Getting Away

....this month's theme is getting away---to retreat, to think, to reflect, to create, to reconnect.

February started out with FAC's Ladies Retreat. After a drive to Sandy Cove in absolutely crappy weather, the weekend was a great break in routine and a chance to spend time with lots of other women (we had 260 women at retreat) and plenty of alone time with God. This year's theme was Tapestry of Love and focused on Colossians 2:2-4(The Message):

I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with
everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at
rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of
wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've
been shown the mystery! I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone leading
you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or "the
Secret."

Our pastor's wife also shared in the sessions that we are lavishly loved daughters of God and not slaves to fear. There was lots of sharing and tons of great praise and worship times.

And the response to the tapestry was amazing!!! It's humbling and an honor to know that your art meant so much to so many and enriched their experience. I'm currently in the process of getting a permanent rod for it so it can hang in the women's ministry office as well as writing the story of it so people who didn't go on retreat will know the background.

This past weekend was an entirely different kind on getaway. Sandy and I went to Scrapbowl 2008 in Chantilly, VA. Had a great time with Cindy J., a friend we made at CKU in 2003, and some of her friends. It was SO great to spend time together since it's been over two years since we last saw her. Also got to see Josiane, Gloria, Karen T., and Sandy H. from CE and ScrapETC, and we met Wendy and Kana who are also going to ScrapETC and happened to be seated at the same table! Got some significant scrapping done, but never enough! Finished another 8 pages in my European vacation album and started the planning for the next 10. Also took a class from Shimelle and got the chance to show her my 2006 Christmas album.

Now it's back to the grindstone with getting charms and page swaps done. Did mail my secret sister today. Back to beading for me..... well after dinner.

Enjoy,
Janet