By Carla:
"I actually am not very fond of retreats, but I can find some wonderful things that touched me while I was there. I met some wonderful women in Christ. I was able to actually be myself among my cabin roommates and I roomed with some of the most awe inspiring women the Lord has placed on the earth.
Dina Nelson shared her wisdom, smoothed some of my rough edges via the power of the Holy Spirit, because as you know....I can be quite the opinionated one! Thanks Dina.
Anna Nelson, no relation to Dina, who shared the same room with me, shared in good conversation with me even when we were suppose to be utilizing quiet time, and didn't mind my snoring. She was soooo sweet and kind.
Dotti, who I met briefly at church, but got to know a little better. She is a one of the song birds of God! :-)
I cannot thank Kem Williams enough for picking me up and allowing me to ride and share in time and laughter, I mean cracking up laughter. That was fun Kem!
My dear Sally Simon who has been a jewel from the time I met her in the Next Step Class. Where would I be without this woman at Grace Evangelical Church. Heaven has sent Angels to minister right here on earth and Sally Simon is one of them!
Kathy Pettinga who is quite like myself. I believe the Good Lord made sure she and I were together because we need to see what the world sees in us!! Thanks Kathy You are my Human Mirror!!! Iron sharpens Iron. I love you girl!
Silvi Erwin who encouraged me to hang in there and don't back out, kept up with me until the day we left, while I was there, and even now upon our return. Bless you Silvi!
Joanne Harman who shares so much of herself with others made sure she took the time to lay hands on me and prayed and prophesied over my life. God knows what He is doing. TRUST MY TESTIMONY on this!!!
SUE CASELIN, WOMAN OF GOD & ONE OF THE OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS, WHO STOPPED ME AFTER CHURCH ONE SUNDAY AND GENTLY PUSHED ME TO THE REGISTRATION TABLE, MADE SURE I RECEIVED TOP SERVICE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT I CAN BE KRAZY!!!!!!! THANK YOU LORD FOR SUE!!
There were many more, young and more seasoned in time that were so kind if it was just a hello, a hug, or a kind & sincere smile.
My prayer is for our Heavenly Father to bless all the women that attended henceforth now and forever with the abundant life Jesus promised we would have if we follow in his steps. I pray the protection of the Most High God over our lives and our descendants. I pray we sweetly surrender and allow Him to develop us into those wonderful women He will be glad to say....Well Done My Good and Faithful Servants.
Thank you Grace Evangelical Church! You are such a blessing to me. Please pray for me. It can be a little tough for some when it comes to relating to me.
God Bless You All and Thank You for the Opportunity!
Yours in Christ,"
Carla
By Heather S.
Starting in the bottom right corner-
- The wicked witch represents my relationship with my Mom, also I am the witch to myself and to my kids, but the witch is dead! and no longer has power over me!
- The little girl is me, who is no longer hiding, but has her tutu on and is ready to dance, but she also has her sword so she can stand and fight when she needs to.
- The flowers and buds are the promises of Spring, and my new awareness of self and the work that God is doing in me and what is getting ready to bloom.
- The grapes on the vine are me abiding in Christ and knowing that resting there will bring about all these things.
- The top, right corner shows that I'm still on a journey that is daunting and scary, but I can be confident that God will take care of me.
- The bird on the bird bath is me resting in God's light and experiencing the flow of His spirit.
- The windmills are the fresh winds of God in my life.
- The woman with outstretched arms is me freely worshiping and experiencing God.
- All the lights in the top left corner are the promises of God for my life that He is doing and will do.
- The bottom left, I am running on into God's light, moving forward, even when I can't see, know or understand what's ahead.
The retreat was so amazing for me, to feel that connection to all the women there and share our struggles and be encouraged and loved by one another, just blew me away. The worship Saturday night was so precious, there was such a freedom there amongst the candles and Silvi's playing that released me and others to worship, dance and cry and experience His presence, it was beautiful!
Heather Smith
By Darlene:
- Around the outside edge of the paper plate are numerals symbolizing time and that everything I have indicated in the center of the plate happens in God's timing.
- Above the crossbeam of the large red cross; on the left is a bar of soap pictured along side 3 small hearts. This indicates that He has washed me clean out of His love, grace, and mercy. On the right is a fireman's helmet sitting next to a heart, which symbolizes how He set my heart on fire for Him, and the word OBJECTIVE indicates that He is my objective.
- Below the crossbeam of the large red cross; on the right is an artist drawing a picture. This symbolized how God has painted me, or designed me, to be the unique individual that He wants me to be. The lamp means He lights my way; the mailman's hat symbolized how He writes my soul messages and these messages incude all the words I have shown i.e. He sees to every detail of my life, He educates me in my life skills, He is the one who has management of my education, He leads me to disire what He desires, and last, but not least, HE IS MY RESUME. On the left of the big red cross is a woman in a hammock, basking in warmth, and resting. This symbolized how I rest in His presence, basking in the warmth of His love, while awaiting His return to remove evil from this world, and I also await my resurrection that He has promised.
- The goldfish in the fishbowl represents how His Holy Spirit, which is in me, is, at present, trapped in my flesh body until Jesus returns to resurrect me and set me free in His spirit and illiminate the spirit of the sin nature, that also resides in my flesh body.
I am sure this could have been described better, but that is the best I can do to get the meaning from my heart to this computer screen.
Be blessed,
Darlene
