Only 5 weeks left in France.

Hannah update........

We have been back in France now for 10 days after our half term holidays to England seeing family and some friends. We had a great time but on returning back to France I was surprised to find myself pleased to be 'home!'. Yes, home! The past 10 days have gone very quickly getting back into a routine of lessons, going back to school -  of which Zack has had no trouble, and little Esther adoring playing with her chums again in nursery. Of course also fitting in family time and seeing  a bit more of Paris. We were also thrilled to spend a couple of days with our friends (granny) Isobel and (grandpa) Ian from Aberdeen who were here on holiday. Now as I write this we are awaiting for Sandra, another friend from Aberdeen, to arrive to see us for a few days.  There are mixed emotions as I hear about friends from Aberdeen and realise I miss them so much. This weekend when a very good friend had another little baby boy I am so thrilled but it is hard  when I am not to be able to see them, have a wee cuddle with the new bunble of joy and be there for a wonderful friend, and family, on such a special occasion. Friendships so special and easy to be taken for granted. 

With only 5 weeks left here, we are preparing to submit our application for our Chadian visas and now counting down the weeks until we fly to Chad on 16th January. ( eight and a half weeks!). With the excitement, comes more unsettling times, the reality of what we have to do in the final preparations, inbetween the study, but also saying goodbye to family and the realisation that when I become an auntie again  next February, and my best friend is due to have her next baby in March, I wonder just how far away I will feel from them.  It is then that I ask God for his arms of love to surround me and become thankful for family and friends, however far away, for their constant blessings and joy to me.