A Prayer to Share

I receive so many newsletters, daily meditations and such that I don't always have time to read them. Or more likely I'm not in a peaceful enough place where I can actually read them so usually their impact is truly lost on me.

This morning from a wonderful website called ExploreFaith.org this prayer found its way to my mailbox and to my attention....just at a time I needed it the most. Perhaps you will feel the same calmness that I did after I read this. These have been, and are, nerve wracking times, at best. I hope these words will also give you peace if only for a while.

Gracious God, when the economy is in disarray, when young people are fighting in faraway wars, when we argue over issues and refuse to listen to the other side, I ask that your grace enfold us. Move us from self-interest to compassion, from the need to be right to the place of doing right. Let the love that is at the foundation of creation spread out like roots, bringing life, healing and wholeness to places cracked and broken. I ask this for the sake of your love.

Making a difference, one child at a time

I have a new girl in my life. Her name is Francoise. She has the biggest brown eyes and a smile that takes up half her face. I had walked by the GO! (Global Outreach) Ministry cart in the church lobby several times seeing that face on a brochure, thinking “what a cutie!” But I was usually in a hurry to do something somewhere, so I didn’t stop.

Then last week, the words that were written above the beautiful face almost yelled at me – “get involved – sponsor a child today.” And I did. I have already received a first letter from beautiful little Francoise, from Takwe, Rwanda, the community with whom my church St. Anthony on the Desert recently partnered. She told me about her family, how fortunate she is to have a mother and a father, two brothers and a sister. She’s in the 5th grade and loves mathematics and studying their national language. I thought she sounded just like any average little girl; then I read on. She also lives in a mud block house with a dirt floor, suffers from malnutrition; and her community has no sewer system, electricity or running water. Their only water source is dirty and an hour’s walk away. OK, maybe Francoise is not like the children that I know…

I have to admit that the first letter I wrote to Francoise was a difficult one indeed. How do I tell her about my life, my blessed life, with family and friends who fill my days with joy, the opportunities that I have? She wants pictures of me and my family and my house so that she can know me better. Part of me doesn’t want to do this. Part of me is so utterly embarrassed and ashamed to have this little smiling girl halfway around the world wanting to know all about me so we can share our lives together. I have so much, too much. Certainly nothing deserved, just blessed.

As I sit and look at the beautiful beaming face of little Francoise, I read the banner under her picture. “Make a difference…one child at a time.” So this is the beginning, the beginning of my life shared with Francoise. Can I end poverty? Not by myself. Can I make a difference in the life of Francoise Iradukunda? Absolutely. What a blessing.

"We do not see things as they are but as we are."

I heard this on the radio recently as I was driving to work. The thought has stuck with me because it provided an easy answer to so many of the mysteries in my life.

I know that people and circumstances that really haven’t changed seem different to me when my attitude about them changes. Some days everything is absolutely great; other days, a little less so. It seems reasonable to assume that if I decide to have a good attitude, then things will be just perfect or at least manageable.

As much as I like to be in control, (a shocking thought, I know) there was something wrong with this thought. It isn’t about me, and it’s so easy to fall into that trap. The feeling that when I feel good, all is well. When I’m a little out of sorts, the world veers off course. Where is God in all of this?It seems funny to me that when I have contorted thoughts such as these, that God lets me go down rabbit holes for just so long, and then he sends me a lifeline. These lifelines appear in so many different ways…as one did last night.

I read a passage out of one of my favorite author’s books, When the Game is Over It All Goes Back into the Box, by John Ortberg. In it he said, “Salt's calling is to lose itself in something much bigger and more glorious; and then it fulfills its destiny. We were made to count. We were made to be salt. But the quest for significance is a delicate dance. If I do it by myself for myself, it's death. If I do it with God for others, it's life.”

I would only change one thing. That would be if I do it with God and with you, its life. Join with me now not to find the easy answers, not to set ourselves up as kings and queens of the universe, but, as John Ortberg suggests, to fulfill our destiny, that destiny that God has planned for you and for me, in our community of faith, our neighborhoods, our country and our world. It’s a big job, but with God we can do it. Ready to start?

