BLESSED IN STRONG CITY

OUR 14TH ANNIVERSARY WAS AMAZINGLY SPENT IN PARIS WHEN RETURNING HOME FROM UGANDA AFTER OUR DEAR UGANDAN SON, SAM'S, WEDDING, IN SEPTEMBER, '99.

WE STAYED NEARBY THE DOWNTOWN AREA WITH A FRIEND OF DAVE'S WHO HE HAD MET AT WORK A YEAR EARLIER.  WE WERE BASICALLY THERE FOR FREE, AND TAKEN AROUND AND ABOUT BY THE FAMILY WHO THEN LIVED IN PARIS, HAVING SHIFTED THERE FROM THE STATES.  

 THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN FROM THE EIFFEL TOWER.  HAD NEVER BEEN TO PARIS BEFORE, WON'T BE AGAIN.  BUT IT FILLED MY HEART WITH JOY, BLESSING OVERWHELMING.

PARIS. [WHO, ME??]

Today I was doing some of "Spring" cleaning, and a friend from church came to help me wash windows.  While we were moving a window table, a Ugandan carved dish was knocked over.  And what was in it and was scattered on the floor?  My special souvenirs. And for the rest of the afternoon I kept smiling about the souvenirs and where and why I had them.

So, here's the story.

One of the most surprising events that ever happened to me was a 2-1/2 day time in Paris.  Dave's computer co-worker was from western Africa, was really neat, and he and Dave got along great.  Then Patrice moved to Paris.  

A few months later, we were going to Uganda to attend our son, Sam's, wedding.  

We had been invited to visit Patrice and his wife.  We worked it into our "on the way home" schedule. When we reached London, we had arranged a 3-day layover. We didn't fly to Paris; we went on the Eurostar train.  To be under the English Channel I would normally have been terrified.  BUT too much fun was on the plate and I couldn't allow the fear to win.

We stayed at Patrice's apartment not far from the main downtown area.  Could walk nearly anywhere, climbing the arches,

 a long walk on Champs Elysee, so many lovely shops, nice people.

 

And this is what I brought home as my souvenir:

The chestnuts were in a grassy area near those rocks that I loved so much [wish I could have brought them home].

The next day was our 14th anniversary.  We went to the Eiffel Tower ... 

and even as terrified I am of heights I couldn't possibly not go up.  And it was beautiful.

After that, we went on the Seine River.

And it was a "normal" tourism experience.

The amazing part?  I was looking at the river and suddenly I burst into tears.  Dave was horrified.  He came and held me and asked what was wrong.  I said, "I'm so happy.  I never imagined being here."

Dave felt so blessed.  He truly appreciated what the Lord had done for me through him.  [I had been so lacking in money, from childhood forward, even without basic needs, until the Lord gave me Dave and my whole life changed.]

Our 27th anniversary is this coming Friday.  I'm hoping to bless my husband in some significant way. Wish I had a billion dollars to give him... he's more than worth it.