I just bought Delirious? 's World Service album! I've been waiting what seems like an eternity to get my paws on it! I listened to the prereleases until they stopped letting me stream them... but NOW... ah thank you iTunes!

This wednesday, the 31st, is the day of prayer and fasting for the Pays Basque in France. 40 days have been organized to pray for France over the period of Lent. I'm tossing it into overdrive this week as I pray and communicate with my mission agency in CO about applying for full-time ministry in this unreached corner of France.

The italians brought the sun...
Well, they aren't exactly italian but they are my friends who came passing through Paris this weekend and they came in from Italy. It was wonderful to visit with Fae and Debbie, Kimi and Jenny... Thanks for your warm presence here in Paris- you lifted my spirits, like the sun always does.

I will never forget the organ playing randomly as we sat in St Eustache today. Sun rays flooded the stained glass of the gothic cathedral and I set my face toward the glow capturing the moving light with my camera. The majesty, reverance and beauty- reminds me of my God.

I joined a rainbow of faces at church today. We celebrated birthdays, Audrey's dream coming true (she's going to CA for the summer), and friendship today at the Claye church.

Yesterday I contemplated the idea of getting some design training. I stumbled upon some of the crazy flash sites that make you want to learn how. It was my day off, my day to dream. I even slept like it was my day off last night.

Today, I have compiled some photos from Barcelona. My brother and I dared to venture into the terrorized country just after the March 11 bombings for a little skating. I'm not a skater but moreso a photographer, and filmer in this case. It took us about 2 days and 10 falafels to meet some guys who then joined us for another couple falafels. German, Spanish, Canadian, Irish, American- thanks kyle reynolds, for the pharmacy sweatshirt- the NYC guys know PDX and the DEPT. Joey, Thomas and guys- hope we meet again some day!

Brie with Sun-Dried Tomatoes


1 pound Brie
2 Tbsp. minced, fresh parsley
2Tbsp. freshly grated parmesan
4 sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drain, reserving 1 Tbsp. oil, mince)
6 cloves garlic, minced and mashed to a paste
4 leaves fresh basil (or 1 Tsp. dried, crumbled)

Remove rind from Brie with a sharp knife. Place Brie on a serving plate. In a small bowl, combine parlsley, parmesan, tomatoes, garlic and basil. Add reserved oil and combine well. Spread mixture over Brie and let stand at room temperature one hour before serving. Serve with French bread or crackers.

Thanks Anne, it was a hit!

Monday: the sun is shining...wait a minute... not now... but now.... It's springtime in Paris.
taptaptap, I have about 100 emails needing response and Monday is my day to write them.

Gearing up for a little more pain this year, I decided to enhance the experience by purchasing a new Fender guitar. This baby is making people smile. The quality of sound surpasses what a debutante like me should be strumming. My musicianship goal is to be singing a worship song or two by summer. Kinda steep, but I count on a small hour per day to callous those digits and train agility.

written 11 March in face of life and ministry here in France

Exhausted from a full day, I sit down and recognize the dirt I've accumulated throughout the day: my ears have endured foul language, my feet have walked dog-trodden cobbles; my hair has grown straw-like in the dense air of a cafe, and my faces itches from the smoke of my neighbor's cigarette. Its been a tremendously profitable day.

Exhausted from the old life without Jesus, I sat down to realize that dirt in my life was killing me: my mouth poured vulgarities, my feet darted around in anger and looking for love, my hair became part of my mask, and I wore the smoke of my condemnation upon my clothes and skin. And then I met Jesus who listened to my words, walked my paths, breathed this earthly air and exchanged his perfect eternal life for my rightful damnation. This is the most effective day of my existence.

From here out I move forward desiring to become more like this amazing personification of Grace, godly and pure. I live here on earth among millions of souls just like me and I will remember the dirt that has been washed away. And I will go out into these peoples to live an ever brightening life among them because of Jesus.

Pray for France:
60 million souls

photo- green eyes: she looks like Liv
green- Gabe in Chicago is donning it again; Starbucks at Metro: Pyramides, 126 Ave Opera
sing- elise; elise and lise for lagny
lagny- beware of 806 in pedestrian cross walks
walks- from lognes to noisiel to gournay
from short to long- emails
print- surfer=surfeur
uncertainty and love