A Recap on our time in Scotland and The Next Adventure

Dear Family and Friends!

The View from our Back Porch!

Hello, how are you? We again hope this letter finds you are doing well, and that you are still surrounded by loving family, supportive friends and delicious food! We are writing you now having got back from Scotland after a year of serving as Charity workers within Abernethy Adventure Centre: Ardeonaig. In short, the last year of our lives was been such a wonderful adventure! We worked, traveled, canoed, flew, climbed, and loved on the people at our centre and beyond.

Matthew and Robert Burns
At the "Birks of Aberfeldy"

In our previous letter to you, we described what a typical day-to-day would look like for us and while some of it was correct, it was also so much more!                           Matthew was a vital part of our kitchen and house team, but he also spent a decent amount of time on the maintenance crew and during the last half of our year, as a part-time outdoor instructor. Professionally, Matthew led our centre’s visitors through such activities as Archery, Gorge-walking, hlll-walking and group challenges. While helping in other departments, Matthew was admired for his work-ethic and attention to detail (whenever something needed deep cleaning, everyone was begging for Matthew to be on their team!).                                                                                                                 

Cynthia quickly was able to jump in and support the house and kitchen

Cynthia Cooking in our Kitchen

team with her team management and organizational skills. Professionally, she was able to bring her years of experience in cooking to a commercial kitchen and really support the team by leading breakfast shifts and even stepping in to cook meals for 60+ people when others were sick. Cynthia was also able to use her skills in spiritual development to help some of the younger members of staff to figure out the next step in their lives and how God has specially equipped them for service in His Kingdom.

Harry Potter Birthday Party

When not working, we loved to get to know people and love of them as God does. For Matthew, this looked like telling ridiculously punny jokes, giving art lessons, and participating in outdoor activities. For Cynthia, this involved cooking their favorite sweet, writing them a card, or throwing ridiculously themed birthday parties (Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, and Harry Potter to name a few). As a unit, we frequently had people up for a meal at our home to get away from the centre; our favorites were 3 garlic pasta and fajitas with homemade pico de gallo. We also were involved in our small local church serving in whatever capacity was needed.  After leaving Scotland, we even got the chance to travel Europe for a month and we were able to share those same skills across the countries of France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany.   

Our Scottish Parents;
Brian and Isabel

When we left for Scotland, we knew that going over there was going to be wonderfully difficult. While overseas, we experienced moments of pure joy but we also mourned when tragedy struck home and we were on another continent, BUT GOD WAS/IS FAITHFUL. Through it all, we were constantly blessed by how God loved us and used us to love on others. We were surrounded by people who loved us, blessed financially by nearly complete strangers and we got to travel and see so much more of God’s beautiful creation.

Florence, Italy

What’s next you might ask? Starting this fall, Matthew is taking classes at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada to get his Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Teaching Credential, and he will be substitute teaching on the side. Come this January, we will be moving up to Elko, and Cynthia will be finding a job and searching for opportunities in her field to show God’s love.

 So again, we say THANK YOU. Thank you for your Support and Friendship. Thank you for your prayers and financial gifts, And thank you for being there.  As we embark on our next adventure, we will try to keep you updated on what is going on in our lives.

                                            We will leave you for now with a Scottish Blessing:




May your purse always hold a coin or two.

May the sun always shine upon your window pane.

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near to you and

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you

May there always be work for your hands to do.


Till the Next Adventure....

Love, Matthew and Cynthia Shedd

Back to the States and Beyond...

Hello Everyone,
As we have been overwhelmed in the chaos of the last few months, we realized that many of you still are not updated as to our next steps. Currently, We are still suffering Jet Lag and trying to fight getting colds.

Leaving Abernethy:
August 14th we left Abernethy Ardeonaig behind and the last month of crazyness. We are still putting together that blog and we hope to get it up soon. But just so you know we miss Scotland like crazy and await the time when we can visit once again.

                              
  1 Month in Europe
We traveled around France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. We lodged at Hostels, with friends, and with couch surfing strangers. We explored and learned and baked in the Italian Sun. Blog to follow soon with pictures.

Now and Beyond...
We have landed in Nevada and are living with Matthew's Parents as we recover and figure out our next steps. Matthew has decided to go back to school and get his Post-Bacc Elementary teaching credential at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada. That's Right. Sadly, we will not be returning to Cynthia's dear California for quite some time. We feel though that with the great need for teachers, and the excellent pairing of the Teaching Credential with Matthew's current degree in Outdoor Education, this was really our next best step.
There is still lots of figure out including; where to live, what jobs to get, finding a church, etc.

