Miscellaneous movement...

January 16-February 5

After a very full start to our sabbatical we had about 3 weeks to take care of important family matters, in particular helping Shonet’s mother move into full-time assisted living. Shonet’s mother (age 62) was diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia about 2 years ago, as we have found out—the younger you are the more intense and fast moving it is. Around the time her mother was diagnosed, Shonet felt a strong sense to start backing out of many responsibilities—from serving all over the place at church (she’s a pastor’s wife!), to resigning her role on the board at ICYA (which she really enjoyed)…to make room for what? Little did we know that much of that time would be absorbed in taking her mother to the many doctors, arranging home care, addressing the many financial and legal issues involved, moving her (3 times-thanks Warren and Amy and other family!) and keeping family and friends updated on her mothers' changing situation.  I always knew my wife had immense capacity to handle diverse responsibilities but this really challenged her in so many ways. But she has handled these tricky waters with grace, discernment and patience--signs of the fruit of the Spirit. I'm very proud of her and am often in awe of her sharp reasoning and joyful disposition during intense seasons. But it has not been easy becoming your mother's caregiver; in a season when we see others having parents able to care for needs we find ourselves in the opposite situation--having to care for a parent along with 3 children. I was grateful I was on sabbatical so I could help carry the load with the kids and other daily routines. Much of my time in these weeks was cooking, cleaning and helping out at home (and sometimes getting in the way…). There was some home renovations and small projects I tried to tackle while but the polar vortex we experienced at the end of January kept some of that in check. 

Even in the cold we were able to squeeze some of the fun out of a Winnipeg winter at the Forks. 

With Shonet’s mom finally moved into her suite we could begin to pack and get excited for Australia…REALLY hard to believe we were about to head overseas but the visa bill confirmed that we were going to spend the next 2 1/2 months in the land down under. After raking my roof and getting my drain pipes ready for spring, a few final good byes with family and we were off.