I've been humming the tune to "bad day" lol and no it's not because it's Friday the 13th. Yesterday was one of those days where I wished multiple times I could have a redo, or rather just forget it happened... It started with the dreaded realization that either my alarm clock is not working correctly or I slept right through it because I'm late for work! Thankfully wasn't too late and the Cole's were very kind; and everyone still made it to their classes etc. I was feeling pretty okay about my last French class, ready to get my final exam over with. I wasn't too nervous and my Tuesday night exam had went rather well I felt like. But this one... We started out having to read a dialog between two people and then there were 3 pages of questions to answer. Then my teacher wrote 4 words, under 2 categories and we were supposed to conjugate the verbs in different ways and I don't know what happened but I totally blanked... and when I told her I didn't understand she explained again (everything is totally in French keep in mind) and by this point I had gotten pretty nervous and a little upset, AND everyone in the class had finished and left except for me and 2 guys. So by the time I finally kind of understood what I was supposed to be writing on my blank piece of paper I didn't get very far before she came over and told us an hour was enough and we were done :( All week I'd been telling myself it wasn't a huge deal so I was surprised at how upset I felt about the whole thing. My teacher seemed frustrated and disappointed, and I was frustrated and disappointed.. And I was upset that I was going to leave my last class feeling that way. I had wanted to feel victorious and free, not to mention smarter; and speaking French like a pro :) Okay so yeah maybe my expectations were a little high :) But we all have those moments don't we? Where one thing we didn't do quite right triggers reminders of everything else we haven't done or can't seem to ever get right... The fact that I had overslept that morning, yes it was the first time of being late since being here, but it's the 100th time in my life, why do I still struggle? Why am I not good at tests? Why can I only speak 1 language? Why am I not consistent in the areas I need to be? Why do I want to overeat and not work out? Why do I let the things people say bother me and get me down? Why do I feel insecure about who I am based on other people's actions? After I got back from class I grabbed my little ipod shuffle and put on my running shoes and decided to just run... I just kept going until I felt I couldn't go anymore (but then I had to walk all the way back haha). During the 2 hours of running/walking/thinking/praying/listening to my inspiring music :) God taught me lots of stuff! I'm still processing all of it but I think the gist is that my life is between me and Him, it doesn't matter what someone thinks my motives are because He sees my heart, He knows. It doesn't matter if someone is better or smarter than me. That's not what's important. Reminds me of the JJ Heller song - what love really means:
{{I will love you for you
Not for what you have done
Or what you will become
I will love you for you}}
I just need to realize that yes I mess up, and I will continue to make mistakes or "fail" at things that I want to succeed in. But I have a relationship with the One who gave us all the gift of amazing grace! And I have promises in scripture that assure me that God will use me, despite my inability to live up to my standards or anyone else's... All I have to offer the Lord is me. So I will continue on, asking Him to help me give Him my best each day. One day at a time/one circumstance at a time/no matter what.
~Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6~
{{Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun}}
<3 Rissa
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
*Counting Blessings*
*Hello April! Hello 3 month anniversary (in France)! Hello 23! Hello spring! I'm not sure how March went by so fast, I was trying to hold onto it but it just went right on by :) I guess the saying time flies when you're having fun definitely applies. My 23rd birthday happened in March and I got the most wonderful gift!! My friend Jenny came to visit! And unbeknownst to me my brother had been planning for months to come along! I was SO surprised when I went to the airport to Pick Jenny up and Kyle walked around the corner! My happy state of shock lasted the whole 6 days they were here in France :) We had a blast! They went to my french class with me, we spent time seeing Paris, they visited church, etc. We celebrated Viviane's 5th birthday on the 18th, and my birthday on the 19th! Viviane & Adeline loved Kyle & Jenny so much!! The morning I took them back to the airport I don't know how I drove home because I was crying so hard. It's hard to grow up and have to realize that God's plans often call us to go separate ways, at least for a time. But I was and still am forever grateful that they flew so far to spend just a week with me, to make my birthday beyond special and to bring me hugs from home. God knew I needed that time with them. The fun adventures/long talks/getting to share a part of my life here with two people that mean so much to me, it was a huge blessing that I'll never forget or take for granted! As I'm getting older and I start to think that birthdays don't mean as much anymore I'm always convinced otherwise :) Seems like each birthday gets better and the surprises are bigger and the adventures more grand! This birthday caused me to think back on a birthday 3 years ago that I also spent in another country far away from home; when my 2 sisters came and spent 10 days with me in Vietnam!! SO many great memories and wonderful stories! It feels weird to be 23 because I'm not where I thought I would be at this age, in many ways.. But I'm constantly realizing that God knows better than I/His plans are better than mine/His ways and thoughts are higher than mine.. He holds the big picture and I don't need to see it now.
