90 days off. How
often in life can someone say that they've been afforded 90 days for “renewal,”
and that they would have the privilege of determining what that renewal would
look like?
Firstly, I’m eternally grateful to the congregation at Oak
Grove Mennonite Church for allowing (encouraging) me to take on such an
adventure. It came at the exact right time
in my life and gave me an opportunity for much needed rest and reflection as
well as allowed me to develop a vision for the direction that I would like to
go from here.
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| Erin and I at the Stoltzfus-Prall wedding. I officiated, and pretty much rocked it, if I say so my self. |
During the last three months I was able to take part in
several incredible opportunities that I otherwise would have not been able to.
To begin my sabbatical, I spent a week at the Gethsemani
Benedictine Monastery in Louisville, KY.
It was a week of complete silence and structured prayer. For some this might sound like torture, but
for me it was illuminating. I was able
to read from one of my favorite spiritual authors (Thomas Merton) at the place
that he had lived and written from.
Also, I got to sample their famous bourbon fudge, which was phenomenal!
Two weeks later, I served as the nightly speaker in
Indianapolis for a youth mission week with Mission Indy. Erin and I had worked there for the summer
before moving back to Ohio and owe much of our development and growth to the
organization, so it was a blessing to be able to return and share some of what
I’ve learned since then. Also, I got a
chance to read “The Lorax” out loud to a group of teenagers as an illustration
for “God is Restoring Creation.” The
Lorax! Enough said.
Several weeks later I embarked with my parents for Chattanooga,
Tennessee to begin the world longest yard sale.
This is not a joke, it is a real thing.
Every year in August, flea markets and yard sales appear along the route
127 corridor stretching from Alabama to Michigan. The official length of the event is only
supposed to be around 4 days, though I heard that some vendors had been set up
for at least a week before it had even started.
Thousands of people from all over the country make their pilgrimages to
this mecca of junk shopping to look for that perfect coca-cola sign or antique
wrench or set of thimbles. Many even
drug U-Haul trailers with them up and down the highway to make sure that they
had enough room for their “treasures.”
It was quite the experience, to say the least. I wasn't looking for much in particular
(except for vinyl, of which I had several good scores), but instead was looking
forward to the extended face time with my parents. We had a blast sorting
through people’s things and most importantly, people watching. It was like a veritable people of Wal-Mart
hall of fame. (Side note, at the Amish
roadside stand, they had a horse walking on a homemade treadmill to turn the
crank to make homemade ice cream. It was
fantastic; unfortunately my phone does not take good pictures, but trust me
that this was a sight)
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| Cuz baby you're a firework... |
I wanted to book end my trip with silent retreats, so
towards the end of September I spent several days at the Hermitage Retreat
house in Three Rivers Michigan. Let me
tell you, if you ever get the opportunity to go, take it! The land is so beautiful and serene; the
lodgings are in an old barn that had been completely renovated into rooms and
apartments. During the week I was
reading “The Fellowship of the Rings” at night and felt like I was living in a
hobbit hole in middle earth-very cozy.
The Retreat master was very kind and made delicious (healthy) meals for
us each day. Additionally, I got to
enjoy a campfire with Alf, the SOOP volunteer who played a mean harmonica and
was a master marshmallow roaster (seriously, golden brown and perfect).
Erin and I were also able to take several trips during this
time. We attended the Fashion Meets
Music Festival in Columbus, which promised to have some pretty good bands and a
festival atmosphere (i.e. fried food vendors).
Unfortunately, the “urban camping” was vastly undersold and we found
ourselves in an abandoned field behind Clippers stadium camping on rocks and
dirt with no access to water; also, the largest homeless population lived
across the road and stole essential parts to the shower trailer, so no
showers. And after a downpour filled our
tent with water and soaked everything we owned, we quickly packed up and moved
our camping to Alum Creek State park. It
was ridiculous, but fairly routine for a Dye vacation.
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| I'm pretty sure I birdied every hole on this game. But I don't have the score card, so I guess we'll never know... |
We were also able to visit her dad and our college friend
Will in Nashville. We had a great time
catching up, listening to music, eating sushi, and attending a very friendly
charismatic church. It was the perfect
way to end the sabbatical.
During the weeks in between trips I was able to spend time
with family (including my amazing nephew Charlie), do some housework, generally
pester the staff at Coffee Matters in West Liberty (thanks for giving me such a
peaceful place to read and write), and play a little golf. Additionally, I began my final year at
Ashland Theological Seminary, taking classes in leadership, Ethics, and
Spiritual Disciplines.
One of the best things about my Sabbatical was that I was
finally able to say “yes” to things.
When engaging in full-time ministry and full-time school, my schedule often
gets very busy and so I spend a great deal of time saying “no” and apologizing. But I could say yes this summer. Yes to my friends and family, yes to my wife,
and yes to God. (Side note: More than abs, more than flowers, more than
almost anything else in the world, your significant other loves it when you do
the dishes without asking.)
I come back to church refreshed and renewed, ready to seek God’s vision and to lead God’s people. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers; I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone!
