Oh Golly how the time has flown by!
As we rush to pack up the house, plan my sister's baby shower, get ready to spend a week in Nevada, and try to hang out with as many people as possible... we are trying to take time to enjoy our last few days here. To treasure our walks on the river trail, to share in the sweet laughter of a long-time friends, to give hugs, to have as much ethnic diverse food as possible, to just enjoy the home and community that we have so grown in over the last few years.
So Thanks Again. Thanks for making our last few days here filled with love amongst the craziness, and laughter amongst the chaos. Thanks for the encouragement and continuing to call out what God is doing in our lives during this time.
GOING AWAY PARTIES: Stay for a moment or the whole time, just come say "So long!"
- Nevada residents: August 3rd @ Janice and Herb Shedd's Home in the afternoon.
- California Peeps: August 10th @ The Marker Home: (2195 cumberland Drive, Redding, Ca 96003) from 4pm-7pm.
Prayers Answered:
1. PLANE TICKETS: Plane Tickets have been purchased. There was a bit of a mix up but it all got sorted out and we will soon be on our way.
2. CAR: We were able to sell our Subaru Car to a friend of a friend and can now breathe easier knowing that it is out of our realm of responsibility.
3. JOBS: Matthew and I have both been able to transition smoothly from our old jobs and while we are sad to leave our co-workers, we are excited for our co-workers that we have yet to meet.
4. YARD SALE: Our Yard Sale fundraiser was quite a success, netting over $500 for our Trip. Thank you to all who donated items/stopped by to shop.
Prayer Requests:
1. VISAS: We are still waiting for them to be mailed to us. We know they will get here, but we would love for it to be sooner rather than later.
2. PEACE: Peace in the crazy, especially for Cynthia. We want to be able to enjoy our last few days here, not to get caught up in the little things (like how to pack the silverware or what type of tape to buy)
Thanks Again!
Love,
The Shedds
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Our Digital Support Letter
Dear Family and Friends,
Hello, how are you? We hope you are doing well, and that you are surrounded by
loving family, supportive friends and delicious food! We are writing to inform
you of an amazing opportunity that we have been provided with to live overseas
for a year in Scotland. That is right, Scotland, as in the country. We have
been offered 2 positions as Charity workers within Abernethy Adventure Centre:
Ardeonaig. Matthew as an Outdoor Instructor, and Cynthia as a member of the
Kitchen and Hospitality Team.
For a wee bit more information on how amazing this opportunity is, we would
like to take you on a bit of a journey. Right after we were married in 2011,
Matthew became unemployed. It was a very rough few months and we applied for
lots of jobs, and it was then that we were introduced to Abernethy Adventure
centres. We fell in love with their commitment to providing people with the
gift of time away from this crazy world in the Christ-Centered Outdoor
environment. We applied to join the team but were initially denied. So 2 years
later, we applied again on a whim, and within 2 months we were offered the
jobs! How Great is our God!
In regards to our actual day-to-day activities over
there, here is a synopsis. Matthew will be using his B.A. in Outdoor Education
and his years of personal experience in the field to instruct such activities
as: climbing, challenge courses, gorge adventures, mountain biking,
orienteering, etc. in all age groups. Cynthia will be supporting the day-to-day
upkeep of the facilities and preparing meals. She plans to also get involved
with the spiritual development team and use her B.A. in Pastoral studies to
support her fellow teammates grow closer to God. Additionally, as part of our
commitment, we are called to participate in the local church and are eager to
help them grow and develop towards a fuller relationship with the Lord.
We are set to arrive in Scotland August 18th, 2014 and there is still so much
to do! But it all starts with letting you know about this dream. We appreciate
any and all support as we prepare to leave, and while in country. We would be so
encouraged to know that people are praying for us and encouraging us on this
year long adventure. We have created a blog in which you can choose to follow
along with our journey.
The Website is http://sheddsgotoscotland.blogspot.com/.
We would love to hear from you all and stay
connected!
