Before we ever left for the UK, I knew that I wanted to bring back books. I am just a build-a-library, rescue the out-of-print books kind of person. I have been a reader since childhood, I majored in English literature at university and I’m currently working on a PhD, and now I homeschool my children,… Continue Reading
In the year before we left, I read two books that really influenced how we took our sabbatical with four kids, and I am eternally grateful. The first book I read was David McCullough’s Mornings on Horseback (a thick biography of Theodore Roosevelt). I know that a biography of a president seems like an odd… Continue Reading
We did lots of historical things and many typical touristy things during our months in the UK, but some of our very favorite adventures were the nature walks we took as a family. Anytime I looked for a nature walk, I wanted it to be doable with a toddler and a baby. I had to… Continue Reading
I went MIA. I fully admit it. Blogging through our months in the UK was my original plan, but stretches without internet and the pace we kept during our stay made that plan prohibitive. Plus, I kept a journal every single day all those months, which basically used up any writing energy I had… Continue Reading
Today marks three weeks in the UK! We spent the first five days in London, and we loved it. The weather was perfect, the crowds were nonexistent, and we made lots of friends. Here’s what we did and what we learned about traversing London with four children (including a baby and a two year old).… Continue Reading
We’re getting ready to leave tomorrow! We’re zipping up suitcases, cleaning house, and finalizing transportation and accommodations. And to add to the mix, I’m planning how we’ll homeschool in another country. About a year ago I started asking for advice from other homeschoolers who’d lived abroad short term. There were a surprising number who had,… Continue Reading
You can click on the map below and use the arrows to read about each stop of our trip and/or scroll through the list below describing our entire itinerary. A majority of these stops are on our Big Road Trip to and from the first church where Scott will minister in the Outer Hebrides Isle… Continue Reading
“Orchestrated” is the word that comes to mind for this sabbatical. We’ve tentatively planned for this trip for six years, but all my “budget” plans fell apart and the Lord brought together a trip that wouldn’t have been possible six years ago. He answered prayers that I didn’t even have the nerve to pray for–desires… Continue Reading
Since coming as the Associate Pastor of Bethany Bible Church of Hendersonville, North Carolina, in 2010, I have seen first hand a unique ministry created by the vision of the senior pastor here, Greg Stiekes, and his wife Rena. Truly, the word “unique” is not used in vain in describing this week-long ministry to children… Continue Reading