Silence and Simplicity

I just returned from a 4 day Ignatian silent retreat.  if this is not something that you have done before, I highly recommend it to anybody. It was an amazing time of focusing on all the things that are most important and bring reminded that my worth doesn't come from how good my life looks, but on how loved by the King I am.  I don't know how much this connects to a minimalist lifestyle, but it is important to who I am. 

One of the most wonderful things about the retreat center, is the obvious care and thought that was put into the design and decoration of the facilities. Each piece of art, each theme for the lodge, even each pillow on the chairs, was thoughtfully designed and placed. No Hobby Lobby trite decorations here! The overall design was simple and yet I felt so pampered. The items were carefully chosen to create a certain atmosphere, just like we all hope to do in our homes. Nothing cluttered, nothing that doesn't truly reflect what's important to us and who we are.

Rocky Mountain High

 Monday, July 31st the big adventure began!  We had said all of our goodbyes and with the car packed fuller than we thought possible, we hit the road!  Only to stop five minutes later when someone realized Callum wasn't buckled in!... Now, we were off!

We stopped in San Angelo to see Rob's college roommate and our dear friends, the P's.  Then overnight in Roswell, NM ("why is everything decorated with aliens, Mama?"), and on to southern Colorado to see Emma's godparents and dear seminary friends, the T's.  By the time we got to Colorado, I was nearly in tears. Texas' climate and landscape has been so hard on my soul. I love green and mountains and "flowy water,"as Rob puts it. It felt like I could breathe again to be surrounded by real trees and cold water. 

We hiked a short way in some national forest territory and even saw a "toothy cow" for those of you who are in the know. (And if you haven't read the Wingfeather saga to your older children, I would remedy that.)  

The next day we drove up through the center of the state almost to the border of Wyoming and stayed for a blissful 24 hours with our longest-time friends at their family cabin.  It was an honor to be invited into that special place. We played and climbed and explored and swam and cooked and worshipped and chopped wood together. (This was mostly Daniel who had also chopped some wood the evening before at the T's.) 

It was a hard goodbye and we stretched it out as long as we could.  But lunchtime on Thursday saw us headed north to Idaho (with a stop to see a wild moose!) and my parents.

To all who are reading this and praying for us, thank you.  We love you all so much and will miss you. We are so grateful for the part you have played in our family whether it has been long or short, recent or ancient! You are a gift!  I will update as frequently as I think will be interesting!

Sarah