As I am still reflecting on this past weekend's events and ALL that YOU did for us, I am reminded that initially, I couldn't find the words. And then, when Amy asked about the outcome of our Retreat due to the weather, I sent her this e-mail :-)
Sister, it was beyond beyond. Just like Ephesians 3:20 says!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many women who were not signed up originally were able to attend. It rained the entire weekend with heavy rains, but GOD Reigned! He so did.
I don't know if you've every heard the song by Jesus Culture and Kim Walker Smith, "Holy Spirit You Are Welcomed Here..." That was our theme the entire weekend. Each and every time that we began and before each speaker, we played that song. It was Holy Spirit filled.
The prayer and counseling team was beyond awesome. We had each woman trace their hand and we asked that they write one prayer inside the hand. We cut them out and taped them onto the walls throughout the sanctuary. Then we walked around silently and prayed as we placed our hands over each prayer request. Nothing But Jesus. Nothing but #tears.
My Pastor's wife got the idea from Pinterest.
The men at our church came in at a moment's notice and served us lunch and dinner. We laughed, cried, prayed and rejoiced. We gave God so much praise and so much honor. It was truly overwhelming.
I spoke on Iron Sharpening Iron and everyone was laughing and some crying. I pray for Christian women to be more vulnerable and allow the sisters that God has given us to help carry the burdens.
We had a session on Forgiveness, Breaking Strongholds and What to do in your Retirement years. We had a private prayer room and lifted up anonymous prayers to the Lord. We also had some women come in and share, pray and cry. It was beyond, beyond!
I'm still wearing the sweater that I wore on Saturday night as women cried on my shoulder. I cannot tell you how much I love God for turning my life into something that He can use.
It was truly humbling! The entire weekend was an overflow of what Heaven will feel like. And not only that, the men were expecting us to be away but somehow the Pastor's sermon and the Praise and Worship music was an extension of our Retreat.
We watched this powerful video from Christine Caine about "Fear." She said to move on, let go of, stop holding on to the things that are of our past and the things that are dead. She said that the Lord is no longer in that season of our lives so why are we still there? She said so much more that was so very powerful and profound. I wish you could have heard her.
Sister, even as I type this, I still can't put into words how incredible it felt to worship the Lord this weekend. In the midst of the storm, He was there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry if there are any typos, I get so excited talking about Jesus, texting about Jesus and typing about Jesus. Lol
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Father, the theme was "All Things New" and Lord, You are still in the business of renewing us. You love us so much that You cannot leave us in our past, in our pain and in our complacency. I welcome Your interruptions in my life and I am so willing to be made new. I know that my Grace Sisters and those who love You would wholeheartedly agree. Even though fear and insecurities can creep in, Your Power and Your Presence overrides it all. Father, have Your sweet way and continue to refine and purify us into Your Son's likeness!
Eternally yours.
