South Dakota

After some amazing time in New Mexico, expecially sunset at the Monastery of Christ of the Desert we have worked our way north to South Dakota. Tonight, after driving through the incredible beauty of the Black Hills we found ourselves in Deadwood, eating burgers during a reinactment of the murder of Wild Bill Hickok at the actual saloon where he was killed. I'm such a tourist. I love the feel of the old west places, even if they are mostly for the tourist. Listening to the wind in the pines as I fall asleep must be what heaven sounds like. Tomorrow, Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower, and the Badlands before we head further east to spend time with Stefanie and the grand kiddies. I miss you all and wonder how you are. We will go to church on Sunday at my sponsoring parish, St. John's, Mt. Prospect, Il, Barbara Slones and my home parish. Peace to you all.

Carefree, AZ

Today is a non driving day in Arizona. We are staying in a beautiful Lutheran retreat house north of Phoenix. They offer 2 free nights for clergy on sabbatical. We are relaxing, swimming, reading, and enjoying quiet time before we hit the road again. We bypassed the Grand Canyon because we had such a late start yesterday and were heartily weary of the car. I figure the Grand Canyon will still be there next time. I am amazed by the diversity of the different types of desert eco systems. Tomorrow we begin early to head for New Mexico.

Leaving LA

LA is behind us now...the rest of the trip in front of us. We visited the Giant Trees in the Sequoia National Forest. It was beautiful, like being in a cathedral made of trees. This is Shireen beside the most massive tree in the world.

From LA we made our way to Las Vegas (and Gomorrah). I had never been there before. It was like an adult Disney Land mixed with scenes from Blade Runner. The Bellagio fountain was absolutely stunning.

This morning we will head toward Phoenix and a Lutheran Retreat House by way of the Grand Canyon. I am homesick and miss my husband and friends. You are in my prayers and thoughts and even in my dreams.

Los Angeles

Greetings from Los Angeles! Driving across the Mojave Desert to get here was a little daunting, not the least because I paid over $4 a gallon for gas in the desert.

It is astounding that one can walk to several different free WiFi sites in Goochland, but the only place I could find in LA is at the Public Library, and they didn't open until 1:30 PM and closes at 5:30. I am here helping Shireen get ready to go to Seminary at VTS in Alexandria, VA. It's hard for her to leave all of her friends and familiar surroundings. Tomorrow I will attend a high Requiem Mass at the local high and hazy Episcopal church which is sponsoring her. Purple vestments, professional schola, it should be pretty interesting. Then, next Wednesday we take off to explore the US in a photographic safari. I am getting lots of rest and giving myself permission not to be anywhere I don't want to be at any given time. It is a gift of freedom that I seldom have.


My solitary time in a friend's adobe sweat lodge was wonderful. Praying and fasting and listening to what God might say in dreams and in God's still small voice was long overdue. I was fine the first day and night and the second day. The second night I woke up to a mouse running across my chest. I decided if God had anything more to say he could find me down at my friend's house in the guest bedroom.

Ghost Ranch 2

Here is another view of Puerto de Cielo that I took on my walk yesterday. I had forgotten that I was at 65oo ft above sea level and in the desert. 4 miles was way too much for my lungs to handle. By the end I felt like I needed a sherpa.

There is a song by Mary Black called Crusader parts of which run through my head as I walk through the desert.

And there's no more need for the mask you wear

when the last goodbyes have been said

kiss the cheek of your dearest friends

and turn to the desert ahead

Turn around and this is what you see

this is me facing me

all alone cause I choose to be

with the sun and rain on me, only me.

Actually, I guess they could use some rain to help the firefighters who continue to fight the Jemez Mountain fire. Ghost Ranch continues to surprise me. Yesterday a coyote trotted across my path and turned to look at as he went. Today an Abert's squirrel ran across the road as I came down to the computer lab to post.

This is a picture of Pedernal, a mountain that Georgia O'Keefe said would be given to her by God if she painted it enough. I'm not so sure God works that way.

Tomorrow I go into seclusion for 2 days. I won't post during that time, but will begin posting again when I reach Los Angeles on the 23rd. My prayers and love for you are carried with me.

Ghost Ranch

It's a big country. Driving out seemed very long, but watching the changing scenery as I sped across 6 states was really interesting. The birdsong changes too as you move across the country. The most surprising was the call of the ravens. I listened to Lincoln Child's novel Terminal Freeze as I drove. Got a great quote from it that the internet attributes to several different folks. If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance. Not a bad thought for living life fully. New Mexico is breathtakingly beautiful. This is a photo of the view from my doorway. The night sky is the most astounding. Carl Sagan may have been annoying, but he sure knew what he was talking about. I am staying at Ghost Ranch in their retreat house called Casa del Sol (house of the sun). This rock formation is Puerto del Cielo (doorway to heaven). It is here where Georgia O'Keefe did so much of her painting, and her home is right next door to the Casa where I am staying. My initial retreat and silence time was interrupted when I realized I left my boots at home. Here I am int he desert with only my water sandals. I drove down to the next town to buy some hikers and on my way back I stopped at the Benedictine Monastery of Christ in the Desert and joined the monks for noonday prayer. I bought a book there called Harlots of the Desert by Benedicta Ward SLG. It begins with Mary Magdalene and follow te theme of repentance through the stories of the desert mothers. These are women whoe, repenting of their sins (and it does seem that women are only allowed one type of sin) become the wise foremothers of the monastic tradition. Sr. Benedicta deals fairly with Mary Magdalene. I am enjoying the silence and the time for reading, prayer and photography. Your prayers are the most improtant thing I have brought with me.

There is a mountain on fire across the valley, Mt. Jimez. I took this photo on the way back from the monastery. The fire flared up in the high winds yesterday. I could see the flames from Casa del Sol after dark. I sat on the patio and said prayers for the firefighters as the bats swooped around me keeping away the mosquitoes. The Casa has a resident bull snake that hangs out around the patio. He is at least 5 feet long and as big around as my forearm at his fattest. He eats the mice, but it was surprise for both him and me when I almost stepped on him.

Sabbatical 3

I really can't thank you enough for the wonderful sendoff today. I feel the presence of your prayers around me as I begin my silence and desert time. God keep you all from harm during the next 7 weeks.

Preparation 2

I continue to prepare for both the move and the trip. Many thanks to all of you who have prepared prayer bundles. If you would like to do this, just let me know. I have received some wonderfully written prayers for the journey. I have kits for the prayer bundles that will surround me on the first part of the Sabbatical (the silence, desert part).

Preparation

One of my preparations for my upcoming Sabbatical is to create this blog. Those of you who wish to follow me on my trip may access this site. I will post, but probably not every day. Please commit to pray for me daily as I embark on this journey.
Peace
Rhonda