So it’s been one year. One long quick year. I understand that the year didn’t pass any slower or faster than any other year but today we all looked at each other and said, “Has it already been a year?” and “Has it only been a year?”  We just sent out our Christmas letter with a few of the things we have done over the year but I thought I would blog about about the emotional roller coaster that has been this year.

The language learning roller coaster. It starts out slow as you climb the big first hill. You struggle to say words like hello and ask for the time. You then reach the top and start to pick up speed. You can tell people you like to go to the movies and you can order a coffee without stuttering. Then they another hill and you slow down you start to turn. Everything you learned before starts to feel different. Another crest of the hill and you think you are further along. The next hill doesn’t seem to big but you  realize you were looking at it from a distance. It’s a bigger hill than you thought and there are twists and turns again you make it to the top but this time the ride down doesn’t seem as fun. It’s the up and down part. You are good at one thing but worse at another. You have a conversation with a neighbor about living in France but you fail the grammar test.  You catch your breath and breathe deep hoping not to vomit. The next hill is coming and you are still going. It’s a long ride. But on you go…

The parenting roller coaster. This is the ride I (Tony) have struggled with the most this year. My highs have been when my daughters have been low and their highs have been when I was low. Being a student has meant there is has been very few nights away from home. It has been overall a good thing but a hard thing to get used to after being up and running as much as I was in the USA. I can’t say I haven’t vomited on this ride and lost my hat along the way. But it has been a ride I have learned to ride and hang on at the right moments.

The cultural roller coaster. Things are different and that’s okay. Things don’t always work, look, taste, feel or seem the same and that’s okay. I have never liked shopping but add another language, slower checkout lines and a ton more people and I dislike it more. Finding the things that can be tension relieving can be difficult. Things that used to soothe can now be frustrating. Personality is wiped clean and rebuilt as you learn a language and culture. Humor is tough to find. Emotions are raw but each moment God provides His grace. And His Grace is always sufficient.

Life is a roller coaster. But it’s a good ride.

We are thankful that we have been given opportunity to pioneer the work of ENvision Paris.

We are thankful that we have truly enjoyed life here. Yes it has been hard and yes today it was hard to see family and friends together when we could not be there. But we are thankful to be joining a solid group of new friends and family here in Paris this Saturday for a Thanksgiving meal and time together.

We are thankful that we are here learning a language that, while difficult, will allow us share the Gospel of Christ with the people around us.

We are thankful that today during class we were able to understand a complete new article.

We are thankful for Facetime and Phone Calls.

We are thankful for streaming sites allowing us to watch a parade and a game.

We are thankful for rest.

We are thankful for you.

Be Thankful.

Fayth: I am thankful that I now know that I will be swimming the 100 m Dos in the swim meet on Sunday. (100 meter backstroke)

Hannah: I am thankful that I did not get laughed at at school today.

Raeni: I am thankful that I have very encouraging people from around the world supporting me. Thanks for those of you who sent cards or encouraging notes.

Tony: I am thankful for a home that provides sanctuary and respite after a long day of language school.

Thanks again for reading!

Tony: I am thankful for opportunities to speak and dream about the future. While sometimes what God has laid before use seems like a huge task, I am thankful that we are called to be a part of it and called to pioneer an new effort here in Paris alongside a great group of people who are cheering for us and the work of God to be accomplished.

Raeni: I am thankful that since we arrived here we have not been overtly sick and in the doctors office with flu, allergies, or injuries. Thank you Jesus for health.

Fayth: I am thankful that Sunday I swim in my first swim meet in France.

Hannah:  I am thankful for blah, blah, blah (that is how she started) Then she thanked God for a friend at Fayth’s swim practice. Hannah worked her tail off to finish her homework before Fayth’s swim meet so she could go and play with her new friend. This time her new friend had other friends with her, so Hannah and three French girls played with Hannah’s dolls and lamb. Pray for these friends who Hannah has connected with.

Thanks again Tony.

Raeni was supposed to blog for us yesterday but decided it more important to learn the 10 different ways to say however in French.

So today we are twice as thankful for the little things.

Hannah is thankful for a better day at school today. Yesterday was rough with someone saying something about her not knowing French. But today was a field trip day to a museum so that and nobody laughed at her.

Fayth is thankful for taco pizza.

Raeni is thankful for time with our teammates.

