AVF

Lauren is getting settled in.  She is doing well in language school and is making better progress that I did after one week in.  Angie has enjoyed taking her shopping everywhere to help furnish her apartment.  Pictured above are some dishes that someone passed on for free. We have got her water turned on, and should soon have the electicity in her name.  She has her home phone and internet that should arrive soon.  Lilia started swimming last week.  Caleb is doing well in school, and so are Micah and Andrew.  Andrew is excited because he goes twice a week to swim during school hours.  Arianna is doing well also.  Yesterday she fell and hit her head on the playground, nothing serious, but the teachers were trying to understand what she was saying.  They said that she speaks to them real quietly and they have trouble understanding.  Her teacher invited Angie to come and speak to the class about America.  What a great opportunity!  Micah Celebrated his 9th birthday Friday night.  Just our family and Lauren were present.  His party will be this saturday.  Angie made a cake for him to take to school to share with his classmates.  I decorated it with his name. 

"The moose"

This week looks like it will be as busy as last week.  Monday morning, I spent in the office.  Monday afternoon, we went and registered for the AVF, ( accueil des villes francaises) the club that Angie attended french classes in last year, and we both have been attending this year.  I also volunteered  to teach a computer class, which they were VERY excited about.  This club is supposed to be all done by volunteers, but there was such a demand for someone to teach a computer class that last year they paid someone to teach briefly.  So they were happy to hear that I would be willing to do it for free, and in English and French.  Those classes will be Tuesday afternoon, and Friday evening.  Monday night, Bible study was cancelled because I had a basketball meeting to attend.  Our coach couldn't make it, so I went in his place.  It was nice because it followed Sunday nights game where France beat Lithuania for the European Basketball Championship.  Tuesday morning, Angie and I went to our AVF classes.  We are discussing the Cathares, a religious group that settled in this area during the 12 century, that was wiped out by the Catholics.  Tuesday afternoon, I worked in the office, while Angie and Lauren went shopping.  I picked the kids up and then went to a Doctors appointment for their physicals for sports.  Angie and Laurent got back in time for me to leave for basketball practice.  Today, I am working on this update, need to go check on the garden (we are still getting plenty of figs, I passed out 10 jars of fig preserves at basketball practice).  This afternoon, we are getting a visit from the pastor in Carcassonne who wanted to catch up with us, and with Lauren, that will be followed by basketball practice, and then Angie and Lilia's practice.  We need to find a time to go pick up a couch that Lauren bought.  So, I'd better finish this up and go check on the garden.  God bless, JASON

Lauren's arrival

What happened to the last week and a half.  Last week was mainly consumed by the kids starting school.  We did a lot of washing cloths over the weekend to get ready.  School started well for everyone.  Lilia had already got her friends to get all her school work that she missed so she did not have much catching up to do.  Caleb started Junior High.  He is doing well.  It is a change for him because he is walking to school and home sometimes and he has to keep track of each class, change classes, and . . pretty much do everything by himself. 

 The younger three did a good job.  Micah is in a split class this year.  He has five kids his age and the rest of the class is a year younger.  They had to split his class because it was too big.  He has the same teacher as last year and being chosen to be moved means that he is a good student, which is a surprise to us.  Andrew is doing well.  He is having to adjust to doing more memory work, which he does not enjoy.  But he still loves seeing his friends as school. Arianna started school this year. 

 Arianna was fussy and wouldn't let go of Angie for the first few days, but then Daddy stepped in.  After shedding a few tears the first time, she has not fussed anymore.  She is doing well with the language and from what I can gather talking with her, they have learned some songs and play outside. 

We also had a project of making Fig preserves this year.  I have been hoping to have a good harvest to can some figs for giving away as gifts.  We have four fig trees in our back yard and have been getting a lot.  The kids have helped quite a bit. 

 We also were preparing for Lauren's arrival.  We were getting our house ready and well as visiting her apartment and gathering stuff for her.  People have been very generous and God had given a lot of stuff that we have been able to accumulate for her.  Lilia and I went to Toulouse to pick her up Saturday morning.  She arrived with her cat and all luggage in tow.  Saturday Angie and her went for a walk in Limoux.  Sunday we went to church and also found the language school in Carcassonne that she will be attending.  Monday she started language school, Angie took her because she also was helping a friend who had a MRI scheduled in Carcassonne that morning.  I was able to catch up on paperwork.  Monday afternoon we went with her to sign on her apartment and get insurance for it.  Monday night we had a welcoming party for her.  

Tuesday, Angie dropped her off at school again, because there was another doctors appointment for a friend in Carcassonne.  I attend our AVF meeting.  Angie was a part of the AVF last year, where she had a french conversation class. With all the kids in school, I have been able to attend this year with her.  They have asked me to speak one day about religion, which I have more that happy to do.  This afternoon, I have been in my study while Angie and Lauren got her banking set up and her internet and SIMM card.  It was nice last night helping Lauren with her homework.  It brought back good memories for me and Angie of our early days.  Looking forward to helping her progress in the language learning and watching as God blesses our ministries here in Limoux.  God bless, JASON 

Trip to Rome

September ended busily.  We got all the kids school stuff ready.  We visited all the schools to let everyone know that the kids would not be present for the first week. We did banking, reports, and ran last minute errands.  Friday afternoon, we celebrated Arianna's third birthday.

She enjoyed the party and getting all the attention.  At 5:30 Saturday morning we left the house to drive to Rome for the International Missionnary Retreat that we have attended several times.  It was supposed to be an 11 hour drive, but with the traffic and numerous stops, it took us 14 hours.  It was a beautiful drive. 

As usual the kids did a good job traveling.  Arianna even managed to remember her potty training. 

We arrived at Rome and had supper at the hotel with all our missionary friends, many that we have not seen for a year.   After supper we checked into our hotel rooms.  We tried something new this year.. . the boys had a room to themselves.  They did a good job, most likely due to many threats made by me.  Lilia stayed in the room with her girlfriends, and Arianna stayed with us.  Sunday we had morning services together with the other and then headed out to visit the collosseum, and several other famous monuments. 

We had a good time seeing the sites.  We navigated the buses, trains, and subways.  Arianna eventually fell asleep on me. Monday, we went out again and visited the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel.

The retreat started Monday night.  We had services each night and classes for the adults in the morning, while there was VBS for the kids.  Afternoons were open to enjoy the pool and visit with other missionnaries.  We had a great time of fellowship and revival.

Friday morning, everyone said their sad goodbyes and we hit the road for the trip back.  Today we are getting laundry and cleaning done.  Angie and Lilia are headed to the first youth group meeting.  The kids will start school on Monday, I am praying that Arianna will go to class without hesitation.  We will also be getting ready for Lauren to arrive on Saturday.  Her mother was one of the ladies helping teach the kids this past week.  We are excited about her arrival and her ministry here with us.  God bless, JASON