Calvary Chapel Chino Hills Women's Retreat

So thankful for my friends!


This past weekend I went to my first Women's
Retreat with my church. The theme of the
weekend was "Blossoming in the Desert" and we
learned that we are either in a desert
experience, have been in one or will be
in one. We learned that desert experiences
(spiritually speaking) can be so hard (dry,
harsh, painful) but there is much to be learned
from them. We also were reminded that God is
the Living Water and wants to pour out His love to
all those who are thirsty. The teacher for the
weekend was Debbie Bryson and she was an amazing
Bible teacher. She knew her stuff, but knows her
God even more! I love that in people!!! You
can tell she is walking in the path that God
has chosen for her.

I was so blessed by the teachings and fellowship.
It was fun to hang out and room with friends, meet
new women and talk about God's truths with eachother.
My wonderful husband, Tommy, had my boys for ANOTHER
weekend while I was away! He is so good about that!!!
I am so thankful for his support.

A few points I want to highlight:
1. A desert is a passage: don't get stuck there.
2. When you're in the desert, look UP. Keep our
eyes on Jesus and our problems will be put in
perspective.
3. Have patience; James 1:2-4 says "Consider it
pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because you know that the testing
of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance
must finish its work so that you may be mature
and complete, not lacking anything."
**Remember: Joy is different than happiness.
Happenings are connected to Happiness, but
JOY is disconnected: JOY is much deeper.
4. Trials are called: the testing of your faith.
Faith is what is at stake!
5. Make sure God's Word is ABIDING IN you.
You'll need it.
6. Never forget that you are not the only one
in the desert.
7. Biggest temptation in trials from Satan
will be not to trust in God and to try to take
care of it ourselves.
8. Love is linked to joy. We need love, we
were created to love (God first, then people)
9. It's the pressures of life that PRESS you
into the PROMISES of God.

I could write a ton more, but this is it for
now. God loves us more than we can fathom
and I was so thankful to spend a weekend
learning more about His Word.

God Bless You!



My roomies for the weekend: 6 women in one room!
So much fun!! (Nail our "deserts" to the Cross!)