As most of you know, I have been away for awhile. I hope you know that. It started out to be a two-month renewal leave. It ended up being six weeks – two of those were work, but four wonderful weeks spent in renewal. I didn’t know how desperately I needed it. I had no agenda, other than to walk the beach, relax, read, reflect, and pray. I began that time of renewal with a three-day fast (Jerry and I together). I wanted to disconnect from an arduous work schedule and to connect with unscheduled days, and open myself to the “wind of the Spirit.”

My prayer was a simple one: “Lord, renew me – body, mind and spirit, and teach me what You will.” That was my prayer. “Lord renew me.” Well, my prayer was answered. I will come back to that specifically later because it is all connected, and is a pa…