1, 2, 3....Allons-y! (Let's Go!)

It's 21:39 here (I'll let you labor at deciphering the European clock too); I'm munching on a carrot (it's whole, not a baby one-- I feel like a rabbit), and can't help but want to write about another part of my ever-evolving life here, one that is a real joy!  I just got back from my second university volleyball practice!

It's true; a friend from Pittsburgh and I registered to play on a competitive female volleyball team with about 20 other French students.  Last Monday evening was our first practice, in a gym about 15 minutes from campus, and we had a fabulous time.  I felt a bit like a mute, because everything I knew how to say in volleyball terms lacked the French equivalent, but it was ok; I soaked it all in!  The girls were extremely friendly; in fact, two of them were quite boisterous when they found out we were Americans (still wondering why...) and actually came up to the net and gave me a hug.  People don't give hugs in France.  It was amusing, to say the least.

The level of play is perfect for me; there are girls to make me better, yet I play confidently and feel like a lot of my skill from high school is coming back.... yay!  I'm relearning the numbers for all the different sets up at the net, because France obviously has a slightly different system for that.  I'm learning how to say "out," "net,", "court," and "good job," but my favorite was figuring out how to 'call' the ball!  In America we always said "mine!" but in French, that would translate "le mien!" which is quite a mouthful.  Quick observation taught me that in France, the players just say "oui!" (or, spelled as it sounds when they say it, waay) which literally means, "yes!"  I like it.

The coach, who is a great man--older, patient, kind to us internationals-- has split us into teams by university, because once November hits, we will have a game a week on Wednesday nights.  I adore the girls who are on my team.  There is Colene, who has the sweetest smile but plays like a warrior; Mona, from Germany, a tall girl with short black hair and tattoos up her arms; Cecile, with whom I did warm-ups tonight (way fun!); and certainly not forgotten, Chloe, who is the setter for the team (so I have to be real buddies with her, being a middle hitter!).  Chloe is always joking around; Chloe leads our team in encouraging each other; Chloe has unlimited patience with me, who misunderstands half of what she says. :-)

And really, in the past few hours, the Lord did an amazing thing.  He turned sadness and frustration into great joy.  I went into practice very discouraged: I had just finished a class that was difficult, and I was exceedingly frustrated with my lack of ability to say what I really wanted.  I was frustrated with someone in my class and I was worried about what was ahead (I will elaborate further.... later...). 

But as I swung open the door to my room in Rabot just 2 hours later, how different I felt!  Midway through practice, Chloe mentioned that she drove right by where Elizabeth and I lived and could drive us at least half way to our residence.  Though it was a 5-minute trip, we had a lively conversation, which is always a pleasantry for me as I learn the language.  As I walked back up to Rabot, I soon realized that I had made a new French friend!  Immediately, Elizabeth and I made it a goal to have Chloe over for dinner.  I was so happy.  Moreover, I had communicated better tonight and, of course, I was running on the endorphins gained from playing hard.

It's little things like this that encourage me now more than ever; equally, I'm finding that menial things have great power to knock me down.  I need to depend on the Lord more.  I need to trust Him in the little things again.

I just had this verse come up as "verse of the day," and it's a perfect way to end because it describes the lesson I am learning:

"Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full."  John 16:24

Go UPMF girls’ volleyball!