Computer Bug

The hallway in our future house.

The view into two bedrooms.

The back yard.

The side yard.

I'm not sure what this is.

Micah playing with some legos that my parents sent.

Seems like Arianna wanted some cereal.

Looks like she wanted to have some milk with it.

As I predicted the road is not finished yet.  I did get to say "hi" to the major a couple of days ago, as he was inspecting the work.  What has got us perplexed, is that it doesn't look like they are going to pave it.  Our neighbor said they should be finished in two days.   On Tuesday we got a box from my parents.  We enjoyed all the goodies.  Tuesday we also went and looked at our new house, we will be moving in the end of November.  We took some pictures (attached above).  I spent quite a bit of my time this week working on computer problems.  My computer locks up at random, more often when it is not being used.  I spent at least a day, trying several different things to get it to work right, but nothing seemed to help.  It seems like it will need to have windows reloaded.  Now it is just a matter of doing it.  Interestingly enough, I am not the only one recently to have computer problems.  Our church was struck by lightening and "killed" several computers, my mom's computer had a serious virus, and several others as well.  Someone at our church said something like, "Steve Jobs dies and all the computers crash".  I also had some troubles with out toilet.  I wonder if another inventor/inovator passed away this week. In other news, basketball practice continues to go well, but I didn't play very well this week.  I might need to find some time to practice with the boys a little.  Thankfully my main purpose is not the playing time or the excercise, it is meeting and getting to know my fellow players.  We have been wanting to invite some people over, but we are waiting for our road to be finished.  Thursday night, the Bible study went well, we had a first time visitor, and he seemed to enjoy the songs, prayer, and Bible lesson and discussion and said he would love to come back.  Friday morning at the market, there was not a lot of activity, but I did speak to a man who has a stand that sells bags and purses.  We talked for probably a hour, if you add it all up.  I also talked quite a bit with Philip, the man who came to the Bible study, we even enjoyed a cup of coffee together.  Friday afternoon we got a call from our landlord saying that someone wanted to some see the house, we got in touch with her and she ended up coming at 4 that afternoon.  That meant the afternoon was spent cleaning.  She came but didn't seem too interested.  I felt bad because she had to walk up our road wearing black, in high heels.  Friday afternoon Lilia was invited to a birthday party by one of her English friends at school.  She spent Friday night with the friends house.  She came back with excited stories involving painting fingernails and having cucumbers, avacadoes, and yogurt on her face.  Doesn't sound like much fun to me, but I am glad that she had a good time.  We let the boys have a friend over to fill the void at the house, so they had a good time as well, they played with legos for a good while.  This morning, I finished preparing for the services tommorrow, I will be leading the singing and giving the reading and devotional, and the devotional for the kids.  I really enjoy giving the kids lesson.  It captures a wide audience, because the kids tend to listen better, and the adults listen as well, so you reach everyone.  I pray that you have a blessed weekend.  JASON

The bat.

This weekend was great. Saturday morning I was able to straighten the yard up. In the afternoon we decided to all go to the welcoming service for the new pastor. We hurried to get everyone ready, but made it on time. The services were good. There were about 50 people present. The sermons were good, applicable and well presented. We had good fellowship afterwards, so much that we ended up staying there four hours in all, even without air conditioning. We met a couple with whom I attended language school. We met several pastors from Toulouse who were a big help and encouragement. There were also several pastors from the UK. Since it ended up being so late, we grabbed McDonalds on the way home. The kids didn't seem to mind. Sunday services in Carcassonne went well as well. Afterwards we ate at a church members house with many other guests. We left there stopped by the house to change and then went to visit Brigitte, a lady who come to our bible study here. The visit went well. She has two horses and our kids all had a turn being led around on them. Her daughter is pursuing a career in working with horses. We enjoyed the visit, they live in a nice village just a few miles south of us. It was nice as well that some clouds arrived to cool things off a little while. In fact Friday night, I had the windows and doors open after dark to allow a breeze to blow through and cool things off. A bat entered the house. It made circles in our living room and kitchen for a while before I was able to lure him out using the outdoor lights. I thought later, we could have keep him and allowed him to eat the mosquitos that came in. Thankfully all the kids were asleep and Angie remained calm during the event.

In my Dad's blog he mentioned having a dream, and in the dream he was the man who God wanted him to be. Who can read it for yourself by clicking here. That got me thinking about what I would be if I did exactly what God wished for me everyday. The messages from this past weekend have spoken to me as well. There are several areas in my life that need to be improved if I am going to be the father, husband, minister, and Christian that God wants me to be. Attached picture was taken in Massy, near Paris, on our survey trip to France in 2006. To me it seems that I have changed since then. I hope that I can continue to change to be more and more like Jesus Christ, whom I serve. God bless, JASON

A Good Week.

