some Christmas tears

I've been busy getting ready to head out to the States in a couple of days. My to-do list seems to grow each day, even as I cross things off new things keep popping up. Especially since people will be staying here at the house to take care of the animals. If that wasn't the case, I'd leave the house "as is" and just deal with it when I get back in January. On the other hand, their coming has motivated me more to decorate for Christmas here instead of just doing the minimum, knowing that we'll be with my folks until Christmas morning and then on to Alaska to be with Jordan, Holly and Holly's family for the next week. But what a crazy idea to fly to Alaska on Christmas day! Why would you do that, you ask? Well, our son will be married to miss Holly on December 29th, how's that for a reason? So yes, we're putting on the mukluks, the furry hats and reversible reindeer skin coats and heading up to the far north for the holidays. Should be an adventure, I'll be sure to post pics when we get back ok?

One of the things I've been wanting to do is to give each of my children a Christmas ornament, something my mom always did. I've only started the past couple of years, so they won't have a huge collection when they leave, but at least something to get them started. And I plan on continuing, so the collections will grow, Lord willing.

As I was going thru some Christmas decorations, I found the first ornament I bought for Jordan, a Mary Englebreit Christmas scene that just jumped out at me and said "This is for Jordan", when he was about 3 years old. I've always loved this ornament, it makes me smile "big". So, a couple of weeks ago, I set it aside, thinking to take it to AK and give it to him and Holly to put on their first tree. I was busy , having fun getting my Christmas things out, and didn't really think much about it. But, now, today, I'm looking at it and it's hitting me:

Mighty Warrior!!

"Am I really ready to take this ornament with me and give it to my sweet boy? It's his, he should have it."

"It's just an ornament.

He and Holly will enjoy it, maybe it will even give Holly a feeling of being linked to Jordan's past as an adorable, overactive, little boy with blond stick up hair."

But I can't. I can't give it up yet. Everytime I try to put it in the suitcase, I cry. So, I'm sorry Jordan, but this ornament is staying with Mama for a little bit longer. I give you to Holly with a heart full of joy, I could search the world over and I know I'd never find a better wife for you, or a better daughter-in-law. I'm happy and excited to see what God will do in you and thru you in the years to come, and I'm sure that some day I'll be ready to hand the ornament over.

But, just for a while yet, this ornament is mine.

Oh my gosh, am I gonna be one of those frustrating bloggers who only posts once a month, only to have everyone stop reading their blog because of their inconsistency in posting? Hmmm maybe...

This past weekend Melissa and Derek celebrated their engagement with what the French call "les fiançailles". This is an old tradition still respected in some families, although neither Florent nor I had ever attended one. But now, I can honestly say that I see the value in it. It allowed the two families to meet each other, which probably would never have happened before the wedding, seeing as half of us live in France and the other half in Scotland. So that now, when the big day comes in August, we'll already know each other, some at least, and have some fun memories to draw on together.

We started out by heading up to Brussels, Belgium where Florent's sister and bro-in-law live. We loved what we saw of Brussels, and I especially like this little shop window.


Florent's sis and bro-in-law have a really cool industrial-style house which used to be a workshop. Being serious artists both of them, they're re-making an interesting place out of it. Oriane, Florent's little sis, is expecting her first baby this spring and it was fun to see her "baby bump".

Florent and Oriane

The next day, we all took off for Arras, one of the northernmost cities in France. We met up with Melissa, Derek and the family at the place where they had rented a room for the party. It was a great place, all glass on one side with a nice view on the lawn.


The meal was yummy, the talk fun and lively around the table, hundreds of pictures were taken, and presents were given. Trying to communicate in two languages was a challenge at times, between the Scottish and French sides of the family, but we did pretty well. Both of the fathers spoke to the young couple, and both of the mothers prayed over them. Then, just before the dessert, (one of the best double chocolate cream cakes I've ever tasted), Derek put a bag at Melissa's place at the table while she wasn't looking. Inside was a beautiful diamond ring, it looks so pretty on her finger. She was thrilled as you can imagine!! Derek did a really good job picking out just the right ring. I bet he was relieved to see the look of joy on her face!














