Being still...

I am sitting on the front porch of a lovely house on Peaks Island in Maine. (Thank you Jon and Beth!!!) The western facing porch looks over the harbor and I am watching as a fiery orange sun slowly sinks below the horizon. Time moves more slowly here. I sat on the ferry enjoying the scenery on the way over and then arrived at the house wondering what to do first... and then I realized. I don't have to do anything. I got changed and rode a bike around the perimeter of the island. Came home, put on PJs, read the lectionary readings for this week and then decided to just sit on the porch and watch..................

The sky is now a brilliant mash of mauve and lilac and rose with a trace of tangerine lining the clouds. The sun is gone. The bell on one of the buoys is ringing in the distance. I love Maine. I love everything about it. On my bike ride I started going around and could smell the salt and the seaweed. I breathed as deeply as I could trying to take it all in. Then there is a wooded part and immediately upon entering that I could smell the husky pines and the clean wood air. I could have continued riding all night if it weren't for work in the morning.

I am a lucky girl. I am loved and supported. I live in the greatest of the 50 states. I am in formation for a calling which encompasses my entire being. I can see and feel and sense God's presence all around me.

Next week I will spend 3-4 nights out here. I cannot wait. I want to run around the island perimeter. I want to have a picnic on the water. I want to breathe deeply. I want to put my toes in the Atlantic. I want to be still and know that God is God.

Now, if only my sermon would write itself. Alas, this too can wait.

Holy and Gracious God,
Thank you for the sounds of maritime bells and vessels, for birds over head.
Thank you for the orange sun and the purple, velvet sky it leaves behind.
Thank you for the cool fresh air and the smell of home.
Thank you for people who love me: crazy and all.
Thank you for night and the stars it will bring.
Thank you for shadows, and thank you for sleep.
Amen.

*The image above is from Michigan 2006... I do not have my camera here tonight.

CPE is for me!

Perhaps if I say the title of this blog with an exclamation point at the end I will begin to feel the excitement. :-) CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) is a mandatory intensive summer chaplaincy training that looks at your personality and upbringing and how those things influence your ability to minister. I have heard it said that CPE is the most painful 12 weeks growth experience you will have in your formation. I am starting to believe it! But, I also see the merits of the program and am grateful for the program of which I am a part. My supervisor and my peer group are top notch. I am tremendously blessed to have found a program that will encourage me to grow organically rather than the old school style of the supervisor/group tearing you down in order to build you up.

Otherwise I am trying to find healthy outlets for my down-time. I got a gym membership and have been running almost everyday after work. I am typing this blog entry from my NEW macbook pro!!! The youth group parents are amazing for having saved the money to give me this amazing gift!

I will try to update this over the summer... but there will likely not be much to say. I spend 40 hours a week at the hospital and then rest of the time I am doing homework and rockin' family time. I am looking forward to getting back to VTS to my friends who I didn't realize I would miss quite this much.

If anyone is in Maine and wants to go canoeing or hike Katahdin gimme a call :-)

All my love,

Audrey