Saying "yes" to NEW!

To my friends and family –

Hello! I miss you. So much. It’s officially been one month in France.

Since we’ve last wrote, there has been a whirlwind of change, adjustments, and transitions. In fact, I think the number one thing I’ve had to give up in being here is comfort. Yes, I am very safe and at home with Frank, however there are things being stripped from my life that are constantly causing me to depend on the Lord.

The last few weeks have been extremely hot here in Charleville Mezieres, and the French culture does not include in-home air-conditioning units, so yes, we have felt constantly balmy and we sleep on top of the covers with the fan on our faces – it’s humbling.

It’s also felt as if we are in a “waiting” season. We are waiting for our car, we waited for bank accounts, WIFI, phone service, and so on. In this I am being reminded of how entitled I have been my entire life. I almost feel deserving of things, or like I need certain things, and at the end of the day I really do not.

The past month in France has been a consistent stretch of becoming “comfortable” with a simple lifestyle. Let me explain. I wake up, brew my coffee, abide with the Lord, and ask Him to guide the rest of my day. Sometimes I fail at walking in step with the Spirit, and other times I say yes in faith and am delighted and in awe of how God writes a beautiful story in my days that seem like blank canvases. I am learning to be thankful for little things and am recognizing those little things as blessings from God. For example, my heart jumps for joy when I meet someone who speaks even an ounce of English, or I cherish how my friend helped me get a library card. I am thankful for the walks Frank and I take outside, the time we get together when he is not at practice, and the baguette we get usually every day from the local bakery. I am learning to be slow, still, and wait upon the Lord to fill my days with HIS purpose as I seek Him.

There is so much to be thankful for here in France! We have certainly enjoyed building a relationship with our new friends, Jelica and Boban. Boban is one of Frank’s teammates from the UK, and he and his American wife Jelica met in college in the States. They got married this past summer and it is Boban’s first year with Étoile, however it’s his 4th year playing professionally. With this, they have been incredibly helpful in providing advice and wisdom to the whole professional basketball world, along with just blessing us with their sweet friendship! We have enjoyed gathering in their home and playing cards at a downtown restaurant.

Our church didn’t have service this past week because it was “holiday”, so Frank and I spent the morning making crepes and praying specifically about what our mission was here in France – to represent Christ, to make Him known, and to always bring glory to HIM! As I’ve wrestled through many emotions of missing home, volleyball, and comfort, this morning brought abundant joy and peace as I focused my perspective on what God’s desire was for us as a couple here in France.

Basketball update: Frank has played in a few more “friendly games” these past weeks and is continuing to build relationships with his teammates. I had the privilege of meeting a few of the wives of his teammates, and have certainly enjoyed envisioning and praying through what relationships with these women could look like! I am so proud of Frank and the way he is so positively adjusting to a team with a different play style, coach, players, and even language. It’s been a pleasure to watch Étoile and cheer on his talented team.

Random details about our time here:

• I became a plant mom to parsley and basil plants

• I am loving going to the grocery DAILY and buying exactly what we need for that day, and COOKING! I am attempting to cook, and it is a blast.

• I’ve learned how to bake Frank’s favorite snickerdoodle cookies (maybe He is just hyping me up)

• I am on a major burger kick still

• I translated our church service in REAL TIME (technology is wild)

• I’ve found the cheapest/cutest thrift store where I bought a quiche dish in hopes of making one soon

• My French friend, Marie, takes me to the BIG grocery in her car sometimes and it’s the best time ever.. we also are studying the book of Matthiew together.

• The markets are fun, and I enjoy attempting to speak to the people in French

• I spent last week finishing up my Theology class for school and have begun my Old Testament course.

• We listened to Christmas music while we made Crepes

• Smash burgers are so easy to make and so good to eat

1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Lord, I pray that in you alone I find my security.

This world is fleeting, temporary, and full of voices telling us of lies that will fulfill us. As I’m wrestling through change, discomfort, and adjusting to life in France, God is teaching me that when I am content with Him as my all in all, then I am satisfied and will be used in the way He desires. As cliché as it sounds, God is also teaching me to be present and to cherish each day as a blessing. Everyday God invites us into His throne room and to have confidence in doing so, in this throne room I am simply content and abundantly overflowing with joy and satisfaction that comes with just being in the presence of God.

Left to right, top to bottom: Cobblestone streets of downtown Charleville, right outside of our apartment; At dinner with friends in Place Ducale; Our local bakery; My plants!; Sunday morning crepes!; Date night post-game; Étoile team; Exploring the city during Frank's off afternoon; More baguettes!!!; Our friends Jelica and Boban; A cozy, chill, spot to relax near our apartment; Post market.