This past weekend I was able to keep my commitment to lead a women’s retreat near Harper’s Ferry, WV. A beautiful Methodist camp/conference center in the woods where – through the trees, light green and still thin – one could look down and see the sparkling waters of the Potomac River. Twenty-seven of us enjoyed opportunities for fellowship and for “Listening for the Mystery: Speak, for your servant is listening.”  (I Sam. 3:10) The time together included learning: to be still, to experience silence, and to practice listening and attentiveness. Not an easy task for most of us in this ultra busy day and age with all the i-gadgets! Topics covered were our longing for God or ‘the ache;’ sound and silence (through Tibetan singing bowls); noticing God in everything, (primarily through objects of nature); and listening practices that can aid us to ‘be still and know.’ It was rewarding to hear that many women actually learned to appreciate the value of silence.  (Recommended books/CDs below)
I had been dubious about being able to make it to the retreat on the previous Tuesday when my body had utterly failed me. I awoke in great pain and could barely walk on my right leg, limping in pain that evening to the private dining room where our hall had its quarterly dinner.  Sitting wasn’t much better.  Yet – – –  Praises be! – the next day Karen was here and we walked all the way around the lake!  Talk about miracles!!  I’ll take them! I was also grateful for my dear friend Linda who as a pastor with responsibilities of her own came to the retreat as my support and possible backup. Her contributions were so apt and helpful too.
My body held up 🙂  except for the 75 mile drive to and from the site when I learned that I must find a suitable cushion for my spine…..
This night owl actually made it to bed last night by 11 pm.  !!
Today Karen came for one of her visits, a lift in my day since I had been awakened around 5 a.m. with pain and needed some Vicodin to go back to sleep. Still on Tylenol otherwise. We had tea together – my favorite: French caramel creme brulet! We changed bedclothes, and went through three shelves of stuff in back corner of the den…. and she went home with a bag of things (yea! a touch of uncluttering!).
Now for the last bit of preparations for tomorrow evening’s program at the National Cathedral, “The Spirituality of Sound and Silence,” using my Tibetan singing bowls. The vibrations feed my soul as they do so many others. For those in the D.C. area, it will be held in the Bethlehem Chapel between 7:30 and 8:30. As part of the Crossroads Program, it includes a labyrinth walk in the nave between 6 and 8:45 p.m.
The remainder of the week is medical. On Thursday I have an appointment at the oncologist’s office for more lab work and a session on chemotherapy – what to expect, procedure, and some decision making regarding drugs.  (Karen with me).  It is my understanding that I will be checked after two weeks or so to monitor effectiveness.  On Friday I have an outpatient appointment at the hospital to have a MediPort inserted (to spare me injections at each treatment). Many of you are acquainted with this procedure, I know.    All for now!
Recommended books:
John Kirvan, God Hunger
Macrina Wiederkehr, A Tree Full of Angels
Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying
Eva Rudy Jansen, Singing Bowls, A Practical Handbook of Instruction and Use  

Recommended CDs:
Songs of Presence, Contemplative Chants for the New Millenium
(produced by PRAXIS and All Saints Episcopal Church)
I Thank You God – Messiah College Concert Choir
(www.markcustom.com)
Libera  (has “Te Lucis” by boy choir on it & other beauties) – Amazon
Any album by Libera is a treat but only the above has that piece
Seven Metals, Singing Bowls of Tibet – Benjamin Jobst – – Amazon
ENJOY!!