Thankful

We've now been in France nearly 6 weeks. I (Meridith) have just finished pouring out words of praise to God in the pages of my journal. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude as I sit and write in a comfortable little café this morning. The sun is shining through the windows, the mountain air outside is crisp and cool, and I truly couldn’t ask for anything more.

Many of you have been asking how we are doing, and I’m finally stealing a few minutes to write this update! It’s been challenging to find time for all that needs done in this season (like every season!), but we are slowly finding rhythms, and it feels oh so good.

The short answer is that we are doing really well here so far!  The children have all adjusted so incredibly well to their schools. Their teachers have been wonderful, and Titus is now doing full days in the preschool, so we are all on the same schedule. We all go to class from 8:30-11:30 in the mornings, then have a two hour break for lunch, then go back from 1:30-4:15. We have Wednesday off each week, which has been key for studying, grocery shopping, housework, and some extra play time for the kids. Zeke especially misses the amount of free play time that he’s used to, and the days off really help him recharge. Anina is in the nursery at the language school with me and Jason. I will admit that I really miss her during classes, but I soak up the time with her and the boys in between. Jason and I are really enjoying having so much more time together, while being in a rhythm. This past summer was hard, with everything constantly changing and revolving around travel and work.

Here, we are in separate ‘small group’ classes on Monday and Tuesday, and then together in class on Thursday and Friday. As expected, we are having different strengths and weaknesses in language learning. We were told strongly in our trainings to NOT COMPARE with one another. This continues to be key. So far, we have been able to look at our differences as compliments to one another, and are cheering each other on.

We are greatly enjoying living in this incredibly beautiful place. The weather has been nothing short of perfect so far, and the appearance of the mountains changes continually, depending on the lighting of the sun, the clouds, and the time of day.  It’s starting to be quite cool in the mornings and evenings, and then warms with the sun mid-day. We’ve been enjoying long bike rides on the weekends, as Nathaniel is getting quite strong and able to ride farther. I’ve been using the bike daily, in order to give my foot more rest. I had an appointment with a doctor last week about my persistent plantar fasciitis, and he wants me to see an orthotist to have a specialized orthotic made. This feels overwhelming to me, with limited language and limited time, but I am taking the next step to see the orthotist.

Saturdays have been similar to Wednesdays so far – lots of studying and catching up on things that need done. Jason and I often switch off watching the children so that each of us can have some focused time. We have also implemented a ‘date night’ most weeks, where a young woman from the school watches the children for a few hours. We’ve been using one week as extra study time together, and then the next week as a night to just relax and have fun. Remembering to laugh and enjoy life has been incredibly important already. We both tend to take ourselves way too seriously.  We’ve started taking Sunday each week as a true sabbath from school work and housework (and social media for me), and using it to reconnect with God, one another, and other people. We haven’t done this very well in any season of our lives thus far, and have really felt led to this now. I’ve been praying for God to redeem Sundays for me – I too often find myself in an elusive search for outward ‘rest’, instead

of seeking the inward ‘soul rest’ that can only come from my Maker.

Alongside all the goodness of these last few weeks, has been the incredible humbling of being an infant again in a culture and language. Simple things that we are used to doing every day – shopping, ordering food at a restaurant, navigating directions, talking with someone at the park while our children play – these things are suddenly awkward, intimidating, and embarrassing. For the first couple weeks, I couldn’t even remember how to say ‘I don’t speak french’ when someone would start talking to me. Most people have been friendly, but some look at you with annoyance, arrogance, or frustration when you can’t speak their language. The things I learn in class seem to fly away the minute I’m in a situation that requires the use of them. I can give the right answer on my homework sheet, but the application has been much harder for me so far. That being said, I’ve been quite encouraged by how much more I can hear and understand than four weeks ago! I came here with NO french

vocabulary, and am gaining words daily. One minute we are encouraged by our progress, and the next minute we are overwhelmed by all we have to learn (in only 10 months?!). It’s absolutely amazing what our brains can do though!

We were told in our language acquisition training that one of the most important things in language learning is to keep your heart and mind open to the wonder and excitement of it all – to laugh a lot – and to see it all is a child would – a fun game and adventure.  We’ve been cultivating this in ourselves by buying children’s books in french (for us more than the kids), turning vocabulary learning into games with the kids, reminding each other to loosen up and laugh, getting out in nature when our minds or emotions are overwhelmed, and forcing ourselves to practice out loud (even though everything sounds awful and foreign coming from our lips).

This week was quite humbling as I realized I’m learning all of the things in French that I taught Nathaniel in English kindergarten last year… ABC’s, numbers and counting, the calendar, how to tell time, basic vocabulary… Our teachers are being quite gracious and patient with us! We have gone from being an ICU nurse, and a pediatric surgeon, to being kindergarteners. We still can’t even say the word ‘surgeon’ in french (seriously – look it up… )! I told someone the other day that I have 13 sons – because I keep mixing up the words for 3 and 13 (I wish you could have seen the look on their face!).

All this to say – wow – we are leaning into the Lord once again for our worth, identity, and daily needs. We are being strengthened through our weaknesses once again – as we lean into HIM.

Thank you all SO much for your prayers, encouragement, financial support, and patience with us!! There are many of you we are wanting to write individual notes and say a better ‘thank you’ to! Know that we couldn’t do this without your support and love – what a gift you all are to us!! We are truly being carried - on your prayers - by our great God!

Much love,

Meridith (and Jason, Nathaniel, Ezekiel, Titus, and Anina!)