Christian Surfers France (CSF)

Way back in October 2016, about half a year ago, we met 2 really cool couples from the Atlantic Coast of France.  They were traveling around sharing information about Christian Surfers France!  Now, if you know me, you know that this is a dream come true!  Jesus, surfing and France.

"That every surfer and every surfing community has opportunity to know and follow Jesus" is the vision of Christian Surfers.  They exist in about 45 different countries (see the list of nations), and I'm thrilled that France is now one of them. 

I was waiting to write this blog, because their website had not yet been finished.  Well, it's up and running, so here we go!

Here we are with the crew : Pierre, Joby, Vicky (with Mabel in her arms and a little girl in her belly, who was born a few months ago), Powell, Audrey (who is also pregnant here with a little girl, who was also born a few months ago), me (not pregnant just yet), Daphné and Tonio.

This October 2017, as you can see from the flyer above, these guys will be hosting a national conference for France.  I really wanted to go, but we will all be still adjusting to our fourth family member ;).  However, maybe we as a family can go to the big international conference the next year (October 2018), also hosted in Hossegor.  We shall see.

Until then, I have the flyer up on our bathroom wall as a reminder to pray for the Christian Surfers France team, the preparation for the conference and mostly for the hearts that God wants to reach through this ministry.  I look forward to seeing how the Petrignani family will be involved eventually ;).

Here is the International Christian Surfers Director sharing the vision.  I find that being a surfer is so much like being a Christian... you have an immediate family around the world!  Then, put the two together... BAM!

Love Linz

Austria Pastors Conference

Tonio and Pierre attended the Pastors and Leaders Conference in Austria in January.  It was at the famous castle that will always be near and dear to mine and Tonio's hearts, since we met there in the summer of 2009!

I took this picture of the castle from a boat out on the lake in August 2009.

And here is the famous "we just met" picture.  I gave my camera to a gal that I was rooming with, and she pretended to just be getting pictures of everyone... I think her ultimate plan was to capture our initial flirtings.  HA!

Anyways, back to the conference...

January 23 - 27, 2017

Tonio took a few pictures on a walk he took one day.

I've only seen Austria in the summer.  The snow is equally as captivating!

The famous Millstätter See.

And here is Tonio meeting Pastor Chet Lowe, a man the Lord used in my life long ago in Montana 2005 at a little discipleship school called Potter's Field Ranch.  I love when my worlds meet up like this!

Here is a picture of me and Chet in Liberia West Africa in Decemeber 2005.

I'm thankful Tonio was able to go to this conference.  It seems like people working in churches are always going to retreats and conferences, but that's where the training and encouragement comes from to keep pressing on to "not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9  

Tonio compared this conference to being with a band of brothers.  He was greatly encouraged, and for this, I'm so thankful.

I look forward to April when I get to go to Paris for a ladies retreat =).

Love Linz

Calvary Chapel France Pastor's Conference

2nd Annual Calvary Chapel France Pastor's Conference in Cannes

Representing Lyon, Paris, Chambéry, Bourges, Nice, Cannes and possibly in the future, Bordeaux.

They were only all together for a total of 24 hours, but it seems to have been an encouragement to all.

Check out this beautiful website my husband created for Calvary Chapel France :

www.calvarychapel.fr

Love Linz

ps - thank you Manu for the photo

Where we met 4 years ago

Millstatt, Austria

 view from pension

other side

 little nook where I spent time with Jesus in the morning

 my man: we met at this very dock in 2009

 feet

 friends

 been married almost 3 years now

 view from where i sat for the teachings

 ladies Q&A

 stump carving

 kinder

 ivy

 Almdudler !

 so thankful Jesus is not on the cross anymore - He is Risen !

 Milstätter See

 castle's dock

 swan

 France

 Timi the kitty

front

 yard

 hike

 trees

 fields

 Millstatt from above

 green

 corn

 on the cob

 ready for winter

 tracks

 bench

 forest

 sacrée vue

 berries

 follow the yellow brick road

 rings

 to the waterfall

 hi Mom !

 hi Dad !

 waterfall and more feet

 can you hear it?

 castle's backside

 new friends from Russia

feel like i've known this sweet lady for ages

 Perhaps you are wondering why we come to this beautiful castle every year.
Here is a link to the castle, so you can learn more for yourself:
schlossheroldeck.com

Here's a few nuggets of what I learned !
So refreshing.

Sheep are created to need a shepherd (John 10:11-18). 
--Rod Thompson
Remember God's past faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
--Glenda Kaser
Pass the baton; always be working your way out of a job (Psalm 71:17-18). 
--Bill Welsh
Treat people as unique, living stones, not as uniformed bricks (Genesis 11).
--Ray Bentley
God filters everything through love (1 John 4:18).
--Lisa Collins
Suffering is proof of a relationship with Christ (Romans 8:14-21);
in trials, we're safe.
--Lloyd Pulley
If God has our hearts, He has our ministry (Psalm 127).  He wants pure vessels.
--Peter Wil
Jesus is the one behind the stone (the impossible, Luke 23:50). 
Trust He'll move it.
--Theresa Howard
We often need to take the looong way around (Exodus 13:17-22);
God wants best, not quickest.
--Rod Thompson
Give burdens to the wheely bin (Jesus, 1 Peter 5:6-7); take kids to work;
it's not worth winning a whole city and losing your marriage.
--Bill Welsh
Often God's presence is those around us (Matthew 28:20).
--Margie Stewart
Build an alter, worship God, invite others to worship God with you (Genesis 12).
--Ray Bentley
S.T.S. ministry (Exodus 18:19): Stand before God (listen to Him), Teach, Select.
--Lloyd Pulley
Jump out of the boat daily.  Live the Abundant Life (John 10:10).
We have a simple choice: believe what God says is true or not.
--Annie Stone
Stand (3 times) before, during and after the battle (Ephesians 6).  
Start fresh !
--Dave Sylvester


Love Linz