We decided to prolong the evening, and promised to meet up in front of the movie theater in the center of Arras. From there, David and Brigitte showed us around the center of town, the two beautiful and impressive town squares and the famous belltower. It wouldn't be known to Americans, but has "starred" in one of the most popular French films ever made, "Bienvenue Chez les Chtis".







As the night got chillier we stopped to sit at an outdoor café (yes in November!) and ordered something to drink. I got my favorite, warm milk with vanilla. I do feel like a granny ordering that, but it's just so good when it's cold out. And especially when you're sitting outside to drink it.

The next day, Florent preached at the church that Melissa and the Sutherlands go to. He gave a great message on Luke 15, which we often call 'The Prodigal Son', but which he says should be called 'Two Brothers', since the older brother's reaction is equally important as the younger's.

After a great lunch (thank you Brigitte!), we drove the 7 hour trip back, as real life would start up again on Monday. And it did!

Congratulations Melissa and Derek! We love you and are praying for you, love, joy and a lifetime of faithfulness to God and to each other, knowing that if the first is there, the second will follow. Now, we can't wait until the big day in August, woo hoo, see you there!!

some more "characters"

Well, the hubby and the kids aren't the only characters around here. We've also got some four and two legged friends who live chez nous.

Kory: Our beloved 13 year old Border collie. He's been my faithful companion for a long time, and I tried to figure out the other day, about how many walks we must have taken together. I'm thinking it's in the 1000's, through woods, fields, streets, creeks, up and down lots of hills, and in all kinds of weather. You need to get to know him now, because he may not be around too much longer.

Nyah: She's the princess of the house. Beautiful Miss Nyah. We picked her up last Christmas from a lady who had found her in a cardboard box and nursed her back to health. But since

she already had a dog and three cats, her husband didn't really want

her to keep another one. We got her

because we get mice in the winter, and had heard that female cats were great mousers. Ha! she actually goes

out and gets mice, brings them in and

plays with them, and then lets them go in the kitchen! I once saw her hold one down with her paw and lick it, you know, you gotta have clean mice to poop in your silverware drawer!!

Even tho we don't have them anymore, I'll just show you her darling kitties. After all, they were once characters in our house. When they were weaned, we gave them away to good friends, and we know they are very happy in their new homes.

Introducing Charlie, Early and Gaston, any cuter you would die of a cuteness overload!

Mabel, Ethel and Gladys: our biddies! We are very thankful to

them for 3 fresh eggs every day. Yes, there were four of them at one time, but Myrtle went to hen heaven this summer. You can see what a good herd dog Kory is here :).

The farm on the way to Messimy

I don't know what else to call it. It doesn't have a name as far as I know. But it's only about a mile and a half from our house, and the prices are great. They have a really wide selection of veggies, and some fruits, so I've made it a Friday evening ritual to stop by and do my shopping for the week.

But on top of the fresh produce and great prices, I get to glimpse a little bit of rural France, something that I'll never tire of experiencing. Farm Lady stands behind her homemade counter, all the bounty of their harvest before her. She never stops smiling, and almost always throws a free bunch of basil or parsley on top of the rest of what you buy. She has lots of ideas on how to cook certain veggies, and if she sees a bruised zucchini or apple in your basket, she'll quickly whisk it away and replace it with a bigger and better one.

One thing that I love is that whenever she's running short on something, she just turns her head and yells, and I mean yells, "Baby, bring me some potatoes!". Out of nowhere, a little farmer appears, toting several bags of spuds, and his sweet wife (back to her normal voice) says, "Thank you baby."

Then there are the grandchildren. All ages, all sizes. Some are driving tractors, the littler ones run back and forth for granny, fetching cooked beets or more change from the farmhouse. And every time they bring something to the stand, they go to the apple crate, pick one up, take the butcher knife (seriously, the thing is as long as their arms) and cut out the core. Like it was a pocketknife! Then they're off, happily munching until granny shouts out another order.

Then I stuff it all in my trunk, bring it home and dump it all on my table, just to look at it before deciding what I'll do with it all in the next week.

Ok, so one of my kids just told me, "Mom, you've presented the house and the chickens, but not the kids." Priorities, priorities! So, let me introduce the Cast of Characters at our house, for those of you who don't know them.

