Bittersweet.

Well, the time has come to leave this wonderful chapter of my life. I'm going home tomorrow, after living in France for three months. I am so thankful that God planned this for my life :) It has been a wonderful, stressful, peaceful, chaotic, and rewarding three months. It is truly amazing what God can do when you leave your life open to His will. Here are just a few of the many things I will miss:


* Apremont, my beautiful, little village.
* Reading Thomas his bedtime story every night.
* Playing piano with Sophie.
* Reading books, and being silly with Emma.
* My talks with Claire.
* When Audrey calls me "Aummer"
* Audrey's laugh when she is being tickled, or the way she kicks her feet when she's excited.
* Our long walks through the forests.
* Going to church and not understanding anything, but in constant awe of Christ's presence!
* Family dinners
* Family worship every Sunday night
* Audrey's silver eyes.
* Movie& pizza nights.

* Spending my day off drawing, and writing at the park.




I can't wait to see you all!!

With love from Paris,

Summer Brooke.

Last week in France.

I am home after a wonderful and relaxing week in Prague. It is such a beautiful city! Ask me about it sometime, I'm sure I will go on for hours :) Sadly, this is my last week in France. It is going to be so hard saying goodbye to the Cross kids. I really love this family, and will miss them all terribly when I leave. There is a group of 5 from Texas here this week to help out with English classes. I was able to attend tonight, and learned a lot about teaching English as a second language. Really interesting. After living in France for three months, I have learned two things: first, the French language is incredibly difficult, but so beautiful, and second, try as I may I cannot speak French. I have picked up a little, but the pronunciation is hard to say the least. Hopefully, I will be able to take some classes in college :)

I'm so excited to see you all in 6 days. :)

Love,

Summer

Prague (part 2)

Prague is wonderful. I'm am having such a great week! Today was my first church service in English in over two months; I loved it. This afternoon we walked around Old Town, while Mr. Nichols showed and explained to me all the beautiful sights of Prague. There is so much history here. We ate our dinner on a boat overlooking the river at sunset. After, we climbed up the (smaller) Eiffel Tower. It was an amazing sight overlooking the city lights at night. Can't wait for what God has in store this week :)
Love,
Summer

Prague!

Hey everyone! Sorry I have not updated since now. It was partly due to lack of time, and because I forgot my password and couldn't log into my own blog. Go ahead, laugh, it's pretty funny ;) Yesterday was my first European flight alone. I was a bit nervous at first, finding my way through the Charles de Gaulle airport, but I managed pretty well. In the bus on our way to the airplane I met two couples from Michigan!! It was so great to talk about home :) They were so sweet and gave me their numbers in case I needed anything in Prague. I'm amazed by how God takes care of every little detail. I arrived in Prague yesterday morning; It is so beautiful here! I'll try and post a picture soon :) I'm really looking forward to my week here with the Nichols family. Keep you updated on my Czech adventure!

Love,

Summer

Hi friends :)
Can you believe I have been in France for seven weeks? I can't. God has truly taught me so much during my time here. How to serve when I don't want to, and to rely on Him completely. If you ever get the chance to get out of your comfort zone, live in a different culture, and experience things you never thought you would.. do it! I cannot tell you how much God has used this time to deepen my relationship with Him, my family and friends. Another benefit of living four thousand miles away from your normal life is: perspective. Realizing what is and is no important. Our time on this earth is so short, and I want to spend my days in complete surrender to Christ and His plans for my life. Even if it means missing out on the first year of college, and being away from family and friends for months.
I'm so excited to travel to Czech Republic in two weeks :) Please pray for safe travels. This is my first flight alone in Europe, and I'm a bit nervous. I fly home to Michigan in 30 days!! Can't wait to see you all.
All my love,
Summer Brooke

Bonjour! 

I can't believe I have been here for five weeks! Seems like a lot longer, but looking back it went by so fast. In the past five weeks I have been to a missionary conference in Poland, vacationed in Krakow, toured Auschwitz, picnicked in Paris, visited Disney and the Chateau de Chantilly. I even managed to pick up a little french along the way. Although, I still have difficulty pronouncing 99.9% of the words. 

