my cabin get-away

This past week I have been with the CEF (child evangelism fellowship) "boot camp." Basically, about 20 teenagers from mostly around North Carolina, came into Durham for the week to learn about effectively ministering in urban settings (focusing on children). Part of the time was spent learning in a classroom setting, and the other part of the days were spent putting this knowledge to work in some communities in Durham. It was a crazy, busy, amazing, reflective, humbling, challenging, encouraging, refreshing, and exhausting week.

The students all left this morning. Soon after they left I rushed off to a doctor's appointment, then to the Oxford Manor Kids' Club (like every Saturday), and after that, rushed home to get ready for worship practice and then the service at Summit en Espanol. Though I tried my best to pay attention, my brain was not functioning well in Spanish tonight. I kept thinking, "I need to get away... I need to process this week... I need to be quiet... I want to be in a cabin all alone in the woods!"

You all know I don't live anywhere near a cabin in the woods. I also don't have the means or the time to find a cabin somewhere and even rent it for a couple days. But I couldn't shake that sweet thought of hunkerin' down under a quilt in absolute quiet... with a cup of coffee, my journal, and a good pen.

So... I left church quickly tonight. I love everyone there, but I was stressing, and I knew I needed to put my plan into action. On the way home, I stopped at King's Red & White, a locally owned, family type corner grocery store right by my house. I bought some locally roasted coffee beans, some creamer from Maple View Farms (which is a in a neighboring city), and some ice cream from the same place. I also bought some apple butter... 'cuz nothin says country cabin like some apple butter! (plus the bootcampers ate mine.)

I hurried home to tidy up my living room. After a week of running in and out, only coming home to walk Cadey and sleep, things had gotten out of place, and I can NOT rest when things are messy! I turned down the a/c to make it chilly in here, lit an apple cinnamon candle, and brewed some of that home roasted coffee. While cleaning, I listened to my "Alathea" CD (a new band that performed and ministered with us at boot camp... they're a folk band... very soothing to the soul & "cabin-esque" ;)) Once the room was clean, I prepared my coffee, got out my quilt, dimmed the lights a little, and lit a wood-wick candle (at least I can pretend there's a fire going!).

Now, here I sit... in my own little "cabin" in the middle of urban Durham. ;) My cell-phone is on silent, and as soon as I hit the publish button I'll be turning off this computer. My coffee, journal, and nice pen await me.