Oh the Places You’ll Go… Due to Delays and Missed Flights

The Awesome Pic was Borrowed from: http://www.ski-transfers.com/blog/2013/11/how-to-sleep-in-zurich-airport/

So, if you have not heard… I am heading back to Brussels for another 3 months!

Sorry to not inform you earlier, this summer has been WONDERFUL, but insane!

By heading back to Brussels, I mean to say, I am there now. Or I will be shortly. I am writing this in  Zurich, Switzerland (but it will probably be posted from Brussels when we arrive tonight).

Trying to get to Brussels have been a test on my patience and trust. We started out with being delayed out of OKC, so right off the bat we had to reschedule ALL of our remaining flights. So I went from going to OKC – Chicago – Brussels, to having to to OKC – Chicago – Zurich – Brussels.

So we are delayed from the top, then again by an additional 30 minutes before we boarded, so we get into Chicago with 20 minutes to go to an entire new terminal (by train thing), get out of security, go back through TSA security, find our gate and board. I was thinking, “We can do this!” But then we hit the TSA line.. and it was long. We waited there for 10 minutes before I had given up all hope of making the flight. So as Jennifer (my Brussels Buddy for the next 3 months) and I are discussing going to get a Deep Dish Pizza, since we are in Chicago, we hear this precious angel saying “Anyone for Zurich?” So obviously I shout “US”, probably a little too loud. This precious heaven-sent TSA Angel whisked us through TSA, and the lines then onto our plane, absolute last second. Prayers of thanksgiving were happening for sure!

Then the plane we RAN for, literally, sat at the gate FOR AN HOUR! Literally. There was so much traffic that we could not get out of Chicago for an hour. We finally took off and Swiss Air took good care of us. We landed too late to catch our connection in Zurich (UGH!) but they rebooked up hassle free and we just have to hang for the next few HOURS until it is time for the flight home! At this point…. I just want to be in a bed!

Then, we finally get a gate for our plane in Zurich and decide to head to that terminal/concourse and we have to go through Passport Control. No biggie right.

WRONG

The super nice lady starts asking me all these questions about why I am coming and what we are doing and why did I go to Belgium 3 months earlier this year and when I am coming back now. So I am being all informative and vague and she informs me that apparently I have been in the EuroZone too much the way the Calendar and stuff works and I am not allowed to enter until a later date… which happens to be tomorrow. What?!?! Come again??!?! What is about to happen. Well, she calls one of the other security guys in and the talk (in Swedish – Thanks bros) and come to the conclusion that since I am a mere 7 hours early, they will grant me access anyway. PTL – I am still not sure, because by my calendar I should be good, but ya know… whatever.

The whole travel process was a mess, and I am just thankful that God was able to make it happen, because honestly, I am pretty sure that we would not have made it today if He was not awesome!

Quick Summary of the Things I Learned Today!

1. Some people are just forgetful and needy, (me – as I forgot the material for our English Classes we are teaching this week) and others are AMAZING (My new roomie – literally have known her for a week – who drove the forgotten packets to the airport – 40 min drive one way – so I could have them for the trip!) Love the servants and amazing people in your life!
2. Swiss Air is my favorite! The food was good, the movie selection was great, the staff was stellar and when we missed our connection in Zurich because the flight was late, they rebooked us and it was ready for us when we got off the plane, AND they gave us a voucher for lunch! Thanks for the Love Swiss Air!
3. When you pray for patience and trust, the Lord grows those in you. He doesn’t just give them, He forces growth in them. [This isn’t “new”, but still reinforced today.] God is FAITHFUL!
4. People who at first appear “too cool” are just as klutzy and normal as the rest of us. Case in point: On the flight from Chicago to Zurich I was by this Euro looking guy who come off “too cool” and was obviously irritated that I made the flight and he lost the opportunity to have an empty seat next to him. Well, after dinner, bro spilt his a cup of wine all over his shirt, pants and seat [Note: He was not drunk… just a klutz). I said, I’ll get some napkins, and jumped up and went to the back for napkins. When I came back, he was all like “I don’t even know what happened” [please include Euro Accent – Swedish I believe if you are being particular], and I responded, “No worries, I am surprised I haven’t spilt my drink on me. It’s usually me spilling stuff.” He gives me a strange look and goes “Really?” and I was like “Yeah, I am kinda a klutz” and laughed at myself. He looked at me for a second, the chuckled, said thanks and we went back to watching our separate movies. He was much less “cool” the second half of the flight, or just actually cool.
5. Added As I’m Posting this… Coming back to Brussels felt like coming home. I know this makes some of you real sad to hear, but once we landed, there was a sweet familiarity and comfort of being here and back where I know things, especially after Zurich and Swedish and Swiss Francs!