The Parable of the Totally Confused Disciple

I am an email daily devotion junkie. I get Daily Inspirations, Daily Devotions, Daily Reflections and Word for the Day sent to my inbox every morning. I have to admit somedays I delete them without reading them because I just can't keep up. I think daily devotions are like manna. If I try to save them for later, they rot and become full of worms. Or something like that.

It seems though when I stop allowing myself be so busy, and I actually pay attention to what I'm reading, a common thread will run through the activities of my day. This morning was a great example. One devotion was all about Jesus and his parables. I don't know about you, but almost every time I read one, I understand it a different way. The last sentence of the scripture was "With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples."

Does this mystify anyone else besides me? Jesus seems to be purposely excluding many of his listeners from understanding the important parables. Just to be perfectly clear, as if there could possibly be any confusion, I am not a Biblical scholar. I have read a lot, joined Bible study groups, even completed a four-year course at my church called Education for Ministry (EFM). But what I have found is that the more I study, the less I know. Just when I think I have something nailed down...well, let's just say that I think God has quite a sense of humor....to think that I orginally signed up for EFM so that I could easily field the questions thrown at me as a youth group leader...

But I digress..back to the parable devotion. No wonder the rank and file of us are so confused. These stories are seemingly easy to understand, an unruly son goes to live with pigs and finds out he doesn't like it. Duh. And dad takes him back. Not all of us can do tough love, so we can empathize. We don't want our kids to live in squallor, their bedrooms notwithstanding.

But when we start thinking about why Jesus even told this story, what was he trying to say without coming out and actually saying it? And why not, for gosh sakes. Even the disciples needed more information. Subtlities are lost on most of us. And then the really hard part where we take his message to heart and change our lives. Change? Me? Wonder if I didn't really get the point of the story and make a totally unneccessary change....?

Oh well, gotta run. I've got mail!

The 67th Book of the Bible

I love to read. Nothing makes me happier than having an afternoon to myself, putting on my sweats and reading a great book while nestled in my couch. Because I read mostly non-fiction (and due to my notoriously bad memory) I can reread the really good ones again and again. And I’m usually reading two or more at the same time…one for morning inspiration, something motivational during the day and something rather meditative (translation: read 1 minute and fall asleep) at night. During the day, I’m also reading articles, newsletters, magazines, on-line news reports. I just love reading.

I recently came across a quote in one of the books I’m currently re-reading, “What Can One Person Do?” A middle-aged woman in Bulgaria is quoted as saying, “A normal person has…. some self-esteem, to take a holiday, read a book. While now—you work here or there all day in order to have something to eat, and at night you can’t even exchange a couple of words like normal persons, you drop off asleep as if you were dead. It’s as if you were dead while you were still alive.”

I have always been aware of world poverty and hunger. When I was small we went trick or treating on Halloween with UNICEF cans. When I wouldn’t eat every last bit of food on my plate, my mother reminded me of the starving children in Biafra. The TV ads with Sally Struthers talking about children all over the world needing our help seemed to grate on me more than compel me to do anything positive. Millions were dying from hunger and disease. The statistics were more numbing to me than a call to action. But this quote got to me. It was very eye-opening to me (maybe heart-opening would be better to say) as to how people are forced to live their lives. Not just that they are hungry, but that the time they have to themselves is basically for sleep. Where I’m reading several books at once, this woman has no time to read, perhaps with no way to even get a book. Or have a hobby, or meet a friend for a cup of coffee. All those things that give me such pleasure. Things that I so take for granted.

This spring I had the privilege of working with an incredible group of folks presenting the Millennium Development Goals, which were adopted by the U.N. and the Episcopal Church USA in 2000, to our congregation. I find now what is happening to me is an awakening to the power we hold in our hands to actually do something about extreme poverty. Our Christian values and thoughts ran like a thread through each of our discussions.

We are in a position to allow our lives to change the story of the world. I recently heard Christians described as the 67th book of the Bible. People read our lives, our words and our actions and draw conclusions about our faith from them. The way we live declares whom we love and on whom we depend. We are explaining Jesus to people all the time by the way we live not by words alone.

