It is now days after the retreat. I am still smiling at all the things the LORD accomplished. I do hope that you viewed the report from Judy Mize on our website – http://mylonn.com/HeartsMoving.aspx. If not, please follow this link for viewing. She really says it best!
Some of you may remember the last words that I sent you in a letter. I quoted the following passage from Proverbs 21:30 that says, “Do your best, prepare for the worst – then trust God to bring victory.” I asked for you to notice the comma and the dash. At the time, I was honestly living at the dash and clinging to the word “THEN.” Yet, I am very anxious to report the victory. Well, LADIES…I have lots of “victory” to report!
First of all, I want to report this news step by step so that you can process what the LORD did at this retreat. Plus, I want to give HIM every ounce of credit due HIM. Thursday, we arrived on campus. My car had problems early on. We had to end up having it towed early in the week. This happened before we even departed for Callaway. Yet, we got it repaired just in time. It drove beautifully. Then, as we parked to unload the Jeep on campus…it completely stopped. Not even a budge! So, Stephen and Henry Mack took a hammer and tapped on the starter. All of a sudden, it started right up! Problem solved. Yet, nerve wrecking because we had previously spent over $400 in repairs on that particular Monday. Satan attempted delaying us from arriving to our destination. Yet, again…we experienced God’s Faithfulness arriving and departing. Thank goodness it happened early on and not as we were traveling! We could worry about the starter once home.
Secondly, Teddy was very sick. We think he either got into something outside or either he had some type of virus. We felt terribly sorry for him. He had vomiting and diarrhea for two days before we left. So, this became another challenge in departing. We prayed. Then, I called Callaway Gardens to inquire of their pet policy. They allow pets at their facilities as long as they are 20 lbs and under. Teddy Maximus qualified. So, we wrapped him up and took him with us so we could monitor him. Again, we experienced God’s Faithfulness in the matter. You know what that Teddy is to me!
Next, we walked through the main gardens and waited in the patio area enjoying the beauty and evidence of the season. SPRING was definitely in the air. All I could think of was Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season.” This was the season we had been anticipating and hoping for. The moment had arrived and I was sick, sick, sick! Again, we prayed. God was completely faithful. Ladies and gentlemen had been praying ahead of time for my physical condition. So, I felt just fine and had even regained my voice and strength.
Next, we arrived to our room. We were appearing a little fatigued from the day. It had been quite the week. Suddenly, I opened the door to our room and there was the most beautiful flower arrangement awaiting us. When I opened the card it read, “We love you! – Special Friends.” What a complete surprise and blessing! My two most faithful friends and warriors were preparing the way ahead of me. I felt like God was smiling and saying, “SURPRISE!” Here is the way…walk in it.
Later, we were relaxing and preparing for bed when it hit me that we had not prepared the SPEAKER’S bags or VOLUNTEER gifts for their rooms. We were told to have them ready before 10:00 am so that the bellman could pick them up for delivery the following morning. So, at midnight Stephen and I were up wrapping gifts. They turned out lovely. We had 5 speakers bags, 2 individual gifts for corporate at Callaway and 20 volunteer gifts. I don’t think we had seen so much tissue and ribbon. Yet, what fun! Again, God was faithful to remind us before the next morning! I love when HE prods us.
Friday morning arrived! We received several messages that a couple of our volunteers were not going to be able to make it after all. We were going to be short in assisting our speakers and somewhat lacking with greeters. It seemed as though we were being hit on every side. Satan was doing everything to distract us. So, we prayed. AND???? Once we arrived to our work stations on Friday morning one of our volunteers brought three extra friends who made up for the shortage. Again, what a surprise to watch God in action! He already knew and showed Himself faithful!!!!
That morning, we were praying over the entire facility. Our team of volunteers began decorating the ballroom. They were preparing the individual retreat gift bags for each attendee. We were arranging the round tables with flowers and beautiful décor. One of our volunteers (Sandra) had even made a beautiful curtain to go across the stage to help with lighting and staging for an intimate setting. It turned out to be very inviting and lovely. I couldn’t have been more pleased. I am certain that it pleased the LORD. He saw their hearts!!!
So, as you can read…everything was on course. My friend, I can’t begin to tell you how excited we were. We were standing at the door waiting for our speaker and attendee’s arrival. Our volunteers and vendors were in place and we were anxious to see what was in store.
Friday night’s service began with Babbie Mason leading us in praise and worship. It was divine! Then, Cindi Wood brought the opening message. She opened with an incredible story about vows - A E I O U. Then, the message grew in the WORD. Mrs. Wood is a sweet, bubbling, young lady, who is full of Christ.
Satan was so present that night. He wasn't stopping at nothing! There was such a spirit of heaviness that whole evening. It baffled me! Cindi poured her heart out to these ladies. Yet, we sense that her message was simply preparing the way for what was ahead. Friday night most of these ladies are exhausted from traveling, working and simply just getting there. So, we purposefully plan to make Friday the lighter evening. Yet, I went back to the room amazed. So, all we knew to do was pray against the work of the enemy. AND? Saturday AM we were ready to go!
