Home Again

After a full day of travel, we are finally back in Chico. It's really good to be home in our familiar surroundings, though Europe was amazing. We were graciously put up for the night by some friends in the Bay Area, since we flew into San Francisco, but of course we woke up at 5:30 am because our bodies think they are still in the U.K. We drove home early today, are settling in, and starting to unpack the last month.

As we drove up I-5, each of us took turns sharing the best parts of the trip. It was unanimous that our time in Killin in the Scottish Highlands was the favorite, especially the dinner our host, Michael, prepared for us on his roof. Sure, we each had other highlights like the Eiffel Tower, the Tour de France, and London, but we all agreed that our time in the Highlands was the most restful, meaningful, and enjoyable for our family.

One can't help but evaluate a time like this and wonder what, if anything, you would do differently. We would have spent more time in the highlands for sure. But what's great, is that our sabbatical isn't over! We still have a few more weeks to re-create the highlands, or at least those things that made our time there meaningful: no TV/technology, being outside, going on adventures, and of course, good food. I think we can manage those things in the Santa Cruz mountains and at Lake Almanor!

For now, though, our hearts and minds have turned toward today, July 14 for a few reasons. The most obvious to us is that it was a year ago today that my dad, Steve, passed-away. We will go visit his grave as a family, and gather with friends this evening to remember and honor him. It's hard to believe that it has been a full year. In some ways, it's gone by terribly slow. 365 days is a lot of time to feel the roller-coaster of emotions that accompanies the death of a loved one. Yet in other ways, it's gone by rather quickly: full and rich lives have the uncanny ability to escort us through difficult times. Though death is the reality that forced its way upon us a year ago, the life that God has given us in family, friends, and meaningful work has brought us through the valley. Surely, though, it was God!

Today also marks another major event in the Coons family: Harry Potter VII, pt.2 comes out in theaters at midnight tonight. Yes, we planned our trip around a U2 concert and Harry Potter. Can't say we don't have our priorities straight!

Until the next update, PEACE!

Le Tour, Paris, and other travels...

Funny story #54: for some God-forsaken reason I thought our flight left Paris today, so we returned our motorhome and prepared to leave for the airport only to discover that our flight is tomorrow! Hmmm...should have looked at the date on the plane tickets a little closer. (I guess the good news is that I'm totally loosing track of what day it is...) So, as I told my kids (who travel like total champs!), "What do you do when life gives you lemons? Go to Paris Disney!" So that's what we're off to do. Not a bad consolation prize for missing your flight.

Not so funny story #32: we got lost so many times on the way to our hotel that we got here too late to catch Disney today...but there's always tomorrow! We're learning a lot about ourselves, about extending grace, about patience, and about how little we know French. But hey, on the bright side, these are going to make for quite some memories and stories to tell!

Prior to our flight-missing-getting-super-lost-day, we had a great time seeing the first 3 stages of Le Tour de France. It started in a region of France called the Vendee. It's west of Paris along the coast. Think of a really big Napa Valley. Beautiful rolling hills, green vineyards, cool evenings and warm days. We saw many windmills, chateaus, tiny roads that were much too small for our motorhome, and lots and lots of cycling fans from all over the world. It was such fun to join people in their exuberance for cycling and Le Tour. We put up a huge sign on our motorhome that said, "Chico loves Le Tour". We were hoping it would be shown on t.v. Anyone see it?

We headed back into Paris where we climbed the Eiffel Tower, saw Notre Dame, the Arc de Triumph, and all the other amazing sights. We ended our time in Paris with a beautiful Parisian dinner. We appreciate how the French take their time, aren't rushed to get through meals...or anything, really. It has given the five of us lots of time to reflect, talk, tell stories, hold each other, laugh, and well...bug each other. Ah, Paris! Ah, family!

We'll head back to Edinburgh late tomorrow evening where we'll end our time in Europe. Then it's back to Chico for a bit, and on to Family Camp at Mt. Hermon.

A few words summarize our time: beauty, family, laughter, good food, amazing sights, and gratitude.