken the French people I think. Please pray that God's will in this situation will be done and that only His fruit will last from this situation.

OK, a quick recap of prayer requests and that will be it for this blog.

~March for Jesus in Strasbourg this Saturday, May 21.
~strength and stamina for the next 2 months
~that God will have His way in the French peoples' hearts and minds through the situation with Strauss-Kahn

**some pics from the celebration...

~the men and Patricia and me
~Genviève, Jeanine, me and Manuela
~the limbo, conga style..it was a party after all ;)

Good News

The good news is that I now have my real 'carte de sejour' (visa) that will last for 3 years!!! It is an ID card like the cards that French citizens have. This has been a long time coming. I can't express the joy and relief that came Friday afternoon when I picked it up at the Mairie (Mayor's office). Nadine said to me, "this is an important moment." We had been waiting so long it was kind of normal to be there again but it was good to remember what a miracle it is. AND I didn't have to pay the additional $500 that had been listed in an official letter!! WOO HOO!!

As I am writing this I am listening to Kool & the Gang sing "Celebration." I thought it was appropriate blog-writing music today. There has been and there will be celebrating! Now we are praying for Rusty and Janet Richards to find there way forward in the visa process!! Do it again, Lord, more visa miracles!!

The 2 weeks with Carl and Becky Hudson were fantastic!! We saw a lot of France but more importantly they made some really good contacts and relationships with French friends. Wherever we went we enjoyed the favor of God. We prayed for friends in Paris and saw God release more destiny for two Korean young women. It was amazing to feel the presence of God in an Indian restaurant as we were surrounded by Buddhas and other gods and prayed for these two women. We heard a couple days later that there was already fruit from the prayer time! That is just one example of what God did during their time here. I was so blessed to share my new home with them and to see God strengthen the connections between Arkansas and France!!

On April 22-24th we will once again have the youth conference DTA (Deploie tes Ailes, 'Spread Your Wings'). We will have older youth who will be a part of the leadership team helping us to work with the younger youth. The conference is for ages 9-15 and always has a great impact on the young people. Please pray health, protection and the release of life and destiny for the youth. We want to see more young people set free to be who they are in Christ!

There will be a March for Jesus that starts in Strasbourg, France and ends in Germany on May 21st. Prayer walks are already good things but the fact that this will connect France and Germany is huge! There have already been administrative miracles for the governments of both cities to agree to this march. Also, Strasbourg is the capital of the European Union. Please be praying with us as this day approaches that God's purposes with be accomplished and released as we walk and pray together for France, Germany and Europe!

This is not as long as some blogs but the content is worth celebrating!! God is good and faithful! I pray that you are celebrating the big and little gifts and events that God brings to you.


**Pics at the top:
The fabulous four at the Eiffel Tower: me,Carl, Becky and Nadine
Carl and Becky sharing their testimonies at Joshua Church (Eglise Josué)

Gifts

I don't know...maybe we should call this blog 'procrastination' because I am finding everything to do before I prepare my teaching for THIS Friday for a worship conference. I'm really good at procrastinating...but I wouldn't call it a 'gift.' ;)

Gifts...

The thing I'm procrastinating preparing for is a gift. We are doing a youth worship conference this weekend with the 2 youth worship groups that I coach. We have a wonderful team of experienced worship team members and even better they are people who ARE worshipers 24/7. The youth that range in age from 14 to 18 are a gift. It is a joy and an honor to work with them, to be a part of their lives. We are looking to impart the benefit of our experience and more of God's heart of what worship is and who worshipers are as well as biblical foundation of worship.

I'm almost at the end of my visa journey. I went to the government appointed doctors visit a couple weeks ago. All checked out well and instead of being complicated and annoying it turned out to be a pleasant 2 days in Strasbourg with Géraldine and Nadine. Thanks, Father, for making this a fun experience. I wasn't expecting that!

The stamps to pay for the visa are purchased ($500 worth, yikes) and now I'm just waiting for the rest of the process to finish with the letter from the doctor going to the 'proper authorities' and then the final 'carte de sejour' to arrive. I take the stamps and I trade them for the carte. It won't be long now. It's been a couple years of inquiries and knocking on doors but it's almost done. Merci, Papa.