So, from my Euro Home… I’m out! It’s time for me to go to bed! Much love and I’ll keep you posted of my adventures in Belgium!

RSVP 

(Répondez s’il vous plaît – Respond, if you please!)

What is your craziest travel story?

Outsider Applauds: Mark of the Lion Series

So, for my next Outsider Applauds I want to tell you about one of my favorite trilogies. But I want to preface this by saying that, generally, I do not like Christian Fiction. I often find it boring, or predictable, and too unrealistic. That is not true for Francine Rivers books. I have not read all of her stuff, and probably won’t to be honest. I first read her book, Redeeming Love. It’s a story based off of the book Hosea (which is my favorite book of the Bible – I am sure I will write a blog gushing over it at some point) and it was really good. Like real good. So note that despite that, I am not writing about that book.

I am writing about the Mark of the Lion Series. This trilogy is made up of Voice on the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness and As Sure as the Dawn. There are numerous characters that we follow throughout the books but two main storylines. The first is the story of Hadassah, a young Jewish girl just sold into slavery, and the family she serves The Valerian’s, a prominent, wealthy family in Rome. The other follows Atretes, a Germanic warrior who is captured and turned into a Gladiator in Rome. Set the generation after Christ when Rome desecrated Jerusalem and at the height of Roman prowess, this characters will captivate your heart. Hadassah is a constant testament to fighting for your faith, not just in society but within yourself, battling herself as much as she battles the world. The Valerians buy Hadassah to be a maid for their youngest child, Julia, and we begin to see the family dynamics at play. Demetrius, a foreigner who bought his Roman Citizenship and the Head of this Household doing everything he can to provide for his family and protect them from the endless indulgences and debauchery of Rome, with his wife Phoebe who loves her children but is brokenhearted by their desire to live as Romans and not live a life that is pleasing to the many gods she spends hours praying before. Then there is Julia, the spoiled, indulgent youngest child who wants nothing more than to be like her big brother and experience all the pleasures and wonders of Rome. Then there’s Marcus, a young man who has been swept up in the chaos of Rome, but had found himself jaded, unhappy and bored with the life he had created for himself, but refuses to be pressured into the life his father wishes for him. Finally, you have Atretes, a Germanic warrior who has been captured and uses his rage against Rome and his belief in his tribal god, Tiwaz, to fight for his life as a gladiator.

 I have never found myself so invested in characters before, and I love to read. I would get so lost in these books that I would find myself praying for the characters. Strength for Hadassah. Salvation for others. Then I would realize what I was doing, laugh at myself and apologize to God getting so wrapped up in book. Hadassah is written so transparently and her struggles are put on display and we can see how she struggles to remain faithful, which demonstrates way we can struggle and fight to remain faithful, especially when our flesh wants nothing more than to cave and give in. Marcus is paramount in helping us to personify the struggle with being discontent with the world around us and the desperation and sorrow that comes when they have nothing else to turn to.

The book begins with a harrowing and haunting description of Jerusalem during the first Jewish-Roman war. Enjoying historical fictions, I loved the first new chapters that really set up the world Hadassah (in Jerusalem) and Atretes (in Germania) were leaving and the world they now found themselves in, the great Roman Empire. However, this intro can be very sad, and some people can get lost in it and give up on the book before getting to Rome. If this section is difficult for you, I would encourage you to read until you meet the Valerians and complete that chapter. Wait until you get to Rome and Hadassah is installed in the Valerian household. If you still are not hooked, then that’s fine, we all have different taste — but hold out through Jerusalem and Germania, get to Rome before you quit.

So, there it is. I love these books. I reread them at least one a year, I just cannot stop myself. So grab a copy on the first book for your next vacation and get ready to enter a world that will challenge you, convict you and cause you to look at the world around us. Here is the link for the author’s site and more information if you want: http://www.francinerivers.com/books/series/mark-lion

I hope that you have a great day, and happy reading!

