I fumbled for the button to turn off the alarm when it woke me at 6:30. I had waked at five and dozed back off. In another of my weird early morning dreams, I was in the car with Deanna who tried to jump a ditch with the car and we wound up stuck in the ditch.
Reality was decidedly better than the dream so I got up, got ready and Bill drove me to Miracle Ranch. Some of the ladies were already partaking of the continental style breakfast. I was pleased to see Dannon Light & Fit yogurt which I had along with some fruit, V-8 juice and coffee. The theme of the retreat was “Life in Christ is a Beautiful Thing!” We started things off at nine with a time of singing. Vickie began her time of sharing with the following…..
Today, God, I am going to Italy to see grand castles, romantic pictures, and elegant art. My heart is leaping for joy for this great occasion that has come to me. But I am disturbed. I hear the plane is going to Amsterdam. But I don’t want to see windmills and cobblestone streets. My heart is in Italy. Now my heart is crushed with fear and torment.
But my child, I want you to experience Amsterdam with joy and wonder like you would Italy. I have a special plan for your life that will lead you through cobblestone streets instead of streets paved with gold. But see my child, your heart will grow stronger as you learn to walk a rough path with joy. Your eyes will be turned to Me instead of the worldly things Italy had to offer. At the end, people will pass by and stand in awe as you run through the cobble streets with a smile and your eyes lift toward me. As my Child, my journey is not always what you desire, but I desire a journey of hope that is everlasting. Remember, I will always love you, my Child.
And so Vickie shared her “life in Amsterdam.” (figurative, not literal) Terry and her husband both have some disability although I couldn’t tell you what it is. She is the mother of Terry and David, both children with disabilities. I didn’t know that both boys are adopted and they specifically wanted children with disabilities. Vicky miscarried her first baby and about a year later they got a call from an adoption lawyer the met soon after the miscarriage. She had a baby for them and it was David. I think she had a second miscarriage and then a third baby was born but died in her husband’s arms 5 1/2 hours later. Then they got a call about another baby who was born the same day their baby died. They went to Oregon to get him. His birth mother had aids but miraculously, Terry did not. He did, however, have hydrocephaly and other problems. The doctors tried to talk Vickie and Kirk out of adopting Terry but they prevailed. And thus they have traveled over the “cobblestones” of Amsterdam through their lives with these two special children, just as I did with Clint. Now her husband also has some serious medical issues that sound life threatening. But as she stated in her poem, her eyes were turned to God through all of this.
Claudia was next and she, too, had tales of trials and tribulations in troubled marriages – a first husband who chose other women over her, a second husband who chose gambling and lost everything they had including their home, and a third husband who chose alcohol and drugs as his “god.” It took years, but the third marriage held together as Bob gave up the alcohol and drugs and they worked their way through all the “stuff” that goes with that kind of life. They now run a program at our church for folks who have or live with those who have addictions.
Wendy, who REALLY didn’t want to be speaking in public like that, shared a compelling story of how God worked in her and Larry’s life and things she does to have a successful life in Christ. Everything that was shared was a wonderful testimony to the faithfulness of God when we lean on Him. Naturally I was most caught up in Vickie’s story because of the “special” kids.
We had a break, sang some more songs, and then Kendra and Debbie spoke. Kendra shared some of the burning questions she has had through life, and Debbie talked about how God makes all things beautiful “in HIS time.” Lunch followed and it was sub sandwiches. I ate fairly frugally and then they brought out the plate of chocolate chip cookies. They were big and yummy!
Lunch was followed by free time till three o’clock. I went for a walk around the campgrounds with Sonya (who loved her “personalized” birthday card), Allie (the one I played musical piano benches with last Sunday), and Laura who I had not met before. Laura got cold so she and I returned to the lodge where I visited with Barbara (the one I met in Sunday School).
The afternoon session got underway and we took a break around four to set up for the skit. Since I had my knitting, I had been recruited to be “Doreen.” I was given a bathrobe, a bandana (to cover the bald head I was supposed to have), and settled into the rocking chair. The skit began with a gal reading what was supposed to be a letter from a young woman (Lisa) to me. She had learned from her pastor that Doreen had brain cancer and had a live-in nurse (who was reading the letter for Doreen who was nearly blind). So it worked well that I could actually sit there and knit without looking at the knitting! The letter talked about the time Lisa and Doreen met when Lisa was waitressing in a Shari’s restaurant and life was horrid and she was ready to give up. Doreen talked with her after she got off work and shared Jesus with her and Lisa got the strength to carry on with her baby.
Another reader continued as Doreen dictating a letter to the nurse for Lisa. So I mouthed words like I was dictating the letter. The final reader did a footnote from the nurse to Lisa telling how she had been so discouraged when she came to work for Doreen. She wasn’t happy at first reading the Bible to Doreen but eventually she, too, took Jesus into her heart and life. I kidded Kendra later about having me play the part of Doreen dying from brain cancer since that is what claimed Clint in the end. Oops!
The program ended with a funny but thoughtful talk by Lancy on the steps to growing in our walk with the Lord. She is a hoot as a speaker and it was a great way to end the day. We had dinner at 5:30. This time it was a taco bar so it was harder to be “good.” And I was also hungry, not having had my usual afternoon snack. But at least I haven’t eaten anything more since I came home. When I weighed this morning, I was down some to a total weight loss of 7.8 pounds, but I’m sure today undid that. It is a fight to the finish getting below that 170 pound mark and STAYING there!
Kendra brought me home. I really enjoyed the day. I met and talked with some ladies from church that I hadn’t talked to before. Liz was knitting socks. I heard another gal was knitting a baby sweater but I didn’t see her. Sandy, who I met in Sunday School some time ago, and I chatted. She is a knitter, too, and she asked me a question about yarn for a pattern she had with her – one for felted clogs.
Oh yes, before I forget, Bill said Sheriff Davis called today, finally. Turns out he has been on vacation. Bill told him about the “evidence” we had collected so he is going to send someone out to fingerprint them.
OK, I’ve rambled on long enough.
Thank God He doesn't have voice mail and He always listens when we pray!!! After all, remember that God's always answers all knee mail!
Hi Diane. Was finally able to get out cyberwalking again and wanted to check on you and see what you were up to ... 
Hi Carol, I get a "lump in my chest" reading your thoughts that you share .. thanks for reminding us how life is a 
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