Hello friends.

Ready to pretend again?

I know I promised to bring chocolate fondue to our next gathering but my belly is still bulging from pumpkin pie. My mind has instead wandered here to this spot, where we can get massages, and sleep in austere clean rooms, and eat fresh food not prepared by us. Want to join me? Let’s sleep, stretch, and hang out while we share these bits of empathy with each other. Game?

I hereby declare fresh empathy for any and all:

• that are still full.
• that made it through the amazing accomplishment of getting a feast onto the table, only to immediately move onto dishes and more dishes.
• that are ready for a baby but don’t yet have the life that matches their vision of themselves when they actually have a baby.
• that feel crabby, don’t know why, and are tired of it.
• that are ready for harmony with their co-parents.
• that want the job, house, wintertime experience they can so perfectly imagine.
• that feel excited to see someone near and dear to them but still have to wait a little longer.
• that love their mom and want to be with her even though they fight.
• that want to work things out with their ex, but wonder if either of them have changed enough to make it work.
• that want to sleep, just one morning, until they are actually ready to wake up.
• that really enjoy their kids and want to hold on to those particularly beautiful moments.
• that are dealing with overly tired, but ecstatic to be playing with their cousins, children.

Want to add anything? Let me know.

Meanwhile, let’s order another round of guava juice and plan our next move. Should we take a walk on the beach? A dip in the pool? A nap? So hard to choose .

This Sunday is the beginning of Advent, the period during which we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is my favorite time in the liturgical calendar. As I did last year, this year I am giving a four week Advent Retreat in Daily Living at the University of St. Thomas School of Law (and also at St. Hubert). During a retreat in daily living, the participants commit to pray each day with material I provide them with and we meet weekly, during which meetings I give a brief talk that relates to the material they will be praying with that week. The participants are also given time during the weekly meeetings to share with each other in small groups their prayer experience from the prior week and we address any questions that have come up in the prayer.

Our first weekly meeting was this week. My talk focused on Advent as a time of longing, our longing for God. The invitation during this first week is for the participants to get in touch with their own longing for God, focusing on what they need for God. The rubric I invited them to use for doing that is the “O” Antiphones, the seven antiphons that are chanted or recited during the octave before Christmas. I talked about both the structural pattern and the content of the antiphons.

You can find the talk I gave here . (The podcast runs for 23:49). The prayer material for this first week of the retreat, which I reference during the talk, can be found here.

I am thinking about thankfulness this Thanksgiving eve. Though I am entirely uncomfortable with the origins of this holiday and what it ultimately says about the America we inhabit, I have much to be thankful for. And thus, this holiday is always a reminder for me to pause and reflect. I think it is the combination of closed signs on doors, cold weather moving in, and warm comfort food that reminds me just as much – I am lucky – and I am so beyond thankful.

This time last year I was preparing to embark on my first trip out of the country – and my daughters were going with me. I was nervous. At the last moment, I actually contemplated bailing on the whole thing. But, I sucked in my gut, took a deep breath, told myself we would be okay, and I jumped. I am thankful I did.

Arriving in Oaxaca, it was like a weight began to lift. We were no longer three tired people coming back from an extremely hard year. We were independent survivors moving toward the future we envisioned for ourselves. Again, thankfully, we were welcomed to the adventure by an incredible group of women and our esteemed leader for the retreat. It was magical in so many ways, not the least of which was that we actually did it at all.

And then, the week was over, and my girls and I were on an all night bus to a beach. That, THAT, was transformative. As my teenager slept across the bus aisle, I squeezed my then four year old close. I was scared to go to sleep. So, I just thought. Too much went through my mind on that dark, late eight hour ride to disclose here, nor do I think I am entirely ready. Lets just say, things got deep.

And then we arrived. We were safe and we were excited to see the ocean. Arriving at the hotel, I became giddy. At one point I couldn’t stop laughing. How the hell did I get here? Sitting on the beach that night as my daughters laughed in the hot December breeze, the answer came to me. We got there through a lot of hard work, much support, and faith of all kinds. It was scary, but we made it. That trip remains a theme of conversations between the three of us.

A year later, remarkably, we are flying off again. This time to a writers retreat in Hawaii. This has been no small feat. And, there are still potential issues – money being the hardest to deal with – but we are going. Last year taught me that if we leap, we will be caught. And so, although there is much that is different about this trip, it is still us. We are stronger now, and more secure in our ability to go anywhere at all. There are sacrifices to us going, and those are the very things that are making us feel so thankful for the opportunity. A winter trip to Mexico, a powerful group of women, and a dark beach taught us that.

