February 8, 2019
The End of an Amazing Sabbatical!
Written by Pam Dysinger
Greetings from the long-lost Dysingers! It has been a packed and eventful year — filled with lots of travel, family times and opportunities to serve. We are returning to farming feeling rejuvenated (although not very rested).
Without bogging you down with the details, I would like to mention just a few of the highlights from our Sabbatical year:
A trip-of-a-lifetime to Australia and New Zealand, where we did some sightseeing (snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef was amazing!), visited relatives (my mother has Australian roots), taught at an agriculture conference and worked on a friend's farm.
View of the beach by the conference center. We spent 5 wonderful days here twice (in fall of 2017 & 2018). We love the country, but more so the people!
"Kirambee" my mother's childhood home! (We travelled with Edwin & Jennifer, my brother and sister-in-law for several days)
The end of an incredible day of snorkeling (Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Sea Turtles, sharks, and a few million dazzling fish).
Farming in Australia is a lot like farming in the U.S. -- hard work! But it's always better with friends.
There were additional teaching and sharing opportunities in Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Australia (the second time!), and Oregon.
In May we squeezed in one last family vacation with all 4 boys (backpacking on the beach in FL).
Yes, there are deserted beaches in FL (but it's a secret)!
June 10 - Joshua and Kelli's wedding. A day of rejoicing at God's goodness!
In July, God led us to speak at a camp meeting for young adults
in Romania. Our afternoons were spent hiking in the beautiful
mountains and making many treasured friendships.
Of course we visit farms everywhere we go! Romania still has a large percentage of people involved in agriculture (We read it's over 30% -- compared to about 1% in the U.S.)
August 19 - Jonathan & Abby's wedding - God has done "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..." Ephesians 3:20
August 24 - It was a very unexpected change when God opened the doors for Zack (4th from left) to starts school at SMAT (School of Mission Aviation Technology). We miss him but are so excited about God's leading in his life!
Pam, Caleb and I are adjusting to home life as a 3some : )
We step back into farming overwhelmed at God's goodness and love toward us. The Sabbatical was His idea for those who work the land, and we can testify that it's a good one!!