RSVP!

What is your favorite fiction book you have ever read?

Well Hello There. Haven’t seen you in a while!

What a crazy, I mean CRAZY, last few months.

And again… I am writing an apology blog. I am literally the worst. What happened was I was writing a book review for a very academic book, that was wonderful, but taking FOREVER, and I stalled out. I didn’t want to post until I finished it as motivation, and now 3 months later, it’s still not done.

So I give up. That stupid review will not be posted. BUT I WILL POST! Life has been an absolute whirlwind, and I am finally getting settled back stateside.

So here is a fly-by update of what I missed telling you all about over the last 3 months.

In Belgium:

• April 4-8 – Camp with our Students
• April 21 – Trip to Bruges/Brugge with Jennifer & Shawn
• May 8 – A 9-Hour Romanian Wedding
• May 21 – Lecrae Concert
• May 22 – Surprise Party for me (the night before I left)
• May 23 – I came back to the US of A (And got trapped in Tulsa overnight because of crazy storms)

In Oklahoma

• May 29– My Friend leave for Nicaragua for a month with a bunch of my students!
• June 1-5 – Middle School Camp with my students
• June 4 – Broke my toe at camp… seriously.
• June 6 – My BEST FRIEND got married!
• June 15-18 – VBS!
• June 12-14 – Weekend Retreat in the Woods (Processing Belgium and such)
• June 19 – Started a week long temp Job
• June 25 – Got hired on Full Time at my Temp Job (For the summer until I go back to Belgium)
• June 26 – Everyone comes back from Nicaragua!
• June 28 – July 1 – Volleyball Tourney with The Youths at church
• July 4-5 – Good Times with Family in Stillwater.
• July 10 – I quit being a loser and start blogging again.

Now you are caught up. Welcome to my life.

In all seriousness, the challenges that I have faced over the last 6 months has been exhausting. Some were expected, some caught me completely off guard. Things I thought were true, are not, and things I would have never believed are now concrete in my heart.

For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  – Phil 4:11-12

This has been made true in my life. Contentment and rest are trending as the theme for my summer, and as frustrating as learning these lessons are, I am enjoying the process. I am enjoying the freedom from feeling obligation and the depths of joy in resting and feelings rested. I am still working on not feeling guilty when I say no, and the feeling of needing to do more, but I have decided this is a fight worth fighting.

I will write again soon. I will post LONG overdue pictures from Bruges. I will reinsert myself in your lives. Sorry for taking so long a sabbatical. It wasn’t just you, I promise.

Some people just get you…

As we go through life there are always just a few people whom really get you. They get your humor, jokes, and nerdy tendencies (or in my case, put up with my full blown Nerdom). I have such a great group of these at home back stateside. I am not sure I have had shared before how some of my friends got together before I left to give my a note/letter everyday that I would be gone here to Belgium. That’s 89 letters they gave me. Some have been wonderful letters of encouragement, other just scripture to remember. Some are inside jokes and I even got an empty one on April Fools…  

Silly, and wonderful! I have just been so very thankful for these letters. They have been so helpful in remembered that I am not alone. I have people at home supporting me and praying for me, even if I don’t feel it. I have the best friends and such an amazing support system in them and my church. 

This was my card from today. It made me laugh out loud! A literal “LOL” y’all! Some people just get me… These girls do!  

 
If you have awesome people like this in your life, stop now, and Thank the Lord for them. Not everyone is this blessed. Do not take them for granted like I so often have. Love them, care for them, and pray for them! 

 

A Day in Paris

So late. So sorry. It has been a mad house around here and I have been beyond busy. I finally got around to editing some of the pictures from our day trip to Paris two weeks ago and wanted to share them with you.

Please enjoy, and know that I did!

Monet!

MonetMonet

Picasso

But no Van Gogh, because they were on strike and that portion of the Musée D’Orsay was closed.

More to come soon from a trip to the Royal Gardens and another day trip to Bruges.

Portes Ouvertes

Friends!

There has been so much going on, sorry to have neglected you as of late. This was a very busy past week. I will be writing blogs this week to update you on the Youth Camp and my trip to Paris!

