I still cannot believe that I will have been here for 3 months in just four days! Time has really flown!
I won't deny that not everything about being here has been rosy, but it sure has challenged my outlook on many things and has motivated me to make changes in my life when I return home. My health has not been my bestfriend for the past while, but through it God has slowed me down.
This past month and a bit has been a real time of thinking for me. Thinking about my life, my goals, my motivations, my relationships and so much more. I am still completely overwhelmed by the fact that I can be here in London and study a subject that interests me and not have to work. An opportunity like this might only come once in a lifetime...and for that I am truly blessed!
I think the best thing that has been a huge blessing to me is that I have finally found a church! Praise God! Although I have met many wonderful Christians in the past few months, finding a Christian community that I can invest in is amazing! I am looking forward to further services, bible studies and the fellowship!
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Learning Generosity!!
So, as I mentioned in my previous post, I have been struggling with some pain in my hips. This prevented me from getting around Paris (hence the large amount spent on Taxi rides!) because I had pain walking, standing or taking the stairs. It was a huge spiritual learning curve (and still is!!!) to be in a foreign country, away from family and friends, unable to get around on my own, not able to manage my pain and struggle with lots of anxieties. However, God is faithful and He was (and is!) watching out for me.
I had originally planned and booked my vacation to Paris on my own. I had booked a bed in 10 bed mixed dorm room hostel on my own. Several days before I left I found out that two other girls (one of which is in my course) were going to Paris at the same time. I cancelled my bed booking and booked a room to share between us three girls. This was the first major blessing - when I had to spend the entire day lying down in bed in Paris, I had an entire room to myself! Praise God for that!
Travelling with these girls also enabled me to get around a bit more than I would have on my own. We made sure to meet up every night for dinner at a French restaurant and sample "rea" French food and wine. It definitely made the day much more positive, especially when I was 'stuck' in one spot as I had trouble getting around.
I had a lot of pain so I also ended up taking taxis pretty much everywhere which is quite expensive in Paris. These girls, although they had bought unlimited public transport passes, were more than willing to split up the cost of the taxi fairs, despite my protests. What kindness!
Musee D'Orsay was one spot I really wanted to visit as they have impressionist and post-impressionist painters and I really enjoy that era. So, one afternoon I headed off to the museum, fully prepared to take it real slow and sit down every 1/2 hour or so. As I waited in line, I met a fellow Canadian gentleman, who was killing the weekend in Paris while on a business trip. We chatted for about 1/2 hour, and then, when we finally got into the museum suggested tackling the museum together. I told him to go on ahead as I would be VERY slow - He declined and said that it was not problem. Not only was he extremely patient with me as I had to sit down regularly, he was also quite knowledgeable about the art and so I had my own private tour!
At the end of the visit, he kindly offered to take me to my train to make sure that I got onto the right one. However, just before we left he stopped in the gift shop and purchased me a Museum guide filled with pictures of many of the paintings. I was, and still am, overwhelmed by the kindness of a stranger. It still brings tears to my eyes to experience such generosity and thoughtfulness. I unfortunately don't remember his name, but I pray that I will learn from this. I can only praise God for this man and wonder, was he an angel?
On my return train journey into Paris, I received a text from a friend in London who offered to meet me at the station in London and carry my bag home for me. Again, I am overwhelmed by God's provision!
Although I am still struggling with pain and frustration over getting around, God has shown that he cares for me through the acts of strangers and friends. He has taught me that He is a God of compassion, generosity and mercy. I hope and pray that I will not forget this but will, when called upon, enact that same spirit of generosity to others!
"It is more blessed to give than receive." Acts 20:35
I had originally planned and booked my vacation to Paris on my own. I had booked a bed in 10 bed mixed dorm room hostel on my own. Several days before I left I found out that two other girls (one of which is in my course) were going to Paris at the same time. I cancelled my bed booking and booked a room to share between us three girls. This was the first major blessing - when I had to spend the entire day lying down in bed in Paris, I had an entire room to myself! Praise God for that!
Travelling with these girls also enabled me to get around a bit more than I would have on my own. We made sure to meet up every night for dinner at a French restaurant and sample "rea" French food and wine. It definitely made the day much more positive, especially when I was 'stuck' in one spot as I had trouble getting around.
I had a lot of pain so I also ended up taking taxis pretty much everywhere which is quite expensive in Paris. These girls, although they had bought unlimited public transport passes, were more than willing to split up the cost of the taxi fairs, despite my protests. What kindness!
