Off to the mountain

Well, if it won't come to me, I guess I'll have to go to it :)

Monday morning at 7:30am I'm leaving on a jet plane for Little Rock, Arkansas. From there I will journey up to one of my favorite place - Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton AR. It is about 2 hours NW of Little Rock.

This state park holds some precious memories for me. Over 20 years ago my family would meet at Petit Jean in the summer for a reunion. We did this about 4-5 times. It was great to get my parents, all 3 of us kids and all of the grandkids together for a week. The children ranged in age from around 2 up to about 10 years and with 7 of them around, it was always fun! We hiked, roasted marshmallows, swam in the pool, played cards with my parents and ate, ate, ate!

1986 - First summer. Left to right:
Cathy, Chris, Lindy with Sarah, Bill, Michelle, Mom, Dennis, Amanda, Dad, Erin, Tony, Me
I have no idea where Sharon and Fred were?

1986 - Sharon, Cathy, Tony, Amanda, Michelle, Erin
(missing Sarah who was only 2 at the time)

1986 - Sharon

1987 or 88 - at the base of the falls:
Erin, Michelle, Dad, Cathy, Sharon, Bill, Amanda, Tony and Fred

And now, 20 years later, I am returning alone for a personal retreat. I have one of the rustic cabins reserved and plan for 4 days of rest along with hiking, reading and just glorying in the splendor of the Lord. It will be a time when I can have uninterrupted time to pray and reflect on the path that my Lord has set on my heart. (Plus read the pile of books that Fr. Craig sent along!)

On Thursday I will journey back to Little Rock to meet with the Dean of the Anglican School of Ministry where I have been accepted as a student in their diaconate program. This has been a journey that I've been called to for a long period of time and with a lot of prayer and discernment, the time has come for me to follow God's lead. Pray for me!

:)
~~ God bless
Mary