Still no hot water in my room or on my floor. It's been 2 months now. One gets creative. Thanks to my dear friends who have let me come and shower at will!! Another gift. And soon I will be saying thanks for hot water in MY room. Soon...

My dad had fairly good news from his doctor's visits at least no bad news. For this I am thankful, Jesus.

My relationships here in France are growing and really enriching my life. It really helps to make here my home. Thank you for Holy Spirit connections.

Carl and Becky Hudson are coming this Saturday to see me in France!!! They will be here for 2 weeks. I can't tell you how happy I am about this. They have been with me in this journey to France from the beginning when I wasn't even sure what God was calling me to do. And it will be SO good to have someone from home who is like family to come and see what my life is like in France. AND it will be fun to share new places, experiences and adventures with them. I know God will do another Spirit exchange between them and my French friends, each 'side' gaining something more of God. This is a HUGE gift in my life.

Thanks to all of you who support me and pray for me. I see the faithfulness of God through you, the body.

What are the gifts in your life? Is it people, places, things, the transformational power of God at work in your life? I would love to hear about the gifts in your life. Take a second and post a comment here.

And there I will stop and give a few prayer requests but I hope you remember the thankfulness as much as the requests!

Prayer requests:

~hot water! haha
~safe travel, health, God appointments and FUN for Carl and Becky on their trip!
~no hitches in the final process of the visa
~this weekend's youth worship conference. Please pray God has His way in and through all of us and that He release more of His Spirit in the youth (and the team).

**photos:
*My soeur(sister), Nadine and me, can't have a blog about gifts without including her!
*L to R Olivia, Angela and David Leigh, an American missionary family, the gift of people to speak American with, eat popcorn and watch movies in English and more !!

2011 Inaugural Blog

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions. I figure if I need a change in my life why wait for the beginning of a year to get started. I can't say that I seek God to tell me about the coming year either. I just try to stay plugged in to Him and I know He will let me know what I need to know. I may be missing some stuff just by not asking but that leaves the adventure of surprises. haha. So you won't find any deep insight from me on what I think the Lord is saying for 2011. I can, however, share what I sense and see is happening now.

Actually, the title of my last blog, 'A New Season,' sums it up for me. I think we have entered into a new season of what God is doing in the earth. It is a season of deep healing and deliverance. God is preparing His bride so that when the harvest is reaped we will be able to point them to the same healing and deliverance. It seems that things that once took a long time are now accomplished in a relatively short time. There is an acceleration. This season began in the autumn of 2010 in my opinion but my friend Nadine says she has noticed that since the beginning of the year there is an even greater acceleration in the Spirit and in the things of God. I know this: it is an exciting time to be alive and be a part of the history God is making.

Now on to the more newsy part of the blog. This Christmas was the best Christmas since my mom died in 1992. It was a great time on any scale. After a healing work God has done in me, I can say it's the first Christmas I've experienced without any sadness or sense of loss! It's a miracle! And it was better for my whole family. My sister said she was different this holiday season and her husband and family noticed. We sang and played guitars together and just really enjoyed being together. This is one of the best gifts ever for me and my family. I am so thankful for what God has done. I couldn't imagine it was possible to be healed and free at this level. God is good and faithful!

My three weeks in Arkansas were BUSY! It was a change from my other visits. It was the shortest return since I've been in France and I found trying to manage seeing people and getting personal business done in that time very challenging. I realized after returning to France that my expectations have to change and that my home base has truly changed. Russellville, AR will always be home in the sense that it's were I'm from and my roots but Guebwiller, France is now my home.

It was good to see many of you and to stay connected. We had the best turn out ever for the informational evening. We had the joy of praying for people for healing and that God release His call to the nations for many. Thanks so much for coming!!

That night we had a great team of Europeans and Americans. It's really more and more a representation of the Kingdom with many nations working together and it's no longer a one man/woman show. Working in team is the only way to go! That night we had 6 Swiss guests and 5 French. I was so blessed to have so many Europeans visiting us at FOC and it was obvious that God was making connections with many people in Russellville with the Europeans.

