A walk around the lake...

This past week I was at Lake Junaluska, NC for SOULfeast 2015.  It was a wonderful and restful retreat sponsored by The Upper Room with the theme: "Renew Your People".   I was able to engage in the sessions, in worship, and in the workshop times and allow myself to be renewed.

There is much I can write about this past week... Elaine Heath and Missional Wisdom Foundation, Jacob Armstrong, Missy Buchanan and "Growing bolder, not just older", after workshops I attended, the altars, the worship, the people I met and those with whom I reconnected, table fellowship, etc.

I haven't been able to process it all.  I spoke about it some in today's sermons at two of the churches to which I'm appointed.  I will hopefully have some time to process more in the near future.

For today, I will post one picture I took on my afternoon walk around Lake Junaluska.  It was during the afternoon Sabbath rest time that day.  I walked around the lake getting some exercise, but also taking notice of many things such as: dark, plump blackberries that were beyond my reach; young fruit on trees; a tree that had come uprooted and lay in the water; ducks that were resting on logs or docks; folks out on the lake in kayaks, canoes, or on paddle boards; and flowers, especially the roses along the infamous Rose Walk.

My one picture from all of the beauty that I saw?

This is what I posted along with this picture on July 15 (Wednesday):

"Once again, SOULfeast has refreshed my soul, filled my cup, given me many things to ponder, and has blessed me more than words can describe. I have "come home" for my 4th time for SOULfeast and have not been disappointed. It isn't over yet. Who knows what teachings, challenges, or blessings await tomorrow?"

On Thursday, July 16, the final day of SOULfeast, I received more teachings and more blessings.  But, on my way home from SOULfeast I began to hear the news out of Chattanooga, TN (my home).  The news that quickly put Chattanooga and Hixson (where I live) on the map was a shock to many.  It was a surreal situation.

I found myself relying on Matthew 11:28 with the heavy burdens on my heart and as I traveled home that day.  There were many blessings along the pilgrimage homeward as I stopped several times to be renewed and refreshed by the waters and to pray next to a cornfield.

Being renewed is an ongoing necessity in order to be able to respond rather than to react.

Living into this renewal takes intentionality, but it is worth the effort.

That walk around the lake on Wednesday afternoon allowed me to process what I had learned so far and allowed my body, spirit, and mind to rest prior to being assaulted by more learning and by life's difficulties that I could not foretell.

What activities have helped you prepare in advance for some future unknown event?  How have you sensed God's working in the events in your life to prepare you to more adequately deal with situations?

It may not be a 'walk around the lake' for you.  It could be any number of things.

May you make some time today to 'walk around the lake'.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

SOULfeast 2014....

There are so many things I can say about SOULfeast 2014.

First, I will state the condition of my soul going into this week.  Frankly, it/I was depleted.  I had been working overtime to complete one of my classes two weeks early so that I could attend SOULfeast and another week for Hearts on Fire.  Beyond school responsibilities, there were other life things.

This photo was where my heart, mind, and soul were going into SOULfeast:



Though it is two days away and I have a final exam to finish prior, my soul longs for the nourishment it will receive at SOULfeast. Like the leaf that was ready and open to pool the water droplet here, I plan to be a vessel to capture what the Lord offers.

I was ready... in every sense of the word... to go there. 

Through the worship, the speaker (Roberta Bondi), the music, the prayer, the communion, the fellowship, seeing "old" friends (some I had met in years past and some I knew from home, friends from the Academy, etc), spending time walking around the lake, spending time in silence and solitude, meeting new friends, etc., God restored and strengthened my soul.

I felt refreshed, refilled, and refueled by the end of the week. 

It may seem a little crazy that I am doing back to back weeks of retreats/conferences.  When I saw Johnny Sears (Academy for Spiritual Formation) at SOULfeast, he said he didn't expect to see me there because of the Hearts on Fire in Minnesota.  I told him that God must have lots of work to do in me, because God is the one who worked it all out. ☺

I am grateful for the refreshment and filling that SOULfeast offered last week!

If you're interested in learning more about SOULfeast, an offering of the Upper Room, you can check them out on their website.

