France Day 4

Part 3 of One Thousand Blessings 

106. Waking up at 2:00 am in the morning and unable to fall back asleep.
107. Insomnia. My mind is active
108. Sleep deprivation and insomnia caused me to write a long blog post that I will eventually publish
109. So many ducks camped outside my backyard because they know I'll give them food
110. A new little duck family of triplet ducklings and their mama
111. Feeding this family caused a huge goose to follow them. It was beautiful
112. Two shots of espresso in the morning allowed me to function
113. Reading in Genesis how Jacob wrestled with God
114. Mark 9:33-37
115. Wavy voluminous hair
116. Hills of mustard flowers
117. French radio station with awesome EDM music blasting in the car
118. Seeing the "check engine" light turn on while driving to Champagne
119. Difficulties driving up hills
120. Making it to our destination despite car problems
121. Free parking
122. Visiting the Cathedral in Reims
123. Gorgeous statues and chandeliers
124. Feeling God's presence in a sacred building
125. The Cathedral's gift shop cashier. She spoke English with a beautiful French accent
126. Inability to start the car
127. Stuck in Reims
128. A champagne shop cashier who recommended a lunch place
129. She had thick yet 60-inspired glasses
130. The beautiful Cognac bottles in the champagne shop
131. Our 30 minute search party for this restaurant
132. Asking people for directions
133. French people incredibly generous with their time in explaining directions
134. French people spoke slowly and sweetly
135. After spending 30 minutes looking for this restaurant, we see how beautiful it is
136. The restaurant didn't want to take us at first because they didn't have enough waiters to serve us
137. They were kind enough to take us in anyway
138. Learning mannerisms from our family friends
139. Our family friends leaving to meet with a car mechanic for the rental car
140. Watching my parents interact with French people. What a contrast...
141. People like my parents are the reason why the French hate Americans
142. They waiters gave us bad service, so my parents felt they had the 'right' to complain. Even though I don't have authority to anything or over anyone (because God has ultimate authority that I submit to), I acknowledged that their response was extremely human
143. Actions and mannerisms displayed by my parents: groaning, insensitivity, assumption that all French people know English, complaining, folding up hands, arrogance, assumption of authority
144. While watching them treat the French terribly, I kept chanting  'eucharisteo, eucharisteo, eucharisteo'. 
145. While watching them treat the French terribly, I kept thinking of the Last Supper. Despite Jesus knowing that he will be betrayed, he still gave thanks. He always gave thanks. Therefore in this moment, I fought my anger so I can give thanks to God
146. The food was exceptional
147. Fighting every ounce of my body to not scream at them
148. As soon as lunch was over, I ran outside and paced back and forth to cool off
149. Allowing my sinful anger to rush my head. But it never controlled me because I fought my sin with truth from memorized scripture
150. Fighting sin reminds me of what's precious to me: the Holy Spirit
151. Therefore I will gladly use every ounce to fight my sinful thoughts. I must protect the Holy Spirit that lives inside me
152. How sacred and precious my freedom from sin is
153. Rediscovering the concept of love. It is patient, kind. Does not envy or boast
154. Running away from my parents outside the restaurant as we waited for friends to pick us up. This time period lasted 40 minutes.
155. Using love to ward off fear and anxiety. If my Father in heaven loves me, then he will take care of me in times of doubt and war
156. Our friends picking us up and getting a new rental car at no charge.
157. Driving to Champagne and refusing to go to the Taittinger Champagne cellar with the rest of the group. Instead I sat in the car grumbling.
158. While waiting for the group to come back, I entered into a time of repentance. I was sweaty, teary, uncomfortable, and sticky. Despite my mess of a human being, God still loves me and forgave my iniquity.
159. More exhaustion from an emotional time. Hopefully that means that my prayer was meaningful
160. Finding a comfortable position to take a 45 minute nap.
161. Woken up by our tipsy Asian friend to go to dinner. I reluctantly went
162. Our tipsy Asian friend's Asian glow. She only glowed on her cheek bones. I recommended her to get drunk more instead of wearing blusher
163. Asking for directions for the restaurant at a paint shop. One of the people went outside and drew with his fingers a map for us. FRENCH PEOPLE ARE SO NICE I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!!
164. Running into one of the bus boys of the restaurant before it opened. She made reservations for us before the restaurant opened. She told us to wait and have drinks at the hotel nearby.
165. In front of this restaurant were white peonies the size of your head
166. I want those flowers in my wedding bouquet.
167. Our Asian friend said that I shouldn't be planning my wedding yet because I don't have a boyfriend. I told her that that's the exact reason why I should be planning my wedding already
168. Setting my expectations high so that I do not settle for less
169. She talks about her smart, tall, good-looking, soon-to-be rich, single son. Non-Christian. I have absolutely no interest
170. No one hinders my relationship with God. Not even the 'perfect' bachelor. I'm very "territorial of my faith"
171. I used to be completely opposite from Blessing #170
172. The hotel nearby happened to be Les Crayeres. This place is absolutely gorgeous.
173. Walking down the stairs pretending I was a princess bride
174. I am a princess bride
175. Sipping a glass of champagne and looking out into their lawn
176. Kelly-green acres
177. Moarrr flowerzz
178. Giant dog statue
179. Giant pufferfish statue
180. Giant hand statue
181. Little flower clusters shaped like evergreen trees
182. After dinner, I asked for some bread to go so I can feed the ducks. No one packs food to go in France. The bus boy who made the dinner reservation gave me some.
183. The bus boy's beautiful smile
184. Bendadryl for the night. Completely KO'ed and woke up after 6 hours of sleep
185. Despite today being the most trial-some day of my trip, it was easier to write this list of blessings
186. Countless blessings in a storm