April 2014 Women's Retreat at Tree Top Resort Gaylord MI

I had a really wonderful experience in Gaylord at the Womens Wesylan North District Retreat. I guess that I go with different expectations though when you're leading worship and planning on ministering.  Leading worship is so much more than a set of songs and music.  Its about being open, vunerable and willing to let God take you places- places that might even bare your soul and stretch you-even in front of other people.  I felt this weekend especially anxious just because 1. I'm not very Wesylan.  I come from a very diverse spiritual heritage. Mennonite, pentecostal, non-denominational.  And so I sometimes worry if I might be too emotional or too liberal and the list goes on. 2. I was nervous about this weekend because it was a very high profile speaker with the book "Heaven is For Real" and now the recent release of the movie a few weeks ago.  I didn't know what to expect.  I mean, I know who I am. I am a strong woman. Confident in the gifts God has given me to minister through music but I'm not a professional or famous person. I'm kinda ordinary with some very real struggles- balancing work, family, faith and my music ministry. And recently my very public journey with my health and weight loss.  But honestly, that is how great God is. He uses very ordinary people and does extraordinary things with them!  And I just feel so honored and privilaged to be apart of His big plan.  A plan that all people would know that He loves them, created them, designed them to be in relationship with Him now and for eternity. And even more amazing and mind boggling that we have a CHOICE if we want to accept that gift.
Couple thoughts from the retreat:
1. Sonja Burpo, the mother of Colton who went to heaven and back- well, she's pretty normal and not that great of a speaker. To be honest, I was sorta disappointed. I think I expected her to be deep and have profound truths to share. But honestly, she was just a normal woman, mom, pastor's wife and lady who was being stretched out of her comfort zone to speak in front of others. She told us she preferred working with kids in her Kids Church.  That was her niche.  And well, it sorta came out in her speaking.
2. Sometimes high profile people aren't perfect.  The team that traveled with Sonja weren't as nice as I thought they would be.  In fact, Sonja's right hand lady, main worship leader, was there with her and at first, well, she wasn't very nice to me or my worship team. My sister and friend Elissa travel and sing with me at events like this.  And it was the first time that we encountered someone who wanted to "put us in our place" and let us know that well, we weren't very special."  I totally recognized this attitude from this individual and was ok with it.  I felt like, "yes, I know who you are and that you're trying to make me feel not welcomed and that I'm out of my league. But God has called me and who are you to tell me what I can and cannot not do?  I know my authority in Christ!"  Anyways, I just kept on doing my thing.  And man were we received with open arms. In fact, some people said that the only part that ministered to them was the worship times.  God deserves all the glory!  I know that when you make  yourself available and are willing to open yourself to the people, God can move.  And that was my heart.

We were asked numerous times if we had a CD.  Nope. Not  yet. And how many times have I said that I'm going to do this?  And I haven't followed through.  Seriously, when I sing with Gina and Elissa, its like putting on a glove. They both are just so sweet, so humble and it just feels right when we are together serving.  I think because we all have the same heart of worship, the same focus. 
Gina is my baby sister and so what can I say- she's pretty special. The fact that she can sing despite all the trauma of the car accident, head injury and paralyzed vocal chord. She's just a complete miracle.  She sings the boy lead most the time. Low melody.  But she's flexible and can sing high too.  She doesn't realize how great she is. Mostly, cause she feels like I'm the big sis and she lets me do my thing. I need to encourage her to lead out more. She's very supportive, so loyal and has such a beautiful heart of love and mercy.  Its a gift really.  And when she sings, people can feel that love and mercy and it brings them to their knees and touches them.
Elissa, is amazingly gifted to sing. Her voice is angelic. Its soft, sweet and powerful.  She has such a clear high voice but not shrill or harsh- its a mellow soprano.  But mostly, when she sings, it truly is sweet my mom hit it on the nail when she said "Elissa brings the aroma of Christ"  Elissa has another gift- humility. She is willing to do anything and serve in anyway, never wanting the spotlight.  She's a gem. And I'm so glad to have her on this team.  She keeps me and Gina balanced too. :)

So here are a few pictures of the weekend so that we don't forget what God did and how we were able to be apart of His plan this weekend in these women's lives.

Phillipians 4:4-7

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.