Next year's dates are:  July 12-16, 2015.  The main speaker is Elaine Heath and Jacob Armstrong will bring the Word/preaching.  The theme is "Renew Your People".  You can pre-register here.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  Later (hopefully) I will post more pictures and thoughts from the workshops, etc.

Becoming a contemplative photographer.....

I didn't really see it coming.  It came.  One day I looked up and looked back and realized, that yes, I had been moving into this process for a very long time.  Though not necessarily intentionally as in a goal for arrival, I think it has been a natural outlet for my soul.

Much like the beginnings of my spiritual journey take me back to the days of roaming and wandering the woods for hours and sitting at the mossy creek side up behind my Dad's campground (Trail's Inn), my photography journey started without me realizing it.  It is in looking back that I am able to recognize the beginnings of both these journeys and the path they have taken me.

I have had a camera in my hands since I was a child.  My very first camera was a Kodak Instamatic.

http://www.kodakcameracollection.com/cameras/KODAK-INSTAMATIC-Xxdashx15-Camera

 

My favorite part of that was the light bulbs.  In my high school days, in band we used those types of light bulbs for a special effects on one of our marching shows.  Everyone "popped" the wire at the same time at the end of the show. 

My first 35 mm was a Minolta XG1.

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/XG%20Series.htm

I could go on with the cameras I have had and used throughout the years, but that would make this post much longer.  I have primarily taken pictures of nature, architecture, and things that strike my attention.  But, I do take people pictures at times. 

In the past year or so I have noticed contemplative photography sites on Facebook of other people and started following them (such as Diane Walker's Contemplative Photography website or her Facebook page.  Their photographs and their words have spoken to me.  Additionally, other inspirational sites such as Shalem, Terry Hershey Fan Page, Alive Now, Weavings, etc. often use photography along with sayings to share a message.  I believe all of these have spoken to the deep place in my soul.  My soul not only listened, but started doing what it heard and saw. 

I really never set out to take contemplative photographs, to reflect my soul, or to allow others to reflect in the depths of their souls.  Yet, I know now that I am doing it.  And I'm glad.  Because I enjoy it and it is something that speaks to my soul.  It is one of those things that has grown out of my being.  Doing has come from being.  Being is always the root of doing because the well must have something to supply.  (This is one of those lessons that has been in the making, an ongoing learning journey and it flows from Psalm 46:10--Be still and know that I am God.)

I will note that part of my "a-ha" moment, realizing and recognizing that I have been on this journey came when a dear brother on the journey pointed it out to me.  My reaction was "oh".  Then, "hmmm".  That germinated and took root and helped me see, indeed, it was true.

At SOULfeast last week I attended a workshop "Visual Psalms" taught by Beth Richardson (a wonderful photographer, writer, singer, and all around creative person) and our assignment was to attempt to photograph the Psalms as we walked around the grounds.  I left our classroom, praying as I walked, and started taking some pictures here and there.  Sometimes I had an idea what Psalm or what portion of the Psalm might fit.  At other times, it was simply taking a picture of something that captured my attention.  Later that night I looked over the Psalms to match a Psalm or a portion of the Psalm with a picture that I had taken.  The first picture below fits the first category.  I knew when I looked at the mountains, that I thought "where does my help come from?".  And, I liked the idea of framing the picture with the archway at the chapel breezeway.  For the second picture, I enjoyed the roses.  There are SO MANY beautiful roses there.  These caught my attention because of the difference in stages and as I reflected on the passages and the pictures, it made me think of the different stages of waiting in life, etc.

Psalm 66:1-2-- I lift my eyes to the hills-- from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (NRSV)  (faith and trust theme)

Psalm 130:5-6--"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning." (NRSV) (petition theme)

When I walk and hike, things catch my attention.  There might not always be Scripture that goes along with it.  Sometimes I have found quotes that go along with the picture later, as in this leaf in the water back in the Fall. 

This one is of the creek at the North Chickamauga Gorge and I had read a verse that was on my mind:

 

(I created both of the above with the Textgram App on my phone.)

Sometimes, it is simply a moment with God.  Maybe just meant for me.  Maybe meant to share.  Sometimes I share.   Sometimes I don't. 

One doesn't always know what is for self and what is for others.  However, I do believe that most of what the Creator allows me to learn and experience is "for the sake of others", as Bob Mulholland reminded me of Christ's teachings.  And, I do want to live my life poured out for others.  However, that can only be accomplished if I regularly fill up at the well. 