Wow, time passes quickly, doesn't it? Seems like just a few years ago, when my 10 year old daughter was born. I rejoice that it is passing because I look forward to seeing my savior. I mourn for those who will not be ready to stand before God in judgement. There will be many surprises in that day. Those who think that just because they have lived a "good" life they deserve to enter heaven. Those that denied the existence of God. Those who have accepted him as savior, but wasted years living for themselves instead of for Him. Are you ready for that day? Are you ready to stand before that one who died in our place and rose again many years ago? What will we say when we stand before our God and Savior?

We have enjoyed the last week. Sunday we visited with two churches and greatly enjoyed being in their services and sharing what God has been doing for us. Monday we went to the zoo (pictured) and ate supper with Angie's brother. Tuesday we visited with a pastor friend of ours and his family. We have been co-workers, neighbors, classmates, and remain friends. Wednesday we visited in the services of one of our sponsoring churches. Thursday, I was blessed to be able to take my grandfather (who will turn 86 this next Friday) to the doctor for his cancer treatment and take my grandmother for her hair apointment. They have been graciously allowing us to stay in their home while we are in the area. Today we are at my parents meeting the newest addition to our family. Elijah, who is the two week old son of my older sister. Tomorrow we are going to a family get-together, Angie's side. We look forward to seeing everyone there. Afterwards we will return to Hillsboro for services at our church, I will be preaching in the evening services. God bless, JASON

Tornados and Doctors

Here are a few hilghlights from the last few days.

While attending church Wednesday night at the church where the conference is being held. About halfway through the services they announced that we were under a tornado watch. One had been spotted 30 minutes away and had was moving our direction. This was not our first tornado experience. All the kids classes were already moved into the hallways. The dismissed the adults and we took our children and left for our host home. We had some amazing views of the lightning on the way. On the way and after we arrived we saw some amazing lightning. When we arrived we could see on the radar (pictured) that we were right at the center of the storm but a tornado did not form over us.

Angie visited the Doctor, Thursday and was put on a strict diet, no sugar, salt, or carbohydrates, and medicine for the high blood pressure. It will be tough not being able to enjoy many of the foods that she would have liked to have while we are here.

Friday and Saturday, after the seminar ended, someone offered to watch our kids for us so that we could attend the ministers wives retreat. They let the men attend this year. We had a wonderful time, it was short but I really enjoyed the sessions and meeting some new people.

We drove back Saturday afternoon back to my parents, were they were watching my older sisters 4 kids. My older sister is supposed to be having a baby any day. Services went well Sunday, we enjoyed just being back with our home church. Today I had planned on going to a pastors and missionaries conference, but we decided not to attend, we did not want to take the kids out again so soon after getting back. Other attached picture is of a "world" missions cow. God bless, JASON

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all. This week has passed quickly. Tuesday night we went to the English Carol service at the church in Carcassonne where I was blessed to have the opportunity to bring a devotional - in English. I made some wassail for the service, everyone seemed to enjoy it. I remeber having it as a child and I always enjoyed it. Here is the recipe that I used. 2 quarts(2 liters) of apple cider, 2 cups(500 ml) orange juice, 3 1/4 cups(26 oz) pineapple juice, 1/2 cup (125 ml) lemon juice, 3 cloves, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 cup sugar. Mix it and boil it and it is ready. Wednesday we spent most of the time with the kids and taking turns running to the store for things. Thursday I brought the lesson for the prayer meeting in Carcassonne. Before bed, Angie read the kids the Christmas story. Which brings us to Christmas day. We have been letting the kids stay up a little late for the last few days and so they didn't wake up until almost 8:00 this morning. Isn't that great! Andrew got up first and came to us and asked for some breakfast. Lilia was next and she woke everyone else up and reminded everyone that it was Christmas. After presents, Angie made a wonderful breakfast and we have been playing with the kids ever since. I am excited because we got the boys Legos. I always loved playing with Legos when I was young and ended up with quite a collection. It seems they have the passion already. They really enjoyed putting them together with us. Micah immediately tore his apart and starting making something else. I had better get back to the family. I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas day and that your thoughts are turned as well to the reason for the season. . . Jesus Christ. God bless, JASON

