Journey On...

Baxters First Thanksgiving

2007-01-19T05:47:00.000-08:00

Claire-Lise, Me and Baxter, Hailey

Eva and Emmanuelle after an INCREDIBLE Thanksgiving meal at the Zumacks. We found all the traditional food that makes thanksgiving so great...the only thing that was missing was American football and the parade but you can't have it all ;o)

Fire Hazard!!!

2007-01-19T05:40:00.000-08:00

This restaurant was SO excited that it was Debbies birthday they butsted out a pretty serious sparkler in a tube thing to put in her complimentay gourmet dessert...it scared us all at first and then shock set in and we laughed like crazy until it went out...then there was an awkward silence...then we started laughing again at the strange burnt cardboard tube sticking out of the crazy marzipan brownie assorted goodies thing...never a dull moment!

Winter Smurf

2007-01-19T05:35:00.000-08:00

Winter this year has definately been MUCH more mild compared to last year...well, so far :o/ This is still however, how you will find me inside our great..but chilly appartment. :o)

Eva and Emmanuelle

2007-01-19T05:27:00.000-08:00

This is Emmanuelle and Eva...They're not twins but they are sisters that moved here from The Reunion Islands, near Madigascar. We all started going to Eau Vive about the same time but it took us quite a few months to get around to meeting each other...but once we did we became pretty good friends. They've encouraged me a lot and I'm really glad to know them!

This is us the day of the India themed parade...it was out of control! Like Fiesta x10!

I Had Visitors

2007-01-19T05:21:00.000-08:00

Jennifer and Steve Lefever were in England and came over to see me for the day...It was really great to show them around and be the one in the group who knows what's going on for a change ;o) It was good to have a little part of home here in France. Thanks guys!!!

2007-01-19T05:16:00.000-08:00

Me and Steve (a.k.a Gigantor) at the Eiffel Tower.

Hey Steve! I have a question for you..."How did the parapelegic (no idea how to spell that) cross the road?" :O)

Apparently tthey're called 'Smooties' in Belgium...

2007-01-19T05:12:00.000-08:00

It was funny to me that the sign was in English to begin with...then it stepped up a level when I realize they forgot the 'h'!

Good Times!

2007-01-19T05:07:00.000-08:00

Eva, Me, Hailey, and Emmanuell. I love these girls! We took a trip to Bruxelles to celebrate Eva's birthday.

Trucker Hats Taking Over The World

2007-01-19T05:04:00.000-08:00

Me and Hailey being cheesy in Bruxelles...seriously, who's buying blue trucker hats in Belgium?!?!

Peeing Statue

2007-01-19T04:55:00.000-08:00

Me being cheesy....all by myself ;o)

That little tiny statue is a HUGE deal in Bruxelles...there are replicas of him all over the place with different constumes...'cowboy peeing statue' 'sailor peeing statue' I guess every city has there thing...I love them now but I was kind of weirded out at first when we (in San Antonio) put decorated fiber glass cows all over the city.

2007-01-19T04:47:00.000-08:00

Me and the Frere family...David, Evelyne, Jean-Pierre. They live in Tournai, Belgium, Davids a good buddy and I have the privilege of working with Evelyne at Eau Vive (our French church). I can't imagine my time here without them in it!

2007-01-19T04:40:00.000-08:00

Just another fun filled evening with the greatest youth in France.

left to right: Priss and Aurelien

Aloice, Naomi, Rebecca, Rachel (priss/aureliens daughter)

2007-01-19T04:37:00.000-08:00

This is the last team of Americans that came...the guy in front is the fire chief who climbed onto my roof!

Baxter goes to Paris

2007-01-19T04:33:00.000-08:00

This is my friend Eugenia with Baxter. I went with the last team that came to do construction on the church and decided to take him along...BAD IDEA! He got sick in the van all 9 of us were crammed into and threw up...he was also severely in need of a haircut. Ahh, crazy people and their crazy dogs.