I just want to once again say a thanks to Rick and Terri George and Carl and Becky Hudson for opening up their homes and especially their LIVES to host the nations, the family of God.

Things are going well on the school and church level here. We are putting together a youth worship seminar for the 4th and 5th of March. I would really appreciate your prayers for this. This is an idea that came to me from our worship conferences that we had years ago at FOC. That period in my life really gave me a firm foundation of worship both biblically and practically. We want to instill a firm foundation in the youth here too. This time we are looking to target the youth that I work with on a regular basis in the worship bands. However, in the future the idea is to open it up to more people. We know that it's not just the musicians who are worshipers but we His children are called to be worshipers. Worship is a lifestyle. We have a wonderful team working together to really impart into, train and release the youth. Please pray that we find the right mix of teaching and doing, that the youth's hearts will be ready to receive and most of all the heart of God for this two day seminar.

Visa news: I shared this at the meeting and I think by email but just in case you haven't heard the latest I will share the progress on my visa which is called at this point a 'carte de sejour.' I have a temporary 'carte de sejour.' The permanent one should arrive in February! It will last for 3 years! All good news. However, upon receiving the temporary carte I discovered that it is very specific in what area I can work. I was expecting simply permission to work in France. This does give me the right to work BUT only with the school, Collège Daniel, where I am now a volunteer. The school can not afford to pay me. So I am still very much dependent on the gifts and regular giving of my friends who support me. I am still praying about ways to make money in France. Please pray with me. It is obvious that God has given me this 'carte de sejour' and this status. It is nothing short of a miracle. I know He will give us creative ideas on how to earn money.

This brings me to another new development that I think most of you are aware of. FOC has changed their missions giving policy. They choose how to disperse the funds given in the missions offering at FOC. So if you have given each month in the offering at FOC for me it is no longer going to come directly to me. They have a set amount they will give me and after that the rest will be divided amongst the other missions groups. I simply cannot live on the amount they have allocated for me. Please make plans to send your gifts to Becky or Carl Hudson or you can hand it to them at church. You can make the checks payable to Alana Smith. We are also looking into getting a non-profit status for me but an accountant told me that might be difficult for me. So, I'm sorry to say your gifts will not be tax-deductible unless I can get this status.
If you need more information please email me or leave a comment here and I'll get in touch with you.

GOOD NEWS! Carl and Becky are making plans to come and see me for 2 weeks in March! I am so excited! They have been walking with me, supporting me, pastoring me since before I even left for France the first time. It is such a God thing that they should be the first to come and visit me in Guebwiller. They are not just coming to visit me however. They will get to see Emilie and her family. We will make a trip to Nadine's hometown so they can meet her family and see Arnaud, the young man who has been staying with them for the month of January. We will also visit our Swiss friends that they met in Russellville. They have already sown into the French and Swiss even before setting foot on the continent! They too live by faith and God has provided for their plane tickets and passports. Now we are trusting Him to provide for the rest of the trip. Pray that God divinely organizes and has His way during their visit here and that more 'God-connections' will be made.

Man, now that I've talked your ears off...haha. Well, that's what happens when you go 2 months without writing. I want to wish you all a wonderful year full of GOD and Kingdom stuff. I will bullet point the prayer requests at the bottom and tell you about the pics at the top.

Until the next blog...may your hearts be full of the peace and riches of our Jesus.

prayer requests:

~for the youth worship seminar March 4-5: Please pray that we find the right mix of teaching and doing, that the youth's hearts will be ready to receive and most of all the heart of God for this two day seminar.

~Finances: that my regular supporters will be able to pick up the new habit of giving by sending it to the Hudsons and that God will make it clear what can be done here in France to earn money.

~Carl and Becky's trip in March: Pray that God divinely organizes, provides and has His way during their visit here and that more 'God-connections' will be made.

**Pictured above:

~Playing guitar with my nephew, Clayton, and my dad. It was so much fun.