*The kids - Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE being a Nanny?! I do! It's funny because I thought everyone must want to be a nanny but I'm meeting lots of people who say they wouldn't really like it, go figure?? I can't understand, but I guess that's just reality :) I feel like I have 9 children = my first nanny job I had 3, my second I had 2, my third I had 1, and now I have 3 :) My heart so badly misses the kids I'm not with any longer and I cherish my memories of them. The kids I have now are great, Viviane and I loved almost sharing a birthday, we got so excited about everything - the gifts, the people, the special foods etc. She's going to preschool and is picking up French words constantly, I love that we're on the same level of French and can learn from each other :) Adeline is brilliant, she's the smartest 2 year old ever, talks all the time and loves life. I love spending my days with her, we read books, do arts and crafts, have Bible time, singing time etc. We've started watching "Franklin" (the animated turtle) in French so we can learn new french words together :) When my brother Kyle was here Adeline decided to nickname him "Taco" haha she makes me laugh many many times a day. Mathieu is 6 months old now and is super adorable! He's such a happy baby! I love watching him grow, it's fascinating how quickly he's changing and learning new things!
Towards the end of this month I'll be going to a mission conference in another area of France to be the childcare provider for 4 days, I'm excited for the opportunity to meet more missionary families and to have a group of kids to teach and do activities with!
*Friends - I'd been asking God for some friends here in France. Especially after the time spent with my best friend and brother from home I realized even more how lonely I'd been feeling and how even though I enjoy my days with the kids it's great to go out sometimes, to just do random fun things with people my age. God has answered this prayer in multiple ways! Through having an English Sunday school started I've gotten to know some of the young people from church better the past several weeks; And I've become good friends with 2 girls from England that are here 'til June. We've started hanging out a couple times a week and we just talk and talk! I've gotten to see a little more of Bordeaux as well! I also have a roommate with a strong love for the Lord and missions; and the Cole's treat me like family! Michael & Liz are great company, great cooks, great friends and role models! The people in the Church here are also so kind and loving, even with my extreme lack of French speaking skills I feel loved and accepted as a sister in Christ. I miss my family, friends, and church family back home every single day but God is faithful to meet all my needs.
*I'll leave you for now with a few quotes from Jim Elliot:
“Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living.”
"Lord, make my way prosperous not that I achieve high station, but that my life be an exhibit to the value of knowing God.”
“The will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for, but we must believe that whatever it involves, it is good, acceptable and perfect.”
“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
“Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God.”
“Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”
“Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!”
*Please pray for everyone here - that we will surrender each day to God and die to ourselves and live fully alive in Him..
*Please pray for my parents, brothers, and sisters - we're all in different seasons of life with different struggles and joys..
*I'll write again soon! Thanks for reading :) Happy Easter!!! So excited that our Lord did not stay on the cross nor in the grave, He rose and is alive today, in me!!!
In His Hands,
Rissa
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wholly devoted?
Would I really abandon it all?? When I can't fully understand God, or His word... If I were one of those fishermen in new testament times and Jesus came and said follow me. Would I, with reckless abandon go? Can't get this song out of my head, an old, Stephen Curtis Chapman song:
Nobody stood and applauded them
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame
All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called to them
He said "Come follow me" and they came
With reckless abandon they came
Empty nets lying there at the waters edge
Told a story that few could believe and none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus lead
With no thought for what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name and they answered
[Chorus:]
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call
Drawn like the rivers are drawn to the sea
No turning back for the water cannot help but flow
Once we hear the Savior's call we'll follow wherever he leads
Because of the love He has shown
And because he has called us to go we will answer
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
[Bridge:]
Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who calls
And if we believe we'll obey
Yes I left my family to come here because it's what God called me to do. Yes it's hard. But still I hold onto so much... Am I truly willing to abandon it all, not for a dream or a promise, with no thought of what I might gain?... I don't know, this is totally a spur of the moment post (I should probably be sleeping).. But I just wonder - do I think I'm sacrificing things, surrendering things, but really I'm still holding onto them? What about the things He hasn't asked me to give up. Yet.
