I am writing this in a quiet place, where I have come, to get some rest. To breathe, to listen, and to speak (but only a little). To spend time away; to spend it with Jesus.

Out the window of my little pine-floored cabin, the morning fog is beginning to lift so that I can see the valley. I've got a fire going in the wood-burning stove; my Bible and journal beside me on the couch.

I'm here, in the mountains near Little Rock, Arkansas, to facilitate a "48 Hours of Silence" retreat at the Ozark Conference Center (www.ozarkconference.org) for a small group of women.

The project appealed to me, although the group was small, because I only needed to give a few short (10-minute) talks. I also have had my own cabin and hours of solitude in a beautiful place in between those talks.

The last six months has been a busy time of ministry for me. It's been a productive but somewhat tiring time.

Mark 6 describes Jesus sending the twelve out "two by two," to preach, teach, cast out evil spirits, and heal. ...