Reenergized!

                                                                    

What a wonderful blessing to be able to rest and reflect!  That is what I was able to do this past weekend!  A few months ago God placed it on my heart to plan a ladies retreat for our Bible class.  I knew that this was something I needed and was sure that many others needed some time away from their busy lives to relax.  So, 11 of us spent the weekend in Mineral Bluff (by Blue Ridge), GA.    Nine of us arrived at the cabin Friday evening.  We all had a little bit of trouble finding the cabin as we were traveling on narrow roads, through the woods, in the dark to an unmarked cabin, but we eventually all made it safely.  We joked that it was like a scene from a Halloween movie.  After everyone arrived we played Two truths and a Lie.  We learned a little bit more about each other and enjoyed some laughs.  After our game, Cynthia our wonderful mentor and friend lead us in a devotional time.  We first spent some time singing together which I love to do.  I don't consider myself a great singer, but I enjoy it nonetheless.  Cynthia told us that she wanted to be mom to us this weekend and for us to be the children.  She then told us that she wanted to read us a couple stories.  She had us first put our pjs on and then she had us take turns giving each other massages as she read.  One of the stories she read urged us to disregard what other think of us and to fully embrace God's love for us.  After the devotional we sat around and talked, and talked, and talked some more.   There is something so great about talking to friends who are at the same stage of life, share the same values, and experience similar struggles.  It was 3am when I finally went to bed.  It is funny because I dread being woken up in the middle of the night, but yet I gladly stayed up til the middle of the night to share stories and enjoy this rare moment.  Saturday morning we leisurely started the day with breakfast and then another devotional by Cynthia.  She spoke to us about the only 7 verses in the Bible that specifically speak to women.  Of course there are many verses that speak to how all Christians should live, but she pointed out that there are only 7 that specifically speak to women.  After the devotional we had lunch and then we went to a spa in Blue Ridge.  I wanted everyone to have some free time on Saturday to go and do whatever they wanted to do.  I had looked up some different things to do in the area and told the ladies what I had found.  I told them that they might want to go shopping or go hiking to a waterfall or enjoy some time at a spa.  When I mentioned the spa this seemed to interest everyone.  As moms and wives we rarely take the time to pamper ourselves so this was the perfect thing to do during our weekend to relax.  Some got a massage, some got a manicure, and some got a pedicure.  It was a small place, but the people who worked there were very nice and accommodating.  Since this was a small business it took awhile to fit us all in and we ended going straight to dinner from the spa.  I had looked at different restaurant possibilities online and then Cynthia told me that she had a friend that lived in the area and could recommend some restaurants.  Serenity Garden Cafe was one of the places she mentioned.  There were a couple other restaurants mentioned as well, but they were more expensive and we wanted to make sure where we went was affordable for everyone.  Well, unfortunately the restaurant was not good.  Our first red flag was when the waitress mentioned that many of the items on the menu were frozen and not made fresh.  Two people ordered Chicken Cordon Bleu and it was burnt on the outside and pink on the inside!  I ordered shrimp scampi and it did not have much flavor.  We mentioned rolls because we had not received them yet, and when she brought them out they were burnt and pitiful looking!  I couldn't believe she actually brought those rolls to us!  I felt badly that the service and food were so poor, but everyone was very nice about it and chalked it up to a memory we could laugh about.  After we got back to the cabin we had another devotional.  We talked more about the scriptures for women and Cynthia also told us about a book called  The Lies Women Believe.  She read the lies and many of them started good conversation about how we struggle with these.  This night the devotional went in many different directions, was heart wrenching at times, but was wonderful.  Cynthia has raised two wonderful children, has been through a lot in her life, and has a lot of wisdom to share.  I also found that we all have a lot of helpful insight to share with each other.  Some did not stay up quite as late this second night, but of course I did.  I just love to talk!  Sunday morning we once again took our time getting up, getting ready, and having breakfast.  We then spent some time in worship together.  We sang, had communion together, and listened to Cynthia read what God has to say about discipline in our family, patience, and prayer.  After worship we presented Cynthia with a gift for leading our devotional times and for everything she did to help with the retreat.  The ladies then presented me with a gift as well.  This was a nice, unexpected surprise that I really appreciated.  Then Hong set up her camera so we could get a group picture.  I think we all wanted to capture this weekend with a picture we could look back on.  We then ate lunch together and then packed up and headed home.  I thought about stopping at some places on my way home, but decided I was too eager to see Terry and the boys.  When I got home Isaac and Hayden were both napping.  Isaac seemed happy to see me when I woke him up and I shared some fudge with him that I had bought in Blue Ridge.  When I woke Hayden up he was happy to see me, but then wanted daddy.  I enjoyed hearing about their weekend and was happy that things seemed to go so smoothly.  Terry is such a great daddy and he did a great job flying solo for the weekend.  I was quite impressed that on top of watching two active boys he got some dishes done, laundry folded, and papers organized!

One of the things I reflected on this past weekend is that I want to be a calmer mom.  I really want to try to keep my cool when the boys misbehave and not lose my temper and yell.  I also want to start each day by reading a scripture.  Some of the ladies talked about doing this and many of us talked about that how we are feeling sets the tone for how the day will go.  I know that if I spend even just a few minutes each morning reading God's word and talking with him I will be a better wife and mom.  I also want to work on being less critical of myself and of Terry.  I think Terry is an awesome, Godly husband and daddy, but for some reason being critical of myself (something I have always been) seems to transfer to being critical of him at times.  I am so thankful that myself and so many ladies were able to go on this retreat, that everything went smoothly and everyone had a good time, that I was able to get to know these wonderful women a little bit more, and that I feel reenergized to be the best mom and wife I can be!