And another thing! My brother is a Marine and I kind of joked about joining him in the military, but it's no laughing matter. War is serious, you can't go in unprepared. You have to be taught, armed, attentive and obedient. You can't be lazy. So why do I think it's okay to be lazy in the Spiritual battle? I'm a soldier in God's army, Satan wants me on his side, and really he wants to destroy me, or at least make sure I'm not making a difference for God! When I get up day after day and choose to live for myself and ignore spending time with the Lord etc. - that's not okay! I'm called to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:10-18)
...Just thinking "out loud"! If you're reading this - I love you and am praying for you!! :)
{Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel~Eph.6:19}
In His Hands,
Carissa
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
~Through the Cold~
"Whatever You have commanded us we will do, and wherever You send us we will go"~Joshua 1:16
I'd like to be like a flower poking through the snow - stubborn and determined to bring glory to it's Creator despite the cold and all the things trying to destroy it...
Some areas of France are beautiful.. Some not so much.. Some people in France are beyond kind, friendly, loving, & shining with the light of Christ... Others not so much.. It's the same with anywhere you live as a Christian, your surroundings can feel dark, lonely, and sad.. We're always going against the flow, longing to get somewhere, to make a difference for Jesus. I often end the day feeling frustrated - that I haven't learned more French, haven't made many friends, haven't told anyone about my Savior.. Then I'll start my day in frustration - because I didn't get up when I planned, my hair doesn't look the way I want it to, my abilities are small compared to my tasks etc. As I sit here thinking on all these things I realize I stay annoyed at myself because I'm the only one I'm focused on. And yes I'm the only one I CAN work on or change or have "control" of, but being self-centered is such a miserable way to live. What a confusing balance I'm looking for! To focus on changing ME and becoming more like Christ, who didn't focus on Himself but others around Him, and pleasing His Father... While I'm also trying to not focus on ME but on helping others and telling others and loving others... How does this work??
Once, when I was a teenager my Mom was teaching the youth class at church and she gave us all a little yellow card that said "I'm 3rd". I was taught to put God First, Others Second, and Myself Third. So maybe this is what I should be learning, again.. That yes I need to concentrate on me and realizing my own sin and need for Jesus, and need for change in my life. But focusing more on God and His glory. And on others and their needs - for love and God's Word etc.
So as my cheesy thoughts of flowers and snow go... while I'm asking for that determination to continue trying to live for Jesus, I need to remember to look over and realize there are many other "flowers" trying to stand in the cold too, and there are many that are buried completely under the snow and don't even realize there's a way out..
So maybe I won't be quite so frustrated if I choose to remember that God's 1st, others are 2nd, and I'm 3rd.
Monday, February 6, 2012
~FORTY DAYS IN FRANCE~
*Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." I've been in France for forty days and forty nights and of course I can't imagine having fasted from food this whole time... I also can't imagine having fasted from God's Word that long either. Though there are times in my life that I have chosen to. I want to remember that Jesus told us we shouldn't live on bread alone but on the words that have come from God's mouth. One is as important as the other, if I truly live this way I believe my view on many things will be more aligned with His heart and I'll be able to see things the way He longs for me to.
*Sunday the 29th marked a full month in France! *I was able to attend the baptism of 2 new Christians in the church. ~ Praise!
*On the 30th we went to the immigration/doctor's office to be examined so that we could receive our "carte de sejour" (resident card) so that we can legally live here in France. It was an interesting experience; I'm glad it's over and only needs to happen once :) But all was well and we were approved immediately ~ Praise!
*Also a praise was - my sister Meridith and her husband Jason (& my niece or nephew!) arrived safely in Kenya! They are doing medical missions there for the next 3 or 4 months ~ Please pray for safety, health, and a productive time for them.
*On the 31st I had my first French class! I have a class every Tuesday evening for two and a half hours with one professor and every Thursday evening for two and a half hours with a different professor. There are about 16 other students and they are almost all from different countries! The teacher only speaks French the entire time - I had no idea how I would get anything out of it that way but I do feel like I'm learning, slowly but surely catching on to things. My teacher writes on the board a lot, and repeats everything multiple times, and gives us worksheets, we've been going over the French alphabet etc. There are definitely many moments throughout class that I feel completely lost and hope I'm not missing anything too important! :) Thankfully there are a few other English speakers that I've been able to lean over and ask them about things I'm confused about. I'm also hoping to make friends with my classmates and hopefully share the gospel with them ~ Please pray for me to have opportunities and to be bold.
*On Wednesday (February 1st) I got to attend a dinner at the Pastor's house along with several other missionary families and it was a great time of fellowship - it's encouraging and inspiring to hear about the experiences of people that have been doing foreign missions for many years.
*Friday (the 3rd) I went to a devotional/game night at the church with the college/career aged people! It's a lot of fun and though it's difficult to communicate I enjoy the time spent with them and the more I'm around them the more I get used to hearing words and phrases etc.
