Llandwyn Island Anglesey

Llandwyn church:  the  Island of the blessed

Dwynwen was one of the many daughters of King Brychan of Brycheiniog and reputedly the most beautiful. The legend goes that she fell in love with a prince called Maelon Dafodrill but was already betrothed to someone else.   Maelon was so furious when he learnt she was to marry someone else he attacked her.  For his sin, he was turned to a block of ice.  Heartbroken Dwynwen ran away to a forest to pray. An angel met her and granted her three desires. Firstly she asked for Maelon to be unfrozen. Secondly that she be allowed to help people who were unhappy in love and finally she asked never to want to be married. In thankfulness for her desires being granted, she came to Ynys Llandwyn and became a nun. Many came on pilgrimage here and she became known as the saint of lovers because of her own piety.

Sitting by the tall cross looking out over the sea we can glimpse Holyhead Mountain, church on the island, Snowdonia, Llyn Peninsula and even Bardsey.

It is an incredibly beautiful place in the natural but there is such a purity in the Spirit realm. It is a still, calm place on this sunny late afternoon. There is a gentle breeze and a hush. Time stands still.

Standing on the edge of the world

Time stops

I step into the realm of eternity

To link my heart with yours.

What beauty poured from the heart of God

When you painted this place upon the earth

What joy and delight were upon your breath as you spoke this into being

I cannot help but marvel

I cannot help but sit in awe

Lost for words

There are none broad enough

Wide enough

High enough

Deep enough

To capture this wonder

All I can say

Thank you

And thank you for the privilege of being here to experience  it

Oh the majesty of the mountains

The wild sweep of dunes and sea

The expanse of open sky where birds fly free

A skylark trills in perfect harmony

And I am left with the sound of swell softly breaking below me

A gentle breeze caresses my face as seabirds call relaxed and at home on the ragged rocks

Yet strangely so am I

Out here beyond the world’s edge

Out here where skyscape and landscape merge

I am most at home

Because I sense you all around me

Your love personified in the magnificence, the beauty, the detail, the care

I thought I was too old to reach such a place and am humbled

To tears that you’ve enabled me to come

What goodness you lavish upon me

So few understand

But you do

My heart is completely at home here

In this place where my sister dwelt all those centuries ago

Her home

I get it

What a place to dwell, to live, to pray

I suddenly sense Jesus sitting besides me. ‘I love it too Kathy. It is a glimpse of heaven. Oh you will love it there and I can’t wait to share its beauty with you for all eternity. But for now I am refreshing you, letting you linger. I have heard your deepest cry for fellowship with me and I have been drawn to come close. Just as I say, if you draw near to me I will draw near to you. Be in this moment. Tune in to the sounds. Let them envelop you. It is so good to share this together with you precious daughter. Just fellowship with no agenda. Being together as one. ‘

I realise as I am sitting here there’s no hint of sadness or melancholy that this moment will pass. I am living it outside time and will carry it with me always.  It is one of the most precious places I have ever visited to pray. I could stay forever.