Today is Friday, Jan 22nd and its 7:00pm. I am embarking on a weekend with two of my daughters on a women's retreat. Carrie has just recently come to Christ and was baptized in November. Candice was baptized as a child and so at the entrance of this post, I am praying that God would work in all our lives as only He can.....
More to come!!!!
We've just come from our first session with registration, worship, and our guest speaker. During the worship I started crying. I am so blessed in so many ways and here I am spending the weekend with two of my girls. They both have husbands and responsibilities and as a Mom and person with her own responsibilities, I know that when our children grow up, move out and marry, that the most precious gift they can give to their parents is their time. I get them all to myself and with Him. What a blessing!!
Tomorrow is a busy day and as we closed tonight holding hands and praying, I know God will be with us....please keep our hearts and eyes open to your will.
Saturday morning started early as several women in the cottage needed showers. It was funny and yet all too familiar rooming with my children as we were always a pretty loose and comfortable bunch with each other.
We made it up to the lodge for breakfast, took a seat at the first table and waited. After looking at the menu, Ellen, one of the cooks/helpers said, "you want to eat?" Can we? So, I called to Carrie and Candice and we started the trend. Ellen, a little sweetie was there for us the whole weekend. We said grace and ate and then were joined by Terry and Jullayne. Diane later joined us, come to find out, she was a "clown" on the side. Complete with clown week, clown college, the whole bit.
Our first session was at 9:00am with worship, and talks. Break time, session 2 and lunch. Yummm. Ellen was again a sweetie and Debra was a soft spoken soul who just wanted to serve....not much to say, just a servant heart.
We had free time, where we painted frames for the nursery at church, made journal books and talked. Then the snacks came out.....chocolate fondue and fixings to dunk....does it get any better?
Yep. I sat in the booth watching Carrie paint and examine her work, trying to get it just right and perfect. Candice was meticulously picking out the papers she would use on her journal. She took a LONG time. But the end product was perfect. I observed Carrie asking for Candice's help, Carrie praising Candice for her creativity, and I was in heaven. At one time, Carrie says: what's wrong, why are you so quiet?" I'm enjoying my girls being loving, caring, helpful, building each other up, and I don't want to miss a word or praise or anything!!!!
Saturday was a full day and we didn't get back to the cottage for a nap but headed to dinner and the last session of the night: the holy spirit working in us. We had a work assignment that was soul searching.
Sunday, we woke to a beautiful snow fall and the trees were just amazing. Picture time!!! Captured some on my cell phone and I'm hoping Candice will share some with me.
As we drove home, we talked all the way (as we did on the way up). At one time, I took the moment to reflect on the weekend and recap things learned:
1. I have beautiful children.
2. I CAN pass for their sister--as one woman asked me to really, tell her the truth.
3. It was their hearts I saw this weekend and as I suspected, they're good ones.
4. The time between Carrie and Candice as they went out to check the weather 4 times on Saturday (to smoke), was time between the two of them and I hope it was good for them.
5. What God did for me that weekend, I couldn't have gotten any other way but through Him.
I'm hoping next year that maybe Meagan, Shelli, Mindi and even Grandma Rossing can join us and really have a women's retreat.
God bless you two for the time we had together and the memories.
Love
Mom
p.s. Did anyone get any extra Dove candies?
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