And I am so thankful.

HIP RESURFACING INDIA

Hip resurfacing has been practiced in India for several years, almost as many years as the birth of the procedure itself. As such, India boasts of surgeons who have experience performing thousands of hip resurfacing surgeries on both Indian patients as well as foreign patients from countries such as the United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East, etc.

India is also one of the most popular medical tourism destinations in the world. Factors working towards this popularity / desirability are:

• great price differential resulting from lower cost of labor
• internationally accredited facilities having state-of-the-art technologies in 5-star hotel-type settings
• lower communication barriers as English is widely spoken
• experienced surgeons and medical teams that are trained or educated overseas
• variety of recuperation retreats

Hip resurfacing in India is offered at several hospitals that are JCI accredited. Some of the examples are:

• Apollo Hospitals: Apollo Hospital Group is the largest private healthcare group in Asia. In India, it has several branches all over the country, like in Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa, Kolkata, etc., several of which are JCI accredited. Meet Healthbase hip resurfacing patients who have received treatment at Apollo Hospitals.
• Wockhardt Hospitals: Wockhardt Hospitals Group consists of super specialty medical centers spread across India. It has got branches in major cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, etc. Meet Healthbase hip resurfacing patients who have received treatment at Wockhard Hospitals.

Today, the best and top hip resurfacing surgeons in the world are based in India. Examples of these world acclaimed surgeons are:

• Dr. Vijay Bose
• Dr. Kaushal Malhan
• Dr. Yash Gulati
• Dr. Sanjiv KS Marya

Click the links above to learn more about them.

GET FREE QUOTE FOR HIP RESURFACING IN INDIA
Call 1-888-691-4584 or visit Healthbase to find out the cost of hip resurfacing in India or to find out the cost of any other procedure. Alternatively, please provide the following information in the comment box below and hit the “Submit” button:

• *Name
• *Email id
• *Phone
• *Procedure desired
• Preferred destination
• Any other comments

Note: The fields marked with * above are mandatory.

HIP RESURFACING BELGIUM

Belgium is one of the highly sought-after destinations in Europe for hip resurfacing. This is mainly due to its geographical proximity from other European countries as well as from North America. From the United States and Canada, for example, the flight times are considerably reduced when traveling to Belgium compared to traveling to countries in Asia. This results in greater comfort and convenience especially for orthopedic patients such as those seeking hip resurfacing in Belgium.

Although Belgium is not as affordable as some of the other medical tourism destinations in the world, the price differential is still quite favorable compared to the United States. And, the virtually zero waiting time is what attracts patients from countries such as Canada and UK. And, for patients from Africa and the Middle East it is the latest and modern technologies in Belgium that is attractive.

Belgium also offers several recuperation retreats that patients can take advantage of before or after their surgery.

The best known hip resurfacing surgeon in Belgium is probably Dr. Koen de Smet. Check out Dr. de Smet’s full profile. Dr. de Smet has experience treating not only European patients from neighboring countries but also English-speaking patients from the US and Canada. Contact Healthbase to learn about Healthbase hip resurfacing patients who have been treated by Dr. de Smet.

Some of the hospitals offering affordable hip resurfacing in Belgium are:

• AMC Gent Hospital
• ANCA Hip Clinic

GET FREE QUOTE FOR HIP RESURFACING IN BELGIUM
Call 1-888-691-4584 or visit Healthbase to find out the cost of hip resurfacing in Belgium or to find out the cost of any other procedure. Alternatively, please provide the following information in the comment box below and hit the “Submit” button:

• *Name
• *Email id
• *Phone
• *Procedure desired
• Preferred destination
• Any other comments

Note: The fields marked with * above are mandatory.

Sandra Hillawi is organising a weight loss yoga retreat in January 2010. This healing retreat is ideal for anyone wanting some help and support with improving their health. The programme will include:

» 100% Raw Foods and Juices
» Get Healthy and Drop Excess Pounds
» Daily Yoga and Meditation
» Exercise Mind Body and Spirit
» Healing Workshops
» Release Stress and Burdens
» Build Your Confidence
» Banish Cravings and Bad Habits
» Create A New Healthy You
» Beautiful Small Hotel with Pool and Private Beach
» Egyptian Adventures
» Stay 1 to 3 weeks
» Average weight loss 6 to 14 lbs

The retreat takes place at the Sinai Peninsula, by the Red Sea on 2 January 2010.

www.retreatsegypt.com

The Foundation for Living Beauty hosted its 2nd annual Goddess Wellness Retreat to help women heal in their fight against cancer. I was honored to record a few experiences of the Living Beauties.

