Chimayó, NM

Something sacred, something beautiful, something true.

That's what I experienced at el santuario Chimayó last Sunday. I think it was less the "holy dirt", as so many people call it (its healing properties being compared to Lourdes, etc), than it was the people communing there. 

There were tourists, yes (like me) - but they were the type who deeply appreciate the spiritual, whether Roman Catholic or not. Jamie and I participated in Mass, soaking in the ancient ritual and familiar liturgy alongside English, Spanish and Native language speakers.

Sometime soon I hope to share a bit of the experience with my congregation... but for now, it's here for you! If you ever get a chance to visit the area (and eat the tamales at Leona's!), I highly recommend it. 

The entrance to the chapel area (from one direction)

Once you step through the doors of that last photo, this is Chapel

Me in one of the beautiful areas of sacred space around el santuario

Friday Five: Mid-Lent Check-In

Friday Five: Mid-Lent Check-In

Here's what Sophia offered over at RGBP today:

The pastor of my grad school parish once gave a fascinating reflection, at about this mid-point in the season, called "How to Survive the Mid-Lent Crisis"! As I recall, his main point was that by halfway through the season we have often found it very challenging to live up to our original plans....But, he suggested--on the analogy of the healing and reframing of our life plans that can happen during a mid-*life* crisis--that that can be even more fruitful.

So here's an invitation to check in on the state of your spirit midway through "this joyful season where we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed" (Roman Missal). Hopefully there's a good deal of grace, and not too much crisis, in your mid-Lenten experience!

1. Did you give up, or take on, anything special for Lent this year? 
Practicing (beginner) guitar as a spiritual practice... practicing seemed a joyful and intentional and disciplined opportunity for growth.
2. Have you been able to stay with your original plans, or has life gotten in the way? 
No :(. Life, self has stepped in. 
3. Has God had any surprising blessings for you during this Lent? 
God has been good! She's blessed me with leading a weekly Prayer Service for Healing and Wholeness (which has been such a gift as a participant, too) AND some unexpected sabbath/vacation time with my dear one - 3 days in Santa Fe beginning tomorrow.
4. What is on your inner and/or outer agenda for the remainder of Lent and Holy Week?
To continue intentionally caring for myself through creative, soul-nourishing endeavors (coloring with markers and crayons, spending time with some beautiful and spiritual women, and hopefully practicing that guitar!).
5. Where do you most long to see resurrection, in your life and/or in the world, this Easter?
Great question - but I haven't reached into resurrection, yet for this season. I believe I'm lying fallow for this period, awaiting a sowing in...
Bonus: Share a favorite scripture, prayer, poem, artwork, or musical selection that speaks Lenten spring to your heart. This piece by Jan Richardson (you can see it on her blog, The Painted Prayerbook) has touched me this season. 

Me and a Gun: My Life in iTunes

I'm enjoying just playing around this past hour.

Music, silliness, blogs. 

So here is "My Life in Itunes"

RULES:  1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.  2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.  3. WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY? A Real Good Place to Start (George Strait) - yes, a real good place to start!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF Scooter Boys (Indigo Girls)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Sexy (Cat Blues) – no lie! this really came up

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? The Pointless, Yet Poignant, Crisis of a Co-Ed (Dar Williams)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Late In the Evening (Simon & Garfunkel)

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO? Hot Cha (They Might Be Giants) … sounds fun!

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? I Need to Know (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? I Have Seen the Rain (Pink)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? We Are Winning (Flobots)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Falkirk (James Horner – Braveheart Soundtrack)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Until I Die (Brandi Carlisle) … indeed!

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Girls Say (Beth Hart)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Let Me Go Easy (Indigo Girls) – Oh YES!

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? No One Knows My Name (Gillian Welch)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW? Nightswimming (R.E.M.)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Back Together Again (Indigo Girls)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Me and a Gun (Tori Amos) – oy! what a title.

Not Okay

I'm sitting on my couch in between a.m. pastoral visits (at the hospital, a nursing home, and an apartment) and an evening meeting at the church... 

when Jamie looks over at me and says, "Are you okay!" 

I wonder, "Why?" So I use my laptop camera to find out...

Okay, I can see why she asked. Haha! Gotta love technology to capture this moment.