Thanks for Travelling With Me

To so many of you who took this journey with me (and so often Gwen), I wish to say thanks for all of your encouragement, prayers and support.

Back to [School] Work!

My first day back to work was Tuesday – also the first day of school for every kid in Michigan. I decided to walk to work (since one of our cars was in the shop – long ethanol story).

I walked past some teens waiting for the bus (bummer to have to ride the bus). They were all ready for day 1 of the school year – every article of clothing, every accessory, every part of the backpack – carefully selected.

Inside of all of the outward stuff there were the obvious day 1 anxious thoughts – will anybody remember me? Will the kids like me? Will I have anybody cool in my classes? Will anyone sit with me at lunch? Will anyone want to be my friend?

I thought all those things for them – and then for myself. I was going back after 3 months out. I was wondering the same things – will anybody remember me? Will they like me? Will anyone want to have lunch with me? Will they want to be my friend?

I’m back in and on the eve of my first Sunday to preach in 15 weeks – I wonder what it will be like?

Gliding . . .

I kept watching them being pulled up over the Frankfort Lake Michigan beach - so I thought, "I'm going to check into this!"

A few minutes later I received a trip up to 3,000 feet in time to see an incredible sunset on Lake Michigan (it still seems like it would go out when it goes into the water like that)!

Never "glided" before. It was incredible. So smooth. Seemingly effortless.

Pete was flying - while Peter Y is one of my best friends, for the 25 minutes in the air, Pete the Pilot became my very best friend - he was in control - my life was in his hands.

One of the joys of this Sabbatical experience has been learning to glide . . . being led by the one who created wind.

WOW! The Final Week . . .

It's so hard to believe that I am in the final week of this Sabbatical Journey . . . time flies.

I am alone this week at a cottage provided by one of our board members (thanks Craig & Lora!). It's been a great get-away - quiet, comfortable, and beautiful - perfect for processing the final week of this journey. Bonus that it is relatively close to Lake Michigan and only 40 miles from my folks (we met half-way for lunch on Sunday).

Yesterday (Sunday 8/26), I walked 5+ miles on the beach of Lake Michigan. Had an incredible time looking back on some dark issues of my life and finding cleansing at a deeper level in the midst of the amazing sunshine of the day and the freeing light of my Shepherd. He leads, guides, and restores . . .

This final week includes:

• wrapping up and summarizing key ideas and growth points along the journey
• some work ahead on the fall sermon series
• debriefing the experience
• somehow discovering and embracing the What could life be like in the days ahead because of the sabbatical experience?

I realize that the journey will continue - even after I return - but could you hold me up in prayer for this very significant week?

Thanks

21 Days . . .

Three weeks from today (September 4), I have the joy of checking back into my role as Senior Pastor of Spring Lake Wesleyan Church. That means that I am 80 days into this Sabbatical with just 21 left.

At 80% completed lots of memories come to my mind . . .

• A host of solitude experiences – some significant, some pretty routine, but lots of moments alone to think, reflect, smile, and rest
• Experiences with God - mostly just sort of "normal" times with a friend
• About 70% of the days, thus far, have been spent with Gwen – they have been rich to this journey
• Lots of hours in reading and writing and processing books and teachings
• Times of travel – something I enjoy – times that have enhanced the Sabbatical

Most of all – my gratitude for so many prayers and my certainty of the need for significant prayer as this experience draws to a close. Would you please send up a few prayers related to:

• The use of these final days – best experiences and connections with God and others
• The debriefing process – integrating God and life lessons into real life
• Identifying and clarifying new rhythms and pathways for the journey beyond
• Clarity in understanding this next season of life and ministry
• The ability to stay on Sabbatical until the final day
• The adjustments for Gwen and me as we return to regular life

I haven’t been able to do this without your prayers – I can’t finish without them either. Thanks in advance for finishing strong with us

Incognito

Being back home for a while has been great! Have been striving to not be back quite yet - to stay incognito - which is pretty difficult in our small town!

OK, I haven't exactly been very icognito either . . .

• I had to sneak in to see the closing of VBS - it was amazing! 400 Kids - 200 volunteers - amazing encounters with God through song, story, crafts - and most of all the love of so many connecting with kids!
• I snuck into the office to discover about 500 golf tees all over my office put there by a departing staff member! I can't pull out a paper towel without discovering another golf tee! I will get even . . .
• So I went to Coast Guard on the Midway and for the fireworks - with 50,000 of my closest friends and most of the congregation from SLWC! It was so good to run into many of the family.

