A Note from Joyce

I hope that 3rd time is a charm, because this is my 3rd time trying to complete this blog.  We were asked to give our WEEKEND GET AWAY WHERE WE COULD GET CLOSE TO GOD.
I did not get the true experience of what the RETREAT meant to me until my GRANDSON asked me "WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE RETREAT". At 1st I said, "It was good".  Then I got to think about it. "What would GOD have for me?"  It didn't take long.  What do I love? (This was answered many times) I love being with people and talking about GOD. I did very much. God provided me with some very close new friends.  This was truly wonderful.  Also, I love to walk. This covered the whole weekend, starting on Friday night in the NIGHT WALK.  This was outstanding. Even though it was cold, it didn't seem to matter.  Being able to see in the dark, being near everyone, hearing people's comments, having someone we had to trust to know that he would not lead us to get lost or to stumble was truly satisfying. It was certainly a reflection of how we MUST trust in GOD, since HE is the only one we can trust to put our lives in. Since I am an early riser and just don't like laying around and doing nothing, naturally, I went for a walk.  It was beautiful.  Going in the same area from the night before and seeing ,in the daylight, the actual beauty of the rocks and trees was overwhelming. Since I couldn't walk on the same path as the night before, I saw a wider path. Thinking to myself, (I am going to stay on the wide path, so I don't get lost) It was so beautiful with the purple flowers than yellow flowers. It was just simply breathtaking.  Than I saw a sign saying PRAYER WALK. I thought to myself, (I will take this 1, Certainly they wont allow you to get lost on a PRAYER WALK).  So I went walking, but what do I find but a dead end.  I took a side path and found a PRAYER WALK sign and continued to follow the path. Where did this lead me but to a water crossing. It was not deep, it had branches and rocks in it.  If it were summer, I would have gladly taken it. But it was cold, I have hurt myself several times in the past year and debated on trying it.  I have been BLESSED WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FAITH. However, I guess I chose the common sense thing and turned around. When I got back and was telling people about this, Jessica was the only 1 that asked me, " Did I cross the water?" She stated that Several times. It got me to thinking, WHY DIDN'T I CROSS THE WATER? I KNEW I COULD. The next time, I will do it unless they have it closed off, like the other place that was closed.  In finishing this walk, there was 1x that I thought I was really lost. I thought about calling PAM, but instead continued to ask GOD to guide me. As you can see, GOD helped me to find my way back. Sunday morning the same thing.  I was up before everyone, so naturally I got my things together and left for another walk.  Here I found the BIG PRAYER SIGN and walked to it.  It was absolutely a beautiful area where you could see 3 crosses standing there and their reflection in the water.  It was very thought provoking. Then I walked in another direction and found water flowing like a small waterfall. Other things that I love is doing something different.  Thanks to Megan I have a video of me zip lining. that was sooo much fun. Thanks to Shannon, I did the craft which I had never done. As soon as I saw the picture, I knew I had to do it.  I love it.  I also love to volunteer.  I am no seamstress, but found ways that I could be of help. To put the icing on the cake, "The emotion and sincerity through the singing and speakers topped it all.  It truly made for an awesome experience in which GOD FOUND A WAY FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO APPRECIATE ALL THE HANDIWORK OF THE PEOPLE WHO ALLOWED GOD TO LEAD THEM IN THIS BLESSED EXPERIENCE.