Today, I just have to tell you about an activity/conference/event we had at the church today. It was called Portes Ouvertes here in Belgium/France (Open Doors back home) and it was part of their Coccinelle Tour 2015 where they are celebrating 60 years as an Organization and reviewing the work the Lord has done over the past 60 years and encourage and motivate a new generation of Christians to support and care for the persecuted church. A woman shared about her faith, imprisonment and exile from an Islam controlled country. I have so often heard stories about my persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide, and my heart and prayers go out to them often, but on this trip to Belgium, I have had the immense blessing to meet several brothers and sisters who have personally endured extreme persecution for their faith. Being able to talk with this women was so encouraging. And it amazed me that she was so excited to meet an American. I was like, whatever, I’m just an American – That’s nothing special! You are in the Father’s hand! Your relationship and trust in the Lord is so convicting and encouraging! Oh to be used as the Father is using you! It was such a blessing and a gift.

For me, it was also really great to have so many of the students who has come to camp be there as well. I feel like they were able to get a really great view of the blessing they have here in Belgium, as well as the call and the weight of that call. It breaks my heart that so many people think that becoming a Christian makes things easier. They is just not true. If anything, in my experience it makes things harder sometimes. You end up facing a battle not only with the world but also with yourself, and dying to self everyday is not easy. However, it is worth it. I can’t imagine trying to do all of this without God. I literally would not be alive. He is my anchor, my hope, my joy, my all. It’s been unreal the transition, but one that I would do again and again.

We, in western cultures, too often hide the difficult parts of scripture and being a Christian, and because we do this, sometimes people feel as if we pulled a “bait and switch” on them. “Isn’t God supposed to protect me?” Then why did [insert illness, struggle, pain, life] happen to me? This must be God doesn’t not care about me or does not exist.

FALSE!

This is just not true! The Bible does say that God will protect us, but I don’t think this is always referring to our physical bodies and our comfort. He protects our soul, our hope, our salvation! He certainly holds all things together (Colossians 1:17), but I believe that He can use anything that happens to us for His Glory and our sanctification.

This should be our priority, not success, health or comfort. We need to readjust our ideas of Truth.

---

Here are some links that you may enjoy, going back to the Coccinelle Tour! Bedtime over here!! Free day tomorrow… I am so happy! Rest, here I come!

For Information about the Coccinelle Tour 2015 go to: 60ans.portesouvertes.fr/le-coccinelle-tour/

For Information about Portes Ouvertes go to: www.portesouvertes.fr

For Information about Open Doors go to: www.opendoors.org

Coffee Shop Acquisition

I think I have finally found my coffee shop.

I love having a coffee shop. 

Seriously! I work at a coffee shop back stateside, I love coffee ,and I love the environment that a good coffee shop can provide. Enough comfort that I can relax and enough people around that I feel like I need to be productive. It’s it adorable!?! My friend showed me this place a couple of weeks ago, and then the students came and I life got a little insane for a bit. After that Oklahoma Tornado left, I was able to settle back in, and I thought about this place. This is my 3rd time here this week, and it is now official, I love it. It can get a bit busy, but if you get here earlier enough, you’re good. And there are little plug-ins in super convenient places. There are also excellent seat right by the windows looking out to the street for days that I just want to read and enjoy a cup of coffee. Oh! And did I mention that the roast IN HOUSE! This place! I am going to miss it in a few months.

That’s really all for today. Things are going well. I went to one of the open air markets for fruits and veggies yesterday and I was very proud of my spoils from the trip.

Also, I am teaching tonight at Youth so… Exciting! If it goes well, I might just post my notes from it on here tomorrow.

Shenanigans with my Students

I tried guys… I tried really hard. But the students were only here for 5 full days and we busy all week. Their schedule was packed trying to get everything in. One of them said he’s take care of the update for me… so here is his contribution for us all.

Hi this is Jackson I’m not going to use any punctuation during this because I just don’t feel like it. Except for periods because they are necessary. Blog finished. 🙂 have a fabulous day, you are all beautiful… almost all of you 😉 jk all of the pretty ones.

Well… Teenagers. Gotta love em. – Isn’t he great! ❤

Sorry for the delay in updating. I had been prepping for the student team and then they were here, and now they are gone! So I have spent the past week with 9 of my wonderful students. Having them here with me has been so refreshing and relaxing. Here is quick run down of all that we did.

