Sabbatical begins with a splash

Our month in Vancouver was moist, to say the least. It rained the majority of our days here. But we didn't let that deter us. We learned to get out in it, to do what we want to do,armed with umbrellas, parkas, whatever we needed. We hiked 85% of the trails in the University of British Columbia Endowment Lands. We walked 4 miles a day, rain or shine! Toward the end of the month we had several days of sun, which were glorious.

Time with Joseph and Heidi has been so meaningful for us. We accompanied them in some of their seminary schedule, i.e., chapels, a class, public lectures, library, etc. We prayed them through greek tests, and assignments. We've spent far too much money going out for dinner. We snow shoed with them at Whistler Mountain, site of the 2010 Olympics. Tina, our resident olympaholic, was thrilled to to see the venues. We've gone to the church they work at as youth directors and church events to see them in action. We have bus passes so we've been able to get to know Vancouver better.

We've read multiple books, many spiritual, some novels. We've been doing Daily Celtic Prayers together, and reading out loud to each other. As we walk we have recited a portion of St. Patrick's Breastplate that we have memorized: "Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in Quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

I've been writing a book of prayers, and it's been fun to have a project. I have been careful not to "work" too hard at it, trying to stay faithful to the sabbatical agenda of rest and renewal.

We are sad to leave Joseph and Heidi tomorrow. This month with them has been a gift from God. But we are onto the next phase of our journey, to Oxford, England, where God has spoken to us so powerfully before.

With Love,

Randy