The Journey Home

My small group just finished the first part of our "Experiencing God" study, Victory Over the Darkness. It provides a pragmatic and challenging glimpse into who you are and how you can grow in your relationship with God. So, our group leaders decided we were ready for a weekend in the wilderness.

Never before has a weekend getaway felt so much like going home. It started Saturday after Jason lovingly dropped me off in the Powell Church parking lot at 8:00 in the morning. Eleven ladies from my small group were going on a retreat. Besides a sparse packing list (including sleeping bag/pillow, jeans and comfy shoes) we weren't given any other itinerary. After all the cars were packed and passengers loaded, we headed west out of town. It's exhilarating to take a trip without knowing the destination. This symbolic part of our journey did not go unnoticed. Lesson 1: You don't always know where God is going to take you. Approximately two hours later, we arrived at Smokey Mountain Christian Camp. These are the group leaders (left to right: Nicole and Janiece). They have done the study before and have truly embraced their roles as group leaders. They tried to maximize every moment of our experience this weekend, from the car ride to the campfire. After unpacking, we decided it was lunch time and set up our picnic in the floating gazebo across the lake from the cabin.

From left to right: Vicki, Nicole, Janiece, Heather, Andrea, Lynda, Anne, Me, Laura, Talisyn and Shelva. They are all very sweet women who are also seeking a stronger relationship with God. They also love to laugh and eat, which makes for my kind of company.

This was our bunk house. It could sleep eighteen and had four showers, four toilets and two window air conditioning units. Needless to say, we were actually quite cozy.

Andrea and I decided to take the canoe out for a spin. I'm not sure either one of us have any future as a coxswain (kok-suhn) but we managed to make it back to the shore without falling in.

We had to rendevous at the mess hall at one o'clock. Here we met Billy who runs the grounds, preaches at a local church and drives a school bus during the week. He did some "getting to know you" activities and gave us a pep talk about David and Goliath. Lesson 2: In order to slay your giants, you have to be willing to face them head on and know that God is in your corner. After our pow wow, we headed for the T-swing. Basically it's a rope suspended between two very tall trees. You get harnessed in, pulled all the way up to the top of the pendulum and then you have to let go. Lesson 3: In order for you to truly obey God's will, you must let go and embrace that you are no longer the one in control of your life.

All the women there were so courageous and maybe a tad nervous about me being pregnant and free falling/swinging 40 feet in the air. Whenever baby KP gets here, (s)he'll be happy to know they had quite an adventurous ride.

After we survived the T-swing, our leaders gave us two hours to spend time alone. I, of course, had to hike around the lake and spend time basking in a field while soaking in a perfectly delightful breeze. I have never spent so much uninterrupted time with God. I know He was giving each of us a huge hug all afternoon. Lesson 4: God is always there, sometimes we're too busy or distracted to notice. I would also like to add, I feel the closest to God when I am in nature.

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth." (Psalms 96: 11-13)

After dinner, we headed down to the campfire. We all had to bring a list of people we need to forgive. I'll just tell you the top person on my list was me. Lesson 5: Without God, I truly am my own worst enemy. Anyone who wanted to share their list could and then we each threw our list into the fire. Lesson 6: In order to truly love like Christ, you must truly forgive and learn to love others--even those who have hurt you. At the campfire we chatted, sang some songs and ate Smoreos. What's a Smoreo you ask? First, you unsandwich the Oreo, then you toast your marsh mellow and lastly you put it all together with a piece of chocolate in the middle. Although it was a beautiful night, I had to turn in at eleven.

After breakfast, we had about 45 minutes to squeeze in one last devotional. I spent my time in this worn rocking chair that had a perfect view of the sun coming up over the lake. I decided to read the book of Esther since my greatest challenge will be mustering up the courage to sacrifice my selfishness and insecurities in order to live out my purpose. It was an incredible weekend. I truly pray that each of you can experience God the way I did this weekend. Lesson 7: I am blessed.
Chester had his own retreat this weekend and Gamma and Grandpa's. He got to play ball all the time, wrestle with his best bud, Ozzie, and sniff Sassyie's...well, let's just say he had fun.