I went to Mission Springs with a less than carefree heart, thinking about all the minutes I was going to be up in front, sharing. I had many people praying, and by the grace of God I talked and talked and talked, with peace in my heart. I tended to be a runaway train, getting off track from my prepared words, going overtime, but judging from the women’s reactions, the most important stories and the challenge to each one to reach out was heard. I was SO BLESSED to make some precious new friends; women with encouraging words and amazing giftedness, women that made me cry with their tenderness and laugh ’til my face hurt. What a gift these retreats were to me, giving me more than I was able to give. Our speaker, Catherine, is amazing, teaching with warmth and tenderness, emphasizing the need for women of all ages to be woven together in relationships and giftings. The conference head of Covenant women, Yvonne, is so full of joy and the Spirit, her enthusiasm is catching! I was blessed to get to know, a little bit, Megan Gillan, head of Covenant Women Ministries nationally.
I had a “shepherdess”, Launa, who arranged everything for me, made sure that when I spoke I had water and tissues and mints and was covered in prayer. She made sure I made trips to town for thrift shopping and yummy Marianne’s ice cream (okay, I admit it, I went for ice cream every day, one day I even went twice!!), that I had a care basket in my room and that I lacked for nothing. She made sure I went on the zip line!
One person in particular needs to be mentioned here, the crazy lady, Karen, that makes me laugh!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciated all the help from the sound and video ladies, Gwen & Crystal!!
I met a woman (from mid Europe and Africa) who had been through trials I couldn’t even imagine going through, but was so sweet and gracious, blessing me during my last moments at the retreat. She took my face in her hands and kissed me, sharing something that had encouraged her heart.
Thank you, Lord, for providing a time to be away, for new friends and blessings!!!
If you want to see some pretty funky attempts at dancing by “keeping the beat” challenged people and how they have fun anyway, and even see me go flying on the zipline, the link is in Facebook, and you need to click on photos then videos:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/2011-Womens-Retreat/116369555107564#!/video/?id=116369555107564
