Retreat

Life is getting busier around here. Evenings are getting gobbled up: starting this coming week, Tuesday night is Servant Leadership School dinner and class, Thursday is community night with the house, and Sunday night is a SLS class and sharing time in the house.

About the middle of the week, I started praying for a friend outside the house. I thoroughly enjoy all my housemates. This living situation couldn't be better if I had planned it. I'm completely grateful. I also feel the need to get to know some other people. So I'm just asking God to open my eyes to a friend. And also a mentor.

This is where Retreat comes in.

Dixcy and the 8th Day faith community of CoS [see previous post about CoS] invited us to go on their annual retreat. Even though, and maybe because, all my housemates were busy, I jumped on the offer. Let me preface by saying that the only time I ever worshipped with 8th Day it was children's Sunday and the sermon involved a lot of child interjections about dreams of fairies. Obviously that could make me a little wary about spending a whole day by myself with these people. But CoS is full of interesting people and Dixcy draws me as a possible mentor figure. And it was a great time for me.

I really hit it off with Sarah who is a graduate student in social work at Catholic U. And I got to know Nathan who is in the Lutheran Volunteer Corps. Spending time with Dixcy was good. I'm still praying about asking her to be my mentor or disciple me or whatever you want to call it. I don't want to rush into an important decision, but I do want to spend more time with her.

The environmental focus of the retreat was uplifting. The nature is beautiful and the people are genuine about their care of the land and how they can be eco-conscious in their homes and lives. We walked in the woods and toured eco-friendly houses and examined our carbon footprints. To top it off there was a cook-out and square dancing.

I still love living here - I wonder when that is gonna wear off? DC is an amazing city because so much culture and power is packed so close to parks and farms. I want to experience and appreciate all these things - city and nature - this year.

If you're so inclined, please pray for a friend and a mentor for me.

PS - I'm trying to change to only using one email address, so I'll be sending you emails from sarahlynncampbell@mac.com and you can reach me there as well. Thanks!