Daily walks in creation, events such as SOULfeast, silence and solitude, music, ordinary things, etc.  There are many ways to fill up at the well. 

Thanks be to the Creator!

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  Here are a few other resources not listed in the post above.

Visual Psalmists posted on Alive Now!
Sight Psalms

Other sites on Contemplative Photography:

Seeing Fresh:  The Practice of Contemplative Photography
Contemplative Camera

A book:

Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice by Christine Valters Paintner

SOULfeast 2013--The Spirit Alive

I'm back from my second SOULfeast at Lake Junaluska, NC.  I first went to SOULfeast in 2010.  That summer and fall were packed with some major mile markers in my life.  Much has transpired in the three years since I have been to SOULfeast.  To look back and see how God was working then, to see how God worked through many situations and people, and to see where I am now is a tad mind-blowing for me.  Interestingly (or ironically), even with all the movement in my life, I still don't know the end-all where I'm going.  BUT, there is a difference in my life now than three years ago.  I'm much more calm in that unknowing (most of the time) and I can live into with more acceptance and ease.  I attempt to live it step by step, as each one is revealed.  I did three years ago too, but there was an urgency in my spirit that was pushing me.  For me, part of this SOULfeast was reflecting back on my last SOULfeast and the past three years. ☺

Trevor Hudson was the main speaker, speaking at opening worship, the plenary sessions, and closing worship.  I have never heard Trevor Hudson speak.  I haven't read his books, though I did buy The Cycle of Grace this past January that he and Jerry Haas co-wrote and I have skimmed it.  Another one of his books caught my attention in the fall of 2010 at a 5 day Academy I attended because of the hiking boots on the cover: A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion.  My husband picked it up at the Lake Junaluska bookstore and is currently reading it, so I'll get to read it eventually! ☺  Trevor was an incredible speaker!  Engaging, authentic, humble, transparent, vulnerable.  He spoke the truth-- hard core, yet in love, teaching and challenging.  Each session there was something to sink my teeth into, to chew on (reflect upon) and to apply to my life journey.

During each worship time, there was an artist from Iowa, Steve Braudt, who drew with chalk throughout the singing, speaking, etc.  That was powerful to watch-- his worship expressed in art.  And, the results were always beautiful expressions of art that reflected the worship.  A gift that helps him worship, but that also gives to so many others.  [Check out The Art Project website here.  There are links about art as a spiritual discipline, etc.]

The altars were changed out for each worship time.  Altars and banners bring beauty and meaning into the worship space.

 

 

There were quiet spaces set up around for quiet time and reflection with instructions: Walk The Rosary (using the rose path), Labyrinth, Sitting at the Feet of Jesus, Joy of Coloring... I may have missed some and may not have the names exactly correct, but you get the idea.

SOULfeast offers wonderful choices for morning and afternoon workshops.  The morning workshop is designed as a 3 day consecutive time, while the afternoon workshops are individual.  There is not enough time to be able to do all the great choices offered.  That is a wonderful problem.

This year I chose the Joining God's Mission II for my morning workshop.  For the afternoon workshops, I went to Holy Listening: A Circle of Trust and an e-learning session with folks from both the Upper Room (Sharon Conley) and BeADisciple.com (Steve Wilke).  All workshops were helpful, provided me with information, allowed me to meet and interact with new folks, etc.  Good stuff!

I got to reconnect with folks I hadn't seen in a while (from my 5 day Academy, past SOULfeast, etc.) and connect with folks I had only met thus far in the virtual world.  In an afternoon workshop, I recognized the name of one person (Ann Smith) I had met through her blog (Out of My Heart) that my cousin in Spain had sent me. [He had sent me a specific post, "Lines" back in May.]  We ended up having the opportunity to talk at the end of that workshop and saw each other at other times during the week.  That was neat.  Small world. ☺  I also met new folks in the workshops and through the Academy dinner meeting and the Hearts on Fire luncheon.

