Days 13 & 14: On to PA and Family Play Day

This is a downloaded image from the Internet of the Delaware Water Gap during the Autumn season. 

It is Friday September 26th now and time to head to PA.  So I do laundry, have another  NJ diner lunch; one more fill up of gas at a Full-Service Station(all they allow in NJ) and then I am on off crossing the Delaware Water Gap and driving through the Poconos on I-81.  I get to my mother-in-law's in time for a lasagna dinner and conversation before bed.  Saturday is a full day with my niece's soccer game, lunch in downtown Dun more and a trip to Ritter's Cider Mill.  From Ritter's cider mill, we head to a church bazaar where they are having a raffle and have many Christmas items for sale.  I buy several crocheted towels and then its on to one local ice cream shops for ice cream cones.  Believe it or not; it is warm enough outside for the ice cream to melt quickly; I have the mint chocolate chip.   Back to my mother-in-law's for  rest and dinner before heading to my brother-in-law's and playtime with my one year old niece.  It was a packed but fun day in North Central PA.

Find out more about Ritter's Cider Mill at:  http://www.ritterscidermill.com/

Day 12: Diner Day in NJ - Fun with friends and family

Missional, Relational & Incarnational - This sums up what this day and all of my pilgrimage has been about. 

Present from Kelly;  So Beautiful:Divine Design for Life and the Church by Leonard Sweet 

Had fun staying up late talking; so the day got a late start with a diner breakfast that included getting to visit with 89 year old Aunt Catherine which was a blessing.  Filled up on pancakes; all I had room was hot tea when I went to meet my Twitter friend, Kelly for the first time.  It was so fun; we talked for 2 hours practically non-stop.  Kelly's and mine meeting is a testimony that God is alive and well on social media and that you can meet up with a total stranger who is not a strangler.  It is also a witness to the United Methodist Church connection and its presence on social media.  We connected through a UM conversation on twitter.  Then it was time for a quick nap and a drive to visit a friend from Jackson who had recently moved back to NJ.  We enjoyed great diner food, wonderful conversation and got to tour the beautiful campus of Ramapo College of New Jersey.   Then back to the cousin's house and another night of fun watching Derek Jeter's win his last home game for the Yankees and more great conversation.  Great day with family and friends.  

Links to visit: http://www.ramapo.edu/ - Ramapo College of New Jersey 
http://www.plaza46dinernj.com/  - Plaza 46 Diner 
http://www.statelinediner.com/  - State Line Diner 
http://mlb.mlb.com/players/jeter_derek/ - Derek Jeter 
http://www.drew.edu/theological/ - Drew Theological School at Drew University 
http://www.leonardsweet.com/ - author and professor, Leonard Sweet 

My awesome Twitter friend  and I meeting for the first time.

Day 11: Saying Good-Bye; Time to journey onward

It is Wednesday morning; the last day of being with my sister dancing monks in Cape May, NJ. We eat, do yoga, affirm, dance, celebrate and say good-bye.  We take photos and some of us linger to walk just a longer on the beach. I have laid aside my judgment and expectations of myself and others. I take with me the sacredness of simply being and embed in my memory: waves crashing, feet pattering, wind blowing,  eggs cracking, and the rocking of the rocking chairs.  I think about the birds, the butterflies, the sand between my toes, hot tea, the warmth of the mush and the beauty of the dance. I remember licking ice cream, feeling the grass between my toes, drinking hot coffee and playing like a little girl in the sunshine with 19 other women.  As I imprint in my mind the holiness of this place, the voices of reassurance, affirmation and calmness remain with me also.

http://www.empmamas.com/about.html

The perfect place in Cape May for dancing monks to eat!!

 One of the gals from the group needs a ride to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry so some of us go to lunch together and then go to the ferry to say good-bye. At the ferry, I buy some post cards and salt water taffy. I remember riding on the ferry once and getting seasick.  Such a long time ago; riding the ferry and visiting Cape Henlopen State Park.

http://www.kohrbros.com/

On the boardwalk in Wildwood,  I always loved the Orange Cream Twist Soft Serve when I went to the shore. 

 http://www.destateparks.com/park/cape-henlopen/
http://www.capemaylewesferry.com/

 I linger longer and have some fun with a sister monk who wants a little more adventure; we go and walk the boardwalk in Wildwood interchanging laughter with deep thought.  Finally one last good-bye and then northward on the Garden State Parkway then to the NJ Turnpike and onto I-95; all new territory to me as I pay tolls and leave behind the familiar Jersey shore area.  I exit just before the George Washington Bridge and head to one of the Trently cousin's home.  Somehow I make it without getting lost and they are even impressed with how quick I got there; I said well I just went with the traffic.  I speak with two friends I am looking forward to seeing the next day one for the first time and the other whom I have not seen in months.  We laugh, catch up and enjoy bantering the way two women do so  I go to bed way late.  Yet it is nice to be free of structure and schedule for a few days.

