Strength for the Journey, part 3

I started this post, part 3 of my Strength for the Journey week, WEEKS ago. on May 2nd. I am finally getting around to finishing it. I wanted to share some of what I learned from the speakers, workshops, etc.  Part of what is below was previously written. I take up today below the information on the tie-dye ice hats.

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Wow!!

Or, "waw"-- what a week!

As I reflect on the past week at Steiner Bell Lodge with Strength for the Journey, I am full. My heart, mind, and soul became filled through connections, conversations, worship, learning, campfires, hiking, doing crafts, sitting in the rocking chairs looking at the view, blowing bubbles from the deck and watching the wind take them away.  I am full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the retreat team. 

I was a tad apprehensive about going. Not because of the people. I honestly don't know what was there in me to cause that. It could have been the unknown-- a new place, serving on a team and only knowing a few people, not fully knowing what to expect. 

But, any ounce of apprehension quickly melted away and was replaced with peace once I got there.

In my 2nd post, I mentioned how accepted I felt. I felt seen, heard, and loved. That's an incredible feeling. 

Every time we worshipped, we sang "Draw the Circle Wide".  This song is written by Gordon Light and the tune is by Mark Miller. I've written about it three times before, have used it in a celebration of life service, and have heard it in several places. It is a perfect song for Strength for the Journey. It can be found in Worship & Song, #3154

(handout used for celebration of life service)

one of many versions found on YouTube

I have notes from our speakers and worship times to go back over to see what else caught my attention during the week.

The ice tie-dye craft was fun! I enjoy tie-dye and have made a shirt, but I mostly buy from others. To make my own hat was pretty cool. One doesn't quite know how the colors are going to turn out, so it's a "wait and see" experiment.

Here are some photos from that:

Everyone's hat turned out so cool! There is something about doing a project together with others that is not only fun, but uplifting.

We had other activities too-- a card making craft. Small artist cards. You could be as creative as you wanted to be. There were stamps, you could cut out pictures, there were stickers, ETC. These small cards are fun to make and there's a world out there that makes them, trades them, and collects them. I just had fun making one and seeing what everyone else did. Here is mine:

Have I mentioned the campfires yet? If I have, please indulge me. :) We had campfires for three of the nights, as the weather co-operated. Campfire time was a time to relax, sing, share about the day, and hang out with one another. Colored flames added to the fun. The music was great It's a tad difficult for me to put in words how meaningful this time was. I have always enjoyed campfire time-- from camping out with my family to attending and working camps throughout my life. There is something special about this time. Here are a few photos of our campfires:

Here is the altar in our worship space for the week. Things were added along the way, but this is the only photo I took. I really liked the Guatemalan cloths. 

I looked up my notes in one of the notebooks, as I cannot find the other one right now. :)

We each got this notebook for the week:

Here are some of the things that stood out to me in the various speaker sessions, worship, etc.

• Find the genuine in you and embrace it. This caused me to reflect-- what IS my genuine? I wrote down "play, authenticity, in creation". I imagine there is more to unpack there, but for now I'm just writing down some of the notes.
• In the wilderness, look for trail markers-- blazes, maps, cairns, clouds, pillars of fire. 'You never know what events will lead you home.'
• Isaiah 43:14-19. God makes a way. God does a new thing. We will find God in liberation, in the place of wilderness. We can not do the wilderness journey on our own. 
• It's okay to be afraid in the wilderness.

Those are just a few of the notes I took. I am sure I absorbed much more than that. 

Here's what was written about wilderness on a handout. I am not sure who wrote it, compiled it, or from whence it came. But, it is a great statement about wilderness:

"Wilderness is a time or place where we encounter what is new, strange, scary, lonely, unknown or mysterious. The wilderness is a wild and beautiful time and place where we can discover the sacred within each person and all creation. The wilderness can inspire us and guide us, assuring us of God's constant presence. As the Spirit guides us through the wilderness, we find what we need to face our fears and the very real challenges that impact our world. The wilderness teaches us the importance of community and the ways we navigate challenges together. The wilderness reveals our strengths, growing edges, and potential as God equips us for the unknown still to come. The wilderness awaits us all, ang God meets us there."

I could probably write more about my time with Strength for the Journey, but I think I will stop now. There is so much within me for which I am grateful for this opportunity to attend. To all the "campers", thank you for sharing your time for the week. There were many meaningful conversations. To all the staff, thank you for all the work done in preparation and during the week. Everyone pitched in and did their part to make this happen.  I look forward to being with and working with all of you again.

In closing, here are some pictures from my time in the wilderness, on the trail we hiked on Thursday. It was at the Greenbrier entrance of the Smoky Mountains. The trail took us by a creek and up to a cabin. There was a cemetery along the way, lots of cool nature things, such as rocks and more.

Peace on your journey, wherever it takes you.