We will keep you updated as we know what is happening!

Prayer Requests:
1. Health: Jet lag stinks. and what people don't tell you is that your stomach is the hardest to convince that you are in a different time zone.
2. Transition and Jobs: We are still figuring out life and where to live etc. Until then we are living with family which has its own blessings and challenges. We are also trying to figure out not only what kind of jobs to apply for but where to apply for them as our housing situation is quite up in the air.
3. Matthew Schooling: The idea of going back to school is quite intimidating and will take some getting used to on both of our parts. Prayers that we figure out all the details and financial aid type paperwork.

Thanks again for all the love and support!!
Blessings,
The Shedds

July Craziness and Coming Home

Hello Everyone!
Lots has happened so let's just get updating!!!
The month of July has been insane. Matthew and I have had many adventures we would like to Share with you!

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
That's right. We told you all we were going to throw a party and we did! We had a BBQ on our back porch and a bunch of people came and had delicious food and firework poppers and celebrated America's Independence with cupcakes.

ST ANDREWS

Matthew and I, along with some staff members, all drove up to St Andrews for the day. It was a misty kind of day but wonderful none-the-less. We toured St Andrew's Cathedral and cemetery, played on the beach, visited the coffee shop where Will and Kate had their first date, and ate at Scotland Best Ice Cream hop, Jannettas Gelateria.

       JOUSTING AT 
       LINLITHGO PALACE
Yes, that is right. Jousting. How cool is that!?!?! There was this entire Medieval Festival and Jousting Competition at the Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was born and raised. It was so dramatic and fun! We yelled at the bad guy, cheered unashamed at the good guy, and even got called "stupid peasants"!


CLIMBING CAMP IN POLAND

 We were given the opportunity to go and volunteer as climbing Instructors at a camp in Wisla, Poland.  It was so hot, humid and gorgeous while we were there. We easily hiked over 20 miles in 10 days, took a step into the Czech Republic, outran a Lightning Storm, picked wild berries, learned a bit of polish, shared our testimonies of God's Faithfulness, and just got to love to some polish teenagers. It was an experience we will never forget.

COMING HOME

We just realized that in the craziness of the last few months, we haven't told you guys whats next! Basically we have decided to come back to the United States and not stay another year in Scotland. While we are sad to leave the UK, we really feel that our time in Scotland is done for now. Our plan is to travel around Europe for about a month, then head back to Nevada where Matthew will begin a program to get his Elementary Teaching Certificate. We still have a lot to figure out and hoops to jump through but we feel that this will be the most beneficial for us as we move forward in our lives. We will both also be getting "normal" jobs, and working towards paying off a major chunk of our student debt. Thank you for all your prayers in this matter!

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Transition: As we leave behind friends here and try to adjust back in the states with all its uncertainly, would you join us in prayer for God's peace and wisdom.

2. Travel Safety and Our European Adventure: We are taking this opportunity to take advantage of our proximity to Europe to travel a bit. We have a lot of details to figure out and a limited budget so prayers and advice are greatly appreciated.

3. Abernethy: Pray for this organization that is so close to our hearts. Our organization/center will be going through a lot a transition of staff as we leave and needs the Lord's wisdom and grace.

We will try to keep you updated more as we pack and travel.

LOTS OF LOVE AND BLESSINGS!!
Matthew and Cynthia

Greetings From Scotland!

Hello Friends and Family,

As we write this letter to you, we have been serving in Scotland now for just around 8 months, and what an adventure it has been! In the words that follow we will seek to summarize our time here so far, and lay out some plans for the months to come.

             The Last 6 Months:

We have laughed, cried, cleaned, climbed, explored, fought, cooked, folded, ate, traveled, aged, celebrated, mourned, painted, and experienced every other type of emotion and activity. We have crossed the Atlantic, ridden the railways, and seen sights like the London Eye, the Seven Sisters Coastline, the streets of Edinburgh, and the picturesque rolling hills and lochs of Scotland. These extraordinary adventures were made possible by the ordinary adventures of working at Abernethy Outdoor Centre; cleaning toilets, “hoovering” (vacuuming) countless hallways, cooking poached eggs and sausages, and the average amazing every day.                              

We have also established so many life-long relationships. The Kelman’s (Brian, Isabel, Andrew, etc) have blessed us with a home away from home in Glasgow, a place to get away and a family for the holidays. And of course, the Abernethy Staff, both at our centre and beyond; have been such a welcoming community and have continued to show us true community.