I'm still processing (and will be processing) all that I heard and learned this past week.  I have notes and pictures.  Just as I had three years ago, I also have some affirmations and rumblings (or guidance) in my own journey.... I say "rumblings" because they are there, but not coming to the surface as clear as I would like them too.  But, that might be my fault.  Honestly, I may not truly want to live into the truth I see and hear.  Why would I say that?  Because I see and hear it, but I don't understand what it means.  So, I have to let it sit longer and allow the Ultimate Guide, God the Creator, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit reveal to me what it means and how it is supposed to be lived out.  The image of guiding others through and out of the wilderness was once again affirmed this past week as one of the speakers, Vance Ross, was sharing about his brother coming to get him out of the woods.  I need (or I think I need) more time to reflect upon the image and what it means for me.  I don't think (or feel) that the time is right for me to step into living it, whatever living it means... but that could be fear of unknown or many other things.  So, I will ask for clarity and guidance and see what happens.

Meanwhile, there is much life waiting on me.... groceries that need to be bought, a trombone that needs to be serviced, school supplies that are waiting to be bought, a class I teach starting next week that needs to be cleared out and readied, some other things and responsibilities that need to be covered.

Living the inward/outward journey isn't easy.  It requires flexibility.  It keeps me humble.  I cannot do it on my own.  SOULfeast has helped to feed my soul, to strengthen my heart and mind.... now to live out what I've been learning in the community (communities) where God has placed me.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  Mark your calendars:  SOULfeast 2014 dates are July 13-17.

Random thoughts as it continues to rain...

We've had rain in our area for the past several days.  LOTS of rain.  The field across from our neighborhood was flooded this morning.  There were roads closed with signs this morning.  In fact, we turned around on Boy Scout as we saw the street flooded and cars backing up.  As we made our way around some back roads to Middle Valley, the road was closed to the left.  The Save-A-Lot / Dollar General parking lot was flooded.  So was the driving range.  These are typical flood spots in our area.  But, more roads were closed off today than normal due to all the rain we have received.

Dollar General / Save-A-Lot Parking Lot, Middle Valley (photo by Charlotte Dickerson, 7/7/13)

Driving Range Parking Lot (photo by Charlotte Dickerson, 7/7/13)

After church, the sun came out for a little while "and dried up all the rain" (as the song goes).

But thunder rolled in.  Then the rain.  We're obviously not done with the rain yet. 

What does one do when it rains so much?!?!  One could read, watch T.V., write, sleep, etc. 

I've watched some T.V. (caught the end of Ice Age), simply can't bring myself to read anything at the moment (my brain is still a tad on overload.... though I have started my reading for the fall), and I don't really feel like sleeping.  So, maybe writing will do it for me.  It may even be just what I need to become sleepy.... or maybe that will happen you to. ☺

Today at church the pastor talked about Jesus being the bridge between man and God.  He talked about us being bridge builders like Jesus.  That resonates with me.  I have felt like a "bridge" person for quite a while.  I build bridges, or try to, between people and in situations, etc. 

Another thing on my mind today is a status update from a local church that started a new series today on "Sacred Refuge."   They had posted a "Post Service Post":

"Christ has extended you an invitation to rest and recover. An invitation to break through the congestion, to still all the voices that are drowning out your truth. The truth that you are a child of God and the truth that a good work has begun in you."

My response to that invitation: "I accept that invitation!"

Here is a link to today's message from St. Marks Church Northshore on Sacred Refuge/Retreat Series.  Carl Greene delivers today's message.

I need time and space to rest and recover.  My brain has been going non-stop since February.  I took some time and space at the last Academy session and at my intensive week in seminary.  But, I really haven't been able to take long periods of time and space to rest, recover, and listen.  Life is like that.  It ebbs and flows. 

My time is coming.  Soon!  I have an opportunity upcoming to attend a Board Meeting for Hearts on Fire (a.k.a. FUMSDRL-- Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders) at Christ the King retreat center in MN.  Though a short time, there will be space and time to rest, recover, and listen.  Then, I'll take a longer time with SOULfeast at Lake Junaluska, NC.  I can sense my spirit saying "ah....." even now. 

In order to adequately be the bridge I'm called to be, to live into the ministries I'm called to live into, I need rest, recovery, and listening time. 

My heart, mind, and soul are thirsty for some holy space, sacred space.

