In just 3 1/2 weeks we will be back in Canada! So I was thinking about what my/our expectations might be for home assignment this year.
Last time we were “home” we were so busy. We had a great time but returned to the Philippines feeling like we didn’t do everything we wanted to. This time I am going to make a list, and maybe it will change. Things might get added or taken away but I want to have a goal for our time. (These are not in order of priority!)
1. Reconnect with our family. Spending more time together. Getting to know our nieces and nephews again. Spending time with brothers and sisters, grandparents and our parents.
2. Reconnect with our home church, Faith Evangelical Missionary Church in Wasaga Beach. Get involved! Get to know new people and renew old friendships.
3. Go to Tim Horton’s often! Boy, do we miss Tim Horton’s bagels, donuts and coffee (well Chuck misses the coffee!)
4. Spend time in our supporting churches. We want to get to know people more than we do. If possible help out or attend more than just a Sunday morning service.
5. Go to Grand Manan. Going to Grand Manan as a kid was the best thing I did. We took the kids in 2008 and they loved it. It is the one big thing they want to do while in Canada.
6. Share what the Lord has been doing here in the Philippines, specifically with the Ga’dang people, with anyone who wants to hear.
7. Connect with new churches and individuals, sharing the work the Lord is doing amongst the Ga’dang people.
8. See an increase in our current support. We are currently receiving 53% of the mission recommended support level.
9. Find someone that would like to come back with us to homeschool our kids for us, so I can be more involved in language study.
10. Have BBQ’s…with family and friends.
11. Get Eli adjusted to a “real” school, high school.
12. Raise funds for solar equipment and a new generator for our house in the village.
13. Enjoy shopping without everyone staring at us…oh wait, we have 6 kids, we still might get stared at!
14. Go to Praise in the Park during the summer.
15. Drink real milk, not UHT or powdered!
16. Start a medical fund to help with medical expenses for the Ga’dang people. ie: medical flights out of the village, hospitalization, surgery, etc.
17. Smile lots.
18. Drive! Chuck drives when we aren’t in the village but I, Shannon, haven’t driven in 2 1/2 yrs! Look out everyone on the road.
19. Spend a few days away with my husband, without the kids. Kind of a late anniversary getaway and celebration for the next 3!
20. Go to a library, often. We miss being able to read so many books.
21. Laugh more.
22. Eat goooood apples! And raspberries and strawberries and blueberries!
23. Play in the snow! Maybe only once or twice though.
24. Go to Canada’s Wonderland.
25. Go on hikes for pleasure not necessity.
26. Not buy all the food we need for 3 weeks at a time, but if we need something go buy it.
27. Send the kids for sleepovers with their grandparents.
28. Sing with more than just our family, with a congregation.
29. Love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind.
30. Become more Christ like.
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