"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalms 46:10
Over the weekend of April 17, 18, and 19, I had the opportunity to join my dear friend Nicole, and her sweet baby girl Jaelyn, for a women's retreat hosted by the church we've been attending, Christ's Church of the Valley. It was held up in Williams, in beautiful northern Arizona (cooler too!) and was my first time away from both the boys, but a time that was much needed and well worth it!
The theme of the weekend was "breathe" with Psalm 46:10 as our objective and reminder throughout the days we had together. It was a wonderful chance to worship in community with other women, to celebrate the gift we are to each other, and to praise God for everything we have in our lives. An adorable couple, JJ and Dave Heller, led our worship time each day with their Christian/Folk music (check her out - JJ Heller - amazing voice!). Our keynote speaker for the weekend was a wonderfully funny woman and novelist, Susan May Warren, who used stories from her life as a missionary in Siberia to give us faithful reminders of God's beauty, power, and grace. We were able to take note of the "worldly voices" that tend to overcome us, i.e. voices of comparison, doubt, shame, greed, dread, perfectionism, etc. and how when we (as women) listen to these voices, and not to God's voice, we easily forget the beauty, and power, and grace of His love for us. I came home renewed, refreshed, and ready to tackle those voices by exhaling them out and inhaling in all that God has planned for me. The weekend was full of wonderful fellowship, yummy food, singing, worship, and reflection, only to be topped off by an evening on Saturday of "BLING" Bunco and Left-Right-Center (a new dice game I learned that was super fun).
I went up to this retreat, having no idea what to expect, or what the weekend had in store for me. After it was over, I came home knowing that if I am still, and if I take time to listen, I will hear and know what God has in store for me, and for today, believing in Him and knowing His love surrounds me is enough.
Saturday Night's Event: "Bling Bunco"
Young Life Camp in Williams, AZ
1 comment:
I just love reading your blog, Melanie. You words are profound, and have me thinking. Vincent has help me see God's grace more than ever, but breathing in God's presence is awesome. I will remember that.
PS, your boys are so sweet-I love the pictures of Hayden sleeping under the end table.
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