A week of visits

This past week was to have been our last week in Reims.  We tried to get most of our work done ahead of time.  Like I wrote in my last blog, we were surprised on Thursday to receive a call saying that the signing would be on Wednesday, 2 November instead of Friday. 

This week was also our last for visiting and having visitors.  On Tuesday we met the Baughman's at our favorite Chinese place to have our birthday(s) celebration.  All four of us have our birthday around the same time.  Mike's is Sept. 29, Clare's is Oct. 1, mine is Oct. 15 and Linda's is Nov. 15.  The last few years we have made a custom of getting together to celebrate our birthdays.  After we ate, they came back to the house and we talked.  We had a good time talking and laughing together.

This picture was taken in April 2010.  But we were seated at the same table!!

On Wednesday I visited our neighbors.  We were the last family to move into these new houses 21 years ago.  We have always had a good relationship with two of the families.  I have made cookie plates and offered a Scripture calendar to each family every year at Christmas.  I was able to visit with both couples.  I also got caught up on their news.  The neighbors right next door, now have three grandchildren.  The other couple told me that their daughter would be getting married on Saturday (yesterday).   I mentioned to them that they would have to send us some pictures of Adeline and her husband.

On Thursday, Rich and Karyn Visser and their son Benjamin stopped on their way home from Paris.  Our relationship with the Vissers goes back to our first year in France.  We arrived in April and Benji was born in September.  We made the trip to La Rochelle to help the Visser's through the adjustment period.  I don't know how much help we really were.  But it just seemed like the right thing to do.

Rich, Karyn and Benjamin Visser

In 1984 after we finished language school we moved to La Rochelle and worked with the Vissers.  They were such an encouragement to us during those early years of learning to speak the language and adjusting to life in France.  We have always enjoyed getting together with them even though we have gone on to other works here in different parts of France.

A surprise visit!!  Last night around 6:00 the door bell rang and there was Adeline and her new husband (they told us his name but I can't remember what it is) in their wedding clothes.  It was so nice of them to come over so that we could see them.  They had noticed our car in the driveway and had understood that our plans had changed.

Jean-Pierre and Ginette, Adeline and her husband.

Since our plans changed we decided we'd better keep busy and finish the packing.  We had left a number of things un-done thinking that we would have time to do them when we come back at the end for the move.  Since we have "lost" five days of working at the new house, we need to get some of the things done here so that we won't have to worry about doing them when we come back.

Yesterday and today we have spent packing more boxes, wrapping all of the bigger pictures in bubble wrap and taking the last things off the walls.  We still need to get Emily's bed and cupboards taken apart.  But we'll probably wait until Tuesday to do it.

That brings you up to date.  I won't promise to write next week because we will be without internet for at least 10 days.

Until next time. . .