2007-01-19T04:26:00.000-08:00

Every other year the city I live in (Lille) comes up with some great theme and decorates like you wouldn't believe. Two years ago it was an enormous upside down forest. This year the theme was India. There was a GIGANTIC parade/festival thing that kicked it off a couple months ago. These lifesize elephant statues were put along the road between my house and the train station. 14 total I think. With that and the Christmas ferris wheel and decorations...my goodness it's been festive.

P.S. It all came down yesterday and I thought it would be a little sad but there's a lot more space on the streets and it's good to have the real Lille back ;o)

"Happy Lights"

2007-01-19T04:19:00.000-08:00

The display all over the city was pretty impressive...this building as well as the entire front of the train station were covered with these gorgeous lights.

'Key' DNA Research

2006-09-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

A recent statistical survey shows that in the year 2005 locksmiths in America made an average of $57 gazillion dollars each by opening the doors to cars, houses, and apartments. Scientists have recently discovered there is a biological reason for these happenings and that 85% of the calls came from women. Apparently only found in the female DNA, there is a genophenetahogotype that often blocks the transmission from the female mind that has blocked the message to pickup the keys from getting to her perfectly manicured hands where the picking up actually needs to occur.

The same research has shown that this chink in the DNA chain is also responsible for the female driving etiquette. This phenomenon, however, is most often referred to when men are driving near women while breaking speed limit laws, being impatient, or with females who do not yet have the necessary examples of his "How I almost killed the people in my car by my need to drive faster, turn sharper, and know where I'm going even when I clearly don't"...stories.

If you've known me for more then a month you've probably heard me say that I have locked my keys in something. Yesterday because of this genetic reality I locked my keys in my apartment. My immediate response of course was to cry, have a cup of coffee and then rob a bank so I could fund the opening of my door, which is roughly $89 dollars given the current currency exchange. It is my great pleasure to say this story ended with a 62 year old retired fire chief from California using his hero DNA to devise a plan to climb onto the roof of my five story apartment building and into my apartment to save the day. What a brilliant and humorous God we have that our DNA’s can so annoy and so compliment each other at the same time.

Men, before you get to excited about being the smaller percentage of locksmith calls you should know a further study showed that out of the 15% of calls that came from men 75% of those men who, by the way, also said it was their wives who left the keys in the car and she’s just in using the bathroom, had to call and make an appointment with their car repair center for the next morning because their valiant efforts to beat the locksmith to it have left the driver and passenger windows inoperable.

I love you Mel!

2006-09-11T03:07:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Mel who came to see me for two weeks this summer. We went to college together and are both now living in new cultures. That did not however, in any way stop us from being our same old crazy selves. It was so great to have her here!

That cup of hot chocolate is only that exciting because we were in Chantilly. That is the city where whip cream was invented.

2006-09-11T03:02:00.000-07:00

This is us on a boat tour in Belgium...it's not Riverwalk but it was good. ;o)

Short Bus

2006-09-11T02:50:00.000-07:00

There is nothing this funny about being on a train but it seemed like everytime we went anywhere we ended up like this...laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. One of our rides ended with us laughing so hard we were seriously crying while a trainful of people crowded by our seats watiting to get off the train despirately wanted to know either:
1. What in the world could have happened that was so stinkin' funny or...
2. Why they let two kids from the short bus take the train by themselves.

2006-09-11T02:47:00.000-07:00

Amiens, France...I think :o/

:O)

2006-09-11T02:43:00.000-07:00

me and mel in Belgium

Always the Jokers!

2006-08-24T02:43:00.000-07:00

I go to church with these crazy guys...The guy on the left is Aurelien (him and his wife Pris and I will be working together with the youth this year) they have a band called 'For the Day of Redemption" This was just before one of their concerts...they play hard and love Jesus and it's great to see that here in Europe!

Texas!

2006-08-24T02:37:00.000-07:00

David represented Jesus and Texas that night! 10 points for David!

2006-08-24T02:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's me, Mel, and Martha Zumack playing in rows of corn...but not just any rows of corn...this is an actual, intentional, corn maze! No we did not get lost, because no I was not in charge of the map :O)

"Killer Peacock Breaks!"