It's a hard thing to not connect with people you love!

This Week's Prayer Requests . . .

1. Pray for coaching experiences I will be experiencing throughout the month of August
2. I will be spending time with my newest D-Team (Leadership Discipleship group) at the Leadership Summit - August 9-11. Pray for a deep connection for this team of 6 other men
3. Pray for a sorting through of potential resources, experiences, and dialogues I could yet engage (or not) in these final days of the sabbatical journey

Back in the States

After a wonderful time in Split, Croatia with our friends, Kent & Cheri Pickslay, we flew to Vienna, Austria. Our adopted daughter Regina was also flying into Vienna so after settling into a hotel (an "Airport Hotel" which was 45 minutes away) we ventured into the city for the evening - it was amazing!

Wednesday morning we traveled to the airport to begin our trip home flying to Washington D.C. and then on to Indy where Julie, Jamie, and Evee were waiting for us!

Evee was so depressed without her Papa

Evee content in her Papa's arms

She's so happy now!

We will spend a couple of days here in Indy then head back to West Michigan to begin Block 3 which is focused on coaching and processing insights learned and needing to be integrated into life ahead. Should be a great part of this Journey. More details to come.

This Week's Prayer Requests . . .

Transition back to the Midwest . . .
1. Final days in Croatia with Kent & Cheri Pickslay
2. Times of debriefing Block Two
3. Travel on July 24-25
4. Time in Indy with Evee, Jamie, Clint and Julie
5. Preparation for Block Three

More Thoughts From the Middle . . .

Here are some BIG THOUGHTS at the midpoint . . .

• Gratefulness – I still can’t believe that my church loves me enough to grant me this time away and that we have an amazing team to make it all work!


• Grace – I’m overwhelmed at how giving God is . . . How forgiving . . .How loving . . . How caring . . . How amazing!


• He is my Shepherd. He chooses this. He cares for my needs. He makes me lie down. He leads me. He restores me. He guides me into paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.


• I have more clarity of call and calling.


• I love to grow – this has been a wonderful time to think and process and write and journey deeper with God and His mission assignments for my life.


• I’m so grateful for people – the church – who seek to be used by God to make a difference in hundreds of little and big ways.


• I’m so thankful for a group of men and women who team to lead this adventure we call SLW – people who partner with each other, with me, and most importantly with God.


• I love being married to Gwen who loves me in spite of my obvious warts (working through a couple of long-standing warts of mine while here in Croatia).


• My passions are growing and renewing for God and His passionate love for this world.


• I’m thankful for His faithfulness – and hundreds of other small thoughts . . .
  
  Hey – check out Gwen’s Blog to catch her personal reflections on my first Middle Thoughts Entry at http://www.gwenjackson.blogspot.com/ or touch on the link under my face to the right.

Here are a few new pictures

Dennis took a night off cooking

Gwen standing on the Terrace outside of our studio apartment

Our Friend, Ivan, at the ice cream shop!

So far, our favorite swimming spot

Born to be WILD!

Middle Thoughts . . .

So a couple of days ago I hit the mid-point of the 101 days of the Sabbatical Journey. . . Hard to believe in some ways and yet somehow very appropriate.


Typical days contain the same basic elements:

• I journal daily
• I average 6-8 hours of sleep (2-3 more than my usual pattern)
• I walk 2-4 miles
• I read books (1-2 per week)
• I pray - mostly for family, the team, the church (Day 1 and especially Youth camp and VBS over the past couple of weeks) and individuals as God brings them to mind (those who have suffered losses - Helen, Kass, Dale's family)
• I eat yogurt with peaches every a.m.
• I cook a meal usually every day (we usually catch one out every other day)
• We eat ice cream at the same place every night with Ivan who welcomes us with laughter (I usually get a dip of blueberry, strawberry, and lemon)!
• I listen to worship songs that you all are singing back home . . . this has been more filling to my soul than I could have imagined (thanks Pastor Jon for My Savior Loves, My Savior lives, My Savior's always there for me. My God He was, My God He is, My God is always going to be).
• Gwen & I share deeply . . . about what we are reading, about family and friends, about deeper works we both sense God is doing in our hearts. We celebrate intimacy. We talk through growth points in our marriage. We laugh and usually watch portions of a movie (Lord of the Rings, Sleepless in Seattle, Count of Monte Christo).
• We pray and take communion together.
• I reflect on Psalm 23 and seek Him . . .

