Yesterday, I woke up and went into town to get breakfast with some of the undergrad students from my university. We got some chouquettes and a pain aux raisins from my favorite stand at the markets, and I had to get my fruits and vegetables for the week. Good news, the first clementines of the season came in yesterday. I bought a bunch and have already had three! So so good:) Anyway, we had a great time wandering around together and I showed them some of my favorite spots to go.
Then in the afternoon, I took a much needed nap and then met up with our "youth group" from church. We went to a few different forests nearby looking to collect chestnuts.....but alas, they were already mostly taken. All around there were round bright green thorny shells, but we think that too many people had already come through because they were all open and empty. Oh well, we had a great time and good weather! And there were even little goats and what my friends called "Bambis" to pet at one park! So cute.
When I got back, I was freezing so I had some soup for dinner and then some tea and a cookie for dessert! Not just any cookie, but a sablé nature from the bakery! You should probably be jealous!
And finally we come to today! This morning I wasn't feeling super great but I knew that if I skipped church I would really regret it. After all, it's my favorite part of being here and it only comes but once a week. So, I pulled myself out of bed and took a hot shower and already I felt much better. And wow am I glad that I made it to church today! Worshiping God and knowing that He is just as present in France as He is in the US really struck me today. He is a great God and such a personal God. Il est le pain de chaque jour et sa présence vit en moi!
The sermon was so convicting today too. We looked at Jacques 3 (james 3) and how the tongue is more powerful than we realize. It was interesting because we also looked at the first chapter and saw how listening is sometimes more important than speaking but both are useless without action. The pastor depicted it much more elegantly, but that was the essence:) And finally, this week was their welcome week for the new people in the church so we each got to introduce ourselves in front of the church and tell a bit about what we are doing in Tours! Then we all ate some "apéritifs" together and chatted a bit. I really feel at home in this church and am so thankful for the friendships God has provided.
Well, I just finished eating lunch (a baguette from the bakery down the road that was still warm and some tomato soup!) so I better get a little homework done! Hope you are all having a great weekend. I'd love to hear what you're up to if you feel like emailing me:)