I leave the beach to the seagulls taking with me only a few shells but lots of memories of this Sacred Retreat.

Links for you to explore:

Movement and Dance

http://www.5rhythms.com/

http://www.mwoodmanfoundation.org/body-soul/intro

http://consciousfemininity.com/

http://www.interplay.org/

http://www.contactimprov.net/

http://dance-alchemy.org/

http://soulmotion.com/

http://www.dancingmindfulness.com/

https://nianow.com/

http://www.authenticmovement-bodysoul.com/authentic-movement-body-soul-center/authentic-movement/

http://www.girlonfiredance.com/

As someone who has been disconnected from her body for many years - the movement, yoga and dance components healed and created much space for God to move in a new way in my life. 

I go from St. Mary's by the Sea as an artist who is free to: 

 Create and enjoy the process

 To turn off the phone 

Say no 

Allocate space and resources for my creative play 

 Utilize technology to continue to deepen and find connections

Explore new possibilities

Move through in courage 

Remain fallow

Accept my body and embrace my sexuality 

Tend to my soul and allow the light of Christ to embody me 

Maintain an enlightened structure 

Live Life in a productive, supportive nurturing rhythm 

Stay with and trust the process 

Most awesome part of last day was getting Christine to autograph two of her books I have purchased ; I invite you to read - 

Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings-Annotated & Explained and Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice

Christine also is one of the writers in the Homilists for the Homeless series I mentioned in an earlier post so she signed that one too.  Visit http://clearfaithpublishing.com/homilies/ to learn more. 

Also check out the writings of Anne Lamott: http://barclayagency.com/lamott.html

Natalie Goldberg: http://nataliegoldberg.com/

John Fox: http://poeticmedicine.org/bio.johnfox.html

Pat Schneider: http://patschneider.com/pat/

Mason Currey: http://masoncurrey.com/Daily-Rituals

Day 10: Embracing the Sacred Rhythm of Being a Dancing Monk

View of parking, sand and ocean from the top of the lighthouse

Today I embrace being a Dancing Monk, committed not only with my sisters at this retreat but with all of my brothers and sisters who desire to combine their creativity and spirituality in a way that is relational and intentional.  Today I soak up the sun and find the freedom to listen and move in my own rhythm.  The richness of the conversation, the freedom of dance and the healing power of friendship renew my Spirit.  In the midst of the chaos and the unknown, the blessings of peace and freedom abound.

 I spend my playtime today visiting the Cape May Lighthouse, climbing the 204 steps up and then the 204 steps down.  I visit the nature center and then enjoy a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone.  I practice walking slowly and contemplatively taking in the sights and sounds.  I go barefoot in the grass during our times of movement and dancing.  Today I have let go of my inhibitions; dancing, playing and laughing in ways that have been buried for a long time.

View of Cape May Point - the lake and the refuge from the Lighthouse

In soaking up the peace and holiness of St. Mary's by Sea, in experiencing community and joint spiritual practices, I lay down my anxieties about the future and the need to have it all figured out.  I am free to share the mystery and to observe as the earth, sky and sea meet that I too am part of this  Divine canvas.  

Selfie of me at the top of the lighthouse 

How to be a Dancing Monk 

Celebrate Everyday

Move Freely 

Sit Silently 

Offer Gentleness and Gratitude

Embody your Creativity 

Connect with the Holy Spirit

Always Love, Share and Sigh often 

Visit Monk Manifesto at: http://abbeyofthearts.com/about/monk-manifesto/

My Rule of Life 

Calling 

Committing 

Creating

Communicating

Connecting 

Caring 

7 Line Poem - my maternal grandmother

Evelyn loving and listening  (Even from her bed offered these gifts to her family)

Dancing to a different drum ( highly gifted but suffered from bipolar) 

Enjoying the palm trees  (lived in California for a time) 

Making May Baskets in Pink (made for my sister and me during her last year of life) 

Je t'aime Grandmother  (required to include foreign phase, means I love you in French)

