Halfway through October

I had a goal this year of posting at least once a week, a goal I did pretty well on except for July and September.  I thought I would write this morning to help meet my October goal.  So here's what's been happening in October so far:

1.  James turned 8!

We had five friends from his class at school over on his birthday, the third time we've done that in three years here in England.  He has the nicest group of kids in his class.  This year he had a Zelda-themed party.  I had to use an entire bottle of green food coloring to get that hue for his cake.

2.  We announced we're moving to France for a season.

After three years in North Yorkshire, the Lord opened a door for us to serve and help our dear friend, Parker, realize a long-held dream of planting an English-speaking church in the center of Paris.  In the past several months, God has provided a building, a group of people, musicians, etc.  The missing piece of the puzzle was someone who could come help preach, get things set up, and give the pastors at the mother church margin to help get this new location off the ground.  Long story short, the missing piece of the puzzle seems to be us.  I'm not sure if the above picture creates confidence.

We have long wanted to work with Parker after several mission trips serving Emmanuel in the past, and circumstances and our hearts have lined up for such a time as this.  We are deeply grateful for the past three years in North Yorkshire and for our church family here.  We're encouraged by all God is doing in the north of England, and I was greatly encouraged this week by Paul's words to the Ephesians:

"To me, though I am the very least of all the saints,

this grace was given,

to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable

riches of Christ..."

For all the joys of cross-cultural ministry, there are many hard things that reveal all of our weaknesses, as hard things do for all of us, and in a new venture, it is deeply encouraging to rest in Jesus, to be "well-content" with my weaknesses because in them His strength is made perfect.

3.  We had a weekend road trip to submit paperwork for French visas.

We stopped to stretch our legs in Berwick-upon-Tweed.  I embarrassed myself for you by mispronouncing it.  The correct pronunciation is "Bear-ick."  You're welcome.  This is an interesting place on the border of England and Scotland.  It changed hands several times before permanently becoming part of England in 1482.  

4.  We spent a night with friends in Whitby on our whirlwind weekend road-trip and saw a Harry Potter film location on the way home.

Goatheland is a small village in the North York Moors National Park, and its train station was used as Hogsmeade Station.  Visiting these old train stations feels like stepping into the 1940s and is so fun.  This one was complete with signs like this:

5.  We received French visas and permission to homeschool for a year in France!

Seeing the answers to so many prayers has been so encouraging and confirming the past few days especially.  Visas and plane tickets and travel plans are now made.  The kids have started Rosetta Stone French, and James is happy to tell people, "Je suis un garcon."