Of course, one of the more tangible ways
you can support this dream is by participating in our Fundraisers and/or
donating directly. Our Goal is to raise $5000 which would cover plane tickets
there ($3000 approximately one way), unforeseen expenses in county($500), and
have a savings for our plane tickets back ($1500). We believe between our
savings and some support that has already poured in, we have $1000 already. We
also have multiple fundraises planned for these next few months and we are
believing that those fundraisers will raise approximately another $1000. That
means we need your help to raise $3000. The task can
seem daunting, but if only 120 people gave $25 dollars we would make our goal.
Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all of
your support is appreciated. (See below for ways to donate Financially)
So we ask you to consider joining with us as we embark on the journey of a
lifetime. We believe deeply that God is asking us to cross "the great
pond" in order that we may learn even more about how great His creation
is. While in Scotland, we will be given the opportunity to partner with
God in a location out of our comfort zone, and join with His grand plan of
redemption. We will be able to use our degrees to impact and support people in
the special way that we have been called and trained.
Thank you
for your impact in our lives. We wouldn't be asking you to partner with us, if
we did not believe that you, through our lives, have helped get us to this
point. You have been our support and mean more than we could ever say.
Many Thanks,
Cynthia and Matthew Shedd
_______________________________________________________________________
Please mail this
portion to our “state-side” physical address from July 2014-September 2015):
Matthew and Cynthia
Shedd
1427 Mary Jo
Drive
Gardnerville, Nevada
89460
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Matthew &
Cynthia Shedd go to Scotland, I will partner with them by:
[ ] Joining them in prayer.
[ ] Making a one-time donation to help them
meet their goal: Please Enclose Cash, Check, or
deposit into a bank account especially created for this purpose at: Bank of America. (contact us for the details.)
[ ]
Committing to supporting them on a monthly basis for a year. ________/month
[ ] Contacting them with opportunities for work
to help them raise more support. Examples include: Baby Sitting, Yard work,
Doing your dishes, cleaning your house, etc.
(Cynthia’s Number 530-262-8923)
Your Name(s):
______________________ Email address________________________________
Phone
Number(s): _______________________________
30 Days to Go!!
Greetings!
Now an update on Getting to Scotland and a sneak peak on our few from Loch Tay in Scotland, Sent to us courtesy of our scottish friends Brian and Isabel.
We have our last fundraiser this weekend. It is a good old fashion Yard Sale. Thank you to all who have donated items for sale. And for those in the area of Redding, please stop by! The Yard Sale will be located over by Enterprise Park, right off Victor.
30 days and counting... EEKS! As we pack up our home and experience some goodbyes, we reflect on just how blessed we have been to be here in Redding. Just this evening, we has a spontaneous potluck with some of our best friends and spent the evening contemplating everything from God-moments to role-assignments in our zombie apocalypses plans. This is what we will miss as we move to Scotland. We believe God will bless up with a new community while we are over there, but it is so nice to just have a night in with long-term friends. So thank you. Thanks for living life with us. Thank you for the laughter and the tears, for the coffee dates and the hiking excursions. We will truly miss all of you.
1. Visas: WE GOT APPROVED! Despite a bit of drama with fedex/the embassy, our Passports have been approved and should be shipped back to us soon! This is a huge weight and allows us to really plan to move.
2. Plane Tickets: WE PURCHASED THEM and we got them for a totally God blessed deal We fly out of Medford, OR on the 14th of August. Crazy right?
3. Fundraising: We have been able to raise enough in donations to cover our tickets one-way! Thank you! We have also begun to receive donations back from the various support letters we sent out. If you have replied to our letters, THANK YOU! Please Continue to let us know if you will be praying for us and/or donating financially. We are still fundraising to be able to put away the money to purchase our tickets back to the states next year and to build up an emergency fund.
4. Family Camping: This Last weekend we had the privilege to go camping with Cynthia's Family and just spend some time away from the crazy with our loved ones. It was an evening filled with laughter, family bickering, majestic waterfalls and memories. Thank you Poole Family for an awesome weekend.
