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25 April 2014

Je pense que oui!

I've been hesitating to make this post ... but it seems that it is to be true! Je pense que oui! Two days ago we sent in our deposit for a 1-year lease on a 17th century farmhouse in northern France. (Can you hear me whooping in the background?) We have visa appointments left to come, the final mandatory puzzle piece, but we feel encouraged and that God is in control. In order to apply for the visas we have to have proof of paid lease and plane tickets purchased. It's a full-commitment process!

In the meantime we are madly completing and assembling paperwork, and preparing to sell our home and cars, pack up our stuff for storage, and attend to all the miscellaneous details that will allow us to move this August. I have never moved more than a 100 miles away before, much less to a foreign country with a foreign language. My head is swimming.

But the house. It's like the icing on everything. We had wanted a place a bit rural for the children. A place where we could turn them loose and they could explore and be free, given that everything else will be so new. A place where we could retreat from the inevitable exhaustion of learning to function in a new culture and in a new language. In the midst of all that scares me silly ... even though my emotions fluctuate between thrills and sheer terror ... I am filled with joyful awe and deep gratitude in God's extravagant provision. 

19 comments:

  1. Anna.... I am just so.... Thrilled, excited, amazed! What an adventure, what a blessing, and what comfort to know that He not only goes before you, but He covers you with His canopy go grace.

    I have one question.... Does the farmhouse have a guest room?!

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    1. Amen and amen! And Christian ... yes it does have a guestroom. We also chose this home because it has room for guests. I'm serious ... might you envision a family trip en France?

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    2. I would adore a family trip to France... The professor will likely be there next March with students, as he has been for the past two years. We dream of taking the family; something to pray about...

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  2. I am in love with everything about this! Excepting the fact that you won't be nearby. Sniff. <3

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  3. Oh Anna! I am so excited for you!!! This is amazing. I do hope you'll take us along with you! xo

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  4. I have looked at this post like 20 times! I keep staring at the photos! xoxo

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  5. Oh my. What a wonderful adventure. I think it's fabulous that you're able to do this. :)

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  6. Gabrielle Blair used to live in this house. I saw her photo tour on Design Mom. It is such a beautiful house! I'm sure living there will be a magical experience for you and your family.

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    1. Meghan, you have a keen eye! The landlords gave us the link to her site and it's been a great reference for us. And encouraging to know that a family has gone before us and survived ... even thrived!

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  7. oh my goodness, this is amazing! I do hope you'll keep blogging and sharing your beautiful photos and insights!

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement, Margo!

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  8. Well there you have it. I leave the blog world for a while (okay, a few years), only to discover you are living the dream and moving to France! I am SO excited for you!! Amazing opportunity. C'est magnifique!

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  9. Hi Anna! I've visited your blog after you left a comment on mine. Thanks for that! So excited to see you're moving to France for a bit and my jaw dropped open when I saw it was Gabrielle's old home. Wow, wow, wow. What an adventure. Can't wait to read along with you.

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    1. Kirsty-
      Yes, my own jaw drops every time I remember! It's a curious story how we ended up renting La Cressoniere ... I'll have to blog it someday. Looking forward to getting to know you better!
      Anna

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  10. Oh my word - is this where you live? I'm sure it isn't all delightfulness. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog, Anna.

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