                                                                                                The Next Steps:

We may be 3/4 way there but we are not done yet! As we approach the summer season, Abernethy only gets busier. Matthew is now regularly working as an instructor, and Cynthia is continuing to support the house and kitchen team. In April, we traveled briefly back to the tates for Cynthia’s sister’s wedding, and this June Matthew’s parents are coming for a visit.

Unfortunately, as we are 1/2 way through our contract, we have begun to think about what to do after this August. We are pursuing an opportunity to spend another year in Scotland, but we are also applying at some places back in the states.  Prayers for wisdom and opportunity would be appreciated as we try to balance our dreams of exploration with the practical side of finances and building experience in our fields.

          

Thanks to You:

Oh, how wonderful you all are!!! For all those times, when we have forgotten to say thank you… THANK YOU! ‘Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder’. As we live the everyday over here, we have found that it is the mundane, simply day-to-day life that we miss. Sharing with you all the deal you found at the store, the awesome new restaurant and any other amount of “ordinary”. So thank you for being … THERE. 

                               Prayers:

1.    Future: As we said above, we are starting the process of figuring out where to go next. Your prayers and recommendations on places to look is appreciated and welcomed. 

2.    Health: It seems to be an on-going battle, and we are just tired of being ill. Prayers for wisdom on how to navigate the medical system over here, and for just healing.

3.    Finances: We are beginning to save for the trip home and build a savings for the next step in our lives, but we are seeking a balance between living in this moment and saving for the future. 

 For the next steps and to follow along with our journeys here in Scotland, don’t forget to check out our blog: Sheddsgotoscotland@blogspot.com. Also, we would love to receive snail mail @ 

The Shedds

Abernethy Ardeonaig

Near Killin, Perthshire

United Kingdom, FK21 8SY

May The Grace and Peace of God Bless you as you have blessed us,

Cynthia and Matthew Shedd

New Groups, New Schedules, and New Beginnings,

Hello All,

We could start this blog post with an apology, but somehow that seems ... counter-productive. Matthew and I are seeking this year to live in the moment and not let the past define us. We will try to communicate more regularly this year, but to be honest, our everyday activities are quite normal. We clean toilets, vacuum the centre, maybe work in the kitchen and get the chance to bake. We love the mundane every day activities that we do, even if they don't see to be quite "exciting enough" to write home about. So our goal this post is to let you in on the last 2 months, both the exciting and the every day. 

Winter Maintenance:

Since the beginning of December, the centre has been in a way shut down. During December and January, due to various reasons, Abernethy Ardeonaig chooses to not accept any bookings and instead to re-focus on gearing up for the new year. 

This year Matthew and I got to assist the team by helping to re-organize our kit/gear store, deep clean the property, and various other activities. I, Cynthia, really enjoyed helping to color-coordinate the instruction department, and Matthew got to get outside a lot and even gained his Archery Certification! We also cheered on friend's in a Santa dash, went caroling and celebrated Matthew's 28th Birthday in true Sherlock Holmes' style.

Christmas Holiday and Break: 

During the 2 weeks that the centre is closed down, Matthew and I got the opportunity to tour the UK a bit. We spent some time with our dear friends Brian and Isabel Kelman and their lovely family during Christmas and then rode 9 hours on a MegaBus (think Greyhound) and to the south of England. We toured London for the day and then spent time with our friend Luke's family in Sussex. During that time we celebrated new years surrounded by new friends and even got to go to the "Seven Sisters" beach and put our feet in the English Channel!

Weather and Other Everyday things:

 Man, it has been cold! It has been hanging around 0C here... Brrrrrr!!! Part of our winter maintenance has consisted of us being literally snowed in to the centre and waiting for the road to be plowed just enough to get to "civilization", aka the only very small town with a very small grocery shop within an hour's drive. It has been truly challenging at times, but Matthew and I have appreciated our time sequestered from the craziness of the 'outside world'. We are learning how to depend on one another and to seek our comfort in the simple life.  

Things to Think/Pray about:

1. Health: As it is so bitterly cold over here, it is getting harder to stay warm and healthy. Our essential oils are helping, but the cold is seeping into our bones so to speak. Prayer for warm bodies, and smart decisions to stay healthy. 

2. Next Year: Matthew and I have begun putting out applications and dreaming about what to do after this coming August. We have several options we are exploring right now and would love wisdom and encouragement in figuring out the next year in our life. 

