it's raining in paris, france

well, it was a rainy day in paris today... and it looks like it might be that way for the rest of the week, unfortunately. after walking the streets a bit this morning and taking care of some business details (money & metro pass!) i was pretty wet. i picked up elizabeth from daycare and stayed at the apartment all afternoon for some "cultural acquisition." i watched some french television and did a lot of research about the city, the country, the culture, etc. all while drinking some french coffee and eating a pastry. in retrospect, i think i did pretty well with the gloomy day.

tomorrow i have my first language workshop. i signed up at the french alliance language school downtown. this is an oral french workshop, so i'm hoping it will help me be more confident with my speaking and get me more into the swing of things. i understand what people say on the television and on the streets and whatnot for the most part... but i tend to freeze up with the face-to-face interactions. i have a hard time comprehending that quickly and then i have to get a response out. it's not pretty. in general, french people are very proud of their language so there is a lot of pressure! i'm convinced the ladies at daycare think i'm a stupid american who can't speak french. hopefully that will change before my time here is done.

al is working on a lot of preparations for passion: paris which is a week from today. the final details and arrangements are keeping him busy so i'm trying to be available for nicole where i can. i have 2 events this weekend for la fonderie that i will be helping with as well. also, they are hoping to host a group of about 10 students who are in paris with YWAM (youth with a mission) for dinner this weekend, too - so i'm on deck for that!


thanks for thinking of me and checking in on my blog. your thoughts and prayers are appreciated as i work on this french thing i've got going. specifically, you can pray that i can be an intentional blessing to the family where they need me, that i can make some connections with some french people, that i will be intentional to listen for God's guidance while i'm here and that i can get a handle on this language!

grace & peace, jenn.





the first two pictures are from the two events i attended this past saturday at le pave d'orsay... with the wheaton group and the french trio, respectively. the third (this small version doesn't do it justice) is a picture of le louvre museum from my walk back to the apartment saturday night. the final picture is from my sunday afternoon walk around the town... street performers by l'arc de triumphe!