2006-08-22T03:03:00.000-07:00

Translation errors on signs ar the best...and just so you know the peacocks were kinda scary!

"The Weeping Angel"

2006-08-22T02:57:00.000-07:00

I didn't know it but this little guy is actually kind of famous. This sculpture is really called the weeping angel and I'm sure there's a really great story behind why that is but I don't know it ;o) Hope you enjoy the picture anyway!

2006-08-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

One of the many amazing pieces of art France has to offer.

2006-08-22T02:47:00.000-07:00

I love the fishes 'cause their so delicious...

Pray for Action!

2006-06-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

With everything I am I would like to ask you all to pray diligently for my support situation! I'm excited to see how He will provide and I'm excited that you are a part of that through prayer or support!

Culture Shock wink

2006-06-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

Never a dull moment here in Lille! In the square in front of my appartment there is a very large fountain. Last Sunday I was waiting for a couple of friends and a group of guys came a long and decided to take a picture with the fountain sprays. You should never take life too seriously anyway. The catch is that only in France would the grown man on the right decide not to risk getting his pantlegs wet by completely taking them off! Next time you think your dad or husband or grandfather is strange, just remember that could have been him in this fountain in France and be very grateful!

Thank you Canada!

2006-06-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

We had a team of 17 (mostly from Canada) who came to do construction on our church a couple weeks ago. There were here for two weeks and I was able to host these two girls (Larissa from canada on the left and Joan from Jamaica on the right) for a week. Because of the fundraising adn the two weeks of work this team put in we now have two extra rooms in our church which will be used for the children and the youth. I'm in the process of decorating the youth room *huge smile* I'll post before and after pictures when we're finished. This team with their willing hearts and hands has made it a lot more possible for us to accomidate the slow and steady growth we are seeing. IT'S INCREDIBLE!

English 101

2006-06-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

I went to dinner with my Tuesday night English class to celebrate a wonderful school year together. It was incredible! They are so generous and each came with a gift card I can use in four different local stores here...such a financial blessing to me right now! In this dinner that went from 7:30 - 11:30 I was asked if I ever got homesick. I was able to talk with three women about how God has and will continue to met my every need here in such a sweet and devine way. Gernerosity and Gratitude! Great French food! Great company! Great opportunity to share my faith! Does it get better then that?

The water was VERY cold!

2006-06-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

The first baptism I've seen in France. For us at Eau Vive it was the baptism of these two believers (the men in white shirts standing to the right of my pastor) as well as a symbolic baptism of our new room. Praise the Lord for both! Yes those are electric wires hanging down from the ceiling but they really are much higher then they look in the picture ;o)

Mon petit chien qui s'appelle Baxter!!!

2006-06-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

I would like you to meet Baxter! I have been wanting a dog for a while now but could not afford it because of addoption costs and vaccinations and stuff. A friend of mine found this sweet dog for me and I am so very excited. He is a purebread Yorkshire Terrier, three and a half months old. My friend used a great connection of his to get him for me for free with his vaccinations and everything! (I don't know if it's the same in america actually but purebread dogs are incredibly expensive here) Isn't he cute?!?!?!

New Address!!!

2006-05-08T05:12:00.000-07:00

Heather Shealy

c/o Claire-lise Meyer
11 rue des 3 Couronnes
59000 Lille
France

Feel free write!!!

"Skype"

2006-05-08T04:58:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can call me for less then once cent a minute!!!!
www.skype.com Free to download, user friendly! Computer to computer we can talk free!
You can put minutes on your account ($10 gets me 7 hours of talk time to America), and buy a headset from Best Buy or somewhere like that...mine was $12 I think. If you get a skype name or have questions about it, e-mail me and I'll put you on my list or help you out. My skype name is Jounrey967 Of course I didn't realize I spelled journey wrong until after it was saved and operating :O/
Type in the number just like this +33320314884...my country code is 33 so calling me from a regular phone should just be pressing 00 before the threes instead of the plus sign. If it doesn't work, let me know :O) DON'T FORGET: the time difference...my roomates thank you in advance. I'm seven hours ahead of Texas time.

