Bonjour, mamma.

Oh where to begin. Usually I am decent with expressing myself. I have no words for France. I have no words for the way this place makes me feel. As I peddle through the breathtakingly beautiful parks on my way to class I ask God "how did I get to be in the place I am? Why did you bless me with such an opportunity?" I guess I will begin by saying that I am happy. Although my happiness may not be so evident on the exterior (I maintain a stoic face to blend in better), I assure you my loving friends that I am flourishing. FLOURISHING. The family I live with is a carbon copy of my real family. Comprised of 5 people. mom, dad, a boy and two girls. Mother is the chorus, the father the conductor. Each one of them special (although I haven't yet met the oldest as she lives in Peru with her Peruvian husband) and each one of them willing to help me with my pursuit of the French language. School is great, very intense. I am in my third week and each day I realize a new perspective ...

this is love. Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick , 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé, Nick, 23. This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th, 2005. Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions. Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine, Katie took care of every single part of the wedding planning. Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to Katie’s constant weight loss. An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. The other couple in this picture is Nick’s parents, very emotional with the wedding and of course to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love with when he was an adolescent. Katie, in a wheel chair, listening to her husband and friends singing to her. In the middle of the party, Katie had to rest for a bit to catch her breath. The pain does not allow her to stand for a long period of time. Kat...

[source] Yesterday I worked 15 hours straight. I spoke with some Quebecois men at work. Their accent is so thick- very hard to follow but beautiful too. A brief story: Sometimes in life I feel inclined to tell people things when I think it. Example: If I like your shoes or I think you have beautiful eyes I will most likely say so. Sometimes people appreciate my side comments and other times they go unnoticed [which is fine]. When I walk into work there are so many personalities and situations that are completely foreign to me. [it's a mission field] There is a gentleman at work who is very outspoken, fun, enthusiastic and very good at what he does. I know that lately he has had some serious problems at home with his family. I saw him yesterday and instantly felt God leading to him to say that he is a wonderful person and that he is great at what he does. He looked me in my eyes and thanked me. Two minutes later he approached me and said "this is really weird but what made you ...

God has sincerely put my heart at rest. I wake up, I make deep, heart wrenching eye contact with reality and say "Hello, life. I will inspire and trust others. I will never take anything too seriously." Did you know that life on earth is temporary? Store up your treasures in heaven. Don't worry about finances or shortcomings, for they are temporary, also. Make a conscious effort to blur away your addictions and live a balanced and fulfilled life. Give your heart to Him and He will make you clean. Easier said than done, right? Well, you'd be surprised.