What an amazing time we had at our women’s retreat last weekend! The weather was beautiful, the lessons were awesome and God was in the HOUSE! I can’t even begin to describe it all – and frankly, I won’t because some of those reading might be planning a Chocolate Boutique retreat and I don’t want to give anything away! I will say that the overriding theme was the extravagance of God’s grace…and that can simply blow you away when you sit down and truly THINK about it.

Besides the lessons, crafts and activities, I really have to say the best part of the retreat was two-fold – getting to know some of the women at church better but also how we all were one. It’s really very hard to explain, I guess, unless you were there. But everyone came with an open heart and an open mind, ready to spend time getting to know and love the other women in our church. There are so many more I wish had come; I feel like they really missed out on something wonderful last weekend. Hopefully, they’ll join us next year – I’m already planning it, riding my wave of excitement from this one.

Our campfire Friday night…

…which we sat around on swings…SWINGS, people! It doesn’t get much better than that!

Astounded by my complete lack of marshmallow toasting ability, Trish offers me her perfectly browned ones. What a pal!

Trish & Nancy enjoying themselves by the fire

So much to say, so much to post! But too tired to do it.

I Gave Her My Heart and She Gave Me a Pen

How can you not love this???

The quote from yesterday is one I came across in my Beth Moore study and it really resonated with me. So often I hear people say things like “I’m not good a memorizing” or “I’m not good at sharing my faith” and so on. And I’ll admit that I have been one of them more times than I can count. But it is God alone that makes us competent. He makes us able to handle the things we never could otherwise – certainly not by our own power.

Last week, a friend was telling me of her hectic schedule and she said something to the effect of, “I was thinking about how busy I was and then I thought of YOU. I don’t know how you do it.”

I don’t know either.

Really, I don’t.

But I truly believe that God gives you what you need – whether that be skills or time or words – in his perfect timing. In the last few years as I’ve become increasingly more busy with ministry obligations along with a full-time job and some semblance of a social life, I’ve often simply prayed in times where I felt paralyzed by my to-do lists, “Lord, please just help me to accomplish what YOU want me to accomplish today.” And he has. Sometimes the things I accomplish aren’t what I had planned or necessarily felt I needed to but in the end, it has always worked out just as it should.

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3:5

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

– Galatians 1:10

I’m so bad at thinking of creative titles!

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind. I wrapped things up at my job last Friday – literally down the wire! Every day they were giving me something new to take care of…some of it a little ridiculous, I might add…and I was also trying to get things organized and sorted out nicely for whomever they hire to replace me. So that was a little stressful!

In the midst of it, my friend Kim got very sick and ended up in the hospital for most of the week. They are still unsure whether it was a terrible migraine or viral meningitis. Why they are not sure, I don’t know…but they are not. She came home last Friday, thankfully, but was still not feeling well. Even now she’s not 100% but she is improving.

Last Sunday, Michelle & I went to the Nascar race at Dover. The traffic is so horrendous! They close the exit that takes you directly to the track – you have to pass it and it takes another HOUR (no, I am not exaggerating) to get to the track. The race was great – we had a lot of fun and the forecasted thunderstorms held off until right as the race ended. We had a scary moment when the announcers started saying to move “quickly and smoothly out of the stands; the storm is fast approaching”. Metal stands, thunderstorms… not a good combination! But we made it out safely and only got partially drenched in the downpour. Then we sat for THREE HOURS trying go get out of the parking lot! It took us five hours total to get home…and the track is only about 2 hours away. Maddening!!

Monday I spent the day with Mom. Her birthday was earlier in the month and we went out to Lancaster for the day. It was a lot of fun. And as usual, we spent WAY too much money. But it was a good day.

Wednesday, I started my new job. So far, so good! It’s a very small office and everyone seems very nice. I have done a great deal of reading to become familiar with the project that is going to be mine. I’m still very nervous because it’s a different job than I’ve ever had – has some of the same elements as my past work but not entirely. So there will be a learning curve but I’m hoping to catch on fast.

Today I had a pastoral management team meeting for several hours this morning and am now trying desperately to get some things done before heading out for an all-day youth outreach. It’s already going on but I needed to get some things done at home and also needed to start my new Children’s Ministry course (Intro to Christian Ed…you’d think I would have taken that BEFORE Pastoring Children but I have to be a rebel sometimes!) I just finished the first unit. I’m hoping to do a unit a week and stay on track this time. I was SO far behind with the previous class it was ridiculous. I just have to factor in time each week and focus.

Well, tata for now…gotta dash!