A presentation of the humorous memoir Plant Trees, Carry Sheep: A Woman’s Spiritual Journey Among the Sufis of Scotland.

When Sarah Snyder left her home in Montana to volunteer to plant trees at a private estate in Scotland, she expected a pleasurable six-month break from her humdrum life. When she arrived, however, she learned she would also be caring for a menagerie of poultry, doing rigorous household chores, and shepherding a flock of truant sheep. Her experience turned out to be a soul-forging adventure that changed her entire relationship with life—and with God—forever.

Six months turned into two years and resulted in a book. With self-deprecating humor, the memoir chronicles her time at the spiritual retreat, where people from all over the world came to study Ibn Arabi and Rumi.

Among the backdrop of relentless cold and rain, unruly livestock and never-ending chores, she navigates peculiar rituals, the challenges of communal living, and spiritual teachings that, at first, appeared at odds with her own Christian upbringing. Here, Sarah’s exposure to Islam helped her better understand the religion and see God, as well as herself, in a different light.

Sarah will discuss the retreat, tell a few stories, and answer questions.

About the Speaker:

Sarah Snyder has been a professional writer and editor since 1991. She moved to Herndon, VA, from Scotland in 2001 and is now a technical writer for a global company. She also blogs about self-care and retreats at www.lunarivervoices.com. She participates in oral storytelling live and online. Autographed copies of her memoir will available directly from her with your personal check or PayPal transfer. You can also order Sarah’s book from your local bookstore or buy online at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Her next book, a spinoff of her memoir titled The Value of Your Soul: Rumi Verse for Life’s Annoying Moments, will be published this autumn.