Thanks for all your interest and for caring about us!!!

Love,

Cynthia and Matthew 

3 months in and things-are-a-changin'

Hello To Everyone Still reading our blog!

Happy 3 months at Abernethy Ardeonaig. It has been a crazy last month with friends visiting, giant groups of hungry humans at work, and birthday/parties galore! I will try to post what pictures I have, but they are scattered amongst the various camera here at the center. For those of you on facebook, look for an album coming soon.

                                  Kristina Okerman's Visit:
 A very last minute but welcome surprise came to Matthew and I in the form of a lovely young lady named Kristina this month. Friends since Simpson University, it was an absolute joy to have her some and stay with us for a week. It was great to catch-up on life and to make new memories. Here is a peek at some of our adventures.

It was so much fun to Canoe across the loch on a Mirror- Clear Day, discover a waterfall and enjoy God's Glorious Creation.

Things-are-a-changin'

The weather is colder, the people are friendlier and the friends and family back home are further. AS we have been here three months we have officially breezed past the "vacation zone". You know, the place where relationships can be placed on a momentary hold as you go and enjoy some life, but they wont be "that different" when you get back. Nope we are feeling the distance. Thank you to all who are sticking by us as we try to figure out how to be present in Scotland and Back home in the states. Please know this, that no matter how often we talk, you guys are in our hearts and our stories constantly. 

Concerning the staff here at Ardeonaig and Abernethy in general, we are finally beginning to develop depth to our friendships. We are living life and choosing into community and it is nice to finally not feel like outsiders; to be invited to the events because they actually want us there, to have inside jokes, and to be known as individuals, not as "another american". Thank you to any staff and beyond reading this blog, we are so thankful for your friendship and hospitality. 

Prayers and Thoughts:

1. The Next Step: Over the next 2-3 Months, Matthew and I need to make a decision on the next step in our lives, do we stay in Scotland, Go back to the States, or something else.                   2, Family Back Home: It is very hard to be away from family especially during the next few months
as this is our first holiday season away. We are grateful for adoptive family here, but prayers for peace this season would be appreciated.                                                                             3. Health: Living in such close quarters lends itself to a greater possibility of germ growth, which we have experienced. We both are currently fighting a variety of health issues, as is our staff as a whole, and Prayers for our entire team to stay healthy would be great. 

Thanks for Everything!

Love the shedds.

A Fantastic Whirlwind and 3 years of Marriage

The Last few weeks have been such a whirl wind. In addition to 2 large and demanding groups, we got visits from friends, celebrated 3 years of marriage, went to Edinburgh, and so much more!

                                                      The Fullen's Come to Visit:

I am Astounded at God's grace and how He is so much Smarter than Us. I have known Shane Fullen since before Kindergarten but we were on opposite ends of the social spectrum. There was a lot of pain in our past, But God in so much bigger than our pain. Through a series of events, Shane came to be a believer and we sought reconciliation. At that point we kept tabs through Facebook and learned that Shane and His Wife Chelsea were going to be touring Europe While we were in Scotland. One thing led to another and there they were in our guest bedroom, staying with us for a few days. It was such a sweet time with old/new friends. We explored the highlands, sailed on the Loch Tay, and encouraged one another. 

                                                       3 Years down, Forever to Go!

It is so weird to think that 3 years ago Matthew and I got Married! In our years we have experienced all kinds of life, but we barely dreamed we would be living in Scotland. It was truly special to be able to share our lives with people from all over the world.

                                                       Anniversary In Edinburgh

Matthew and I were blessed with the opportunity to spend a few days in Glasgow and  Edinburgh recharging and celebrating being together. We went on our first train ride and navigated the rails of Scotland!In Glasgow we spend time with our "family" in Scotland, the Kelmans (the couple we met in the states). It felt like coming home for the holidays, except for the fish soup and liver part for dinner. In Edinburgh, we were able to visit several museums, eat lots of delicious food and just be together.  We were also gifted a rediculously awesome room in a hotel and were able to just rest.

 

 

  

 

                                                           Prayer Requests:
1. Continued Health and Rest as the days grow shorter and the nights colder.
2. Unity as a team at our Centre. Living in close community is messy, Pray for Grace towards our fellow brothers and Sisters in Christ as differences occur.
3. We would seek the Lord with all our hearts, and use this time in Scotland to grow Closer to Him.

It has been an Amazing Adventure so far and there will be more to come!

Love,

The Shedds