Dear friends,

First off, I must affirm that little Jack Sheesely is just adorable, and thank you to Peter for posting the video online for those of us not fortunate enough to see him in person these days.

Life in the mountains (my view off the balcony is the picture above) continues to be surprising, beautiful, hard and interesting as ever. At the moment, “hard” does not very much apply, as I am sitting on the couch with Corn, the Bouttiers cat, cuddled up like my own little daimonion, as Milosz might call him. This cat (whose brother’s name was Flakes—Corn and Flakes—is that the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard?) takes particular delight in rubbing his face all over mine. He is very affectionate, and doesn’t seem to like the computer, which has my attention at the moment.

It is strange to pick out the interesting things from what has become a day-to-day routine and post them online to be read. This week, the famous Cousin Remy (famous by Bouttier standards) has come to vacation in Alpe d’Huez and I am sharing the apartment with him and his 6 friends from school in Aix-en-Provence. They arrived around midnight last night with such a noise as you have never heard, but it reminded me of the good times we have all spent together to see a bunch of friends my age hanging out. I am hoping to spend some time with them, and Remy has asked that I do so in order that they all practice their English. It is a good opportunity for me to learn some French as well, which I have almost given up on at this point. The Bouttier daughters took it upon themselves to teach me, but have no guiding point or structure (they are, after all, 10 and 12) and I get more confusion than clarity. But it’s really sweet.

I am slowly emerging from what has been a really difficult couple of months and finding some peace in places that were otherwise unsettled. Last Sunday I went skiing by myself and had one of the best days here yet; it is amazing to sit at the top of Pic Blanc in Alpe d’Huez in the afternoon silence after everyone has left the mountain and just admire God’s creation as it stretches out before you. I have yet to find a church in France where I have felt welcome or even comfortable, but to be outdoors here is to be worshipping God. There are still times here that are incredibly lonely or painful, but I am more and more seeing them as times of growth.

Right now I am most looking forward to Lex’s visit to Italy and spending time in some of my favorite places with her. We have an itinerary: Rome, Orvieto, Florence, Cinque Terre, Siena, and back to Rome. Basically my dream trip. It promises to kick some serious ass. I am also looking forward to real cappuccinos, because the French really don’t know what they are doing with coffee. Café Tal has the best coffee in Italy as far as I am concerned, and in two weeks I plan to spend considerable time absorbing it.

Well, I have to go do some ironing-- unfortunately the mundane has to continue
even in fantastic places like this. I miss everyone so much; I think of you all every day and pray for you. Much love and blessings,

Devon