Playing Monastic for a Day

I have been (half) joking for years that I want to join a monastic community, because I am drawn to the structure and rhythm of monastic life. So, I was excited that after three years of always having a schedule conflict (school, vacation, graduation, etc), I was able to go to the Monastic Day Apart at Pecometh. I had been to a day of silence at the National Cathedral a few years before, which had been a lovely experience but also a little intimidating and challenging. This was much more comfortable.

The day started at Rec Hall around 8:30 am with coffee and tea, and gathering in silence. As someone who is definitely not a morning person, it was very nice to wake up slowly with a cup of coffee, music, and prayer (I had the luxury of rolling out of bed and down the hill from the Wesley House at about 8:10... the joys of a short commute!) The atmosphere was very relaxed and casual. Each prayer time throughout the day was a mix of silence, singing, scripture, sharing, and reading prayers together. In other words, it was peaceful but also kept my ever-wandering mind engaged.

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New Camp Video!

Here's our new promotional video for Camp! Take a look and share it with others!

I've got magnets in my belly

One of the more bizarre toy recalls that happened recently involved a very gross safety hazard. Apparently, some of the toys contained powerful magnets, that if swallowed could wreak havoc on a child's intestines. The magnets would pinch together part of the child's insides, tearing or bruising them. Gross.

Sometimes I feel like I have magnets in my belly. Not literally of course. But every year after Camp (or when I used to come home from college), it feels so weird not to be surrounded by friends all the time. Even when I have week like this one where I saw Loretta/Erica, Pam, my College Friends, family, etc, I still end up feeling that lonely pull that wants to connect with people. Instead of my insides getting stuck together, I get stuck on trying to maintain something like that community. The obsessions that ensue can include the Sims, Ben and Jerry's (or other foods), Facebook, texting, etc.

Granted this week was so great socially, that I didn't get as much done at work or school as I should have. Its hard to find a healthy balance. Ugh. Can't we have Camp all year round?