Welcome to our new Blog.  We are connecting with you, our clients, in new and different ways, including our web site, social networks and our blog.  You will find information here about health and wellness, information about our facility, and also about specials that we are offering to you, our valued clients.  Here at CastleSpa, we are making a change that brings lots of Excitement and Joy. As many of you know we celebrated our 6th anniversary on June 24th, 2009, and in those 6 years of being of service to you, one sentence resounded after so many visits…”This has been a Healing Experience, what a Healing Place this is.” So I listened to all of our loyal clients and changed our name to a name YOU gave us. Our new name is:

‘The Healing Hands Spa and Retreat’

This new name brings renewed focus on the Healing and Therapeutic aspects of a Day Spa. We will continue to re-emphasize our commitment to making your experience at our Spa one which you will always remember. The CastleSpa brand which we developed over the last 6 years is a brand we are very proud of so to avoid confusion, ‘The Healing Hands Spa and Retreat’ will be phased in.

In the coming months, we will be focusing on:

1. Well Care rather than Sick Care

2. Helping you achieve and develop habits which will enhance good health, and eliminate the bad stress factors

3. The importance of Sleep Rituals and Daily Quiet, Meditative Time

To help you achieve and accomplish these goals, we will be opening The Healing Hand’s Yoga and Meditation Place on our premises at 927 Park Avenue. Yoga will be offered in the evenings and Meditation will be offered twice each week during the day.

Over the next few months, we will unveil several programs, all geared towards helping you, our clients achieve Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds in the coming year.

Make your appointment to “Surrender to Serenity” at The Healing Hands Spa and Retreat today.

Our cravings have a first name, it’s

L A F F Y

Our tastebuds have a second name, it’s

T A F F Y

We love to eat it everyday … 

and if you ask us why we’ll say …

‘Cause Laffy Taffy has a way with

M I N I T & A!

                                   by Mindy & Renita

“A sermon cannot reach the level which spiritual religion demands unless the preacher is continuously sensitive to the needs of those about him, so that he is ready to shift either subject matter or emphasis on a moment’s notice. The true minister is not simply one who comes to the end of his openness to the leadings of the Holy Spirit.” (Elton Trueblood. The Essence of Spiritual Religion. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1936, p. 132)

 

I think this is what I am learning in preparation for retreats and presentations. Often, in the midst of retreat speaking or church preaching, I will feel “Spirit-nudged off-topic” moments. I sometimes wish I could capture those insights, but I might be tempted to rely on past insights and wisdom rather than welcoming fresh insights for fresh circumstances.

Buy a copy of The Essence of Spiritual Religion on Amazon.com

The world is going down the tube. Sin has become politically correct. People flock to religions which offer imaginary false gods, who will tolerate their sin, and deaden their conscience. No-one is immune, even me. There was a time when I would welcome all of this as a good thing, but I now have a problem. My spirit was brought to life by the living and true God, and the world now gives me a feeling of nausea, overlaid by a feeling of concern about inevitable doom of those not spiritually alive. Last rounds, ladies and gentlemen. it’s closing time.

All this time God screams at the world that it is fallen, and offers salvation in the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. The world is  not listening. Now many “acts of God” are needed to wake people up. How many floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, epidemics, famines, and wars must happen to make people see? Or maybe these things are just warnings to be recognized only by the elect of God?

What should I do? I share the Gospel but no-one believes it. Some say they believe it but it is obvious that they do not. Is it possible to be born again and have no desire to read the Bible, worship God, fellowship with the brothers and sisters in Christ?

There are two options to take. Stop caring about the result and just minister to the lost in obedience but without really knowing what will happen. The other is better but harder to find. I need to know what God is doing, and join in His work. I need to join Him in His work, and not improve on mine. I need to listen to the silent voice of God.

I am going on a retreat sometime in December, in Tagaytay, a tranquil place near Metro-Manila, Philippines, next to Taal volcano. I need to discern God’s will. That means being disconnected from the internet, TV, radio, books, entertainment, and even Study Bibles. Just God, the Bible, and me, for 5 days, alone. I really do not know what will happen. I am scared that nothing will happen. I am also scared that something might happen. Since this scary feeling can only come from Satan I am resolved to proceed with this plan. I leave it all to God. I really do not know what to do. I really am unable to commit the stupid mistake of recommending a solution to God. Please pray for me that I hear the silent voice of God, and obey what He says.