Writing mystically and creatively(wrote some devotionals and other writings) 

Living only 70 years  (tragically choked on peanut butter when I was 8 years old) 

A distant view of the Cape May Lighthouse 

 Cape May Lighthouse:  http://www.capemaymac.org/attractions/capemaylighthouse.php

Day 9: Sacred Rhythms of Resistance and Ripening

It is difficult for me on this Monday morning to wake-up; I go through the motions of waking up but then find myself needing to skip the first session after breakfast.  I need space to discern; to rest and to calm my soul.  The old insecurities rise up in me; my approval seeking and overly responsible self takes over.  I am resisting being compassionate with myself and hiding behind the shoulds and should nots.  We often here the saying that God provides us with what we need when we need it but often we don't believe it.  Yet this morning God incarnate; the Spirit and breath of life showed up in the form of another dancing monk, a sister from the retreat who listens and offers a gentle balm for my soul.

Courtyard in the center of St. Marys by the Sea; featuring a garden with the statue of  Mary, the mother of Jesus who reminds us that God is not just father but mother of us all. 

I make the transition from resistance to ripening as I enter the courtyard for movement and dancing. The Spirit is always offering us the invitation to begin again and to explore our woundedness while speaking the truth that only Jesus the Christ can bring to us. In our movement, the sun offers me the bread of heaven while the joy of the wind and the waves engulf me.  There is a freedom participating in a group knowing that the focus is not on me nor is anyone passing judgment.  Light is being shined into those closed off places.  It is a letting go and enjoying the present moment; a gift in and of itself.

Flower at Cape May Point 

The afternoon is a time of grace; of following the thread and being okay with me.  Some of the group along with myself head over to Cape May Point State Park for a nature walk.  We see many plants and butterflies for this is the season of the Monarch Butterflies migration.  The Monarch Butterflies are on their way to Mexico where there ancestors came.  I think about a picture of my grandmother and hers sisters on the boardwalk in Atlantic City NJ during the 1930s when my grandfather was in seminary in Philadelphia.  Yet I  am reminded too that it is not about place or past but about the movement of the Spirit, the life Allan and I are building together with Saya Ming and Mac; our feline friends in Jackson TN

At the butterfly garden 

Flowers at the butterfly garden 

After the nature walk; I visit a nearby butterfly garden and then go to the enjoy the ocean.  Yes, it is late September but I do put on my swimsuit and let the salt water refresh me. The water is warm and I have fun enjoying the ocean for the first time in many years.

Enjoying the beach!!!

Jesus as the Living Water, humbles and heals; we are given an invitation each day  to begin again. 

Check out this link: 

Cape May Point: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/capemay.html

"Life is too short to match socks." - said  one of my sister dancing monks

John 10:10 reads, "I[Jesus] came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly."

Day 8: Sacred Rhythms Writing & Movement Retreat - First Full Day

It is now the time of Harvest and the Autumn Equinox has passed in the Northern Hemisphere; the excitement of my dreams coming true has died down. Christine opened the retreat on Saturday evening offering us opportunities to get acquainted, to formulate what this retreat is about for  us and gave us permission to follow our rhythms and not feel obligated to attend every activity.  I participated in Yin Yoga for the first time.

Now it is Day 8, Sunday and time to be open to the encounters of joy and resistance throughout the day.  We honor the spirit of St. Mary's by the Sea of observing quiet and only speaking in soft voices when necessary.  It is a time of awakening that begins with yoga and breakfast. Day 8 is a day of adjusting to the flow of awakening, ripening, releasing and stilling.  It is a day of learning to slow down and getting acquainted with all of the other dancing monks.

A day of experiencing the incarnation; all creation is holy.  

A day of observing.

It is truly a day of discovery asI  settle into a slow gentle breath and focus on my sacred connection with God.  I do not even take any pictures on this Sunday; the ones above are from Saturday - the two views from our porches: the ocean and the lighthouse.

Today this 15th Sunday after Pentecost is an awakening of my soul..