Many have asked what my plans are for the next two months, and I have postponed sharing because I wanted to pray and consult my parents first. My two month commitment of nannying is up September 28th. I will have been in France for 63 days :) I plan on (Lord willing) flying to Prague, Czech Republic September 29th to visit the Nichols.(Missionary family I have known for years) I will be in Prague for a week or two, fly back to Paris, and then home to MICHIGAN. So about the second week of October. I'm really excited to see what God has planned for my last month in France, and trip to Czech. Can't wait to see you all :)

with love,

Summer

Hey Everyone!
I keep meaning to update, but it's hard to find time! The Cross kids and I are enjoying their last days of summer vacation. Fun activities like slip&slide, sprinkler-trampoline jumping, going to the pool and Disney next week! Mr. Cross, and Claire are doing a half triathlon this Sunday. Makes me feel pretty bad about just sitting home and eating chocolate. Warning: I may not be recognizable upon returning home, since I will have gained about 40 pounds in chocolate and bread. 
I would now like to take the time to thank all of you mothers. wow. I have so much respect for the work you do in raising kids! Sometimes I get overwhelmed, and I'm just the nanny :) Mom, you are wonderful.
Hope all my friends starting college are having a great first week! Praying for you guys.
With love,
Summer Brooke

After living in Europe for three weeks, I have learned a thing or two. 

1. It's quite common to see castles. everywhere.

2. European cereal is far superior to American. Chocolate squares with nutella in the center. SO good.

3. Pandora is not available here, which makes me sad.

4. A French dinner consists of four courses (at least). 

5. They have a meal in between lunch in dinner (Guteau)

6. Bread and Chocolate is served at almost every meal

I have been trying to tech Audrey (the baby) to say Summer. Yesterday she say Nummer a couple times :) Which could either mean she can't pronounce her "s", or that she wants to eat me. (Num-Num is said when she wants to eat) I'm hoping for the first, however she did bite Thomas yesterday. Here is a picture of us from conference in Poland:

Bittersweet.

Today my best friend left for college. The college we both visited, fell in love with, and made plans to attend this fall. Well she is headed down to Nashville to Lipscomb University, and I am in France as a nanny for a missionary family. When I look back I wonder how I got here?! Don't get be wrong, I love being here, and am so thankful for this opportunity to serve. Still, part of me wishes Carlissa and I were heading into this new chapter of our lives together. She has been my best friend since fourth grade, and the fact that I won't see her until Christmas breaks my heart. I'm so glad God has my future planned out, because I have absolutely no idea. Hopefully I will attend Lipscomb next fall :) But I will go wherever God calls me. I know His plans are far better than mine! Missing all my friends and family back home! Thank you for your continual prayers&support!
With love,
Summer

I keep meaning to update, but the past couple of days have been so busy! The house is going through some major renovations, including new paint, bedroom, bed, and window! There has also been a moth problem Mrs. Cross and I are trying to solve. I think the only solution is to freeze or throw out a lot of food, and deep clean all the cupboards in the kitchen. I did have the afternoon off yesterday :) Friends I met at the conference (we worked in the nursery together) came over yesterday, and we went to tour the Chateau de Chantilly. If you get a chance google it. Kellie and I watched the kids (plus two friends) last night while the adults went to dinner :) 

This morning Thomas, Audrey and I went to the neighborhood park. I constantly have to pinch myself, I still can't believe I'm in France. It is so beautiful here :) I have been making dinner lately too! And no, it hasn't burned (yet). School for the kids starts in three weeks. I think Mrs. Cross and I are looking forward to having a schedule, and routine. Hope you all have a great night! 

Love,

Summer

Sunday.
Hope you all had a wonderful day worshiping our great God!! This morning was my first time going to church with the Cross family as a nanny. (I came with my parents once before in May) Very much different than what I am used to, 2 hours service all in French. It was really amazing to see other cultures, and hear other languages praising the same God I do back in Michigan. I think sometimes it's easy to forget how BIG our God is, and how many people around the world serve Him. Although I failed miserably, I sang their hymns in french, all the time laughing at how silly I sounded. Then members of the congregation prayed, and the Pastor began his sermon. He and his family are young missionaries from the states. I was told he was reading from Matthew, the story of John the Baptist's execution. Even though I thought it strange to spend an hour on such a little portion of scripture I (tried) to follow along in my English Bible. Turns out the sermon was about a passage in revelations. haha. After service, we had a great lunch, and had quiet time. Mom, and Dad you will be happy to know I took my usual Sunday afternoon nap :) Mr. Cross, Sophie and I still have colds, but hopefully they will be gone soon. This evening we had family worship, which consisted of singing, prayer, and reading Nehemiah 8&9. I am so blessed to be in such a wonderful, God-honoring family. Claire has decided to memorize James with me! Hopefully I will be able to keep up :)
Summer

Well, I never thought I would be coming"home" to Paris. We all made is safely (praise God) with most of our sanity :) I'm glad we had time this morning for one last walk, and a gourmet cupcake to go. SO good. The plane ride went well. Mr. Cross, Thomas, and I all have colds. Hopefully they go away quickly! The kids all went to bed, and I finished unpacking. Very glad to be done living out of a suitcase. I am currently enjoying my Earl grey tea, listening to Jack Johnson and looking at the pictures of Poland. an excellent combination. Shout out to Mrs. Shaw for sending my very first letter ever received in France! :) Made my day! Hope you all have a great night!
Love from Paris,
Summer

Goodbye Poland.

