WE'RE HERE

WE HAVE ARRIVED (Oct 11th 2007)

Written by Linda

Proof we are here! Panama City in the background.

Well, here we are in Panama City. It felt really great giving over the house keys to our renters, storing our car and getting on the airplane. Those of you that spoke to me before I left know I was so ready for this!

The night before we left, we stayed at the Delta hotel in Calgary because we needed to get checked in for our flight at 5 AM. Sleeping at the hotel was tough. Lots of bed switching and complaining about people snoring (let's be honest, there were three of us struggling to sleep while Paul caught up on his beauty sleep) . We tried to get to bed early, but all of us were awake at 10 pm watching our last instalement of “Dancing with the Stars.”

When we arrived in Panama, the kids were a little overwhelmed. At the airport, everyone was speaking Spanish to us and gesturing with their hands. It was busy, crowded, hot and humid. We eventually got our luggage and headed through immigration. It went smoothly. Syd got some attention for her red hair. People were pointing and smiling. Syd just stood there. Jody Schmuland was there to pick us up with snacks and water in the car. So prepared! It was pretty great having someone you know meet you at the airport.

When we got to Jody and Trent’s, Syd had a melt down. She hated the smell, it was too noisy and too many people. Josh looked at me and said “I told you we should not have come to Panama!”

Josh’s Journal the first night in Panama

(So far the smell is really stinky but the bagels are good.)

Syd’s journal form the first night in Panama
(My favorite things in Panama are how humid it is, all the plants are so beautiful. I really want to eat all of the fruit. They have bananas, mangos, avocadoes, and pomegranate. My least favorite things are the smell, how busy it is and how hot it is. )

Everything inside me wanted to tell them how wonderful it was that we had clean linen, no rats and a safe place to stay. Compared to other third world places, this is heaven. They both had a good cry and cuddle and went to sleep. Josh jumped into bed with me last night, so he is obviously feeling a little stressed.

This morning was great. Coffee and a bagel at a coffee shop owned by an American, then a drive through the city, a swim, a great lunch, another swim and then lots of playing with Emma, Easton and Everett. The kids are doing so much better this morning.

We will go out to supper at Jimmy’s tonight. Trent's favorite restuarant. We still need to see the Panama Canal and get Syd some flip flops. Hers broke back in Calgary while we were at the Delta. We plan to fishing on Saturday, relax on Sunday and then leave on Monday for the City of David. Sounds like fun!

Will post some more soon. Linda

SURPRISE BLESSING

A couple days ago I sent out a mass email updating my email contact list with the changes to my contact info, and providing a brief update on our family adventure to Panama. Many of you have kicked back a message wishing us well. And thanks for that.

One of those emails arrived yesterday from Barry Boucher. I had the privilege of working on staff with Barry (former senior pastor of The Life Centre in Ottawa) for five years (88-93). I consider him a mentor and friend who has influenced my idea of what it means to be a pastor and gracious and generous follower of Christ probably more than anyone else.

Well, he indicated in his email that he was actually in Banff participating at a leadership gathering and was planning to return to Calgary today to stay over night before hopping on a plane Friday morning to head back to our nation's capital. So I managed to snag him into coming over for supper (despite being offered tickets to the Flames game, and tickets to a Jose Stone concert). It was so great to reconnect and talk about leadership, healthy spirituality, family life. The evening ended with Barry gathering us as a family and praying a prayer of blessing over the four of us. It was such a gift. I love surprise blessings like that.

THANKS TO GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

I want to take a moment to give props to the incredible staff at Glendale Elementary School. When we met with Mrs. Marinucci (principal) to pitch the possibility of heading to Panama as a family for half a year, we were overwhelmed by her unconditional and fullhearted support. And that support has been echoed throughout the rest of the Glendale staff. You guys are incredible and you've built and nurtured an incredible sense of community that we're so glad to be part of.

Mrs Marinucci, we are so grateful to you for the leadership you provide on a daily basis and for nurturing the spirit of inquiry and adventure in our children and in us, as parents. That fact that you have stood in support of us, as you have, has meant so much. We think you're an exceptional person and principal.

And on top of that, Mrs Hillard (Joshua's teacher), and Mr. Cochrane (Sydney's teacher), have been nothing but our biggest supporters. You have both gone beyond expectation to help us find the resources we'll need to home school the kids and stay connected to what will be going on in your classrooms. We can't wait to webcam from Panama. Thanks so much.

