Someone asked me, if we had a choice where would we like to send our children to school. I don’t know about Olivier but I replied that I would send them to school in Germany because I think they have one of the best educational systems. “But hang on, they’re not very wealthy people and there’s not a lot of industry going on over there either.” Puh, the mentality of people. I don’t know how many times I had to tell her. I choose schools by their lunch menu.

[edited]

Françoise was asked to give a talk in church today on Thanksgiving and Gratitude. I’m not sure if she was grateful about giving a talk but I do know that she sighed a very big sigh of relief at the end of it. She ended her talk by sharing her testimony in French. She quotes from Sis Bonnie Parkin’s General Conference talk of this year. I asked if I could post snippets of her talk here:

“In 1832 (two years after the organisation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), the Lord saw the need to prepare the Church for coming tribulations. Tribulations are frightening. And yet the Lord said, “And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. . . [D&C 78:18]” It is not easy to be of good cheer during trials. However, the promise that the Lord will lead us along can be comforting.

The last two years my brother and sister and I went to school in France (where my Dad is from) in order to be immersed in the language and culture. It sounded like a wonderful adventure and it was. At least after the first couple of months. The first couple of months was like being dropped in the deep end of a pool. Which is fine if you know how to swim but if you have never swam before, one thought that comes to mind is “drowning.” At least that’s what it was like for me. A new school, a new country, a new language. Everything was new.

Of course my first week of school went surprisingly well (probably due to the fact that I couldn’t understand a word that was said). After the first week however, the novelty of there being a foreign student in their midst wore off and the students loved nothing more than to make fun of my inability to speak French and to laugh at my accent. As the days went by I would quickly come to learn what it would feel like to be lonely. It’s an awful feeling. In fact it’s miserable.

“Mercies and blessings come in different forms—sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.” All things means just that: good things, difficult things—not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love.”

However, while I may have felt lonely, I knew that I wasn’t alone. There were many times where I prayed for help, and many times where I felt reassured by His love. Mostly though, I felt challenged to learn quickly (because there’s nothing worse than feeling slightly suspicious after saying yes, when someone had just asked you if you were an idiot). As my vocabulary and understanding grew, so too did my ability to speak; and with more practice I became comfortable communicating.

Learning to speak another language certainly wasn’t easy, in fact it took me nine months to feel like I had owned it. And because it took me that long to learn the language, my parents insisted that we stay another year so that we would come away with better experiences. Another year didn’t sound like a good idea to me but with my ability to speak came the ability to make friends for which I am grateful for because it made the second year so much more fun (it’s always nice to have friends). I am also grateful for the ability to speak another language. I think it’s kinda cool now. And even though I had an awful first year, I look back with fond memories, because I know I have grown a lot from those experiences for which I am thankful for too.

“Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God. Through it, we become spiritually aware of the wonder of the smallest things, which gladden our hearts with their messages of God’s love. This grateful awareness heightens our sensitivity to divine direction. When we communicate gratitude, we can be filled with the Spirit and connected to those around us and the Lord. Gratitude inspires happiness and carries divine influence. “Live in thanksgiving daily,” said Amulek, “for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.”

It was Thanksgiving Day in the United States yesterday. We were invited to celebrate with friends at their lake house outside of Austin. We met up with a couple other families and it was nice and cozy. It was the first time our family has had turkey on Thanksgiving. Previous years we have had Thanksgiving alone and have made duck or duck confit. One year we made quail and another year spatchcock. Birds on a smaller scale (although tonight we will cook turkey for dinner as I plan on mastering my turkey chili dish with the leftovers). For dessert this year I made a linzer torte (recipe courtesy of Joy of Baking), a tarte au poires frangipane and a tarte tatin (not pictured). A bit of a french twist to our Thanksgiving. I was hoping my oval shaped muffin pans I ordered from overseas would be here so I could bake friands, but looks like that recipe will have to wait for Christmas. But true to the occasion there were pecan slices, pumpkin pie, pumpkin layered cake with cream cheese filling, apple pies, apple cranberry crumble and more!

I was asked to do a fashion shoot for a website (and maybe a brochure) in January (as in behind the camera). It’s my first commission and I’m so excited. Wish me luck!

Edited to say that the shoot is for my friend Celine (from France), who is an aspiring fashion designer. I never knew she was an aspiring fashion designer but it makes sense to me now. She’s the type of person oozes style even when she wears a pair of old jeans and t-shirt. We got together last week and brainstormed ideas for the shoot. Her clothing label is currently being fabricated in Morocco and Tunisia and her style is fun, fresh and funky. The whole thing excites me to no end. I’m especially excited for her.

One of my favourite programs to watch ever is Divine Design with Candice Olson. I did a search online for the program because I want her to do our home makeover! Only thing is I don’t want to be on television but folks I’m desperate. Maybe if I dress in my Victorian costume no-one will recognise me. Then I read that only Toronto residents can apply to the show. So drat, looks like we’ll have to move the house there temporarily. I’m serious. Better than spending $350,000 on home remodeling. I think for that loverly price we could move our home to Toronto and back again looking divine. So onto the application form. In Part 4 of the application, What Makes You A Great Candidate, asks the question: What makes YOU (that’s me) interesting? I could write that I’m thinking of taking yodeling classes, and if that fails then maybe I’ll confess my talent for wailing. What do you think?