Prayer Requests:
A. Work: Matthew's Safety as he goes on his last work trip and for a clean transition as we both say goodbye to our work places and co-workers.
B. Visas: That all our visas and relevant documents would return to us as a supernaturally fast rate so our mind can calm down.
C. Continues Prayers for Peace and Grace in this season of transition. Prayers for our marriage are always appreciated, that we would communicate clearly and in love.
Thanks Everyone!
Love,
The Shedds
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Bake Sales, and Packing, and Fingerprinting OH MY!
OH! What a crazy last few weeks it has been! We have been so busy with so many things and would love to update you all on our progress!
1. Visa's: We figured them out! Thanks for your prayer and advice, it turned out to be some silly error on our part that was quickly remedied. We submitted our applications online and the next step was a "quick" ( 5 hour round trip) drive to Sacramento, Ca in order to get bio-metrically fingerprinted. We mailed our applications off this past Friday and as of 11:23am this morning, the New York Consulate has received and begun to process them (an email told us). Originally we were quoted 3 weeks but the email said the they would probably be letting us know in about 10 days, WOOT!
2. Fundraising: This past month we have been working our tales off to raise all the money needed to go on this adventure. God was so good in providing the resources for the Visas (a pretty big chunk of change each) and now we are beginning to build our plane tickets nest egg and other miscellaneous expenses. At the beginning of June we hosted a fundraiser bake sale in Cynthia's home town of Shingletown. Matthew's
Parents drove up from Nevada to help and it was a blessing. Let's just say over 14 dozen pans of Cinnamon Rolls later and many other delicious donated goods we made enough to cover our Visa Application fees. It was so great to be back in Cynthia's hometown community and to just spread the work about our new adventure. We even ran into quite a few people who either recently coming from or very soon journeying to Scotland Also!
3. Scotland Friends. One of our prayers over the last few months has been for God to provide us a safe place in which to recover from Jet Lag before beginning employment at Abernethy and God has once again provided! Through a series of "random" events, we had the privilege to meet Brian and Isabelle who were visiting from the Glasgow Area of Scotland. After a "lovely" meal with them and sharing many laughs, they offered to let us stay with them to get over jet lag! Matthew's parents were also able to meet them and are now able to rest a bit more knowing that we know at least 2 people over there in case of emergency.
4. Packing: We have begun to pack up our house and it is starting to settle in that we are actually moving. Like Actually. Pictures are coming down off the walls, Furniture is leaving/being sold, and books are being packed away. So Weird.
5. Going Away Parties: For those who want to say "bon voyage" in person we will be hosting 2 seperate parties. August 3rd @ 3pm in Nevada at Matt's parents house and August 10th @ 3pm in Redding at a location to be determined soon. Invites to be sent out soon but we would seriously love to see you all!
The Next Steps:
A. We are beginning to Send out Information/Support Letters so if you don't get one, let us know! We are still collecting Addressed.
B. Fundraiser Yard Sale: July 18-19th. We are still collecting donation and a friend has offered to host the yard sale at their house! If you are interested in donating any goods to the yard sale, please contact us.
C. Continuing to pack up the house midst our normal jobs and our random fundraising jobs!
D. AND WAITING!!! Once our Visa's are approved we can go ahead to buy our plane tickets. Please join with us in prayers that the "perfect" tickets would still be available for the awesome prices when we are able to purchase them!
Prayer Requests;
i. That our Visa's Approval would be Quick and painless!
ii. For the Strength to Finish well and honor the moments we still have here in the U.S.A.
Thanks for all the Love!
The Shedds
1. Visa's: We figured them out! Thanks for your prayer and advice, it turned out to be some silly error on our part that was quickly remedied. We submitted our applications online and the next step was a "quick" ( 5 hour round trip) drive to Sacramento, Ca in order to get bio-metrically fingerprinted. We mailed our applications off this past Friday and as of 11:23am this morning, the New York Consulate has received and begun to process them (an email told us). Originally we were quoted 3 weeks but the email said the they would probably be letting us know in about 10 days, WOOT!
