Time Goes Fast

I have this perpetual feeling that time is going by so quickly. There is no way to stop it. I am in a car driving and I cannot stop. Time won't stop itself and I can do nothing to stop it.

This may even clarify the dream I had the other day. I was driving my dad's car with my sister, Tiffany. We were driving down a street with trees on both sides. The car suddenly started to accelerate and I panicked. There was something ahead that I could potentially crash into so I stepped in the brakes. They didn't work and I had to make a quick decision. I remember telling my sister I would have to use the emergency brake. I grabbed it with my right hand and pulled up. The result was stunning. The top detached from the bottom leaving the wheels and seats while the rest flew off. We were still safe and the car but it was wrecked. I freaked out because I would have to pay for it. Then my sister decided to say something. She said "Tell them you found it like this already."

Sometimes we start things that we cannot stop, this it could be a good thing.

How to obtain a visa

How a person may obtain permission to live in France, and most other western European countries:

1. Student visa: This is the easiest way to have a visa. You choose to study and apply to any school you like. Success rate: High
2. Work visa: This is the most difficult way to have a visa. You must be able to preform a job no  french person can do, meaning you have to be very specialized. Success rate: Low
3. Marriage visa: This is an ideal way for some people to have a visa, yet not so easy. Finding someone to marry is key, being committed for the rest of your life would be another challenge all together. Success rate: Uncertain

My recommendations:

All options are possible but none are ideal. Finding a place to live and having to battle with permission to stay is tiring and frustrating. I recommend having a concrete plan and sticking to it. If it doesn't work, then it's not meant to be, therefore return to your country and try another method. In all circumstances, enjoy your stay to the fullest and don't let the administrative stuff get you down. Respect the rules as much as possible.

Worshipping and enjoying life in Nantes

Wondering what lies next...

True Beauty

God is amazing!

Being a believer in Christ is not a life meant to be lived on our own. Seeing people who have faith in God and make bold declarations in the name of Jesus is more than just encouraging, it's beautiful to see. Day to day, there are so many difficulties to face, it's even harder to face them alone. We need others around to be a support and hold us up when we no longer have the strength. God places the lonely in family (Psalm 68:6). It's a truth not only in the bible but also for life in general. I am baffled at this truth. My life is far more exceptional when I am connected with other believers, apart from him I can do nothing, I am nothing.

Today I was impacted by the beauty of two young people's faith. Their commitment to God and choice to follow Christ encouraged me so much. They confirmed in my heart that I made the right choice and I don't want to ever go back to a life without Christ.

Thank you, Emmanuel and Tabita

Combats le bon combat de la foi; saisis la vie éternelle, car Dieu t'a appelé à la connaître quand tu as prononcé ta belle déclaration de foi en présence de nombreux témoins. 1 Timothée 6:12

Que belle prière avec Jacob, Emmanuel, Tabita, Thomas, William (What a beautiful prayer)

Les témoins (the witnesses)

Oh quel joie! (What a joy!)

Update letter

I recently wrote a friend an update letter. It gave me a moment to reflect on my life more recently so I want to share. No worries more to come!

I am still going strong here in Nantes, it's my home. I may have chosen to come here randomly but there is nothing random with God. He was the one who brought me here and it's clear that this is where he wants me to stay for the moment. I am engaged in so many projects here that I feel like it's giving me a firm foot on the ground. I have moved around so much in the last 7 years and it's nice to feel planted. I see that there is a need for my gifts and I am finding more ways to use them. In my church, I get to serve using my social skills and artistic talents. I am apart of the GBU (Groupe biblique universitaire), which a student bible study I snuck into. I am praying and hoping that I can host a GBU bible study in home next semester. It's all in God's hand's because I don't have place, I am staying with a friend. I just have so many desires to serve and open my home to students. I am also on a team that organizes youth nights every couple months. It's called PULSE (Prière Unité Louange Service Édification) or (Prayer Unity Worship Service Edification). Our vision is basically to do all these five acts in our walk in Christ and encourage the youth in their faith. God is sneaky because he is making me a missionary in my local church and to students without me even realizing it. ;) I love it! What's really amazing is I love what I am doing and I am using my gifts. So for me this is all very natural. God is so faithful. I just sent in my paperwork for my long-stay visa. I am praying that it will be accepted and I won't have to get extensions anymore. Not having a visa and only extensions makes me feel not-quite-settled. I know this is where I should be so I have faith that God will finalize all the details.

