3rd Week

God has me here for a reason! 

So it's been rough getting adjusted but I know God has me here for a reason. I had a really good talk with Brian and Stanley. The night before our conversation Brian read to me from Luke 9. Verse 62 says, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." When Brian read that to me my heart was pierced and I was filled with conviction. I kept looking at home and wanting all my comforts and relationships from back home. I just kept looking back. In order for me to be successful here I need to stop looking back and start looking up. 




We got an apartment! 


Stanley and I finally signed our contact and will hopefully move in on Monday, July 18. We both were able to get French bank accounts and renter's insurance. The insurance came out of nowhere! We didn't even know we needed it but God provided and we were able to get it and just before our date to sign the contact. Now we have to furnish it! 


Ikea


So Stanley and I spent 5 hours at Ikea. I am completely overwhelmed at what we have to do to furnish this apartment. Both Stanley and I have never had to completely furnish a place. Today we focused on just getting the essentials. A bed, bed frame, pillows and sheets. If you thought Ikea was confusing in the states, imagine having everything in French and Swedish! Double can't understand! We eventually got beds and had them delivered to our place for Monday. Now the next phase is to get everything else we need to live, utensils, plates, cups, towels, furniture, etc. 


France-isms


So there a lot of things that the French do that I think is odd, weird or cool (You decide): 

• Mayonnaise is not just mayo but mayo with Dijon. Surprise!
• Bread is dirt cheap! An entire baguette is 40 cents. 
• There's no system of walking on the sidewalk. Let me explain: In the US when you're walking in the mall on the street whatever... you usually stay to your right and everyone behind you and in front of you usually follows suit. In France there's no system people just walk wherever and it's chaos! I run into people daily! 
• The subway systems are automatic. There are no car drivers it's all computerized. And always on time! 
• When shopping for clothes, instead of taking your choices to the nearest fitting room, you strip down where you are and try on clothes. 
• Also while shopping most manikins aren't wearing clothes and are very detailed... 
• Skate shops do not sell skate boards but they have them in their window displays... 
• Most mean wear a satchels, a murse or man purse (whatever you like to call it). 
• French style match their socks, belt, under shirt and satchel, murse or man purse (whatever you like to call it). 
• More to come!