Semester Wind Up

I'm going through a bit of an interesting place thinking-wise as this semester winds up. It is the first time in 7 years that I won't be teaching come January due to my upcoming sabbatical. First off, I find it really difficult to let go. I know that my students will do fine without me, as there are many other capable professors available to mentor & encourage them but I really do care about my students. I experienced some pride a couple weekends ago as I hosted a youth event on campus and saw youth leaders that I trained over the past 7 years look after their youth groups. Interestingly, almost every year was represented and it definitely encouraged me that I have an amazing job!

We're heading off in mid-January for our grand adventure, our family sabbatical and we are anticipating many new memories & opportunities to be an encouragement to others on our journey. This past year has been an amazing one, I'm absolutely loving who my kids are becoming, where Wendy & I are at as a couple, and really looking forward to spending more time with them all in a brand new context. We're not quite ready to leave but can see that it is just around the corner!

Carpe Diem! Seize the day and live life to the fullest! My quest to bring life to others continues and I look forward to what I will learn in the process!

Preparing For What's Next

Okay - so this blog has been set aside for a long time. Apparently, this happens in the life & death of blogs but I'm not giving up yet. I can see life emerging after a long cold winter - it might be slow but tiny sprigs of green will emerge. We've had a long season of winter this year in Manitoba - not sure why but our spring really was slow this year! So in the spirit of re-awakening - my goal is to record my thoughts a little more regularly.

You see - I'm preparing for what's next! I'm in the midst of exploring life in the context of a future sabbatical come January 2010. We will be traveling as a family overseas to a location yet to be disclosed but it will be warmer than Canada! I hope to capture that experience on an online journal of sorts - along with pictures taken along the way.

Okay but right now you are thinking but hold on - what are you going to do in the meantime? Well other than planning & dreaming - I'm not really sure. I suppose this will be a good place to figure it all out! I'm looking forward to exploring play wherever I am. Tomorrow I'm off on a short backpacking trip with a colleague of mine along with two student friends of his. We are tackling a section of the Mantario trail which I haven't been on for awhile. Looking forward to it! Hopefully the rain is done before we step on to the trail!