Today, I just finished playing football (soccer for Americans) with a group of guys in Sophia. I play with them every Wednesday at lunch time and it's lots of fun. They still can't believe that an American knows how to play the game and loves following it. Anyways, today we played against a group of young French guys in their early twenties. It just made me laugh how out of shape and slow I am compared to them and how easily I can get hurt these days. They were much more skilled then we were, but we still won. I managed to score a couple goals. Boy do I miss playing competitively on a team. Sometimes it feels like it was only yesterday that I was playing college ball and then I realize that was 14 years ago! Yikes. It just made me laugh to see the way they were looking at us like old farts. I used to do the same thing when I was 22! Now the roles have reversed. At least when I cycle I don't get hurt.
The kids have been on holiday for the last week or so, and I had Thursday and Friday off last week which was nice. We went to the zoo in Cap Ferrat. Silas loved it this time. He just kept pointing at all the animals and going beserk. He says "this, this, this" to everything. He also says truck, duck, yuck and batman of course. He has figured out how to climb up on to a chair and then climb on our dining room table. Nothing is safe :)
Isaiah has been working a bunch on his legos and Thea has been painting. She paints really well in my opinion. She always has a creative idea in her head. She sure didn't get the painting skills form me! Our kids really enjoy their breaks from school especially with all of the extra tension of being in a second language. Thankfully, both are doing well in school this year. Isaiah has had no problems with the kid that was bullying him last year. We are so thankful.
Team wise things are going really well. This is the most hopeful I have felt about our team and ministry in the two and a half years we have been here. Our teammates Nicole and Vincent are moving into their new place in Grasse in a couple weeks. We are continuing to get to know one another and God is knitting our hearts together. It's exciting to be on the same page in terms of vision, values, etc. We can't wait to have them living closer to us and the rest of our community.
Last Saturday, we had a Guy Fawkes party at our friends Barney and Tiphanie's house. This is a British festival. We basically had a big bonfire in their backyard and the kids played with sparklers. It was so fun to have many of the people we have been building relationships with in one place together. It seems like everyone had a great time and enjoyed the welcoming and inviting community.
Samantha and I are looking forward to Thanksgiving once again. I think it is my favorite holiday because it hasn't been corrupted by commercialism and is an opportunity to thank God for all the blessings in our lives. Plus what can be better then sharing a meal with friends and family and eating turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, yams, pumpkin pie, etc and watching American football. We wish we had a bigger place because there are like 25 adults we would like to invite and just as many kids. We aren't sure what we are going to do.
The other day I was rereading my journal from the last couple years. It is always good to reflect. In ancient times, the Jews would make memorials to what God had done so that they wouldn't forget. For me, my journals help me do this. I so quickly forget things. It was amazing to look back and see how God has answered prayers, equipped us and prepared us for the trials and challenges we have faced, revealed truth to us and so much more. God is so in control. What a faith builder to see all the answers to prayer.
Well, I am off to play Legos with Isaiah. He is so looking forward to his "batman" birthday party. I can't believe my little boy is going to be seven!!