Lilia's Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated Lilia's 10th birthday with our guests. Her big item was a bike. She had been asking for it for a while. She unwrapped a riding helmet first and didn't put together that it was a bike helmet until I walked in with her bike. She didn't seem to mind that it was black, so it could be passed down to her brothers as she out will outgrow it. Today we enjoyed the services at church. A friend loaned us a car while they were out of town to use so that we could all go. It worked out good, because half-way there Andrew got sick to his stomach and so Angie returned with the boys and I went on in the other car. Services went well. I did the announcements, prayers, and led the singing. I think I was understood. I know that I messed up on the tenses of many verbs. It is bad when you realize right after you say it that it is wrong, but I think it better to continue on as long as the idea is understood. We had Dominos pizza for lunch (Lilia's request) and now we are having a restful afternoon. God bless, JASON

The 7th Day

Today is the 7th day that Angie has been away from me. She is doing well. Yesterday morning they went to the ocean and that afternoon they killed and plucked a chicken. It is good to know that she is getting a good African experience. Today she will be attending services. A little ironic that soon after we can understand all that goes on in the service in French, she will be in a Swahili service and not understand a word. I think everyone should experience a worship service where you do not understand what is being said. It is a good growth experience and a test of worship. For those who would like to contact us, my Magic Jack is up and working. It gives us a US phone number. If you would like the number just ask. And also a prayer request. A church member of our sending church Clint, around 20 years old, fell into a fire and has burns over 85% percent of his body. He needs your prayers as does our church, as my father and his family will be with him this Sunday morning at the Hospital. God bless, JASON

I'm back!

It has been a week since my last blog and it has been a busy one. I was sick until Thursday. Tried to spend some of that time doing homework, but evidently one of the side-effects of my illness was lack of inspiration to do homework. Wednesday was my first time to venture out as I walked to the language school to take a test in the Lab. I was wore out by the time I made it back home. I made it through school all day Thursday and by Friday was almost back to feeling 100 %. The weekend passed well. I took Saturday off from homework and did a lot of work around the house, trip to the grocery store, and took the kids out to the park to give Angie a break. It ended up raining most of the time the kids were playing, but they didn't seem to mind. Sunday we enjoyed the services at the church in Massy. Angie kept the nursery. We listened to our sending church services that evening. Afterwards we talked with my parents and my sister and brother-in-law via Skype. We are looking forward spring break in two weeks. We will have two weeks off from school and will look into getting a car. Wednesday and good friend, Jack Story is visiting from the US. He is involved in a ministry that does travel and logistical support for pastors and missionaries. He is coming from England where he is preparing for the 2012 Olympics in London. We plan to eat lunch with him Wednesday. The attached picture is looking over Limoux, where Lord willing we will move in three months. Thanks for all your prayers. God bless, JASON

Rain all day.

It has rained all day today. I don't mind the rain usually, but after walking four miles in it you do end up wet. The weekend was good. I traveled by bus and train and visited a church on the East side of Paris. Enjoyed a good sermon Sunday evening from our home Church. I don't think I have mentioned that our sending church's services are broadcast over the Internet through the local radio station you can go to this link http://www.khbrhillsboro.com/ and click "listen online" to enjoy the sermon and worship. It comes on 11 am central time which for those foreigners is 5pm - Greenwich time (GMT). School has started back up and going. We have a test tomorrow, but that means no homework tonight otherwise. Today we spent another hour (several over the past few weeks) distinguishing between two "u" sounds. It is difficult because one of the sounds doesn't exist in English. For those phonetically trained the two sounds are [y] (like if you were saying "stupid" - "steeeewpid") and [u] (all the other u sounds in English like "boo"). They are hard to say and to hear, and of course they can make a big difference in the meaning of a phrase. Tomorrow evening there is a "spectacle" at the language school, they will eat crepes and learn a dance from the northern "Breton" part of France. I graciously volunteered to stay home with the kids so Angie can go. I'm sure she will have a great time as I probably would have had a slightly lesser good time. Attached is a picture of me giving a sermon in French at the language school. God bless, JASON

Angie in Colorado.

