Fencing in France

 You can imagine my surprise when my friend Alex asked me if I wanted to go fencing with him.  I've always enjoyed stick fighting with my brothers and friends (not to mention the plastic lightsaber phase of my life.)  I've always wanted to learn about this interesting sport and Thursday night, I got my chance.
   We went to the club where Alex fences, and it reminded me of the aerobics room at the GRC, (a wood dance floor with a full wall mirror at one end.)  On the ground were painted the fencing lanes.  I never dreamed that the fencing stance would be so difficult.  As most things, it is awkward and unnatural at first.  I didn't know that you had to be "plugged in" to fence at a club.  But the swords are connected to a cable so that when the tip is pushed, a light lights up and each dueler knows who has one. Being attached would be more difficult if the matches were not in lanes.
  After Alex taught me the basics, I began to "spar." I put spar in quotes because I didn't really accomplish much expect for working up a sweat.  But, I looked around and didn't feel out of place because once the others had removed their masks, I could see that they were also perspiring.
  Next, I fenced against a girl from the club, and after a couple of minutes she said, "You know, it's ok for you to attack me."  I felt kind of silly... I wasn't holding off because she was a girl, I was playing defense because I wasn't sure of myself on the offensive.  The other lady I fenced against, once she realized that I really didn't know what I was doing, took it very easy on me, and still also beat me basically every time.
  Towards the end, I sparred again with Alex, and he continued to teach me and point out the errors of my form and manner of fencing. Instead of lunging straight forward, I would often get close and move the sword from side to side (bad habits picked up from dueling with broomsticks).  Also, I moved like a good basketball player, letting my feet lead my hands.  But, that is not helpful in sword-fighting. When you lunge forward, you have to let your foil "drag" your arm, torso, and lead foot forward, while you back foot stays planted.
  All-in-all, it was a great time.  I loved learning a new sport that has always fascinated me, not to mention the replaying of the Princess Bride fencing scenes in my mind.

"Then why are you smiling?"

"BecauseI know something you don't know. I am not left-handed."

Livin' on a Prayer

   Sing it with me now, "We're halfway there, WO-OAH! Livin' on a prayer!"

 
The reason I choose to use this song is the line "We're halfway there." It's true, it may be hard to believe, but my time here in France has been cut in half.
  It takes some time for one to get comfortable and get one's bearings in a foreign country. Obviously, this time frame is different for each person.  Routines don't make themselves, at least not in my experience. They must be created, after that they keep themselves going.
  My life here is in full swing.  As usual, I don't have trouble filling up an agenda.
I have been busy with church and school activities.
  Besides church on Sundays, we have college group on Monday nights.  The group is called GBU (it's an acronym for College Bible Group or Groupe Bilique Universitaire.)  It's really been great being a part of this circle of students, on a spiritual and companionable level, but also just in the interaction with French people.  In addition, we have small group every other Wednesday night.  We take time to share life and go through Francis Chan's Crazy Love with a group of about 7 students.  It has been a privilege getting to know this group of young people and being challenged with the Word of God.
 We have also had the opportunity to visit with some friends from church in their home.  We had a great time of sharing life and comparing cultures.  (When I say "we," I'm referring to myself, my girlfriend Elizabeth, and Amber).
  On Tuesday nights, as I have mentioned earlier, I play basketball at the school.  I love basketball and practicing French is just another plus.
  School seems to be picking up: I come home in the evenings, and I have assignments to do for the next day.  In all honesty, I don't like that.  Being in Argentina did not help to fortify my study habits, and then not having school for two months had a similar effect.  But, when I complain about my petty homework assignments, I simply think of next year and returning to Grace.  This is child's play compared to real college courses.  :(
  Looking at this list of activities, I am saddened because I know that in about 8.5 weeks, this will all come to an end.  It really makes me think about how I use my time.  But France is not my only time that is limited: my time here on this planet has a definite end that is fast approaching.

^{Psalm 90:12} So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

We're so finite compared to God's infinitude.  It's not worth getting caught up in our own petty lives.  Why worry about the things that will pass away?