I took a walk in the woods with my son and his friend. I talk about my plans for a retreat and other random stuff. Here it is. Enjoy! Be strong in the Lord, who is coming soon! After all, it is written…

Was that the silent voice of God just then? I wish I knew for sure…

God bless,

George

A combination of two GPS systems, two printed map routes, one full size map book, four pairs of eyes, words of encouragement to Jaqui’s car and maybe a few too many u-turns got us to the Bath country house for our Bodacious Bonfire Yoga weekend.

The journey from London was fuelled by celery sticks, carrots and peppers (expertly prepared by Roxy’s other half) and yummy cake (thank you Noras) and a lot of girlish excitement.  We were met with warm chai and cake on arrival which left us  suitably refreshed for a gentle evening practice.  But cake was not the order of the evening, but of the weekend! This was a yoga weekend that was defined by good food and a lot of eating.

It was great to stretch out the cramps and aches from the car journey, and get acquainted with the yoga studio – but we only had time for a quick hour and a little bit of flying before getting ready for supper.  After showering and settling in we ate pumpkin soup and freshly baked bread, and ended the evening feeling very content!

Saturday commenced with meditation at 9:00 followed by class at 9.30, a very reasonable start time indeed.  The yoga throughout the day was great; a fast paced start to get warmed up that was later capitalised by by inversions and Acroyoga.  Headstands, handstands and forearm balances were all worked on, as well as inversions balancing on people’s backs and in between their knees!  It sounds strange, but looks great!  And some more flying which I really enjoyed.

We also focused on standing balances and arm balances: for example practicing going from bakasana into tripod headstand.  As usual – it’s all about the core!  Ooouch!

Between morning and afternoon classes we ate (a lot!), dozed (only a little!) and cuddled up with the very fluffy cat Flicker, and enjoyed saunas.  Those who like it hot (Vaclav!) were very happy to be in charge of the water bucket and we soon warmed up our winter bodies for the afternoon session.

Saturday evening was a really nice night – we had intended to go to a Fireworks display,  but it was cold and dark; we were in the middle of nowhere and quite happy to be just there, after all we were full, sleepy and spent. So with little enthusiasm for fireworks we decided to play board games!  We settled on Cranium – a team game involving trivia and word / spelling questions as well as drawing, charades, singing / humming and modelling things in clay.  This is what Saturday nights are made for. Seeing fellow yogis jump around like Michael Flatly (Chris), trying to mime a parrot (Stefane) and humming ABBA’s Dancing Queen or Sister Sledge’s We Are Family (Shahana) caused me to laugh to the point of exhaustion. Without a doubt our evening Craniun frolics warmed us more than a Bonfire ever could.

Sunday started with a massage for me, great relief for a stretched shoulder I had been nursing all week.  I love massages and to have one so easily and as part of the weekend was very welcome!

The rest of the day was spent doing lots of yoga puncutated with eating and sauna.  A bit of crazy impromptu dancing to the Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling warmed us up for the penultimate yoga session before we unwound with partner massage, our final workshop. We finished the weekend with another big delicious feast. It was hard to leave; the weekend went so quickly, but felt like were there for days and days, and the thought of returning to work on the Monday was hard to deal with.  The best thing about leaving was looking forward to the returning.

By Natalie Smith

With close to 100 believers, we gathered in a converted farm in the nearby hills for our all church retreat. The theme was “Living Stones,” helping us reflect on how God has made us in all kinds of shapes and forms and yet he expects us to fit together into a beautiful building to his honor.

Workshops had something for everyone, from getting your face painted, percussion, portrait painting, and playing chess to a night game in the woods (in the drizzling rain – ugh). The only

One of the workshops

activity with mixed results was getting enough sleep – but those who snored hard enough didn’t have any trouble with that.

One of the enjoyable things about the retreat is leisure time to just chat and spend some time together, feet propped up by the huge fire-place in the middle of the hall. Or just teaming up to get meals prepared or tables cleared. Several guests had come as well, getting a first exposure to Christian love and teaching.

Thanks for praying for the retreat. And keep on praying that our church will grow into the beautiful place of worship and proclamation God intends for it to be.

