a friday well spent

My friend Catherine and I decided to spend our day off from class on Friday by exploring some of the daily markets in Grenoble! First stop was Saint Bruno, which is an outdoor market right by my apartment. This market offers literally the most random melange of everything from socks & makeup to fresh vegetables & cheese. We walked through and picked up an orange here and a banana there to eat for breakfast while peering at all the goods Saint Bruno has to offer.

Next we hopped on the tram to see the indoor/outdoor market at Halles- Saint Claire. I was giddy walking up and down the aisles looking into the glass windows displaying yogurt, fish, cheese, lapin (rabbit), bread, confiture, sausage, juices and the most beautiful array of flowers.

We picked out a cluster of products and then walked down the street to a boulangerie where we bought a baguette, a chocolate eclair and a tarte aux pommes. After that, we walked a little further and parked ourselves on a bench in Place Victor Hugo, a beautiful little park with a fountain in the middle and way too many pigeons. The time had come. We set up our little picnic in the middle of the bench and, sitting one on each side of the spread, began our feast. In between passing the cheese knife back and forth, we kept giggling and squealing this is so French!

My first chocolate eclair was a huge success.

After resting from our food coma, Catherine and I decided to be really hip, young French ladies and go to le cinéma. 

Well. We were the ONLY ones in the whole theatre. So much for being hip and cool...
Anyways, I saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with my dad before I left for France and it became one of my favorite movies! The scenery was out of this world and I loved the idea of going out and doing something adventurous and exciting. I was interested to see it in French and see if I would be able to understand it! Lucky for us, since we were the only ones in there, we got to talk throughout the movie about what was going on and what did he just say? It was a grand time.

all things french

Salut from Grenoble!!!

So, week one has passed and I'm already completely in love. I'm not exactly sure how to recount everything that has happened in the past week so I'll just start by describing some of my favorite memories.

Last Wednesday after arriving in Lyon and connecting with the group of students whom I'm studying with, we hopped on the shuttle to take us to Grenoble- our new home! On the way there I got to sit next to this guy who is also a student at Stendhal University in Grenoble who is from Kazakhstan. Diaz and I spent the 45 minute ride speaking in French (so I could practice) and then in English (so he could practice). I loved hearing about Diaz's life, why he came to Grenoble and what he wants to do after. This first encounter was so eye-opening and so thrilling for me, just a precursor to all the people I would eventually meet in Grenoble with whom French is sometimes the only thing we have in common.

The first few days were spent acclimating ourselves to the city and life in France. We did a LOT of walking around the city, participating in les soldes (biannual sales in every store all around France), and tasting all the sweets and carbs we could get our hands on. I feel like every time I try a new treat from une boulangerie I am utterly amazed by it's goodness. How do they do it?!

My host family is super fun. Clo, Mateo and Eva. Clo is the mom and she is a FABULOUS cook, always whipping up some delicious regional French specialty and painting these ridiculously creative paintings in her spare time. Mateo is in middle school and he is probably the cutest of the French boys. We bonded watching Lord of the Rings, Le Seigneur des Anneaux, the other night because he was utterly appalled that I had never seen it...my b. Eva is a stylish high schooler whom I haven't gotten to know super well yet, but looking forward to! 

this is the view from my bedroom window...where the heck am I?

Now for one of my favorite moments thus far. I met a friend at A&M last year who also studied abroad in Grenoble this past summer. (hey Ellie) She gave me the email of a woman she said I absolutely had to meet. Without knowing anything else about Holli, I sent her an email in my very best French explaining that I was a student in Grenoble and I would love to connect with her. I was SO relieved when she emailed me back in perfect English & we ended up planning for her to pick me up for church on Sunday. 

It's called the International Church of Grenoble and I absolutely loved it. Not to mention that I'm obsessed with Holli and her precious family. I also got to meet some other students from Stendhal who are involved in this organization on campus called Le Feu (Fire) and they invited me to their weekly dinner party on Sunday night. I cannot express how grateful I am to have found this group of people! I went back again this past Wednesday night for etude biblique which, as one of the boys described to me in his thick French accent, is known as "bible for dummies". It was incredible getting to hear all about the basics of the bible, but in French! At Feu I have met new friends from Haiti, Colombia, China, Germany, Brazil, Korea, the British Virgin Islands (the heck?!) and of course, France herself. 

