David leaves the house on the RER at 5:30am for a 7am flight to Stuttgart, Germany.  Only, the train doesn’t get him there until the plane has just left.  So, he waits in the airport for the 10:30am flight.

Tuesday, April 7, 1992

I attended a coffee in Rueil of the Northwest Coffee Group of the American Church.  Alice Landais displayed and sold her very famous Paris, silk, hand painted scarves and silk ties.  Price of the scarves began at $90USD and the ties $45UDS.  No, I didn’t come home with a sack full of either one but did have an enjoyable time visiting with some old friends and making more new ones.  David returned home late evening from Stuttgart.

Thursday, April 9, 1992

Bible Study for me in the A.M. and David leaves for Bristol, UK at 6pm returning Friday evening.

Saturday, April 11th, 1992

Departure for me to Dallas for a visit back home.

Editor’s Note

This actually ends Chapter 3 with Georgia flying back to Dallas.  It picks up Chapter 4 with her departure from Dallas on April 18th.  See you for Chapter 4.

Awakened about 9am by numerous cars arriving close to our tent and lots of conversation. All of a sudden the talking was gone. We assumed the people had come to the restaurant in the park for breakfast. But we learned later that this was not the case. Had our own church service of reading and absorbing one of the many sermons we ordered from our favorite minister in San Antonio and readings from the Bible.

About 11am loads of people returned from a 2 hour hike, took off their sweat suits, down to their bathing suits, and plunged into the cold, cold water! Temperature is about 40 degrees F outside. They had to be mad! This was a Swim Club consisting of all age people, young to old, and all in very good shape. We watched and tried to concentrate on our sermon lesson as we sat bundled in our goose down jackets, several layers of clothes and warm hats.

Departed Brugge about noon traveling farther north along the coast to Damme, Belgium. Traveled home on a picturesque side roads, arriving St. Germain about 6pm.

David flies to Madrid for two days.

Saturday, April 4th 1991

Depart St. Germain 9am for camping trip to the wonderful city of Brugge, Belgium, camping on Lac Loppem (a beautiful lake) outside of Brugge. The town was a smaller version of Brussels with a smaller Grand Palace, many beautiful buildings, a cathedral in which we “walked” to the top of the Belfry for a beautiful view, beautiful canals, and the weather held out beautifully for us.

Early to church and an early evening baby shower couple’s party of the Young Couples Group at the Church.  It was held at Marjo and Mark’s apartment and was lots of fun.

As we exited the metro station (close to the Eiffel Tower area), I said to David that the area really looked familiar.  He said he had never been to this side of Paris.  But it still looked as though I had been there before.  Well, I had.  When we walked by a familiar hotel, I realized it was where my Mom, Betty and I had stayed back in July 1989.

Met a friend, Linda Barstow, for a train ride into Paris.  We toured the Bastille, Notre Dame, Latin Quarter, and left bank area of the River, eating crepes for lunch at a restaurant on the left bank.  A very enjoyable afternoon.

Saturday, February 22, 1992

Met Louis for a trip to a wine cave in Elancourt, outside of Paris.  What a place!  Lots of French people go there to buy their wine.  It is available in bottles but also by the liters.  People were coming in with jugs, small barrels, etc. and filling them up as you would a gas can at a gas pump.  It was great fun to watch.  Needless to say, we purchased several different varieties (with Louis’ help).

Our average cost per bottle was $3.70 USD (amazing).  In the afternoon we drove to Chartres, France to visit the beautiful cathedral of Notre Dame there.  The tour was fantastic!  We learned so much about the Bible stories portrayed in the beautiful stained glass windows and saw the robe of the Virgin Mary kept here.  It is said to be the robe she wore when she gave birth to Jesus.

Once again the American Church had a great visiting choir.  An afternoon of catching up on office work for David and an evening Baptismal party at Ray and Maura’s for Stephanie Ann.

Monday, February 17, 1992

Actually saw our first snowfall in Paris today.  It was beautiful, but by the time I could get my camera, it was finished – a total of about 2 minutes.  The temperature was 39 degrees at the time so none of it stayed.

No English speaking churches in Verdun so we drove to the American Cemetery located in St. Mihiel, France (where 4,000 Americans from the war are buried) and had our own private worship in the chapel there.  Continued on the road back home driving thru mountains, valleys, and more farm land.

Beautiful conutryside!  Nice weather today also.

They dance it the same way as we do, except they call it the “Duck”. Lots of fun! Then a trip into Paris to a “Super Bowl” party (the kickoff beginning at 12 midnight here). The game seemed one sided and we were all tired by this time, so at half time we decided to return home.

The American Church was comprised of many people returning from the holidays.  It was good to see our friends again.

Monday, January 6, 1992

Back to the Police Station in St. Germain.  Wow! We now have our Residence Cards and David’s Work Permit.  One catch, though.  They are only good for 1 year the first time they are issued, so, August 1, we have to renew for another year.  We’re the fortunate ones though.  Some people have been here over a year and still aren’t legally living or working here.  Ray and Maura’s baby was born toay – Stephanie Ann – All is well with all the family.