Today was Ladies Fall Retreat at Camp Christian in Mill Run PA. I have gone very often over the last several years, and presented workshops as well. This year was no exception. Kathy, Deb (my cousin) and I left at 7:45am and arrived in time to register and settle in for the program. My long-time friend Lynn (Pelc – Greg’s wife from Vanderbilt Church) presided over the first half of the day and led in several worship songs. Janet Drown (Kyle’s wife from Hempfield Church) gave a workshop in keeping with the day’s theme: I GIVE UP! Surrender to God! She talked about hanging on to the ‘it’ in your life that gives you the most stress and grief. We are afraid to open our hands and give it to God, when he is bigger and wiser than we are. We can trust him to make it right! Do we actually think we could figure this out better than God?
Ashly Staley, a young friend that used to be my prayer partner when she was in elementary school, portrayed woman of faith Rahab from the old testament. She did such an excellent job! She talked about Rahab being willing to change her whole way of life because she trusted that God had a better plan. After lunch (which was yummy, by the way) my sister Kathy (also the wife of Paul Eisaman, River Hill Church) gave a workshop about Jehoshaphat, who had made several mistakes as King, and had to go to God for forgiveness. When enemy armies charged toward their cities, Jehoshaphat fell on his face before God and said: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” God fought and won the battle for them without their armies even going to war. All of the people, including children and little ones, had a praise service to the Lord.
My portrayal of Queen Esther was the last presentation. I have done Esther so many times, and love sharing her story. It was easy to tie the theme of the day into Esther’s story, because when she went before the king, she had to ‘give up’ and surrender everything to God. Their earthly situation definitely required heavenly intervention. She was brave enough to go before the king with her request to save her people – the Jews – and he granted her request. She had been made queen for a time such as this. We all have defining moments in our lives; how will we handle them?
Kathy and I took a walk up to Vesper Rock (outdoor chapel) and talked about all the times we had sat there on those wooden seats and heard vesper speakers at our weeks of camp. We walked past the creek and found peculiar mushrooms that looked like golf balls! There was a quiet little oasis in the rock to sit and contemplate and rest. Back in the indoor chapel we admired the brand new stained glass window just installed a few weeks ago. It was donated by a man that had grown up attending camp and wanted to pay forward. Beautiful work!
It was a lovely day, filled with motivation, God’s spirit over us, and the sharing and renewal of old friends. We are so blessed to be in that Place Set Apart!
On this day in 1981 the Smurfs debuted on TV, Johnny Cash died in 2003, and in 1953 John F Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier.
TOMORROW, September 13 is:
- National Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day
- National Peanut Day
- Uncle Sam Day (For some interesting facts, look up Dan Rice!!!)
- National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
- National Bald is Beautiful Day
- National Pet Memorial Day – Second Sunday in September
- National Hug Your Hound Day – Second Sunday in September
- National Grandparent’s Day – Sunday after Labor Day
God bless……
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