The Frenches: St. John's Women's Retreat 2010

Friday afternoon, February 26th, I picked up my girl friends and we headed to Brenham for a weekend of worship, learning and friendships at the St. John's Women's Retreat.

Looking back on our weekend, I'd sum it up as:

full of LAUGHTER

new FRIENDSHIPS being developed and existing ones strengthened

wonderful SHARING of God's presences in each of our lives

better UNDERSTANDING and FOCUS on God's plans for each of us and as a whole

I was greatly blessed with my time I was able to spend with God alone as well as the women around me. I will treasure this time and what God planted in me this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of the seeds that were planted and watered this weekend! Our theme was the Master Weaver; Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." We focused on who the Master Weaver is, how the tapestry was destroyed in the Garden and how this tapestry was saved on Mount Calvary! Beautiful focus was placed on God's work throughout the history of the Bible; unveiling His plan and perfect love story. We focused later on Joseph's story in Genesis 37 - 50.

Many songs were sung during the weekend. The chorus from the song, The Weaver by Men of Praise was:
"Not 'til the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the tapestry and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the weaver's skillful hand
As the thread of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned."

I just loved that!

We then focused our attention on discerning the pattern of the Master Weaver. We spent this time in quiet, alone with God. What a gift that we were able to do this! I got to spend my time right on the water's edge of one of their lakes. It was slightly breezy and clear skies. It was so perfect as the waters slowly rushed up on to the shore, one row after another... in times like this I feel as if I'm in the middle of the water, just sitting and floating on top! Across the distance on the other side of the shore were 3 large wooden crosses up on a hill. Such beauty!

Our first direction was to focus on Jeremiah 29:11 and then Hebrews 11:1, and finally John 10:10. A question to ask ourselves; Is your life abundant? Is it life "to the full"? "Think about those things that are getting in the way of your relationship with the Master Weaver." Another passage was Philippians 1: 3-6, "...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Oh how refreshing!

We were each given a Scripture passage for us to use as part of our directed reflections as well. Mine was, "However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him' - but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." ~1 Corinthians 2: 9-10~

Later on on Saturday, we spent time reflecting on God's involvement in our lives and shared how God has been with us throughout. I just love to hear the stories of other's lives and see God working in and through each of them. It was so refreshing and amazing! How great to know that God is not only weaving the events in our lives, but each of our lives together as well! In the end, each tapestry will be a beautiful and perfect creation by our Creator! Thanks be to God!

In between this, we had meals and many times to 'mix-up' groups and get to know others. So much laughter was going on; how great! Friday night we had a fruit, wine and cheese social. Saturday night we had a 'duck tape fashion show!' Each team had to design 'accessories' using colored duck tape and then model it in front of everyone and provide a 'marketing spill'! Oh my, you should have seen the talent and humor in that room that night; what a great gift. I think all of our stomachs were hurting that night from laughing so much! Games were played each night and talking never ceased so it seemed except for our sharing times with God alone.

I was able to room with Natalie, Stephanie and Amy. It was fun having us 'young ladies' in the same room! I am so very thankful for my new friendships! I am thankful I had this opportunity to visit and get to know many of the women on the retreat. I can't wait to get to know them more! I am thankful for the wonderful weather we were blessed with as well. Our speaker Patti Mitschke did a fabulous job and was such a delight! Her beautiful humor really added to this retreat's atmosphere!

I leave you with a poem used at the retreat:
"Our lives are but fine weavings that
God and we prepare,
Each life becomes a fabric planned
And fashioned in His care.
We may not always see just how
the weavings intertwine,
but we must trust the Master's
hand and follow His design,
For He can view the pattern
upon the upper side,
While we must look from underneath
and trust in Him to guide...

Sometimes a strand of sorrow
is added to His plan,
And though it's difficult for us,
we still must understand
That it's He who fills the shuttle,
it's He who knows what's best,
So we must weave in patience and
leave to Him the rest...
Not till the loom is silent
and the shuttle cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
and explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needed
in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
in the pattern He has planned."