Dee Brestin (who is from Kansas City) opened up with a powerful message from the book of Solomon. It seemed like all of our hearts came prepared. Perhaps, because so many new attendees they didn’t know what to expect or how to respond to an event like this. However let's just say our hair came down!
Later, we broke out into workshops. We have three segments of workshops throughout the day. The first workshop began at 10:30 am. There were various topics to choose from: The Friendships of Women, Splashing Living Water and The Frazzled Female. These women were screaming! Our second workshop began at 1:00 pm. There were other topics to choose from: The Three Legged Stool of marriage, Seven Ups For Living In An Upside Down World and The God of All Comfort. Our third workshop began at 2:30 pm. The ladies were able to choose from three different topics, which included: And God Sent Us A Helper, Keep Courting In Your Marriage and Too Blessed For This Mess. What a blessing!!!
My friend, there was a different kind of spirit that afternoon. It seemed to be over the entire Garden. It was evident in corporate, the Callaway staff, our vendors, speakers, volunteers, attendees, and just those who were peaking in to see for themselves what we were doing. All I could do is SMILE!
After the last workshop, we provide the ladies free time to go shopping in Pine Mountain, experience the Gardens, enjoy the spa and all other recreations. The trails at Callaway are great! Then, we assembled back around 7:30 pm.
Saturday evening, Jan Silvious began the evening with a message about the woman from Epharim who had courage and wisdom to do the impossible for God and His people. The passage is found in II Samuel 20:21-23. Then, she urged women to combine the courage and wisdom God has given us to do something impossible for God and His people. It was very inspiring. Plus, I had to do that very thing at this retreat.
Afterwards, I asked Jan and Babbie to be seated on stage where we had prepared to wash their feet. My friend and mentor, Carrie Gore, assisted in the service. It was something precious and something never done before. I was completely honored and humbled. Jan and Babbie spirit shown complete humility in what was taking place. Plus, this seemed to simply carry on the thought of that message.
My friend, the LORD had already prepared me back in October to serve them in this manner. He said, “Traci, if you want these women to understand our vision of this ministry…you must be the very first to minister and serve. You go and wash their feet in my name.” Enough said!
Afterwards, Babbie Mason began singing and there was reading of the Word. Several of us participated. Then, there were women who wrote out their testimonies on cardboards. The front explained their life before Christ. The back was proof and evidence of their life afterwards abiding in Christ. Talk about special! One lady stated she was addicted to drugs, sex and the world. Afterwards it read, “Addicted to Jesus.”
I am telling you! It made me jump up out of my seat. I was whooping and hollering! I was shouting AMEN! Then, I was crying!!!! I was completely beside myself. Especially when one pastor’s wife held a cardboard testimony that read “ADULTRESS” and flipped it over reading “FORGIVEN.” That did it for me! I was on my knees. Then, jumping up and down.
Women were rushing to the altar. Jan invited those who wanted to be anointed in oil to come forward. Sweet friend, they were standing down a long aisle – woman after woman. Jan looked at me. She whispered, “Traci, my greatest prayer was that the LORD would allow you to experience a blessing.” Well, He did! Even now, I am crying as I write this.
Friend, that was the pivotal moment! There were over 40 ladies who made public and various decisions for Christ. Even one lady for salvation! Those are just the ones that we know of. I am telling you…I couldn’t have been more excited.
Finally, we dismissed. I had to say the benediction. I couldn’t. I just said, “I’m a mess! I can’t pray. Let’s just say AMEN!” Then, I walked off the platform weeping at what the LORD HAD DONE again. So, were others.
Well, I didn’t think I was going to be able to sleep. Yet, when my head hit my pillow…I was gone! That had to be what David and Paul experienced. They slept. I did as well. It was a precious gift from God.
Sunday morning arrived! Esther Burroughs gave a lovely message on our heritage and what we leave behind. She spoke from the book of Psalms. She even tied it in with our theme, “THERE IS A TIME.” How appropriate to leave this retreat on that thought. This was certainly part of our ministry heritage!
Earlier, several women asked to give their testimonies. So, we allowed this. One lady even purchased a gift to give to another lady there who had shined like a diamond in her walk. On Friday evening, she stood in front of everyone and stated how she was struggling with her daughter’s murder. You never know whom God will bring to your retreat. Talk about brokenness. Talk about God connecting women and teaching them to minister to one another. We hit the bull’s-eye of God’s heart here!
Then, Carrie Gore got up and stated that the LORD woke her up early in the morning. She stated, “Traci has no idea what I am about to say or do. Yet, it’s time for us to have a Jesus come to meeting moment.” Then, she made a plea for women to partner with our ministry. She explained how we operated by faith alone. Afterwards, she felt led to take up an offering. I cried because I had no idea what God was doing.
As the women were giving and making pledges to partner with the ministry…a woman came and stood beside me. She said, “I need to speak with you.” I really couldn’t hear that well because of the music. She said, “Traci, God has been dealing with me. I finally know what I am suppose to do. I am making a challenge grant to “match the amount of money that these ladies have given today. Please let me know the total.” My knees buckled. She wrote it down on a piece of paper, along with her name, address and telephone number. I was completely speechless and made the announcement to the ladies. We were praising the LORD!