Here are some useful ideas for us to consider when assessing our lives and our commitment to holistic change. Try reflecting on just two or three of these each day, either on your own or with colleagues.

In our work:
Glorify God in all we do.
Use the Bible as a reference and guide for all our development work.
Stand with and encourage those who are suffering.
Ask for God's power in all the situations we are involved with.
Show people the relevance of the Bible by relating it to their own situation.
Stand up for justice and against injustice at all times.
In church services, include issues concerning the community, justice and the practical outworking of biblical values.

In our actions:
Love the poor.
See the image of God in everyone, no matter what they are like.
Listen before we speak.
Live lives that raise questions in others to which the gospel is the answer.
Display sensitivity.
Use our knowledge and creativity to assist and support churches and people in their work.

In our beliefs:
Think more highly of others than ourselves and desire to serve people.
Have a passion for helping people find their true identity and gifts.
See ourselves as stewards of the gifts and possessions God has given us.
Have a repentant spirit and be willing to seek forgiveness.
Have that genuine humility that should come from being in Christ.

In our personal lives:
Live reliable and honest lives.
Be flexible in our response to situations.
Live a life that shares God's love.
Be open to the Holy Spirit directing us.
Be willing to speak about our strengths and weaknesses.
Grow in our understanding and obedience to God's word.
Be dependent on God.
Be welcoming.
Love God with all our heart, mind and soul.
Be a good neighbour.
Be patient in all situations.
Be prepared to let God use us at any time.

If you haven't managed to meet all of these yet, don't be surprised; none of us has! But don't give up, either - keep persevering! God's strength and grace are enough to pick us up each time we fall short.

These thoughts were adapted from the book Christian Wholistic Development by CRUDAN.

The Journey to What Could be

I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.
John 14:25-27 The Message


There are times, although I have heard from my family and friends, not often, when my words won’t come. When what I’m feeling is so immense, so overwhelming, so awesome that when I try to speak of the situation I cannot find words that come close to any accurate description. This is one of those times.

For the past eighteen months, the rector search committee that I'm part of prayed, even begged at times, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While we listened to the members of St. Anthony, and listened to each other, we listened for the divine. Speaking for myself, I felt at times like I was calling into a dark abyss. Frequently I had a very difficult time praying. Trying to tell God what he already knows, I think I was just putting good spin on my prayers so that I didn’t sound so whiny. This God of all creation and beyond, this God of things I can’t begin to understand, this God who doesn’t need hints from me as to what should happen next, had been very quiet indeed these months, at least as far as I was concerned.

A short time ago this all changed. I think what I’ve learned, and I admit I’m a slow learner, is that praying ultimately means being open to God, learning more about myself so that God might let me know more about him and refusing to be rushed into accepting a mediocre version of what life could be .

I learned the value of being still and listening. This listening has turned into a physical sensation that involved more than my two ears. I began hearing with my soul, a soul filled with love and gratitude for what we have been given, for what we were being shown, for what we have and what could be. This hasn’t been easy for me. Leaving what felt comfortable and safe, trusting that somehow we aren’t just moving into the future, but that we are being led. Being led by the Spirit Jesus promised would be with us. And being blessed all along the way even during the painful times.

Recently a very dear sister in Christ sent me this Irish blessing. It so beautifully described a few of the intense feelings that I had been experiencing lately. I’d like to share it with you, to bless you as she blessed me by sending it to me.

I wish you not a path devoid of clouds nor a life on a bed of roses.
Not that you might never need regret
Nor that you should never feel pain.

No, that is not my wish for you.

My wish for you is that you might be brave in times of trial.
When others lay crosses upon your shoulders.
When mountains must be climbed
And chasms are to be crossed.
When hope scarce can shine through.

That every gift God gave you might grow along with you.
And let you give the gift of joy to all who care for you.

That you may always have a friend who is worth that name.
Whom you can trust and who helps you in sadness.
Who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.

One more wish I have for you.
That in every hour of joy and pain
You may feel God close to you.

This is my wish for you and all who care for you.
This is my hope for you now and forever.

