26 April

So much has happened this month. I will do my best to remember all the highlights.

I have enjoyed teaching English. Beckie returns this week and will take her classes back. It has been interesting to communicate in English with the students after I've worked so hard to be able to communicate in French. It was a little odd at first but a lot of fun. I also got to work with Olivia Leigh, the daughter of American missionaries here. She is completely bilingual. We explored American literature in reading 'To Kill A Mockingbird,' one of my favorite books. We have also looked at just a little poetry and I've had the pleasure of getting some good writing assignments out of her. She is talented. Keep an eye out for her stories in the future.

One of the highlights of the year was 'Deploie tes ailes' (spread your wings), the youth seminar we had over a the weekend of the 9-11th of April. During the treasure hunt over 20 people were prayed for within an hour, one man received Jesus as savior, one woman was the treasure of two different teams, one man was found and God had given us his name. The kids were pumped at the joy of hearing and obeying God and then seeing what happened. The youth were prophesied over during the weekend and all had the opportunity to prophesy over others. It was amazing. Four of the older youth ended up praying and prophesying over the team of adults for 3 hours straight! It was like rapid fire prophesy in team. I've never seen anything quite like it. They were red hot and right on! The most amazing thing from the weekend was the lives that were transformed, TRANSFORMED. I could see the difference the second day in a couple of young ladies. I see them at school and church now and they are still new creations, delivered, healed and released! PRAISE GOD, our loving Father!! Thank you to all of you who prayed for us during that seminar. The power and presence of God came and changed us all!

Did you hear about the volcano in Iceland and the ash cloud that disrupted air travel in Europe? Well, I haven't made it to England yet for a visit. That should happen next week. I am looking forward to seeing my friends and getting some rest. Things are getting back to normal as far as travel goes, however, I'm sure it will be a while before the back-log and financial difficulties are overcome in Europe.

My friend Katie Berry came for a visit for a few days. We had perfect spring weather and took advantage of it. She also came to my English classes as an added point of interest in English conversation.

The music groups are coming right along and I have more students asking for lessons. It is always rewarding to see progress and enthusiasm in the students.

Pierre-Daniel Martin, a French prophet, came and did a seminar last week with the school and church. He had encouraging words for the spiritual future of France. France has a strong prophetic call as a nation. I am excited to see what God is about to do in this nation and in Europe. He also had many clear and encouraging words for the people here. I had never met him and he said to me that he saw that I had closed a door and made a turn in my life and that it was right, which was confirmation for me. He is a man full of grace, love and humility. It is a joy to see ministers of Christ who care for the body like that.

I am happy to report that my dad was able to sell our family home quickly and at a price that was more than he had asked for it! God is so faithful! This is just another blessing for my family and more proof for me that my place is in France.

I want to end this blog with praise. God has added to me good friends, given me the opportunity to teach and work with young people, given me a beautiful place to live, given me a church were I can worship, grow and serve, and He continually loves on me. I am a blessed woman.

Thanks to all of you who are a part of my life. Knowing you makes my life richer.


**The pic at the top is from the making of the short film that I talked about in my last blog. It is finished and I look forward to seeing it.

April 2

I have good news to report. It's taken me a week to get to this...but we're not really surprised are we.

I want to start by reporting the good news from a friend. The lady who leads our intercession group, Huguette, has suffered for years with pain in her back and hip. She has walked with a cane for a long time and many times has been stuck at home because of the pain and danger of falling. She is in Mexico with 10 others from Eglise Josué doing the Master Builders training. We had news from her 2 days ago that God had started working in her hip and she was walking without the cane!!!!! PRAISE GOD!! I can't express the joy I feel knowing this wonderful lady is being healed.

Last Saturday night I shared my testimony at church in French. It was the first time I had shared my testimony in French to an all French crowd. Thanks so much to those of you who prayed. The Holy Spirit helped me and it went well. It wasn't a struggle at all. I shared about how God delivered me from depression and afterward asked for people to come forward for prayer if they needed deliverance from something. Many responded and we had a long time of ministry that followed.

That same church service was packed with the presence of God. My part was at the end and we had already seen God move powerfully. The worship time was anointed and many responded to drawing closer to God. Then the youth shared about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, followed by praying for the youth to receive the baptism. There were many youth who came forward and I hear they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues!! What a night! We started at 7 and we were leaving there at 11:15! I love it when God shows up!

