Dear Fleetwood CRC,
Amy and I have been in Chicago for a week now after a pretty tiring (and emotional) week of ‘goodbyes’ for us in Vancouver and Surrey. It was hard to leave, and the emotions caught up to us on the plane as we were taking off from Vancouver. In a sort of gentle reminder that we are, in fact, called to where we are going, Amy and I had a good laugh on the plane when we saw the cover of the ‘Hemispheres’ magazine in the seatback in front of us, which read “Three Perfect Days in Edinburgh.” A fitting convergence, no?
Today we leave for Minnesota and some time with Amy’s family—time where we will be, for the most part, away from cell phones, computers, the internet, etc. So before we left, we wanted to write a quick note to say ‘Thank You’.
While we’re still not sure about the Vancouver Canucks gear (I let Norah wear the Canucks shirt once, and only once!), your kind words and affirmation of us in our last few weeks with you was truly overwhelming. And in the midst of expected and unexpected travel costs, your financial gift to us has been such a blessing. Moving across an ocean isn’t cheap (!), and your generosity is making it a bit more manageable. So thank you. Truly. We have been taken aback by your generosity time and time again.
All the best to you in the months ahead—as you look to fill new and old positions, and as you continue to minister to each other and your neighborhood in the midst of transition. As one of you reminded us recently, “God draws straight with crooked lines.” What grace!
We miss you, and we’ll keep in touch.
Blessings,
Benj, Amy and Norah
P.S. I [Benj] still am planning to post one more set of reflections on Synod 2014, but just not sure exactly when that's going to happen. This may require your patience ... and grace :).