It was hard to believe, when I looked back at the blog, that February was the last post!
(It reminds me of writing letters back in the 80s & 90s… How often we began with “Sorry it’s taken me a while to respond to your letter…” – Can anyone relate?)
Ahhh… handwritten letters – a rare thing these days. Let me, however, get to the quick of things and bring you up to speed on a few of the goings on in the interim.
Liz’s Birthday
Back in March, Liz celebrated one of “those” birthdays… you know… one of the milestones. She takes in stride though and between looking at her and considering her energy level, you’d never guess.
We got away for a couple of nights to mark the occasion and tried something different. It was like an AirBnB, but in a little wooden gypsy-trailer. It was about as cosy as they come, the breakfast baskets were of mammoth proportions and there was a lovely evening meal included in there as well.
We hiked an old decommissioned railway trestle and pic-nicked at its base on a perfectly lovely sunny day (the first we’d had in a while).
We came home to a small houseful of folks who are like family. Our kids had prepared a meal and surrounded the table with friends. It was lovely.
Dominic & Melanie in Canada
Shortly after Liz’s birthday, Dominic & Melanie flew to Canada where they spent a couple of weeks with my mom who had not been able to be present for their wedding last year.
They also spent time with friends who are like family, both there in Moncton as well as at our local church in Saint John.
These moments were, of course, particularly special for my mom & step-father and we are glad that they had the opportunity – for Dominic to reconnect with so many friends and for Melanie to connect with an important part of Dominic’s pre-France life.
New Brunswick in France
While Dominic & Melanie were in Canada, a little bit of Canada came our way. Our friend Rev. Melvin Calhoun came and spent a weekend with us here in Châtellerault. It was his second time here and he was just as much a blessing this time as two years ago when he was here for the first time. We got to visit an elderly couple from out church who have been unable to attend for a bit due to health concerns.
Eventually, Dominic & Melanie decided to come home and the FAB-4 were reunited!
BBC’24
Shortly after the kids’ return from Canada, we held an event at the church which brought together youth from some of the other churches in western France: Bourges, Bordeaux and Châtellerault (BBC).
They had pizza at Dominic & Melanie’s on Friday night, a 14-hour day Saturday, with both spiritual and fun activities and then a combined service on Sunday. There was a powerful, powerful presence of God in that service and a real synergy between these youth.
A great way to end the weekend and a great spot to leave off this update.
Thanks for checking in today.
God bless you and yours!
AIM Long 