Thank you for all the prayers during my retreat.  I had a great, and very uplifting spiritual time with my brother in Christ; or as one my fellow retreatants said, “My brothers from my other mother!”  twenty-eight men ranging from 18 to 70+ years of age gathering for three plus days celebrating life, Mary, Jesus, the Holy Spirit seems to have recharged my internal fire.  It is a pity more catholics do not take advantage of this beautiful gift – retreats.  If more did, I believe this world would be a more friendly and unified force for Christ.

31 days till CHRISTmas,

and 6 days till the beginning of the ADVENT season.

“HO, HO , HO-ly God, We Praise Thy Name!”

Quote of the Day:

 On the sixth day, God created the platypus. And God said: let’s see the evolutionists try and figure this one out.

Today’s Meditation:

From The Canticle of the Sun by Francis of Assisi (day 7 of 14):

… Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure. …

Water is essential to life.  a human can survive about 2 weeks without food, but only 3 days, at the most, without water.  Also, ALL living creatures, be they plant or animal (even single cell protozoa) must have water to survive.  Water is every basic compound of two elements that are basic in themselves.  Two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen combine to produce the true “nectar of life” for those of us on life.

Water flowing over our foreheads, during the rite of baptism combines two elements of our faith: an outside sign of a sacrament, and an internal sign through a mark on our souls.  The flowing water of baptism is essential for our eternal salvation, by the redemption of Christ. 

When we take a drink of water, be reminded that as water refreshes our physical body, the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist refreshes our eternal souls.  No wonder water tastes so good when parched! 

The full text of “The Canticle of the Sun” can be found at many web sites

including: http://www.poverello-society.org/prayer_canticle.htm.

Pax et Bonum

Dan Halley, SFO

*****

Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Rule #23:

Requests for admission to the Secular Franciscan Order must be presented to the local fraternity, whose council decides upon the acceptance of new brothers and sisters.  Admission into the Order is gradually attained through a time of initiation, a period of formation of at least one year, and profession of the rule. The entire community is engaged in the process of growth by its own manner of living.  The age for profession and the distinctive Franciscan sign are regulated by the statutes.

Profession by its nature is a permanent commitment.  Members who find themselves in particular difficulties should discuss their problems with the council in fraternal dialogue.  Withdrawal or permanent dismissal from the Order, if necessary, is an act of the fraternity council according to the norm of the constitutions.

 

Sponsored by the Institute for Catholic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction, Diocese of Stockton, Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI: “Sexuality and Spirituality: From Anxiety and Restlessness to Gratitude and Blessing” at Our Lady of Fatima Hall, 505 W. Granger Avenue, Modesto, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. $15 for the day – bring your own lunch

Check for reservation should be made payable to: Two Bears Dancing/ICSSD and mailed to: 1926 Colombard Circle, Lodi, CA 95240

I started this quilt several years ago in a class at a quilting retreat. The class was about learning to make scrappy quilts (i.e. quilts using a large variety of fabrics, placed randomly throughout the quilt design). We didn’t have a set project, but the teacher had some suggestions and one of them was a rail fence quilt. For those who aren’t familiar with this, it’s a traditional quilt design that looks just like parquet hardwood floors – simple blocks made of strips, placed in an alternating pattern of vertical and horizontal.

I thought that this would be a good project for me to start with. But through discussion with the teacher, we thought I could spice it up a bit by having the strips go on a slight angle, instead of being parallel with the edges of the blocks. And so the Crooked Rail Fence was born.

I decided on a 6 inch square finished size block with 6 strips per block. For a traditional rail fence would have meant cutting 6 strips per block, each one measuring 1 1/2 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches long. But to get the extra size I needed to be able to trim the block on an angle, I decided on the following: the 4 inner strips are cut at 1 1/2 inches wide by 7 1/2 inches long, and the two outer strips are cut at 2 inches wide by 7 1/2 inches long. When stitched together, I get a block that is 7 1/2 inches square. I can then use a 6 1/2 inch square ruler held at a slight angle to trim the blocks down to size.

For the scrappy look I used a large number of fat quarters. To keep some sort of cohesion, I kept to fabrics that were tone-on-tone prints in small scale floral or leafy patterns. I also chose fabrics that were similar in colour tones (sort of muted, rather than brights or jewel tones, etc.). And I tried to get more blues than other colours. I also tried for an even split in values between lights, mediums and darks.