Church Christmas Party

2006-05-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

"Soup and Coffee"

2006-05-07T15:42:00.000-07:00

Pricilla (a girl in my church) organizes a morning of taking soup and coffee to the homeless people around Lille about once a month. This is Christophe (left) with a man that is almost always in that exact spot because their is a little bit of warm air coming up out of the vent he's sitting on. We've had some great opportunities to meet the people we pass everyday.

2006-05-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

I've had some really hard days since coming back from my visit to the states and as it turns out, a night out with the girls is exactly what I needed!
Tara (teammate who is going home in a month) and my good friend Josiane. We met at an Anglican church and she works with the youth at another French church here in Lille.

2006-05-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

My friend Anke (from Germany) and I at an free outdoor concert in the 'Grande Place.' (which happens to be right in front of my appartment...if you can't beat 'em...join 'em!

New Roomates!!!

2006-05-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

Meet Valentine (left) and Claire-lise (middle) Unfortunately Valentine will be leaving at the end of June...they are both really great!!!

2006-05-07T15:07:00.000-07:00

Claire-lise just celebrated her birthday...this is the living room of our apartment.

"The Day of Redemption"

2006-05-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

Meet Aurelien! There is a group of guys in my church who have a band called 'The Day of Redemption' (that's not a translation, they're title is in English) They play hard rock music and have a very unique opportunity represent what they believe! Two of them live there in Belgium and that's where they play most of the time. Recent developement: Myself, Aurelien, and his fiance Priscilla will be working as a team with the youth group at our church.

2006-05-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

Tournai, Belgium

2006-05-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

The city I go to all the time in Belgium is called Tournai. This church sits in the center and it the most enormous church I've seen. I couldn't get it all inthe picture obviously. It's beautiful!

2006-05-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

The 'Grande Place' of Lille...I live in the top left window of the row of buildings facing you inthe picture. I can't explain how blessed I am to have found this place! It's the least expensive place I've lived so far, with the most amount of space, in the best location!

This is the place I just moved from. It was the servants quarters to a 'chateau' that burned down so now the family rents out the rooms. I had a great time living there but it was too far away.

This is my Teusday night English class the night of our Christmas party. My Monday night class has about 12 student in it and between the two they range in age from 14 to 68. They are so great! I think I'll be taking on a couple more classes next year so the fun continues :O)

2006-05-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

My old roomates from Wattignies...Virginie and B.B.

2005-07-02T11:37:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of me in Lille...the corner of a building to my right is an opera house. During the Fetes de la musique (pardon possible spelling errors) the entire area I'm standing in was full of people. It was like Fiesta downtown San Antonio but with all different kinds of music and great things to see.

Victory...

2005-06-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

Just want you all to know the money that was stolen from me has been replaced two fold and then some. Praise the Lord! I'm so excited but excuse me if I'm not surprised. This is what happens when we give God room! (wisdom passed down to me by my stateside pastor) Now, there is financial security if I need to go to the doctor and I can speak of the Father with ease to the two host families I will be spending time with this month as they ask me how my first few weeks in France has been. The war is not over I know but today we definately have the victory!
We have a "Kid's Play In English" week as well as a VBS coming up this month. Pray the Lord would be with us as we plan these things and as we love and share with these children.
On a personal note, I'm going to the Louvre on Sunday because it's free to get in...art causes me to meet with God and I'm so excited to encounter Him in the beauty I will see!

Where Do I Begin...