*I love snow and I had hoped that I would get to see some this winter! Snow is a rare thing back home in Tennessee and I heard it's pretty rare here in Bordeaux as well. But Sunday morning when I woke up and looked out the window at least 2 inches of snow covered everything - and it was gorgeous!! It was a cold walk to church but I thoroughly enjoyed it! :) I passed at least 3 or 4 snowmen (who unfortunately started melting today).
*That is all for today but I'll write again soon! If you'd like to write me my new mailing address is: 36 Rue Du Relais Res Compostelle G22G
33600 Pessac - France
33600 Pessac - France
Or my e-mail address: singingnanny@juno.com
*Thanks for reading & praying!
In His Hands ~ Rissa
Monday, January 23, 2012
~DAY 26~
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. ~Habakkuk 3:18; Give thanks to the God of gods. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His steadfast love endures forever. ~Psalm 136:2-3, 26; May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 15:13; Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. ~1 Corinthians 15:58; But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. ~2 Corinthians 2:14.
These are some scriptures I have on index cards that I've been flipping through the last few weeks and they've been encouraging me to keep my focus on the Lord and His work & word. 2 Corinthians 12:9 has jumped out at me even more recently - it says 'But HE said to me, "MY grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that CHRIST'S power may rest on me.' There are not many things in my life that have made me feel as weak as living in a country that is not my home country and that does not speak the language I've spoken my whole life. But things are going so well here, the Lord has given me so much peace just knowing I'm where He wants me to be and that even though things are challenging and I feel weak and ill-equipped, He is the One seeing me through and guiding me. I'm learning so much and I'm looking forward to all the other things He's going to teach me!
Let me think what has happened since I wrote two and a half weeks ago...
*I got to see some of downtown Bordeaux! Once at night and once during the day - it's really pretty!! We took the tram which is exciting!
*I came to France prepared to live alone but the Lord has blessed me with having a roommate & it looks like we already have an apartment! If all goes as planned we'll get the keys on Wednesday and should be able to move in sometime this week or weekend! Mr. Bixby (the pastor of the church here) has been SO kind in helping us with all the details & translating everything for us. My roommate - her name is Anna and she grew up in Australia as a missionary kid and is here for the year to study French. The cost of living here is more expensive then in the States so I'm grateful to have someone willing to split the financial responsibilities. The apartments here come completely empty - one of the bedrooms doesn't have a closet, the kitchen comes with nothing but a sink, etc. So we're praying to find cheap appliances in thrift stores and on the leboncoin (french equivelant of craigslist!)..
*Praise - the Cole's have been praying/looking for a van and they were able to purchase one this past week! I drove it for the first time today, I took Adeline & Mathieu and we went to pick up Viviane from school! She started preschool a couple weeks ago and she loves it! I told her she was very brave and inspiring the way she looks forward to going to school even though no one speaks English!
*The people of the Church are amazing, they are so kind and loving, and they love Jesus!! :) I've met some girls from England & Ireland so English is their first language and Abigail has sat next to me in Sunday School to translate the lesson! There are several other people that know some English and everyone is encouraging me to learn and practice French! This coming Sunday there is a baptism service for 2 people who have accepted the Lord!!
*So today was interesting! I knew I wanted to sign up to take a night class this semester to study French. But I found out about 30 minutes before the test started that I needed to take a placement test in order to get into the class! So I went in, sat down, and was given a 3 page paper with questions in French... I knew where to write my NOM: MAUPIN Prenom:Carissa & Nationalite:American and then I was completely lost! haha I couldn't understand another question, not one.. So it ended up being pretty funny because i thought I was supposed to wait until everyone was finished anyway so I sat for 30 minutes not doing anything but staring at the sea of words... Then I realized you were supposed to bring your paper to the teacher when you were done so after that half hour I brought my paper to her.. not filled out, and she looked at it and smiled and said "beginner?" I smiled and said yes, so she just had me write my name on the second "test" and said "okay you finished" :)
Well I just got too sleepy to think if there are any other updates at the moment... But I'll write again soon! : ) à bientôt blog world!
