Welch Update #4 - 7.19.24
Bonnes Vacances!
It’s been a few months since our last update – and goodness these past few months have been FULL!
French studies have definitely kept us busy but the Lord has continued to sustain us and we are grateful to announce we both PASSED our second set of exams last week and will continue moving on to B1.
(We recently discovered a beautiful lake near us with a little beach – I think this will be a frequented destination this summer!)
One of the requirements in A2 is to give the school’s morning devotion completely in French. I can’t say either of us particularly love public speaking – so doing it in French just adds an extra level of fun (not) ! But they both went well and I think if anything the Lord used them to continue to work on our own hearts.
(Giving morning devotions in French)
Amidst all of the studies and business of life we have been so grateful to have a number of close friends and family come to visit and encourage us! It has definitely boosted our moral in the midst of a tiresome season.
First up was a visit from Joe’s brother Ken and his wife Stephanie (thanks grandparents for watching their 4 kiddos to make this possible!). It was such a sweet time with them.
Next up was a visit from Joe’s sister Christina! Eden and Gil loved all the “Aunt Titi” time and we did too. Joe even went paragliding with her!
Our dear friends from Fort Wayne, the Stemen family (Wes, Melissa, Paige & Micah), even made the trip across the pond! It was so fun watching their big kids love on our littles and sharing part of our lives with them.
Joe was even able to meet up with his former athletic director at Bethel College (Mark and his wife Cindy Lantz) who happened to be traveling close by!
The kids continue to do well and are growing like weeds. Eden turned 3 a few days ago and Gil is almost 11 months! It’s crazy how much they have both changed in our time here.
Another highlight for us was being able to do a combined birthday party to celebrate Eden’s 3rd birthday along with two of her friends from “garderie” (aka nursery) who also had birthdays this month. Many of the families at the school started last fall and have completed their time here and are now moving to their field destination. It’s going to be especially hard for Eden as she has made so many great friends this year, so we are glad we could celebrate before they left!
Eden’s 3rd Birthday Party
Some other highlights include:
There are “beaucoup d’escargots” (a lot of snails) that Eden loves finding and playing with.
Gil has been cruising through milestones recently and is very close to walking (bring on the baby proofing)
Gil has also been LOVING food – and big sis really enjoys feeding him
As I alluded to earlier, about 3/4th of the students/families graduated this spring and are moving to their new mission destinations. We have been so blessed by this community and goodbyes are always hard – but we are excited to see how the Lord continues to use each of them in francophone countries all across the globe. Please join us in praying for these families and the work they have been called to.
One of our last gatherings together with everyone from the school to celebrate the 4th of July (even though France’s day of independence is July 14th)
This picture is from our initial attempt at filling water balloons for Eden’s birthday party the other day. It made Joe and I laugh so hard when we turned on the water and immediately were met by water shooting in all directions. It seemed quite fitting to how we’ve felt trying to learn French and live in a new culture.
We are excited to officially be on “des vacances” (aka summer break) for the next 6 weeks. It is a much needed break to catch our breath from the rigorous pace of class and we are hopeful to be able to practice speaking more and more outside of the classroom.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
“A celui qui est ferme dans ses dispositions, tu assures une paix parfaite, parce qu’il se confie en toi.”
Isaiah 26:3
I would say the theme of what the Lord continues to teach us in this season has revolved around Trust and Pride. I recently read a devotional by Lysa TerKeurst that said
“the opposite of pride is trust in God. Pride begs us to believe it all depends on us. Trusting God requires us to place our dependence on Him. And the pathway that leads us away from pride and into a place of truly trusting God is paved with humility”
Life has continued to have its ups and downs here – but we are grateful for the promise of peace that comes through trusting our Savior who is faithful yesterday, today, and forever
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Praises
Kid’s health – praise that we were able to meet with an ENT here – and even bigger praise that both kid’s ear infections completely cleared up the day of our visit so the decision was made to wait and see before pursuing any further interventions (and neither Gil nor Eden have had ear infections since!). This is a huge answer to prayer so thank you everyone who prayer for this!
Passing our exams! – We feel blessed to be moving on to B1 and to continue growing in our French.
Visits from family and friends – It was really refreshing to have more familiar faces here! And we are looking forward to more visits in the coming months!
Prayer Request
Vacances/Learning French – that we would be able to use our time wisely over this break from classes – to find both rest as a family as well as ways to continue practicing and growing in our French.
For the departing families – prayers for the families that have completed their time here and are in the process of moving to their mission field destinations all across the world. Prayers for the logistics of travels as well as settling in to their new homes.
For the school / arriving families – prayers for the families who are preparing to come to the school this fall. Prayers for peace and wisdom as they prepare to move. Also prayers for CCEF (our French school) as they prepare and plan for another school year – that the Lord would continue to provide for all of the needs of this school so that they can continue investing in the lives of so many missionaries.
Alyssa’s health – continued prayer for Alyssa’s overall health. Praise she was able to meet with a hand surgeon here – the tendonitis has persisted so the decision was made to proceed with steroid injections in her right hand (which were done this past week so we are still waiting to see if they will help). If they help then we will plan to proceed with the left as well.
Thank you all so so much for your continued prayer and support! We are truly humbled and blessed. We love hearing from you and also would love to know how we can be praying for you specifically as well – so feel free to shoot us an email.
Praying for Alyssa’s hands!
Praying for Alyssa’s hands 🙏🏻
Enjoyed reading the updates! You all look so happy. I can only imagine the challenges you guys are facing, too, but you and Joe are setting an amazing example for Eden, Gil and all of us. I’m so proud of you, Welch!