During sewing, my goal was to be as random as possible. There were far too many strips to literally pull them out of a paper bag, so I did the best I could to mix them up, and then stack them in a bin in random order. My only exception to being strictly random was that I didn’t put more than one strip of any specific fabric in a single block. Other than that, I just stitched what was next on the pile.

I got quite a few blocks done in the initial class, using the fabrics I’d brought with me. Since then I’ve cut a lot more fabric, so when I went to my quilting retreat earlier this month I was ready for some power sewing.

It doesn’t take long to sew a bunch of blocks together. I don’t have to think much about what fabrics go where, or be too careful about my seam allowance since I am trimming them down later.

Once I’d sewn a bunch of blocks, I trimmed them down to size. When trimming, I can tilt my 6 1/2” square ruler to either the right or the left. Here I am trimming with the ruler tilted to the left.

And here I’m trimming a block with the ruler tilted to the right.

Here are the two trimmed blocks, so you can see the difference between left and right tilts of the ruler. The block on the left had the ruler tilted to the left, and the block on the right had the ruler tilted right. I cut an equal number of each version.

Once I had a stack of blocks, I played around a bit with layouts on the design wall.

The most simple layout is this one, where all of the horizontal blocks tilt the same way, and all of the vertical blocks tilt in the same way. This is a pretty simple layout, with some movement in it.

Next I tried shifting some of the blocks around. In this layout, the vertical blocks alternate between right and left shifted blocks, and so do the horizontal. Every alternate row is alike. This arrangement has a bit more movement in it than the first one.

The third variation is even more complex. In this one, not only do the vertical and horizontal blocks alternate in tilt, the rows alternate as well. It takes a group of 4 rows by 4 columns before you get the pattern repeating. This layout has the most movement of the three, and it’s the one I like the best.

Here it is again, this time using all of the blocks that I had trimmed up to this point.

I like how it looks so far, both in the design and layout, and in the random placement of the fabrics. Now I just need to keep on sewing. And trimming. My goal is to make two lap quilts from these blocks, so I have a long way to go.

Today is the time of returning. After three days set aside for retreat, I’m back home, picking up the routine, getting ready for next week’s work and holiday.

I’m going into this week feeling a little more comfortable and relaxed about living a life that is both contemplative and active – about how to flow with and from Presence with more ease.

You know those moments when you “get it”…when you hear something a little differently, or when words or thoughts go a little deeper within,  and a light goes on in both your heart and your mind? All at once: A Ha!  Yes! Illumination and delight! 

Many A Ha! and Yes! moments lit me up  as I listened to Jane Vennard talk about prayer during the retreat. From my notes:

• Wake up. Pay attention to all of your senses and to where and how you can sense the presence of God around you.
  •  The things you don’t like?  – This too speaks of God.
• When you pray for another (intercessory prayer), start with where your heart is.
  • In your prayers, you are asking God to lower the threshold in the person for whom you’re praying, so that God’s abiding love can be experienced.
  • You are also asking that God lower the threshold in yourself, so that you can access God’s love and know better how to help.
• God answers prayers:
  • God intervenes.
  • God interacts.
  • God is present.
• Discernment is not a verb. It is a noun. It is a gift. It comes in God’s timing and in God’s grace.

• We do not empty ourselves; we do not center ourselves: we are emptied; we are centered.

• Apophatic Prayer (and intimacy and union with God) comes by grace.

• Some kind of order (a rule of life) reminds us of the depth of spiritual reality.
• A rule of life is a trellis. It is a guide, and it also has space.
• A rule of life has to be made in the midst of your own life.
  • Be realistic.
  • Be gentle.
  • Be flexible.
    • Commiting to doing something every day is a set up to fail. (An example of a flexible rule, spend quality time with God every day.)
    • Be careful about “shoulds.”
  • Are the things that guide your life (your rule) helpful? Consider adding and subtracting. What can you let go of?
  • Always start over. Begin again each day.
• Our purpose is to return – to move from that deep place of intimacy and union with God – and to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world.

Many of you were praying this last week as I led a three-day retreat for Dominican pastors. In my “Day 8″ update, I shared the story of a bivocational youth pastor who shared a journaled prayer that so moved me. Today, he was kind enough to send that along to Samuel by email, and Samuel & Kendra helped me translate it. I share both the Spanish and English versions below:

A youth pastor’s prayer
at the beginning of two hours alone with God

All my fears come out when I am alone
For that reason I prefer to be among people.
To be alone becomes my enemy
When it comes close to time to be alone my knees shake.
“To be alone with You, I can only do with Your help.
What I most deeply desire is the very thing that gives me the greatest fear.
Not because of Your presence, but because of my anxiety.
Lord, don’t just speak to me, give me as well the security that it is You that is speaking.”

