DRY

One of the reasons that the leaves here in New England were so brilliant this year was because we have been cool and dry. We are currently in a level 3 drought here in Winchendon MA which means we are in critical drought. We are also in a severe fire threat. With 518 fires in the state having burned 1500 acres so far, outdoor burning of yard waste has been banned through January 15th here in MA.

That means here in the forest garden my growing pile of brush is not going anywhere at the moment. It’s Ok. I am still putting plastic on the windows inside just now. I don’t really have time for a fire in the fire pit.

URGENCY

The morning broke cold today. The chicken’s water had turned to ice and the world was colored with frost.

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When I started sabbatical the autumn was in full swing. The nights were cool but not cold and the days were warm. I felt like I had some time to batten down the hatches for winter.

A month later and I realize my time to batten is running out. There is an urgency now to the work of getting ready for the long dark to come.

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I feel the same urgency in the spirit. I have come back to my regular church life feeling like things have changed. We must finish with our preparations quickly and be ready for a season of powerful, prophetic, good news ministry. I feel like our greater community is in need of prophetic good news.

I was going to wait until the turn of the year to begin meeting with our DLT (Doing life Together) groups to listen to what God had showed them through our sabbatical month of prayer. I know now there isn’t time for that.

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I have begun meeting with the groups this week. Here is one of the words that I have gathered.

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 God says, “I am on the move. Will you trust me for my move?… my way? I have a great plan for my family. Cling to hope. It will not look the way you think it should but I am doing a great work. Cling to hope. I am on the move!”

IT FEELS RIGHT

This morning Joe and I spent the first part of the morning moving boxes into his new condo.

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A week ago, I said I was feeling a little ambivalent about Joe and Kristine and Sevii’s move from the vicarage into their new house, but as Joe and I lugged books and toys out of the Vicarage to deliver them to the new place around the corner, I began to feel right about this move.

It will make the Vicarage more quiet for sure.

But for the next little while I am thinking the prayer space will be good for me and for Amanda as well.

I’ve also realized that we are not going to be completely silent. We have a huge Thanksgiving planned

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and then a Christmas Cookie swap for the extended family in December.

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I feel like this is going to be a really good move for Joe and Kristine and for Sevii. They need their own space so they can grow as a family without my interference. It’s not like I am heavy handed or anything, but The Vicarage is my house not theirs. They need their own space to spread out and to become.

It has been a blessed season. They needed us and we really needed them, but now…it is time. It just feels right.