Hi, all!

I had a great weekend going to our church’s ladies weekend retreat at Epworth By the Sea at St. Simon’s Island, Georgia.  The campus and facilities there were just beautiful and our hotel room (with balcony) overlooked the river and marshes.  What a view!  Oh, I wish I had just had more time to soak it all in and enjoy the quiet of it all. 

It was definitely too short, but it would have been impossible to lengthen it.  If only time could’ve stretched for just a moment!  Leslie Nease of Survivor: China was our speaker and what an amazing lady!  She is such a blessing with an incredible testimony.  She has a speaking ministry and travels sharing her testimony and this message.  She shared how easy it is to have the “head knowledge” and go through the motions of church life and never have that relationship with Jesus that is the key to everything!  Oh, so true! 

It brought back vivid memories of that moment in time when I surrendered my life and heart to Christ.  Gosh, I even was the staff organist for a church and attended a private, Baptist college at the time.  Talk about knowing how to go through the motions!  I will never, ever forget that…I could relate, definitely.  Being “saved” (to use church-y language) is really relationship with Jesus, and what an incredible one it is.  The joy that bubbles from my heart at even trying to find the words to explain it to you is without measure.

The innumberable ways that God worked in the women’s lives at this retreat was a wonder to behold.  From the littlest ways to the ultimate - the beginnings of a true relationship with Christ, salvation of a soul belonging to Him.  Two that I know of, and many seeds planted.  It brings tears to my eyes! 

Leslie also has a blog with encouraging posts almost every day.  I encourage you to check it out!

Here is Leslie and I yesterday morning before she spoke to our high school group at church.  The t-shirts we are wearing were designed by her 16-year-old son, isn’t it amazing?!  The Chinese symbol means “courage” and the slogan says “Get Gutsy for God.”  Love it!  And what a great opportunity to explain my faith and my joy when someone asks me about my shirt.  *grin*

God Stuff