Sunday I spent the day having lunch with women from the Food Bank and it was Moroccan style so delicious and non-stop eating for about 3-4 hours. This was such an amazing time of being invited into this amazing woman’s home and getting to struggle through French and just share love with these amazing women. The students did prayer walking in the city and just tried to stay awake to kick that Jet Lag.

Monday the Students helped up with English Classes and set up a Doctors Office, Train Station and then a Restaurant. It was really great to see them be so open with the students in the class and bold in speaking with them. We also spent time prayer walking in the city in a heavily Muslim area and in a red-light district. This was a really great time for me because I got to really see the students hearts and one of the students and I talked for a long time about what God has been doing in her life and how He has been calling her in different ways.

Tuesday the students has an Amazing Race style scavenger hunt where they ran all over town and had to find their way without help. It was interesting to see them get excited about their victories and then struggle when they got lost or frustrated.  I am so bad at not helping, but Dr. Willie kept me in check. It is a valuable skill for them to learn to be able to find their way through a city, ask or help and learn public transportation systems. Then that evening we did some prayer walking and had a night on the town.

Wednesday we had our Youth English Classes and the students just killed it again. That evening was probably my favorite night of the week. We had all the students get together, Belgian and American, and we played games and just hung out, but then we had a great time of sharing testimonies and of the students telling about what God was doing in their lives. The honesty with which my students from home shared with was amazing, and truly, the Belgian students too. I was just so amazed by their transparency and honesty, and by what God was doing in their lives.  I was also beyond excited to see my two guy students maintaining relationships this night and really reaching out a friend of theirs who is not a Christian and being intention in loving him and speaking Truth to him. I am so proud of those boys.

Thursday we took them to a Arab Market and just let them enjoy that cultural experience. Then we went to the food bank and the students got to serve and learn to struggle through language barrier and communicate regardless. I was so impressed with their willingness to jump in and go for it. Then we came back to my apartment and prepared for Next Level with the Belgian students. It was crazy doing a study of the Word in French and English,but it was great. All the students were giving their input and being involved. It was wonderful.

Friday, yesterday, they flew out early. Now all I have to remember them is the memories, picture (as you can see) and this one lonely bag that was left with me. 

I’ll stop there, but I could go on for pages and pages about these kids and how great they were and how much fun we had. I just love them. It’s kinda crazy.

Beyond what’s been going on the student team, I am just trying to figure out all the things that I am supposed to be doing and just trying spend quality time with the Lord. We always need the Lord, but for me, it is beyond apparent for me when I am here. I need Him everyday when I leave my flat to be able to be effective and intentionally. Distractions lie everywhere. I am trying to phase out my social media back some, but kick it up here in Belgium with the students here. I finished my study of 2 Timothy which was a really great place to start when I got here, and now I am moving on to Colossians.

I’ll be updating again soon, hopefully.

Praises

• This was such an amazingly refreshing week for me with my students here. I don’t think I can even begin to thank God for them and the joy they brought to me this week.
• I am getting more comfortable trying to speak out in French and being OK with failing.
• I have been getting some positive responses to wanting to hang out and study the Word together so that should kicking off strongly very soon.

Request

• That the students would not just return to normal this week as they get back into school and life. That this experience and time here will draw them closer to the Lord and that this change they way they look at their ministries at home and the impact they can have on their schools and communities.
• I will be teaching at Youth this upcoming Friday about a sensitive situation that has come up. They sought me out specifically because of my counseling experience. Please be lifting that up.
• Always, always…. LANGUAGE. Especially with Youth Camp coming up here in a few weeks.

Question for you: (I am enjoying getting to know my readers more and more!)

What was the most life changing experience that you have ever had?

How did it change you?

Numbers 11:23 (Has My Arm Lost Its Power)

This is my first reblog… I don’t generally reblog… So read it. This is good Truth!