~The crew of Swiss and French in Russellville. We had a blast too!

A New Season

Well, I miss-named the last blog with the incorrect date and I noticed that the date is given above the title anyway, so how about real titles? A new season...It really is a new season in my life. God has just done some major healing and adjustments in my heart and soul. I am so thankful the process is over but I'm even more thankful for the fruit of peace and righteousness. God is so good to us that He doesn't leave us at I'm ok or even I'm good but He wants to bring us to a place of more freedom and life. Thank you, God, for your faithfulness!

The heat is back on in the chateau!! Thanks to all of you who prayed. It's been back on on my floor for about 2 weeks now. They started at the bottom and worked their way up.

I have no news on my 'carte de Sejour' since the last blog. It is in process and I am still waiting on a letter so I can make a doctor's appointment to move on to the next step. Please continue to pray that the process doesn't get bogged down or blocked. I'm not worried. Apparently, these things always take time but it would be nice to have a word to know that things are moving and all is well. Please also continue to pray for provision to pay the $300-$400 doctor's fee.

We had a prophetic youth conference the first weekend in November at Joshua Church for ages 9-15 called Deploie tes ailes (spread your wings). The first DTA was in April 2010 and was powerful and exciting. This DTA was also powerful but with a much different flavor. It was a quieter, deeper time with God. I think many of the young people were able to make a real connection with God and several dedicated there lives to Jesus for the first time or rededicated their lives. It is such an honor to be a part of what God is doing to raise up a generation for His Kingdom and because of His love.

There are some new Americans in town, Rusty and Janet Richards. The Americanization of Guebwiller has begun! Even my French friend, Nadine, is becoming more and more American! I'm finding it more difficult to find people to speak French with. OK, so I'm kidding, mostly... It is true, however, that the link with the States is being strengthened. Rusty and Janet bring a real maturity and new dimension in the spirit with them. They have a call not just to France but to Europe. I'm looking forward to knowing them better and watching what God is up to.

Just a little personal note: I've taken up the guitar. Who'd have ever thought!? Not me. Anyway, it's been fun and I've even got the callouses to prove I've been practicing. I wanted a way to have personal worship time in my room without having to hunt down a keyboard, etc, and it's difficult to sing and play the trumpet at the same time as you can imagine. It really has been a helpful way to worship whenever I want and it's just fun to learn something new.

My music groups and English lessons at the school are going well. I have added two more hours of English tutoring to my schedule and I will add one more music group. It is always rewarding as a teacher to be able to help students 'get it.'

It has been a season to be around home and sow here and now the next several weeks will be a time to go out and invest. In early 2010 God dropped it into my spirit one day out of the blue that when an opportunity to go to Greece presented itself to take it. Well, an opportunity has presented itself and I'm gonna take it. The opportunity is coming through the connection that the Richards have in Europe. They were invited with Emilie Pierre-Elien to go for a conference in Greece and now that team also includes Nadine and me. That will be the first weekend in December. Needless to say, I'm a little excited. What could be waiting that God would give me a heads-up several months in advance?

In a couple days I will be headed to Toulouse to visit one of my friends from language school, Katie. I am looking forward to time with her as always and it looks like I will have opportunity to meet and spend time with some of her friends that are hungry for more of the things of the Spirit. Then I will spend several days in Nîme, Nadine's hometown. Nadine has already arranged one meeting with a group of intercessors and she expects God has plans for more. I am so excited to get into France and see more of the country and what God is doing in other places. I feel this week is about relationship and sharing 'the normal Christian life' of an open Heaven with others. Not to mention that it will be warmer in the south...

Then I am hoping to get away to see my dear Korean friend, Deborah, in Paris for a few days. Again in sharing life I hope to be an encouragement to Deborah who is a young Asian woman tackling a western culture and going to university in French and English. She is reaching out to the Parisians who are not known to be warm and welcoming. I admire her courage and persistence. Please pray for God to open doors and hearts to Deborah. And please pray that God strengthens her daily and the other missionaries who pour out daily in spiritually difficult Paris. They need all the air support they can get.

