Sharon and I started the Rest Phase of our sabbatical in northern Arkansas in June. It was a bit later than we had originally planned. One of the reasons was so that we could complete the paperwork for a car that was gifted to us! Some friends blessed us mightily with their 2002 Toyota Camry. We dubbed her “Gracie Gold” and she has been running smoothly for over 7,000 miles! The air conditioner even works!
Our time in Arkansas was very restful. We spent time together hiking to waterfalls and rivers and many other trails. We love connecting with God through the beauty of his creation. We also spent time apart resting our souls in God’s presence, reading scripture, praying, and reading recommended books (Sacred Pathways, Margins, Burned Out To Beloved, Sacred Rest and Isolation).
Sabbatical has been the blessing of time for us – to heal, to reconnect and (eventually) to look to the future. Our schedule is structured, but not rigid. We meet regularly with our sabbatical team and advisor, as well as, a marriage counselor, a spiritual director, a counselor and a prayer partner (Chris). For these individuals, and all those who are praying for us, we are so thankful and humbled that they have made space in their busy lives to help us get healthier. It brings me to tears just thinking about it. You don’t know how much you are truly loved until you have nothing of value to offer except your utter brokenness. This is something Sharon and I are both learning in our sabbatical.
From Arkansas we went to Virginia where we took a plane to Baja California, Mexico. A couple from New Zealand offers missionaries a discount rate at their small hotel. We enjoyed the beach, the waves, the quiet and the sun. It was especially wonderful for me because of the great bodysurfing! It was physically exhausting, but emotionally restoring.
Back in Virginia we were able to spend two days at a nearby county fair. We loved seeing all the animals and meeting kids from the 4H club that had raised them to sell. From Virginia we drove to Colorado for the marriage retreat. It was only eight couples with marriages from 37 years to 4 months in length. Even with the large difference everyone learned something. From there we drove to Florida for my, long overdue, hernia surgery. The operation went flawlessly and my recovery has surpassed all expectations! Another few weeks and I’ll be doing sit-ups again (I mean for the first time >:).
We have also transitioned into the Reflection Phase of our sabbatical. This is sometimes called the ‘work’ phase because we are spending extended time alone with God asking the question, “Lord, is there anything you want to say to me?”. A simple question, but a bit scary when you don’t know what the answer is going to be. Fortunately, we do know that we can trust completely the one whom we are asking. Sharon has felt and been encouraged that God is telling her, “I hear you.” I have been blessed to experience a renewing of my soul and spirit. I feel a difference and others have shared that they see a difference in me. Forward motion feels good too!
Currently, we are back in Virginia where good friends have graciously allowed us to use their second home. From here we will drive to Michigan for a Growth and Renewal Retreat for foreign missionaries hosted by Alongside Ministries. Then we head back to Florida and fly back to Honduras on November 2nd. Our sabbatical won’t be at an end because we will do the Realignment and Re-entry phases there.
We are grateful for:
- The friends, family and strangers who have encouraged and loved on us so well.
- The opportunity to attend our nephew’s wedding in Tennessee.
- The time and space to work on our marriage. It is doing much better now. Praise God!
- Chris’s migraines decreasing in frequency and access to medical care.
- The fun adventures we have been able to have that bring us joy.
Please pray for:
- Us to continue to hear the Holy Spirit and make healthy changes in our lives.
- Us to be a blessing to the believers at the different churches we have been able to attend.
- Sharon’s migraines – it’s a continual battle physically and emotionally.
- The work of ‘going deeper’ with counselors at the Growth & Renewal retreat (October 6-24)
We love you guys. God bless you!
Thank you Stephanie! We love you and your family too! Sending our hugs!
We love you both so much. it sounds like you’re really enjoying your time together and growing as a couple and relaxing. God is doing amazing things in both of you. Hope to get to see you when you’re here in Florida. Keep shining bright, wherever you go, touching everyone with the love of God. Remember sometimes God just want you to be still, and that is when you will hear his voice, the most.
We feel that love! Thank you for such wonderful words of encouragement. We hear you loud and clear about ‘being still with God’ and apparently he also likes it when we ‘be quiet’ :). Love to you and the family!
Your pictures are amazing!! I am soo glad you are resting and growing!! If you get anywhere near Atlanta be sure to let me know, I’d love to see you💗. Just recovering from a hip replacement in August but driving now which is good. Much love to you both and may our Lord continue to heal each of you from head to soul🙏😊🥰
Thank you Vicky! We appreciate your encouragement! We hope your recovery goes smoothly and quickly. Everybody we know who has had it done says it is a major life changer (in a good way). And thank you for your prayers, we know God is working on us and listening to you.
Love the photos. Praising God for answered prayers
Amen! We have been on this journey with Him the whole way. God bless!
Praising God with you!
Praying for you!
Can’t wait to hug your necks soon!
Keep doing the hard work. It’s worth it!
Thank you Angie! We are trying to receive all that God has for us during this time. And we are so fortunate in our friends.
Thanks so much for the detailed update, Chris and Sharon! I am so grateful to God that you have both been able to share this much needed time to defrag, rest and recalibrate together. I’m praying that God would bless you both with continued inner and outer rest and healing. You have certainly had some incredibly beautiful places to live out your sabbatical! Wow! So wonderful that you’ve had these opportunities to really bask in His amazing creation! I love, love all the pictures, especially the nature ones and your radiant smiles!
I’ll be praying that the sabbatical process continues once you’re back in Honduras. I’m sure you’re right that the Reflection portion will take real inner work, but no doubt that’s where the real growth and strengthening will happen.
I realize you’re taking time away from your school responsibilities for a while longer, but thought I’d throw this out there. Emmanuel Christian Center in MN is finally organizing another missions trip to GH2K in February 2026 and Julius Costanza and I are planning to participate, God willing! The last time we came, you sent me a list of school supplies and clothing items/sizes needed for the kids and parents. I’d like to do the same again this time, if possible. One of our last team members works for Target. His local store donated some things, but said if we ran the request through the corporate office, they could donate a lot more. Of course, getting everything there is challenging, but we’d like to see what we can do to make it happen!
What do you recommend to start this process? I can correspond with Ruby via FB Messenger, if that’s any help. I’ll also check with Mike and Tiffany Nosser, as she’s also guided me with collecting things in the past, although I realize they haven’t been as active with GH2K in the last year or two. (We live nearby and I need to catch up with them. It’s been way too long!!)
I’m excited to be going back and look forward to seeing you in February! In the meantime, I wish you both all God’s blessings, strength and healing in these coming months!
Vaya con Dios!
Carolyn Lane
Spring Lake Park, MN
763-377-2461
carolynlane101@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your prayers Carolyn! Our sabbatical has been an incredible gift that we didn’t deserve but absolutely needed. I will write you in WhatsApp in response to your upcoming trip in February and who to contact. God bless you!