THE RIVER WALK

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” (Numbers 11:23)

Read: Numbers 10:1 – 11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32

Relate: For a good couple years, a lifetime for a young boy, my favorite toy was this G I Joe boat I got for Christmas. The gift was a shock and a surprise. It wasn’t what I asked for but rather something far bigger and more expensive. Every year my parents would give my sister and I a JC Penny catalog and we would go through the toys section and write out our Christmas list. I would write out a page or two worth of stuff and a couple of those items would somehow manage to find their way into boxes under the tree at Christmastime. Toe this day I can’t figure out how my parents managed to…

View original post 630 more words

Adventures in Bookstores and Lost Coffee Shops

Some days are just more adventurous than others…

Yesterday was a BEAUTIFUL 17 degree day (celsius friends… it’s like 63 F back in ‘Merica) here and so a bunch of the guys are going to go have a football (soccer) match. Kam and I decide that because it is so beautiful, we’ll go watch and relax in the park. That is when the adventure starts. They has already left so i was going to meet them where they we going. Then the location changed. And so I head for the new location, being given directions by Kam via text, and they change it again. So them I find a place I kinda know and begin to wait for them, because they said they’ll come pick me up in a car.  So I wait… and wait. Then BOOM, there they were. We then sped off for the park and run in circles a bit trying to find parking and the rest of the group.

Kam, Kelly and I take a wonderful little walk through a couple of parks near by. I am pretty sure the parks here are mostly connected to another park, so we walked through like 3 parks in a matter of like 30 minutes. The parks here are beautiful and there were so many people out because of the nice weather, so its was a really great time.

Then, some of my dear Romanian friends came over that even and we shared a meal, caught up on life and played some Resistance, because what is a night with my Romanians without a couple a rousing games of Resistance. [For those who do know know… Resistance is a FANTASTIC game that is kinda like Mafia but way better. Check out the website if you wanna know more. http://www.indieboardsandcards.com/resistance.php%5D

Today turned out to be adventurous as well. I just wanted to go to a coffee shop I found online, but it was not that simple. I end up wandering all over this part of town trying to find it, only to realize that it was IN this mall right here. So I head into the mall, which I like just about as much as I like malls back home (not at all) and search all over the mall for this coffee shop. CANNOT FIND IT. Like for serious. Here is where the adventure comes in. I see a bookstore, and I am just naturally drawn to it. I have been wanting to try to read a book in french (keyword, try) and I thought, “Well, I if I cannot have coffee, I will at least have a book.” So i go in. While looking at the books, trying to decide if i think I am muddle through Hunger Games or Divergent, I see L’Élue, and read the back description and realize, it’s Gathering Blue, by my lovely Lois Lowry… I then realize I have to find The Giver! It would be a great book to read! YES! So I start looking for the book… falsely assuming that it would be called Le Donateur, because thats the direct translation. Cannot find it (it’s a theme today – Maybe I’ll call today Le Perdu). So I give it on The Giver. I then decided I want Divergent, but the copy I find is in Flemish. BAH! I gather my courage and decide to ask the sales women for a copy in french. Victory, I find myself with a copy of Divergent in French and I begin to feel confident. So I decide I really want The Giver, or maybe I just don’t want this book store to beat me like the lost coffee shop did. So I once again gather my courage and have a Franglish conversation, mostly French, with the sales women, determine that the first book in the series in French is in fact call, Le Passeur (which translates to either the Ferryman or the Smuggler… which kinda, maybe makes sense), and take my love Lowry book instead of Divergent. Mme Rule would be proud! Then I see an escalator that I did not see before, ride it up to an even further victory and find the coffee shop I was looking for. It’s been a good day.

Overall, I have been doing really well. Just getting into the swing of things in Belgium and forging my own schedule and plans. This week is going to be a good week for me a to do some really great planning done, as well as begin to meet with different girls in the youth group. Next week is going to be insane, but great, because my Youth Group kids from the States will be here. It’s going to throw a wrench in planning and trying to regularly meet with people, but its going to be nice to see them and teach them more about serving and doing life in a different culture.

Praises:

• I am feeling really well adjusted and comfortable where I am. (This also means its think to kick things into gear with planning and get to work.)
• I have been able to meet with some of my friends here and I have already seen good come from these times together.
• I have been able to spend time with most of the people I have been wanting to see, so that has been awesome.

Request:

• That the students I am trying to meet with and mentor will be excited about it and make time for study of the Word. School schedules can be demanding, plus just life in general, so pray that these students would make this a priority.
• That my French would continue to improve. The more my language improves the more useful I am. Plain and simple. There is one girl now that I would love to meet with, but she does not speak English and my french is not good enough for mentoring yet so… I just need constant growth in language.
• That I would keep restfulness in mind. I tend to struggle with this and it’s going to be easy to allow busyness to creep in as things progress.