Road Trip to England

So early Sunday morning (early meaning 8am)all three children and three adults packed into a French minivan and headed to England. The adults were armed with new toys, Where's Waldo, plenty of snacks and nappys and a portable potty. This portable potty turned out to be very crucial to a successful and hazard-filled journey. Hazard-filled due to the snow and ice. Successful because about every two hours, Alistair would cry out in agony, "I have to do a weeeee." The first stop, we pulled over on the side of the motor-way(free-way) and opened the boot (the back hatch) and Alistair was graced with a scenic snowy view. He did not view it that way and once again cried out in agony as flakes of snow pelted him. Alistair HATES getting wet. This continued throughout, about twenty minutes after every stop at a petrol station where Alistair would not do a wee, he would cry out. Marc possesses that particular male gene that must make good time, so you can imagine how this urked him. My favorite wee stop was when the portable potty was placed on the drivers seat and Alistair got to play driving and wee at the same time. Although, I do think he found the steering wheel a bit diverting.

We took the euro star over, which was pretty interesting and not at all what I expected. The cars drive onto it like a ferry. In 35 minutes you are in a new country. We stopped in Ashford and I introduced the Dubarrys to Starbucks. Which they loved. Then we travelled across the widest part of southern England to Kingsbridge, Devon. Kingsbridge is idyllic, I rarely use that word but it is the best way to describe it. It is at the end of an estuary where little fishing boats rest on the sand when the tide is out. On the north side is filled with beautiful English farms spread over rolling hills and complete with hedgerows, spray painted sheep and stone farm houses. To south is the English channel crashing into cliffs. Devon and the neighboring Cornwall are the setting of many pieces of English literature and it is not hard to imagine why. It is absolutely stunning and has a wild, untamed feel. It is tamed, but you can feel the history just under the surface and it feels like Druids or knights might come thundering over a hill at any moment. I know its probably just me and all of the books I've read, but is wonderful to see the landscape that inspires so many metaphors in literature.

The congregation is also lovely. I am staying with a sister who is the picture of hospitality. And after only a week here, I am privy to much of the congregations gossip. For example, one young sister was supposed to be proposed to last weekend, but her boyfriend was struck by a sudden illness that kept him in the loo all night and she returned unengaged. We are expecting a retry next weekend. It is nice to be a part of the congregation so quickly and I definitely plan on returning.

Next week, I will experience a different aspect of England with a visit to London. I am really looking forward to visiting the British National Museum, Victoria Albert, and St Pauls Cathedral. More to come. Bisous!

I must build on Darcy's comment because that is really how I feel. Leaving your home doesn't mean you leave behind your friends, family, thoughts, ideas, past, dreams and alas problems. You are who you are no matter where you go. I did have a vague sense of this before I left and honestly was striving for a way to reinvent myself; but Darcy nailed it on the head; you must lose yourself then find yourself.

Right now all of you are still with me and I love it; I actually feel I get to chat more with you now than I did before I left! So keep emailing and keep commenting, obviously your comments inspire, amuse and encourage me; just like you all did when I was with you.

That said, I am sorry I have not done better to keep you updated. I did give myself entirely up to Paris. The week is a whirlwind of children and French lessons. Even the meetings and service are French lessons as the congregation has banned English in my proximity. (I am gaining in experience in miming and reading mimes-watch out next game night!)

By the way, I gave my first comment! It was "parce que Jéhovah est le Dieu de vérité." (Because Jehovah is the God of truth)Going to the English congregation in Paris is a real blessing. It is amazing how it good it feels to simply sit and listen. I really took it for granted in the states. Another aspect of our meeting I took for granted was the depth of material we cover and the depth in the comments of our brothers and sisters. The congregation in Paris is made of many zealous friends for whom English is their second language. When speaking a second language your thoughts have to fit into the words you know. Their english is not by any means broken and they are quite articulate; it is just very difficult to communicate the thoughts of your heart in your second language. Last Sunday I had the privelege to listen the the CO's last talk (I missed the majority of the public talk thanks to a strike affecting when trains run; very French). It was a talk I had heard with the last visit of a CO in the states. But given in very simple straightforward terms. At first, I was dissapointed. After the meeting I went to Chez Papa (Em, I think I had the salade you love so much!) with some friends who were very impressed with the CO's speaking ability. Through the conversation, I really got what we have in America and what our dear brothers are up against in foriegn speaking halls. Any strecthing of the depth and length and hieght you wish for really comes for your own personal study. It is vital for strenthening your faith! I had prayed to Jehovah on the way to the meeting to be strengthened and encouraged by the CO's talk and boy, was I! And what a lesson I hope to never forget; DO NOT take for granted the preperation and study that go into the parts and comments of our meetings and at the same time do not depend soley on the meeting for your encouragement and upbuilding. I know that has been said and said at meetings, assemblies and in our publications; I just really saw it.

The brothers and sisters are extremely friendly and welcoming. They are very accustomed to visitors coming and going from around the world and used to friends coming for a longer visit, like me. Their is no shortage of conversation and you are never left to stand akwardly by yourself. My first meeting I walked in and met a sister visiting from New Zealand. She is fluent in French and dearly loves the language. She was visiting with a friend from England, thus attending the English meeting. Her love of Jehovah and of the language afforded her a great privelege-she gets to give Bethel tours to French speaking visitors in New Zealand!

