Silent Retreat

Hello!

I just got back from our two-day silent retreat. I had mixed feelings going into it since I wanted to be able to talk and hang out with all the JVC volunteers before having to say good bye to them. The retreat ended up being exactly what I needed though. I was able to stop worrying about everything and just live in the moment. By the end of the retreat I felt a greater sense of inner peace which was much needed after the intense last two weeks. 

The retreat center was in the woods in Medway, MA. It was great to be in such beautiful surroundings since I always feel God’s presence in nature. I spent a lot of time outside writing, reading, praying and reflecting. We also had a couple workshops and meetings with spiritual directors and we could talk during those so it wasn’t completely silent. The rest of the time when it was silent was quite something. It’s a very powerful experience to be sitting with people for hours in silence. You feel a deep sense of solidarity and community.

One of the highlights of the weekend was when a bunch of us went outside at night and just danced barefoot in the rain. We were out there for about an hour and weren’t saying anything, just laughing and dancing. It was a moment of pure joy! The next night a couple of us got a blanket and laid down to stargaze. Most of you know I absolutely love stargazing so this was quite the treat for me. The sky was cloudless and the stars were so clear. I wish I had my star chart to figure out the constellations (and yes I did pack it for Ecuador if any of you were wondering!) I ended up seeing three shooting stars! It was unbelievable! While I was lying there I was thinking of all the times I have gone stargazing with family (Sunriver’s observatory, at Gabriel Park, on our deck) and with friends (Bucknell’s golf course, tennis courts, random parks in Portland) and all the adventures that have included stargazing. It was a bittersweet moment. = )

The bus ride home was quite the joyous celebration. After being silent for two days we decided to all belt out songs the entire 45min ride back. It was great! 

Well, now that I’m back at BC I feel like I could use another buffer day before we leave. I feel pretty pressed for time to finish packing and prepare myself. I can’t believe tomorrow I leave for Ecuador! I do feel more ready than I did two weeks ago so that’s good.  I’m still on my high from the silent retreat so I’m not allowing any anxiety in yet. It will probably return in a couple of hours. Haha.

 Ecuador, ready or not, here I come!

Emily