The French have my Passport

So as I prepare to head off to Paris, I have found myself more nervous about my visa than anything else that would seem to have my nerves up, like will I make friends? Will I be home sick? What if I can't understand a word of french after studying the language for ohhh so long? But nope it comes down to the visa. If you have ever applied for a french visa, you would know you have to fly to your designated consulate, have oodles of paperwork in order, and then go through an bazaar interview process. Well to say the least once you have finished all of this the response that I kept hearing the officials say to other students and myself was, your visa will start on this blank day and we will notify you of your visa status in 7- 14 days. Inferring that well your visa will start on the day you requested, but we're gonna keep you hangin' a little longer make you sweat it out while we decide if we really want you. Then they send you on your way, you walk out of their office feeling like you did a whole lot of work for nothing. Not knowing if anything is official, but instead placing the next semester of your life in their hands, not knowing if they will kick you to the curb or decide alright fine we'll let you into our country. They also mention something like Oh and by the way we're keeping your passport until we decide what we want to do with you. All I can do now is be grateful, they didn't flat out deny me on the spot, continue to pray for my visa and constantly check online, the self addressed fedex envelope tracking number to see if my visa and passport are on their way to being shipped back to me. Please French visa officials have mercy on me I just want to live in your beautiful country for a little bit!
Patiently waiting and praying for my visa, Morgan

Do you ever have days where you just step out of the picture for a moment and admire how beautiful everything is? Today was one of those days. It started off taking the girls, Caity and Addie, to open gym. I watched them interact with other kids and laugh as they ran around playing on all the equipment. It was so refreshing to see them forget about everything that has been going on in their little lives and just be silly little girls. The day got even better when we wnet to the park. The girls giggled with excitement as they tried skipping rocks on the little lake. But besides that when we went out to the dock they got to watch as fish swam to feed off the top of the lake. The fish were so close and the girls watched them so intently, it was too precious. Its funny I think I like my job because of how much innocence children have. They love life! Nothing really holds them down. This afternoon after I got back from babysitting the girls I had a going away party to go to. One of my dear friends is off to the Naval Academy. I can't wait to hear how things go and I am so impressed by his decision to attend. But also interesting was the conversation I was in at the party. There were only a few of us who were already in college so we stuck together, but it was just interesting to hear the stories of college and the experiences other have had. Listening to all of it and then wishing some one off and of top of that I've been watching the girls as they make the transition from Boulder to Paris. It has all brought so many bittersweet feelings. A feeling of change. Not the change that I have always been so fearful of, but good change. Change that is bound to occur as people grow older. I watch everyone leaving although they are sad to leave family and friends, you can also truly see it in their eyes that they know there is so much ahead. Then I wonder do I have that twinkle of excitement in my eye when I talk about leaving for Paris? I truly am blessed to be able to have the opportunity to go live with a wonderful family in Paris. Not only is this a testament to God's GREATNESS but so much of His faithfulness. I look back on the past two years and can see exactly how He has been preparing me for this journey, this new adventure. Lord, I praise you. I sit hear without words to express is it my gratitude towards my Savior or is it my love? Those are two completely different words but I am speechless in His presence. And this is what I mean I feel as if today was jsut sureal not in any extravagant way but in a simplistic beautiful way. I am constantly reminded of how belssed I am to be leading the life I am living.
Always and Forever, Morgan