"a period of time when college or university teachers are allowed to stop their usual work in order to study or travel, usually while continuing to be paid." - cambridge dictionary

a mentor of ours added that the purpose is for growth and learning, while also relaxing and taking time away from the normal. our church gifted us with 4 weeks after our 7 years as pastor of epic. ben decided to take two this year and two the next. it would take place in london, england -- another global city. initially we thought the highlight would be the hillsong conference, but so much more got added to the schedule. and everything that was planned and unplanned has carved into our very lives and we have seen already it's affect on our marriage and anticipate it affecting our family, our church, our city, and this generation. 

i don't know many sabbatical stories. but i can sure tell you ours.