Going on a Retreat

As of six oclock tonight I'm off to a weekend prayer retreat. Looking forward to no kids, no chores, no cooking and a weekend of prayer, meditation and hopefully insight <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

wow Evie...I am jealous! Let us all know how it goes. I have never been on one, but would love to.

Please mention your good old buddy here when praying, won't you?

the weekend was totally awesome....absolutely nothing like I expected it to be....instead of talking about how to pray, types of prayer, etc. we focussed on building a relationship with God first, then developing a prayer life. Relationships were explored through the theme of Genesis, and what was originally intended to be our relationship with God. We did have prayer exercises and meditations, and a "creativity center" - a table with markers, paints, plasticine - so we could get creative and work on whatever. I wrote a poem. Those who wished to share their creations did so at the closing service.

And........the food was fabulous - red pepper soup for lunch, homemade buns, cinammon rolls for breakfast, chicken and home made potatoe wedges....hmmmmmmmmmm.....I ate my way through the weekend <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Evie,
this just sounds so wonderful! If you get the time, I would love to hear more about the program you had, in detail. So, if you get the time and can/will/want to, email me here at home. I think you have my email.

will do - if I haven't got back to you by Wednesday, remind me ok? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Evie, sounds like a perfect get-a-way to me. There is definitely something life changing about spiritual encounters with women.

Has anyone in here ever attended a Women of Faith conference? All women fill entire convention centers in big cities to listen to music, sing along with music, listen to faithful women share their stories, and be moved by the Holy Spirit. It's awesome. Oh, and they also have an opportunity to shop for books, music, t-shirts, etc, that the speakers have written and designed. And of course there is time to eat thrown in too. Sound great or what?

Ahhh, there's an idea. Maybe we could all meet at one of those. Check out their web site and see what you think, www.womenoffaith.com.

I'm praying the day will come when we have a boomerwomenspeak convention, but until, maybe this is a thought. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

As a matter of fact I have heard of them and visit their website weekly. I also get their newsletter. I have had several emails back and forth with Thelma Wells, one of their speakers and she is simply a dear. I also entered their contest to put a caption with their picture and if I win (keep your fingers crossed)I will get two free tickets to one of their speaking engagements. My girlfriend has been to three of them and she says they are awesome and promised to take me next time. Hey...maybe I'll be taking her if I win, heh? If you write to Thelma, be sure and tell her I sent you! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Wow, you correspond with Thelma Wells? I'm impressed. Jawjaw, I think you would love those conventions. I could see you up with them there doing your thing! They are very fun women, very faithful, and warm.

I would love to go to a Women of Faith conference, or something similar that is "large" like that, since most retreats I get to are small, and close by here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> Unfortunately, they are always pretty far away from here, translate to pretty expensive to attend at the moment - but who knows, maybe someday.........I'd like to get to a writers conference someday too........and I'd like to travel to England and Scotland.....and I'd like....ooopps, getting off topic..... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

Evie,
Continue on with your dreams. I like reading about everyone's dreams and believe me, they are not so different from my own. We all have them, and I am a firm believer in three things

***Ask and you will receive
***Believe it will happen
***Give thanks when it does

I hope to meet you and the rest of the girls at the Boomer Women's conference in the future and maybe...just maybe we can all plan a retreat somewhere! Wouldn't that be great? Okay...I didn't mean at my house. That would require cleaning...no, I said no. Don't even ask. Hey...I jut had a thought...what about Dotsie's? After all, she is responsible for all of us getting together, am I right? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

You're absolutely correct about dreams - I know that I have done things that I wouldn't have thought possible years ago - not on a grand scale, mind but dreams are dreams, little or small <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

hmmm - gathering at Dotsies..........Dotsie, you could have a giant candle party then, think of the hostess gift <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

I'm a dreamer too, (with God on my side!) and I find surprises almost every single day. It's called grace. We just have to make ourselves aware of it!

I am reading way too many books right now, but one I just started is, WHat's SO AMazing About Grace (I think that's the title). It's by Yancey. I have a feeling it's going to be a winner. Anyone read it? I'll let you know more as I get into it.

I tell you what, if you all would travel here, I'd be more than happy to have you and plan a fun weekend. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I have a couple dreams ladies that I am working on behind the scenes.

One is to get the book club more organized, which is coming soon, I promise.

Another is to local chapters of boomerwomenspeak so women can build community and share our stories, lives, gifts, talents, etc.

And, I want to have a boomerwomenspeak convention with Jawjaw as our first official guest speaker. What do you think of those dreams?

I just want to say thank you to everyone that has made this possible...and oh yes...I want world peace.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

All kidding aside. These women in here, in my opinion, are the ROCK of this forum and Dotsie, I know you agree. They contribute almost daily, care about each other, and give hugs, encouragement and love generously to anyone who needs it on any given day.

Lots of these women email each other outside of this board and continue and grow their mentoring/friendship with each other. And let's not forget sharing our faith with each other as well.

ALL OF THIS STARTED BECAUSE THIS WOMEN----DOTSIE----had faith and a dream. Look what this ONE person has done? Amazing, isn't it? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Now she is talking about forming chapters of BWS...does life get any better than this? I think not.

If all of this doesn't make her THE BOOMER MAMMA, or the GRAND BOOMER, or THE BIG BOOMER, I don't know what will, eh?

Anybody got any suggestions for her title?

While this is great and she has given us all so much, I do forget to say THANK YOU to Dotsie for all of her hard work and friendship, so I am saying it now...THANKS GIRL...Your the best. Take a bow... See you at the conference <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

THUNDER BOOMER <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />

RE: What's So Amazing about Grace? haven't read it yet, but I have read Reaching for the Invisible God by Yancey, and Where is God When it Hurts (I think thats the title....) - I love Phillip Yancey, the way he writes - let me know what you think of the one you're reading.

I Kind of like Boomer Momma. Would she get a fun hat and cape to go with the title?

Okay ladies, I just saw all this for the first time...where have I been. I don't like missing posts. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

JJ, thanks for all the kind words about this forum. It's amazing what God can do when you tune in to His station! Trust me, that's all it is. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Candice, a hat and a cape to go with Boomer Momma? I could only imagine what you and JJ would come up with! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

ALso, Phillip Yancy is going to be in a book store in DC. It's about an hour away, well longer depending on that horrific traffic. I don't think I can take the time to see him, but if he was any closer I sure would.