Maybe not so glamorous...

We're a week and a half in friends. But, it doesn't feel that short....I feel like my brain has almost joined together the time here two years ago to this move. So, at times, it's definitely a deja vu moment, but then it's completely different because it's two years later.  It's a weird feeling to say the least.

Some praises for the week:
1) We (the girls) JUST got our bank accounts woohoo! We can officially get our cellphone plans and pay rent (gah- poor city here we come) and FINALLY start to "settle" into what our new "normal" will look like...I put that in quotations because let's be honest- is there a normal in ministry!? I think not.
2) We survived our first round of JEP (planning). It was a great time, but exhausting because the team speaks in french first then translates to english because they want us to learn the language. So, naturally, we all pay really close attention to the french. It get's tiring after a while, and discussing big topics- it just is a lot. But, it was getting easier by the third day to pick up on some french.. leading into....
3) We took our placement tests at the french school! Our ICS adminie person popped it on us...that was fun. Felt my heart skip a beat and revert back to school panic mode. So, the placement test basically a pop quiz, and I got placed right above beginner.  Hopefully, the rust can be shaken off, and I can accelerate quickly. Pray for that :)

I feel like there's so much I want to say, and it will come. But, know an update letter is coming out Monday- if you want on- message me your email!

But, I want to spend a little time on realities.  I feel like on facebook everyone keeps saying Oh I'm so jealous, Oh this, oh that. I feel like I should step in to warn you of the realities of life in Paris! Yes, don't get me wrong it's a blessing and an incredibility historic city which is just beyond my comprehension really! The architexture is beautiful. And it does have its natural charm because it's Paris. But, it's also not totally as glamorous as it seems :)

We're heading into fall/winter. That means the sun is nearly never out. It rains constantly. The weather is completely bi-polar- chilly to freezing. So, it is distinctly possible for Paris is be gloomy. Welcome to the gloom. I'm going to end up breaking my conditioning of rainy day=a nap because that would have meant that every day this week would have warranted a good nap..

I've already been caught with the wrong shoes on for rain leading to walking a good mile or more in sopping wet flats when it felt about 50 outside- mind you- not a sunny 50.

We've bought umbrellas, but then you have to learn how to navigate the crowded streets. I'm calling it Umbrella manners- you go up, I'll go down, you tilt left, I'll tilt right, and everyone say "Pardon" constantly.  Pretty darn comical, until its a mass heard of people headed you're way....

Also, the rain leads to more people on the metro. I've learned that no matter how cold it is outside- the metro will ALWAYS be boiling hot and filled with way to many people even though the trains come ever 2 minutes.

I guess the last thing is the fact that we walk. everywhere. In theory, it sounds GREAT, but in reality I have a callus forming on a toe that must be close to a nerve. Thus, half of my big toe is now numb to touch! I guess all the walking does cause the Parisians to loose feeling in their feet! So, when you see pictures of women strutting their stuff in stilettos on the cobble streets of Paris- just know- her feet are paying the very high price. And if you visit- don't think you can copy! You'll be a cripple in a matter of hours...gotta build up the muscles and endurance!

Alas though, there are still those Parisian moments when you see Notre Dame looming out of the rooftops and it takes your breath away. Or, you step into a patisserie to get a little "goûte" to tide you over till dinner.  Or, when someone speaks to you in French, and you actually kinda of catch what they say causing an inner victory dance. Or, you go on walking tour of places where God moved powerfully in the early Catholic church up to the Reformation and the protestant movement, and you realize you're apart of this rich history. 

And that makes it all worth it.  I'm not here to set the next fashion trend or live in a "glamorous" city, but here because God wants me, of all people, to be apart of the history of Christianity in this great city.  Next time I'm slopping around in the wrong flats, I just gotta laugh and remind myself that it's all apart of bringing light to the City of lights..

Needless to say, I have great expectations for this coming year, for what God's going to do, but also what other ridiculous quirks will arise from this city.