The rain has just now kicked in to a more rapid volume.  Once again it is plummeting upon the earth.  That sound is beautiful!  It's as close as I can get to a waterfall right now, though I've considered checking out some of the local ones.... with all this rain they must be flowing well! 

I am ready to drink more of the waterfall of grace.  I am ready to dive into rest, to recover, to listen.  Then, I will be ready to not simply be who I am called to be, but also ready to do whatever I am called to do.

Whatever stage you find yourself in your journey, maybe some time and space to rest would be just what you need.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

The Touch Test

Are you familiar with "The Touch Test"?  If you are familiar with Rudy or Juanita Rasmus, then the answer is most likely "yes".  If not, then allow me to introduce you to the touch test and to Rudy and Juanita.

I first heard of Rudy and Juanita last summer at SoulFeast 2010 at Lake Junaluska, NC.  Powerful life stories, powerful speakers, humble lives submitted to God.  This couple is inspiring!  The last day of SoulFeast last summer, in the last minutes, Juanita introduced us to her husband's "Touch Test" from his book Touch.  She went through a list of types of people, asking us to note which ones we felt uncomfortable being able to love... or which ones were difficult to love.... or which ones God was calling us to love at that time more deeply.  I can't remember how she worded it exactly then.  The one that stood out to me though at that time was "mentally challenged adult".  And, with it came a specific name and person, though I'm sure I can expand on that love to others.  I have someone in my life who has a mental denegerative disorder, from birth.  I have been given the opportunity to love this person, to help guide this person, and to deal with this person.  Thankfully, I'm not alone.  We are a team of several that help this person.  But, God let me know last summer that I was to love this person more.  So, I have tried-- to be more loving, to be more understanding, to be more patient.  We ALL can be difficult to love.  I recognize that I am difficult to love too. 

Fast forward to this summer.  Our local Scenic City Women's Network (SCWN) brought Juanita Rasmus in for their annual praise breakfast.  I was excited to learn about that and obtained tickets for my daughter and I to attend.  It was truly a blessing.  Juanita shared many nuggets of truth and jewels of healthy spiritual living.  She also challenged us with the touch test, putting it in the context of someone sitting next to you in church.

Afterwards, I purchased Rudy's book.  After all, I had waited almost an entire year to buy this book.  It should be safe to buy it now.  (Note:  I have a book addiction and have to be careful around books.) 

I just finished reading the book yesterday.  Besides the TOUCH TEST, there are many wonderful things in this book to challenge, encourage, and equip someone in their journey.  Especially if the person is seeking to grow in loving the "other" in their community.

There is a "Going Deeper" section at the end of the book that offers great questions for reflection.  The Touch Test is found here, starting on page 225.   The instructions are under question #4 and say: "Following is a list of different kinds of people.  Indicate which ones you wouldn't feel completely comfortable sitting next to.  When you've finished, look over your list and write an evaluation of your willingness to love people."  WOW!  There are 71 kinds of people listed.  I don't have room to type them all here, but here are some:

• homeless person
• illiterate adult male/female
• man wearing baseball cap or hat
• convicted sex offender
• ex-prisoner
• religious fanatic
• a heavily tattooed man
• couple with crying, screaming baby
• interracial couple
• a muslim
• a person who sings loudly and poorly
• divorced male/female
• a woman wearing pants
• recovering drug addict
• gay male
• lesbian couple
• disable person
• hispanic male or female
• person with many teeth missing
• retarded adult
• smoker
• political conservative

It would be a great resource to have this "test" available online.  I checked the church website (http://stjohnsdowntown.org/), and I couldn't find such a resource, but there are other great resources there.

The book Touch includes a guide for beginning a ministry to homeless people as well as a guide for how to lead a study group using the book.  These resources are in the back of the book.

There is a list of characteristics on pages 192-194 that are categorized under "ministries that are intentionally safe" and "ministries that are intentionally spontaneous".  These characteristics can be used to rate a church or ministry to see what it says about where the church or ministry is in its living out the gospel.  There might be some "Amen"s and/or there might be some "Ouch"es, but the comparison is worth reflection.  What is God calling the church / ministry to be and do vs. what it is being and doing?

