On Friday - we spent the morning doing school work & Chris went up to his new office on campus. He begins teaching on Monday.
* Check out the Baylor pendant on the wall - they had it up there when he arrived.
After our morning, we met Chris at the War Memorial in Caen. We didn't know what to expect with the kids in exploring this more indepth look at the history surrounding the World Wars. The museum is on the pricier end with a family pass for 48 euros. However, I would say the lessons and insight gained, it was well worth the price. The museum begins with the events surrounding the end of World War I and takes you through step by step with pictures and insight, thankfully in English so we could tell the kids what was going on. We did not take many pictures
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due to being so
captivated by the moment and soaking in all the information. -->
Chris said, "It put everything in perspective around the
war. Specifically on the
historical and cultural elements that made the war come about and how important
ideas can shape history." For the younger kids, specifically Jacob and Rebekah, understanding what happened to the Jews during this time, was very moving for the both of them. Halle was taking lots of pictures with her purple camera of baby dolls and toys and pictures of little kids. It went completely over her head that around 1.2 million children were killed during Hitler's days in power. Seeing their faces and toys and understanding, even if in small ways, what occurred was very hard but impactful for Jacob and Rebekah. As much as we totally understand the ache they felt seeing the faces, and our hearts were not to scar our children with insight into war - we just wanted them to understand a slice of history and taste the freedom that came at a very severe price for so many. We sat down and talked through it and continued to process at dinner. For Ryan, the amount of people who lost their lives during the war - somewhere around 50-60 million people died. He enjoyed seeing the videos with Chris and understanding a bit more of the history of WWII. He kept commenting how young the soldiers looked as they were entering into battle. As a mom, it was sweet to see him process with Chris and watch the two of them go around the museum discovering more about the war. **If we have any history experts reading this - please add any insight into this or where we may have our numbers off. We tried to soak up as much as we could, but doing so with 4 kids (10 and under) adds a different dimension - one I am grateful for - but maybe not as in-depth as if Chris and I had been there just the two of us.
For me, I really enjoyed the memorial museum and walking
through the timeline of WWI up to the conclusion of WWII. It was heartbreaking to see so much of
the devastation and pain in each of the pictures. My favorite photo was of 300 women who had been set
free after being imprisoned. Look at the expression on their faces (you can click on photos on the blog to make them larger). My favorite is the lady on the far left - sheer jubilee in that smile and leap.
Then this picture is following their release - dancing in the streets.
Can you imagine what that must have felt like? After walking through the journey and the loss they experienced
– freedom busting forth from the war torn cities.
In so many ways – I cannot fathom what this must have felt
like and yet I sensed the Spirit of God showing me application in my own life?
Have I not been set free? Not only
literally living in a country of freedom, but also spiritually. Haven’t I been unlocked from the chains
that bind me by my faith in Jesus?
Am I not free in Christ to run free in His love and grace day to
day? How often do I wake in the morning and choose to bind myself to the sin that feels so natural or is so
natural and not walk in the Spirit living inside me? I began to read in His Word -
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore,
and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
1 Peter 2:16
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a
cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use
your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one
another.
John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will
set you free.”
Romans 8:1-4
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ
Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by
the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh
and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous
requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the
flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become
slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal
life.
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has
anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the
prison to those who are bound;
Romans 6:18
And, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of
righteousness.
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord
is, there is freedom.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love
and self-control.
Isaiah 58:6-7
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of
wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and
to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring
the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and
not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
We are so grateful for anyone who is journeying with us through our time here in France. Please know, this is mostly to document the day to day events or explorations. However, I can't help but share those moments that are moving not only in the adventure - but internally as well. This picture was so moving for me that I couldn't help but share it with everyone. I have been set free by the grace of God and isn't it or should I say shouldn't it be my desire and the choice I make each morning to say, "Here I am LORD, use me according to your plan today.....You have anointed me to bring good news to the poor; You have sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
**Rebekah said - "the song that comes to mind when thinking through being set free is the one when the Isrealites were set free from Egypt - in the movie Prince of Egypt." There is a song of celebration in the movie based on Miriam's song in Exodus.
* More posts to come of our Saturday adventure (Honfleur - the village the Blockers loved). We stayed home today (Sunday) - lots of things closed. I'm enjoying watching the owners of the manoir raking the last of the fall leaves. We had wondered if they would do that today since they did it last Sunday. It's fun to see a bit of rhythm into our week. The first week - everything felt so new & out of place. It's fun for this to have a flair of home even if only for a few more weeks.
Beautiful post!
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