In Español:

Todos mis temores afloran cuando estoy a solas
por eso prefiero estar entre la gente.
Estar a solas se convierte en mi agresor
que al sentir que está cerca casi tiemblan mis rodillas.
Estar a solas contigo solo puedo hacerlo con tu ayuda.
Lo que más anhelo es lo que mas terror me da,
no por tu presencia sino por mi ansiedad.
Señor!!! no tan solo me hables sino dame también
la seguridad de que eres tú quien habla.

The Amish Cabin in the Hoosier National Forest

I fell in love with this retreat property in southern Indiana the first time I looked at.  It sits way back off of the road; 660 feet off the road to be exact, and that road is off of a dirt road on a old County Road.  I am not a Survival Guru by any means but I know what I need in a retreat.  I need to be able to hide out with the family and stay warm under any circumstances.  And we need to be able to escape if cornered.  This fits the bill because the back yard is 200,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest.

So; by chance, my wife forwarded me a link to the property shown above.  We checked it out and she liked it right away to my suprise.  I liked it because it is concealed, very very private.  And almost impossible to get there unless you are supposed to be there.

We close on this great place within the next month.  I can then start stocking everything needed for emergencies out here.  We will make the retreat our meet up location in the event of an emergency.  It is two and a half hours south of our house so it is a safe enough distance away if there are any immediate emergencies localized to where we live.

This property is only a few ladies dream property however.  No running water; no electricity, and no bathrooms.  But it has many redeaming qualities to it.  It is down in a valley with a 200,000 acre back yard to escape to if a retreat is necessary.  Plenty of great soil for a several acre garden.  And plenty of seasonal rainfall to catch in a cystern for living.  I have been collecting food, equipment, supplies, etc. for over a year and a half now.  We have everything we need to set up home permanently if necessary.

Until that time comes we have a great camping spot just a few miles from some huge caves, lakes, forest, etc.  For the time being I will be looking to get a great motor home or camper/trailer to back in next to the cabin.  Having a flushing toilet, forced heat, and a shower will go along way into making the wife happier to be spending time in a jungle basically.  In the end; my mother in law is really to thank for the property all coming together.  My wife and I had really been considering it but still a little reluctant in this economy.  She said; go for it now while the prices are low, and we did.  I mail the check to hold the property off tomorrow after Church.  7.5 acres of great wooded property and all of the free firewood I can ever use.  It sounds fun.  And it sounds like a lot of work.

This retreat Cabin is featured in my 2010 Survival Calendar.  I just dropped the price by $2.00.  Every Calendar that I sell puts me one step closer to my dream of working for myself and living in a green home in the middle of the forest. 

http://www.icalendars.net/2010-survival-calendar-with-countdown-to-december-2010212012122112.html

Nov 28 to 29 Kerygma Conference : Dream Big, Win Big For more information please call FEAST office at 9268951 and 7263926 or 7259999 or 4167809 at Araneta Coliseum Cubao QC pls check out www.kerygmaconference.com

Taal Lake Cruise and Island Tour (Daily schedule) P 1,350/pax (base minimum of 5pax) Inclusive of Round trip Boat Ride, Life vest, Horse, Horse guide, Environment fee, Healthy Buffet Lunch, Permit to climb.

Nov 30 Mon Pawikan Festival at Bantay Pawikan Conservation Center P 2,499/pax Round trip Aircon Van, Buffet Lunch prepared by Authentic Aeta. Jungle environment Survival Training, Slide for Life, Butterfly Garden, Aviary, Insectarium, Spider World, Subic View Deck, Turtle, Conservtion T-Shirt and more. Deadline of Reservation on November 27 Thur 6pm

Mt Pinatubo Four Wheel Drive Adventure and Fun Climb (min. 4pax max 5pax in the car) P 1,900/pax if you don’t have your own car, and 4WD pick up at DAU Terminal and P 1,700/pax if your group is driving up to Capas Tarlac

Dec 5 Sat Corregidor Heritage n Island Tour P 1,999/pax round trip ferry, Island tour, shrine tour, buffet lunch, service of professional Corregidor guide and P 2,499/pax overnight accommodation and above inclusions Deadline of Reservation on Dec 3 Thur 6pm

