always better

I am part of the family. That's how it should be. I have blended in with the kids and been able to serve as extensions to Laetitia's hands and feet. I am now officially having the time of my life. Then again, I think I say that every day, because it is nearly every day that I remember that I am living a dream.

I headed to the airport early this morning to pick up the hired Dutch couple that will be living here for the next year to survey and monitor the construction. After the initial hellos, we began talking and they began inquiring about my stay here thus far. As I reflected on the vast array of adventures in which I have partaken, I began to see His needlepoints as my mind connected His threads. The couple was a bit surprised that I have spent so much time exploring on my own, especially to travel to Nice for a weekend by myself. As I watched the look of shock consume their faces, I began to re-realize how much of a wonderful life I have the opportunity to live. I am here in France, and therefore I want to be a part of France. I keep remembering the words of someone very, very dear to me, spoken not too long ago: we live "for such a time as this." She lives by this phrase, I am confident, and I have subscribed to molding my life around this phrase, although my mom will attest to the fact that I do frequently forget my purpose.

I took the boys to Céline's house (best friend of Laetitia) yesterday evening to stay the last few days with her kids. After a grand tour of her ancient and electic furniture collection, I enjoyed a visit with her for nearly an hour. Conversation drifted from furniture collections to books, to authors, to travel, and back to the family again. My chest warmed as my heart softened when she told me that Laetitia was sincerely grateful for me and that she was proud of me. To have a complete stranger tell you how special you are to their dear friend is, perhaps, the greatest compliment. I reminisced with Céline of my journey here in France for quite some time and I left with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having the unbelievable opportunity to spend time with this family.

I chuckle with utter disregard for what was completely unknown and terribly frightening just three short months ago. I laugh at my own pathetic nature when I remember how anxious and disturbed I became when my travel plans did not fit my pre-ordained schedule. I am now quite confident that He authorizes my failures at every start of my new beginnings in order to keep me on my knees, for He knows that I forget to check my confidence at His welcome desk.

Tomorrow is my last day in France. There are no words to write, save "thank you" to France for welcoming me, stretching me, encouraging me, entertaining me, making me smile, feeding me, and guarding me. But the best part is that with tired eyes and a heart full of gratitude, I am packing my suitcase(s) for yet another adventure.

Is it weird that my life always gets better?