Blessings,
Jill

The Greatest Story Ever Told

When my daughter Sara was young, she loved for me to read bedtime stories to her. I had always been employed, so our real time together was at night just before she went to sleep. She had her favorite books, and sometimes I thought I would lose my mind if I had to read the same story one more time. I would try to skip ahead or make up exciting new endings shortly after the story began. She was way too smart for that. She could have recited the stories to me....but she wanted to hear me read them to her.

At some point even she got tired of the old standbys. Those were the nights that she would say, "Momma, make up a story." My brain did not function that well at the end of the day. Making up a story was painful for me until I found that if the story started out with, "Once there was a beautiful princess named Sara," that she would give me lots of help filling in the details.

Stories have a way of capitvating us especially if they are true. Hence the "beautiful princess" part hooked Sara each time. When we first get to know people, the best way to learn about each other is through sharing our stories. We all have them. Its so important for us to be able to tell our stories. Especially when it comes to our faith in Christ. It can be as simple as, "Before Christ was in my life, I was ____, and in knowing Christ I am now ____."

I would love to hear not just about your stories, but about what happened when you told someone your story or listened while they told you theirs. I know from experience it becomes such a moment of connection with the other person, a deep understanding of what is important in this life. You are the only one who can tell your story. Learn to do it well.

You Are God's Gift to the World ~ Really!

One of the many wonderful things about having children is that they remember comments you said to them years ago and turn them back onto you when you least expect it. My daughter has done this to me on a number of occasions. I don't know why it keeps surprising me. I guess I thought she wasn't listening to me at the time....

I overheard her recently telling someone that she was always told to whom much is given, much is required. I can only imagine the situation when that first came up. Probably to get her to clean her room....It more than likely wasn't that I was trying to call her to a higher standing. It was probably much more self-serving on my part.

But hearing the words from my daughter's mouth sounded more like a call to me, actually to all of us. Its time we use the gifts we have, which are many, without comparing them to the gifts of other people, which always seems like so much more than our own. We cannot stand idly by thinking that someone who is so much more gifted, more appropriate, more articulate will share the love of Christ with people. Leave it to the gifted, to the professionals, anyone but us.

The main idea here is that we are accountable for the resources and abilities with which God has blessed us each. If we have been given much, then he expects that much more from us. The good news is that all of these blessings come from the Lord, and he realizes that humans are not perfect and that we can't do anything right without his help (John 15:5). God has been very good to me, but the real value from those blessings is determined by what I do with them. I think that’s why Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48)

I have got to admit that sometimes I wonder what he sees in a person like me. Isn’t it great that there are no limits to his forgiveness and patience? What about you? How are you using the resources God has given to you? We have been told that anything is possible through Jesus Christ as he will give us the strength we need (Philippians 4:13). So let's ask the Lord to give us his wisdom and Spirit so that we can be faithful stewards of what he has entrusted to us and expects of us.

When I was a high school youth leader I remember giving a portion of Nelson Mandela's 1994 inauguration speech to everyone in the group. I asked them to hang it on the bathroom mirror and read it every morning. I think I will now do the same.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

What have you done with what he gave you?

Available Upon Request

I have recently joined a small group -- in fact the small group meets at my house. One of the many benefits, in addition to the awesome Bible study, prayer and fellowship, is that it motivates me to get out the vacuum. And it makes my cat Dallas very happy as he is sure everyone has come to see him. A win-win-win situation.

At one of our initial meetings, we were each asked to describe ourselves in a word. As it worked out, I was the last one around the circle. A word had come to me almost immediately. As I listened to each person say their word, I began thinking mine was more an indictment than a description. It described me but it made me sound rather pathetic.

My word was “available.” Forty years ago that word was really pathetic...it meant I couldn’t get a date. But now, it made me feel that perhaps I was responding to more requests than I could successfully accomplish. After the meeting was over and I was lying in bed that evening, I thought more about my word.

Being available to the pull of many obligations and trying to fulfill them all had left me tired, frustrated and not feeling the least bit connected to God. In the sixties a popular slogan was if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. And I didn’t want to be part of anyone’s problems. Consequently saying no wasn’t something that came easily, if at all.

The next morning by chance I took a book off my shelf that I hadn’t read in years. I started re-reading the Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster. I didn’t really pick the book; I think it picked me.