Florent - my best friend and wonderful husband. He was born and raised here in France and has been pastoring a Grace Brethren church in Lyon for 20 years. He's an amazing Bible teacher, loves God first and his family right after. Random facts : he flies a ULM, eats chestnut cream out of the can and you better never tickle him at the risk of getting punched!








Jordan - My boy!! He's a senior in Business Management at the Master's College near L.A., and will graduate in December. After which, and I mean right after, he'll be marrying a wonderful person who I'll talk about later. He is a very hard worker, a passionate guy who's love for the Lord amazes and encourages me. He loves to run, disciple younger guys and spend time with his sweetie. Random facts : he has lots of t-shirts with one sleeve (you can ask him why), he's already dove into the ocean head-first in 2 inches of water, punched a palm tree and lost, and had the lovely experience last week of being sprayed in the face with pepper spray by a friend who's in the LAPD!

Melissa - My big girl!! She's in her first year of nursing school in the NORTH of France. She will also be getting married soon, in August to her dear honey. They love to serve God together, especially sharing the Gospel with people who need to hear about Jesus. She's a sweet, compassionate girl who has a heart for the whole world and I miss her tons since she moved north this past September. Random facts : At the ripe old age of 19, she's already done missions trips to Mexico, all across America, France, Burkina Faso, Holland, England and Morocco. She loves gory medical situations, and is metamorphosing before my very eyes into someone who actually cleans her room!!














Emilie - My baby!! She's a senior in high school at the International School of Lyon. She's been really involved in theater and in a group that goes out on weekends to talk to people on the street, sharing their faith through songs, skits, live-painting etc. It's been fun to watch her walk closer and closer to the Lord and see all the passion she now has for people, especially those who are underprivileged. She's trying to figure out right now what the heck she wants to do with her life (raise your hand if you remember being a senior). International business, international relations, none of the above? She's my bud and I love just hanging out with her, when she has the time :). Random facts : she probably has more nicknames than anyone else in the family...Emmers, Nemilar, Toots, Mimolette, Mullyrencake. She's discovering that she likes to run, and has a mean sprint at the end! She's going to live here until she's 35 because I'll miss her too much if she leaves (kidding Em).



Holly - Jordan's honey, soon to be my daughter-in-law! Can't wait!! She's an awesome little bundle of energy, born and raised in Alaska. She's an amazing runner, one of the best in her age group in the nation. She's studying at The Master's College with Jordan, and we're going to have the joy of meeting her family when we fly alllll the way to AK for the wedding. I love this girl because she is just as weird as I am, and because she loves my boy so much.


























Derek - Melissa's honey, soon to be my son-in-law!! This is so fun, expanding the family by two amazing people in one year! Derek is a so courageous and creative when it comes to sharing God's love with others. He's a break-dancer and an English teacher...a guy with a heart for people and for God's Word and for our daughter...all good things! He's one of the only guys that would be able to "handle" our sweet girl's strong character and we trust him fully with her.

Home Sweet Home

Welcome to our house! We live in a little town about a half hour north-east of Lyon, France. Tomorrow will mark our one-year anniversary in this house. We don't know much of its history, only that it's (supposedly) 260 years old, and is made of adobe, or pisé.

This is picture of the house when we moved in last year. It looks like it must have been divided into two dwellings at some point in the past, because the façade was two different colors.

Thanks to the generosity of my parents-in-law, we were able to have the façade redone, all one color! It definitely makes a difference in how the house looks.













One of the things I love most about our home is the yard. After having lived in a house at the bottom of a STEEP hill, I totally enjoyed our new flat yard this past summer. It's so great to be able to use all of our space, and we're taking advantage of it with a chicken coop and a vegetable garden. Florent and Jordan made the chicken coop out of stuff they found here in the yard when we moved in. Mabel, Ethel and Gladys are very happy there, and reward us with fresh eggs every day.

Sticking two toes in the water...

...that's what I feel like I'm doing. Hmmm, starting a blog is a strange thing. I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering who would ever want to read about what's going on in my life. But I'm going to treat this like a kind of tool to capture my thoughts, a place to put pictures of things I want to share, a kind of journal of my life as a Christian, as a wife, a mother, a "foreigner living in a foreign land". Who knows, maybe I'll be the only person to see this, but if not, welcome to my world.