2. Fundraising: This past month we have been working our tales off to raise all the money needed to go on this adventure. God was so good in providing the resources for the Visas (a pretty big chunk of change each) and now we are beginning to build our plane tickets nest egg and other miscellaneous expenses. At the beginning of June we hosted a fundraiser bake sale in Cynthia's home town of Shingletown. Matthew's Parents drove up from Nevada to help and it was a blessing. Let's just say over 14 dozen pans of Cinnamon Rolls later and many other delicious donated goods we made enough to cover our Visa Application fees. It was so great to be back in Cynthia's hometown community and to just spread the work about our new adventure. We even ran into quite a few people who either recently coming from or very soon journeying to Scotland Also!
3. Scotland Friends. One of our prayers over the last few months has been for God to provide us a safe place in which to recover from Jet Lag before beginning employment at Abernethy and God has once again provided! Through a series of "random" events, we had the privilege to meet Brian and Isabelle who were visiting from the Glasgow Area of Scotland. After a "lovely" meal with them and sharing many laughs, they offered to let us stay with them to get over jet lag! Matthew's parents were also able to meet them and are now able to rest a bit more knowing that we know at least 2 people over there in case of emergency.
4. Packing: We have begun to pack up our house and it is starting to settle in that we are actually moving. Like Actually. Pictures are coming down off the walls, Furniture is leaving/being sold, and books are being packed away. So Weird.
5. Going Away Parties: For those who want to say "bon voyage" in person we will be hosting 2 seperate parties. August 3rd @ 3pm in Nevada at Matt's parents house and August 10th @ 3pm in Redding at a location to be determined soon. Invites to be sent out soon but we would seriously love to see you all!
The Next Steps:
A. We are beginning to Send out Information/Support Letters so if you don't get one, let us know! We are still collecting Addressed.
B. Fundraiser Yard Sale: July 18-19th. We are still collecting donation and a friend has offered to host the yard sale at their house! If you are interested in donating any goods to the yard sale, please contact us.
C. Continuing to pack up the house midst our normal jobs and our random fundraising jobs!
D. AND WAITING!!! Once our Visa's are approved we can go ahead to buy our plane tickets. Please join with us in prayers that the "perfect" tickets would still be available for the awesome prices when we are able to purchase them!
Prayer Requests;
i. That our Visa's Approval would be Quick and painless!
ii. For the Strength to Finish well and honor the moments we still have here in the U.S.A.
Thanks for all the Love!
The Shedds
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Updates and visa'a
Hey everyone!
Short post today.
Visa's: Matthew and I have begun the process of applying for our visas but we are encountering a lot of technical issues. Please pray for clear directions and websites to work as we have a short windows to apply if we want to be purchasing our plane tickets any time soon!
Supports letters: be expecting mail soon! We have included a prayer card and some more information! Please message us you address if you would like a letter! (We will be posting a digital copy soon also)
Packing: ahh!!!! It's slow but steady.
Fundraisers: we have a bake sale in shingletown, ca (Cynthia's hometown) this weekend and have started gathering donations for our yard sale in July. Cynthia is also doing a premier jewlery fundraiser show where 50% of the profits go straight to Scotland. Please let us know if you are interested in supporting us in any of the above.
Rest: we need it. And we thank you all for your continues support.
A fun picture for you today a sneak peak at what the prayer inserts might look like!
The shedd's
Sunday, May 11, 2014
The Good, The Great, and The Frickin' Awesome!
Greetings!
As Matthew and I contemplate the short time we have left here in the US, we are blown away by the people we have been blessed to have in our lives. Such wonderful people like ... YOU! Thank you all for your overwhelming support of this big dream that is finally coming true. We would like to take a few minutes to update you on all the wonderful things that have happened in our lives recently.
