If You Didn’t Come to the Retreat, Why You Should Have Been There January 23, 2007
Posted by zartman in Uncategorized.trackback
Or: What did you like about it?
Gravitas
A good time was had by all.
trackback
-
Recent Comments
Vorainsalsisp on Newsletter sleeseintuica on Newsletter Neoclassical on November Bash chris on November Bash Todd Mitchell on November Bash -
.jpg)
There was a lot to enjoy. The best thing was just getting to know everyone a little better. You’re all a lot more normal than I had expected. Except for Joel. Sebastian is the man.
I thought we had good conversations and a pretty full and well organized day.
Oh, and the food was good too.
I stayed in an art gallery.
Yes, our hosts were very hospitable and engaged us in very pleasant and provoking conversation.
The conversation was very good. The food was excellent. I really enjoyed meeting Jesse and Jessica, and getting to know the people of the church better.
I think one of the things that made this retreat better from the rest, at least for me, was the church service on Sunday and the people of Granite Falls.
You were much more normal than I expected, too, Jesse.
And the situation with the kids was pretty decent. They didn’t interrupt the discussions and lecturings but they were still around to be fed peanuts and pieces of stale bread.
I thought you all were going to arrive in horse and buggy, make my wife and I sit on opposite sides of the auditorium, sing Gregorian Chants, and not let us use electricity. Whew!
I had a wonderful time meeting all of you, and I really enjoyed each presentation! Before the retreat, the majority of my interest in anything metaphysical was, how shall we say, “husbandarily induced”. And I must admit, I felt a little like a kindergartener in a college class. But I really learned a lot and I’m excited to do some poetry reading (and maybe someday writing!) of my own. Thanks for whetting my appetite! You all are amazingly godly and intelligent people, and for those of you with children, they are further proof of that. I look forward to seeing you all again soon! …Oh, and Katrina? You’re pretty much the bomb. I need to go back on my diet now.
Well, that was Jessica’s first blog post ever anywhere. She says it is quite a thrill! I remember that feeling!
C.S. Lewis is right. You do come to know your friend far better when another friend comes alongside and illuminates new facets of his person.
So it was a delight for me to sit back and watch my friends from Gravitas come alongside my friends in Granite Falls. You all shone brilliantly.
As Saturday unfolded, I beheld kindred spirits united in the pursuit of beauty, and wondered at being allowed to drink with you at such an oasis of sanity.
I will not soon forget it.
“As Saturday unfolded, I beheld kindred spirits united in the pursuit of beauty, and wondered at being allowed to drink with you at such an oasis of sanity.”
That is good. It was the best drink I’ve had in a long while. I was sad to have to go. Sanity is refreshing.
While I was unable to attend the retreat per se, Sharon and I enjoyed meeting all of the gravitas group on Sunday. Would that we could have had more time to talk. Still, the crumbs I’ve picked up from the metaphysical meal enjoyed by others has been savory. The papers I’ve been reading are also refreshing. Thanks again for bringing the retreat this direction.
Isn’t it ironic that Todd describes the retreat as full of “sanity” while others think it is full of “insanity”?
I also would have liked to spend more time getting to know the Paulsons.
I guess we’ll just have to come back.
Regreetings from Granite Falls all you Gravitas folk. I want to express my hearty thanks for accepting our invitation to have your retreat out here in the hinter land. It was a real blessing for all of us here and it has given rise to a great deal of conversation. I have had an opportunity to introduce a number of my extended family to the considerations that were discussed Sat. I am finding some fertile ground and am looking forward to more continued growth in my own understanding and in future opportunities to pass on what I am learning. You all have had a profound impact on our lives out here both directly and indirectly through your association with our pastor. I am praying for each of you folks that the Lord will continue to teach and lead you deeper in an appreciation of who He is. I hope you take seriously our invitations to come back again. We are looking forward to getting to know you all much better for the mutual sharpening that will result. Our camp fire is always burning brightly. Come sit a spell and let’s have some more of that meaningful discussion. For the squeemish among you, chicken butchering is optional, except for Joel that is, as he seems bent on gaining some character and I have found that eviscerating a chicken to be a sure path to acquiring it. Until then, Dale
hehehehe
Joel has to butcher a chicken!
Thanks for getting all this started (except this new, chicken variation!), Dale. Thanks for doubling our numbers in the interests of character. Thanks for putting us up and for all the conversation.
I would like to see Joel not only butcher a chicken but also eat it afterwards!
You will be lucky if you see me butcher a chicken and not the contents of my stomach at the moment of butchering also.
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” What a privilege it was to pursue that end with you folks. The fellowship was sweet. The papers & the labor they represented were inspiring. The conversation; well, if pressed for a description, I would have to say “wow”. The Bach Cantatas, the poetry, the privilege to hear Dr. Bauder, the communion service….where does a person stop.
Needless to say we would *love the opportunity to get to know each of you much better & continue some of that conversation, interspersed with breaks for Bach of course.
*Emphasis implied, however, omitted so as not to appear too pushy.
Note to Joel…. for first time participants of “The Great Festival of Butchering Chickens”, it is best if done with an empty stomach. There is always much to fill it afterwards.
And if I refrain from eating for a week before the great festival it will probably make me downright eager to wield the ax.