Amidst all this other excitement, I survived my first (half) week of classes! Yippee. We took our placement exam which consisted of a super intimidating chat with one of the university's professors, a written portion and an online portion. We are split up into groups of about 15 people with whom we have French language and vocabulary class every morning (except Friday) with the same professor. My group consists of Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Mexicans and a lovely typical French professor names Jacques. Any other language except French is completely forbidden. And I don't think I want to mess with Jacques... In the afternoons we are free to choose 3 elective classes to attend for the semester. I think I've decided on Culture & Society, French Literature and History of Contemporary France. French, french, french toute la journée! 

So far my biggest struggle has been learning to pronounce my name in French. It's harder than you would think, people. Surely I can conquer this so when I introduce myself to people they aren't completely discombobulated. 

C'est tout pour maintenant. Beaucoup de bisous. 

gratitude

A big theme of my semester has been learning to be constantly thankful. In Ephesians, Paul mentions several times the importance of this act. If my heart is in a state of thankfulness and gratitude, it is harder for bitterness, lies and other nasty things to creep in.

"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." Ephesians 1:16

"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19-20 

Being thankful is not something that comes easily. It's a choice. It's a discipline. When things are going poorly and it's hard to see the goodness in a situation, stop and think of three things that you are thankful for. This helps so much in remembering that God is good all the time. And all the time, God is good.

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday, cranberry salsa YUM!!) here are three things I am thankful for.

1. Friends who spoil me and show me immense love. Friends who will put their hair in french braids, cook french toast, buy french onion dip, french baguettes, french kisses and sparkling wine just to surprise me with a going away party before leaving for France. I feel so undeserving.

2. Reuniting with some of my oldest friends for a weekend of football and freezing fun in Baton Rouge.

3. Spending time at home with family, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.




Happy Thanksgiving :)

better together

Today the Lord revealed something really awesome to me: THAT I CAN'T DO LIFE BY MYSELF.

We were made to lean on each other, to live in community with one another, to learn and grow together, to pray for each other, to share our strengths and weaknesses with one another. But that's just not the way that my mind wants to think sometimes. I often adopt the mindset that I am good enough to handle everything on my own. I don't need help. I don't need someone to keep me accountable.

Yes, I want to be challenged and I want to rely on the Lord, but that means also letting others walk alongside me as I continue to navigate life. Being vulnerable is not fun sometimes. I want to look like I have it all together. Like I have a good enough relationship with the Lord that I don't need any other help or any other guidance.

Lesson #1 of the day:
So, next semester I am officially studying abroad in the French Alps. Grenoble, France will be my home for 5 months. I'm thrilled. Literally. Actually, I'm not sure if you can be "literally" thrilled. But if it were possible, that would be the description of how I feel.

What I am excited for most is the opportunity to go where my faith will be challenged. Where it's going to be hard. All my life I've only ever been comfortable. From high school to kamp to college, it's never been too hard to be a follower of Christ.

For the first time I want to just get out there and figure things out (alone). Alone? Who typed that? Me? Surely not.

That's the thing. I think that I can go halfway across the globe and live in complete spiritual isolation and do everything on my own. HA. I think God is actually chuckling up in heaven right now.

I ran into a friend today who told me that she would be praying for one friend for me next semester that I could walk in community with next semester in France. It took me a moment to process that this was the Lord gently tapping me on the shoulder and telling me once again that I cannot and I was not MADE to do this alone. When the Lord created me, he did not say to himself: Hmm, yes, Adrienne, she will go throughout life on her own (spiritually) without any help because she's special. She's the exception. NO.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  // 1 John 1:7

Lesson #2 of the day:
This morning I decided that I wanted to start reading a book that my dad gave me a few years ago, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. It's essentially a 40-day spiritual journey that challenges readers to understand the big picture of why we are here and what we are made for in this life. It also encourages readers to not read it alone. Instead, find a buddy with whom you can discuss what you read, what you're learning, bounce ideas off one another with how to apply it and most importantly, keep each other accountable in being faithful to spend time with the Lord each day. My first thought was, no thanks. Other people might need to depend on a friend, but I think I can handle this on my own.

My roommate just happened to be home and a few minutes later, I found myself asking if she would like to be my reading buddy. That's some kind of divine intervention if I've ever seen it. Why was it so hard for me to initially be willing to realize my need for community and for accountability?

"Real spiritual growth is never an isolated, individualistic pursuit. Maturity is produced through relationships and community." -Rick Warren

Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up...Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break.  // Ecclesiastes 4:9 

Man oh man, do I have a lot to learn about being a follower of Christ. In the meantime, I'm praying that the Lord would continue to soften my heart and prepare me for this upcoming journey in my life.

twenty

This birthday seemed a bit different than the rest. I actually feel older. I'm not sure why that is, but I LOVE IT. I'm not ashamed to admit I am enjoying the fact that I am now a junior in college, that I'm halfway through my college years and that soon I'll be applying for jobs and living in the real world.