Tony is thankful that today went quickly and the weekend is upon us. We are headed to the Envision House to put the table back together so we can host the Paris team and some other guests for Thanksgiving next Saturday. Yes we know Thanksgiving in the States is on Thursday but apparently neither the government of France nor the school which we goes to offers us the day off.

We truly are thankful even while things are difficult and tiring.

Tonight I am thankful I don’t have to go at this alone.

• First I have an amazing God who is backing me and giving me strength to face each day.
• Second I have an amazing wife who supports and encourages me. And amazes me that even in all she does she still makes an amazing loaded baked potato soup. Yes today was so rushed we ate in shifts and without sitting down but it still tasted amazing with a side our awesomesauce from Raeni.
• Third I have two amazing daughters who have managed the chaos of moving to a new country and all that that entails, with flying colors. They have never crumbled under the pressure. Sure we spend time crying together and figuring out why that word is conjugated that way in tears together but the get up wipe away the tears and take another rush at it.
• Fourth I am thankful for all of you. Including all of you who aren’t reading this now. Those of you who are supporting us in Prayer, finances, gifts, questions, and encouraging us with notes, letters and ranch dressing. That is something that we are so amazingly grateful for. Thanks.

Okay that’s it for tonight.

Tony: I was thankful for a great daughter Hannah who helped me make a delicious supper of pasta, spinach and artichoke. And that Fayth and Hannah started back to school after “the vacations” without any fights or frustrations.

Raeni: I am thankful for the new semi-intensive schedule which allows me to have the afternoon off on Mondays and Fridays. (tony: a note that semi intensive still means intensive but just not brain breakingly so.

Hannah: I am thankful that I got to cook with my dad.

Fayth: I am again thankful that I get to be part of a swim team here in France.

Thanks all. What are you thankful for?

Saturday:

Tony: Today I am thankful for work accomplished. With the help of my amazing wife and helpful kids much work was done on the future house to ensure it is ready to host the Paris team Thanksgiving dinner in two weeks.

Raeni: I am thankful for Jenn Whiteman and Andy Staver who tore up a ton of plants and transplanted the flowers that needed to be transplanted the the future house.

Fayth: I am thankful that Andy and Hannah got the tree out of the ground!

Hannah: I am thankful that I got to help!

Sunday:

Raeni: Today I am thankful for Fayth and Hannah and how awesome they are.

Fayth: I am thankful for the amazing worship today at Trinity International Church led by aunt Jenn Whiteman

Hannah: That God gave me an idea to save my money to buy French bibles for people who don’t have a bible.

Tony: I am thankful that my cold is going away. I am also thankful for each of you who take the time to read these notes of thanks. I am grateful that you care about our family and our ministry enough to take time away from your day to read about our lives. Thank you.

Raeni is thankful for the house we are blessed to be able to move into in 6 weeks. It is a three bedroom home with a finished upstairs that will allow us to house a couple of interns with us.

Fayth is thankful that she got to see Maddie today. Maddie is a two and half year old daughter of our teammates Josh and Jenn. Fayth loves her to death and is smiley anytime she gets to see her.

Hannah is thankful for that she had the opportunity to paint.

I, Tony, am thankful for free furniture. We spent the day sanding and painting a table, side table, and bench, all of which were given to us for free by a family who was moving back to the USA. I am also thankful that we at our future/new house we have an ice maker. Ice is nice.

Hannah is thankful for the ability to be a giver. She baked some amazing brownie muffins which she brought to her friends family and is planning to bring to her teachers tomorrow.

Fayth is thankful making banana bread for her family and having it ready when Raeni and I returned home from school.

Raeni is thankful that God is teaching her to be okay with her best. Receiving grades in France is a humbling experience. Each test and sheet is scored out of 20 points. But the French believe that you learn from you mistakes so all mistakes are counted and scaled. A passing score is anything above 10 and the average student is satisfied when receiving a 14. Which means when you come from America and are used to receiving A’s it can be difficult to receive the grades that we receive here. However, Raeni has learned to accept that she is not perfect.

Tony is thankful that, even though it is extremely difficult, that he is able to take classes to learn French. I have talked with classmates who went to French speaking countries without structured language school and are now here learning the French that they have missed and it is very difficult for them to unlearn the bad habits in language that they have acquired. So at least even though I feel I can barely talk, I am thankful that I understand what I am trying to say.

Thankful!