Soul Care

So important. And so thankful for a time like this (even though the time isn't cheap). Though I miss people and things from home, I wish I had a few days to continue spending time alone and with God. 

This is a very different trip from previous Oz trips. Maybe because it was really short and I really needed the time to recharge. Also, the weight limit of my carry on was 7kg and I went into Australia with 7kg. So I didn't shop at all. I probably only walked into one or two shops to get some magnets and looked at bikini tops but decided it was too time consuming to try them on anyway. I took only 15 mins to walk through paddy's market. I didn't even go into any supermarkets. Other trips, I would have wiped the shelves of gummies chocolate, smith's chips and home brand corn beef. Other trips, I would have gone to the factory outlets too.

I am thankful for the daily slots of 3- hourly sessions throughout the day to read, write, pray, contemplate and reflect. I am thankful I got to catch up with a dear friend, got to spend some time with my sis (but sadly, no in depth conversation) and got ministered during the hillsong service.

At the end of the trip was the rather arduous 8 and a half hour flight back home. One thing I am thankful for was that my sis and I didn't get to sit together so I had some more alone time. I was slipping in and out of consciousness, waking up only to read, eat and pee. I realized though, it's this time of solitude that God speaks the clearest. I kinda have a sense of how the plush retreat will look like next year and I am pretty stoked at getting the plan out to the gals.I was pretty stoked because praying and planning for the retreat wasn't part of my plan this trip but I guess it was God's plan.

The book which I brought along with me this trip summarized the purpose of the retreat well:

"A spiritual retreat is a time apart when we move slower, take time to rest, have extended time for solitude and silent listening, share our journeys and key learnings, eat together and enjoy one another's company."

At the end of the book, the author shared a practice called Lectio Divina. I think it is worth spending time bringing that to the gals because it not only teaches how God speaks through the bible, it also helps us to learn how to enjoy solitude with God. 

I am feeling a bit of guilt of not spending as much time with my sis as she would have hoped. Instead of walking or shopping together, I would often tell her to meet at a certain location in about an hour or two and i would scoot off somewhere to spend time alone. She did tell me that she wanted to exercise and tan this trip, that she didn't have any expectations of this trip since it's pretty much paid for. So I hope she's happy.

Adios! I am ready to conquer the world for the next 20 days. And then no more serious teaching, no more marking and no more extra lessons! Got more time for my assignments and step up serving!

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