Posts by Jen
BEWARE! A graphic and possibly offensive post!
After a lot of prayer and then confirmation (from our landlord telling us he can’t lower the rent to a reasonable amount), Justin and I have decided to continue our search for a new apartment in the city. Some of the areas we are wanting to live would be considered pretty sketchy. Today we looked at an AMAZING apartment. This place was literally my dream apartment. It was basically like a huge studio with beams showing, huge windows that reached to the extra high ceilings and two bedrooms off the main room. It was almost as if someone made a warehouse into an apartment. Very artsy! The building is from the 17th century and has a narrow staircase that does not have a lift. It is only on the second floor, so I feel as though I could manage a baby up and down. So on to the interesting part…
Read MoreTo Move or Not to Move… That is the Question
Here we are back in Paris, France. It is nice to be back in our home. Everything always seems so smaller when we get back. I was shocked once again at the size of our living room, especially compared to the homes we have been in in the last four weeks. But nonetheless, it is nice to be back. As you may (or may not) know, we put in our notice for our apartment a couple months ago and have to be moved out by October 6th. We have been looking forward to this move for several reasons. Some of them being: 1. We will pay a significantly less amount of rent2. We will move into a neighborhood that fits who we are (younger crowd, more diverse)3. More opportunities to serve the homeless and possibly even prostitutes I was also hoping that in the move, I would gain a balcony…
Read MoreBack in the U.S.
Leaving family is hard to do. Over the years my sister and I have become great friends. Actually, she is my best girlfriend ever. Justin and I are here in Colorado visiting my sis and her family. I found out the terrible news today that our plane is actually leaving a day earlier than we thought. We have all been sort of depressed today thinking about the fact that tomorrow we will get on a plane and not see them again till who knows when. It is so hard to live so far from family. The next time they see me we will have a baby. Sometimes I wonder why God would restore our relationship to what it is now just to have us live so far away. Justin reminds me that Amy was such a support for me when I was in the midst of culture shock and transition…
Read MoreStaff Conference was the Bestest
This year’s staff conference was the best yet! There were lots and lots of reasons for it being my favorite. Here are a couple reasons why: 1. We had two AMAZING speakers! Alan and Deb Hirsch (he wrote The Shaping of Things to Come) inspired and challenged me in so many ways! I am more excited than ever to serve here in Paris and see what God is maybe calling us to in new and different ways within the city. Their talks really confirmed in mine and Justin’s hearts that we need to be in a different part of the city and so we will begin that search once we get back from the states. Here is a picture of Justin and me with Alan and Deb. LOVE THEM! 2. I got to see my Mary from the south of France! She is always SUPER encouraging! On the way to…
Read MorePregnancy YOGA!?!
I have been wanting to try pregnancy yoga for a LONG TIME now! Well, only about four months (since I knew I was pregnant). Today, I was finally able to try it out because we now have a VHS/DVD player. YAY! I was so excited to do it! When the video started I began to laugh a bit and had Justin come in to see the woman with her hair wrapped in a turban type thing and talking so smoothly and calmly. I have other yoga dvd’s that aren’t quite so "spiritual" so I wasn’t too worried. I sat in my little crossed legs position ready for the exercise to begin. The lady began with rubbing our hands together and then repeating different chant type things. I got scared! I really did get scared. Maybe this is me being naive, or maybe it was something evil. The first chant had…
Read MoreI’m feeling HOT HOT HOT!
I never thought the words would come out of my mouth, but I have to admit it. I wish it were cooler. I think I may actually be looking forward to winter. YIKES! I know in January I will think back to when these thoughts crossed my mind and think I was crazy for saying them, but for now, it is true. It is so hot here! I talk to my friends and family in the states and they are dealing with weather over 100 degrees and here I am at nearly 100 degrees, complaining. But let me tell you a little difference between heat in Europe and heat in the States. Two words… air conditioning. There is none here. Well, of course there is in the grocery store! Believe me, I find reason to go there, if of course I can pull my melted body off the chair and…
Read MoreA good day
A few of us here in Paris have started a new thing called Street Lunch. We get together and make really yummy sandwiches and then pass them out (along with a water) to our homeless neighbors. We do it on Sunday morning, when most Christians in the States would be in a church service. I have found that this has been one of my most favorite ways to worship God on a Sunday morning. It is such a simple way to really love and serve someone that I may normally pass by on a daily basis. Life is so good right now. Today we hung out with our friend Bjorn. He just hung out at our flat with us, watched a bit of the Tour de France, took a nap on the leather chair, then we all went to dinner at the delicious Mexican restaurant. Bjorn is one of my…
Read More