Sunday, July 08, 2007

Twenty Eight Days and Counting!


I am going on retreat! All by myself to a yurt on an organic farm run by nuns for two whole days of mostly silence. I am almost beside myself with the thrill of it all. My SD and I have been talking about this getting away since about January, but with one thing and another it just hasn't come together. I admit to some foot dragging, but mainly it's schedule. This full-time day job of mine does get in the way now and again. And a lot of vacation time has been spent going to diocesan convention, clergy conference, summer school and other events that educate, edifiy and enrich me in many ways, but do not meet the need for retreat! So last Sunday, when the lovely college age daughter of congregants told me of the yurt on the farm where she is interning this summer, and that it is available for private retreats I began to envision the possibility. I called and talked to one of the very nice sisters, and their schedule fits my schedule, and it's really going to happen! I'm told there are trails to walk, work on the farm if guests are so inclined (weeding can be contempletive), communal prayer and meals and otherwise you are left to just be. Twenty-eight days till Earthrise Farm Retreat!!!!

15 comments:

Gannet Girl said...

Outstanding!

Barbara B. said...

That sounds wonderful!

Diane M. Roth said...

yes, that sounds like an adventure! (I'm not sure what a yurt is.. is that the picture?)

Gannet Girl said...

Oh, see, you gotta teach world history. Mongols live(d) in yurts; they are emminently transportable and perfect for nomadic life.

I suppose though that on retreat one does not fold up one's yurt and head off to the steppes of Asia.

RevDrKate said...

This I think is a permanent yurt. No heading off for Asia...it's a short retreat. :) Yes Diane, this is indeed the very yurt from the website of earthrise farm. Oh, and did I mention the part about the massage therapist....on a RETREAT???

Barbara B. said...

besides, if you head off with the yurt you lose your deposit :)

Terri said...

Wow. That sounds like a delicious retreat! Especially the massage therapist...well and the yurt, and the farm, and the whole basic retreat...yay, good for you.

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

What a treat!!! One of my dream vocations would be to build a retreat center. It would take me two days just to unwind and actually "be present". Many blessings for this time to be just what you need it to be.

Diane M. Roth said...

massage therapy? sign me up!

Jan said...

Sounds lovely! I was in my first "yurt" when I went to a Dominican Sisters farm in Boerne, TX, which is wholly self-sustaining. They save ALL their liquids and rainwater to be used. Anyway, the yurt was large and for worship; I was surprised at how peaceful (as it rained) it was inside. Thanks for the picture for us to imagine you there. I'm sure you'll be surprised at how quickly the time will arrive for your retreat. Yay!

Cecilia said...

Oh my, that sounds absolutely wonderful... I do hope you enjoy it. perhaps "enjoy" is not the word... soak it up!

Pax, C.

RevDrKate said...

Thanks for all the support and enthusiasm. Now when I am tempted to think I am too busy to go (which could happen) I will think about feeling the need to report that to you all and will head yurt-ward!

Sally said...

Have a wonderful retreat- just wonderful!

Josephine- said...

That sounds wonderful! I am so glad you are taking time away to take care of yourself. :)

Ruby said...

Wow, that looks beautifully peaceful . . . and it comes with a massage therapist? I'm so glad you're taking some time for yourself.