Dec 6 Sun 8^th Annual Christmas Outreach and be a Foster Parent to one of the 500 Orphans and Street kids 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM with the lighting of the Christmas Tree. It will be held at KidzWorld  Theme Parks, Amusement and Recreational Club, Inc. in Dasmarinas, Cavite. call us at 7212167 or 721 3509 and look for Mike Almariego

Dec 12 Sat Mt. Makiling Forest Reserved w Hot Spring P 1,499/pax Round trip Aircon van, trek guide, entrance fee, healthy buffet lunch, hot spring entrance fee, and wholesome fun. Deadline of Reservation on Dec 10 Thur 6pm

Dec 19 Sat Pampanga Giant Christmas Lantern Festival of Lights P 999/pax with Aircon Vehicle and Authentic Pampanga Dinner. Trip is from 2pm to 10pm. FREE 1 person for every group of 7. Deadline of Reservation on December 17 Thur (if there are still seats available)

Dec 27 to 29 SAGADA w Banawe and Bontoc

Sagada w Tour P 3,999 (if paid w/in Nov); P4,500 ( if paid w/in Dec) Inc of RT AC Bus Fare, transfers, breakfast, 3Fulldays Sagada Tour, 3days/2nights Accommodation

Sagada with all the works and pampering P 5,888 (if paid w/in Nov); P 6,388 (if paid w/in Dec), Inc of RT AC Bus fare, AC Van transfer, Accommodation at St.Joseph Inn, 3day Full Sagada Tours

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133925479349

Puerto Princesa Beachy Escapades Package Rate : 4Qd P 5,685/pax; 3ple P 5,930/pax; Twin P 6,325/pax Inclusive of Welcome Drinks,  Round Trip Transfers (Airport/Hotel/Airport), 3 Nights 4 Days Hotel,  Daily Native Breakfast for each Pax, City Tour of Puerto Princesa (Half-day), Honda Bay Island Hopping Day Tour w/ Picnic Lunch, Underground River Day Tour w/ Picnic Lunch, Use of all Common Hotel Facilities, Boat with Life Vest
Assistance of a Tour Guide. NOT INC is the plane fare to and from Puerto Princesa

Dec 26 to 30 Scuba Diving Lesson (Open Water Course) Dive Course Fee : P 10K each(6 to 8pax), P11K/each (4to5pax), P12,500/each (2to3pax). Inclusive of dive gears, tanks, DM, etc. Resort Info and cost to follow. Not included Fare to and From the Resort. Fun divers are invited to join. (Cost of Follow)

2010

Jan 9-10 Mindoro Oriental Nature Adventure P 4,500/pax            Beach hop and snorkel the colorful marine life in Puerto Galera. Bum & relax at Bulabod. Enjoy the scenic journey as you zigzag your way from Puerto Galera to Calapan and savor the views of Batangas Strait (sometimes with dolphins), Isla Verde, Tamaraw Falls and rice fields of Baco/Calapan. Deadline of Reservation on January 4 Monday http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175912465840&index=1

Optional FREE ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS wholesome games & CONSERVATION PROJECT Workshop FOR GROUP of 20pax & up, during or after the exclusive group or company or family outing.  (We are non stock/non profit (but for fund raising to sustain the project and operations of NACCI)  blessed NGO/travel club)

Carpe Diem and GOD Bless

Violet

Nature Awareness & Conservation Club, Inc. (NonStock, NonProfit NGO) 5157964 (9am to 5pm Only)  / 09194839250 / 09155101600

EMAIL: mother_nature888@yahoo.com

WEBSITE: http://philecotourism.wordpress.com

PHOTOS : http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Greennature/photos

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8004451681

http://mothernatureasia.multiply.com

Well, I got back from Senior Retreat yesterday, left Thursday morning. It was awesome! Two days away from home I’m gonna miss.

So basically, we stayed at a dorm-room-like place, co-ed formatted.  Not bad, I definitely got the feel of dorm room life before I finally set off for college later. It was well worth it. The Retreat itself was cool, but (not a bad thing) definitely felt alot like, as I said, college. We had our free time, then we had to work, in groups, which was good. I really didn’t want to work alone this whole trip, haha.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were definitely better than the school’s breakfast and lunch. I’d go back there just for those meals. Wish I had thanked them properly.

The Senior class came closer than ever. I don’t what more to say about it. It was the best two days of this school year. I’ll never forget them either