Oh my goodness, Michelle was NOT exaggerating when she described the challenge of going to church in Paris! Even knowing this, I found it rough. First, everyone has to be up, showered and ready to leave by 9:ooam (which somehow feels harder to do here) so we can take two different Metros and then power walk the rest of the way to church. I am so NOT used to power walking in my church shoes! I could hardly keep up with the family because it's even harder for me to walk/limp in church shoes. It was a work out!
Their ward meets in the institute building which is down the street in one direction from Notre Dame and in the other direction from the Pompidou Museum.
We made it to church 10 minutes early and sat and waited for primary to start; Michelle and Marc had been asked to do Sharing Time that day so that made it more entertaining and fun for me. By the time a few kids and leaders trickled in it was 10 minutes past the starting time. There was a woman in jeans plucking out a song on the piano, then we sang a very odd version in French (thanks to help from a poster with words and pictures on it) of "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus".
Eventually there were 10 children in the entire primary, including Lucas and Eva, yet it was still loud, fidgety, and crazy. Two of the children there only speak French, and the others speak mainly English, so everything is done in both languages which makes it hard to concentrate. All the songs were in French. I felt the Spirit while we sang the songs, but still found it challenging to sit there for 2 hours!
Sacrament meeting was even harder! They had head sets so we could hear a missionary translate the talks, but the hard chairs and differences made it difficult to focus. I think it's super admirable that Michelle is challenging herself to go to church with the mindset of helping someone else, because the effort involved and difference from what we're used to is hugely distracting and not at all inspiring.
I would have taken more pictures of the beautiful surroundings as we left, but it was all I could do to keep up with the family.
We had a very restful afternoon of napping and reading, and were treated to a high-effort meal of Beef Bourguignon by Michelle. She spent so much time making it that it was quite guilt inducing. I can't imagine EVER spending so much time working on one meal...I just don't like cooking enough to do that, but it was a very good dinner and hopefully satisfying enough for her. I pointed out to the family that most women don't provide gourmet meals like this on a regular basis. They said they knew this, but I don't think they do.
**How long does it take you to get to church?
Do you have a hard time power walking in heels?
Have you ever been to church in another language?
Do you mind making high-effort meals?**
Do you have a hard time power walking in heels?
Have you ever been to church in another language?
Do you mind making high-effort meals?**
Comment Window Tidbit: Fall is Paris is my favorite season!
20 comments:
I don't know if I could get into church in another language-especially not for such a long service. And I know a long trip to get there would make me think twice about going. Especially in heels! I try not to wear heels for longer than a 2 hour stretch.
I am certainly not a gourmet. I don't love to cook (or clean up) so I try to find meals that are fairly quick to prepare. I'm always amazed at Michelle's menus and her time spent on special items like bread. I wish I could do that sometimes. I know for her it is a labor of love.
The visual of you running behind the family trying to keep up was entertaining. "I would have taken more pictures of the beautiful surroundings as we left, but it was all I could do to keep up with the family."
Michelle has so many subtle as well as visible talents. I appreciate the efforts she puts in mealtimes even through a blog page.
I'm glad you're having a good time.
I know that flavor of pain. My least favorite part about city church is going past all the people shopping and lunching like it was any other day of the week. It makes Sunday feel less special.
Our meeting house is in a converted mini-supermarket, so we don't have pews either. Hard chairs stink. I think I would fall apart if I had to go to the effort that Michelle does every week.
I really love these Paris dispatches. Thanks for blogging while you're away. It's great to hear about things as they happen.
How funny, I made Beef Bourguignon for dinner on Sunday as well.
It's great that you are making the effort to go to Church. Even though it is hard and not as spiritual as at home, I'm sure you are going good for others and it is a good experience for your children.
oops, I forgot whose blog I was reading. I meant the Church comments for Michelle of course, but still I think it is great you went too, because it is an eye opener to experience Church in another language and situation.
Thanks for the great posts and photos. I really look forward to reading your blog each day.
We live 1 mile from church (and I'm still usually late!)
Power walking in heels is not easy- especially when you're still limping.
I used to attend church in ASL and also Spanish. I knew some ASL, but no Spanish when we were assigned to the Spanish group. Not easy.
I do not enjoy cooking enough to make huge elaborate meals, but if on ocassion I do, I'm usually proud of myself for the effort.
LOVE all the pictures from Church- very cool. WHat a difficult ward that must be to be a member of- even for the permanent members.
Just this last Sunday I attended the Spanish Branch. My husband was speaking- so he would say a line or two, and then someone would say it in Spanish to the congregation.
Everything sounded so fast- When it was time to sing I asked my daughter (who is in her first year of spanish) what hymn number they said. She said it was too fast. The branch president saw us fumbling and hand motioned the page number. So we fumbled along in spanish- good thing we could recognize the tune. But like you said- You can still feel the spirit. That is a blessing.
So much fun to hear of your adventures with Michelle!