Okay - let’s go backwards. We were lacking in meeting our budget for this retreat. Yet, the ladies gave an offering of over $2,000.00. My friend, can I testify how FAITHFUL God has been to us? I needed a bottle to collect those tears!
Finally, we are coming to a close of the retreat. I asked Stephen to come forward. I needed to thank him for being a husband, friend and partner in this ministry. I explained how he blessed me back in October and how a lot of this weekend was his fault. I told the ladies that once the 2008 Fall retreat had ended – I remember asking him this question: “Stephen, what do you think the LORD wants me to learn these next six months and year?” He replied, “Oh, that’s easy! He wants you to learn HIS FAITHFULNESS!” I explained how I was thrilled and was so happy he didn’t say that God wanted me to learn patience. Yet, I explained the challenges and trails that accompanies FAITHFULNESS and I’ve learned it is similar to asking HIM for patience.
Next, I told the ladies about Stephen’s romantic side. Sometimes, Stephen will grab my hand and place it inside of his. Then, he will look at me and smile. I know what is coming. He wants to skip! It doesn’t matter where we are. It could be in the mall, grocery store, doctor’s office, etc. In the past, it would embarrass me. Yet, at that very moment…time stood still. I told him how much I loved him and asked for Babbie to close with a song. I grabbed his hand. I looked at him and smiled. No longer was I embarrassed. I said, “Let’s skip!” So, we kissed and skipped down the aisle. As we were skipping, I felt this urge to go grab Cindi Wood’s hand and ask her to skip with me. Secretly, she was praying that I would do so. So, we skipped around the ballroom. Then, we went and grabbed Jan’s hand. She replied, “I don’t know how to skip!” So, Dee Brestin grabbed her other hand and we went skipping too. All of a sudden, we heard women behind us giggling and praising the LORD. They were right on our heels – SKIPPING too!
There was singing, dancing, shouting, weeping and oh, so much joy! Yet, I want to share something more in depth. I want to show you how God brought this full circle from the beginning. As I created our website – I wrote a story about ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Here is what I wrote so that you will understand and remember.
It is funny how the silly tales by Lewis Carroll have become world famous, while the serious works of Reverend Dodgson are almost unknown! When the Reverend wasn’t making up nonsense tales for little girls, he spent his time, as a college professor writing and developing serious books on mathematics while Lewis Carroll became his pen name.
When I was a little girl, I was delighted by Lewis Carroll's enchanted fantasy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. However, it wasn't until my thirties that I could appreciate His writings. In his writings, Alice asked, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat. "I don't much care where-" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," -so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.
I've found myself asking the same question, "Which way I ought to go from here" often to settle with "so long as I get somewhere." Is this just a mere fable? Or, does it often become a part of life's story?
As women we find ourselves Balancing Life’s Demands with the scales tilted in the direction of being a daughter, wife, mother, sister, colleague, associate, friend, neighbor or care-giver. Similar to Reverend Dodgson, our identity transforms us into individuals more famous or popular than who God created us to be. Sadly, we leave behind the same kind of unknown legacy with few ever knowing our true identity.
I believe God created us to be a generation of godly women who impact the world. We CAN Balance Life’s Demands while at the same time leave behind a godly legacy. This is my heart’s cry and reason for creating this ministry.
Ladies, do you see how this all fits together? Leaving the legacy? God putting the appropriate people in our lives to help do that very thing. And??? This blew my mind…my friend stated that at the end of the fable…Alice leaves skipping. Who knew? Isn’t that amazing how God works ALL things together? We were skipping too.
Honestly, I am learning the word “Fathom” more and more. Yet, I yearn to see the ending of our FALL 2009 conference. Matter of fact, when I came home I was thanking God for all that was done. He said, “Oh, Traci! You just understood my beginning towards the word “fathom”…you haven’t reached the end. We still have another conference to go!” I jumped up and down.
As always, I have a point for you in this. I believe God is bringing things full circle for you too. He’s simply connecting the dots. He’s shifting, subtracting, adding and mulitply…even dividing things in our lives. He’s bringing people around in our lives that we probably never dreamed would happen. He’s showing us our strengths and weaknesses. He is bonding our relationships. Why? Because THERE IS A TIME for each one of us…including you too. HE has a BIG plan in all of this. It’s not just for naught or to sit idle. This time in your life is a season. The bible says He has a purpose for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.
God says that he has seen the burden laid upon men. He also states that he has made everything beautiful in its time. He has already set eternity in your heart…yet, I am praying you experience that last phrase too! My friend you cannot fathom what God has in store from beginning to end. Nor can I for that matter!!!
I love each of you and this is HIS victory. Yet, I love how He let’s us get in on it. May GOD receive all the glory, praise and honor for the work HE accomplished at this retreat. Amen?! Thank you so much for being a huge part of our ministry and journey. You are such a strength to me.