The school is making a short film for a festival here in Guebwiller and I've been asked to help with the music or soundtrack for the project. I asked one of my youth band leaders who writes songs to compose a song for it. Mattias got right to it and created a great rock type song. We spent Wednesday afternoon and David and Emilie continued on Thursday evening recording it. David Leigh is putting his knowledge and creativity to bringing it all together. I'm excited to hear the finished project and see how it works with the film. I also gave some more classically styled music composed by Stephan Haffner, one of the men in our church, to the man who is doing the film. It's great to be surrounded by such talent. Basically, I've just asked my resources to donate their time and talent and I'm watching it unfold. It's great that the music can also be a part of the school. Thanks to all who have given of themselves to put music to this project!

We have Easter break for 2 weeks now. The English classes I have been teaching are going really well. I enjoy the time with the students and being in the classroom. We had a prayer time with the oldest class yesterday because it was my last day with them. It was a rich time and at the end they prayed for me. I am blessed, what amazing young people. Their hearts are true and their testimonies are powerful!

prayer requests :
~College Daniel and Eglise Josué are still in need of God's provision!! Please keep praying that the blockages will be removed and God's generosity will flow.
~The safe return of our team from Mexico next week.
~There are no new developments with the visa. I do know my next step will be talking to the nearby prefecture. Please continue to pray I know God's perfect timing to talk to the right person at the right time and that the visa will come miraculously.

I am full of hope and joy!! Thanks for your continued prayers, support and love.

**The pic at the top is of me working with my youngest music group the 5eme (7th grade). We have a pianist, 2 flutes, a violin, a recorder and several singers.

5 March

Ummm....where to begin? Well, I think I will begin with the practical and prayer requests. We all know it will roll into one anyway...

Things are starting to be clearer on the visa front. I said clearer, not faster. I have talked about this in detail in my newsletter. Maybe I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep praying!

I have mentioned the school that I am a volunteer with, College-Daniel. It is one of the few Christian schools in Europe. They rely largely on donations to function. Right now there is a need for donations to cover salaries as well as to prepare for work teams that will come this summer to finish the new classrooms. Please pray God's abundant provision to be poured out so that Christian education can continue in France. As American's we don't realize the value of having Christian thought as a foundation in our nation. It is essential to raising up Christian's in France that will transform their society for God. Here is the school's website if you would like to have a look around.
http://www.college-daniel.org/

There is a group of leaders from Eglise Josué, my church here, that will be going to Mexico to do a training course called Master Builders. They will be gone for 3 weeks. One of the English teachers here, Beckie, will be going with them and I will be taking her English classes. Please pray for these leaders that God will fill them with everything He has planned for them in this time. Also, please pray for safety for them and God's protection for their families and the church family while they are away. You can pray for me that God just gives me grace in taking the English classes in addition to my music groups. I have to say I'm looking forward to more classroom time.

Saturday the 27th of February, we had a 12 hour Tabernacle, which is a worship event. My youngest group, the 8th and 9th graders, lead worship for the first time with me as their coach. It went really well. We made a lot of progress in our 9 hours of practice over the school holidays. My older group also led worship that day and did a great job. Then on Monday I started a new group with 7th graders taking them for half of their general music class. There are 12 in that group. I am excited to have so many young people interested in WORSHIP as well as music. It is such a blessing for me to be able to teach music and worship together. Please pray for these groups that God continues to grow them in technique, but most of all that He leads them in His ways and that I have wisdom in how to instruct them and lead them into His presence.

One of the highlights for me at the Tabernacle was a time when a worship group from Germany was leading worship. They had the French and German youth join hands and sing together (in German) "Father, Father, thine is the kingdom." OK, now think about the history of France and Germany and read that again. Two nations, once at each others throats singing that it's God's Kingdom reigns, not the kingdom of France or Germany. Powerful.
**This is the pic at the top.**

For me personally, I am rediscovering music as worship. OK, I know you're thinking, but you're a music teacher...Music has been my job and my passion. I am a worshiper. Somewhere along the way I've forgotten the freedom of expressing my heart without words. God has lovingly reminded me. I have had some sweet times just playing for God and me the last couple of days. I feel something is reawakening and something new is being birthed. This is for life, but I also see the value as I am imparting into these amazing young people a heart for worship. Please pray God has His way in me and through me.

And to top off all this activity I have had 3 special guests in the last few weeks, dear friends that I met during my year of language school. What a blessing to get to spend time with them and to share my new home with them.

