Friday, September 17, 2010

Friday's Fave Five #106






I'm glad it's Friday, and time to participate in Friday's Fave Five. Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts this wonderful meme that encourages us to look back on our week and share five highlights.

1. The highlight of my week was my trip to Coldwater, MO, to participate in a women's retreat. We stayed at one of my friend's brother's hunting cabins DEEP in the woods.  I don't think I have ever been farther back in the woods ... as the old saying goes, "we were so far back in the woods, even the hoot owls don't hoot."

We drove a narrow path through some trees for what seemed miles:



until we arrived at an A-frame cabin surrounded by rocks, lots and lots of rocks:
It had a screened front porch that was awesome. Yes, it had sattelite TV!  (We didn't watch it, though.) Also, if you can see it, there was a BBQ grill mounted outside the porch.  You just opened back the screen, and there is your cookspace!

We slept on beds tucked up under the eaves.  During the night, it rained steadily. The raindrops hitting the metal roof lulled us into a deep sleep. 


The next day was beautiful.  I went down to the pond to take some photos. (You know how I love to take photos of water!)



I sat on the dock and took my shoes off and splashed in the water ... pond water is cold!  My feet turned blue!


They had a fish feeder in the pond.  They also had some big catfish.  One girl caught a catfish that was just huge.  The owner of the property said it was probably the grandaddy of the pond.



It was a lovely relaxing time.

2.  Even better, we had wonderful times of sharing the word and praise and worship.  Our new friend, Sister Barbara, shared with us a message Friday evening on being bruised.  Her key scripture was Luke 4:18:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,



I was priviledged to share a devotional Saturday on being careful what you say when trials come.  You can read my devotional here. All things considered, it was a great weekend getaway that didn't last nearly long enough.
 
3.  Coming home:  No matter how much I enjoy a trip away, I'm always glad to get back to my little nest. There's no place like home. I'm kind of excited because I'm  ready to get out my fall decor and do a little nest-fluffing.
 
4.  A leisurely week:  This week was wonderful in that I had no extra meetings, no deadlines at work, nothing extra crowding my schedule.  I was able to blog everyday!
 
5. Quote of the week:  Remember that you are not called to produce successful, upwardly mobile, highly educated, athletically talented machines...Giving your children great opportunities is good; it is not, however, the goal of parenting. Christlikeness is. Above all, seek to raise children who look and act a lot like Jesus. ~ Chip Ingram (I saw this on Karen’s Surviving Motherhood blog)


Definitely food for thought ...
 
If you'd like to link up with the other FFF crew, visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

16 comments:

  1. Sounds like a real 'retreat'! Far from everyone else, and full of friendship, renewal, and fun! Glad to hear your devotional went well!

    I haven't had a chance to do much blog reading (or writing) this week, so I guess it will take me a bit longer than usual to catch up with you! Glad you've had a quiet week....we all need that once in awhile.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your retreat sounds and looks fantastic. What a blessing! But yes, it is always nice to come home. Love the quote. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A hunting cabin deep in the woods, wow! What an awesome week. I so enjoyed reading your faves.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your retreat sounds heavenly. I love that BBQ grill! And there's no better lullaby than rain on the roof. I'm glad you had a good time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well it sounds like you had a real good time out in the wild. LOL with a sattelite tv and deluxe Grill right outside the window! Coming home is always good. I'm glad you had a more relaxed week, too. Love the quote!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your retreat sounds like fun. I love getting away to cabins this time of year. This is our first year not to go (started Dave Ramsey classes - lol).

    Here is my blog if interested in reading.

    http://mymellowpages.blogspot.com/

    Thanks. Sonya

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, just the thought of a cabin out back in the deep woods is enticing as it sounds but I can imagine the rain on the tin roof as I read on. That is some retreat you went away for.

    Yes getting back home and safe is a bonus.

    My blog reading and writing has been a big zero this week. I was a blog a day except weekends and then my daughter needed me to stay with her in hospital this week. I missed blogging and reading but I couldn't be in two places at once.
    I hope your weekend is as relaxed

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful week you had! Looks like a great place to stay! No matter how wonderful the trip, it's always good to come home afterwards and enjoy your own home isn't it? I feel the same!
    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love that quote and I say a hearty "Amen" to that. Thanks for the reminder, it's so easy to get caught up in all of that.

    The retreat sounds like it was great. I love being around water too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love going out on retreats, that looks like a fun place to be. Its always good to get as well though.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, this retreat sounds lovely. Looks like it was a real blessing. How nice.

    I'm going to look up Surviving Motherhood -- love that quote!

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ah, your retreat sounds wonderful! I am going away next weekend, and I need the time so very, very much. Thanks for whetting my appetite even more. *grin*

    I'm glad you liked that quote!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The place for the retreat sounds perfect! I love hidden spots.

    In fact, it sounds like the whole weekend was great. And your week, too. Isn't it nice when you have weeks like that?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful retreat Jerralea! Like your quote too....

    Thanks for stopping over...hope you get a yellow table!

    love, kelee

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ohhhhh I just KNEW your retreat was going to be wonderful! That is JUST the kind I'm looking for! I'm certain I can find one without going all the way to Missouri! I just have some other stuff I've gotta get through first...

    You had a GREAT week!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting! I consider each comment a gift.