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