Musee D'Orsay was one spot I really wanted to visit as they have impressionist and post-impressionist painters and I really enjoy that era. So, one afternoon I headed off to the museum, fully prepared to take it real slow and sit down every 1/2 hour or so. As I waited in line, I met a fellow Canadian gentleman, who was killing the weekend in Paris while on a business trip. We chatted for about 1/2 hour, and then, when we finally got into the museum suggested tackling the museum together. I told him to go on ahead as I would be VERY slow - He declined and said that it was not problem. Not only was he extremely patient with me as I had to sit down regularly, he was also quite knowledgeable about the art and so I had my own private tour!
At the end of the visit, he kindly offered to take me to my train to make sure that I got onto the right one. However, just before we left he stopped in the gift shop and purchased me a Museum guide filled with pictures of many of the paintings. I was, and still am, overwhelmed by the kindness of a stranger. It still brings tears to my eyes to experience such generosity and thoughtfulness. I unfortunately don't remember his name, but I pray that I will learn from this. I can only praise God for this man and wonder, was he an angel?
On my return train journey into Paris, I received a text from a friend in London who offered to meet me at the station in London and carry my bag home for me. Again, I am overwhelmed by God's provision!
Although I am still struggling with pain and frustration over getting around, God has shown that he cares for me through the acts of strangers and friends. He has taught me that He is a God of compassion, generosity and mercy. I hope and pray that I will not forget this but will, when called upon, enact that same spirit of generosity to others!
"It is more blessed to give than receive." Acts 20:35
Le Grande Paris!
This past weekend I was in Le Grande Paris! Due to some health problems I didn't get around to see as much as I had hoped, but I did enjoy what I got to see and learned a GIANT amount about generosity, compassion and God's provision (more on this in a future blog!)
Just as a brief overview to explain the pictures, I visited the Sacre Coeur, La Place de Tetre in Montmartre, the Catacombs, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and Musee D'Orsay.
I spent the majority of my time eating - freshly made crepes with nutella, creme brulee gelato, pain au chocolate, croissants and baguettes - and drinking vin rouge. Let me just say that there IS such a thing as too much good food! I think I will have to starve myself for the next month! :)
I sat in the park by the Eiffel Tower with friends and picniced on baguettes, cheese and wine and was able to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. I watched artists paint on canvas. I smelled and tasted fresh baking. I ate escargot. I drove around in a LOT of taxis. I attempted to speak French (an absolute failure!). I was accosted by French men. I listened to live music.
I don't think that there is one sense that is not used!
On a more gruesome note, I visited the Catacombs. Basically, the Catacombs is a bone collection of 5 to 6 million people. It is a network of subterranean tunnels and rooms located in what were Roman-era limestone quarries. The quarries were converted into a mass tomb near the end of the 18th century, because at the time, the Les Halles district in the middle of the city of Paris was suffering from disease, which was due to contamination caused by improper burials and mass graves in church graveyards. So it was decided to remove the bones discreetly and place them in the abandoned quarries.
On a bit of a more wholesome note, I was able to visit the Musee D'Orsay. It was really nice to walk through a museum filled with paintings by Degas, Renoir, Monet, Szanne and other famous impressionist painters.
Hope you enjoy these as much as I did!!
Just as a brief overview to explain the pictures, I visited the Sacre Coeur, La Place de Tetre in Montmartre, the Catacombs, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and Musee D'Orsay.
I spent the majority of my time eating - freshly made crepes with nutella, creme brulee gelato, pain au chocolate, croissants and baguettes - and drinking vin rouge. Let me just say that there IS such a thing as too much good food! I think I will have to starve myself for the next month! :)
I sat in the park by the Eiffel Tower with friends and picniced on baguettes, cheese and wine and was able to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. I watched artists paint on canvas. I smelled and tasted fresh baking. I ate escargot. I drove around in a LOT of taxis. I attempted to speak French (an absolute failure!). I was accosted by French men. I listened to live music.
I don't think that there is one sense that is not used!
On a more gruesome note, I visited the Catacombs. Basically, the Catacombs is a bone collection of 5 to 6 million people. It is a network of subterranean tunnels and rooms located in what were Roman-era limestone quarries. The quarries were converted into a mass tomb near the end of the 18th century, because at the time, the Les Halles district in the middle of the city of Paris was suffering from disease, which was due to contamination caused by improper burials and mass graves in church graveyards. So it was decided to remove the bones discreetly and place them in the abandoned quarries.
On a bit of a more wholesome note, I was able to visit the Musee D'Orsay. It was really nice to walk through a museum filled with paintings by Degas, Renoir, Monet, Szanne and other famous impressionist painters.
Hope you enjoy these as much as I did!!
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