Pastor Rudy says this: "All of us need to take a good, hard look at how we live God's calling in our lives.  As we look at what Jesus wants us to do, I'm not claiming to have my act together.  I'm still learning, still in process, still in need of God's guidance.  I often ask myself and my team if we're really touching people's lives.  Are we willing to do whatever it takes to touch them, no matter how many traditions we trample, no matter who doesn't like it?  That's what Jesus did." (185)

That resonates within me.  How am I living out God's call in my life?  I know I don't have my act together either.  I recognize that I'm still learning and still in process and definitely still in need of God's guidance!  Am I touching people's lives?  Am I willing to do whatever it takes to touch them? 

These aren't easy questions, but they are important questions.  Questions I'm willing to ask of myself and have others ask of me.  Questions I'd like to be able to bring into dialogue with others in my community.

I know I didn't give you all 71 kinds of people, but take the Touch Test.  Grab a copy of the book.  Read it.  See if it touches you.  Share it if it does. 

Seeking to touch people's lives with the love of God as I travel this adventurous journey,

~Debra

PS-- Check out SoulFeast 2011(http://www.upperroom.org/soulfeast/) .  Juanita Rasmus will be back.  And, Rudy Rasmus will be one of the speakers at the Change the World conference in October at Ginghamsburg Church (http://ginghamsburg.org/changetheworld).

Lectio divina....spiritual reading.

Lectio divina is the Latin term for "spiritual reading", "divine reading", "holy reading".  Lectio divina is a spiritual practice that will help one slow things down and focus, contemplate, reflect.  It is a way of prayer.

Lectio divina works like this:  you take a passage and read it slowly, paying attention to the words and phrases that stick out to you at the time.  Re-read the passage another time or two, allowing the passage to speak to you.   Spend some time reflecting on what you've gotten from the passage. 

WARNING!  This type of reading is habit forming!  I have read in places that anything can become spiritual reading when read intentionally in this way.  I would agree, from experience.  Though I read Scripture in this method, I also read books in this way.  Not all the time, mind you...... But, it has become a default, underlying current, style of reading. 

I will explain.  You may have noticed.   There are at least two blog entries in which I've quoted a passage from an author and then I've gone back and shared the words that stood out to me.  Then, I've reflected on those words.  That's lectio divina, spiritual reading. 

I realized yesterday (with the help of an "intervention" by some friends) that I am in constant "think-mode" when I read.  Even when I read fiction.  Seriously.  If it's my copy of the book, I'm known to take notes and underline.  If it's not, watch out for lots of yellow sticky notes or brightly colored sticky flags.   I think part of my "problem" is that I have developed the practice of reading in the style of lectio divina.  The other side of that coin is that I rarely choose non-thinking material to read. 

Have you tried lectio divina as a way to change up your study time?  I encourage you to try it.  I realize that my amateur explanations of this spiritual practice may not be enough for you to get into the practice, so I am going to include some additional resources for you.

A book I've mentioned before, Sacred Rhythms: Arranging our Lives For Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton, has a chapter on lectio divina, Chapter 3: "Encountering God Through Lectio Divina".

Another book I've mentioned before, Soulfeast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie Thompson, also has a chapter, Chapter 2: "Chewing the Bread of the Word: The Nature and Practice of Spiritual Reading".

Weavings has an online guide "On Spiritual Reading" you can print out.  It is intended to be used with the Weavings articles, but gives a good overview of spiritual reading as well.  http://www.weavings.org/ (Click on "Reading Groups" and then scroll down and find "On Spiritual Reading".  Click and read and/or print.)

Here is a link to the Upper Room: http://www.upperroom.org/methodx/thelife/prayermethods/lectio.asp.  Here you can read a little about lectio divina and then try it.  Just follow the instructions for the next steps.

This is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg on the topic.  If this is new to you, maybe you can post what you read and your reflections...... If this isn't new to you, post your experiences and/or some other resources you've found along the way.

As we continue the journey, I wish you all "happy reading"!  As for me, I'm going to attempt to NOT read something with spiritual reading eyes.  (I've been told that if I do and if I take notes or even reflect on this one, I have to share....)

You might be wondering what I'll be reading..... Sisterchicks in Sombreros by Robin Jones Gunn.  I hope I'll be able to read this like a "normal" person. :)

May there be joy in your journey today!

~Debra