Thursday, August 02, 2007

Friday Five: Post-Pilgrimage Edition

Reverendmother of RevGalBlogPals writes:

Hello friends, I am just back from a lovely time of pilgrimage in the isle of Iona, "cradle of Scottish Christianity." It has provided much food for thought, to say the least, and so, to keep the pilgrim mojo going:

1. Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? (however you choose to define the term) Share a bit about it. If not, what's your reaction to the idea of pilgrimage?

Yup yup yup. However, it might not fit YOUR idea of a pilgrimage. Alumni Band week is coming up at Ohio State... and I won't make it there this year. (And it's too bad, too because my Beloved Bearded Spouse has never had the experience of sitting in the midst of 100,000 screaming fans clapping together...)

2. Share a place you've always wanted to visit on pilgrimage.

I'd like to go here... Victoria Falls... between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. If a man were to give all his wealth for love, it would be utterly scorned." Song of Solomon 8:7


3. What would you make sure to pack in your suitcase or backpack to make the pilgrimage more meaningful? Or does "stuff" just distract from the experience?

Definitely my camera and a journal... because the pictures and the words I jot down bring back the memories of the experience!

4. If you could make a pilgrimage with someone (living, dead or fictional) as your guide, who would it be? (I'm about this close to saying "Besides Jesus." Yes, we all know he was indispensable to those chaps heading to Emmaus, but it's too easy an answer.)

Hmmmmm... I think that I'd like to have Teresa of Avila, because she had a way of making the everyday spiritual experience FULL of the Presence of God. I think that would be energizing! Can you imagine what she would be able to express about the power and glory of the Falls??? Whoa.

5. Eventually the pilgrim must return home, but can you suggest any strategies for keeping that deep "mountaintop" perspective in the midst of everyday life? (don't mind me, I'll be over here taking notes.)

Write about it. Blog about it. Look at your photos and musings from living through it. Take time to remember how God spoke to you in the midst of that pilgrimage. For instance, my new "happy place" will now be in a jacuzzi surrounded by the Alps... with a glass of Chardonnay beside me... like this...


...sigh...
Yeah. That just about does it...

Deb

15 comments:

The Vicar of Hogsmeade said...

I'm taking my camera with me too

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

Buckeye Band days... well sorry as a Big12 alumn's wife can't root for anythin in the Big 10... I know I know crazy world. But we'll come over for the alpine chateau-house-warming party...

leah said...

Ohio State, right--but I'll definitely take your #5, but with a glass of Angelica; Teresa of Avila, is cool, too!

Di said...

*gasp*

Were you in the OSU marching band?!

Very, very cool.

Terri said...

Ok, I'm coming to visit you in the Alps, chill that wine and get the hot tub ready!

reverendmother said...

Nice. I love your answer to 1. I think it's just as faithful to a claim a so-called secular experience as holy than to just restrict ourselves to experiences that are "officially" holy!

Diane M. Roth said...

yes, I like Teresa of Avila too. she'd be good company anywhere.

Deb said...

Yup. PROUD to be TBDBITL Alumni!
:)
d

Lori said...

Victoria Falls and Swiss chalet's with hot tubs and wine!!! Girl, you know how to travel.

Pour another glass, I'll join you and Mom Priest in the hot tub.

Mary Beth said...

Alps sounds good to me!!

Rainbow Pastor said...

Alps, Teresa, wine, hot tub--I am so with you all the way!

Nice play--except for the OSU thing...

RP
(daughter of MSU faculty, attendee of UM...)

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Victoria Falls and the Alps...what a choice. I guess I will just have to add both of those to my "must see and do" list. After today's FF my list is getting quite long. Thanks for the wonderful pics...even the Ohio Stadium (from a Big 12 Alumna)

Erin said...

How many does that that hot tub seat, hmmm? 'Cos if your comments are any indication, you may need to get some more wine. :) Great play! -Angel

Deb said...

My Beloved says that he gets a seat in the hot tub and the rest of you will have to draw straws.... ;)

d

Scott said...

From one band geek to another, let me say "Well played." Except you've got the wrong Big Red in mind: there really is no place like Nebraska.

Hear the trumpets playin'
Hear the crowd a-sayin'
NU Band is on parade!
Hear the trombones blowin'
Hear the drums a-rollin'
NU Band is on parade!
Sound out, sound out,
Sound out loud and clear!
Let the team all know the band is here!
Sons of old Nebraska,
if someone should ask ya,
We're the Scarlet and the Cream!

GO HUSKERS!