Tuesday, August 23, 2011

One BIG Update

Wow, it's been a while but for very good reason. This has been a whirlwind of a summer for our family! Instead of writing a small book about what our lives have been since the end of May I'll just give you a few little glimpses....


CLAIRE AND MATTHEW FINISH THEIR SCHOOLING...
On June 25th Claire and Matthew's maternelle had their closing program. They were amazingly cute. Matthew sang right along in French with the other students (he loves singing), and our timid Claire stood bravely and calmly but didn't make a peep (which is just fine with us). Here's a little video of their school choir.




The last day of school was July 1st. God has grown our children physically and spiritually so much this year. What and awsome joy to see how He works in their lives!

MINISTRY CHANGE
As most of you know, Jonathan and I came to Paris in order to join a team planting a church here. God has provided us with enough funds two be able to work here for 2 1/2 years. However, because of both the economic issues in the States and the high cost of living in France, we can no longer sustain our family within this country. Therefore, much of this summer has been busy with all of the details involved in moving back to the States. Moving overseas and closing up an apartment is no small task, but it is getting done steadily. September 6th is our official moving date. Although we are disappointed in the ending of our ministry here in Paris, we are very excited to see what God has in store for our family. He always provides and has always known our path. (Psalm 121 & Psalm 139)


A SENSE OF NORMAL?
In the busyness of moving it has been my goal to keep as normal of a schedule as possible with the kiddos. This way they feel less stress and the transition can be smoother. Each day I do a little bit involving the move and try to work around the kiddos' schedules. Almost every afternoon we like to go to a park (depending on the weather), and then we work on preschool/kindergarten about 3 days each week. It's been nice to have all 3 of them in the house at the same time, and I'm greatly looking forward to homeschooling the older two this coming year! These are 3 amazing gifts God has given us, and Jonathan and I do not want to waste any time we have with them. They are growing up so fast!!!


A 5 YEAR OLD PRINCESS
Claire Alanna turned 5 years old August 7. Is it just me, or is there something "big" about being five? It's not that she had a sudden change or look. But it does seem that she's grown so much over the past year. We no longer have a toddler or a preschooler. We have a little girl! And she is a precious little girl at that! It is a joy to see her growing in the Lord. Right now, she and I are studying God's attributes together twice a week, and she is usually the one to come to me asking to do a study. What a blessing to this mother's heart. Here is our little princess in one of her "outfits". :)

THE BIG 30!
My amazing, handsome, godly husband has hit 30!!! I definitely have been teasing him for it, but I suspect he will get me back next year. We celebrated with a cake and some homemade cards from the kiddos. Very fun! He is still just as hansdsome as when I met him almost an entire decade ago!!! P.S. Do not attempt to make a cake with cream cheese frosting inside of a kitchen that is humid and 85 degrees. It amounts to no fluff. Oh well, at least it tasted the same!

AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF MISCELLANEOUS...
Well, when I look at the little update it doesn't look like much, but it seems every day has been packed and quite tiring. We are saying goodbyes, selling most of our household items, packing, making transportation and housing plans for the US, praying about our next ministry destination, finishing our French taxes paperwork, apartment sitting for our colleagues' apartments, helping out a foreign family with a medical crisis, and working on English preschool for Matthew and kindergarten for Claire. Jonathan is also working on responsibilities for when we get back to the States. Whew! Lots to do, but we aren't complaining. God has been so good to us, and given our family peace and confidence within His perfect plan.

So there's the update. Now maybe we can get back to a normal blogging schedule!!! Praying that each of you are having a great summer full of God's blessings.

2 comments:

  1. While I am so sad that you're leaving France, I am so encouraged by your attitudes and example of faith! And anyway, we'll be following you stateside before long, I think. We'll definitely be asking lots of questions on the logistics of it all!! God bless and keep you!

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  2. Sarah, We will be praying for your family.
    Dave and Jana Isaac

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