It's been real, it's been fun, and it certainly has been REAL FUN. I can't believe I have only been in Europe 10 days!  crazy. I had the best last day starting with: breakfast, God's word, and Polish coffee. A perfect start to any day! After family worship and prayer, we walked into town to shop and eat lunch. (which of course was followed by dessert and coffee) I'ts vacation.. why not? We then shopped for few hours at a "market" where I purchased some gifts :) Then came quiet time, one of my favorite parts of the day. I spent this time on our balcony people watching, and trying to memorize James. One of my favorite books of the Bible, and I want to try to commit it to memory! If anyone would like to join me, I would love the accountability! following quiet time, we went to see a candy making demonstration, and then stopped for gourmet cupcakes. Chocolate covered strawberry cupcake? yes please!! After dessert, we enjoyed walking around, and watching dance performances, and parades. Apparently Krakow knew it was our last night. We were all in the mood for American so we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. haha! Please pray for safety as we travel back to Paris tomorrow. I'm sad to leave this beautiful city, but hope to come back someday!!
With love,
Summer Brooke

The conference ended last night :( I had so much fun helping in the nursery! I will miss all the wonderful missionaries, and I'm so thankful for their ministry throughout Europe. We took a two hour bus trip to Krakow, where we are staying for a couple days before returning to France. Krakow is beautiful!!! They have a huge walking trail that runs through the whole city. Our apartment is right in the middle of "the square". Can't wait to explore more of this great city, where my great grandpa, Frank lived!
With love from Krakow,
Summer Brooke

Day 3.

The conference has been great so far! I spend most of my time either helping with the Cross kids or in the nursery with Audrey. I did have the chance to see Auschwitz today. It was very hard, especially knowing my two great uncles died there. I'm so glad I went, but I don't think I ever want to go back. To see and walk where 1.1 million men, women and children were tortured, starved and poisoned was very sobering. Sorry for the lack of description, I guess you just have to experience it for yourself. 

The kids are watching a movie with friends, so I'm left to relax. Hope you all have a great night!

Love from Poland,

Summer

Day one of conference.

Woke up at 1:30 this morning convinced that it was time to get up. My ipod (alarm clock) had the wrong time zone, and it took me about ten minutes to discover that it was actually 1:30am. I wish I could blame it on jet lag, but that should have left a couple days ago. After breakfast, Audrey (the baby) went to the nursery with the other babies and adult helpers. We were in there for five hours, and then went to lunch. Just when I think Polish food can't get any better they make deep-fried bananas with chocolate. yum. Now I know why I like deep-fried food so much: I'm polish. This afternoon I had some free time to read and relax with Audrey while the kids went swimming with friends. 

The missionaries here are so nice! It's so fun to get to know them, and hear their incredible stories. They all meet with each other at meal times to catch up and pray for one another. I'm glad I can watch the kids so Charles and Amy can visit with their friends they only see once a year. 

Well, I better go and make sure Audrey is sleeping.

Have a great night!

Love,

Summer

Poland!

We made it safely to Poland! 3 hour plane ride, and 2 hour bus ride and we arrived in Wisla, Poland. It was a bit of a struggle with five kids, and lots of luggage, but we made it! Once at the conference I reconnected with some old friends, the Nichols and we ate a delicious Polish dinner complete with Sauerkraut Sausage, and fired potatoes. I spent the rest of the night in the baby room helping to care for 12 very tired infants. It's 10:00 pm here, and I'm headed to bed. I'll update more tomorrow :)

Just a quick note to tell you  that dad and I made it here safely! I am all unpacked and settled in :) Thank you all so much for your prayers! We are busy today celebrating Emma's birthday, and packing for Poland tomorrow! I'm so excited to spend a week there. 

The kids are adorable, and making me feel quite at home! I'll try to post a picture soon. 

<3 Summer

          Here we are. A year ago I asked God what He wanted me to do after high school. I planned to take at least a semester off to do missions before college. To be honest, I had absolutely NO idea I would be here: moving to France to be a nanny for a missionary family. After praying for six months, God brought about this amazing opportunity. I'm still not quite sure why He is sending me, but I'm ready to serve.   
           Sure, going to another country alone, not knowing the language well, and taking care of five kids for 2-4 months, I'm a bit nervous. And yet, I am so excited to see what He has planned for the next few months! I love the passage in Jeremiah 29:
           For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  

           I am incredibly blessed to have such supporting family and friends. I will miss you all so much!!  My new address will be: 

75 rue Louis Wallon 

60300 Apremont, France

AU REVOIR!!