Whitestone Inn

We are fortunate to have guests from around the world visit us at Whitestone.A recent guest had just returned from Afganistan where she had served an international aid organization for two years. She is twenty-six years old, very attractive and left the US yesterday for another two year term in that war-torn country, I asked about the danger and she said ” It is dangerous but I get used to it”.
Here is the note she left for me when she checked out: As I prepare to leave Whitestone again, I can’t help but think about what this place has become to me. Refuge. Safe Haven. Sanctuary. A Stone of Help. All these things, yes, but somehyow more. It’s funny, but the image that actually come to mind is Rivendell from Lord of the Rings. Same & Frodo flee there along their journe6y for safety, healing, encouragemehnt. It sustains them and strengthens them for the long road ahead that they must face. It’s not a place they can hang onto or stay–but it gives them what they need to carry on in the task they were made for. It gives them a chance to catch their breath before they step out again.
I will step back to Afganistan again next week and as much as a part of my heart would rather never leave Whitestone, I know I wasn’t meant to stay longer, but you have provided a space for me to heal, breathe, just be. And to be reminded that at the “end” of the road, I will be allowed to “linger” in the Beauty.
I heard someone say once that we’re good at sending out our sheep to live among wolves, but not good at all at receiving them back; healing the wounds, and nurturing them to return.
You have done this with grace, beauty and amazing natural quality. Thank you for making “Rivendell” for me”.
Rivendell was a strong image when I built the drive-thru barn as an entrance-gate to safety. Without me telling her That I wanted Whitestone to be the place of preparationfot the journey “ann” nailed it.
Paull

Tags: international guests

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at 12:56 pm and is filed under Activities in Kingston TN. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.