Falling in Love

I am falling in love...with this Island.

The island continues to be amazing and every morning I wake up feeling humbled by the opportunity to be here and wake up in the Abbey looking out onto the courtyard and the Abbey church. The weather was rainy in the morning, but cleared up and was lovely and sunny both Sunday and Monday afternoon. However, it has been INCREDIBLY windy both days

One of the amazing things about the island is the water. I have never seen so many blues in one body of water. And the water almost has a life of its own. When it is rainy and windy the water turns an angry gray. When it is just overcast and calmer it is a dark, calm blue. And when the sun comes out there are thousands of different blues and teals blending and dancing into one another.

Sunday we had worship in the Abbey at 10:15 am. I even had the opportunity to serve communion. It was so neat. Then, we had a 9pm service of silence. It was very powerful. Monday we had regular worship at 9am and 9pm. The services are wonderful. Simple liturgy and music, but powerful. My congregation better be prepared for lots of fun new liturgy...hahaha.

Many say Iona is a "thin place"--the kind of place where earth and heaven, creation and Creator, people and God meet through a very thin bit of separation. I am believing it to be true. The Spirit seems to move here in unbelievable ways. Or, perhaps, it is that in places like this the smog of our lives is suspended for a moment and we are more receptive to seeing and hearing God moving.

I have met PHENOMENAL people--smart, witty, funny, amazing. Each has a story to tell and, whether they know it or not, have offered me some wisdom in our conversations together. I have to wonder if this is what "being Church" is all about. Gathering together around worship and prayer, serving one another and constantly listening to one another's stories and being present to God moving in the midst of them.

I will upload pictures when i have more reliable internet. For now, just word pictures will have to do!