One of the little angels in love with Emilie.

Today was a good day though it began poorly. The muggy Saturday was less enjoyable than I had hoped and its heavy air drifted allegorically into my Sunday morning. They told me I was at the wrong station so I missed my first train. No problem. That’s why I’m early. 30 minutes later I am told to go to the station I was previously at. Missed the second train. Now I’m missing church. 

Sometimes life skips the lemons and gives you the lemonade in a sugar rimmed glass. This morning, I felt as if life forgot me entirely. P.S. Happy Birthday.

Along with missing the train this morning and missing my friends the day before, all of the unknowns, anxieties, frustrations and fears of my current situation gathered into a ball of discouragement and took out my legs like bowling pins. When I finally arrived in Esbly, I walked dejectedly down the street until I saw a boulangerie. Due to a communication error, I walked out with two chocolate croissants for 2,40€ and determined to have a pleasant walk through the countryside unless I happened to find the church. Before I walked far from the shop, I noticed a girl striding confidently towards me. She was Emilie Voke, sent to deliver me to the church which was only 100 meters away. 

I sang “Il n’y a plus de Condemnation” and “Mon Jésus, mon Sauveur” with the 50 others then munched slowly on my pain au chocolat, straining in vain to discern the message and testimonies during the three baptisms. Even so, I felt comfortable.

 For three hours, I dined with the Vokes at a young couple’s house on crêpes. They sang Joyeux Anniversaire and opened a delicious bottle of white wine from Die. At dinner I absorbed words until my mind was drenched in French and my belly brimmed with crêpes. By 22:00 I boarded the train for Paris.

Every hour is different and I never know what the next one will hold.