I’ve been on an extraordinary journey this summer, a pilgrimage that invited me to step away from familiar spaces and routines and give myself over to the grace of the road.

I left New York City on June 7, moving my life to the campus of Eden Seminary. On Monday, June 10, I left St. Louis and began a journey that has led me thousands of miles by flight, car, ferry boat, and foot.

I’m returning today with a full heart and suitcase, having received incredible gifts along the way: abundant hospitality, lovingly prepared food, soul friendship, new songs, time in stunning wilderness spaces, collaboration and creativity, as well as opportunities to teach, share, and connect with a life-giving network of new and old friends.

I was hosted by many friends and a few strangers. I camped under the stars. I worshipped and shared song with a dozen faith communities. I hiked almost 150 miles and visited state and national parks in British Columbia, Alberta, California, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

My heart feels wide open. My body is rested, exhausted, and newly attuned all at the same time.

I am grateful for the provision and care that have brought me through this experience, for moments of rest and recreation, as well as the slow, unfolding sense of time that deepened throughout the trip.

There are so many people and communities to thank and I’m going to list as many as I can below. I look forward to seeing how these connections continue to grow in the years to come.

Village Fire and fellow song circle leaders
Liz Rog
Donald and Ellen Schell
Jenny Warner, Raf Ornes, and Barbary Grant
Valley Presbyterian Church, Portola Valley, CA
The Bishop's Ranch
Marguerite Cauchois and the 2019 Summer Camp Staff
Jack Dowling and Lisa Marie Thorpe
Rick Fabian and Stephen Holtzman
St. Dorothy's Episcopal Camp & Retreat
Stephen Hassett
Christy Laborda Harris and Miles McKenzie
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Sebastopol, CA
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Kristin Saylor, Jeffrey Hookom, and Anna Rossi
Karin Coonrod
The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada
Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas, TX
Harry Wooten
Ana Hernandez
Mike Leigh and Nancy L Graham
Matthew Burt
Tony McNeill
West Central Episcopal Mission, Spokane, WA
Jonathan Myers
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Spokane, WA
Sorrento Centre Retreat & Conference Centre, Sorrento, BC
Michael Shapcott and Melissa Greene
Andrew Halladay and David Taylor
Peter Elliott, Thomas Roach, and Nathan LeRud
Kristian Wold and Karen Wold
Emilie Teresa Smith, Patti Powell
Caitlin Reilley Beck
St. Barnabas Anglican Church, New Westminster, BC
Jan Bihl
Como Lake United Church, Coquitlam, BC
The Anglican Diocese of New Westminster
Tricia Coldren
Holden Village, Chelan, WA
Melinda Pupillo and Tamara Meinecke
Hallie Parkins
Andrea Sorum
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Moscow, Idaho
Robin Bifle
Rebecca and Glen Stevens
All Saints in Big Sky, Big Sky, MT
Thomas Schmidt and Kathy Schmidt
Miriam Schmidt

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Oh, though we may not know where the road will lead, we know that love will always guide our feet.”