Island Life

On Saturday, the 7th of July we headed out to the island of Hvar to the city of Stari Grad. The island is just off the mainland of Croatia and is rated in the top 10 islands in the world.

Bethany Karish lined up a vacation apartment with her friend Natalaje. It is up on a hill overlooking the community.

Here are some pictures . . .

The City of Split and our Ferry

In a back courtyard in Stari Grad - Beautiful!

Overlooking the Town of Stari Grad from a cross on the hillside

The city and harbor of Hvar from an old fort - I loved this place!

The two of us are having some great times - I rented a scooter yesterday and we drove around more parts of the island including a tunnel nearly a mile long without any lights! Amazing views and wonderful times in the sun.

We have had some great couple discussions and I am taking time to reflect and journal about areas of life change needed. God has been meeting with us in all of this.

Thanks again for your partnership in prayer! We have one more week then a few days in Split, Croatia before heading back to see Evee!

Great People, Great Partnerships

Just a quick note to say again how thrilled we are to meet up with friends in these countries and sense the heart, commitment and impact they are making - from Slovakia to Bosnia to Croatia.

One of the cool "side benefits" has been the connection with individuals who have been impacted by our partnerships . . . to hear their stories and to sense how much they are being used to impact others . . . Reproduction taking place.

Makes our hearts fuller as we experience this time with our friends and partners!

Our Time In Bosnia

It's been an incredible time here in Bosnia! The best part is always about the friendships.

• It has been so good to see our "other daughter" Regina (see picture above). Regina was in our daughter's Jamie and Joni's weddings and was an intern at Spring Lake and lived with us. She really is amazing and has been a wonderful host to our time here.
• We have loved expanding our friendship and partnership with Frank & Sue. They are coming to Spring Lake for the next several months (pray for housing). We so enjoyed connecting and can't wait to deepen that in the months ahead.
• Trent & Nikki are new connects for us as they serve World Hope here in Bosnia. We have had some wonderful times laughing and sharing and gaining greater insights into the excellent work they are doing here. It's been so great!
• We met other new friends - Adam & Kristen & Matt & Anna and 5 very special children we have connected with deeply.
• We heard of the difference that Daine & Becky Shannahan made while they were here (we just missed them by a couple of days) working on a transforming a school classroom - bringing hope to this community. Thanks Daine & Becky for being such an encouragement to the team here!

Saturday we leave the time with friends to share more significantly as a couple during our stay on Hvar - an island off Croatia. The prayer requests below will be significant for us in the next 2 weeks.

We love and miss all of you who read this and are so grateful for your prayers.

This Week's Prayer Requests . . .

Our time in Croatia . . .

1. Growth as a couple
2. Direction for Gwen as she dreams, listens, and looks ahead for God's assignments as she has now completed the season of completing her degree
3. Times of study, meditation, prayer, and listening

This Week's Prayer Requests . . .

Our time in Bosnia . . .
1. Connection with Trent & Nikki Nettleton, Frank & Sue Majors, Regina Freeman and the team in Bosnia - this is a very busy time for them and we want to be sensitive to their needs
2. Couple connection time
3. Enhancement of our mission partnerships and research into potential team trips to this region

Europe with the Kilbry's

Well, after a few days with the Evee and her parents and auntie Julie in Indianapolis, we re-packed the bags for Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, home to Steve, Jo, Ben, Sam, and Emma Kilbry. We had a blast with them in in this central Slovakia city where they work with Youth With a Mission developing and encouraging ministries in prayer, family life, outreach, equipping, discipling and a host of other ways to build the Kingdom of God in Slovakia and beyond.

City Center - Banska Bystrica

Rainbow over the city

Cottage in the mountains in the small mining village of Spania Dolinka (15 minutes outside of Banska Bystrica where Steve & Jo lined us up to stay!)

Looking down the pathway from the waterfall outside of our cottage (on right of picture) into the village

The Roman Catholic Church in Spania Dolinka

Slovakia, a former Eastern Eurpose communistic country, is a largely Roman Catholic - with approximately 80% adherents but much fewer members with a living engaging faith. Steve & Jo have the privilege of working with large groups of inter-confessional Christians - baptists to pentecostals to Catholics to Brethren to Lutheran and everything in between - making a difference to see many Slovaks become followers of Christ.

