More Visitors!

Mid April we welcomed Sharon's sister, Aletha and Will, her husband. They had to think long and hard about what they wanted to do and see!

The perfect spring weather found them enjoying a Seine cruise, visiting Notre Dame (and having great ice cream at the Berthillon), visiting the Rodin Museum, and spending some time at the Louvre Museum. Another highlight was enjoying a day at Versaille, with it oppulant chalet of Louis XIV, the beautiful grounds, the fountains, and taking a ride in a rowboat on the lake!
Then we took two days, by train, and rental car, to visit Normandy and southward near Mont St. Michel. Our host at our B&B was an Englishman, with whom we had delightful conversations. The morning we planned to visit Mont St. Michel, it was totally fogged in, so we headed up to the Normandy area, finding a newly opened and recently discovered very large German battery at Maisy. Walking around the bunkers , the remains of buildings, and the Howitzer gun platforms, was very sobering. Here it was that the U.S. Rangers drove out the German army further back into France. This discovery at Maisy is very significant since now the history books will have to be rewritten. It was thought that LaHoc was the largest contingent.

Then, driving our hybrid Prius (lots of trouble), we made our way to Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery. Again very sobering to think of the lives lost, and given for their respective countries. We made it back to Caen for our train back to Paris.



Another highlight of lesser importance, was to pick up our Pinocle competition, which again, the women were dominant! Baguettes, Paris pastries, and the sights will always be remembered!

Petals, Parks, and Playgrounds

It is springtime in Paris, and we have been overcome with the beauty of new flowers, trees leafing out, and observing so many people (and tourists) enjoying the out of doors! There is a saying that "the parks are the lungs of Paris", meaning that with so many people in apartment accomodations and small spaces, it is necessary to "get out" and breathe fresh air and open spaces. Baron Haussmann and some others were fore-sighted enough to plan for plenty of "green space" and parks. I hope you enjoy some of the beautiful photos.

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Giverny is the fabled home of Claude Monet, one of our favorite impressionist artists. He lived here for many years, established his home, gardens, and his retreat, the "lily pond". We were able to be there for a wedding early in April. It is about an hour NW of Paris.

These flowers are from an area just east of the Champs de Elysee, near the Concorde.

We have taken two major park outings in the last week: One to the "Bois de Boulogne" to the west, where there is a fabulous playground for children (for Ben and Tessa when they come!), a carnival, small zoo, and lovely walking paths.

Then on 14 April, we went way to the east to the "Bois de Vincennes" (BOIS means "woods") There is also a large carnival there, lots of green space, and a lovely lake , lac daumesnil, featuring two picturesque islands which we walked all around, stopping often to watch people of all kinds, young and old: sunning, boating, bicycling, picnic-ing, reading, and just relaxing.

We took two busses to the Bois de Vincennses,

#42, then #24 all the way, picked up some lunch take out at the local Monoprix. We returned on the #8 and 9 metros. We shook off our dusty shoes when we got back, and a quick shower was most welcome!

Wish you were here!

Spring Weddings

Being a part of the wedding ministry of the American Church in Paris is such a joy!

Most ceremonies are held in our beautiful sanctuary. However, during the month of April there were two "off site" weddings in which we were privileged to participate. The weather was ideal for both weddings , with an infusion of spring flowers, fragrance, and sunshine.

The first one, April 5, 2007, took place at Giverny, the fabled home of Monet, where expansive flower gardens blanket the landscape !

Suzanne and Brett Woellner solemized their vows, April 5, along with members of their families, along with many onlookers, with a string quartette adding to the venue.

It was not only a memorable occasion for them and their families, but also for John and me to enjoy the beauty of this place!

Then just two days later, Kevin Scott and Landa Acevedo were married on "le Quai", a boat/restaurant moored on the Seine very near the Orsay Museum.

They met here in Paris, on April 7, a couple years ago, and so wanted their marriage to be here. Many guests and family members celebrated with them in this unique setting. We had the privilege of meeting with them in London, where they both live, and also enjoyed a light lunch with them here in our apartment when they came to finalize plans.

We pray for these two young couples, along with the many others who come to the American Church in Paris for a wedding blessing, or a renewal of vows!