i don't want a label...

I've had something on my mind for a while. Let me begin....
As I had mentioned before, I have joined the Hillsong Paris community. For those of you who don't know about Hillsong, it is a Pentecostal Church based in Australia. It has now spread to cities like Paris, London, Berlin, CapeTown, and Stockholm. I first found out about Hillsong from my good friend Eric in high school. This summer, it just so happened that I met Meg (bilingual assistant @ Middlebury), who is now living in Paris and invited me to the Hillsong Paris happenings. Now let me backtrack....

According to wiki:
Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit^[1] which is evidenced by speaking in tongues. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, a Greek term describing the Jewish Feast of Weeks. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2,^[2] and Pentecostals tend to see their movement as reflecting the same kind of spiritual power, worship styles and teachings that were found in the early church.

Now, I grew up Catholic and I still am Catholic. However, I am attracted to Hillsong because of their charismatic services and their love for God as well. That means that's alright...right? I still believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Catholic meaning universal. There is no reason for me to feel in between two walls!! I just feel like when people ask me my religious affiliation... they stereotype too much. Basically, if you ask me what my religious affiliation is I will answer with this: I love God, I praise Mary, the Saints, I pray the rosary and I have a relationship with God----> you can classify me the way you want.

Phew! I really wanted to get that off my chest.

Things I have accomplisted this week:
1) Watched La belle et la bete (1945) for film class. I highly recommend it!!
2) Took a Danse Africaine class. I will be signing up for a 6 month class! Yay for working out!
3) Attended my first Hillsong service on Sunday.
4) Met the Connect Group at the Bois de Boulogne (during daytime).
5) Saw Up! in french.
6) Missed Paris Fashion Week 2009 happenings. (haha, next year though!)

I have already scoped out some great expositions that will be happening in Oct/Nov so I will let you know all about them.

But in the meanwhile, I am taking it slow, now doing many tourist-y things if you couldn't tell!! But no worries, I will make you all Paris experts by the time this year is done!

With hugs,
Mayra.