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.

A Winter Trip to Maine

Why in the world would we pick January to take a trip to Maine?  After all, you can expect it to be snowy at this time of the year and definitely cold.  Road conditions are not the best and airline travel is “Iffy”.

We went because we now have a house and needed to collect our belongings from storage.  There were also speaking engagements available for us.  For me, it meant that I could spend some precious time with the ladies of West Hampden Baptist Church on their winter retreat.

God definitely prospered our journey.  We give him thanks for all that He did for us.  Here is a brief summary of some of the many blessings He poured out on us on this trip.

• Delta contributed to our travel fund.  We were waiting for the plane when we heard an announcement.  “If anyone would be willing to give up their seat and be driven to Atlanta to make their connection, we will give you a $400 voucher for future travel.”  Charlie jumped up and went to the counter.  A few minutes later we were on our way to Atlanta via taxi.  Since it was a holiday, we did not even have to deal with traffic.  We were there in plenty of time for our flight to Maine, and we think we may have arrived before the delayed flight.
• Our flight up was without incident.  We flew on a Monday.  The weekend before there had been many weather-related delays.  The next day another storm blew in and once again there were many delays, but we were already there.
• We have such generous friends.  Friends picked us up in Portland and drove us two hours north and dropped us off with another friend to stay for a couple days.  Another friend gave us a very nice vehicle to use while we were there.  Another friend drove me down to the ladies’ retreat. 
• We were able to visit people in Farmington.  Charlie’s uncle lives there, so we were able to drop in and see him and his wife.  Then on Wednesday evening we shared our ministry with the people of New Hope Baptist and stayed overnight in their “Prophets’ Chamber.”
• The ladies’ retreat was a real joy to my heart.  It is the event I miss most now that we’re gone.  Gathering with those dear friends to learn together from the Word of God is such a joy.  There was time for a few heart-to-heart talks, walks in the snow, and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation there in Southwest Harbor.  (More about that in another blog.)
• The men were available, flexible, and speedy in packing the moving truck.  The night before we were supposed to pick up the truck, Charlie got a call from U-Haul saying that the battery in “our” truck was dead.  So instead of picking the truck up early, Charlie had to let the men know that it wouldn’t be available until later.  When they gathered to pack, it only took them an hour to load.  As cold as it was, it’s good there were many men there to make it happen quickly.
• The pastor and his family are loving and hospitable.  The last half of the week while I was at the ladies’ retreat, Charlie stayed with the pastor, and we were both there when I returned.  They were very warm and welcoming, and we love to see that the church is growing under their leadership.  When we left, they loaded us up with sandwiches and treats for the journey that lasted almost until we arrived home.
• God kept us safe on the trip home.  We encountered the worst weather on our second day of the trip home.  After we’d been on the road a couple hours, the snow started, and it stayed with us all the rest of the way.  We saw a number of cars off the road, but the Lord kept us safe. 



Finally home in Georgia!

• We were able to unload the truck with just minutes to spare.  We had hoped to get some help on this end, but the bad road conditions meant that people were not venturing out.  Churches cancelled on Wednesday night, so the promise of a crew to “help with the heavy stuff” did not materialize.  So on Thursday morning, after a night of much needed rest, Charlie and I finished with the remaining items and returned the truck.  The man at the U-Haul store said to us, “You are three minutes early.”  Then we rejoiced at the unplanned delay at picking up the truck as it kept us from having to pay for an extra day.

It was a blessed trip from start to finish, and we give thanks to God for his many blessings to us.