I am currently Au Pairing in Grenoble, France. A French slice of Chattanooga. I am surrounded by mountains and French language and culture and bread! I am involved in a local International English-speaking church with less than 50 people. I am going on adventures and speaking to people about CHRIST every week. Sometimes it is local, sometimes further.

I have had so many amazing conversations about GOD in my time here. I personally believe that the most effective way to reach others with the Gospel is through personal connection and relationship.

I have come to find that there is a lot of work be done for the Kingdom here in France. I have been shocked by how much more common it is to find people who don’t care to believe. In fact, I have made more connections with nonbelievers than those that do have faith in CHRIST.

Personally: I am finding a deep connection with GOD. His voice has never been so clear to me as it is in this time. My spiritual disciplines (Bible reading, prayer, etc.) have been more consistent than ever before. I think that I am genuinely starting to understand the talents I have that are from the LORD and learning to have peace with this calling.

Geez. I can barely keep up with myself. If you really want to know:

Send emails or letters! If you fill out a contact form I can become your pen pal.

I will update this blog Probably one or twice per month and send out a monthly email newsletter.

Youtube: My goal is weekly vlog videos for 2024, but I may go down to biweekly. I haven’t quite decided. Subscribe here!

Pinterest: I love putting my little moments on my Pinterest board. I upload every few days. Follow here!

Instagram: I deactivated it for 2024, but will come back to that later. You can still follow here!

Praise

• I was able to leave my previous host family and moved to a wonderful new host family.

• In my first week, I have already found a new church home, friends, a climbing facility, and even someone from Tennessee.

• GOD has been speaking very loudly to me in a way I haven’t experienced before.

• I will get to visit home briefly for Christmas and see also my dad’s parents.

Prayer

• The city of Grenoble. France as a whole has the largest percentage of population in Europe that claims agnostic/atheist. There is so much work to be done for the kingdom in the people of this city.

• Settling into a new home, routine, culture, expectations.

• I have a small cold (HE works in the little things too)

• Discernment for whether or not to return to school (online) to receive my Masters in the Fall 2024. I am considering the OCC Master’s program for Spiritual Formation. This degree would be a challenge, but would allow me to speak into the lives of others with a deeper background in biblical and spiritual study. It would be a financial strain, as I still have debt from my previous degree, but could lead to work in Spiritual discipleship, leading women’s ministries or college students, or even something else.

• Prayer over a promise GOD made to me 2 years ago that I am waiting for still.

• Safe travels over the holidays for me and my family.

• Finances

As an au pair, I really am not considered to be working. I am given a weekly pocket money (100 Euro) from my host family, but this is considered a cultural exchange. Also given my type of visa, I am not permitted to work a job while in France.

I have the option to find a United States based online job, but I haven’t sorted out quite what I would be able to do/ what I would be qualified for currently.

If you are interested in being a one time or monthly supporter, you can fill the contact information sheet below!

What is covered as an Au Pair: Tram Pass, Health Insurance, Living expenses, Meals/Groceries within the house

Expenses:

• Student loan repayments $250/month (working to get this lowered due to income change)

• Credit Card debt repayments $60/month

• International phone plan Currently Supported

• Food for the Hungry monthly sponsorship $38/monthly

• Meals/coffees/etc out of the house (budgeted) $20/week

• Basic needs: Shampoo, toiletries, etc. (budgeted) 20/month

• Subscription to video editing platform $23/month

• Subscription to website platform $20/month

• Trips/travel costs outside of Grenoble (Costs pulled from savings per trip)

• Climbing Membership $40/month

Current Savings: $1000

Current Total Debt: $26,441

I would like to eventually fund:

• Language courses $400 for 2 months

• Pottery membership $300 for 10 weeks