Guest Blog by LK – The Long Winter is Over

Because of EK being both sick and busy doing coursework along with her teaching, I thought I would take a turn on EK’s blog (she doesn’t know I’m doing this) to let everyone know that we are ok and also respond to some questions to EK about how I am doing. Our internet struggles seem to have come to an end as we now have service separate from the school, so you should hear (and see pics) from us more often. We are now trying to figure out next year’s plans, so please pray for us – for wisdom, guidance, strength and courage as we face the next few weeks in determining our family’s future.. EK may post more on this later week as some things are happening, but we aren’t sure what they mean yet.

So,…most of the snow is gone, the lakes are opening up, wildlife is evident everywhere and the days are much, much longer. Spring is finally here! People have asked EK how I am doing, and though the winter was long, I have survived and today I feel content for the first time in a long while. It was a struggle to be a stay at home parent to a one year old, feeling disconnected from the school community where everyone else here is a teacher (and who see you as the old, married guy), feeling disconnected from church community, feeling disconnected from the larger community to which we can never belong, and feeling disconnected from the people, places and jobs that were a part of your own identity.

Any yet, in spite of all that…it has been a grand adventure. Paul Brandt, the best Canadian country and western singer (IMHO), sings a song called “Risk”. This song sums up what I have been reflecting on this past weekend, and I am glad that we didn’t play it safe, but someday will look back and say we lived our life with a “sense of abandon”.

EK encouraged me to start writing things down that I am grateful for to help stave off winter’s depression, so here is just a partial list of some of the people and things meaningful to me at this time in my life: I’m grateful for:

1. My Wife...
...who is beautiful, courageous, passionate and generous. Who loves teaching kids to read and write, to help them look at the world around us with fresh eyes, to tell new stories and how they fit into them. Who loves her kids and spouse with abandon and who puts up with my cooking, clean house fanaticism and photography talk. Whose faith is strong and sure, who hates injustice and who wants to make things right in this world. I could go on and on, but will do so on our anniversary on our date…(LOL)

2. My Kids
I am amazed at the growth of the kids. EK remarked to me this past weekend as we watch FK going up and down the driveway: “How did we go from being newlyweds to having a five year old on a bicycle?”. FK is five going on fifteen and has the mental acuity of both of us put together. I feel like the Dads in Calvin & Hobbes and Zits rolled into one, making up answers to questions and being generally clueless. Her love for God comes out all the time with spontaneous singing and frequent generosity towards others. JK, though not speaking many words yet, communicates his ideas quite effectively, loves to hunt for ants and other insects, climbs, jumps, swings and hikes for hours outside. I honestly can’t keep up. I love my kids…

3. My Friends:
Guitar Girl - For Sunday night singing, talks about spiritual struggles, life direction and food, a trip to the Kenora Hospital, babysitting the kids so EK and I can go on dates, Settlers and Scrabble games, killer Nanaimo bars and for passing on pics to her Mom for worship services.

For D & E and family who send care packages and seasons of Dexter, their phone calls of encouragement and support, and general positive attitude towards life.

For JR who touches base on photography stuff and posts encouraging comments on my Flickr pics.

4. The Kenora Library & The Hub/Early Years Centre:
The library is my “home” in town, where the librarians know my name, hang out with my kids and let me take out more movies than the allotted amount.

5. Weekly phone calls...
... from my Dad and my mother-in-law (who has done the same kind of thing I am doing now), of which and whom I could not do without. Thanks for the weekly talks and encouragement.

6. John Ortberg (who?):
This year I struggled a lot with God. Why are we here? What is my role? Why all the injustice? Why does He seem so silent? I picked up a book a few weeks ago called Faith & Doubt by Ortberg (who has authored several other books about walking with God in one way or another). I found out I was not alone in my faith journey and that Christians mature in the faith have doubts and questions. I don’t have all the answers yet, but I know God continues to be faithful in spite of my weakness and doubt.

We have eight weeks before a long needed summer break. Visiting family and friends has been forefront in our minds for the past few weeks and we can’t wait to connect and process some of the things we have experienced and learned this past year. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement.
LK

Colossians 3:17