When three of my girlfriends called today to conference me in on our monthly spiritual companioning session, I found myself bubbling over with joy. It was a surprise to me as I am basically on my own in a little poustinia/desert place/A-frame camper by the sea with no one to talk with day-to-day. I was aware that I have an overall sense of well-being out here, but it was when I was in heart-to-heart contact with them that my happiness burst out into laughter and smiles.
Mind you, I am not sitting in silence, because when you are in a state park people like to be neighborly. (You have only to look at the Campground Host's site to guess that!)
Two men have stopped by to ask me about my A-frame...one had just purchased one and was camping with his wife in it and the other was trying to decide between buying one or buying another mini one called a Tab and was thrilled to see my Odyssey minivan as the same tow vehicle he planned to use too.
Others are walking cute dogs and you just have to say hi. Several women have chatted long enough to recommend their favorite campgrounds along the East Coast and to swap strategies for heating our campers at night.
Connie, a recently retired school teacher from Michigan and her husband have sold everything and have been on the road since last March.
While I am basically trying to stay put in the campground and on the beach, using my own energy on foot or on bicycle to get around, I have left the park four times already to attend Mass at churches about seven miles in either direction along Hwy 17.
The first time I ventured out was last Saturday night to Precious Blood in Pawley's Island. I was surprised to hear the Irish Brogue on the elderly priest, and when he elevated the gifts of bread and wine for an extended and reverent time during the consecration, I was deeply moved. He ended the Mass with an early blessing for the Feast of St. Blasé, placing candles gently at our throats and praying that God would protect us from all sickness of the throat and every other evil.
Thrilled by my good timing, I decided to drive North to St. Michael's in Garden City on Sunday evening to receive the blessing again. And then to my great happiness I returned on Tuesday for the actual feast and received the blessing once more. Afterward I knocked on the door of the local Charismatic prayer meeting and asked if I could join them too.
The four women gathered that day were so welcoming and eager to receive a wayfarer from the state park nearby. They said a man with a powerful healing ministry had visited them the week before to pray that the gift of healing to be theirs, and they were now so on fire and ready to serve. When we finished our time of singing and praying and listening for God, the leader asked, "Would anyone like us to lay hands on and pray?" I responded with both of my hands up in the air. Afterward we hugged and they offered me their phone numbers and their extra bedrooms should I need to seek refuge in the coming days.
So, my two weeks thus far have been filled with, well, nothing so unusual to justify such internal glee. But there is power in deciding that you want to do something that captures your imagination and then venturing out to do it. And when you come back together with loved-ones and friends, well, your joy is just waiting to burst into a roaring flame.
Mind you, I am not sitting in silence, because when you are in a state park people like to be neighborly. (You have only to look at the Campground Host's site to guess that!)
Two men have stopped by to ask me about my A-frame...one had just purchased one and was camping with his wife in it and the other was trying to decide between buying one or buying another mini one called a Tab and was thrilled to see my Odyssey minivan as the same tow vehicle he planned to use too.
Others are walking cute dogs and you just have to say hi. Several women have chatted long enough to recommend their favorite campgrounds along the East Coast and to swap strategies for heating our campers at night.
Connie, a recently retired school teacher from Michigan and her husband have sold everything and have been on the road since last March.
While I am basically trying to stay put in the campground and on the beach, using my own energy on foot or on bicycle to get around, I have left the park four times already to attend Mass at churches about seven miles in either direction along Hwy 17.
Thrilled by my good timing, I decided to drive North to St. Michael's in Garden City on Sunday evening to receive the blessing again. And then to my great happiness I returned on Tuesday for the actual feast and received the blessing once more. Afterward I knocked on the door of the local Charismatic prayer meeting and asked if I could join them too.
The four women gathered that day were so welcoming and eager to receive a wayfarer from the state park nearby. They said a man with a powerful healing ministry had visited them the week before to pray that the gift of healing to be theirs, and they were now so on fire and ready to serve. When we finished our time of singing and praying and listening for God, the leader asked, "Would anyone like us to lay hands on and pray?" I responded with both of my hands up in the air. Afterward we hugged and they offered me their phone numbers and their extra bedrooms should I need to seek refuge in the coming days.
So, my two weeks thus far have been filled with, well, nothing so unusual to justify such internal glee. But there is power in deciding that you want to do something that captures your imagination and then venturing out to do it. And when you come back together with loved-ones and friends, well, your joy is just waiting to burst into a roaring flame.
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