Day (8) 9
Since I was unable to post yesterday, I am going to fill in the gaps from this weekend. Friday evening we drove up to Cedar Campus in Cedarville, MI. Cedarville is east of the bridge near Drummand Island. It is gorgeous up there. Whenever I go north, I always look for the northern lights. I have always wanted to see them, but I still haven't. My friends Kate, Joslynn, and Felicia were all in the car with me. We talked and sang along to music. We ate at Jimmy Johns, tired to guess who was singing the songs on the radio, admiring the beauty of the bridge and enjoyed the trip. The retreat was entitled Hope Again. When we arrived, the main session had just ended. I was disappointed to have missed it but I did not have much control over time. We had a snack and met with our small groups and we discussed Hebrews 6:19, which talks about God being our anchor. I made a fascinating connection about how sometimes anchors have to connect with rocks in order to stay in place.We also talked about James 1:2, which is one of my "life verses". Once finished we were able to go to the cabin and get ready for bed. Let me tell you, I slept like a rock.
In the morning when I awoke, I was well rested and ready for the day. First thing I did upon leaving the cabin for breakfast- try and dance on ice- not smart. Needless to say I fell right on my butt. I think I might have a bruise forming or something because it still hurts. Eating was hard this weekend. Of course, the food they set out wasn't part of my fast. I mostly survived this weekend on fruit and bread. Not very good. I need some protein in order for my body to properly work. If I was to give blood, I bet I wouldn't have enough iron in my system either.
The morning main session was about finding hope in God's word. One quotation that really struck me was "when you read the word, it's like God is breathing into you". This means that God is giving you breath, saving you life, CPR really, because without Him was are suffocating and drowning. We also talked about Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. The speaker made us speak this verse with inflections on all the words. It was really quite powerful. We also discussed Psalms 46:10- Be still and know I am God. The point of this verse is to remind the reader to exist is a state of stillness: physically (to mediate and reflect on His word), emotionally (to remain calm and composed in all trails), spiritually (God has everything handled) and intellectually (it is wise to seek Him). To learn this you have to have constant reminders because what sticks in your mind changes you.
We were required to attend 2 workshops about everything; from choices to singleness to Proverbs 31 to freedom and confidence in God. I attended the one on singleness and one called Beauty from Ashes. The singleness one spoke of how a young woman should not be in love with the idea of marriage. She should pursue God and be 100% confident in God's love and trust Him fully that He is going to make the right decisions for her life. There are worse things that being single, like being married to the wrong person etc. Psalms 37:45 says "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." The next workshop I attended, Beauty from Ashes, was taught by a young woman who had made mistakes in her past. She was not confident in God's love and forgiveness in her and she was ashamed of her mistakes. She spoke of how her journey with God and her family had come to humble her and let her know that God is watching out for her and taking care of her even when she was not the most confident in herself. The young woman when on to speak of what sin was holding us back and keeping us from running with God. She gave us a lot of really good scripture to back her points and to help us turn to God and run with Him.
After the workshops we had some free time. My friend Felicia and I went geocacheing. Geocacheing is when someone hides a notebook or something for people to find and write their names in it to tell others they have been there. It's like treasure hunting. Felicia and I walked through the woods of Cedar Campus. We found some team building exercises and a tree house before we realized we were going the wrong way, but it was so beautiful with Lake Huron and the waves crashing and hopping from rock to rock and enjoying to icy air and beautiful sounds of God's country. The geocache was deep in the wood and we had to climb over trees and through spider webs in order to find it. We did end up finding it. We signed our names and left gifts for others to find in the future. On the way back, we stopped at gnome rock and took some pictures. Felicia and I always have fun together. Since I have left East Lansing, the time that we spend together has become ever more precious because of her growing relationship with an awesome man of God. I love Felicia so much. She is easy to talk to and she understands my randomness and loves me for it. Spending time with her is very easy. We had a good conversation about stuff that is going on and of the future. We walked about 3 miles in order to find the geocache. When we returned to camp, I was tired so I napped.
I slept through most of dinner, but still managed to eat something. The main session in the beginning was a prayer concert. I just felt peace. God was giving me messages to just stay still and be consumed by Him. I had my skin prayed over and it was incredible. It felt really hot all the time Nicole was praying for it and I was shaking so much that tears weld up in my eyes. It was amazing. Normally I worship through dance and art, but that night I stayed put and trusted that God would speak to me where I was. I listened to the music playing and just let God merge into my whole system and calm me and let me be free. The message was about not letting lies fool us into giving up what we have in God. We need to put on our full armour and protect ourselves from those lies.
After the main session was a small group which was really good. I made some awesome connections that made it easy for me to understand and relate to. Pile of yarn. Then was a sleepless party. There was dancing, messages, nail stuff, lipgloss stuff, chocolate fountains etc. Naturally I participated in the dancing. I love singing and dancing and letting the music move me. They were playing ok stuff because of the limitations of cleanliness, but in the end I managed to get some of my music to play and it was good. Jessie, Carrie, Kate, Greta and I all danced and had a blast. Then I went to sleep, I was tired from the full day.
This morning was packing up and breakfast, followed by the last session. The last main session was about sharing out hope with the world- telling our story of faith. The speaker also gave us good advice about how we can live our lives better for Christ. Live by God's rules and not by what the world says. If you live with God, you will have joy.
The trip home was uneventful. I slept a little because it was bright and I was tired. I stayed long enough in East Lansing to see the National Anthem sung by Kelly Clarkson at the super bowl, then I drove home. I relaxed by taking a bath and eating some tastier food than I have had all weekend. I am excited for what this week brings me and I am excited for this fast to end so I can eat normal foods. I am completely glad at what God has been showing me while I am still on the main fast. I am excited to continue with a more normal eating in order to get some more protein in my diet.
God moved through me this weekend. The retreat has given me much to think about and much responsibility to keep growing and keep reading and keep maturing in faith. I have to have confidence that God loves and takes care of me and carries me through life. The Lord is with me always.
Love Forever
Child of the Most High
love love love it kali!
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