Lessons from the Land - Reflections

This summer, I have had the joy of looking back at some of the pilgrimages that have shaped me over the past ten years: Iona, Arran, the Kingdom of Fife, Olympic National Park, Jamaica, Cornwall, and Glastonbury. Each landscape offered its own lesson, but a clear thread emerged as the stories unfolded: permission to feel, see, ask, receive, trust, release, and choose. Again and again, the land invited me to listen more closely and trust what was waiting to be discovered.

I had planned to share this reflection sooner, but Andrew arrived in Spokane and life became wonderfully full. The events were a tremendous success, with fantastic groups of people gathering for each one. So much was shared, experienced, and received, and it was clear that people took something meaningful home with them. I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make Andrew’s visit so special.

In just a few days, we will leave for our pilgrimage to Olympic National Park. Returning there with Andrew feels like another full-circle moment. In 2022, the Olympic Peninsula became our unexpected "Ireland" when Brandon and I could not reach the pilgrimage Andrew was leading in Donegal. A year later, St. Nectan’s Glen in Cornwall echoed that journey through its rainforest, flowing water, and even a Tree of Life. Now we will bring Andrew to our Washington rainforest and introduce him to the Pacific Ocean for the first time. I am curious to see what connections reveal themselves and what the land will teach us this time.

I will be taking a short break from the blog while we are on pilgrimage and will return in early October with the exciting conclusion of this summer’s Lessons from the Land series. Until then, thank you for walking these pathways with me.

With gratitude,
Jenna