Deb

New Growth

This morning as I was on the patio drinking coffee with Cliff, I noticed there was new growth, new life in the yucca planters. These yucca planters held vibrant yucca plants at one time, but had died off. Evidently I have a strong "brown thumb" and can kill even yucca plants.

I saw signs of life in the planters. I was surprised because it has been quite a while since there were signs of life. The planters themselves are pretty cool. They are Mexican pottery. I got the plants and the planters at Bees on a Bicycle. They are sadly no longer in business, as there is a life cycle for all things.

For these yucca plants, somehow, it was time for new life, new growth. I weeded out the weeds and took out the dead leaves from fall that were in the pot. 

Both planters revealed several clumps of young yucca.

As I thought about this new life and new growth, I realized that I had no idea what was going on underneath the soil. I thought the plants were gone. But, I was wrong. 

Isaiah 43:19 comes to mind: 

"Look! I'm doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don't you recognize it? I'm making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness." (CEB-- Common English Bible)

What new thing is sprouting up in my life? In your life? 

For me, I don't yet know, but it was encouraging for me to see new life, new growth and to remember that just because something seems gone, it doesn't mean it is. There is work being done underneath the surface, from the inside out. 

It's not an easy thing to trust what one cannot see, to believe that there is life and growth when there is no evidence.

Yet, when it sprouts up, so does the hope and encouragement.

May I, you, we remember that there is more going on within than we realize or recognize.

Here's to new things and making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.

May the adventurous journey continue.

Rev. Deb

Advent Week 2-- Peace through Wilderness

Even though I had the space to put together a "word a day" challenge this year, I question myself daily as I reflect on the words, seek to find something that resonates with me, etc. I ask myself if this is REALLY a helpful spiritual practice for me. Though it takes some discipline and time to set up the daily posts with the daily words and discipline and time to reflect daily and post about the word, I think it is a helpful spiritual practice for me. And that's the reason I do it. It's something I can do that allows me to reflect on the Holy, the Divine, the Mystery, the Christ Child, etc. during the Advent Season. And, it is something that allows me to use outlets of writing and photography, both of which are spiritual practices for me.

With that, here is Advent Week 2 all in one place, taken from my daily posts and put here:

December 8--Peace

Today's word is #peace.

Being in nature gives me peace. When I feel the stress of life, trees, woods, water, and/or rocks can calm my soul and restore peace.

If I am not able to get into the woods, stepping outside and being in the fresh air can at times be enough.

What brings you peace? What do you do or where do you go to maintain peace?

Like the deep pool of water in the photo, peace runs deep. May the peace that passes understanding run deeply in your being.

Shalom.
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord

December 9--Nature

Today's word is #nature.

Once a month we gather outdoors in nature for outdoor worship. We share Scripture, readings, silence, our reflections, and we share bread and fruit of the vine during a time of Communion.

The communion elements are covered monthly in this cloth reminding us "and heaven and nature sing".

How can I notice nature more this Advent? What are my daily surroundings of nature? The sky? A certain tree? A bird? A bush?

As I reflect on the first coming of the Christ child, I wonder what aspects of nature Mary and Joseph encountered on their journey? Werr they able to exclaim "and heaven and nature sing"?

#nature #AdventPhoto #AdventWord #BambooEncounter

December 10--Gift

Today's word is #gift.

I read a post by a friend and colleague who now works in donor services. He used the hashtag #BeAGift.

I have witnessed the powerful life-giving gift of organ donations as I walked with a family.

This heart is on my Driver's license. I am registered to donate.

Whether I can offer the gift of listening, presence, or life, my hope is that my being, my life is poured out as a gift. It was gifted to me. I want to give back.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord #SeeAHeartShareAHeart

Donor information: (for any state)
https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA6t-6BhA3EiwAltRFGLTfLXvXzYGOzt3Ckj52l3_MwHMSa-X0WjILETvyCRyYYZuNncmLQxoCVpsQAvD_BwE

December 11--Wonder

Today's word is #wonder.

One definition of the word "wonder": "rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience"

After taking out the trash at Welcome Home of Chattanooga today, the clouds captured my attention. I first saw a small heart space, upside down, in the sky. It quickly dissipated, causing me to look beyond the space.

What I saw was this: big and puffy clouds. Their shape reminded me of a jolly fellow with his hat and beard. ;)

May I continue to be filled with wonder this Advent.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord

December 12--Alert

Today's word is #alert.

Alert:

"fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen: Synonyms: observant, wary, awake."

This sweet puppy is currently NOT alert. However, deliver a package to our front door and the barking begins. This sweet furry family member reminds me what it means to be alert, fully aware, attentive, wide-awake, observant, wary.

Being alert during this Advent season means that I am watchful, looking and listening for the presence of the Holy.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord #BambooEncounter

December 13--Stars

Today's word is #stars.

