Vingt joies de Janvier
If you can read the title, you are either French, live in France, speak French or paid attention in French class in high school =). It says “Twenty joys of January” or more grammatically correct in English, “Twenty January Joys.”
This has been the best way to recap the months for this blog, and the limits actually inspire creativity! I love it! I hope you enjoy.
January 2nd, Tonio, Daphné and I went on a hike to the “Baou de Saint Jeannet.” The last time the three of us hiked this, Daphné was in the hiking back pack and not even 1 year-old yet.
I’m so thankful for my husband and his love for mountains.
Daphné found some leftover Christmas decorations in the the little village of Saint Jeannet.
Tonio teaching on Matthew 25:14-30 and encouraging us all at the start of 2026 to use what we have for God’s glory!
Fellowship after church in our café, le Café Colombe.
Lorena came over after church, and these two had a blast!
Tonio’s cousin Josiah visited on his travels around the world.
Django’s class is studying art this year, so they made King’s crowns in the fashion of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. His teacher is so creative!
My mom sent me this picture, and it makes me so happy. My parents drove up north and visited my brother Tanner and sister-in-law Sarah and their girls (my nieces Nova and Collins). I’m so thankful for my family.
Django lost his second tooth while eating a carrot!
Church home group at Pierre and Nancy’s home. It was a fun group of people and great discussion on Galatians 2.
Django got to hang out with his buddy Mathis.
On Wednesday afternoon after activities, we hung out with Django’s friend Noam and his family.
The orthodontist is prepping Daphné’s mouth for braces. There was still some glue leftover from the apparatus she wore for 6 months to widen her palette.
Flat Stanley is back in the form of the cutest little girl named Ellie. I don’t know her personally, but it’s a friend of a friend. “Flat Ellie” will be traveling around Nice for the next few weeks until returning back to her un-flat self in California.
We were invited to a fancy 10th wedding anniversary party for a couple at church. It’s always fun to dress up, though Tonio and I usually feel awkward - haha!
Frances and Sebastien have been such a blessing at church. They asked Tonio to share a little something before the meal to share God’s faithfulness in their relationship. It was a cool testimony to the people who don’t know Jesus yet.
It’s been a dark and cold and rainy month, but the other day, Daphné called me and Django over to the balcony to see this!!! God’s promise to never flood the earth again and proof of His beauty.
I updated the birthday board at church. It’s so much fun to see all our brothers and sisters in Christ next to each other, each one created in the image of God.
And a cozy photo before bed to close this blog post. Daphné and I love reading before bed, and she has enjoyed reading next to me while Tonio plays with Django or reads with him. And you might be familiar with the image on my sweatshirt. Schloss Heroldeck, where it all began =).
January has been one of my hardest months in years. The dark, cold rainy days have not made my seasonal depression very easy. Thankfully, I have the joy of the Lord as my strength AND I am being followed by a great psychiatrist and wonderful psychologist. I rejoice in each day that Lord gives us, and I’m so thankful for our amazing family!
Love Linz