One of the parts talked directly to my soul. It was about being so busy that I had allowed myself to live on the periphery of God’s life. Sure I’ve asked God to come into my life, especially when I was in trouble, but when was the last time that I was fully, consciously, joyfully “in Christ?” The place from where “all blessings flow.” Instead of asking God to come into my chaos perhaps I should enter into his divine center of love and peacefulness. This whole concept made my brain hurt.

But the more I read, the more I realized that the journey to this divine center is not just one more thing to do, but an adventure filled with joy. It’s a privilege, even more than that….its the offer of a gift of such great value that I don’t know how I failed to see it, even if I don’t quite understand it.

As I prepare for the great celebration of Easter, I am finding a sense of peace and contentment. The 20th century Quaker mystic Thomas Kelly once wrote, “Life from the Center is a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It is amazing. It is triumphant. It is radiant. It takes no time, but it occupies all our time. And it makes our life programs new and overcoming.”

For that I am available.

Listening the the Heartbeat of God

I love Taize worship service. Absolutely love it. For a person who can't seem to sit still and do nothing, this makes no sense to me.

A couple of years ago I read an ad for a Taize Worship Weekend in a magazine called Spirituality and Health. It was being held in Des Moines, New Mexico. New Mexico is just the next state over from AZ...couldn't be that difficult of a trip. You'd think after living in the southwest all these years, I would know better. Getting from here to there is anything but easy. No matter where "here" or "there" is.

As with all of my great ideas, I immediately began working to get my two traveling companions on board with this plan. Sara, my daughter, and Cyndi, my best friend, and I have traveled together coast to coast having experiences that we'll most likely never forget. This could be another one of those times. Sara would be on spring break from ASU, and hopefully Cyndi would be available.

We did go to Des Moines, pronounced "dez-moinz" because they don't want to be confused with the other one. No fear of that. This little NM town is in the far northeastern part of the state almost in TX. We flew into Amarillo, rented a car and drove across the flatest land I've ever seen in my entire life. How could a retreat center pictured in the magazine on green rolling hills be anywhere around here? Fortunately Sara fell asleep after about the first hour. Sara had had her heart set on Maui, and I had convinced her that this would be even better. I was starting to sweat. I didn't really know all that much about Taize. I had heard a few songs that I liked. But this was definitely not looking good.

While following trucks full of cattle a little too close and finding out that the windshield fluid tank was empty (can you spell gross!!), we looked at miles and miles of absolutely nothing, no houses, no people, just flattened dirt sometimes covered with knee high grass. After a couple of hours we could see a slight elevation but hardly what I would call a mountain. As we got closer we saw that it was just on the other side of a small town, a very small town. The downtown area consisted of a 2-pump gas station and about six buildings that must have been stores at one time, but were deserted now. All I kept thinking was where in the world do these people buy groceries....

As we approached the little hill, it took on a greenish tint, ah, vegetation...what a relief. Along the road was a small sign showing us that we had indeed found the Mandala Retreat Center. As we pulled up the winding dirt road, Sara woke up. For now, she had missed downtown Des Moines. However, she did comment on what she thought it looked like was on the windshield....

As we pulled into the parking lot we were completely blown away by the beauty of the facility and grounds. It looked nothing like what we had been driving through the past hours. We were shown to a wonderful little two bedroom lodge, unpacked our bags and went back to the main building. Any description I could give would be sorely lacking. Check it out yourself at http://www.mandalacenter.org/.

The weekend proved to be such an incredible experience...worship, silence, laughter, fantastic food, gorgeous surroundings. And an introduction to Taize that started the love affair.

So now during Lent on Wednesdays evenings we are worshipping in the style of the community of Taize, France. This lay-led worship is so powerful on many different levels. The music, of course, the candles, the prayers, but most of all our ability to connect with the Holy Spirit and each other. Being so thankful of yet another nudge that we paid attention to.

If you think you might want to have a Taize worship service, but don't know where to start; either visit St. Anthony on the Desert in Scottsdale on a Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. during this Lent or contact me for an easy way to start.