Here are stars from different places I visited today.

As I reflect on stars, a camp song comes to mind:

"He's everything to me" by Ralph Carmichael.

Some of the lyrics:

In the stars His handiwork I see,
"On the wind He speaks with majesty,
Though He ruleth over land and sea,
What is that to me?
I will celebrate Nativity,
For it has a place in history,
Sure, He came to set His people free,
What is that to me?"

As the Advent Season continues, today's word brings nature into focus and connects me with camp, a huge part of my spiritual formation and outdoor life.

I do see Creator's handiwork in the stars.

Peace.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord #BambooEncounter

December 14--Wilderness

Today's word is #wilderness.

Though wilderness can be a place of unknown for me, most often it is a place that refreshes me, centers me, draws me closer to Creator. When I am not able to get out into other, I can look at it and remember.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord #BambooEncounter

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This concludes Advent Week 2, a week of peace through wilderness.

Deb

[ALL PHOTOS ARE MINE.]

Reflections from the 4 Day Academy

Going into the 4 Day Academy I shared my thoughts, some reflections, some photos from the worship space, and what I anticipated for the week. You can find that post here: 4 Day Academy at Camp Sumatanga.

Before the Academy officially began, I spent time in nature/creation playing at the playground and on rocks, walking around under the tree canopy and exploring. I wrote about that experience here: Rocks, Trees, and Mushrooms! Exploring Around Camp Sumatanga

What I haven't written about it my experience, what I learned, how I connected with God, etc. Truthfully, I'm not sure I can. I'm still processing it all. I did take notes. I even took notes during worship time of the songs we sang, the Psalms and Psalm Prayers that were referenced, Scripture shared, etc. I thought I might go back to my personal copy of the Upperroom Worship Book and look some of those up. And I still might. 

In the past I've been able to write more easily about an Academy experience. I've been able to process it more fully or more quickly.... or something.

This time, I don't know. Maybe it's the theme: "Welcoming the Wilderness". Maybe it's deeply embedded within me this time and I don't need to rush it out. Maybe it needs time to incubate, to grow, to put down roots within me. I am not fully sure.

I do know that I am glad I took the time, made the time for this time apart. It was a gift to and for me, to focus on God, creation, and to spend time in the rhythm of the Academy so that I could more effectively listen to the Creator. 

My soul was refreshed. I know that. Through the rhythms, the worship, the conversations, the silence, the solitude, the sharing from the faculty, and the sharing within community. Add to that the bountiful beauty of God's creation.

I heard names of authors I knew and learned new ones. 

To trust that all these things are working within me is just that-- TRUST. It is not anything I can see.

However, I know that I opened the space, that I listened, that I put in the time. Therefore, I know that there are seeds planted, there are roots growing deeper, there is healing and growth. Even if I don't see it or feel it. I can trust.

I am grateful for the team and our faculty (Larry Peacock and Dale Clem). I am grateful for all the people I met. Most of them were from Alabama, but some were from Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio and Illinois. 

One of the authors that came up was Chardin and his writing "Trust in the slow work of God". That took me back to my Spiritual Direction coursework and how impactful that was for me then. I remember creating an hour glass prayer with the phrase "trust in the slow work of God". I can't find where I wrote about that specifically, but I think it went something like this:

trust in the slow work of God
trust in the slow work
trust in the slow
trust
trust
trust in the slow
trust in the slow work
trust in the slow work of God

By taking each phrase and allowing it to be aligned with one's breath, it becomes a type of breath prayer. It allows an intentional focus. The post where I wrote about Chardin was "Healing Takes Time".

It's going to take some time to process my 4 Day Academy. 

One thing I can share here and now is the daily focus.

Here are the words of the day:

Gifts

Stillness

Healing (me in the mirror)

Healing (me not in the mirror)

Hope

These words are "spot on" for my life, just as was so much else. The wilderness is home for me. Not just because I have had so many wilderness experiences in my life, but because it is also the place where I know and experience God best. That's why I am drawn to outdoor worship, to hike, to be outside on the deck, to be in a hammock, to walk, to bike, etc. 

There is much for me to process, though I wonder if it is meant to work beneath the surface, so to speak. I don't know. I do know that the Academy time was and is part of my growth and healing, part of my learning and calling.

I am glad I was able to attend.

I am also glad I was able to hike up to Creel Chapel on Wednesday, October 9th. That was super meaningful to me and special as that was my 60th birthday. Though it (turning 60) has been a quiet time of celebration this year for me, it has not been without contemplation. 

My goal is to live in the moment, in the here and now. As Thomas Merton has taught me for many years: "I do not [have to] know where I am going." Would you believe that Merton came up during the week too?!?! Merton has been my companion through my commissioning, my ordination, and to this day. :)

Thomas Merton Prayer of Unknowing:

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