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Icy Pond
Continuing the theme of water, it’s exciting to see that the “pond” is starting to ice over. Although it’s still only the beginnings of the pond that we have planned, it’s already a fairly significant body of water nevertheless. And it makes it really easy to envision what it will be like when it’s finished.
Pond Construction 2020
This week we had the survey done that was required by EGLE for us to continue with the work. EGLE is Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Their mission is “to protect Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources.” It turned out that when our contractor submitted the plan for our pond to the township, they told us that we needed a survey that was approved by EGLE, since we are locating it so close to the creek. We put in right away for the survey back in October, but they were not able to get to us until this week. Happily, this hurdle has now been jumped!
Pond Construction – 2020
Another issue we’ve been contending with is that it’s been too wet to get the large equipment in without it getting stuck. Of course the overabundance of water flooding the entire field is part of why we needed to do this project in the first place. We had a short window of opportunity during the dry season of July and August to make a lot of progress, which we did. But now we’re looking forward to when everything is good and frozen, because then the machines will be able to get back to work without fear of getting stuck. I’m really proud of the progress we’ve been able to make this year and happy to see our community growing.
~ Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
