sabbatical

Before you read this post, I need to define a couple of things I'm about to use:
Stations of the Cross - The 7, 14, 15 or more stations that are the traditional route of Jesus to the Cross.
Labrynth - A guided prayer trail where you don't ever get lost. You simply go through the labrynth and allow the path to guide you in what you pray.
Prayer Rope - Its a rope with knots in it (33, 50, 100) so that you can pray through a certain prayer a set number of times. It is not a rosary.

Well, I'm sitting in a beach house at Santa Rosa Beach wondering if I'm going to get the "sabbatical" day I've been wanting. I am at my wife's family's traditional vacation where a beach house is rented and we spend a week relaxing. Or trying to relax. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I am going to spend a day in seclusion. After looking around for a place to go, I'm not sure I'm going to make it a whole day. I started calling around looking for a church that had the Stations of the Cross and found one with a labrynth too. I first called a Greek Orthodox church looking for a place to pray and find a prayer rope. Here's how it went,
Greek Orthodox Secretary - "Hello, Greek Orthodox Church"
Me - "Yes. I have a question. Is it possible for me to come to your church tomorrow to pray? I'm on vacation with my family and I'd like to take some time out and spend it in prayer."
GOS - Are you Orthodox?
Me - No. I'm just a Christian looking for a place to pray. Also, do you have the Stations of the Cross?
GOS - Please hold. .... Awkward Silence
GOS - I'm sorry. Maybe you should try the Catholic churches.
Me - Oh. Thank you for your time. Do you know where I can find a place to purchase a prayer rope by any chance? (I was told Greek Orthodox churches sold them so I thought I'd ask her).
GOS - No.
Me - Well, thank you for your time. Sorry to bother you.

I thought it was interesting that someone wouldn't open their door for me to pray. I called a Catholic church in the area and they were very helpful. They have a Station of the Cross AND it is in a labrynth AND its outside in a garden. Other than the fact that I will be soaking with sweat when I'm done, I'm pumped. I'm trying to get my father-in-law to go to mass at 8:00 in the morning but no such luck. I think he wonders why I'm going. I think I'm wondering why I'm going. I'm not Catholic nor plan on being Catholic. I just need some time with God and I want to experience the path Jesus traveled on the way to die for me. I guess my next blog (which you'll read before this one (-: ) will tell about how it turns out.