The past week has been a lot for all of us. A lot of uncertainty, a lot of anxiety. It has been interesting living in Philly during this tense time in our country, particularly this tense past week. Right in the center of it all. I served as a poll worker last Tuesday, which was a great opportunity to be involved with the election. The district I was working in had incredible voter turnout compared to their usual, and it was exciting to be a part of it.
This weekend, we went on a retreat together. This retreat was supposed to happen back in October, but it was postponed because of our quarantine. This weekend turned out to be perfect timing for having a retreat. We drove to the Poconos, where we stayed in a rental house for the weekend, made good food, and enjoyed a break from the noise and chaos of the city and world. I did lots of running - enjoying the fresh air - and also found a hike nearby. Tom and Deb joined me on the hike, and we really enjoyed it. How could you go to the mountains and not go hiking?! I am not sure that words describe the shalom that I experienced during that hike. Over the past few years, as an Adventure Education student, going on adventures and spending time in the wilderness has became a norm for me. Generally at least 3 days a week, I was doing an adventure of some sort, and every semester, I would have a few multi-day or even multi-week trips. Not having that in my life for the past few months has been difficult to say the least. I have been making due as best as I can, such as by joining the trail club and going for hikes whenever I have a day off. But it is not the same (especially because hiking in the city still feels like you are in the city; there are still city noises, cars going by, etc.). Being in the woods this weekend, on a gorgeous, sunny day, felt amazing. It felt great to move my body all day (I ran to and from the trail to get my long run in for the week, so it was a pretty active day with both running and hiking). It was great to connect with Tom and Deb. The view was beautiful. The trees were so colorful. It was what I needed. And I am thankful for that blessing.
As I head into the next few months, as the weather gets colder (or warmer, as it seems to be doing?), I hope that I can continue to find spaces to retreat and experience shalom.
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