This past Saturday at Ethan’s first flute performance – Beautiful French church built in the 12th century
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– John Hugh
We are starting up our blog again for the holidays and the end of the year. I love to share and stay connected, especially at this time of year. Here is a short gratitude list of what am I thankful for now as we kick off the holidays.
- I’m thankful for our kids, all 3, are very happy here in Paris. Seriously, what a blessing that is. They all love their schools, have friends, know French very well, and are engaged with life here.
- I’m particularly happy our son Logan has a wonderful school, with friend, and is learning language, skills, athletics, a broad education so he could contribute to society. I love dining there. A French / American friend and I just had our Thanksgiving lunch at a spot we go to often. A restaurant here in Paris that is run by individuals with special needs. I love creative souls who cultivate opportunities for everyone. Because everyone needs an opportunity to make a contribution in this life.
- I’m thankful I love French language, French culture, and France. It has become a home. Not home. But a home.
- I’m thankful I have and can stay connected to so many deep rooted American activities, customs, and relationships. We try to watch college football here as much as possible, and every Ole Miss game. We will be watching the Egg Bowl tomorrow.
- I’m thankful I got to be at a game this year to see some friends in the Grove quickly, as well as be there for a Cousin’s wedding, and a special Aunt’s funeral. I’m glad to stay so connected to my Mississippi and our American hearts.
- Last, I’m thankful for physical health for all of us here. That can be a cliche, yet it’s so easy to take for granted. We are growing and healthy, and happy.
I’m thankful. Looking forward to this Christmas season as lights are already up and we are late with the tree! Yet it stays up until February.
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Linda
It’s taken me nearly 8 months to reboot our blog. John Hugh has been patiently waiting for me to find time – God bless him.
It’s been over 3 years since we arrived in France, and I can’t believe it. Perhaps the most dutiful thing to do on Thanksgiving is write a gratitude list.
- I am thankful, as a horrible language learner, that I finally understand French spoken around me. Even if it’s too fast or with an unbroken chain of unknown vocabulary, I don’t feel like an imposter walking around France.
- I am thankful that I took breaks from real life to dig deep at home and parent my children in blindspots I didn’t realize were as obvious as they were.
- I am thankful that my faith in Jesus is never an afterthought or a crutch, but a living reality that undergirds me in difficult moments.
- I am thankful that technology – even with its endless distractions and rabbit holes – can give me quick access to people I deeply care about, but don’t always have time to say hello.
- I am thankful that, as 50 years old soon approaches, my body is not my enemy, but my friend when it tells me to slow down, to eat well, to fast regularly, to exercise more moderately, and to see rest and sabbath not as missing out but rejuvenation.
- I am thankful I am an American living in France. The longer I live here, the more of the best of America I hold tight to, whether passing it on to my kids and sharing it with my community around me.
- I am thankful that Christmas is approaching and instead of the usual unresolved grief that overcomes me from a very broken family of origin with an ongoing bereft happy ending, I wake up every day feeling more peace.
- I am thankful that every day feels like a gift when I take time to pause and feel how big God really is
I could keep going, but pictures and videos are as valuable as words. Starting Thanksgiving Day, you will find videos of our life here in France on social media – linked back to the blog or YouTube. Most videos will be posted from Thursday – Sunday, so social media doesn’t run our lives.
We are going to jump around with timelines by posting old videos starting from 2 years ago (as we play catch up) right alongside real time events in our life right now. Enjoy and support us below if you are still reading and watching and following.
Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours!
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Thanks for reading!
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