1. Passport Success: I (Cynthia) finally received my passport and the picture is pretty good looking. With that Matthew and I were finally able to send in our migrant form paperwork and Abernethy will be applying within the week for our visas. Wah Hoo!!!
2. While in Country: We have been informed that we have private lodging! It will either be in a small chalet in camp, or in a small cottage at the end of the road. A Scottish Cottage, Can you believe it?!? We also are not going to be needing to provide any kind of furnishings or bedding. Yay for saving on shipping that stuff over there.To the Left, you will find a picture of Matthew and I showing our Scotland Pride with some t-shirts Matthew's Co-Worker picked up from us.
3. We got a Raise: God is so good. Just when Matthew and I had begun to build a budget around our originally offered charity stipend, Abernethy informed us that after reviewing their current policy they would be almost doubling their first offer. This is a huge burden off our chest as while we were prepared to live within limited means, this now allows us the opportunity to truly be able to explore and invest in people while there (Not to mention continue to pay on some our student loans).
4. Bank Account: We have finally been able to set up a bank account through Bank of America. We chose that bank specifically because they have a partnership with Barkley's Bank in the Uk. Therefore, we can have money deposited here, and take it our over there with little/to no fee.
5. Packing our Home: We have begun the process of packing up our home here in the states. Its sad to think that our charming first apartment will not be here when we return. It has served us well for nearly 3 years, and we will most certainly miss it. We are sorting items for Scotland, Storage, and our Fundraiser yard sale. On your right, you will find a picture of Cynthia in her wedding dress, which we decided to give one final twirl before getting it cleaned and preserved for safe-keeping.
Thank you so much for all of your Support! Speaking of support, we should be sending out support letter in the next few weeks, so please forgive us for contacting you asking for addresses. In the letter, we explain a bit more about what we are doing, and how you can partner with us as we continue on our road to Abernethy.
Prayer Requests:
1. Car Problems: We have recently lost our only car. As we are now car-less, we are quite a bit stressed out about how to operate the few months with our currents jobs, family events, and just daily life. We would love also any wisdom you have to share about this situation.
2. Peace: Peace on our daily lives as we seek to live life well here in the present (Redding), while also preparing to live life there in the future (Scotland). Cynthia especially has a tendency to get all kinds of stressed out crazy and it works better for both of us when she is happy, healthy, and stress-free.
3. Visas: As Abernethy applies for our visas, would you join with us for a speedy positive response so we can officially get the news that we are allowed in the county.
Blessings on your Day!
Cynthia and Matthew Shedd
As Matthew and I contemplate the short time we have left here in the US, we are blown away by the people we have been blessed to have in our lives. Such wonderful people like ... YOU! Thank you all for your overwhelming support of this big dream that is finally coming true. We would like to take a few minutes to update you on all the wonderful things that have happened in our lives recently.
1. Passport Success: I (Cynthia) finally received my passport and the picture is pretty good looking. With that Matthew and I were finally able to send in our migrant form paperwork and Abernethy will be applying within the week for our visas. Wah Hoo!!!
2. While in Country: We have been informed that we have private lodging! It will either be in a small chalet in camp, or in a small cottage at the end of the road. A Scottish Cottage, Can you believe it?!? We also are not going to be needing to provide any kind of furnishings or bedding. Yay for saving on shipping that stuff over there.To the Left, you will find a picture of Matthew and I showing our Scotland Pride with some t-shirts Matthew's Co-Worker picked up from us.
3. We got a Raise: God is so good. Just when Matthew and I had begun to build a budget around our originally offered charity stipend, Abernethy informed us that after reviewing their current policy they would be almost doubling their first offer. This is a huge burden off our chest as while we were prepared to live within limited means, this now allows us the opportunity to truly be able to explore and invest in people while there (Not to mention continue to pay on some our student loans).