Pursuit of Peace

That ever illusive state of mind....peace. Today was one of those days that I didn't believe peace would have a chance to enter. Too many things in the works, too much to think about. I don't understand why I can't just will it to happen. What do I have to do? Schedule peace? Is that even possible?

I think I've been a little envious - ok, a lot envious - of a good friend and colleague at church. She just spent the weekend at a retreat at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Paradise Valley. She seemed to be just gliding along oblivious, or maybe detached is a better word, from the usual chaos that seems to erupt on Monday mornings. I wanted that. To wait until I could actually go on a weekend retreat seemed to be way too far into the future. Its a gorgeous day today, in the high 70s, sunny with not a cloud in the sky. I'm ready to go out right now and find peace! And find it I did.

A couple of years ago I had heard about a place called Canaan on the Desert, a beautiful garden of Eden right here in the valley. I remembered how I felt when I visited there and knew that was soul refreshment I deperately needed. Today I was the only person on the property, except for the nuns who live there and tend to the beautiful gardens

I took my time in the prayer garden where Stations of the Cross soothed me instantly. I sat at each Station on low benches reading scripture posted on beautiful stone tablets. How had I fogotten about this piece of heaven...?

If you too are looking for peace, this is the place for you. Open everyday, all day. You can sit for as long as you like. Enjoy the peace.

Canaan on the Desert, 40th Street south of Shea Boulevard, Phoenix

And So It Began

Licensed Evangelist...me? Holy smokes. How in the world did this happen? Perhaps little history would be helpful.

Way back in 2006 at our Diocesan Convention when Bishop Kirk Smith was expressing some of his hopes and dreams for the future, he mentioned, almost as an afterthought, the idea of someday actually having licensed evangelists in the Diocese of Arizona. My friend sitting beside me wrote on a piece of paper words that continue to change my life - "That's you!" All I could do was laugh. Evangelists in the Episcopal Church? Can you spell oxymoron?

Several weeks after convention, I found myself sitting in Bishop Smith's office. I felt like I had just traveled through time hanging onto a comet. After an innocent call to the Bishop's administrator to inquire about the Licensed Evangelist Program, just to find out if it might be something I would be interested in and a return call telling me when the Bishop would see me (NO, I didn't want to actually SEE the Bishop, I just wanted information....you know, a website link, a flyer or something like that. Not a face-to-face meeting with the Bishop...)

This first meeting was an amazing experience. To begin with, there was no formal Licensed Evangelist Program....well, at least not yet. We talked about what it might be, what would it look like, why would anyone want to do it and what would be the benefit. It was mind-boggling...exciting and very frightening. All I kept thinking was am I the right person to be doing this? Will I disappoint the Bishop? Evangelist? My stomach was hurting....

I immediately went home and googled "Episcopal Evangelists." Don't bother....I knew then I was in over my head. I emailed the national church to find out what other dioceses might have already instituted such a program. I was told politely that I should discuss this issue with my own bishop. I tried to tell them that's how this whole thing started! Help!!

A few months later the Bishop and I met again. By this time I realized that this was going to be a journey into uncharted territory. I was not in control, not that I'm a complete control freak, well, maybe just a little....but I felt totally unprepared, unworthy, unqualified, un-___ (you can fill in the blank). I realized that anything I would do would be God working through me because I was not qualified and never would be. I'll let God do what God does the best, and that is use the most unlikely people in the world in the most unlikely ways.

Bishop Smith told me that day that he had made the decision to license me as the first evangelist of the Diocese of AZ. That he would do this on his next visit to St. Anthony on the Desert scheduled for January 20, 2008. In the back of my head, I kept hearing my best friend say those wise words that she always says when I've gotten myself into yet another a pickle.....breathe, remember to breathe.

The event did actually take place, ironically on the Feast of St. Antony of Egypt, our patron saint who disappeared into the desert for a while to get a grip on things. I was thinking that maybe that would have been the wiser thing for me to do, too....

The "What's next?" question has been answered in so many ways since that day. God has been putting people in my life with thoughts and ideas, plans and dreams for the good of his kingdom. So here I am on this marvelous journey, with guides and partners, not knowing what tomorrow has in store, not needing to know. I hope you will join me....be part of this divine discovery.