WESTWIND BLOG

It’s just about the half-way point of our Sabbatical Renewal Season. It has gone by in a flash and although I am far from ready for it to be over I must admit that I do find myself missing WestWind and all of you! I pray that you are also finding ways to experience some renewal, delight, and inspiration! I returned home from Italy on June 21st. My time at home has been spent recovering, resting, relishing time with family, catching up on laundry, pottery, and reflecting back on the past month. Considering over 4000+ photos were taken during my...

CIAO! Sadly our Rick Steve’s Village Italy has come to an end but the experiences and memories will endure. Andrew is currently traveling the long journey home, while I am on a train to Florence for new adventures to begin. We are travelers, not tourist! This is an important distinctive philosophy for Rick Steve’s. He encourages finding way to enter through the “back doors” to become “temporary locals,” and believes that “Thoughtful travel engages us with the world, as we learn to appreciate other cultures and new ways to measure quality of life.” These are the values that “sold” us...

Buongiorno Church! Andrew and I are about half way through our Rick Steve’s Village Italy Tour. It has been full of non-stop adventures and deliciousness. Like many European tours, we have had the opportunity to see many Cathedrals, Basilicas, churches and chapels. They have all been full of awe-inspiring art: frescos, mosaics, sculptures, architecture. Although amazing, after about the third visit they all began to look the same and blended together in my mind. Yet, I was struck by what our tour guide said when leading us through the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi; “If churches are not your...

Things I learned/experienced on my first Sabbatical Adventure to Christ in the Desert Monastery in Abuiqui, New Mexico. (Confession- I envisioned Late Night Top 10 Lists when writing this. But my list is not in order of importance (or humor)) Sometimes conversing with your airplane seatmate can be a holy moment. (Confession: I’m typically a “put my headphones on and leave me alone” type of flyer after initial pleasantries.) Don’t leave behind sunblock and your hat when you’re going to the desert. (Don’t worry mom, I improvised and made it home with only amild-ish sunburn) Reaffirmation that we need to...