Community, Faith, Nourishment, Yoga

Harvest: Holy Yoga + Dinner @ Dusk – Part 1

Tonight I find myself soaking in the tub, savouring every bite of a pumpkin cheesecake my lil sister made for Thanksgiving (that just so happens to be the same recipe served at Harvest :), still in the after glow of all that Harvest was.

This past week I’ve been asked multiple times, “So… how was Harvest??” Immediately, my face turns into a perma-smile, I feel my posture change as I stand up taller, and behind my eyes hide a glimmer of a tear that’s been waiting to be let out. It feels well time to let that tear run free, and finally share with you a peek into the heart of Harvest. For posterity and to give the heart of this evening it’s well due, I’ve decided to share with you in two parts. Part 1, a peek into the evening from walking up the steps of the beautiful 1912 French Provincial St. Norbert Arts Centre, to a sweet yoga flow, journal on hand, to dinner by candlelight and smore’s by the fire. Part 2 (to come), a space for sharing the personal and God-inspired devotional I shared with those at the table (which has an incredible “goosebump” story in and of itself – which still has me in awe).

So today, I share with you Part 1. 🙂

*Photos courtesy of the ever so talented Jamie Mae Photography

Harvest: Holy Yoga + Dinner @ Dusk: The culmination of months of planning with Aelea (who first asked me along this journey when we began dreaming of Nourish just six months ago), the resounding “yes” of support from those who partnered with us, the encouragement of family and friends, the many late night/ nap time emails, curious prayer, and listening to God’s call for this evening. Aelea and I each prayed over every person who would be present with us in this space, praying that the right people would find their way to share in this evening. That God would hold each of them closely, that He would speak to their hearts, and as Aelea puts it so well, that we would simply be “a vessel” for Him to work through.

I’m so thankful for Aelea, her boldness, clarity, and heart for Jesus, coming into my life years ago (or perhaps I came into hers… particularly through a “hey, want to be friends?” Instagram DM haha!). Together we dreamed, held each other accountable, and inspired one another, ultimately creating something more magical than either of us could have done on our own. Being an eternal optimist, with an unquenchable thirst for conversation and connection (I’m the one you don’t want to sit next to on the plane if you’re looking to be left alone…), without Aelea, I likely would still be clearing dishes and cutlery out of St. Norbert Arts Centre. Aelea has the ability to somehow remember things that were never on a list to begin with, foresees problems before they arise, yet still creates space to ensure you’re seen. Thank you Aelea for being patient with me, for trusting me, and for continually surrendering our plans to God. It has been the most beautiful experience to travel this road together.

When planning for Harvest, our intent was to create a space to pause in reflective gratitude, while also acknowledging that which has not served us this year, letting it go, as we look ahead. To embrace intentional cozy connection before the arrival of winter, choosing to harvest and share our lives as blessings to others. To look internally,  releasing the weight of comparing our harvest to another’s, ultimately finding our contentment in God, right where we are.

Philippians 4:12-14 (NIV)

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Guests drove up through the quiet gravel road lined with hanging trees, on an evening with sun streamed skies, a short reprieve from the gloomy days and weeks before. The trees themselves had just begun their own shedding, changing colours while delicately releasing the leaves of warmer days. As guests walked up the wooden steps to enter this heritage building, they were greeted by the warmth of the room with music wafting through the old hallway. Ashley, one of the most sincere and kind-hearted women I’ve had the pleasure to now call a friend, welcomed them as collections of non-perishable food items were shared for Siloam Mission, a local humanitarian organization that offers support for those experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg.

Coats and shoes set away, guests past the pumpkin and lantern lit entrance into the great room where they would lay their mat to be invited into this safe and curious space, open for whatever stirred in their heart this evening. As mats continued to be laid, a light hum of chatter filled the room, now becoming bolder than the tune of music echoing through the speakers. My favourite type of hum. 🙂

It’s funny, as I stepped back in this moment, feeling thebeauty of vulnerability and kindred spirits, I did the opposite of what my natural response is. Rather than jumping into conversation, I felt my palms get a little sweaty, as I kept myself busy in the kitchen. As we were frantically trying to set up before guests arrived, there seemed no pause break from planning to arrival. Suddenly the women we prayed would find their way here, were… here. The evening had arrived. There was no more time for plans, but now for what we spent so many hours upon hours planning for. The magnitude of “Oh my goodness, we are actually doing this.” and, “All these women have given their time and resources to be here – you better not screw it up”, came over me. Acknowledging these fears however, I stopped, remembering why we were doing this, and Who we were doing this for. The few verses etched before the passage of intention we chose for the evening, verses I have prayed over and over for years, gave me a bold, yet gentle reminder:

Philippians 4: 6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

All I needed was the reminder in a time of an overwhelmed heart, to know that the peace of God had this. There was nothing I could do on my own to make or break this evening. But with God, with Him in control and our hearts eager to let Him take the wheel, it felt silly to even worry.

Aelea and I gathered ourselves near the entrance, realizing it was time to set months of plans in motion, took a breathe and smiled as I whispered, “You got this!” She too, took to her mat. The hum quieted. The ambient music once again became clear. The candles flickered as I looked around the room of an eager and beautiful softness falling lightly off the shoulders of this incredible group of women.

