March 31, 2007 11:11 AM
Mount Hermon - tonight's Blogarama
It’s almost 8 AM and I’m snuggled beside a cozy fire with my laptop on my lap in the Central Lounge at Mt. Hermon. The Central Lounge is an intimate and rustic feeling meeting hall with a fireplace and sink-into chairs with two main attractions: a morning espresso cart and WiFi service.
I was the second one here – arriving 20 minutes before the espresso cart opened at 7 only because evidently the clock in my room is half an hour ahead of time. I’m thanking God for that though, as it made it possible for me to pull one of the comfy chairs over beside the fire, snag the best seat in the house and get my coffee well before the hordes arrived – the line for coffee is now 15 deep and the place is buzzing – writers LOVE to talk and many of us who’ve come here for years feel deep friendship for each other though we only connect this once a year.
I love it here. Mount Hermon is a Christian camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains, nestled in the redwoods and currently ablaze with color and scent from cherry and plum blossoms, dogwood and azaleas. The weather is gorgeous, though I also love it here when it rains – and there’ve been years when it’s rained the whole week. But not a cloud in sight this week, which makes most people here deliriously happy.
Our rooms are humble and minimalist. No phone or TV. And the only internet access is – as I said – here in the Fireside Room and extending about 150’ outside. Right now about 15 laptops are out, but some people are relating in real time – which I’ve been doing a lot of and which is why you haven’t heard from me here.
I arrived on Wednesday as part of the advance faculty/critique team. We sorted through the 500 or so manuscripts which had arrived from the 400 or so conferees, logged them into a foolproof system (I’m told that not a single manuscript has been lost since the system was devised), and bundled them into piles for editors/writers to critique. I have 18 book proposals and articles to do myself.
On Thursday, the editors and other faculty arrive and pick up their bundle and start reading while getting their bearings and adjusting to the time zone. They feed us too well. I’m not used to all this food! But am reminded to take it easy as I’m getting so many wonderful comments about my weight loss.
I am fortunate to have a car at my disposal because unlike everyone else who comes in via the San Jose airport and shuttle, I fly Jet Blue into Oakland and drive a rental car down (it’s only about 90 minutes). I love everything about that trip. I’m always struck by the amazing beauty of Dulles Airport (especially pre-dawn), the efficiency and friendliness of Jet Blue, the exquisiteness of the Bay Area from the air, and finally the smallness of the Oakland Airport (though lots of others seem to be discovering that it is one of the best-kept secrets for travelers and it is a lot more crowded than it used to be. Still. . . )
I do feel like God loves me so much and is so good to me to allow me to be here. And that my family is so kind and supportive to make it possible for me to come. I owe everything I am as a writer to what I’ve learned and the connections I’ve made at Mount Hermon. But more than that, I’ve been spiritually nurtured here and I always feel a pervasive peace when I am here. Our family used to come here for Family Summer Camps too, so there are those memories as well of being here with them. If I had any regrets about leaving California, this would be the one – that we are too far away to come here as a family.
Oh, the car – I was going somewhere with that thought. I’d made a run into town to go to the drugstore on Thursday and was trying to park my car again when guess who I saw? Mel – of Actual Unretouched Photo and the Amazing Shrinking Mom. I stopped the car and hugged this woman I’d never met before but who over the last couple years as BlogSisters I’ve come to count as a friend. This is just such an example of how God-orchestrated events are here. It is truly like sacred ground.
Which is not to say that everything is all fa-la-la Christian HappyLand. Not at all. If anything, I think Christian writers experience a lot of “stuff” – and undoubtedly with a purpose as by being vulnerable and sharing transparently we can translate our “stuff” into helpful or encouraging or inspirational material to help others going through “stuff.” I’ve had years here where I was dealing with a lot of pain. Not this year though. This year – I guess because I finally seem to have learned how to give those things over which I have no control to God – I am freer than ever to just enjoy being here and being among like-minded people.
I feel so at home here because of the latitude represented in this group, which includes every kind of Bible-believing Christian (and maybe a few who aren’t, who knows?) from Pentecostal to Episcopalian. It’s wonderful to worship together in a place where theology doesn’t divide us, where we are all united in perfecting our ability to communicate clearly with believers and (I hope) nonbelievers too.
Time for breakfast. I’m signing off until tonight at 9 PST (we’re three hours behind EST – so midnight on the east coast) when all the bloggers here are meeting back at Central Lounge for the first annual Mt. Hermon Blogarama. Mary deMuth of RelevantBlog has her camera and we will take a group shot, hopefully upload and all blog simultaneously and guest blog on each other’s blogs. Just a little idea I dreamed up which I hope becomes a yearly event!
Posted in Blogging, Writing | Permalink
Comments
Barbara,
Glad you're enjoying yourself. I love that area of California, though I've only made it out there twice.
Glad you got to meet Mel. This year, you're both incredible shrinking moms. :-)
Enjoy.
Posted by: Julana | March 31, 2007 11:51 AM
I love when things are written as if you are there yourself and enjoying the same thing the writer is enjoying. Its funny to think at 7 am this morning what i was doing and how much i was hating life and what you were enjoying.. Wish i was there!!!
Lots of Love Aunt!
Posted by: JaeLorette | March 31, 2007 1:14 PM
I grew up in Santa Cruz and have been to Mount Hermon for concerts. I even heard Chuck Swindoll speak once. Back in the 90's my bil and sil lived right across the street-over the railroad tracks. Dh and I moved up here to Redding 16 years ago. My parents still live in Santa Cruz.
I wish I were down there today, if only to be able to meet you and give you a hug! I can see the beauty of the place in my mind, and smell the fresh scent of the pine trees. Hmmm....
Have a wonderful time! Can't wait to hear more of your adventures this weekend. :)
Posted by: Joanna | March 31, 2007 2:57 PM
I'm watching you talk about blogging right now . . . live at Mt. Hermon!
Posted by: Mel | April 1, 2007 12:31 AM
I think Christian writers experience a lot of “stuff” – and undoubtedly with a purpose as by being vulnerable and sharing transparently we can translate our “stuff” into helpful or encouraging or inspirational material to help others going through “stuff.”
Well said! I am looking forward to reading more about your "stuff"!
Enjoy your time :)
Keri
Posted by: Keri | April 1, 2007 12:33 AM
It sounds just fantastic Barbara and it sounds as if you are making the most of a wonderful opportunity. I'll keep watching for the Blog-A-Thon - what a wonderful idea.
Watching enviously from Oz
Tess
Posted by: Tess | April 1, 2007 8:33 AM
Oh, how much I enjoyed reading your experiences and feelings while being at Mount Hermon. I hope to make it to that writer's conference someday. It's a goal of mine. I'm not a professional writer, but I hope to be one day. Mainly though, I just enjoy writing, whether published or not.
Thank you for taking the time to share with us. Your descriptions and reflections were beautiful. And I agree with everything you said about writer's dealing with "stuff." It isn't always a breeze, by any means, to be a writer.
Have a wonderful rest of the conference!
Posted by: Sarah | April 1, 2007 9:58 PM
12 children and I thought my mom was crazy with just us eight. Women like you and my mom are truly my heroes. There are so many children that are discarded and wounded. It is wonderful to have examples in our lives of those who can love above and beyond. And I am thinking with 12 children, you are definitely the above and beyond type. I found my way here through Tasra Dawson and I am excited about one of your books. I have a four-year-old that is just getting ready to read. I homeschool my girls and I am definitely needing help with this one. I cannot wait to gt your book. Jesus bless you.
Posted by: Jessica | April 13, 2007 12:52 AM
