Wow, it is impossible to believe that 16 months have passed since my last entry in December 2018. But so many things have happened. I am writing this during our COVID-19 Pandemic. Most travel and scheduled activity has temporarily stopped. So far, I am healthy and everybody I know is healthy, so I am thankful for that. I think I am fortunate to live in an area of the USA that has not had a huge amount of virus cases. We are all praying that it decreases soon. This is week 4 of "shelter in place" here in North Carolina. It has been a "liminal" time of adjustment. I am glad I learned to be comfortable with stillness, silence, and solitude before this happened. And I am thankful for springtime and sunshine because I have been able to enjoy digging in the dirt and going for outdoor walks. I have great neighbors and the time is passing quickly.
So, what in the world have I been doing since December 2018?
-I continue to volunteer as the host for Quiet Space Fridays, which is a monthly silence retreat at Starrette Farm Retreat Center in Statesville, NC. https://www.thelydiagroup.com/quiet-space-fridays
And in February 2019, I started hosting a new retreat there called The Inner Artist 4 times a year, with a friend, Roxanne Morgan. It has been a lot of work and wonderful fun and very rewarding. Creativity feeds my soul. More about that another time. https://www.thelydiagroup.com/the-inner-artist
I am also still in formation as a Benedictine Oblate. This year I began my official formation process with Queen of Peace Monastery in Rutherfordton, NC. More about that another time.
In August 2019, I started facilitating a weekly Centering Prayer Community Group on the campus of Lenoir Rhyne University here in Hickory, NC. More about that another time.
Last summer, my cousin, Linda Odom, and I went to Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland on another 5 week pilgrimage that was amazing. More about that another time.
When I returned from that trip, I started going to a wonderful yoga class at a nearby neighborhood church, St Albans Episcopal, and started attending the worship there. So I am making new friends and finding a new church home here in Hickory, NC. Life is full of surprises. And it is very good.
A follow up on my last entry: back in the Fall of 2018, after my experience at Lutheridge Conference Center, I heard about a Spiritual Direction Certification from 4 different people within a week. This 2 year certification is through Lenoir Rhyne's Lutheran Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. I started exploring it, said YES, and started the program as a student a few months ago. More about that another time.
God just keeps opening doors! More about that next time....
Until then, I am on this amazing journey of life. All is well.
In The Deep Peace, Audrey