17 February

Sorry it has been so long since I've written. It's just been a period of time when I couldn't get to writing or had no motivation. I was sick with a fairly strong cold for a while, but we all know tis the season. And life has been offering it's challenges.

I could definitely use prayer for my spirit and emotions as well as physical health. I had a few days of feeling off balance. It's a natural occurrence I'm sure when one moves to a new culture and attempts to build a new life. Now I am feeling more at ease. Then this week I experienced intense feelings of loneliness. Everyone has a bad day from time to time and I wasn't too worried. However, when day 3 of the intense emotions came around I finally clued in that this was more than just a normal cycle of loneliness. I asked a friend to pray for me and she discerned a spirit of loneliness and a lying spirit. I was buying old lies. Amazing how after all the freedom God has given me I can still listen to the old lies. The good news is the prayer worked. The spirit is gone and I am back to myself. It did leave me physically exhausted however and I am getting my strength back, grâce à Dieu. I would really appreciate prayer for spiritual protection and discernment as well as physical strength. Also, could you continue to pray that God help me adjust to a new home, new culture, and new relationships.

I have no new news on the visa. Things seem to point back to Houston to get the ball rolling. I will check into going to a French embassy in London as my last option before pursuing having to return to the States. I still need guidance and wisdom on God's timing and when I should be in the States and when to make sure I'm in France.

The picture of the group above is the younger worship group I am working with. They are 8th and 9th graders. The name of the group is 'JTDR' which is texting lingo in French for Je t'adore, I adore (love) you in English and is aimed at God. As you can see they are a lot of fun to work with. They have a lot of talent and great hearts for God. One of the great joys and honors I have the pleasure of being a part of. L to R Mattias, Benjamin, Noémie, Barbara, Me, Olivia
There are a couple people missing too: Pauline, Victoria

Also, this is a picture of a Celtic monastery at Murbach. I love that the Celtic missionaries created a school and center of learning and worship in the 1100's. What a heritage!

26 January

Here's the latest, folks. The job that was so promising has not come through because of the visa issue. My hope was that the company would help me with the process, but they replied that I needed my papers first in order to work for them. So, I'm in the same place. The next step is to find another way to go at this. I will have a visa. It is clear God wants me here. It's just a matter of figuring out how to go about it. Please keep praying.

I was sick a few days last week and have found it difficult to get my strength and energy back. The good news is that I was never very sick and I'm functioning ok. I would really like to be back to top form. I think it's the combo of readjusting to French time and the virus. I'm definitely doing better and getting stronger. Please just pray that God renews my strength and my body gets completely sorted out.

There has been a situation here at the school this week that has caused a lot of emotional pain for students and teachers. God seems to be bringing about a change, but as pouring new wine into old wineskins causes problems, there seems to be resistance in the 'structure' of the school. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort the students and teachers and that God's will and purpose be done in this situation.

I am getting back into life in the school and teaching music groups as well as working with the church. While I know that God has me in these things and it is fulfilling, I was looking forward to working with non-Christians in the workplace. I'm sure that will still happen someday. So, I am waiting on the timing of God and still seeking His face about timing and direction. Please pray God continues to reveal Himself and make the way clear before me.

If you haven't heard, my suitcase came back to me at the end of last week! Everything was in it. It is so nice to have my things and new clothes too. God is so generous!

Thanks to all of you for your prayers. I am always so grateful to know you are thinking of me and lifting me up to the Father.

**Pics above are:
My lovely English friend, Beckie, who lives on the same floor as me. We are English speaking buddies. She is a great singer and worship leader and is a big part of the oldest worship group I work with...and a great personal shopper, I might add. This pic was taken at the Pierre-Elien's home. You can see a little of the kitchen in the background. This is significant because we are in their home daily eating their food. =)

The A-team! This is the intercession team for Eglise Josué. These ladies get it done in the Spirit and prayer. This pic was taken at Huguette's home where we meet to pray each Thursday morning. l to r: Anne, Genvieve, Huguette, Marie-Christine

January 13

I have returned to a winter wonderland. I had a safe and uneventful trip back to Guebwiller. The only problem is a bag that didn't make it with me. The biggest issue with that is that I have an interview Friday and my clothes for the interview are in that bag. I called today and the airport is closed because of the snow. So it looks like I will need to go shopping to get interview clothes unless the airport reopens later today. The good news is that I made it back before the snow closed the airport! Thanks, God.