For more information on Yin Yoga: visit http://www.yinyoga.com/

Learn more about Mary Oliver: http://maryoliver.beacon.org/

Now I am revealing new things to you Things hidden and unknown to you Created just now, this very moment. Of these things you have heard nothing until now. So that you cannot say, Oh yes, I knew this. -Isaiah 48:6-7 

"Are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?" - Mary Oliver 

Day 7: Dreams Come True

You know you are in Philadelphia when even in the Franciscan Sisters, have this posted on one of their office windows. http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=phi

The Atlantic Ocean - http://www.capemay.com/

It is Saturday and time to head to Cape May, NJ for the Sacred Rhythms retreat.  Yet first I spend some more time with my Aunt Marianne, eating breakfast and attending Saturday morning mass.  Then I get repacked, organize the car and head on leaving behind my face wash and body wash for my aunt to enjoy(oh well it happens I am just thankful I didn't loose my one set of car keys on this trip or get stopped because I was driving on expired tags sometimes when you are so excited you forget the details). Then I head down I-95 driving past the Philadelphia Skyline my brain moving down memory lane as I pass the exits for Central Philadelphia, Penn's Landing and then cross over the Walt Whitman Bridge.  I head down the back roads past Vine land NJ ( due to my memories of having to have exact change on the Garden State Parkway as a kid and not wanting to pay more tolls )and enjoy nice trip down to the Jersey Shore.  I start to smell the Ocean and soon I am in all of the Saturday shore traffic but I have been in my glory enjoying the scenery, listening to KYW 1060(the 24 hour news station in Philadelphia that my mother would listen to for theweather report; it even still has the same jingle) and to the Splendid Table on WHYY from Philadelphia(Public Radio and TV in Philadelphia the station that brought me Mr. Rogers, Sesame Street and Captain Kangaroo).  Yes, Saturday shore traffic, or yes the ocean is often still warm in September and why not because if you live in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas you can be at the shore in 2-3 hours.  I arrive at Cape May and the above picture is the one I took the first day I walked down to beach actually even before I completely unloaded my car because after all I hadn't put my feet in the Atlantic Ocean in over 20 years.  My first dream come true; then a few hours later after unpacking and exploring St. Mary's by the Sea where the retreat was being held; my second dream came true of meeting an online friend from West Virginia and then last but not least I got to meet Christine Valters Painter and her husband, John Painter, who are the online abbess and prior of Abbey of the Arts.  So much beauty, so many memories and so much to look forward to as my dreams came true and I met new friends, fellow sister dancing monks who I will spend the next four days with.

Links to Radio Stations: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/station/kyw-newsradio/
http://www.whyy.org/91FM/

It is difficult for me to talk about Philadelphia without remembering two of  my favorite things attending Phillies Baseball Games and Flyers Hockey Games.  And even now, when they are not doing well I am still  a fan because while I rarely watch the games on TV, I always check the stats on the sport page.  I once collected baseball cards and had a baseball pennant collection.  I loved the pitcher, Steve Carlton because he was left-handed like me and my best Phillies memory is being present at the sixth game and watching them win the 1980 World Series.  I did not become a Flyers Fan until I was older but I did wear a Brian Tocchet  jersey and I did enjoy the fights(anybody remember the Sutters brother).  One of these days I will attend some games in Philadelphia in their new venues but for now I am content with my memories of the Spectrum and Vet Stadium both of which are long gone now.  

Yes couldn't resist taking a picture of the Flyers sticker but realized out of privacy I should not take a picture of the license plate; fortunately no one was around and asked what I was doing. 

The entrance to St. Mary's by the Sea 

The theme and focus of the St. Mary-by-the Sea Retreat Center in Cape May NJ, check out their website: http://www.stmarybythesea.org/smbts/

Links to some of my favorite places in the Philadelphia/Jersey Shore area:

Penn's Landing: http://www.visitphilly.com/outdoor-activities/philadelphia/penns-landing/
Ocean City, NJ: http://www.ocnj.us/
Philadelphia Art Museum: http://www.philamuseum.org/
Ben Franklin Court: http://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/franklin-court.htm
Franklin Mills(Shopping): http://www.simon.com/mall/philadelphia-mills
The CrabTrap Somers Point, NJ: https://www.thecrabtrap.com
City Tavern: http://www.citytavern.com/

Learn more about the Splendid Table on NPR: http://www.splendidtable.org/

Also visit the website for the church where I attended Saturday morning mass: http://saintjohnbosco.org/


To learn more about Christine and John along with the Abbey of the Arts which since 2012 has changed my life and led me to meet many people online from around the world and now in person as well visit: http://abbeyofthearts.com/

To read my Monk in the World post on the Abbey website visit: http://abbeyofthearts.com/blog/2014/01/16/monk-in-the-world-guest-post-jennifer-trently/

I could go on and on but I will stop here for now; what a wonderful Saturday transcending the new and old; while dreams come true.