Guest Reflections
The following are pictures of Iona House set to reflections written in our guest reflection journals that guests have the opportunity to contribute to if they so desire…
A Family Guest Stay…
(From a journal entry left in our guest reflection journal)
“My daughter has a saying: "The best cookie is the one you share with a friend."
One of the greatest gifts in life is passing on the love you've received to others. That's what our time at Iona House felt like. It wasn't just a place we visited, but a rhythm and a kind of dance that reflects life in the Father's house. There, our family was welcomed in and given a taste of the Father's love, a love that says all things are made in reference to His Son.
Even with ongoing hardships and circumstances that haven't changed, we left with something deeper: a longing to carry Iona House with us. The rhythm of solitude and spiritual formation we experienced seemed to echo one clear truth: the kingdom of God is at hand. In that place, it felt as though heaven itself was being poured into our hearts.
And yet our hearts still feel too small to fully grasp His love. So we leave not with full understanding, but with a growing desire to share that love with others.
But how?
Our daughter who grew in beautiful ways over just five days, singing the doxology, memorizing the Lord's prayer, and delighting in caring for animals gave us the answer.
She simply said: ‘Everything is made for Jesus, so let's share Jesus like cookies!’"
A man reflecting on his solo retreat…
(From a journal entry left in our guest reflection journal)
“There is no way to put this place into words. Only in being here, could I experience what it means to live in communion with God and others in monastic rhythms.
God met me through fire, food, prayer, communion w/ saints, work, animals, rest, liturgy, and so much more. Because of the vision & generosity of Iona House, I feel closer to God, myself, and His people. I can go back out to the world refreshed because of this place and share our light. May God bless each of you, the land, the animals & also provide for future needs.”
An International Community
(From a journal entry left in our guest reflection journal - written by an international woman who brought her family here)
“We spend two and a half day here. you blessed us a lot and we made a wonderful memory here. The last night when we had a dinner with Residents God reminded me whole nations will come to him and it was such a blessed memory for us. (At our table) we had people from US, another from Egypt, South Africa, Canada and Afghanistan which was a picture of heaven for me. We enjoyed working with you cutting woods, seeing animal, beautiful garden and everything was incredible. Thanks for letting us be here. God bless you.”
A woman reflecting on her solo retreat
(From a journal entry left in our guest reflection journal)
“I came to Iona House feeling exhausted. I knew this was the place God wanted me to retreat during my sabbath month. At first, it didn't feel it was "productive" to spend several days here. My default is to be active, be productive, and have plans.
Instead, I found the daily prayer routines, having an abundance of free time, and staying in this glorious room became super fruitful, refreshing, and peaceful.
It's exactly what my soul, body, and mind needed. My mind was less cluttered and busy. I was enjoying the still moments, on the hammock just listening to the sounds of nature. Ultimately, I was able to "be still and know He is God." I found contentment and rest during my 4 night stay.
Being in creation in an undistracted setting allowed me to create. I wrote two songs. Definitely coming back!”
A man on sabbatical
(From a journal entry left in our guest reflection journal)
“I came to Iona House on the recommendation of a colleague as part of my sabbatical. This is an interesting and remarkable place, perhaps enchanted. Peaceful, quiet, reflective, Christ-the Living-Word centered all describe the place. It has an unspoken beauty / attractiveness. Perhaps that's an ethos coming from reflecting several historic faith traditions. Whatever it is, I want more.”
A woman processing a hard season of life
(From a journal entry left in our guest reflection journal)
“I came in with such a heavy heart. It's been one of the hardest seasons of my life... A winter of the soul... left NYC for SF, left everything for a spiritual calling for revival... It's been a year of sanctification, breaking of every attachment and with that great suffering, having God tear away everything including job and housing, allowing the enemy to attack me... I came in to this place feeling hunted by the enemy (especially in dreams)... And I finally got the breakthrough I was hoping for. It's felt like crossing the Jordan, a new calling, a new anointing... a call to be a gardener, cultivating His people and also creating pathways to and within His garden... So many questions unanswered still, but grateful for the direction, and feeling like everything I've been fighting for... hopefully I'll get to see the promised land soon, to be refilled, after this year of being poured out... May this year, this visit to Iona House, in retrospect be the turning point of my life…”
A woman in a season of transition
(From a journal entry left in our guest reflection journal)
“'Immaculate' - The word that came to mind my first night taking in the beauty of Iona House that God has drew me to. I waited a whole year to finally be here and in this beautiful engagement season that I am in, I thought I came to process a lot of emotions including grief but God met me with more vision to look forward to. The bigger picture that I quite can't always see especially with the loudness and noise of the world. So coming here brought me the rest I had been longing for, the clarity I needed and the new vision I didn't know I needed. And so all that is what Iona has meant to me — a deep sigh and a new breath of fresh air.”
From stranger to brother: an experience of community…
(From a journal entry left in our guest reflection journal)
“My heartfelt thanks to the Iona House Community. I had no idea what to expect from the moment I arrived I felt the peace as present as a beloved family member embracing me after a long absence. I was able for the precious time I spent with you to lay down the stress and worry that are part of my normal routine and felt welcomed in to a fellowship of brothers and sisters... somehow family... and yet strangers, as one of your own. I enjoyed every minute of it…”