I would like to add this image as a dedication to my friend Anne. You will be truly missed. Love you!

Holly, Anne, Ji, me

Always faithful

A new year is quickly speeding by. I am so thankful that I am still in Nantes, I have so much to be thankful for. This week has been tough because I am sick but I still try to count my blessings. I have a place to live, food to eat, great friends and more importantly I have a faith that doesn't disappoint. I know that it's sounds crazy but everyday I face difficult challenges. It's only by the grace of God that I can wake up each day and fight against hopelessness and discouragement. There is a force inside me that is so much stronger than anything I could imagine.

So what do I do with this gift? Well, I thank God daily. All my struggles are for a reason and I know that they push me towards the greater things yet to come. Whether you are a believer or not, this verse still remains true: the best is yet to come.

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" Philippians 3:13

Another quote I would love to share is one from a friend. I believe he has the same vision for his life. It just keeps getting better and better...

"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind." C.S. Lewis
Don't look back, keep going...

Pondering mustache

Friends!

Good food

A place to lie down

Awkward

Happy December! It's been a long time since I have posted about my adventures in Nantes. I hope this one gives you some perspective and makes you feel a little uncomfortable...

Awkward. It's a word that we use in uncomfortable situations. At times I feel my life is surrounded by the awkward. For me, avoiding the awkwardness is almost impossible. Recently I have been trying to embrace the awkward. My friend Holly has a hand gesture to communicate that a situation is awkward. She is like me and finds herself in awkward moments all the time.

One day while I was walking to a restaurant, I held up my hand in the air for no reason. When we passed a bar while walking and this man waved at me. So I thought that I should wave back. The awkwardness came when we had to pass by the same place again only minutes later. I hoped he wouldn't come out.

More awkward moments:

-Strange frenchman hitting on me in bars, on the street or in other public areas..

-People staring when I speak english with my friends

-Giving the bises (kiss for greeting) but accidentally nose rubbing

-Inappropriate sex talk

-The french critiquing americans

-Little boys peeing in public without warning

-Men peeing in public like little boys

-Not knowing someone's name when they just said yours

-Brutal honesty: the bitter, honest truth (no one really wants to know)

-Fanny packs

-People noticing me sing out of tune

-Sweat pants

30 years of life

Yesterday, I celebrated my 30^th birthday. Most americans feel like the big 3-0 is daunting and bittersweet. The day of my birthday was neither. In fact, I had absolutely no expectations. I woke up as usual to have breakfast with Ji, then we read some bible verses, sung and prayed. I planned to have a normal day and do the activities I enjoy. I went to the market and had lunch with my friend Ophelie in a nice quite park across the street from her workplace. I did some work and then went to pick up Ayoub from school. He is one of my favorite men in my life right now. We learn english together and play. Did I mention he is 6 years old? After I left his home, I went across town to my favorite pizzeria to pick up dinner. I planned to dine with a few friends and eat some cake. It took an hour to get there and back home. I have no doubt that it was worth every minute. When I arrived home I found Holly and Ji with smiling faces. I was so excited. I hopped around while we prepared to eat. Ji made the salad and served the pizza. We ate, talked and laughed. A little while later Joseph came and then Anne. It was so lovely to be with friends.

Being in Nantes for my birthday was all I could ask for. All I wanted was to speak french and have good friends. My contentment was confirmed by the smiling faces and joy in the air. I could not have asked for a better birthday. The great news is there is more to come. This is not the end. I have arrived at another decade in my life and I cannot be more excited. I know that God has great plans for me. I may not know them completely but I know that I am on the right path. I have nothing but praises for this life that I honestly do not deserve. It's humbling to know. I have a peace in my heart that is unexplainable and for that reason I know it's not from me but from God. I have more than I could have ever wanted or asked for. I am truly amazed and impressed.

Le mot pour l'année: impressionné