4. Bank Account: We have finally been able to set up a bank account through Bank of America. We chose that bank specifically because they have a partnership with Barkley's Bank in the Uk. Therefore, we can have money deposited here, and take it our over there with little/to no fee.
Thank you so much for all of your Support! Speaking of support, we should be sending out support letter in the next few weeks, so please forgive us for contacting you asking for addresses. In the letter, we explain a bit more about what we are doing, and how you can partner with us as we continue on our road to Abernethy.
Prayer Requests:
1. Car Problems: We have recently lost our only car. As we are now car-less, we are quite a bit stressed out about how to operate the few months with our currents jobs, family events, and just daily life. We would love also any wisdom you have to share about this situation.
2. Peace: Peace on our daily lives as we seek to live life well here in the present (Redding), while also preparing to live life there in the future (Scotland). Cynthia especially has a tendency to get all kinds of stressed out crazy and it works better for both of us when she is happy, healthy, and stress-free.
3. Visas: As Abernethy applies for our visas, would you join with us for a speedy positive response so we can officially get the news that we are allowed in the county.
Blessings on your Day!
Cynthia and Matthew Shedd
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Getting Started: Paperwork and Waiting
Hello Family and Friends!
A lot, and not so much has happened since our first post!
Ever since hearing about our acceptance, we have been so overwhelmed by encouragement from you, our community. It has brought such joy and courage to our hearts to pursue this dream. THANK YOU! God is faithful and He is giving fuel to this journey through all of you!
We received our official offer of employment from Abernethy! It was so cool to receive a mail package from the UK. and the "royal mail. We are called to be in country on August 18th, and ready to start work on August 19th at the Ardeonaig site.
We are still quite early on in the process but I (Cynthia) have an appointment to finally get my passport next week! After lots of misplaced paperwork and reordering of my birth certificate, I can finally breathe once that step is done.
We are beginning to start to organize our lives, figure out our time tables, and fundraising ideas. Figuring out banking, clothing, and student loans. Oh the joys!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Matthew's Job: Matthew has been unable to work the last few months to due not having a trip partner. While God is faithful to have our bills met through odd jobs, it puts a damper in saving up for the trip. Please pray he gets a partner soon and can work.
2. Faith in Finances: We can't see the ways that God is going to provide for us to get to Scotland, we need help being patient with his timing, yet responsible with what he has already given us
3. Help: We would love for someone to be able to council us through all the language barriers we are having and with general trip preparations. The people in Scotland may speak English but the terms are not the same! haha.
As we make progress, we will continue to inform you through this site.
Many Thanks,
Cynthia and Matthew Shedd
A lot, and not so much has happened since our first post!
Ever since hearing about our acceptance, we have been so overwhelmed by encouragement from you, our community. It has brought such joy and courage to our hearts to pursue this dream. THANK YOU! God is faithful and He is giving fuel to this journey through all of you!
We received our official offer of employment from Abernethy! It was so cool to receive a mail package from the UK. and the "royal mail. We are called to be in country on August 18th, and ready to start work on August 19th at the Ardeonaig site.
We are still quite early on in the process but I (Cynthia) have an appointment to finally get my passport next week! After lots of misplaced paperwork and reordering of my birth certificate, I can finally breathe once that step is done.
We are beginning to start to organize our lives, figure out our time tables, and fundraising ideas. Figuring out banking, clothing, and student loans. Oh the joys!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Matthew's Job: Matthew has been unable to work the last few months to due not having a trip partner. While God is faithful to have our bills met through odd jobs, it puts a damper in saving up for the trip. Please pray he gets a partner soon and can work.
2. Faith in Finances: We can't see the ways that God is going to provide for us to get to Scotland, we need help being patient with his timing, yet responsible with what he has already given us
3. Help: We would love for someone to be able to council us through all the language barriers we are having and with general trip preparations. The people in Scotland may speak English but the terms are not the same! haha.
As we make progress, we will continue to inform you through this site.
Many Thanks,
Cynthia and Matthew Shedd
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