.

And on top of that! many of the other teachers and staff, including several former teachers of Syd and Josh have been so excited with us, and for us, that its made the thought of leaving for a while, mixed. We appreciate each of you so much. And we will miss you all. And we hope you'll stay in touch with us whie we're away.

Paul, Linda, Syd, Josh

SYDNEY'S FAREWELL

Today was truly a day of farewells for Mr Cochrane's Grade 5 class. Not only was today the last day for Sydney, but also for one of her best friends, Megan. So it was a double wammy. We wish Megan and her family all the best as they head off to Ontario. Here's some pics from the party.

Sydney and Megan had already informed the class about their plans, so it was pretty much straight into the celebration, Grade 5 style. Chocolate cake, ice cream bars and popcorn. Kids and chocolate. At 1:30pm. I said a few "Our Father's" for Mr Cochrane and the teaching team.

Sydney and Megan handled out the goods.

After managing to get the class settled, Mr Cochrane asked the class if they had any specific memories of experiences with Sydney and Megan. It was actually quite entertaining.

Then it was time to strike a pose.

And of course, you've got to have one where everyone is screaming. After all, it is Grade 5.

JOSHUA'S FAREWELL

Today was the last day of school for Syd and Josh. As it happens, there is no school on Friday (P.D. day) or Monday (Thanksgiving), and on Tuesday we've got a few errands to run including storing the car and then getting a ride to the Airport Delta where we'll spend the day and very short night before boarding our flight to Houston early the next morning.

Here's some pics from Josh's farewell.

Mrs Hillard invited Josh to tell his classmates where he was going and the route he was taking to get there. So, using the globe to point out the route, Josh explained that we are leaving from Calgary, landing in Houston for a couple hours, and then taking off for Panama City.

Then Josh fielded some great questions from his classmates.

Then it was "Rice Krispie" time.

Then it was time to strike a pose.

Then it was time "for da love".

I'm outta here...autsa la vista, babies!

LUNCH WITH A GOOD FRIEND

There are a few things in one's life that can make or break it. Having good friends is one of them. And I've got a few people in my life that I consider good friends, the kind of friends you can call up and say, "Heh Gerry. I'm feeling pretty worn out. And I gotta get out of town and take a break. You interested in going to Arizona for a week of golf and laughs?" and the reply is, "Sure, when do you want to leave". True story. And "Ger" (Gerry Smylie) and I had a great time (this past March) playing some of the most spectacular desert golf courses I've ever had the chance to play. And there's definitely something about golfing that is soothing to my soul. And besides the golf, I can't remember laughing so hard and long. And that is good medicine for the soul.

Some friendships are easy. The kind where the chemistry, for whatever reason, just works. And that's the way it is with Gerry and me. And when its like that, time spent together is a true gift. Anyways, I had the chance to hook up with lunch with Gerry today. And as always, I came away energized, encouraged and feeling loved. I hope he felt the same. There's few things that are as rich a gift as a great lunch with a good friend. I hope you experience one for yourself very soon.

Paul

READY, SET, PACK

Yesterday we took Sydney and Joshua out to let them buy their own suitcases. Knowing that we're going to moving around from place to place for a while, and living in each others' space for a while, we thought it might be important for them to feel like they have something all their own that they chose.


Syd elected to go with a classy-looking chocolate brown suitcase with a hot pink liner and lots of little pockets. The hot pink liner was definitely the thing that clinched that deal. Now, Josh on the other hand, chose a sophisticated, sporty looking black suitcase with grey trim. He felt it went well with his sunglasses and good looks.

Today each of us started selecting which clothes to take, which ones to give away, and which ones to pack away until we return. Purging your closet is such a good feeling. So our closets are looking quite bare. But the house is, unfortunately, a bit of disaster zone. And it seems that some of us aren't particularly enjoying this experience.






And we also starting packing our carry-on bags. You'll notice that the kids' bags are loaded with candy. Linda gave them $20 to buy as much sugar and chocolate as possible, knowing they probably wouldn't be able to buy a lot of the candy we can get here in Canada. Its amazing how far highly motivated consumers can stretch a dollar!