The Abbreviated Journey - (an intermission)
The Abbreviated Journey - (an intermission to catch up with our reading)
I would have said you were crazy! That’s right! If you had said to me in my youth that I would retire in Nova Scotia after a long and exciting journey in life, I would not have believed it. Just to be clear, the journey still continues and if God is willing, I may have another 15 or 20 years (maybe even more…mom made it to a week short of 98) of that journey.
I had dreamed of being an architect or an engineer…and I probably should have pursued those goals, but I didn’t. Instead I was a sound, lighting, stage designer and technician; and in my later years, a facility manager.
Up a lift at 20 feet (no fear of heights)!
Sound and production from the mid 80’s to the new millenium (we may have added computers but we still need paper)
Lighting design in 2012-14
I enjoyed being able to create whether it was making the sound just right or designing theatrical sets (I misplaced photos of the theatrical sets I designed).
Though I had a wonderful opportunity to create through my work, Syl and I intentionally found ways to serve people together. The highlight of our serving together was the opportunity to start and run a B&B in Beaverton Ontario. I’ve mentioned in some of the blog posts of stories from the B&B and maybe the pictures below will show why we were able to offer peace and relaxation to those who visited.
Pictures from the B&B
(“bridge over troubled nothing” in the middle of the last picture)
We also had opportunities together to serve people in other places of the world. We travelled to Uganda to build group homes for the Watoto orphan organization, we were bus leaders on a trip to the Israel to visit places where Jesus walked this earth, and we went on a 3 week trip to Kolkata India, to work with a missionary couple who were struggling in their work with prostitutes and street kids in the slums.
In recent years, Sylvia has started a journey in fine art with multiple variations of her work. As of today, Sylvia has paintings in 3 galleries in our county. You can follow her art at https://sylviapauls.com/ . Her many art pieces, installations and paintings are her interpretation of God’s creation in nature!
Some of the other parts of our journey: we started up and ran a youth ministry for a few years (can you believe we were in our 50’s?), we were board members - me on the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce, and Sylvia was on the Brock Economic Development Committee. Sylvia invited local leaders with the line “Come to Dinner to Discuss a Lunch” to discuss and organize a festival called Brock’s Big Bite. Syl wanted to call it B.A.R.F. for Beaverton Arts and Recreation Festival (can you imagine the T-shirt sales!!) - but she was outvoted. Together we also led a home church in Hamilton, ON, and Sylvia joined Therapy Tails dog visitation organization with our previous chocolate lab that brought her into the company of many diverse folks who needed us as much as we needed to serve them. The list goes on
As I look back, I realize that all of those things we have been involved in whether by occupation or by our lives as husband and wife, we had one primary focus. It often would be in the form of a question. How can we see where God is working and join Him there? That is where we can be the hands and feet of Jesus as we “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) As I look at the continuation of spring and into summer in our current home in Nova Scotia, Canada, I pray we will have many more opportunities to love God by genuinely loving others and sharing the love of Jesus.
I have noticed there are many folks viewing my blog regularly. I am thankful for those of you who have encouraged me and connected with me to date. I’d like to hear your feedback if something I’ve written has impacted you in any way. Also, if you have any topics you want me to cover as it relates to God or your faith (heck - even your lack of faith) as we ride through our life and get to hear what God may be saying to you on any particular issue or reading. My email address is below or you can comment on the blog.
Have a great day!
Steve
P.S. I may have had help from Syl writing this one!
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