Grace Adventures Women's Retreat September 28-30th,2012

This is my 3rd year attending this Women's Retreat at Grace Adventures in Mears, Michigan as the guest worship leader for the weekend.  And how it all came about was from a referral.  I spoke for 3 years at a Women's Retreat for New Haven Brethren church and also lead the women in worship at a Bed and Breakfast in Saugatuck MI.  It was such a wonderful thing for me in that it was my first time speaking for a whole weekend and because the women who go to this retreat are just so loving and made me feel part of their church family.  I met Noelle Gable, an amazing woman ministering to young girls in the Grand Rapids area.  I had an opening Ice Breaker question asking who in the audience had the most children and everyone yelled "NOELLE!"  And I asked "How many children do you have?"  And she replies "I think 16" and then someone in the audience says "And she's not married!!"  And I said "Ok, well I just opened a can of worms!"  And we all laughed....but later I was able to sit and talk with her to hear her ministry to young troubled girls in Grand Rapids, how she lives with them in a home and basically becomes a mother to them.  Anyway, Noelle was the one who mentioned me to Grace Adventures when they were looking for a woman worship leader for their upcoming women's retreat.  And that is how I ended up with the opportunity to minister in music and continue to return.  I just finished my 3rd year this year and they asked me to come back again for 2013!  I couldn't be more excited about it.  Grace Adventures truly has a unique and most amazing campus.  They have such a GIFT of hospitality.  You instantly feel loved, accepted, and pampered while you are there.  The campus is beautiful and the activities range from Zumba, zip line, horse back riding, massages, shooting, paintball, or SLEEPING or no sleeping.  One of my favorite things to do at Grace Adventures is to go to Eva's house.  Eva is the wife of the maintenance director at Grace.  She opens her home anyone to visit.  She oozes God's love and her home is so cute.  Every crick and cranny is filled with little things she's created. She has wonderful ideas on food, hosting, and especially giving little gifts that cost pennies to make to give to someone  to make them feel loved or special.  I just love Eva and I think its because she's such a perfect example of what it looks like to use your gift to the fullest to bless others.  Her gift of hospitality and service and "works of her hands" are so evident in her home and life that Christ is honored and all people are blessed who come encounter her.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Jennifer Shaw- Songwriter, Vocal Performer and Speaker.  Tremendous woman of God- because she was REAL and her message was straight from God's word and not of her.  It was amazing ministering with her in music this weekend and being apart of her vision for the weekend.  She came with laryngitis and wasn't able to sing until Sunday morning.  But she did speak every session and God used her mightily!

My favorite picture from the weekend- my sister and me

On top of Little Sable Lighthouse with Elissa Green, Gina and Kendra Battig

Here is the gang who came with us to Grace Adventures.  We loved bunking together and spent a few hours Saturday at Little Sable lighthouse and lake Michigan enjoying the sun and view.  Gina and me even ran up one of the sand dunes. :)

Gina and me had to take a foot picture

Very happy me

I am actually terrified of heights but the view was breathtaking and I was glad that I overame my fear and went up on the balcony at the top of Little Sable Lighthouse.

And the older I get, the more I like my stubby little nose that God gave me. :) Thanks God!!

BELOW IS AN EMAIL I SENT TO FRIENDS REGARDING THE WEEKEND:

We're back from an awesome weekend at Grace Adventures! The speaker and song writer/vocal artist was Jennifer Shaw. Wonderful woman and we totally enjoyed ministering with her in music this weekend. We left feeling more encouraged in our gifts and the call on our lives to use music to touch women and bring them closer to God. I’m excited to see where God will take us this coming year with our music.  And they booked us for next year again and both Grace Adventures and the Musical artist are writing a letter of recommendation on our behalf!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT!!  They mean so much.  Keep praying for Gina.  It’s a long road and I still see her wanting go back to Freddy-Only God knows what the outcome of their seperation will bring. She so badly wants to honor God with her marriage and love Freddy.  But the emotional/mental abuse was strong and so evident in her behavior, patterns and actions. I hope she remains steadfast with her decision but time will tell. I keep remembering that verse that says “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” 

Anyways, I am learning every day what it is to trust God with family and to see God work in a tangible way in Gina’s life as she works through and deals with her trials.  She continues to amaze me with her simple “child like” heart and faith.  Gina is such a loving/merciful person and I want that quality too.

Cherri  

P.S.  HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEKEND-We met a girl who survived abuse (the last day of the retreat at breakfast)  All I asked her was “Do you mind me asking how you became a single parent?” And she started in with her story. By the end, Gina and I were both a mess.  Anyway, I call it one of those “divine appointments” and Gina feels that her meeting this girl was totally why she was supposed to go this weekend. Gina got her phone number and info and she recommended some programs for Gina. It was good for Gina to see and meet with another girl who has survived, thrived and overcame.