What A Gift

The two previous summers have been life-altering. The summer of 2009 had me strapped to my bed while chemo pumped into my veins. Vacations were brief and deeply interrupted that year. The world spun without us for those months. Then, last summer a bomb dropped on us on July 14 as my dad passed away. The summer rug was pulled out from under us and we went tumbling into the school year. Well, that all changed in 2011. We finally had a summer free from deep pain and dark sorrow.

It's now just a few short days before Emily and I return to work, before Julia starts her freshman year at Chico High, and Jake and Eliza Kate start another year at Chico Country Day. Since my last post, we've been to family camp at Mt.Hermon, spent a week at Lake Almanor with my family, and just last night I returned from a week-long fishing trip on the Madison River in Montana. I haven't had the time to sit down and write! However, I've had the time to be with my family, great friends, and lots and lots of fish.

The week in Montana away from my family made me realize just how fortunate I have been these 3 months to spent as much time with them as I have. It's a rare thing to get to be with one's family 24/7 for 8 weeks straight. As I reflect back on sabbatical, this is the biggest gift I've been given: time with my family. The memories we have shared and built, the places we've seen, the tears we've cried, the meals we've eaten, the fights we've fought, the games we've played, the countries we've been lost in, and the prayers we have prayed will last a lifetime. What a gift I have been given--what a gift our family has been given.

I'll write more once I upload pictures from the past few weeks, tell some stories (all of which will be absolutely true--especially the ones about the fish I caught!), and complete this blog. Until then, I have only two things to say:

1. Thank you to our amazing church family for the opportunity of a lifetime. This time away has renewed our family, my soul, and sense of call to keep on loving and serving here in Chico.

2. I'm going fishing one last time with my good friend Bill Battaglia and he's going to be here in 20 minutes, so I need to get going!

Love ya,
Jim

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.

London Calling

We had 4 great days in London. We only got lost about a dozen times, and just when we got the hang of the tube (the underground subway), it was time to leave! But that's ok...we saw all the great sights, walked through Hyde Park, took bus-top tours, and yes...we went on a walking tour of the famous Harry Potter film sites. What a time!

This is certainly the "vacation" portion of sabbatical: more traveling, adventuring, and touristing than praying and sabbathing, but it is tremendous family time...too much at times! We're sleeping, traveling, and eating in very tight quarters. But I've always believed that out of quantity of time come quality of time. We've had some beautiful moments laughing, eating yummy food, and creating new, lasting memories. I'm cherishing the time with our family. Each of us is so unique, have different tipping points, and our own sense of humor.

A few fun highlights were walking along the Thames, taking the London Eye on a beautiful night, walking through the National Gallery with Monet, Rembrandt and other amazing pieces of art, and riding bikes home at 12:30 am after seeing Pirates in 3-D. Such fun! Such memories!

We are now in Paris. After a few mishaps with Expedia's reservation abilities (how do you spell WE-LOST-CANCELLED-YOUR-RESERVATION-AND-DIDN'T-TELL-YOU-BUT-SENT-A-CONFIRMATION-EMAIL-ANYWAY-BUT-THE-NICE-LADY-AT-THE-HOTEL-FOUND-ANOTHER-HOTEL-WITH-A-ROOM-IN-PARIS?) Ah, Paris! Ah, adventure! Ah, sabbatical! What memories you will hold!

We're off in a motorhome tomorrow (with GPS) to see le Tour begin on Saturday. We're looking forward to it! Such fun!

Amazing Beauty

To be fair, I really did walk by the bus station 3 times in Edinburgh. If it was any closer, it would have reached out and bit me. We made the best of missing our bus by going to the castle in Edinburgh and having a great (albeit, overpriced) meal on the Royal Mile. Thanks Louisville Institute!

Once in the Highland village of Killin, we landed softly and warmly at the Old Smiddy, a Bed and Breakfast run by a wonderful man, Michael and his family. We got connected with him through another pastor in Chico who has spent time in the area on his sabbatical. What a gift to our family! We spent our days hiking, canoeing, eating great food compliments of Michael (I mean AMAZING food!), and even a little fishing for me! Yes!

The high point by far was when the sun finally came out one evening and we found ourselves reclining on the deck looking out at the deep green highland hills, playing Farkle (our favorite dice game), and being treated to a fabulous BBQ dinner by Michael and his staff. Great wine, great steaks, beautiful company, the best chips (fries) ever, followed by a sticky-toffee pudding to die for. We laughed, we prayed, we recounted the sabbatical thus far, and took lots and lots of pictures to remember the moment. Thank you, God! It was one of those moments when I felt that we were fully leaning into our sabbatical: full of meaning, rest, and joy.

