Sometimes I Write

I was unusually late. I’m always the first to arrive when we meet for our study. In my defense, I had to run to the store for a few items the group had forgotten. My expectations for our mini-retreat were high and I was not disappointed. I’ve had several friends ask me how it went, and all I could do was respond with a smile and a sigh and say, “All women should have a group like that!”

We arrived at Kristi’s parent’s house Saturday evening and chatted a bit before ordering in Chinese food. We ate and talked and laughed. There was a lot of catching up to do since we hadn’t met for two whole weeks! 😉 We shared our stories and our lives until 1:30 a.m. It was awesome. Paula and I slept on opposite ends of a comfortable sectional couch so we actually stayed up chatting even later by ourselves. Wouldn’t you?

Sunday morning Wendy and I made breakfast casserole and prepared fresh fruit while Abi and Kristi went for a run. (I’d rather cook which is why they are skinny and I am… not.) I think Paula was getting ready for the day – I can’t remember. After breakfast we all did our own thing for a bit and a neighbor stopped by to see why there were so many cars parked in front of Kristi’s parent’s house while they were supposed to be in Arizona. It was funny, yet very sweet of her to watch out for her friends like that.

We finished up our Captivating book and discussion and Wendy had a few treats planned for us. First she played a song for us that makes her think of our group. The song is “Suddenly I See” and was featured in the opening sequence of the movie, The Devil Wears Prada. Abi posted the lyrics and a bunch of pictures from the retreat on her blog, so go check it out. Keep in mind that we were at a retreat and not trying to look our best for the camera. 😉 Nice disclaimer huh? (I hate my pictures) THEN, Wendy brought out cute little origami baskets she had made for each of us (eat your heart out Martha!) filled with foot spa stuff. She gave the four of us pedicures! Abi posted a picture of Wendy working on my tattooed foot – the best picture of me on her post! haha We all shared our birth stories – something we decided all mothers have the need to do, discussed our favorite books and authors, and laid our heart’s burdens out before each other. We divulged secrets, and laughed until our sides hurt. We began our group just six short months ago, but I can honestly say these women are counted among my closest friends – as you could probably tell since I post about them so much. I marvel at the fact that we are so different yet love each other so deeply. We are for each other, and for coming to God together with and for each other. We ended our retreat surrounding Wendy in prayer.

I commented to Abi that when we moved here I had asked God to give me friends I could be “REAL” with and He blessed me more abundantly than I could have imagined or hoped for…He gave me these women – Paula, Wendy, Kristi, and Abi. Suddenly I see…this is what I wanna be!