- Establishing - We've never had to wait this long for our yearly resident's permit renewal (application submitted as usual in mid-November...usually takes a month...still no word) Since Rachel is 18 and hasn't really "left home" yet, she needed to apply for her own permit over Christmas break as well. I've no idea if this wait portends anything in particular. At the same time, the process to hire me at school is crawling...forward, I think. A director of several bank branches near here attends our church and I've begun helping him with some translation work and will help him with their web site a bit...but we still don't know how to pay me! We've just invested 1300 euros in the treatment of some of our attic beams for insects. I scheduled an appointment for Monday, February 18th with the mayor of our town to meet him and discuss our immigration situation and how we can become more established here. Our hearts and our lives are already established here - Pray that our official papers would be as well! :)
- February Fullness - It's becoming obvious that February will ever be full for us over here! Here's the rundown of what's ahead of us this month:
- Our church is temporarily back in our old building while the floor, ceiling and walls are finished up in the new meeting place. This means another move and technical setup into the new building in two weeks that falls primarily on me.
- I am leading a worship band in a wedding on the 16th of February - including rehearsals and learning new songs before then.
- We lead worship twice at church this month.
- Special 2-hour worship session with all the worship teams from church this Saturday
- During our 2 week Feb. break we can't relax too much as our school is hosting the annual Christian education conference (in the new church facilities!) - this means preparations of ALL sorts to welcome about 300 Christian Educators from around the French-speaking world. I am involved in the intercessory, administrative and technical side, and Angela will man a stand to make some money selling YWAM books and help with the finale director's meal. We are also hosting two conference attendees from Switzerland.
- And finally, we are making logistical preparations for the arrival of 17 American French class students and their 6 chaperons who arrive in early March.
- All other usual duties and responsibilities continue!
Well now, that was fun to type! I'll just say pray!
- Launching - We recently had a good report from Noah's teachers about his improved integration with his class. At the same time, he's lonely at school right now as his only friend is off on a mission trip to Africa. We are waiting and watching to see what kind of high school experience will be best for him. Ideally, he would rather be home-schooled or in a gifted and talented program. Neither of those is an option in France, but with an American passport, he has a few more choices. Angela will be moving Rachel back for college and visiting family in July. Should Noah come along and feel things out? Should Olivia come along since Angela's parents haven't seen the kids for 5 years? Angela and Rachel's tickets are covered (thank you all parents!) but if either Noah or Olivia come there are financial considerations. Please continue to pray for wisdom in leading and launching Noah, and potential travel finances.
- Adjustments - Recently another family from the school has moved very close to us. They suggested car pooling, with them driving in the morning and us in the evening. With a need for us to be often at school anyway and with only one car, this blessing has meant some adjustments in our schedule and our children's attitudes (let's just say that in general, they are introverted, non-morning kids...let the reader understand), etc. It's been interesting how much it's sort of upset the apple cart so-to-speak. At the same time, we've cut off a video game that was taking too much of Noah's time and attention. So we've taken this opportunity to sit down and rework several aspects of our schedule and we believe that we now have something that can work. Included in that is a restructuring of our couple time and the expectations we both have for it; time set aside to encourage Noah to explore the drums with me, as we try to steer him away from so much computer distraction; and a weekly prayer and worship time at church as we still desire to plant seeds for a house of worship and prayer. As a "Martha," Angela is also asking where to make more "Mary" time. (At least our renovated bedroom is more of a draw!) We know that 2008 is a year of positioning for SO many people. This is likely about everything from big changes...moving, jobs, etc., to relational changes, to schedule changes, to heart-level changes. Please pray for God to accomplish what He wants in all these adjustments that we're making.
Until next time,
David
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