Sharing Circle

Last fall I felt a strong calling to go to Laurel Ridge and stay at the Gemein House. Logically I did not want to go. Spiritually I knew that I must. I had read the article that Jennifer Sealy had written about staying there. I spoke to her after I had made reservations. She assured me it was the right thing to do and that I would not feel afraid or alone. She was right. I have always traveled a lot by myself and that has never concerned me. But, did I want to stay in a tiny cabin in the woods, cut off from telephones, television and computers as well as people? The gal that took my reservation explained to me that the cabin would be unlocked, the key on the table. She said there would be staff at the office down the road during the day but that I would see no one during my stay. Big difference from staying at the Hyatt!

I was going for different reasons than on my usual travels. I was going to listen to God, to feel His Love, His guidance. I was quite simply going to be restored. I didn’t grow up a Moravian and I didn’t spend summers at Laurel Ridge. This was all unfamiliar territory to me. That is until I arrived, saw those mountains and trees and felt the familiar touching me. I walked into that tiny cabin and instantly felt safe. I built a fire in the fireplace and settled in to read the notes other people had written about their stays. Their words touched my heart. We all had common needs: silence, soothing, healing, guidance, acceptance, and on and on their words echoed my yearnings.

I stayed three nights. I was never afraid. It rained and rained and I kept that fire going the whole time. I opened windows so I could hear the patter of the rain more clearly and oh, the smells of the wet forest mingled with the wood smoke. I put on a hooded jacket and I walked and walked in the rain feeling like a teenager without a care in the world.

The cost is only fifteen dollars per night. Did you know that, $15.00?? Donations above that are welcome but that is the charged cost. A slice of heaven, no housework surrounding me calling my name, no meals to cook, no meetings to attend, no phone to ring and on and on the list goes.

Don’t you want to go? I am heading out again this spring. I found what I went there expecting. I will again. Life is like that for the most part, isn’t it? We just have to keep seeking and finding answers all the way home.