My husband teaching God's Word

I think my favorite part about being a wife is being my husband's cheerleader.  Believe it or not, I was actually once a cheerleader for 2 years... just in junior high school, but I did the whole bit, the songs, the chants, the dances, the formations, the pom poms.... HA!  You can laugh too.

Anyways, being a cheerleader to my husband is much different than cheering on our little Christian school junior high basketball team.  Duh.

It's a more hidden, more deep support, and much of it is by prayer.  I pray often for my husband that he be the leader God wants him to be for our family and that he grow into the Bible teacher I know God is calling him to be.  So today's cheering is a bit less hidden, a bit more public.

Have you ever heard Tonio teach on a Sunday morning?!!!  You're in luck.  This teaching is in French, but translated by Nancy into English.  You can listen HERE.  He's teaching the end of the book of Hebrews, in particular Hebrews 13:8-25.

A few nuggets, I've taken away from the teaching:
-Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
-Be careful about "new" ideas about Jesus.
-Jesus is the final sacrifice for my sins... I don't have to offer a goat or lamb every Sunday to be sanctified... Jesus did it once and for all!
-I don't have to do good works to be saved.
- Sing to God!  He loves it!

You can also save the mp3 (by right clicking on "Ecouter") and listen to it later while driving or running or just relaxing at home.  Here is the list of teachings.  This particular one is from July 23, 2017 (23/07/17).

Love Linz

New car!

We have been looking for an apartment, and look what kind of falls in our lap.  A new (to us) car!!!  I often reflect on this verse when I believe God wants to remind me of His absolute sovereignty.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

and your ways are not My ways.”

This is the LORD’s declaration.

For as heaven is higher than earth,

so My ways are higher than your ways,

and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 

For this, I'm thankful.

Tonio driving our 2012, 7-seater Peugeot Partner Tepee!

Papi, Daphné and Papa.

Many adventures will be had in this car.

Thank you to all who made this possible.

You know who you are ;)

Love Linz

Oswald and Daphné

Hey guys, I know I've posted several Oswald Chambers quotes on the blog before.  He wrote my favorite devotional of all time, "My Utmost For His Highest."  I'd like to tell you I read it everyday along with my Bible, but... enter stage right... toddler.  However, over 10+ years of reading it, I'm sure I've read each page at least once or twice.

So, today, I'm taking the opportunity to share a little nugget that impacted me from the 29th of April reading.  Enjoy Daphné and some good thoughts on being a follower of Jesus Christ by Monsieur Chambers.

"To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth.

This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation.

We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.

 Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our lives with surprises all the time.

When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him.

Jesus said, 'Unless you...become as little children.' (Matthew 18:3)

Spiritual life is the life of a child.

We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next.

...When we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy." -Oswald Chambers

I really needed to hear this.  Having Daphné has made so many of these things come to life.  Her faith and trust in us as parents is absolute and unwavering.  She never worries if she will have enough to eat, or a place to sleep, or clothes to wear... it's just a given... she banks on it.  

I want to be this way with God and His promises to me.  He said He will take care of me, that He loves me, that He will never leave me.  I so often forget and let this overwhelming life with all its worries crowd Him out.  I want to bank on Him.  Daphné doesn't doubt she'll be loved and taken care of by me and Tonio.  Why should I doubt the Creator of the universe, the ONE Who actually made me in the first place?

I write all this mostly to remind myself of these things, but if it struck a chord with you, I'm thankful for that too.

[Both outfits were more hand-sewn gifts from our friend Barb at church.  Aren't they so cute?!!!  See pattern reviews for Daphné's Dress and My Top.]

Love Linz

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

Ladies Retreat

My amazing husband let me leave on a five day, four night getaway to Paris, while he watched our sweet little bundle.  I'm so thankful.  It was refreshing and inspiring and fun!

Bye bye Nice.

Hello forest in the outskirts of Paris : Écouen.

Exploring with these ladies.

Corinne and Marie-Christine.

Le Château d'Écouen.

Panoramic view of the courtyard.

Took this one to send to Daphné and Tonio.

No crocodiles.

Groupie.

BAM.

Hi! (My earring is falling out - ha!)

Must be nice to have this as a backyard.  Royalty.  Wow.

Panoramic view from the castle.

The sleepy little town of Écouen.

My favorite tree EVER!!!

From underneath.

Cathy Taylor from Calvary Fellowship teaching how we are God's work of art.

Some of my notes.

A visit to the local church.

Spring!

I like the aqua colored bricks.

On a forest promenade with my friend Caroline.

Nature.  God's Creation.  It just makes me feel alive.

I'm a sucker for old French cars.

The outside of the church we visited a few pictures above.

My room.  I had 2 really cool roommates, Rachel and Caryn.

Inspired to finish a song I started in 2005.  Thank You Jesus.  I'm still not done.  I'd like to write a bridge.  One of the gals said, "Please don't wait 12 more years to finish it."  HA!

Cathy, Nancy, me.  Thankful for such a wonderful time being encouraged in God's Word.  I just can't get enough.  Good thing I get to read my Bible everyday.  God wrote us a love letter, and it's ours to read.  I feel so privileged and loved.  Because I am.  [And you are too!]

Love Linz

Beach Picnic

Beach day in March!

“ 'Let the little children come to Me [Jesus], 

and do not hinder them, 

for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
 

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child...
 

...will never enter it.'

And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."

Above quote from the Bible (Mark 10:14-16, NIV).  I just love Jesus' heart for children.  Now, having Daphné, I can see what faith like a child means.  She trusts us for everything with no reserve.  How I long to be the same with my Heavenly Daddy.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,

  

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:1-5, ESV)  The God I love is so good.  I'm so thankful for His nature and His character and for giving us His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins to give us eternal life.

Here's a little recap video from the day.  Enjoy!

Love Linz