"Sabbatical"

           Beginning on Monday, August 5th I will be on sabbatical for four weeks.  This is the first time that I have taken an opportunity like this since I have been a pastor for a little over ten years. That being said, in addition to not being at the office, I will also be taking a sabbath break from all social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.). I am both excited and a little uncomfortable with that, but I think it will be a really life-giving time with space to breathe.
          Our UMC Book of Discipline (our United Methodist "rule book") allows pastors to take one week each year, and four weeks every quadrennium (four-year period) as a spiritual renewal leave.  I have plans for my time away, and although I am not in any way "burned out" I think this time away will be very healthy for me and for the congregation and community I serve at Covenant UMC.
          I am grateful and humbled by the privilege of being a Christian pastor and leader, and I have tremendous hope for our future as people of faith.

Have any of you taken sabbatical?  What did you do/not do?  What advice would you give to someone starting a sabbatical?