And then it will be time to head to Arkansas for Christmas!! I'm already excited about seeing family and friends and welcoming French AND Swiss friends over the holidays!! That's right, folks, Russellville will be welcoming several Europeans for the holidays!!!!!! I'm so excited for the connections God is making!!

OK, let's rap this up with the prayer requests. Thanks as always for reading and praying. May the riches of Our Heavenly Father pour out in every area of your lives!!

The requests:

~Provision for: -the docotor's appointment and carte de sejour -travel expenses over the next month

~continued good health in the busy weeks to come

~That God's will be done through relationships and times of sharing, praying, and "ministry"

~God is on the move in France. Please continue to pray into the spiritual atmosphere that it will open more and more and that society and culture will be transformed by the love, presence and power of God!!!

Really I want to end with PRAISE. God has healed and transformed me, given me a home and a family in a strange land and has sent me from a home that is a firm foundation. He's given me a life full of adventure and Kingdom life. I am truly one of the most blessed people on earth because of Him.


**Just a few members of my French family.
Left: Maman Huguette and me. Please continue to pray for her complete healing!!
Right: The sisters Pierre-Elien, my little sisters, L to R Elisabeth and Emilie

12 October

The trees are beginning to turn here and it is really beautiful. I love autumn! I have to admit though I REALLY miss football games and MARCHING BAND!! When the air turns cool and crisp I want to head out to the game.

One of the recent highlights for me is that my friend Ruth came to visit from England. We had a great time and got to explore Alsace together. The picture is of Ruth and me when we visited Riquewihr. We saw some wonderful little villages and ate a lot of Alsatian food. Ruth and Ralph were my hosts when I lived in England in 97-98 and have been good friends since that time. It was such a blessing to have Ruth come and see where I am and what I'm doing. We spent time praying for Ruth and Ralph as well and she was encouraged I think. Ralph is not able to travel anymore because of a serious health condition. Please pray for Ralph's healing and the continued strength and grace of God for them both.

I am happy to report that I have now filled out all the paperwork to get my 'carte de sejour' in process. Now I am waiting to hear from the prefecture that it is all ok and that I need to make an appointment for my medical exam (which will cost between $300-$400, this is a financial need). I am thankful that the lady at the Mairie here was very friendly and helpful. Hopefully, the other offices that I visit will have people who are as helpful as she was. So, it will still be a while before I have my 'carte de sejour' but at least the process has begun!

Unfortunately, the heat is still not working in the chateau. However, I have learned that a part has been ordered and they are waiting for it to come in. Then they will have to run water through all of the radiators and see if it works. Please keep praying that it all gets up and running soon.

Most of my classes and music groups are in place now. Things are starting to take shape. I am still asking God how to use my time and where to invest as well as for Him to bring me the English or music lessons I can teach and earn money with. I find there is always something to do and I don't have a lot of free time. However, I want to be intentional with my time and energy.

It is really a challenging season here in the church. God is pouring out more of Himself and in that it brings our humanness to the surface. Please pray for the leaders and the people of Joshua Church that we can press into God and prepare ourselves for the fullness of what God wants to do in us and through us in our region at this time.

Please continue to pray for the Hufschmitt family, especially the parents who have lost their son.

We are seeing more healing in the church and people praying for others outside of church and seeing them healed and touched. Aslan is on the move!! I am so encouraged to hear testimonies of people living the 'normal Christian life' everyday and affecting the world around them. Our corporate hunger and expectation is growing! These are exciting times.

It is really a good season for me. I feel truly at home here. God has given me good relationships that feed and encourage me. I am able to use the tools God has put in my hands and see fruit. And I am full of expectation for what God is doing here and for what is coming from Heaven for France and Europe. It is a good time to be alive and a part of the Kingdom of God!!

It seems this blog has been mostly newsy but you see a little of my heart in it too I hope. I will leave you guys by just summing up once more the prayer requests. Thanks as always for reading and praying! You guys are the essential support group that every missionary needs!

Prayer requests:

~God's will be done in love and grace in the leaders and people of Joshua church.

~Heat for the chateau!

~the Hufschmitt family in their time of grief.

