The End

It's a bit sad to say that we are no longer Five in Fresno. Our journey there and back has ended, and so has a chapter in our lives. I must say that it was a great experience for us to leave everything behind and go off to seminary. It was a good lesson to walk away from jobs, a house, friends, family, stability, stuff, and trust that we'd do just fine.

It wasn't always easy living in Fresno.

The adjustments in our family roles were hard. Carl as a student and I...well, I had to discover that and that was hard.

The kids missed belonging to a community and having lots of friends.

We didn't have a structured support system. There weren't too many babysitters around!

Carl and I missed going out for the evening with our friends.

And at school and church, where things could have been so much better, we were frustrated sitting in mediocrity, and we weren't in a position to change it.

We learned how to speak when it was needed, and to walk away when it wasn't worth it. And that's exactly what we did, but not without a cost.

We missed our neighbours in Winnipeg and in the beginning it was hard to live in such close quarters with people that you aren't all that connected to.

The smog and pollution were constantly causing allergies, especially for Asha.


But on the flip side, it was easy to live in Fresno.

When you don't have a lot of stuff, 600 sq ft is actually pretty big. And the yard, Wow! It was huge.

We didn't have to stay inside because of all the snow. It was beautiful most of the time and we really grew to love the hot weather.

The fruit was AMAZING and groceries were a lot cheaper (so it made things less tight as students)

Our church gave us the opportunity to connect with a homegroup which gave us the most wonderful friends. They walked with us and changed us in ways that we've never experienced. All of us gained a best friend in that group and they became our support system.

And when we spoke our mind, sometimes it didn't change, but other times, like with our neighbours, it allowed for deeper and more meaningful relationships. In the end, it was hard to say goodbye to our Courtyard family.

So we didn't go out for the evening, but I always had my Tuesday coffee date with Laura and we always had our Tuesday supper with Danny and Beth. We made due, we thought, but it really turned out for the best.

I loved the freeways and didn't mind the traffic. Because really, you can stand a little traffic for a few hours to get to Seaworld, Legoland, Disneyland, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Cambria, San Fransisco, Gilroy, Casa de Fruita, Los Angeles, Tijuana, Monterey....

Our friend Megan, who was our neighbour in the courtyard, said to us as we were leaving, "This year was a preparation year for you guys". And I think she was right. We left Winnipeg, tired and yet comfortable. We gave up all the extras and gained a better perspective on life. We aren't meant just to be hovering somewhere with no purpose. We are gifted to make changes wherever we are, and we aren't afraid to try something new. Even if it doesn't turn out as we expect or like, it will always change you for the better.

So what's next? Well, we have decided to take a three year assignment with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Bolivia. We are back in Winnipeg for the next 9 weeks, reconnecting with friends and family, culling more of our un-needed things, and preparing for our next adventure.

This will be my last post on this blog, only because we're not Five In Fresno anymore. But don't be too sad, because this blogging is in my blood and so I've decided to start a new one, Bolivia Bound. Click HERE to get there.

It has been such a pleasure and an experience writing this blog. Thanks for reading, and for supporting us.

Sincerely,

The Fresno Five