Aelea spoke, setting the intention for the evening, herself too, overwhelmed with the gratitude and privilege to be in the position to gather these women in an evening of worship and reflection. For the first time in my years of knowing Aelea, I witnessed tears falling down her cheeks, as her spirit was filled.

Led by Aelea, we flowed to a playlist so thoughtfully curated, pausing to personally release the seeds of intention we planted this year onto the pages of our journals. Sitting with how God has directed these seeds to grow, we were challenged to stop and reflect on what we are harvesting right now. Adding the aspect of this time to journal between flowing was important to us, as we each recognize the power in written word and purposefully taking the time to sit with your thoughts.

So, we flowed, and wrote. Flowed, and wrote. Flowed and wrote. Each time releasing more of ourselves, while inviting more of Jesus in.

Ashley, my sister, and I, snuck away from our mats a little early to prepare the final touches of the meal to share together.

Bowls were filled with warm quinoa, sweet potatoes and butternut squash tossed with nourishing kale, apple, pumpkin seeds and cranberries, joined with the most perfect Smak Dab Mustard dressing. Vegan charcuterie boards brimmed over with local fruit and veggies found at our neighbourly French market, St-Leon Gardens, paired with vegan cheeses (definitely a hit of the night!), specialty crackers, Mediterranean olives, and crafted hummus of the lovely Happy Dance Hummus ladies. Bread baskets were filled with local vegan + gluten-free sourdough bread, courtesy of Cocoabeans Bakeshop, the leaders of gluten-free creations in our city. Glass jars of homemade vegan butter lined the table, as an accompaniment for the comforting sourdough.

(See my last blog post, Two Vegan Recipes to put on your Thanksgiving Table this Weekend for a link to recipes!)

Upon ending in a prayer of gratitude and a final shavasana, guests filled mugs of warm and spicy mulled apple cider, before taking their seat at the table where adorable and delicious personal vegan pumpkin cheesecakes awaited them. (Thanks to my sister Chelsea for her gift of crafting and presenting these beautiful desserts!)

As we found our way to the table, I found myself once again stepping back to take in a brief moment. Here we were, one long colourful table, pumpkins and greenery intertwining with a harvest of food set before us. Candles gently offering light to linen napkins holding copper cutlery resting on each smoke charger, as bowls of creamy butternut squash would soon arrive. Each setting  we so carefully thought out, so delicately planned for, were now met with warm and welcome hands. Again, my favourite hum of light chatter filled the room, as new friendships were shared.

… It’s hard for me to properly put these next feelings and thoughts into words, and I find myself paused here as goosebumps rise from my skin, my eyes welling…

As I postured myself to share my heart and devotion with those at the table, I was overwhelmed with many of my worlds colliding:

My love for movement and nourishment.

The realization of how my body, mind, and soul has been challenged and healed through both yoga and an appreciation for a nourished body.

The love God has given me for connecting with those around me.

How He has met me through written and spoken word time and time again.

The unique story He has given me, and the joy I find in sharing what He continues to teach me through this.

The promises He has made – the same promises I’ve CLUNG to, the ones I wanted to give up on, yet the ones that held me through dark days – which I in turn promised to shout from the rooftops… and the opportunity here and now to proclaim those promises.

My life, like so many others, including those who sat together at this table, has been broken, slowly pieced back together. As I prepared to share words so personal to me – truths I only really came to unravel in new ways myself just days prior – I found myself feeling both immense responsibility and gratitude. Responsibility to show up boldly and bravely, letting go of my own insecurities and agenda, and give my voice over to Jesus. Immense gratitude for the privilege of being in this room where His presence was so clearly felt, the honour to share from His word and His hand in my life.

I will share the words and heart shared over dinner with you in a separate entry – Part 2 of this blog post. I believe – and saw that evening firsthand –  God working through these words. One story in particular of one woman who drove over three hours to be in the room that evening, and how she was meant to be there. To have her heart stirred throughout yoga and connect so deeply with what God shared through my story. Goosebumps, you guys!!

Those who could stay a little later, bundled up to head outside for a bonfire under the stars, where vegan s’mores and hot cocoa awaited. Wrapped up with blankets and scarfs, marshmallows began roasting over the fire while laughter echoed over the water nearby. The perfect ending to a night of letting go of that which no longer serves us, while being refined in Jesus. Embracing intentional cozy connection before the arrival of winter, choosing to harvest and share our lives as blessings to others.

Before saying their goodbyes, guests packed their own take home bags with intentionally hand selected local goodies. Spice to use in homemade pumpkin cheesecakes, mustard to grace the dinner table at home. Oil to diffuse and build immunity during cold season. Tea to sip while journalling or reading at home, with a custom bookmark to hold their spot, a reminder of the lessons taken with them from this evening. Specialty gluten free vegan sugar cookies made with so much love for each guest were most definitely snacked on for the car ride home. 😉

To every person who trusted Aelea and I with their hearts and time for one magical evening by candlelight and stars, thank you. It is near impossible to put my gratitude into words for your kindness, open hearts, and vulnerability to give of yourselves and be present in this evening. I will look back on these photos frequently, read the notes of gratitude often, with a perma-smile quickly forming. I carry you in my hearts, and will forever remember this feeling. Thank you so much.

Thank you to our amazing partners who helped bring this event to life, and were so incredibly gracious to support two girls doing a thing. 🙂

Leave a Reply