Finding Buried Treasure

The disaster zone

Our house was a disaster area.  Boxes were stacked upon boxes.  Only a pathway allowed us to move from one room to another as we tried to figure out where to put things.  As we unpacked, a box, the mess grew.

These days I sometimes felt like a treasure hunter.  The next discovery was just around the next bend, or in our case, in the next box.  After four years of having things in storage, each held mysteries yet to be discovered. 

Some treasures I expected to find.  I remembered the dishes and kitchen appliances, though I didn’t remember that we no longer had a toaster.  I also was not expecting our coffee maker to die within a couple weeks of unpacking it, but I guess four years in storage was not necessarily good for it.  I remembered most of the clothing that has been in storage during this time.  (One of the dresses I’ve already given away since I didn’t need it all this time.  Others will probably follow.)  I thought I remembered the paintings, furniture, and other wall decorations.  But occasionally, in the midst of all the things I remembered, I found something that was a lost treasure – something I’d forgotten we had.

Here are the pictures of some of those things.

This piece of furniture was the biggest surprise.  I thought I remembered all of the furniture we had.  Before we went up north to collect our things, I figured out where every piece would go.  Then we unpacked this.  This was a piece Charlie’s father built, so I wanted to keep it.  But where would it go?  We found a place for it, but the dining room is now more crowded than I would have liked. 

Then there were these pieces I bought while working at Lenox.  They’ve found a home on the bookcase in the office.


But then there were these precious pieces I’d forgotten we had, made for us by different families in our church.  These hold special memories for us, especially now that we don’t get to see these dear people very often.
                 
There were books I was delighted to find and others I’d forgotten I have.  Then there are also some books I thought I had that I haven’t found.  With all the books we have, I suppose that’s not a surprise.  This year I plan to keep track of the books I actually use so that I can get rid of some to allow for some different ones.  We really do not have room to add any more bookcases.

I found photos and memorabilia that I have not seen in a long time.  There were even some clothes that I now think I no longer need since I haven’t needed them for four years. 

In the midst of all the discoveries, we occasionally found something that was ruined.  It was during those times that I had to smile.  While I have referred to these things we own as buried treasure, they really are not.  Not even close.  They are just things that rust and moth destroy and thieves may try to steal.

I know where my real buried treasure is. It will have to wait a long time before I will be able to uncover it, but I know that it is safe.  These things that we have uncovered and put into our house help us live life here on earth.  Hopefully, they are also a benefit to us doing ministry while we are here.  In the long run, though, they do not matter.  They are just things.  What matters are the precious people we work with and the souls that God has saved.  They are our true treasure. 

Ladies’ Winter Retreat

Most of the ladies’ retreats I encountered in Maine were day-long retreats packed with teaching.  This was valuable and a great boost to the women who attended.  Yet I longed for something that I had experienced years ago where people got together in a beautiful setting away from home with a little bit more relaxed schedule.  That way we would actually spend time with the other people there and have extra time for meditation and time with the Lord.  I wanted an overnight retreat in a beautiful location with the women of our church. 

The first question that needed to be answered was “When should it be?” As we looked over the church calendar, it looked quite full. There was one gaping hole: January. The let-down after Christmas was felt by a number of women. I also began to hear the women expressing a desire to get together during those cold winter months when it seemed that winter would never end. Then there were other advantages to planning it for the depth of winter. Retreat locations would be cheaper. Schedules would be freer. Speakers would be more likely to be available. So the idea of a winter retreat was born.

Ladies gathered for evening session on Friday night.

Since leaving our church, it is this event that I have most missed.  I loved hearing the women lift their voices in song together.  I loved seeing the fruit from times spent alone with God.  I loved hearing the laughter that came from being in a relaxed location.  I loved seeing the women head out into the snow for a walk together and then come back with cheeks bright red, stomping the feeling back into their toes, and seeing the growing bond between them.  If I could be there every year for this event, I would be very happy. 

So it was a delight to me when it worked out for me to both attend and speak to my precious sisters at this event.  Here are some of the blessings from those two days together.      

College women taking a "selfie".

• It was the first time in years that we did not have to drive through the snow to get there.  The resort where we gathered was about two hours from Bangor, so good weather for driving was a real blessing.
• Lynn taught a craft so that everyone who came early was able to take home a handmade project as a reminder of the event.
• Gwen shared her testimony of how God has faithfully led them through the years.
• Corinne, one of our supporters, came and shared her 85th birthday with us during the event.  Deborah, (who was not able to stay because of childcare duties) drove her down.
• I met new women who have become part of our church since we left. 

  

  Alone time with God.

• After each session, the women retreated to a quiet place to reflect and pray over what they had heard.  It was a blessing to see these women seeking the Lord.  There were a few tears for some women during this time, and it did my heart good to see God’s working in their lives.
• Once again, there was singing and a lot of laughter. 
• On Sunday morning and evening, a number of women gave praise to God for the ways He taught and blessed them during the retreat.

What a blessing it was to me to be there.  It may well be the last time I will be able to attend this event.  Who knows?  Maybe some of the women we’ve gotten to know down here will want to see something like this started here.