Back at home/Retreat Part 2

Monday dawned bright and clear, but it wasn't long before the reality check set in... Doesn't that seem to be the way it happens sometimes after being gone for vacation or a few days away? Clogged sinks, unpacking, mounds of laundry, and a "not so well" husband (he's been having problems with his legs due to the diabetes). The pieces in my neat little package were definitely wiggling, but it's OK. I'm not complaining. As much as I enjoyed myself at the retreat, I was very excited and ready to see my family after being gone for three days!

Sarah Fry touched on this subject of life in the real world the first night of the retreat. She said, "God has created cycles and seasons and He doesn't intend for everything to be perfect." And... "when we think we have it all together, we may be leaving God out of the picture."

I admit, I'm one who likes to have my ducks all in a row.... but since that doesn't happen very often, I guess I might as well find some enjoyment in the chaos! Ha!

On Sat. afternoon of the retreat, Valerie Quesenberry spoke on the topic "Touching My Sister- Connecting Through Technology". She had so many neat thoughts on the subject. The one I liked the best was: Bloggers have a higher education than average. :+) We may not have thought of it in this light before, but blogging is the back fence of the 21st century. Even though, blogging and e-mail will never replace face to face relationships, these are ways to be connected. There's no doubt about it, women need connection! I can relate, because I have certainly enjoyed catching up with old friends and some of my distant family via the bloggerworld. Along the way, I'll probably be "dropping" some of the new blogging words Valerie left with us, but for now I'd better take her advice and..... "Keep it short". (I think I already failed on that one.)

More photos:
Photo 1: First Night Sharing and Prayer Time

Photo 2: Session Speaker: Valerie Quesenberry

Photo 2: A snapshot of Melissa Gresham receiving a hug from Ruth Dotson.

Photo 4: Lorena Glick and Me

My Sister's World!!! Weekend Retreat 2008

I just returned home from a Women of Worth retreat in Marengo, OH. I went with two area pastor's wives. I'm really glad it worked out for me to be able to go. The theme was so fitting... My Sister's World! I came away feeling a much stronger sense of connection to my sisters in Christ! I left there knowing, more than ever, that it's OK to be "me"- to be real! I have a renewed vision for making the most out of those imperfect situations which happen in my life. I want to host CeLeBrAtIoNs! as often as possible for the strengths of my sisters. I'm pumped!!! Can't you tell? It happens everytime I go to retreat!
Yeah, I know, tomorrow's Monday and probably sooner, rather than later, the rubber will be meeting my road, at full speed ahead... All of this will be easier said than done! But we have been equipped with some awesome challenges and inspiring concepts, and I really hope to "take heed to the things which I have heard, lest at any time I let them slip". They are too good to let them slip away!
I will probably be blogging more about this throughout the week, but for now, here are some pics.

Photo 1: Beautiful Multipurpose Facility at the Heartland Retreat Center.

Photo 2: This Mother/Daughter Duo was outstanding as the speakers for the convention. They are Sheila Wolfe and Sarah Fry.

Photo 3: We enjoyed a concert by the Keeling family on Sat. night. I love to hear Randy's testimony. I'm glad he shared it again.

Photo 4: Here I am with one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world, Barb Brock (former missionary to Papua New Guinea... Barb spoke on Sat. about "Communicating With (Our Sisters) By Phone/Mail"

Just an Update...

I have about 5 minutes. Just thought I'd update my blog. Lately, my family has experienced quite a shake up in our schedules. We're finding out what it's like to have a working teenager in our home. It is fun and crazy all at the same time! Add to the mix the fact that this week she's to take her second and final segment of driver's ed. We were trying to find time this week just to have her fitted with a dress for a wedding she's to be in next month, and we had one small time slot this evening. Thankfully, it all worked out and that is now done.
I am to start working the morning shift at Joanns next week. I'm looking forward to that. I have worked second shift for over two years, so this will be different. We're trying to work in a lot of other things, and yet the need for taking time for each other is something I cherish as high priority. Some things can wait, you know!
I really enjoyed Mother's Day. Our service was a special one.
I missed my Mom, and thought of her alot. I did enjoy talking with her on the phone. She had my grandparents to her place for dinner. I told her I would have fixed dinner for her, had we been together. I think I feel more blessed with each passing year for such a caring, loving Mother of character.
Amber prepared most of our dinner. It was SO delicious!
The dessert of Low Fat Cheese Danish was awesome!
I sat with my coffee and savored every bite!
AND I didn't feel guilty after it was all over. Ha!
See recipe below.

My Mother's Day gift this year might seem kind of peculiar, but I'm so thrilled over it!! Dan and Amber went in together and got me a tennis racquet. Amber has been expressing an interest in tennis playing. She never had played before. They gave me the gift last Thurs. We live really close to a park with a nice court, so we went out and played Fri. and Sat. It was a blast!! It was wonderful to spend one on one time with Amber- especially in the midst of her busy schedule lately. I played tennis alot in my teens. Needless, to say, I would be embarrased for most ANYONE to see me play now. But maybe some practice will help. It was so much FUN!

Here's the recipe. Maybe someone else will enjoy it too.

Cheese Danish
3 Tbls. Sugar, 3 tsp. Cinnamon
5 (6 or 7") flour tortillas
Non Stick Cooking Spray
1 c. cold skim milk
1 pkg. (4 oz.)Vanilla Fat Free/Sugar Free instant pudding
1 (8 oz.) light cream cheese (softened)
2 cups thawed Cool Whip (Lite)
1 square Baker's semi-sweet choc. (1 oz.)

Combine sugar and cinnamon. Spray tortilla shells lightly with cooking spray. Sprinkle both sides of each tortilla shell with sugar and cinnamon mixture. Cut each tortilla into 4 wedges. Stand round edge of tortilla in bottom of muffin cup (muffin cup pan). Bake 5-10 min. at 350* until barely golden. Cool in pan. (This should cause tortillas to form somewhat of a cupped form.) I placed a photo below.
Pour milk into large bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat at low speed with mixer for 2 min. Beat in cream cheese at med. speed until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping. Refrigerate until chilled- at least one hour. When ready to serve, fill each shell with 3 Tbls. pudding mixture. Microwave choc. on high for 1 min. Drizzle choc. over desserts.

Fat: 3.5 grams (which means you can have TWO! ;-)
Calories: 90
20 servings