My BIL is from Mexico. He and my sister live in Utah but attend a Spanish Branch. When they blessed their baby we got to wear the head phones and hear the meeting translated into English. It was funny to hear the messed up translations. At one point they translated "Bless him to have patience with his father." I am still laughing about it to this day. But it was a very nice meeting and it's amazing how the Holy Ghost can touch your heart and testify of the truth even when you can't speak the language.
Has Michelle posted a recipe for her Beef Bourguignon? I have been curious about this ever since I saw Julie & Julia.
ohhhh mon cheriiiiiiiiiiiii you are spoiled, tres spoiled. GOOD thing you had this opportunity to go and see how the rest of the world does it! hehehehehhe. I remember Spain was a bit of trouble to get there...but I believe that when you don't focus on the language marvelous things begin to happen. MARVELOUS, I think I have attended a chinese sacrament and a vietnamiese wedding (at a catholic church)...still marveled. The rest of them, have been understandable in my foreign language knowledge....I love love love love love love love love high-effort meals. LOVE THEM.! MAKING THEM AND EATING THEM. WHAT A FUN DAY! MISSY to enjoy such company.
......you should start looking into how to get to the airport through the metro....it would be a lot cheeper and you could spend that money on stuff you love......
ciao bella....
It sure sounds like an event to get to church there!
It takes me 30-35 minutes to get to my church building driving in my car only! :)
I don't do well power walking in church shoes...not a good combination!
I have been to church in Norway, and even with language translation it was difficult to hear the translator, because she was whispering. IT is REALLY hard to sit through church when you can't speak the language.
I don't mind making high-effort meals, but not all the time, and only if my family actually appreciates it. IF they complain, etc I get super annoyed!
I have been to church in Paris a couple times. All over Europe while I was backpacking. It is always a production but always seems worth it in the end.
I love the pictures of their family together in the metro and on the street in Paris... something very endearing about them and for a minute it seemed like they belong there (or in a documentary about the members in France, but that didn't seem as endearing as I really thought the pictures were.)
When we lived in North Dakota on a reservation, our stake center was 4.5 hours away, our rented building (a Methodist church) was 45 minuites on a good day. Currently we live about 10 minutes from the chapel.
I don't often wear heels, but when I know I'm going to be walking long distances I wear my running shoes with my skirt and change at the location I am going to.
We currently attend the Spanish branch every other week. My husband is fluent and my kiddos are learning so we listen without headphones. I only really understand when it's fast and testimony meeting but the rest of my family gets it.
As for high-effort meals...only when they are appreciated! I agree with others...please have Michelle post that recipe.
Hope you're having a fantastic time!
Ha! My version of power walking in my really high heels (3.5in or higher) involves me holding onto my boyfriend's arm and using his strength to balance and propel me. lol Anything under 3in, I can propel myself quite well thanks to time spent dressing appropriately for the front office, but needing to quickly track down technicians in the shop for phone calls and walk throughs and keep up with them. Also, keeping up with my kids.
I love cooking for my family. Ok, not so much with my horridly small kitchen, but when I get a bigger place I'll do it more often. Though lately when I cook, I hear some variation of how I'm doing it wrong, or "That's not how Alton (Brown, of foodnetwork's Good Eats) does it." Apparently, I can't even make pancakes from the box right anymore.
I love making high effort meals, if I have planned it out well and started in a timely fashion. But since dinner around here seems to be a last-minute thing for, oh, THE LAST 16 MONTHS....we haven't been eating well.
Cooking is cathartic to me.
I leave the clean up to Mike, telling myself that clean up is cathartic for him.
I really want Michelle to give me cooking lessons when she gets back. I love all of her stuff she makes and since I love to cook I don't mind the making a dinner that takes a while.
I don't wear heals.
Michelle made the beef bourguignon for us as well - it was divine! I think anything you participate in that is in another language is challenging. I am not a fan of walking long distances in high heels. I am impressed, with your ailment, that you were willing to make the effort!
I love your Paris posts. When I saw this one pop up in my bloglines I was excited. Church sounds very difficult there. I am sure Michelle's family's efforts (and yours) to get there are noted and appreciated!
I am glad you made the effort and attended Church on Sunday. Claudia took me to her ward when we were living in Barcelona and enjoyed it and have been to her ward on different occassions since then...in all instances it has been the distance has been a challenge at times.
I enjoy meals that take effort - I dont prepare them as often but I sure enjoy eating them (especially prepared by someone else like Claudia:-)).
Is it wrong that I'm so happy to have your confirmation on the difficulties of attending church here?? Because that was pleasing to me in the extreme.
The hard chairs, the need for bilingual everything, the challenge of keeping the kids' attention when they don't understand much of what is happening, the metro, just everything. I don't feel the Spirit as easily, it is a real effort. It makes me so grateful for the easiness of the way back home!
I don't mind making high-effort meals when I have the time and they are appreciated. But most of the time, it doesn't feel like they are appreciated...
Post a Comment