The Hills Roll On

As we prepared to leave Spain we read the required re-entry book our college had given us before we left North America.  The book (aptly titled, “Re-entry”) gives an illustration of the process of re-entering your home culture that I have found particularly helpful in these past three weeks.  The illustration was that of a rocket ship coming out of orbit, entering the atmosphere, picking up speed, experiencing all kind of friction and heat, losing speed, then finally making it’s landing.  As I sit here on the Friday morning of our first week in the official college run Re-entry program, I can definitely say that I’m feeling the re-entry far more than I have in the three weeks that we’ve been travelling.  Ottawa was like a nice vacation; sure, we had lots of visiting to do, and it was a scheduling challenge to balance all the people to see and things to do, but all in all it really was quite relaxing.  In fact, we both remarked several times how full of peace we were in Ottawa (in stark contrast to every hurried vacation in the past 4 years).  It’s a testimony to what God has done in the past year, rooting out the stubborn old self that rules in its lonely anarchy.  But that’s another story for another day.

Now we are in Minneapolis, living in a lovely 3 bedroom apartment with our friends Daniel & Irene Kort and their beautiful 3 month old girl, Jocelin.  In 6 days I’ve seen Jocelin awake for maybe 20 minutes; that girl can SLEEP!  Speaking of sleep,  little Eden is still getting sorted out; last night was the first without a middle of the night waking.  Her babysitting with our wonderful sitter Beka (14) started first thing Monday morning (at our place!  Woohoo!) and all is going wonderfully.  By 10 am Monday morning Eden was giving Beka eskimo kisses and laughing her little heart out.  Very reassuring for this momma.  The one thing I was a bit apprehensive about what the shift from being with mommy or daddy all day to suddenly being away from us most of the day.  But God’s peace is guarding our hearts and minds in ways we don’t even know; Eden is her charming self making new friends,  learning to walk on her own and surprising us with new words every other day (the latest is “uh-oh!”…we didn’t TRY to teach her that one!)

The re-entry time in Mpls has been full of goodness (reconnecting with our classmates, enjoying our new apartment, smelling the lilacs in full bloom, pushing Eden in the swing at the park) yet it has also had some “bumpy landing” aspects.  I felt it the worst by Tuesday afternoon after what felt like non-stop go-go since Monday 8am.  Eden was waking at 6 am, I had lunch meetings for 4/5 days that week, my PT (4 hours of daily work position) was a great new challenge demanding all my organizational and management skills (co-ordinating the new phone centre for recruiting and admissions); Plus, financially we’re just getting by.  Thank God our immediate needs have been provided for.  We still have needs, but God knows all about them and we’re trusting Him to take care of us.  But it can be emotionally wearying when you’re already tired and zapped.  I was getting frazzled so I knew I just needed to get alone.  But alone doesn’t happen often as a parent, much less a wife, so you have to be creative and protect your boundaries.  So Tuesday afternoon I chose to set “stuff” aside and go for a walk with Eden.  We went to the park and she played with rocks while I lay there in the shade pouring my heart out to God.  I’ve had deep peace since then so I know something was settled.  He’s so good to me…

Next week we’ll share a 4 day retreat in Northern Minnesota with our class and some staff members; we’re tremendously looking forward to that.  A chance to process some more, have fun, and build relationships with our friends.  Already we’ve become quite the popular hangout for our single and dating friends; we’re the only couple in our class, and we’re Canadian, and we’re us:)  And I bake nummy treats:)

Thank you for keeping us in your loving thoughts and prayers; this transition time is significant, full of blessings and some stress.  We’re so glad we’re not going through it alone.  We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to write us on this site, pop us an email or even give us a call!  Our address info is updated on the “contact us” part of the site.

His and yours,

Gavin, Tara & Eden

I’ve gone a while without writing on the web and I must admit that I have been lazy as well as having difficulty with writings disappearing before my eyes before they were posted. Regardless it is a gift to have the chance to share with so many people about what is going on in our lives.

It has been very interesting coming back to North America. I didn’t realize the differences I would see so many differences. One being the use of land . Here in Ottawa everything is so spread out and there is a lot of sky to see. I forgot how much land we use in N.A. It is quite phenominal. Acres and acres of corn fields, buildings that are not cramped together and very few highrise appartments.

Aside from all the differences in culture it is nice to be back. Many things have changed seen we have been gone including a change in the government (I don’t even know who the Prime minister is anymore.) It is nice to be back though. I’m looking forward togetting back to school and finishing the program. Not much farther to go now!

In terms of reflections I’m still processing. When you move around as much as us some times it takes awhile to get your bearings.

Maybe I’ll have more to say later. For now I’m just enjoying life as it comes.

3 countries in 4 days; that captures one aspect of this last week.  It’s not everyday you can say that you’ve done that:)  As of right now we are in Ottawa, enjoying re-connecting with our family, friends and on Sunday with our home church.  Our hearts are full of reflection, wonder and peace as we think back on this week.

Our bittersweet last days in Spain as we savored everything knowing it could be the last time (hopefully not!) The Towner kids made sure to tell us several times that we simply have to come back because now we have friends there!  We know we will always be welcome by them and the many special Christian brother and sisters we made in the deep green corner of Spain; Galicia.

The day finally came when we got on the plane and flew over the English Channel to London.  We stayed with a wonderful family that made us feel so very welcome.  We shared the weekend with many friends from all over this world! Sharing Saturday with the Clancy’s was a once-in-a-life-time experience: I mean honestly, how often are great friends in London at the same time for totally different reasons?  We just HAD to hook up!  Aria was enamored with Eden and Eden wanted everyone to walk her (she’s still clinging to that one psychologically helpful finger).

Sunday we shared the 5th birthfay of the  ‘original Eden’ (our Eden’s inspiration for her namesake).  Pink, pink, pink!  There was so much PINK!  It was such a girls birthday party ;P

Then before you knew it we were in Ottawa!  Eden managed the flight just fine and already we are easing into the new time zone.  It’s so cool to see her interacting so congenially with her grandparents, uncles and aunties. Click here to check out all the pics! She’s a sparkling jewel that brings joy and laughter everywhere she goes.  Her full body smile emits pure delight and no one, in every country we’ve been in, can resist smiling back.

These next 10 days or so will be full as we spend time with family and friends.  We’ll be travelling a bit, so your prayers are much appreciated as we live, learn, and love in Ottawa!

As well, your prayers for God’s abundant provision of peace and finances are especially appreciated as we walk by faith into this last portion of our schooling.  There are some special costs this summer that we are trusting God to amply provide for.  The waiting is the vulnerable time; so His ‘peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus’ is vital.

Muchas MUCHAS gracias!

His and yours,

The Hills