Saturdays I have devoted to wandering the streets of Paris. I did finally see the Eiffel Tower, have walked along the Siene to the Arc de Triomphe then along St Honore to the Louvre and Tulleries. My next area to explore will be St Michel and St Germain, then up to Montfort. The last couple Sundays I have gone to the English meeting then spend the afternoon with a good friend who has kindly taken me in and is showing me her Paris. Thank you!!

The last couple days have brought snow and it is breathtakingly beautiful. I have taken pictures and will get them posted, somehow...

All By Myself

Thats not a bad thing. It forces me to speak French; which will have to be a topic for another entry. Oh la la. This last Monday I went into Paris all by myself. I felt quite confident on the train; thank you New York. In fact, I had a person ask me if it was the train to Montparsse. So that was good. Unfortunately, I took the slow train and so it took an hour to get into Paris. If I had caught the fast train it would have taken half an hour. The metro system is nice and easy to navigate, my only complaint is I haven't seen clear markings to go underground once you want to get back on the train. So I arrived at the Concorde station and came out right at the wheel in front of the Jardin de Tullerie with the obelisk, the Acr de Triumph and the Eiffel Tower behind me. I was overwhelmed, where would I start? I was also just trying to take in the fact that I was in Paris and free to do and go wherever I wanted and there was no hurry because I am here for a year! I decided to walk up and down the Champs Elysee and thought I would go to the Grand Palais afterward. I know its shocking that I didn't go straight to the Eiffel Tower, I just didn't. I just started walking. The Champs Elysees is beautiful. I started in the market and straight off got a vin chaud. Warm wine. I know, but its really good. Its actually kind of a holiday tradition. There are some spices added to it and its trés bon. Champs Elysee to me is the Times Square of Paris. I hope I haven't offended anyones sensibilities but thats the feeling I got. It is wider and with Parisian architecure, tree lined streets ect. But it bosts Gap, Sephora, McDonalds, Adidas and Nike. There is Luois Viutton, United Colors of Benitton, Mont Blanc; so there is some level of granduer. And it was nice to go into the Gap and Nike and STARBUCKS! Oh, getting a soy latte and a gingerbread loaf was heavenly and I chatted it up with a lovely couple from Ireland. But never fear I will become more Parisian and venture off into more obscure and adventurous places.
Later in the week, the Dubarrys were all sick, thanks to me; so I went to the meeting by myself. Well I rode with a very sweet couple who only spoke French. But it was good because I had to use the few words I knew and really listen. After the meeting, many brothers and sisters came up and it seems they have all decided I must only speak French. Even those who I know speak English would only use it to correct me. But the congregation is a safe place to practice and everyone is so patient and helpful. I feel like a child and everyone is waiting for me to speak. Even with the language barrier I am making friends.
I am really looking forward to this coming Sunday when I go to the English congregation in Paris and then spend the day with some friends who are locals and can show me their Paris!

Spritual Life in France

So I've kept wanting to tell everyone about service, the meetings and the perception of Jehovah's people in France, but I keep thinking my blog entries are looong; so this one will be dedicated to that topic. Coming soon will be my first adventure into Paris ON MY OWN.

First the perception. I will do my best to describe it, but you must understand the French people and the culture is ironic and elusive; difficult to describe and I am only now being introduced to it. As a whole the nation is atheistic and the scripture at 2 Peter 3:3 definitely speaks to the attitude of the people to God. They ridicule his existence and those who beleive in him. Also, in order to protect religious freedom people are not allowed any religious paraphenilia in state run places. For example, children in school cannot wear crosses around their necks. Women of Islam are accused of provoking debate for wearing their burkas. So you can imagine what people think of the Witnesses coming to their homes to talk of God. The Witnesses are also viewed as a cult. I guess Sarkozy was recently asked if he thought the Witnesses were a cult. His answer would be crucial becuase if he did it would open the way for those who would like to to have the Witnesses banned. Fortunately, he said they are a registered and recognized religion and left it at that. Now the Scientologists are in the spotlight.

The meetings and the congregation are a comfort, as I'm sure you all understand. The structure and the continuation of topics really helps my French and this week I will be preparing my first comment. This is a shift for me as I really didn't prepare comments at home. But now I am a child and my comments will sound like one. The brothers and sisters are very kind and very welcoming. Even the ones who can't speak English come and say Bonjour and try to have a conversation; although it often ends in us akwardly and dumbly staring at eachother. I have all the books in English and French and flip between both. Except the song book. I sing in French, which is really fun!

Service is also very much like home. Although the thought process behind the apathy is different the response is the same. We mainly buzz at apartment buildings. Helen doesn't like to do homes becuase everyone has gates and its especially akward as the householder has to come out of there house and open the gate and most will not bother. Also, the Dubarrys do not take all the kids out at the same time. First of all, it would be very challenging. Also, the French find it particularly apalling to have children out in the ministry. So Marc goes out on Saturday and takes one of the children and Helen goes out on Monday and takes another. So they make it work.

I am so thankful to work for the Dubarrys and that they are Witnesses. I really can't imagine what it would be like to work for non Witnesses in this capacity. Its doable and many Witnesses do do it, but I feel very protected spiritually. Marc is an elder in the hall and the family is at the "center" of the congregation so I am very well looked after.