France visits my parents

Living here in Nice, I've made lots of different friends... from all over.  These 4 guys below are 4 of those friends.  Their parents are actively involved in our church here in Nice.  And each of them were at some point (Nathan still is).  Well, they wanted to do some world traveling and road trip the western United States.  I got them in touch with my family, so they stayed with my parents for a few days as one of their stops.

My niece Rowyn, my dad Tim, Thomas (now in Scotland), Nathan (still in Nice), Jonathan (now in Canada), Michael (now in Switzerland).  And a cool thing is this is two sets of brothers (Thomas and Jonathan, Michael and Nathan).

The front yard where I grew up.  Can you spot the crazy van the guys rented for their road trip?  So classic.

The beach is a must when you visit my family.

And of course, my dad took them all out surfing.  I think they had a good time.

And their last night, they went out to dinner with my dad, mom, sister and niece (you may be able to see my sister's belly... she is just 3 weeks behind me in her pregnancy with a little boy too... so cool - her hubby was unfortunately on a business trip, so he didn't get to meet the guys).

So, thanks for reading!  Isn't it always fun when our world's collide, when people we love meet each other?!!! 

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

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

24 November, 2016

"I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever." -Psalm 86:12

Our drive through the canyon to the beach.

Annual Turkey Surf - we've been doing these the morning of Thanksgiving for years... we can't remember what number this is, so we'll just say 16th annual since it's 2016.  I think it's a bit more than that though.

Lots of fun little peaks this morning at Zuma.

And warm water was pretty nice (64F/18C), warm for winter here.

Just look at that coastline!

My dad and I represented the Agoura clan =).

Mine and my dad's weapons of choice.

And, here I am with a board that my dad got for free!

It's really fun to ride.

Here's our post-surf picture.

The ride home - what a view!

I love my daddy!

And now we move to our home for our Thanksgiving barbecue.  Here, Micah and my dad put together a gingerbread turkey.

Brett, my brother-in-law, in his element.

Guess who came up with her family?!!!  Crystal!!!

Tonio and Crystal's husband Leon hanging on the driveway.

Evan working on his car.

Mama, my sister Chelsey, Crystal and her mom Allie.

The only turkey we had this Thanksgiving.  Brett barbecued some incredible tri-tip and chicken!  We're still enjoying the leftovers.

This is my kind of Thanksgiving.

She just woke up from a nap.

Bailey and Bandit.

Daphné and Micah.

Evan, Grandpa and Daphné.

Getting ready for "FAMILY" Thanksgiving photo.

Crystal (with Pancho), Leon, Brett, Chelsey (holding Rowyn), Kirk, Allie, Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Tim, Evan, Tonio (holding Daphné, me, Micah.

And another angle with a fancier camera.

Silly photo.  Daphné can't believe what a bunch of crazies surround her.  Ha.

Leon captured these sweet moments.

In awe.

Oh what a cuteness bundle.

Thanksgiving meal.

Smoked tri-tip, barbecue chicken, oven-roasted potatoes, salad and cranberries... followed by yummy pies of course.

Crystal and Leon enjoying our love.

Daphné follow the big boys under the table.  Isn't this the cutest?!!!

Oh how thankful to God that I am for my family and friends. 
And, what a gift to be here in California with them this year!

Love Linz

Surfing

A couple weeks ago, my brother-in-law took me surfing in Italy!  It was so good to get back in the water.  It's been over a year since I last surfed!  Ahhhh!!!  Needless to say, I was so thankful that Sebastien took me along!

Putting on a 4/3mm wetsuit is never easy.

A board that Pierre (Daphné's Papi) found in the street.  Seb fixed it up AND personalized it with some fancy blue duct tape.

Wave check.

Seb brought his water camera - yay.

Fun perspective of his buddy on a stand-up paddle (SUP) board.

Those long boards can catch almost anything!

There's me, the hunchback of the Med.

So thankful to have such a cool brother-in-law!

Laughing and surfing go together.

Seb's friend Yann.

SUP and me paddling into a wave.  Didn't catch that one, but I got a few fun ones this day.

And a glimpse from the car.

Sebastien is out there with the SUP.  See him?

"Thank you God for sunsets.

They are Your very special way

To say goodbye to every day."

(from Daphné's "Baby's First Prayers" book by Muff Singer)

Panoramic.

Can't get enough of this place.

There's nothing like surfing in God's creation!

Seb.

Mural.

Sand.

Ok, one more.

And here we are post-surf happy faces... me, Sebastien and Yann (not pictured : Pascal) 

And a big thanks to Tonio, Mamie and Papi for watching Daphné so I could go.

Love Linz