My day of fishing met every expectation and hope I had. Again, my friend connected me with some local fly fishermen who took me up to a remote hill loch to fish for wild brown trout. A pristine loch of about a quarter mile round, the trout were jumping all over. They weren't big, but they were full of color and fight. We kept the fish and transplanted them into another loch up the hill. As Davey, an older, experienced guide said, "You know, Jim, you've gone down in a bit of posterity. Each time we fish the upper loch, we'll think of you." It was a joy.

We are off to London tomorrow, staying at my brother-in-law's flat and taking in the life of the city. We were given several insider tips from people we've met. Get this: if you go to Westminster Abby at 8:00 in the morning for morning services, you get in free! Bonus! We get to see where the royal wedding was and get our kids to church!

At the end of our time in England, we'll take the chunnel into France to catch the first 3 stages of le Tour. Can't wait!

Our sabbatical has been beautiful thus far! God has been faithful, allowing us time and places to rest and create new, life-long memories.

The Highlands from Julia's perspective

We spent some time in the Highlands of Scotland this week. The week started out stressful because we missed our bus. My dad passed the bus station three times with out noticing the big sign that said Bus Station. His excuse is that the sign was vertical rather than horizontal (and he says I'm a dork). It all worked out well because we got a bus for later that day. The week was full of hiking, canoeing, playing games, and eating amazing food. Michel, the owner of the bed and breakfast we stayed at, was so nice. He said I should come back in a few years and work at the bed and breakfast over the summer. I think it would be so much fun. We're off to London in two days. Barely enough time to wash all our dirty clothes and pack them again. Through this all I've still managed to read at least five books. I only have two left. I don't know if I will survive.

Julia

A Thin Place: Iona

Just yesterday, Emily and I arrived back in Edinburgh after spending a week on the tiny Isle of Iona in the Scottish Hebrides Islands. Iona is the seat of Christianity in the British Isles and the home of Celtic Spirituality.

While on Iona, we took place in a retreat called The Gathering Place, one of the several weeks offered by the Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian community throughout the world committed to Jesus Christ, with a special bent toward issues of peace and justice. Emily and I lived in community in the ancient Abbey along with about 40 other people from throughout Europe and North America (mostly Europe, though). We started and finished each day in worship in the Abbey Church, took part in other various discussions, and lived the rhythm of work and worship. We each had chores every day. Emily cleaned the common room for the community and I cleaned floors. We each helped set up, serve, and clean up after our daily dinner meals.

We were both a bit skeptical about living in such close proximity to so many strangers, and even more so about having to do "chores". But something told me that by the end of the week were were going to be very sad to say good-bye to Iona, and even more so to our new friends. I was so very right.

Each person we ate with, talked with, worked with, and worshiped with we learned were on their own pilgrimage, had their own story of what brought them to Iona. Many were grieving the loss of loved ones: mothers, husbands, and wives (fathers, too). Others were recovering from some illness or other kind of life change. Many were preparing for life changes. Several were ministers from various denominations throughout Europe and North America. Some were on sabbatical like me. All were eager to talk about faith, politics, world issues, and, as we discovered, their souls.

It was beautiful. Beautiful people. Beautiful setting. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful.

Emily and I spent the first few days sleeping far more than we anticipated. How tired we were from the past few months (and years, for that matter). After catching up on sleep, we took in the beauty of Iona, the times of creative worship, and enjoyed getting to know others.

One of the highlights for me was going to Staffa, a little island about an hour away by boat where we saw puffins and Fengel's Cave, a giant cave in the side of the Island. Staffa is a geological phenomenon, created hundreds of thousands of years ago by volcanic eruptions. I also enjoyed early morning walks on the Island, enjoying the solitude of this holy place where St. Colomba once prayed and led his band of monks as missionaries throughout the British Isles. I also enjoyed playing golf on the Macker, a wide-open area of the western side of the Island. Other than accidentally choosing left-handed clubs and having to play the entire round with a 3-iron and a putter, I enjoyed the breath-taking views of the ocean (think Pebble Beach with sheep and cow-patties everywhere!) and the conversation with Brian, a retired Methodist minister whom I think is the genuinely nicest person in the world (he and his wife took us to the pub later in the evening for a pint!)

Emily enjoyed the goodness of Iona: the rest, the food (all organic and super healthy!), the conversation, and of course, God. It was such a joy to watch her get to know some of the more elderly people in our community throughout the week. At one point I couldn't find her after a meal only to discover that she was lounging at one of the dining tables laughing and talking with several older women from England. She also endeared herself to an older gentleman who gave her the nick-name "cheeky monkey". I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I assume it's a term of endearment. Mostly, though, it was great to see Emily rest and engage in conversation and relationships in ways that makes her so attractive and beautiful!

I'm sure that Iona will bear gifts for each of us over time. I'm grateful that we spent time there early in our time away so that we can live out of the experiences there over the next several weeks. It has set the tone for our time here in Scotland, England, and France. Thank God for rest, reflection, relationships, and restoration!