Thinking about Sabbatical - day one

Today is the first full day of the first of what would have been a work day if I was not on a Sabbatical.  (That sentence is much easier to read than to say out loud!!)  Admittedly I am both a bit timid and at the same time excited about this whole prospect.

Dictionary.com defines a Sabbatical as "any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training."   For me, this extended period is about a total of 16 weeks (the last two being vacation time added on.)

In my Sabbatical proposal to the Western Canadian District (Which so graciously accepted my proposal and granted this 'period of leave from one's customary work'!!) I said that I wanted to grow in my education, get connected to some of my international friends, and spend some uninterrupted time with my wife.

I am failing the last goal right off the bat by leaving her for the first 33 days to participate in a "Summer School in the 'Greater' Holy Land" with Ambrose University and the Down Ancient Paths.  But she has given me her blessings and I go with but a minimal amount of guilt! :-)

I will be writing here about my learning during this part of the Sabbatical.

I must admit that this is a fairly new experience for me.  I did take a 'Sabbatical' about 10 years ago to spend three months writing and completing my Doctoral Dissertation, and while I am glad I did that, there was very little of the rest and rejuvenation factor in that process.

Feel free to join me as I walk over some most interesting "Ancient Paths" (or as my teammate Doug puts it, "Lots of old Rocks!").  I will try to include the more interesting items and will try not to brag too much.

Welcome to the journey.

Ken