Baking with Grandma Great

It looked like the day was all about Elmo... the grand babies LOVE Elmo... but really? It was all about FAMILY. And TRADITION. We women love to bake! And we enjoy being in the kitchen. The most perfect setting? When we're in the kitchen TOGETHER! We can thank my Mom for that. She still can describe over the phone what she'll be making for dinner and make my mouth water! It's one of those "constants" that is sweetly flowing down from one generation to the next. The size of your kitchen doesn't really matter. Even cooking skill is not a priority. This kind of cooking is more a matter of the heart. It's about caring for your family and those you love. A warm gathering spot to enjoy each other's company. Can you imagine anything more special than having "Grandma Great" teaching you to make a very, very special cake? Fancy frosting and all?! It was a beautiful time. Four generations and a heart filled with gratefulness that we are all healthy and able to cross the miles to spend time like this together.

So, here's ELMO!! We didn't plan on covering him in sprinkles and candles, but from the enthusiasm of a three year old, we thought he turned out perfect? Yes?! xo Jackie

Calvary Chapel & Crew in Paris!

This update finds me with an incredible answer to prayer and new friends in far away places! Many of you know that I have been praying to tie in with missionaries and churches overseas, as much of my time is spent away from home. My Pastor's assistant, Sheree (here at Princeton Alliance) has been a huge encouragement and this past summer our Pastor led a series on "Passing the Baton" about looking beyond ourselves to encourage those who are coming up "behind" us serving the Lord. That really planted a seed in my heart! Well, this past Sunday was a FIRST! I attended Calvary Chapel Paris and although I was hoping to encourage this young family, as always I think I ended up being more blessed myself! Below, I'd like you to meet Michael & Becky Dente and family. They felt a call from the Lord quite some time ago to serve the Lord in France and have been in Paris for the last several years. What a wonderful place of Worship, Teaching & Fellowship they have established here. (click to enlarge photos)

They currently meet at this "Jews for Jesus" building, and have created a warm, welcoming place for all.

Their two oldest daughters were two of the best greeters I've ever encountered and they met ALL with a smile! They also served us yummy biscotti and coffee after the service. So young and yet already cheerfully serving... what a wonderful heritage they are growing up with!

Below are Josh & Laureen. They felt the call of the Lord to serve here and took the leap of faith to relocate last August. I had a chance to chat with Laureen who is originally from NJ and it was so inspiring to hear the fervor of this young couple to serve the church here in any way they can. You can read Josh's testimony on the Calvary Chapel Paris blog @ http://web.mac.com/calvaryparis/Site_3/Blog/Blog.html. Josh's cute "sidekick" is Lex and apparently the French make a huge deal over him wherever they go! Dogs are a BIG thing in Paris, so Lex is his own walking testimony! ha! Can pets have a testimony? hmmmm... or maybe they just open the door for possible discussions with their owners? :o) Anyway... he is so cute!

Here is another couple bringing so much to the church in gifts and giving. I regret that I can't remember all of the names of everyone I met, but I do remember that this couple is from So. Cal. (I love that!) and they are quite talented in animation. Check out their major production done a few years ago... Andy Griffith was a part of this Christmas special! Wow! http://www.veryfirstnoel.com/

These lovely ladies were an absolute JOY to chat with! The gal 2nd from the right was visiting with the Dentes and she and her husband will be starting a church in southern France this next year. She and 2 of the others are also from So. Cal., and we had an instant bond. The gal on the far left is from New Mexico and what a warm, friendly spirit she had! I felt like I had known her for years and I was wishing that I could get them on my flight home, so I could give them the "royal treatment"! I hope that our paths cross again in the future!

And I have to say a special thank you to Becky Dente. From the first time I contacted her she has had one of the warmest hearts that I've met in a long time. With 4 little ones, she was such a woman of grace and gentleness. Not much older than my daughters, I immediately thought of how much they would enjoy her company. What a blessing she is to her husband, her children, her church and ALL who meet her! A true example of Christ and His love. Thank you for such a warm welcome, Becky! I look forward to my next visit to Paris and hope that I can be as much of a blessing as you were to me! It was also so refreshing to sing songs, so familiar, and hear a sermon that really made me think about the times that I feel unsure about what to do... out of the book of John it was all about the "King" that Christ is and the "Truth" that He is as well... I want more of Him... Truth.

It was dark by the time I got back to the Eiffel Tower. Just as I got out of the taxi the "sparkle lights" started! Young Asian girls nearby squealed with delight and even after 3 years, the sparkle lights still take my breath away too! The lights are blue now as of June 30, 2008 marking France's 2008 presidency of the European Union.

Well, I still had more to do after church, so I headed to my favorite gift shop around the corner from my hotel. Below is Darjhi. A new friend and the store owner. He knows me well now and always gives me a hug, discounts and free key chains! Well.... you all know I enjoy shopping and I have found some great bargains for Christmas gifts this year! :o)

The next morning I had a few things to pick up at my nearby grocery store. A few of you are enjoying the shopping bags that I've brought home from here. The Fran Prix. It is a little version of the Mono Prix which I also frequent often.

Okay... time to get back to work... I can almost forget that I am WORKING! ha! I had flown with all three of these pilots before and the Capt., Ralph is one of my favorites. The young gal (Andrea) that worked up in Business First with me was so much fun. She had a fantastic sense of humor (like my Becca) and kept me laughing the whole flight (sorry the photo is dark)

Above from left to right: Me, Andrea, Orel & Sandra. We've all flown together before and it was great seeing each other again. Happy Travels! Love you ALL! (for more of Paris? Check out Jan of 2008 too!)

Hello from Hamburg!

Hamburg was LOVELY!! I was so excited to trade for this trip as I hadn't been here before AND this would be one of my last trips before I would go back on "RESERVE" for the winter (ugh!). Two of my crew members who fly to Hamburg regularly told me that the "city center" was a great place to walk to. Clean and classy with upscale shopping along a scenic canal. How RIGHT they were! Above is my hotel... and the following 2 photos are the views from my room. Wowie! I do LOVE my job! :o)

There was a lovely "Town Square". And like so many cities in Europe, there was a little piece of home.... Starbucks. Anybody for a warm Mocha Mint? (click on photos to enlarge)

These photos don't do "City Hall" justice! Built in 1886 it is one of those buildings that you stand in front of and just "take in"... from every angle... so much detail... so beautiful!

As always, I enjoyed some "window shopping in this "upscale" neighborhood.

Lake Alster... one of 2 lakes here in the city and a beautiful sight. Another lovely sight (below) was my "friend" George... it seems like he's everywhere too! He wanted to get together, but I was a little busy! Sorry Georgie! Ha!

Above was the produce department of a nearby grocery store where I ended my day at. It's always fun to pick up a few things to go along with my regular tuna sandwich and salad dinner. Isn't this a lovely sight?

Hamburg was wonderful! I learned that it is one of the wealthiest cities in Germany. And it made me thankful for my German roots that have given me such a strong work ethic. I have to say a special thank you to my Mom, who is one of the hardest workers that I've EVER known. I so appreciate that she passed on that German trait to me AND my children, grand children, nieces & nephews. A heritage that is surely a blessing! Thanks Mom! "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord..." (Eph. 3:23)

Another lovely view of Lake Alster. So many clouds, but I never had to use my umbrella! What a beautiful afternoon exploring the lovely city of Hamburg.