Better Together

“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”   (Philippians 2:2-4)

Farm to Table with Harv & Jan Sawatsky

Over the last month, we have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the relationships that connect us with friends and family no matter where we are. I’ve come to realize that it’s these very relationships that bridge the gap between our “old life” and the new, thereby making our big reinvention less lonely. Here we are in Keremeos, a place few from the Prairies have even heard of, and we’ve been blessed by a steady stream of visitors who made it a point to stop and see us and our new home!

Those of you who know me will be aware that part of my story includes an innate tendency and learned behavior that has bent me toward “doing it alone.” As a child, my serious and academic approach to school combined with an introverted personality soon branded me as a “brain,” a “goody-two-shoes” – a social misfit for sure. I was never one of the cool kids, never part of the “in” group; I was more likely to be labelled as having “fleas” or “cooties.” (Some of you may remember this particular form of bullying.) Taunting continued as my family moved from the big city and I was dropped into a small town high school where I would never belong. I grew to believe that most people were somewhat cruel, did not understand me, hurt me, rejected me. I have always identified with the scriptural notion that in critical ways I do not belong to this world, but am an alien and stranger here (John 15:19). The easier and safer approach to life for me has always been to steer clear of people whenever possible and depend upon God and myself alone. This worked quite well for me for a long time, but throughout my “mature” adult years, God has been showing me the advantages of reaching out for relationships and intentionally seeking community.

This summer, five couples have stopped in to see our new digs and encourage us in this venture. In addition, Rick’s uncle Brian came from Abbotsford to help with the build for 4 days, and Harv and Jan  Sawatsky came from Saskatoon and camped for over 2 weeks primarily so Harv could help Rick work on the cottage and house. Galatians 6:2 says “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We have felt others help carry our burdens and support us in their enthusiasm for this unusual undertaking. 

Furthermore, new friends in the Keremeos area have voiced their interest and support for what we are doing, offering help when needed. We feel like we have gotten to know more people more quickly than in any other move.

Because of our visitors, we have taken the time to enjoy some summer pastimes like tubing down the river, hiking up to the columns, tasting wine and cider, dining al fresco at our local farm-to-table gourmet restaurants, and picking our own fruit. On 30+ degree days, Rick has worked in the morning and taken the afternoon off. It's been a welcome respite and fostered a more sustainable schedule.

God seems determined to convince me that even I need people. Coming up in my Facebook feed recently was a re-posting referencing one of Brene Brown’s books where she reminded readers of the time when village women all washed clothes together at the river. Apparently in one village, with the introduction of washing machines came a sudden outbreak of depression. No one could figure out why, unless it was just the absence of time spent doing things together, the absence of community and connection. This took me back to my studies in adult education and the tendency of women leaders to be more relational and collaborative. This is often attributed to women’s long history of working, sharing and supporting one another as they carried out the daily work of child-rearing, food production, and community development together. Canadian society has come a long way since then. We are now far more independent from one another, isolated even, carrying out hectic schedules and telling ourselves and others that “we are fine, everything’s fine.” Most of us resist depending on others, even when we’re struggling. However, our experience over the last year has affirmed that life is richer and more rewarding when we see it as a road we travel with others rather than a solitary journey.

The cottage as it stands now complete with covered deck

I’ve been thinking of the significant life change that will begin for us this Sunday (July 30) when Beth and Tim, William and Alba arrive to begin living life together with us on this 10 acre piece of land. If all goes according to plan, the remaining years of our lives will be spent with the six of us depending on each other for the small things and the big things of daily life. And I envision that life will be enriched as we invite many others from close and far to share it with us.

Friends helped haul the kids' temporary home into place

On the building front, we are delighted to have our carpenter back and he is energetically putting up walls. The weather has co-operated with some cooler days to offset the heat and it's great to see visible progress after several weeks spent pouring more concrete, installing plumbing lines, and redistributing earth and gravel.

House taking shape

View from our living room windows

As we establish a new routine as a family, may we do life as God has called us:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:14).

Speaking of a new routine, we have received word in the last few days that Beth has secured a part-time job in Keremeos and Tim a full-time position in Penticton! They will both start in August. Wow!

We have an address sign at the bottom of our property now, to make it easier for you to find us! Please note the carefully chosen color scheme designed for our buildings to blend into the landscape. All painting done by yours truly. 

Hope to see more of you as summer continues and all too soon turns to fall. Until then, summer is the time for gathering, travelling, vacationing, and exploring God's creation with the people in your lives!

May you enjoy being better together,

R & C