~Healing and favor for Ralph and Ruth

~That God show me clearly where to invest my time and energy.

~That the 'carte de sejour' process continue without problems and in a timely manner and provision for the doctors visit.

~For more of God's presence and transforming power to be poured out here and in France!!

11 September

I'm looking at the calendar and wondering how it's possible that I've already been here 3 weeks. Then again, in some ways, it feels longer. The passing of time is a strange thing isn't it...

It's a beautiful September day in Alsace. I'm enjoying sitting by the open window while writing. I just need to get this done and get out into the sunshine!

I wish all of my news was as happy as the weather report. Many of you have heard about the suicide of a young man, 20, from the church here. I don't need to tell you that it was a tragic event that has greatly effected the church family here. Please remember the Hufschmitt family in this time of grief. Luc Bussière, the pastor, gave a truthful, hopeful and encouraging message at the funeral. Choose life was the message the parents shared. As only God can do, life will come from death.
I am close to the oldest daughter of this family, Aurélie. She has been in one of my worship groups. She is now in Mexico doing a 3 month Christian training course, receiving more of the life of God. The mom has asked me to spend time with their twin daughters to give them an opportunity to talk and share. I am honored. Please pray that I can be a help to this family in whatever way God wants to use me.

On the visa front...Yes, that's right folks the visa journey is not over yet. Well, technically, the visa part is over. Now I will use my visa to ask for a 'carte de sejour' which is the name of the French document that will give me the right to live and work in France. The visa was the hardest part but I am not finished until I have the carte de sejour. I went yesterday to the local government office, the 'Mairie', to ask for my papers. The lady was very nice but needed to ask more questions before we proceed. I will go back Monday afternoon and see where to go for the next step. There will be another government office to go to the 'sous-prefecture' and then a doctors visit, more money to pay and then when it's all in process it could be up to 4-6 months before I actually receive my carte de sejour. However, I will have a paper saying it's in process that will allow me to stay in the country until I get the official carte de sejour. It also means that it will be a while longer before I can earn money in France. Oh yes, I will possibly have to have documents, like my birth certificate, translated or updated. All doable. Just lots to do. Fortunately, my friend Nadine has been here to help me through all of these steps, making sure I don't miss any details and getting me where I need to go. Luc has also been great to get me the documents I need from here. Thank God for His provision in all things.

I have been slowly getting my groups started again and talking to the school administration about what my role will be at College Daniel this year. Some things are in the air until I get my carte de sejour in process and have a better idea of how I can arrange my schedule. I am excited about a new school year and what it will bring.

A major prayer request for the school and inhabitants of the chateau is that the boiler that provides the heat and hot water is broken. It is ancient and probably has breathed its last. Over the summer one of the family's had work done on their plumbing and because of a mistake in hooking the pipes back up the rest of the chateau has hot water. This is good for the others but sharing hot water with a school and several other inhabitants is, well you get the idea. They quickly run out of hot water. Cool autumn weather will be quickly on us. Attempts by the handy man have failed to get the heating going again. We definitely need the provision of God in this area.

I spent my first birthday here in Guebwiller. I was the recipient of a large steak (Emilie remembered my American love for beef!), beautiful flowers, and a lovely surprise party with friends. I felt known and loved. It's a good feeling as I start my third year in France and my second in Guebwiller.

Tomorrow, Sunday, Nadine will share a message and then Emilie and I will add testimonies about our time together in Arkansas and all that we saw God do. Then we will have a time to pray for anyone who wants prayer. I'm excited to see what God wants to do and how He wants to love His people.

Prayer requests: Please pray that...

~The Hufschmitt family as they grieve the loss of their son, Pierre Daniel.
~That I and our church family can be an encouragement to the Hufschmitt family.

~That the process for the carte de sejour go smoothly and quickly.

~That God will provide for a unit to heat and provide hot water for the chateau. (BEFORE THE COLD WEATHER GETS HERE!)

~That God will show up tomorrow as we share and pray for people. We want to see more miracles and people experiencing the love of God. We want to see more of the normal Christian life!