I've recently joined a group of women studying Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. For the past two meetings we've met in this barn, owned by one of our members. Sanctuary Farm looked so lovely with its "winter jacket" of snow this morning.
A portion of the barn has been beautifully remodeled and houses this business in a charming atmosphere.
You enter this door and are greeted by the cozy scene below....
On the main floor, wool and mohair were being spun
into a soft and luxurious yarn.
into a soft and luxurious yarn.
The white skein above the tag is a completed skein.
Below are some of the dyed yarn spun from alpaca fleece.
(The alpaca are raised on this farm!)
(The alpaca are raised on this farm!)
Classes are conducted here; you can buy starter kits and knitting/crocheting supplies;
several completed projects are available for sale.
On the second floor, we gathered around the coffee pot (and later in a corner booth).
several completed projects are available for sale.
On the second floor, we gathered around the coffee pot (and later in a corner booth).
Our topic this morning was meditation. After a good discussion, we were guided
as individuals into a short but rich and meaningful meditation experience.
As Foster said: "It is impossible to learn how to meditate from a book.
We learn to meditate by meditating!"
One of the outcomes of Christian meditation is
to grow into what Thomas a Kempis calls "a familiar friendship with Jesus."
I SO appreciate the company of those who share a similar passion and love
for Him with me.
One of the outcomes of Christian meditation is
to grow into what Thomas a Kempis calls "a familiar friendship with Jesus."
I SO appreciate the company of those who share a similar passion and love
for Him with me.
Oh, your Bible study sounds really interesting..and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the location here at the barn. It's so beautiful. Thanks for sharing photos of the yarn business, too. I love stuff like this and could spend my whole day in a place like this :) ) I'm just reading straight through the Bible in a year ;) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)
ReplyDeleteWow this is awesome! I've been wanting to learn to meditate for years. I guess I should just jump into it! This group sounds great and that barn, oh my gosh Rebecca, I'd go crazy with all of that yarn!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have never used Alpaca yarn as I would have had to order it and heard that it's expensive. But Oh how awesome it would be to have a sweater made out of it. You're a lucky lady!! Love Di ♥
This sounds wonderful Rebecca, the surroundings look like the perfect place to have a study on meditating. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sue
Di, the chapter in this book on meditation is so balanced and helpful. Foster also distinguishes between Eastern practices (detachment) and Christian (attachment) which I think is important to understand.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about the barn and all the
ReplyDeleteyarn, decor, etc. It really must be a great
place to have a Bible study. I'd like to do
something like that around here. I can see
it as a great place to meditate although
almost any place will do if you really
have peace and quiet.
I'm so glad you shared these pictures. My weary heart was warmed as I could just picture myself there too. I'm so happy for you Rebecca ~ what a blessing to be surrounded with like-minded friends to study the Word and in such beautiful surroundings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great barn, and a great name for it! I have friends who raise alpacas and she knows how to spin their wool into yarn. What a great place for your Bible study. I may have to get the book.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a wonderful place to hold a Bible study of any kind. And now I am itching to get my loom out !
ReplyDeleteI wish I was part of your group... just seeing the pictures makes me want to jump through the screen and sit amongst kindred friends while discussing God. Maybe one day I'll drop in!
ReplyDeletepeace~elaine
Elaine, I feel like I DO sit with you at YOUR "barn" quite frequently - and my heart beats with yours!
ReplyDeleteBefore you drop in, call. We don't always meet in the barn (though I wish we did)! The homes of others are closer for the majority...
God has blessed us with Sanctuary Farm, our barn and our business of The Big Red Barn. It is our hope and prayer that others can find joy and peace here. Eventually, we'd like to have a small cabin where folks can come for retreats and/or spiritual direction. I believe that, to be in touch with the Creator, we have to connect with creation in some way- if only with a small potted plant or a breeze from a window...or 6 more inches of snow in Northeast Indiana! We don't need a farm or barn to find God or to meditate- we can do it anywhere- even in our car (though please do not close your eyes if you're driving...) For anyone near us, please come visit us- we'd love to meet you, show you the alpacas and share a cup of tea or coffee or share in the fiber arts. You can get more info at www.thebigredbrn.com Blessings!
ReplyDeleteRebecca: Wow! I love yarn--especially alpaca yarn. That has been some of my most successful spinning thus far, both 100% alpaca and alpaca/wool blend. Looks like a great place to visit and spin!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful place! I love knitting and crocheting so it calls my name. And what a cozy place to meet with sisters-in-Christ. I'd love to be part of a group like this. I haven't been able to find anything like it in Muncie.
ReplyDeleteStriving for a "familiar friendship with Jesus." Beautiful.