First day on the job

So first full day on the job included my first airplane ride "to the office". It had been awhile since I have been in a little plane. In a little plane you really do feel like a bird and you just soar on the air with its ups and downs.

 It's actually quite hard to take decent picture out a plane window but I know I will get lots of practice.

Seeing things from the air really gives you an appreciation of contrast and shadows. Even an excavator shadow looks artistic from above.

"Then you will take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father For the mouth of Lord has spoken." Isaiah 58:14

"Getting Out"

"Get out from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house to the land which I will show you" Genesis 12:1

When God said these words to Abraham I sometimes forget that this was real. This was new. This was something Abraham had never done before and there wasn't a Bible in sight to find any "be strong and courageous" verses to get him through, or affirm to him that this is normal.

Sometimes I forget what a big deal "getting out" is. The idea of getting out can be refreshing, a new start, an adventure, an escape from ritual and routine. "Getting out" as a possibility seems like a good option; but when one really "gets out" it means that stepping out of the role of self-proclaimed director of my own life and trusting and acknowledging that God is King, and is sovereign in the decisions and actions in life. "Getting out" means change based not on my desires but on God's.

 

"I (God) will make you (Abraham) a great nation, and I will bless you and make our name great;  and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." Genesis 12:2-3

Abraham was given a promise to go along with the command, a clause not to soften the blow, but to tell him what the "getting out" was all about. God wasn't just seeing if Abraham would listen, but God wanted to set Abraham apart for a special purpose, representing Him to the nations of the world. Abraham was called to be an ambassador.

Just so in my life when God is King my position in Christ may be that of God's child but my role too is that of ambassador. God doesn't tell us to "get out" for the adventure but God tells us to get out because we cannot be a representative of God until we get realize that life isn't about us it is about Him. It's about His plan, a plan we cannot always understand but we know is best because it is all about His glory.

So tomorrow when I get on a plane going to "the land which I will show you" though it will be day 1 in a new adventure, it is really day 1 in my new post as ambassador for Jesus Christ.

"Therefor, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal though us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." II Corinthians 5:20

Long time no write

So i am settling into my new local, and new tasks here. I will put up a few pictures here so you can see what's new here.

Here is a picture of the new local

If you can find it you can see some of the wildlife I see on a fairly regular basis, by the way it's a bobcat.

What' I've been cooking lately:

Chocolate box with berries and cream

6 1 2 4 1-1/2 1/3 2 1 2 2

1 oz. squares semisweet chocolate tbsp. shortening 3 oz. packages cream cheese, softened tbsp. butter (1/2 stick), softened (do not use margarine) c. powdered sugar c. unsweetened cocoa tbsp. milk tsp. vanilla c. heavy or whipping cream pints strawberries (or any other fresh berries) Mint Leaves for garnish (optional)

Line 8-inch square pan with foil; press out wrinkles so chocolate box will come off foil smoothly. In heavy 1-quart saucepan over low heat, heat semisweet chocolate and shortening, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Pour melted chocolate mixture into foil-lined pan and swirl around sides and bottom, keeping edges as even as possible. Refrigerate 1 minute, then swirl chocolate mixture around inside of pan a second time, to reinforce sides of chocolate box. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare filling. In large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cocoa, milk and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy.

In a small bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat 1-1/2 cups of heavy or whipping cream until stiff peaks form. With rubber spatula, fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.

Carefully remove foil-lined chocolate box from pan, then gently peel foil from sides and bottom. Place chocolate box on platter. Spread cream cheese filling evenly in chocolate box. Refrigerate until filling is well chilled and firm, about 2 hours.

In small bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat remaining 1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Spoon into decorating bag with large rosette tip. Pipe cream in a 1-inch wide border on filling around edge of chocolate box. Cut larger strawberries in half and arrange over entire top of cream cheese filling. (Garnish with mint leaves optional).

Yield: 8 servings

Lyon: Festival of Lights

So Monday we had our second annual visit to the festival of lights in Lyon. We enjoyed a day visiting the city and an evening seeing many beautiful light displays. We also enjoyed riding this big Ferris wheel in place Bellecour.

Jay buying some freshly roasted chestnuts for a little snack.

The theater all in blue

I guess we are kinda all about food. These were some interesting donuts.

One of the light shows was "an allegory about time and the weather" or just a show with clocks and rain but whatever floats their boat.

Artistic weekend happenings

Kathryn and I after giving our cupcake workshop.

The jewelry making workshop led by Debbie.

The home decorations workshop.

A time to be thankful

It is sad that Thanksgiving isn't an international celebration of thankfulness but we came close this year as we hosted some friends thanksgiving weekend at the chateau. Friday was the cooking day preparing the 14 pies, 20 some side dishes and the 29 pound turkey for Saterday's festivities. In this picture is Nicole Plaster and Kathryn preparing the pie crusts.

Saturday morning in the kitchen was almost as exciting as Friday as the participants were eager to get involved in the cooking.

The presentation of the turkey by Rob Plaster

A late afternoon pie break after a few hour to digest the meal.

This year I think of all the things I am thankful for. For one the opportunity to live in France, it is such a beautiful country.

I am thankful for my great friend and co-worker Kathryn. We have had a lot of fun together and I have been really blessed to be able to spend the last 6 months living with her.

I am also thankful for the privilege I have had to serve God at the chateau. I have been so blessed to serve here.

New and exciting

Beautiful fall mornings in Saint Albain

Putting the sausages for soutkruat in the pot

The new team Jay and Debbie, Lise, Katherine and I. Lise is from Aalen Germany and will be taking over the chateau bookkeeping.

One of the groups we hosted in the last few weeks a group of missionaries taking a class to sharpen interpersonal skills.