Fiers d'être socialiste...

Sorry for my absence, I don’t want to be the one who “updates too often” and then begins to lose the reader base. Then I got all geared up and ready to write last week, and quickly thereafter became sick with a flu/throat/cough thing - which wiped me out for a few days. But I’m on the rebound, and a LOT has happened in the time since I last updated, so get ready. Because it’s all pretty crazy.

Let’s start with the socialist rally. “What?!” you say? Oh yes, last week I somehow found my way into a socialist rally, and before I even knew what was going on, I was porting a t-shirt (Fiers d’être socialiste), waving a flag, and waiting for the socialist presidential candidate to come and give a speech. Before you jump to conclusions, just know that this wasn’t an “oppositional” rally - there wasn’t any tear gas or crowd control necessary. My friends and I worked our way to the front of the crowd, right next to Ségolène Royal (the socialist party’s candidate for the presidential elections this month) and ended up on the big screen on stage. There was even a point when the crowd began to sing the socialist theme song (we just mouthed and hummed, making it look like we knew what was going on) and if I wasn’t mistaken, I believe I heard something to the tune of “Hail to Fidel Castro, a pioneer of our cause….”

Other than that it’s just been random crazy things happening from time to time. Such as a get-together with the program participants in which the director prepared horse meat, snails, and frog legs for us, all in one night. Talk about being culturally diverse…

Quick side note- if you all could pause for a moment to pray for my mother, she is in surgery right now for her knee. I believe that God works miracles through prayer, and I know that this surgery will heal her. Just pray for the doctors, for my family, and especially for my mother, both right now in surgery and in her recovery. Thank you so much!

For all of those out there that are worrying themselves to death over my host-family situation: things are on the up. My program director called and spoke to the host mom, and she has agreed to give me space in the refrigerator. The director advised me to offer to make dinner for the family one night, that way they can see me in their kitchen using their things, then maybe afterwards they will feel a bit better about me cooking on my own. I have a feeling this is going to be a gradual process, that things won’t be magically changed overnight. But God has placed me in this house for a reason, so keep praying for both the family and myself – and that God will reveal what it is He wants me to do.

Lastly, next week I will be traveling to ITALY to see my FAMILY for 9 days! You better believe I am holding my breath for that. I am so excited, and look forward to it everyday. The fact that I get to be with Shea, Aubrey, Bella Sofia and Mikel completely surpasses the fact that I will be in Italy – I honestly just want to sit with them in the living room and revel in family. This trip couldn’t have come at a better time!

I will update when I return from Italy, at the end of the month. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and encouragement. I want to send out an extra-special thank you to my Aunt Annie, Aunt Jenni, and Ann Wood. Ever since I left the States each one of them has constantly been encouraging me in emails, chats and posts – and they have gone that extra mile to make me smile and feel better on days when I’m not feeling so good. Thank you guys, I love and appreciate you more than you know!