Food of the Month

February in France is the month for making crepes. For all those who aren't familiar with crepes think of a think unsweetened pancake that you can top with sweet or salty sauces. Crepes are an easy meal or a great snack.

For all those who are looking for an easy dinner idea as versitile as you are creative. I am including a basic recipe for crepes.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted
DIRECTIONS
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.

Filling Ideas: ham and cheese, spinach and cream, mushrooms and bacon, etc. Sweet crepes: Nutella, peanutbutter, lemon juice and sugar, butter & cinnamon and sugar, whip cream, ice cream and chocolate sauce, strawberries & whipped cream.

Use your imagination and eat crepes!

A few Friends

This is my friend Lise from my class this month, with whom I have had the opportunity to do a few things. She is from Germany and is here in France between high school and college to learn some french.

This is my friend Suzanna from the US who I have been able to do a lot of things with and have really enjoyed getting to know her as we spend time together and practice our french together. This was Valintines Day as she and her roomate, a korean girl and I went out for coffee and dessert after our classes.

A few photos

In the background of this photo you can see the Mont Blanc the highest peak in the alps, about 100 miles away even so I have been able to see it 5 times since my arriaval

Sorry this picture is a bit blurry but this was my January class. From left to right: Che-koza, Suzanna, Che-hero, Carlos, Masako, Laurence (my teacher), me, and Barbara. They were great and 3 of them are in my class this month, which is fun.

On our last day of class in January we went to the town Mayor office with a few classes. We had a tour then afterword our class went out for coffee with our teacher. Getting to know the people of diffrent nationalities and their culture has been such a treat as we spend time together.

I appartment sat for a fellow missionary to keep her cat out of trouble, she was a good little squirt.

In Lyon

Just a quick update for you all. I arrived here in Lyon on the 3rd of January no problems and have since that time I been staying at the home of Mark and Joy Sims. I started Classes at the Alliance Francaise in Lyon which I have really enjoyed. I take 3 hours of classes a day in the afternoon which is very enjoyable as we have a nice small class of 8 people.
I will be moving in with a French lady from the Lyon church this weekend which will I'm sure greatly help my french.
I will give you all more information soon but I thought I ought to let you know that I am alive.

Happy New Year!

Our new years eve group. Back row Matt Crane, David Bacon, Jonathan Bacon, Levi & AndyNelson. Second Row: Nancy Crane, Emily Nelson, Sarah Card, Liz Crane. Front: Me and Michelle Bacon

Our Raclette Dinner, a holiday favorite.

For our entertainment we formed a whistle choir

Come fly with me!

Well here I am the 20th of December and instead of wrapping up the the last of my Christmas shopping I am wrapping up the last details for my flight leaving for France on January 2nd.

I was so relieved to hear about my visas approval so I could finally make some definite plans. Everything has been hypothetical so long that it is strange to think that I can proceed with so many things I have talked about. Thankfully we have been keeping up on purchasing things I needed to take and the details of my housing and transportation .

So to all those who read this you are invited to attend a farewell coffee open house on New Years Day from 1-3 pm at my home. Hope to see you all before I take off.

Over the centuries and years

Christmas has stayed the same

A celebration of God's love

And of the babe that came.

While the rest of the world takes cake and
punch

and marches on the mall

It is only a very few

Remembering the stall.

If only there were Shepard's here

So full of awe and fear

Then maybe more'd remember

That God's Son was here

Thanksgiving

It is time to once again remember all my blessing and give thanks to God for his innumerable gifts. As I think of all the blessing in this past year I am most of you thankfull for you my friends who have sacrificed to provide for my needs for the upcoming years and have given your time to remember me in prayer. This past year you have been my greatest blessings.

Thanks to God

Thank you for the sunrise

Rising in the east,

Thank you for each loaf of bread

Risen with fresh yeast,

Thank you for the clothing

I have upon my back

Thank you for filling me

When often I lack,

Thank you for your great gift

Given in your word

Thank you that as a child

Of your death I heard

Thank you for the daily gifts

That I do not see

Make me truly thankful

For all you've given me.