Does that work in French?

So the title of this post is something I've been saying quite a lot. There are clearly phrases like 'it's on the tip of my tongue' and 'sweet tooth' that don't translate into French, (Both of which I had great fun teaching to Lucy, the girlfriend of my host's son!) Some phrases, however, are less obvious. For instance: middle aged. I tried to describe someone as middle aged today and assumed it had gone over okay when nobody batted an eyelid - which is incidentally another phrase I've had to explain! When Jan (Colcutt, my original contact and now lovely friend here) burst out laughing, I wondered what I could have possibly said.

Apparently it's fairly impossible to say 'middle aged' - you just say older, or fiftyish. What I actually said was 'from the middle ages.' Only slightly different.....!

Despite that faux pas (haha, see my actual French!) this lunchtime, my announcement in church this morning went fairly well. Martin (the pastor) had written pretty much what I wanted to say in the notice sheet, so Jan told me to just read that and change two words. Two words, that's all I had to do. Yet, since I am 'me', I just had to ad-lib a little. Which when nervous and speaking in a foreign language is not as easy as I normal find it. I've since been told everyone understood me and it was fine, which is reassuring! I also had a few people come up after the service wanting to be involved in the drama, which was reassuring. First rehearsal wednesday...there may just be one person there but that doesn't matter! We're actually REHEARSING. This is scary stuff.

I guess the main thought in this post is that although it's terrifying to me that I can't rely on my ability to talk my way out of a situation, or feel so confident speaking 'up front', it also reassures me that God has control. This is a little excerpt from a diary entry I wrote on the train on my way here.

--> As I was praying/thinking about [the languag/expression] barriers, I felt a sense of God saying - "See, you have to leave it in my hands!" Wheras I always like to be in control, and really struggle with handing everything over to God, here it's the only obvious choice. I feel comforted knowing that he's got it sorted, and has a plan for me.

A little deep for 1:38 in the morning. I did fall asleep for three hours this afternoon/early evening, so don't judge me! And also look: this is the second post and it's been less than two days! It's a miracle!

A bientôt....x

Finally

So, I'm finally writing a blog. Due in no small part to the pressure of a Mr. Daniel Brown. But I figure for the amount of times I forget to e-mail people, I might as well write a blog. They might have more hope of knowing what I'm up to (if anyone should care to know!)

So, I'm in Le Mans and will be here for the next 2 months and 2 weeks (I can't believe 3 weeks are nearly already over!) I'm involved with a Baptist Church here, as well as helping out at Secours Catholique (French version of Caritas/Cafod) two or three days a week. Though funny story - yesterday I hyped myself up to go to SC. When I got there the receptionist guy seemed a bit confused at my insistence of belonging there that afternoon. I was sure that the guy hadn't understood what I was trying to say so I insisted on showing him in the diary that I was right. Lo and behold ' Carys - Lundi - matin, Mecredi - matin, et JEUDI apres midi.' So that's thursday people. I had a nice bus journey. :-/

I'm hoping to have lots to say after my first normal Sunday here. As well as playing in the worship group I'm hoping to really get going with the 'evening of theatre' which is going down Easter Saturday. I'm praying that there will be enough enthusiastic people wanting to be involved, as well as enough people attending.

Hopefully this will be the first of many many posts.