Please be praying for me for this Friday as I go to interview for a job to teach English. I am feeling well, but it always takes several days to get over jet lag. I am giving myself grace as I get back into speaking French, but I need to be up to speed, my speed anyway, for Friday.

I had a great visit in Arkansas with family and friends. Thanks to all of you who took time for me. My informational night was a wonderful time. I am always encouraged by the support and interest you show. It is always a good time of worship and prayer together. A young man from church saw the announcement in the bulletin at church and just showed up and God spoke some amazing things to him! He is looking to go to the nations and God planted some seeds in him that evening.

It is good to be back in France. I feel at home here. God has really transformed my heart. It is always difficult to say goodbye. I always remember just how rich in relationship I am after being at home in Arkansas. It is never easy to leave such precious people. But in God's graciousness I returned to people in France who love me and took me right back in to share life with me. God is so faithful.

**The pic at the top is a view from my window of snowy Guebwiller.

29 December

It's the end of 2009. It's been a year of difficult challenges and great joy for me. It started with the wedding of a dear friend and a lot of language study. The spring was a season of dying to self...not easy. The summer was a time of rest and restoration. September brought more schooling only in English this time. The fall was a time to find direction and get connected to France. I am amazed as always to see how God has transformed me and prepared me for this season in my life. He is faithful.

I want to start out by saying thanks. I will repeat what I said in my newsletter:
I want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who pray for me and have supported me financially this year. It has been a fruitful year and it is only possible because the body of Christ has been working together. I also want to say a big thank you to those of you who have given of yourself by: laughing with me, crying with me, keeping me in your home, feeding me (this is no small task ;), taking me to the airport and/or train station...and back again, teaching me a new language/culture, helping me prepare a CV in French, answering all my questions (again no small task), helping me organize my new life in France, sending me out with love and purpose, receiving and adopting me in a strange land so that it is no longer foreign but home. You know who you are. You know what you've done. I am grateful to God for all of you reading this email. Thanks to God for His people, His family, and His Kingdom.

I will have my first job interview in France on January the 15th in Colmar, which is about a 20 minute drive from Guebwiller where I live. It is with a company that teaches English both in their offices and they give classes at different businesses. Please pray that if this is the job God has for me that I will have favor with the employer. Also, please pray that I will be at my best with French. It will be just a few short days after returning to France and jet lag could be an issue. Also, if I get this job I will need a car to get to and from work. I don't know if they will hire me without already having working papers (a work visa). All of these are also prayer requests and questions that need to be answered. I am full of faith, however, that if this is what God wants for me He will provide these things.

If God does provide this job or one like it, I will need to have wisdom on what to do with the youth that I have been working with. I really feel that the music groups and projects we have started are important and I don't want to have to abandon them completely. I just need God's wisdom on where to invest and what His priorities are.

Please continue to pray that God will bring the right connections and direction on obtaining the right kind of visa, whether it's through a job with a language school or some way the Christian school I am working with could help me get one, or another solution I have not seen yet.

It is time to do taxes. I know...happy thought. I am going to get them filed while I am here. I will have to pay taxes. Please pray that what I owe will be manageable and that God will provide, as He always does.

We will be having an informational night on Saturday, January 2, at FOC in Russellville. If you are in the area and free that evening I hope you can stop by. There will be goodies to eat as well as the usual photos and stories and worship led by Andy Moore.

Here's what I see for 2010:

God has begun rooting me to France. I see 2010 as a year to continue to be established in the French language as well as culture. I am very happy in Guebwiller volunteering with Eglise Josué and with College Daniel. It is with joy that I see how God is taking my teaching and music experience and putting them to use with the church and school in Guebwiller. I plan on staying in Guebwiller for at least the next year. God has given me a French family and good friends. All of this just confirms to me that I am in God's will and following His plan for me. Oh what a feeling !!

I will continue to seek God's face and look for ways to get a visa and a job. I now have a resume in French and feel prepared to continue looking for jobs if my first interview doesn't work out. My goal is still to look to make a living in France so that I won't always be supported by friends and family in the States.

I leave for France on January 11. It has been good to see many of you while I've been in Arkansas. I look forward to more time with you before I return.

Happy New Year to you all! May God richly bless you now and always.


**The pic at the top is from my sister's house in Oklahoma. We had 14" of snow! It was a beautiful white Christmas. Only the 2nd white Christmas I ever remember having.