Love~Rissa
Friday, January 6, 2012
*Happy New Year!!*
Wow where to begin?? I'm in France!!! Only by God's grace and provision and His choosing to move mountains - He's just good like that! There's no doubt in my mind that He wants me here right now. I told everyone I met that I was planning to leave December 28th but that the only way it could work is for God to work a miracle because practically speaking I shouldn't have gotten my visa so quickly. I was hoping I would get my visa before Christmas so that I'd be packed and relaxed knowing what day I was leaving... But the days came and went with nothing in the mail for me. Christmas was a nice time with family, and church family. I continued saying goodbyes and on Tuesday (27th) I finished putting everything back in my suitcases still not knowing for sure if I'd leave the next day... This was the last day I'd be able to receive my visa in the mail and still be able to fly out with the Cole family. That morning I went to Nashville to spend time with my sisters and when we got back I checked the mail, holding my breath!... But the box was empty.... I thought well maybe it just hasn't come yet today... So I went to the house and waited... it was probably 3 in the afternoon and I was making a phone call upstairs when the mail lady drove up to the house. When I got off the phone, before I walked downstairs I prayed God give me the strength to handle the news, whether my visa came or didn't come. I ran down and my sister handed me the envelope and I started jumping around the house laughing, practically crying while singing - "i'm going to France, i'm going to France, thank you Lord, oh my goodness!" :) I called my Dad to tell him then I called the Cole's; and the craziness continued! It was a long night of putting the last minute touches on everything, trying to make sure I was ready to be gone for a year. Wednesday morning my Mom and sisters - Meridith & Rachel and I got in the car to drive to Atlanta Georgia where I would meet up with the Cole's. I had a big suitcase, a small suitcase, and my guitar & backpack! It was a fun road trip spent singing in the car and having quality time together. Saying goodbye at the airport is never fun... it's just kind of heartbreaking. Our flight was supposed to leave at 830pm but we probably didn't fly out 'til 930. We flew to Heathrow airport in London than had to get all our bags and take a bus to Gatwick airport in London to catch our flight to Bordeaux France. It was a grand adventure, but very tiring! I was so thankful the whole trip though that I was with Michael & Liz and not having to do it all alone; and glad that I could be of some help with the kids - they did great! We arrived at our final destination Thursday evening. (we're 7 hours ahead of the time in Nashville). Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bixby, and Mr. & Mrs. Tim Bixby welcomed us into their homes with open arms, during dinner I could hardly keep my eyes open and was very thankful when I finally crawled into bed! Friday & Saturday I was able to rest and relax. Saturday evening we brought in the new year by eating, playing a game, and then counting our blessings from 2011! This was a great reminder of all God does to take care of me. Sunday I was warmly welcomed into the Church. The Service is entirely in French so I need to start learning rather quickly :) It looks like I will have the opportunity to take night classes a couple times a week at the university to begin studying the language! Monday I got to see the French "wal-mart" so to speak. Then we went to police station to see what paperwork still needed to be turned in to receive our resident card which allows us to stay in France. Tuesday we went to the bank and I was able to have an account set up for my year here. Tuesday evening is the time the church meets for their mid-week service, I gave a short testimony on how I came to know the Lord and how thankful I am to be in France. Wednesday was spent shopping with the Cole's and spending time with Tim & Ruth and their children before they left for Paris. Thursday I had my first driving in Europe experience! It went well, I prayed the whole time! It's not terribly different than driving in Nashville, thankfully they still drive on the right side of the road and the steering wheel is right where I'm used to it being :) As of today (Friday) I haven't seen much outside the neighborhood of Pessac where we live, but this evening we're planning to go downtown Bordeaux so I can see more than just the airport! Everything has gone so well so far. As for the questions I said I'd answer 1.What am I enjoying? I'm enjoying the adventure of starting over somewhere new, I'm enjoying meeting new people that don't share my language but share my faith; spending time with Michael & Liz, being inspired by their courage, patience, and trust in God; Helping care for Viviane, Adeline, & Mathieu; the technology that allows me to still communicate with the ones I love back home; Time to read & spend with the Lord. 2.What am I missing? I'm missing my family & friends; the comfort of being able to go out and do what I need to do in English; my dog Carly :) 3.How are things different? When you meet someone whether it's for the 1st time or the 100th you don't shake their hand or give them a hug -they give a cheek to cheek "kiss" on both sides - takes a little getting used to.... They use Euros here instead of dollars, that will also take some getting used to; Everything seems smaller; some bathrooms are different, they'll have a bathroom with the sink and shower, and then a separate bathroom with the toilet - and there's usually a button or something to push to flush the toilet instead of a handle. I'm sure there are many many more things that are different, as time goes on I will see much more of the French culture! I will keep this blog updated often for those of you who would like to hear about the adventuress things God is doing! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you the happiest of New Years - 2012!! I encourage you to spend time daily with the Lord and in His word this year - so much truth to learn & cherish. Also if you're looking for a good book to read I recommend "Kisses from Katie" I'm not done yet but so far it's a wonderful true story and very inspirational! Thank you for your prayers!! Love to all <3
In His Hands,
Carissa
In His Hands,
Carissa
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