CCC Women's Retreat 2011

 I love retreats, especially women's retreats.  There is something about being able to get away to spend time with other women and worship God.  I know that God should be a priority in my life but sometimes (and if I am honest most of the time) he tends to be the last one I think or that rushed "Oh, God by the way."  Retreats are a time where my sole purpose is to spend time in his word and worshipping him.  When I was returning my my quiet time off in the woods this is the image I saw.  (Add four more women that did not make it in the picture.)  I came around the corner of lunch hall and my breath was taken away.  How incredible special it is to see women in time of prayer and worship with God!

 There is a funny story about this retreat that changes things.  I am not a "planner" in the sense that I like to take care of all the details of retreats.  This year I felt that God wanted me on the planning committee.  Dusty laughed when I told him I was on the planning committee for the retreat.  "That's not something you normally do."  I know I told him.  But what I did not know was that God had a bigger plan for me.  I gave my testimony and took care of the "craft" (I will add a post on that in a few days.)

Kay introduced me by telling the story of God's faithfulness to pull together this retreat.  My friend Mitzi and I joked before hand that she would have to get a picture at the beginning of my testimony so that I wasn't crying.  Kay didn't give me a chance. I was crying while I was being introduced.  I walked up the podium needing a handful of Kleenex's.

 God's story through me is this  "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.  He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid.  Do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

I was born to an unwed teenage mother, an amazing woman of strength.  I was not around my read dad until after he became sober.
I may have felt rejection and loneliness growing up but God always provided at least one person that made me feel wanted.  The "your not good enough" voices that came from my step dad, kids at school, and within myself were always battled with God's word.  




"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11
God always went before me in all things, and prepared the way.  

Debra

Two amazing friends!

I began praying at 12  for the man that I would marry. God went before me and created an amazing man that fit my "list" and beyond.  I prayed for a roommate.  God gave me more, a true and dear friend.  I prayed for a church.  God gave me a family.  I prayed for a friend that would be there when I really needed her.  He gave me four.  Four amazing women who would be there for me when I needed them, who would let me be there for them, and who I could pray with.   Through the years I have learned that God's timing is perfect.  I must be patient.  Sarah and Abraham had to wait 25 years for Isaac.  I must also wait until God's time is perfect.  "Take Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Bonnie and Sherrie

If I am seeking him, then my desires will also be his desires.    Over the last 33 years I have learned something so valuable.  Depression, loneliness, self-doubt will be things that I deal with because they remind me to depend on Him.
excerpt from the poem
Made Her

Anne and Chelsea 

"I made her...She is different.  She is unique.  With Love I formed her in her mother's womb.  With love I fashioned her with great joy.  I remember with great pleasure the day I created her.
I made her in such a way that she would need Me.  I made her a little more lonesome than she would like to be...only because I need her to lean and depend on Me.  i know her heart, I know if I had not made her like this, she would go her own way and forget Me..her creator. "
God alone is my comfort.  He will send skin (people on Earth) to comfort me in my times of need but He alone is that comfort.

Cate and Melissa

Laurie

He alone will bring me back from captivity.    "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:12-14  
What an absolutely amazing thing, that he will find ME.  When I search him out, He will find me.  He will be my refugee.  So, I spoke at the retreat.  ME. Someone who feels more times than not that I have nothing to give.  That I am not worthy.  That I am useless.  Someone who does and will continue to battle depression, loneliness, and self-doubt.  And yet, God had an amazing plan this weekend to show ME that I have a story to share.  He showed me that I have a testimony.  That God has done amazing things for me and I will rejoice in it.  I will leave you with three verses:
Psalms 126:2-3 "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” ³ The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

Isaiah 26:12  "LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us."

And

Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

THANK YOU GOD!  For an amazing group of women to remind me of your faithfulness.