Angie made it safe to Colorado. She missed a flight in Paris and again in Chicago but arrived just a little later. I escorted the new family back to Massy from the Airport. They had 8 bags left behind in Atlanta that are supposed to arrive today. They were pretty tired but the trip went well. Wednesday we sang at the Nursing home. It went well and the residents seemed to enjoy it. There was a write up about it in the local paper today. I am preaching in Chapel today. I will post my sermon later. It is cold this morning, the windchill was 23. Tonight we have a multi-language Christmas concert. I plan to go but the kids may get sleepy and fussy because it starts at 8:30, but we will last as long as we can and leave early if needed. God bless, JASON

Church and Louvre

We had good services this morning. My Dad brought a good lessons on the subject, Good Guy - Bad Guy, from III John. Afterwards we went to the Louvre. On the first Sunday of the month admission is free. It was a crowded but we had a good time. We saw the Mona Lisa and several other significant works of art. We made it back home in time to hear the services at Walnut Street. Bro. Harold Davis (http://baptistville.org/davis/Davis%20Website/index.htm) my childhood pastor, filled in for Dad and did an excellent job as was expected. After supper we put the kids right to bed. They were exhausted from the day. Tomorrow is Lilia's birthday and we will probably hang around the house and take the kids to the park. It is supposed to be sunny and a little warmer tomorrow. I have attached some pictures from the Louvre. The tall column with the Lion on top is from the palace of Darius (Daniel and the Lions Den) in Babylon. God bless, JASON

Dimanche (Sunday)

We are having a great day today. I visited with a Baptist church is Paris today. The father of one of our Language school teachers is the pastor. The services went well. They had the Lord's supper (my first time to see it here). They, like the church here is Massy, have a moment of prayer and praise, when anyone can say a prayer or short testimony or song. The sermons was good, I understood it. It was from the life of Shadrach, Meshach and Adednego. The three main points were 1. comfortable life 2. Problems 3. Never alone. After the service I had a good conversation with a young man from the south of France who is going to college here. I got back to the house about 3:45 and saw Lilia scrubbing the toilet and Caleb vacumming. Angie must have had a good lesson with them. I just finished some homework and helped Caleb get his finished. Angie is taking a nap and I am tempted to have one myself. Looking forward to the hearing the services at Walnut Street tonight via Skype, last weeks was a two parter and so we are anxiously waiting for part two. God bless, JASON

Le lundi.

We had a good Monday. I usually like Mondays, I'm charged from Sunday and ready to dive into the week. Services went well yesterday at church. There was a visiting missionary to Cameroon. He gave a short presentation of the work and preached a message. I understood almost everything he said, but I could not follow the overall outline. I gave a short lesson in class today. I think it went well. I took it to my teacher before class to correct it and she starting correcting the scriptures that I had printed at the top, it was funny. Angie gave her testimony in class today as well. We had a great meal for supper. Angie had bought a rotisserie chicken and we had potato wedges with homemade cheese dip and green beans (french cut - naturally). Angie would never admit to it but she is a good cook. It is hard to believe that this month is winding down already. There seems to be a lot of interesting things happening in the US recently. Economy, hurricanes, politics . . . I try to keep up with what I can and keep the family informed, kids included. I want the kids to have an idea of what is going on in the US while they are gone. Attached is a picture of olive trees and palm tree in Greece. God bless, JASON

Bon Week-end

We are having a good weekend. Saturday was busy, which is good. Caleb and I went to the store to try and exchange some shoes that were broken. I did not have a receipt, so I doubted that they would exchange them, and they didn't. But, the good news is that I was able to fix the shoes myself when we got home. We also stopped by McDonalds to get a snack for Caleb for being good at the Doctors office. He wanted a chocolate shake. I told the cashier (in french) that I wanted a small chocolate shake. She confirmed that it was a small and went to get it. I paid and on the way out looked and we had received a small coke. Language learning can be frustrating. Caleb was not discouraged, beacuse he always begs us to have a coke and so he enjoyed it just the same. We went to the grocery store after that and I tried to find some horse meat to buy, but could not. In the afternooon we arranged a babysitter and Angie and I along with Lilia went into Paris to see Debra and Carmen taylor (pictured). Debra's husband pastors my Aunt's church in Mississippi. They were here on a girl scout tour of Europe. We enjoyed supper with them and their group and afterwards went on the boat ride tour on the Seine river. It was nice. We were able to see the eiffel tower light up at 10:00. They brought us the biggest jar of peanut butter I have seen and several other good stuff, like ice tea bags. The only rough part was when we were going home everyone was trying to leave Paris it seemed. I have never seen a subway car that packed before. People were holding bags over the heads because it was so crowded. We waited 15 minutes and took the next one which was a lot less crowded. Today (Sunday) we had to cancel services because of parking issues. There is a big market on our street, kind of like a garage sale. Yvain and Virginie could not find and parking within walking distance, and the garage sale lasts all day. WE offered to go to there house but she said it was a mess because they are going to be moving in a couple of weeks. I sent them questions for the lesson and Angie has now gone shopping on the street. She will find several things for Andrew's 2nd birthday which is this week. Hope your services are not postponed for parking issues and even if they are, you have a blessed day. JASON