2005-06-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

It seems as though one of the places the Lord leads me to the most is the one where I have to make the choice to believe Him over my emotions. As most of you know last week was a little rough for me. My wallet was stolen and I lost about 200 euros...He has already replaced almost all of it through both Americans and new French friends who are letting me work as their 'au pair' for a week. It creates easy opportunity here to explain why I am not freaking out about it. More importantly, I became pretty sick last week and just when I think I have recovered...it returns, whatever 'it' is. I'm having stomach problems that lead to fever and pain and am not excited about going to the doctor here but might have no choice. Today though, the emotions of being tired and sick to my stomach just made me want to come home. My emotions tell me there is much to great a mission to accomplish by staying here without language skills or close friends. It was just then He so tenderly reminded me that I must make the choice to believe His call, power, unfailing love, and beautiful dream for me here. I humbly return to the nail of confirmation when He provided with such haste and abundance before I left to know I am meant to be here now. This does not remove the emotion unfortunately; it does however remove Satans power to control me by it. It also changes its lasting affects on my heart. I think of the missionaries, stateside families, and individuals I know who have pursued for the cause of Christ well beyond what I have experienced and I praise the Lord for their inspiration and example. PRAY FOR YOUR MISSIONARIES! This update is kind of heavy but I will add some fun pictures very soon! I love you all!

2005-06-13T02:02:00.000-07:00

My first time in Paris! After riding the train and the metro and walking a really long way my new friend Kortney and I saw the Eiffel Tower, The Arch de Triumph, the Seine and two beautiful museums...we couldn't afford to go in of course ;o)

2005-06-13T01:56:00.000-07:00

The door to my little tiny flat...which I love!

2005-06-13T01:55:00.000-07:00

Me and my sister at the airport, right before I took off!

The Miracle Continues!!

2005-06-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

I recieved an $1,800.oo check from someone in Ohio who wished so much to remain anonymous that I don't even know who it is. More miraculous...I don't know anyone in Ohio! I recieved $500.oo from a woman who has saved for a long time and made a serious sacrifice to give me this gift. I went to a bar-b-que to spend time with some friends and left with $235.oo The list goes on and on as the total provision was almost $9,000 in 24 hours. I love how powerful and creative God is. Also, my visa is being hand deliverd to me this evening...yes, a day and a half before I leave. That is a huge answer to prayer as well. I love you all so much and appreciate your support and prayers more then you could ever know. My plane leaves this Thursday at 5:30p.m....please pray for safe traveling...I will send you pics when I get there.

2005-06-02T23:28:00.000-07:00

The city of Lille...just to give you a taste!

Miracles!!!!

2005-06-02T23:10:00.000-07:00

As you probably know, a couple of days ago my financial support needs changed pretty drastically. Thus presenting the possibility of me not being able to go as scheduled. With everything I am I asked Him^ for a miracle! There was no reservation or hesitation in that! Then I asked everyone else to ask for a miracle!!! Tonight, the miracle began...The Lord put it on my friend Jen's hear to sell a VERY expensive guitar He^ had blessed her with. (We're talking thousands here) This evening He^ asked her to support me with that money. Two sweet young ladies that I know obediently followed the Lord's leading to not only support me $25.oo a month each, but to network and help me reach beyond my resources! Upon hearing what the Lord was doing he lead yet another amazing young lady to write me a $50.00 check right on the spot. (College age mind you) As if that weren't enough...a new a passionate Christian friend of mine named Ben, felt like his parents might be potential supporters and will be discussing it with them. Please continue to pray the Lord would move and arrange situations...leading people to give and provide with haste and abundance! Pray the guitar would sell for way more then it's worth! Pray He will continue to bless those who have already given and lead my friends parents and other people who hear about it to participate in this ministry!

2005-06-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Pray! Pray! Pray!

The Next Chapter

2005-05-30T22:03:00.000-07:00

I was wondering the other day, "How do you close one great year in order to embark on another?" The same way you set foot into every day I suppose...by faith. You all know how firmly I belive He has huge dreams for our souls...well...this year and the next are both vital parts of that dream. A friend of mine said it's like a book...."I'm wrapped up in the story line and very anxious to get to the next chapter but I have to read all the pages, because I don't want to miss any part of the story" -Chris Nikkel
Although it's difficult at times, I can't wait to read through these last few pages and share with you, the chapters that lie ahead. Add this website to your favorites so you can check it out...even if you forget the address. Please also feel free to comment on anything I post!