We had a blast hanging out with the family talking, sharing, visiting castles, eating amazing ice cream (even Gwen was addicted to their ice cream - and she hardly eats the stuff normally)! It was great to enhance our friendship and our partnership with this family and their minstry.

Off to Bosnia

We are now on our way Monday to Bosnia to join our team there. We are overnighting in Budapest, Hungary which has to be one of the loveliest river fronts in the world - highly romantic - so this blog will have to be complete!

This Week's Prayer Requests . . .

As we begin Block Two of the Sabbatical Journey, here are some requests . . .
1. Quick adjustments to time changes, etc.
2. Deep connection and encouragement with our missionaries to Slovakia - Steve & Jo Kilbry and family
3. A sense of rhythm to this time as individuals and as a couple
4. Continued understanding of Psalm 23 . . .
5. Travel to Bosnia on July 1

BLOCK ONE SUMMARY

Well, I have now completed block one of the Sabbatical Journey - designed to be a time of decompression – finding a different rhythm than my typical pace. To accomplish this I traveled West to hang out – alone for the first 15 days and then to be joined by my partner in life – Gwen. Here are some stats and thoughts on Block One:
I Visited:

• 7 states
• 7 National Parks
• 3 National Monuments
• 2 State Parks and 2 Canyons
• I drove just over 5,000 miles
• I hiked over 80 miles

I Managed to

• Unwind (all days but 2 . . .)
• Rest - (most nights 6-8 hours as compared to 4-6 normal)
• Keep things pretty simple – going with the flow
• Spend 15 days alone (though I caught myself talking to myself from day 11 until Gwen arrived)
• Find myself amazed over and over again by God, His creation, a larger perspective – I found myself thinking – to myself at first and later out loud – Wow, God! This is amazing!
• Share in communion everyday – these were meaningful times alone and later with Gwen

The Time with Gwen

• Was a great reunion
• A great celebration of our marriage love and partnership
• Was filled with incredible “shared experiences” in God’s creation
• Had a good rhythm – we have learned the hard way to balance activity and rest; time together and time alone (a wonderful fireplace in a Glacier Park Lodge assisted this greatly)
  

I Took Time to Read

The Testament by John Grisham – one of his legal novels but with a strong eternity matters message
Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels – our staff is studying this in preparation for the year ahead – it is a great study in listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to share with those not yet connected to Christ
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen – (Thanks Jerry for the book!). A phenomenal study of the three characters of the story of Luke 15. Nouwen writes about our hearts. I came away with a greater desire to be like the Father in the story and to deepen disciplines of trust and gratitude
A Resilient Life by Gordon MacDonald – it’s all about the need to finish strong. The biggest impacts for me related to:

• Caring for the past – On his encouragement, I wrote down Key People, Major Ideas, and Critical Events which impacted me in 5-year increments of my life. This was both encouraging and deeply painful – in a good sort of way. More processing from this ahead
• The need for a “Happy Few” in our lives – he identifies these individuals as the dozen or so who will deeply grieve at our funeral. Lots more there to process as well
• The need for focus and disciplines of life – I especially connected with the need for four growing disciplines in my life – Grace, Gratitude, Generosity, and Humility (doing really well on the last one!). Way too obviously there is room for growth in each of these areas

BEST OF ALL – One Amazing Passage
I spent time each day reading, memorizing, and meditating on Psalm 23:1-3.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I will not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Names sake.

It’s too soon and significant to share a lot from this passage yet – my heart is almost too tender with these words from my Shepherd.

Final Pictures

We are within 24 hours of boarding the plane in Salt Lake City and bringing closure to the first of four time blocks of the Sabbatical Journey. Gwen & I did a simple debrief which I will share later.
Here are some final pictures from our time in Glacier . . .

The bull moose that crossed our creek right after our lunch on the rocks . . . only 25 feet away!

Lake McDonald - near our lodge - breathtaking every morning

At the culmination of our hike - Iceberg Lake - still frozen and beautiful in it's mystique.

Gwen at the same spot - she has the same mystique!

We spotted a family of 10 mountain goats way up on the rocky cliffs.

On the final day in the park an additional 13 miles of the Going to the Sun Road opened enabling us to get way up into the glacier areas.

We shared great times of learning and growing and loving in the midst of our 10 days together. Soon to be back to the Midwest and that all important stop in Indianapolis to see Evee (and Julie and Jamie & Clint)!