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vonda drees

journaling the Spirit's stirring

highlights of my work

YogaMass by Gena Davis

Coloring Meditations

Ignatian Reflection

ELCA World Hunger – 40 Days of Giving

Mystical Hope

All Anew – Women of the ELCA Triennial

Oneing Transformation

Keep Watch with Me – Advent 2017

The Divine Dance

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Desiring to remember a labyrinth walk with dear friends, I created a little haiku... In the crunchy flow, last night we walked on water - blessed community. #vondadreesart

“Whatever happens to me in life, I must believe that somewhere, In the mess or madness of it all There is a sacred potential— A possibility for wondrous redemption In the embracing of all that is. —Edwina Gateley, A Mystical Heart “We need to stay conscious that planting ourselves in the soil of community and showing up daily through meditation or contemplative prayer as a means of surrendering our lives, was not just about our own self-actualization, but was for the sake of a wounded world desperately in need of healing and justice.” —Kilian Noe, Descent into Love: How Recovery Café Came to Be #vondadreesart

“...the heaven was opened...” That’s what caught my attention during this morning’s gospel reading. No surprise, really, given the Guild’s 2019 theme of Opening. One thing we confirmed with last year’s theme of River Flow is that the Wenatchee River is a sacred place for folks. A pastor shared with me yesterday that when he’s feeling uninspired, he physically puts himself in a place where he has experienced inspiration in the past... and inspiration often comes. It made me think about the river being an opener. What is our work then in the opening? Perhaps it begins with simply showing up. And with that, it’s time to go get that weekly river video. #vondadreesart

A few years ago I realized that in order for me to speak in front of a group, I needed notes with which I felt comfortable. This is my page of speaking notes from the Guild’s annual fundraiser. It’s an image not likely to be appealing to the eye. That’s okay... I just want a digital record of it and this is one way to do that. Our Guild theme for 2019 is “Opening.” We will be about the work of opening the body, as our “senses are sacred thresholds” (John O’Donohue) to bigger seeing and deeper listening, opening the mind to revelation, to wow!, to dawn and new insights, opening the heart to great love and suffering, relationship, mutuality and connection, and opening the soul to deep time, synthesis, Home. Two big points for me in all of this: 1. Practices are keys in opening. 2. Openness melts defenses. I welcome your thoughts on practices, poetry, prayer that we could engage in during this year of Opening. #vondadreesart

“O God, who out of nothing brought everything that is, out of what I am bring more of what I dream but haven’t dared...” —Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace Help me listen for a deeper voice, a deeper stream of wisdom. Yoga in Sanskrit means, ‘yoke, link, and connect.’ “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:29-30 And I so love The Message version: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” This is what Gena and I will be about, in heart, soul, mind and body, during the 4-week online journaling through her book, YogaMass - https://grunewaldguild.com/events/yogamass-online-journaling-with-gena-davis-vonda-drees/. We would be delighted if you would join in. #vondadreesart

“I live in the sunshine of God’s presence.” —Sister Wendy “I often wonder what it would be like if we could see the billions of points of light in each other as we breathe, smile, move, talk, touch, and feel. ... The practice of yoga and meditation helps me to see this reality, and to imagine the possibility that some day we can all realize our connections as embodied points of light.” —Gena Davis, YogaMass Join Gena and me in the online course, Opening to Sacred Play, a celebration of journaling and yoga, creativity and movement. This is a four-week course. And NEW this year: an in-person retreat at the Grunewald Guild, March 21-24,2019, with Gena and me. Daily yoga and Yoga Nidra will be offered to bring the body into expressive playfulness, and with a closing YogaMass, we will engage our bodies fully in the experience of worship. I’m pretty excited about this offering... It feels like “the world is about to turn.” Hope you’ll consider one or both parts. https://grunewaldguild.com/events/yogamass-online-journaling-with-gena-davis-vonda-drees/ #vondadreesart

Here’s my color version of the sustainable living poster that I shared about earlier this week. I’m imagining that the patch of brown earth will hold the words about the tour. I’m curious... If you were to add words there based on what you see, what would they be? #vondadreesart

“Knee-deep in the cosmic overwhelm, I’m stricken by the ricochet wonder of it all: the plain everythingness of everything, in cahoots with the everythingness of everything else.” —Diane Ackerman, from “Diffraction (for Carl Sagan)” This morning was all about finding the colors for yesterday’s image. Sometimes it’s my creative practice to make marks without knowing what will come next. It’s a practice that flexes both muscles of trust and patience. The words, “ricochet wonder,” caught my attention... and it was bonus that they were put next to “in cahoots.” #vondadreesart

This morning I’ve been working on an image for a poster that will promote a tour on sustainable living. Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation on the spiritual practice of midrash reminds me of the power of image. “To use the text in a spiritual way—as Jesus did—is to allow it to convert you, to change you, to grow you up as you respond: What does this ask of me? How might this apply to my life, to my family, to my church, to my neighborhood, to my country?” —Richard Rohr When I get to add color, I hope you’ll see a deeper meaning in this image. Maybe you do already. Maybe you’ll consider how sustainability is lived out in your life. And maybe, just maybe, the image will stir mystery in you. I know it’s been working on me this morning. “What is the new creation that wants to be born in and through me?” —Terry Hershey Grow me up, Lord. #vondadreesart

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