{"id":5928,"date":"2017-06-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-06-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/2017\/06\/18\/a-jam-packed-joy-filled-life\/"},"modified":"2023-09-20T19:36:58","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T17:36:58","slug":"a-jam-packed-joy-filled-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/a-jam-packed-joy-filled-life\/","title":{"rendered":"A Jam-Packed, Joy-Filled Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n<center><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/50jennie_goutet1.jpg?resize=350%2C350&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/50jennie_goutet1.jpg 350w, https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/50jennie_goutet1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/50jennie_goutet1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\"><\/center>\n<p><\/p><p> Thursday, May 25th was the day of Ascension, a public holiday in France. We had the day off, then the school system took off the Friday as well to make a long weekend. It&#8217;s called <em> le pont <\/em> &ndash; the bridge. This was such a jam-packed, joy-filled four days of utter exhaustion and bliss I thought I would share the stories and photos with you. <\/p><\/div><div><p> Thursday was the calm before the storm. All I had to do was make hydrangea cupcakes for a bachelorette party, then drive through Paris to get there. Upon my return, I needed only hold the fort while Matthieu went to the stag party. (Mild, both of them, as these were church friends). <\/p><p> The couple getting married are children of friends of ours. But since they got started early on as a family, and we got started late here we are attending our friends&#8217; children&#8217;s wedding. The couple is mixed English-French and they became Christians in Boston a couple decades ago. Their son, Pierre, married Debbie, the daughter of a family in the Boston ministry (but the two sets of parents had not met back in the day). She had come here to study abroad, and although Pierre was in Sweden working, they ended up meeting in four different countries in rapid succession through mutual friends. And the rest is history. <\/p><p> That&#8217;s for the background. Thursday was a blast. Friday, I had two Bible studies scheduled, plus a lunch in between. And since the kids had off school, they played together while we studied. For one of the two people, we were preparing for her baptism by counting the costs (this comes from Luke 14:25-33). Like Thursday, this was also a relatively calm day, despite the Bible studies and extra kids. <\/p><p> On Saturday, things started to get heated, beginning with the weather. I went to our town hall to meet a friend who is building her portfolio as a photographer. We found a few places to take official photos for my blog and next book. <\/p><p> Then we came home and finished the photo shoot here. She&#8217;s also expressed interest in doing a cooking photo shoot so that there are photos of me cooking, alongside the food. We&#8217;ll be setting up a time to do all that. And I&#8217;ll share the best photos with you when I get them. It was a great experience. <\/p><p> Then it was time for the wedding. <\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/aladyinfrance.com\/jam-packed-joy-filled-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Read more&#8230;<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thursday, May 25th was the day of Ascension, a public holiday in France. We had the day off, then the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":5929,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[16],"tags":[56],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-5928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-womens-ministry","tag-europe"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/50pexels-photo-3200072.jpeg?fit=940%2C625&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"dtadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/dtadmin\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-1xC","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14417,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/phulfilled-singles-fellowship-weekend-july-28-30\/","url_meta":{"origin":5928,"position":0},"title":"Phulfilled: Singles Fellowship Weekend July 28-30","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"June 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Join us in Philadelphia on July 28-30 for a Spirit-filled weekend for singles.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Singles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Singles","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/singles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Phulfilled.jpg?fit=500%2C334&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4167,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/25th-anniversary-of-lebanon-church-of-christ\/","url_meta":{"origin":5928,"position":1},"title":"25th Anniversary of Lebanon Church of Christ","author":"dtadmin","date":"August 13, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"It seems like yesterday that a small group was gathered from different countries to begin a new salvation mission to the Middle East. On Sunday, the Church celebrated its 25th anniversary in reaching the lost souls for Christ, and preparing citizens for heaven. We thank God for all the blessings\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/67832593_2346172502117075_8441088046476034048_n.jpg?fit=960%2C599&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/67832593_2346172502117075_8441088046476034048_n.jpg?fit=960%2C599&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/67832593_2346172502117075_8441088046476034048_n.jpg?fit=960%2C599&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/67832593_2346172502117075_8441088046476034048_n.jpg?fit=960%2C599&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22232,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/power-of-gratitude-choosing-joy-thankfulness\/","url_meta":{"origin":5928,"position":2},"title":"The Power of Gratitude: Choosing Joy and Thankfulness","author":"dtadmin","date":"November 28, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This month in the US is focused on gratitude and thankfulness. It can also be a reminder of challenging times - and God's faithfulness through it all.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Women's Ministry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Women's Ministry","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/womens-ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31347,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/beirut-church-teen-camp-beyond-the-wall\/","url_meta":{"origin":5928,"position":3},"title":"Beirut Church Teen Camp: Beyond the Wall","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"September 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Beyond the wall, the Beirut teens discovered true joy, love, purpose, and adventure are found in walking with Christ.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Beirut-Teen-Camp.jpg?fit=960%2C1106&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Beirut-Teen-Camp.jpg?fit=960%2C1106&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Beirut-Teen-Camp.jpg?fit=960%2C1106&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Beirut-Teen-Camp.jpg?fit=960%2C1106&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5923,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/kiev-church-of-christ-celebrates-25th-anniversary\/","url_meta":{"origin":5928,"position":4},"title":"Kiev Church of Christ Celebrates 25th Anniversary","author":"dtadmin","date":"June 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"God of wonders! What an appropriate theme for the 25th anniversary of the Kiev Church of Christ , which was planted on June 7, 1992, from the one-year-old Moscow church. After arriving on a Tuesday, we had only five days to share our faith and wait for God to bring\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/60kiev_church_of_christ_25th_anniversary3.jpg?fit=957%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/60kiev_church_of_christ_25th_anniversary3.jpg?fit=957%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/60kiev_church_of_christ_25th_anniversary3.jpg?fit=957%2C638&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/60kiev_church_of_christ_25th_anniversary3.jpg?fit=957%2C638&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4115,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/hartford-church-celebrates-25th-anniversary\/","url_meta":{"origin":5928,"position":5},"title":"Hartford Church Celebrates 25th Anniversary","author":"dtadmin","date":"August 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"In July of 1994 a group of disciples began a journey of faith in helping to start the Greater Hartford Church of Christ. With God and the faith of those few disciples, the church in Hartford has grown to over 310 disciples in three regions. Disciples have also gone on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/25THANNI.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/25THANNI.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/25THANNI.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/25THANNI.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/25THANNI.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/50pexels-photo-3200072.jpeg?fit=940%2C625&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5928\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5928"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=5928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}