My twentieth birthday was really special. I got to spend it with my crazy, awesome aunt in Aspen, Colorado doing all the things I love best- spending time outdoors, trying new things, eating good food and enjoying sweet fellowship.

This year will undoubtedly bring new challenges, many changes, lessons learned and a bit more life lived.

Currently, the biggest sign to me that I'm growing up and taking on more responsibility is that I just moved into my first house! It's a sweet, old house with a lot of character in which I get to live in with some of my dearest friends. I'm learning that living with roommates means acquiring many life skills- like how to cook biscuits! And also more important things like how to care, respect and shower love on one another well while living in such close quarters. [And also it is a fabulous time for me to test out my amateur cooking skills on my roomies- no judgement!]

Academically, this semester is looking promising because I am finally getting to take classes that I love and am interested in and not just to fulfill requirements. My class schedule includes an English Lit class, Anthropology, French Advanced Oral Expression, Advanced English Composition and just for fun, Rock climbing! I've found that there really is no better way to get pumped up for class than riding on my baby blue cruiser bike to class, which has momentarily been named "Mozart", and jammin' out to Katy Perry's "Roar".

Yet one thing I can be quite sure of is- if I'm not rooted deeply in the Lord, I'll fall when the hard times come. The devil doesn't like when followers of Christ are being lights in the darkness of this world.

"The thief comes ONLY to steal and kill and destroy [and feed you lies and twist and deceive]; I have come that they may have life , and have it to the FULL."  John 10:10

"Continue to live in him, ROOTED and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and o v e r f l o w i n g with thankfulness."  Colossians 2:7

"God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day." Psalm 46:5

I wonder what happens if I hit the cray button?

This summer, so far, has been one for the books. I got to spend 6 weeks at one of my favorite places on earth- Kanakuk Kamps.

I learned that when I am weak, for then I am strong. Because JESUS is strong in me // 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I learned that following Jesus doesn't mean that I need to be perfect. It doesn't mean that I always have to say all the right things. It means that I am seeking a relationship with Christ, accepting Him and loving him as my Lord and Savior. Jesus never asked me to be perfect or to save the world. 

I learned how to work really hard and make sure that I wasn't doing it just so I could earn praise from my peers // Luke 15:11-32

I learned that my human flesh is really silly and pretty icky gross sometimes. And that is all the more reason to praise Jesus that he came to save me from it.

I learned that I do indeed have a lot of sin in my life that separates me from Christ and that he rejoices when we confess it and lay it at the foot of the cross // James 5:16

I learned that it's NOT about me.

I learned to grasp the gospel a bit more clearly and that the good news is just as much for believers to hear as it is for non-believers to hear. 

I learned that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus // Romans 8:1

I learned that the Lord is more proud of me than he ever could be and ever will be- not because of my good works, but because I am one of his precious children // 1 John 3:1

I learned that sometimes (or all the time) I need to SIT DOWN and let Jesus take over. Let Jesus work through me, be strong in me, love and serve me so I can broadcast his love to others.

<< he has made EVERYTHING beautiful in it's time. he has also set ETERNITY in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning -------> end. I know that there is NOTHING better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may EAT and DRINK, and find satisfaction  in all his toil- this is the GIFT of GOD. I know that everything God does will ENDURE forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will REVERE him. >>     ecclesiastes 3:11-14

gator huntin'

So you ask, how would one go about hunting said gators?

This is the very question I asked myself a few days ago before I got to experience it first hand. If you ever sit down to watch Swamp People and you say to yourself- self, lets go get us a gator. Here is a nice little how-to.

Step 1: Hop on a boat just at sunset and make sure to grab a view such as this one.

taken at Coon Creek Club in East Texas

taken at Coon Creek Club in East Texas

Step 2: Take pictures impersonating Swamp People. 

pretty good, eh?

Step 3: Set a large piece of bamboo near an area where gators are likely to abide. Attach an extra long wire with a bright buoy at one end and a large hook at the other end via duct tape and clothespins. Apply gloves and hook a piece of rancid, rotten, extremely appealing and appetizing chicken as bait.

Step 4: Get a good night's rest and then check back in the morning to see if a gator has taken the bait. 

We discovered Mister Alligator leisurely swimming underneath our bamboo contraption..the chicken was gone. Do not underestimate!

Step 5: Even if there is not a gator on the end of your hook, pick some water lilies and enjoy the sunshine.