Crazy Disciple

Thanksgiving in Paris

I don't know if I can do it...  If I buy a duck instead of a turkey for thanksgiving, I will have to cut off its head.   That meat is mighty sweet though...  hmmmmm

So anyway, this is my first real Turkey day to spend outside of the country, and I have to admit that I am a little surprised that it is such an American holiday.  I know, I know..   DUH.   But it still is a bit weird to go into a store on Thanksgiving DAY and have no decorations, no special meals offered, no goofy pilgrims hanging around.   I mean, hey...  I still have to go to class today, and I am even looking at some more apartments tonight.  This is just a normal day.  I guess I really never realized how big of a deal thanksgiving is to me.  

Oh, and for the record... YES, I miss my family, friends, and country today.  But it is still cool to be in Paris.   Happy Thanksgiving.

Aint it funny

I took 150 shots of the conference, and 149 of them are dull.   This one however, when I was trying to get a light reading right (and making mistakes) is great.   It's exposed WRONG...   the one following is nearly the same shot and closer in correct exposure, although a little dark.   However, the wrong one is a thousand times better than the right one.   I think it's time to start over with this whole photography thing, and start reaching for something much greater.   Big thanks to Christoffer for challenging me this weekend, and helping me come to that realization. 

C3 Connect - Amsterdam

Whew, what a day! I'm laying on a very firm BED, in a great little
hotel called Ibis. I was so excited to sleep in a bed tonight... And
the shower is HUGE! Life in Paris has changed me. I even find myself
speaking French to all the people in Amsterdam... And they don't know
French! The best part of that equation is that they are at least a
little impressed with my great French skills... LOL

The first day of the conference was great; as expected, my favorite
times are the times with friends. Phil Pringle shared a great message
about Revelation, and the C3 Amsterdam crew put on an amazing first
day. It was nice to meet so many of the people I have heard so much
about. Anyway, I don't have Internet here so I am having to post from
my iPhone. Ill upload more pics when I get back to Paris. Tomorrow,
I think we are going to go take a canal tour... That should be a good
time for lots of pix!

Travelling in Style

Well, we have stopped a few times, but I think Amsterdam is next.
Train travel rocks! Everyone gets off, and seats open up... Now I'm
sitting in a comfortable car, watching the Netherlands fly by at 100
mph... 30 minutes to Amsterdam, I'm getting excited!

The turmoil underneath

It's Sunday evening, around 8:30 PM in Paris, and I have been debating with myself for a bit about writing a post.  This is one of those times that suck, when everyone feels 5000 miles away, and when I would give most anything to be in my bed, with my dogs, or at some goofy band party at Destiny Church.  I'd really enjoy a hug from my Dad right now, or a goofy kiss on the cheek from my Sister.   Honestly there are so many little things that I have grown to love from my friends and family, that I cant possibly list them all.   The short version is that I feel alone today.  

There are, of course, many moments when I ask myself what it is that I have done.   It's usually as I am trying to go to sleep, the moments that those little pieces of happiness from just a few months ago show their pretty little heads.  I generally just tell myself to not think about it, I instead try to dive into what is coming, and what is ahead...   and that usually works.   Tonight however, I just want to feel what I feel.

Maybe its the weather, maybe its the holidays, maybe its just the reality that I really am 5000 miles away...   maybe this is just part of this journey.   Tomorrow, bright and early, I jump on a train to Amsterdam.  I am traveling alone, but meeting up with friends when I arrive.   For some reason, I think that is having a particular effect on me.   It's weird to think of going somewhere else, from HERE.   Maybe that really solidifies the reality that this is home now?   I don't know...   it's a strange feeling.  

So tonight, I think my medication will be to go for another walk into the heart of Paris and feel the cold rain on my face.  I will find some magical place to stand and look at the city and ask God to hang on to me...  again.   I will ask for an extra helping of peace today, and maybe tomorrow, and maybe for the next 30 days, an extra helping to fill some of the holes that this experience is uncovering.   On a personal level, I know that this is good... I know that this is healing, and I know that it is right.   On a much less righteous level, I also know that it is hard, and it is tough, and it does indeed get lonely.   It's those times though that really separate us, as Christians from the rest...   as those are the times we lean in, and hang on, and those are the times that God shows off.  

I may be lonely tonight, but I am alright... I know God is near.   I just felt like tonight I was ready to share one of these moments.   It's quite a journey...  

Christmas Window Displays

This is just an example of the elaborate window displays in Paris.   Between Printemps and Galleries Lafayette, there are some real creative geniuses out there.   Anyway, this is just one of the examples...   but the real magic is in the eyes of the young people enjoying the spectacle and dreaming of Christmas. 

Thanksgiving

Karen Serna <waving> commented on Twitter the other day that some lights had been lit in Paris, and I thought she was crazy.  Not only had I not seen any changes, but Thanksgiving hadn't come yet... and who in their right mind puts up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving...  Ummm...  they don't have Thanksgiving in France.  So anyway, for the record, Karen was right.  Apparently this has been happening all over Paris and no one told me about it.  I'll get some pictures for you guys later.

By the way, the picture on the left has nothing to do with this post, I just think it's cool.  That's the back side of Notre Dame...  flying buttresses... awesome stuff.

Anyway, so it hit me.  This will be my first Thanksgiving to not be in the United States.  I need to find a way to get some turkey?   Do they have Turkey in France?   Man, duck may just have to do...   YUM. 

So, what am I *really* doing for Thanksgiving?   I will be in Paris, *but* I will just be arriving back from Amsterdam.   Many people from C3Paris, and Christian City Churches all over Europe are meeting up for the Contact conference in Amsterdam.  It should be interesting to see the C3 movement come together as a whole.   The founding father of this movement, Phil Pringle will be there teaching, and that should be an amazing experience.   To be honest however, the thing I am most excited about is spending time with the C3Paris crew, and experiencing all of this together.  Along with me will by Mark, Catherine, Richard, Anna, François, and Geraldine... and probably quite a few other people I don't know about.  The time together will be the REAL victory.  I am THANKFUL for that.  

Opera and Saint Lazar

I went for a walk tonight to find some dinner, and ended up walking quite a distance.   It was a remarkably beautiful evening, and I walked with my mouth gaping in wonder and amazement.   I shot a ton of pictures around Galleries Lafayette and Printemps, two huge department stores near the Opera.  Of course the Opera grabbed my attention as well...    Hard to believe that it is actually real.  Sometimes I forget where I am, and days like today, nights like tonight really underline the victory that is right in front of me.   Paris really is one incredible place.   Here are some assorted shots from my walk...

       

I don't notice it anymore

I woke up this morning and opened the window, taking in a big breath of cool Parisian air.  I realized at that moment that I don't smell Paris anymore.   Now to the Parisians, this might come off as offensive, but it is not meant to be, it's just that I have grown accustomed to the fragrance of Paris.   I certainly noticed it when I arrived, as it is a vastly different smell to Tulsa, but I suspected that there would come a time when I failed to notice it anymore.  Now don't get me wrong, there are still things that I smell that are rather disturbing and a bit disgusting, but those are mostly reserved for the metro...   In general, Paris now smells like home...   crazy how that works out.

I miss this guy

These are definitely not the best pictures ever shot with my camera, but they definitely do tell a story.   Here is the infamous Pastor Mike Goolsbay from Destiny Church.  While it looks like he is up to mischief, he is actually fixing his microphone cord.. oh and diving at the camera...   Man I love that guy, and I miss him too.   <waving>