Retreat House MN - What is it?

The second question I get about Retreat House is What is it?

Simply put, Retreat House will be just that. A house used for retreats. Our vision is for better teams and communities. Our mission is to provide space for business, ministries and organizations to retreat and focus on education and team building.

The big, complete vision of Retreat House is to have a property where we can host teams for retreats, provide a community gathering space in a cafe or coffeehouse and minister to the working poor by providing low cost, short term housing to a family. We will use a three tier approach to work toward our big, complete vision of Retreat House.

Tier One:
We would provide a space for retreats. What would be the difference between our space and a community center or hotel? Our space wouldn't be sterile. It would feel like you're away, like you've driven hours to get out and away from the noise and busyness of the city, but have only driven 30-45 minutes. It's amazing how you can see defenses and walls fall when you get out of your usual office and gather in a comfortable and welcoming space. This will be where we begin because it is the heart of Retreat House. Let's gather. Let's talk. Let's get to know one another. 

Tier Two:
We would open a community gather space in the form of a coffeehouse or cafe. Not only would this allow us to provide catering for our retreats, but it would give a space that is open to the public to gather on a regular basis. The kind of place where people in town come to gather around a table for coffee and to solve the world's problems. 

Tier Three
We would provide low cost, short term housing for one working poor family. Our hope is to work with local churches to find a family that is too well off for a shelter, but not quite well enough off to obtain housing. The family would pay a low rent that would contribute to the maintenance of their housing, plus a portion of their rent would also be put into an account. The intention for the money in the account would for it to be used as a down payment or security deposit on permanent housing. 

Values
There three values that will influence the way we approach Retreat House.

1. Radical Hospitality
The Rule of St Benedict 53:1-2, 15 states: “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for he is going to say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt. 25:35). And to all let due honour be shown, especially to those who share our faith (Gal. 6:10) and to pilgrims. In the reception of the poor and pilgrims the greatest care and solicitude should be shown, because it is especially in them that Christ is received.”

2. Support organizations that work to provide jobs for people to make a living wage
When purchasing supplies and decorations for Retreat House, we will make every effort to make them through organizations like Feed My Starving Children, Trades of Hope, Thistle Farms, etc.

3. Partner and patronize other local, small business whenever possible
We will need services for maintaining the property, catering services, etc. We will start by looking at local, small businesses and whenever we are able, we will patronize them.

To accomplish our big, complete vision is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. The success of each tier will influence how soon we are able to begin working toward the next tier. We imagine it'll be at least 3-5 years between each tier. We hope to accomplish Tier One in 2017.

That is what Retreat House is. We're putting one foot in front of the other and seeing where doors open and God leads. 
Thank you for coming along for the ride! 
Let's see where it takes us!

So Let Go My Soul...

So let go my soul and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know His name.

This song has been playing on repeat today.

Yesterday during a routine physical my doctor found a nodule in my right breast. Yep, the moment every woman dreads as her doctor kneads and presses into your breast. "I feel something." she said. I felt it too. I'd been having pain for the past four-ish months, but thought it was my new underwire bra or that I was overusing a muscle. Sure, that's it Angie. At my job I had even complained about the pain and joked that it was either an overused muscle...or breast cancer. Did you know I'm an awfulizer? I can take a situation to it's most awful end. I'd give you an example, but I really think I'm exposing enough my myself right now.

We, my doctor and I, had already decided that given my family history I should have a mammogram. I had my first one at the age of 35. The year my mom died. An actress who was fighting breast cancer gave credit to the fact that they wouldn't have been able to find the breast cancer in her 40's had she not had a baseline done when she was 35. Even though uterine cancer (what claimed my mom's life) and breast cancer aren't linked, I still felt urgency to get one. I'm glad I did.

The doctor didn't elaborate on whether or not she was concerned. She had said the nodule was smooth, not rough. I asked her if I should be worried (like anything after she said there was something in my breast would stop the awfulizing). She said her antenna didn't go up, but whenever there is any nodule in a breast you check it out. That sounded hopeful. She asked me at least a dozen times if I had any questions and I said no. I sent a text to Todd while I waited for the blood letting part of my appointment, made my mammogram appointment (for tomorrow) and left.

I burst into tears the moment the freezing air hit my face.

I was going to run errands. I had things to get done today.

I drove home. I wanted to numb. I wanted to distract. So I spent sometime with my friend Netflix.

Ron Swanson and Leslie Knope really took my mind off it for awhile, but I couldn't stay in Pawnee all day. I had a meeting.

I had decided I wasn't going to tell anyone (beyond my husband), but I was so scattered when I spoke at the meeting. I heard myself say it out loud. "During my physical this morning, my doctor from a lump in my right breast." Well that's all the flood gates needed to open. My friend (who I was meeting with) was great. She prayed for me and also spoke words of truth to me. She prayed for complete healing, that whatever was there would be an easy fix. Then she spoke words of truth. She reminded me that no matter the outcome, no matter, I would take things one step at a time and God would take those steps with me.

During the meeting my husband, who knows and loves me, called to make sure I wasn't stuck in a circle of awfulizing. Oh my goodness I married well. I also have the very best, most kindred friends. I reached out to a couple of friends who prayed for me and let me know that it's not uncommon to have a cyst in your breast that can be easily treated, even though it causes you to freak out. I love honest friends.

I went to bed thinking I wouldn't tell anyone else because it probably isn't anything serious.

When I woke up this morning, I felt the prayers of my friends. I felt the Lord present with me. I realized it's just not me to keep things to myself. I'm a share-er. Truth be told I'm an over share-er. I started listing to this song and worshiping.

through it all
through it all
my eyes are you

through it all
through it all
it is well

through it all
through it all
my eyes are you
and it is well
it is well

so let go my soul
and trust in Him
the waves and wind
still know His name

it is well
with my soul

I must proclaim
on this day where I am in limbo.
on this day where I hope for the best
on this day where I may still awfulize
on this day

I must proclaim that through it all, my eyes are on Him who's name is known by the waves and wind. I will trust in him. I will cling to him.

It is well with me.