A few weeks ago today I boarded a plane for Arkansas headed to Sister Camp with D'Wana Villines.
You should probably check out her site here after you are done reading this, of course. I don't "go" to these camps/retreats as a camper. I go to teach and serve so this trip was a little different for me. I was going to "go" AND teach, which really, now that I think about it, all of the other camps and retreats I have either taught at or have hosted, I could have done both, but I never allowed myself. Okay, that is not true either, because as I type this out, 9 times out of 10, when I return home, I always have felt like I have received more than I have given. NOTE: I contradict myself a lot, in a good way. I guess by typing this all out, I can see how I have received even when I haven't be intentional about it.
Intentional....possibly my word for 2018.
Anyways, the way I knew for sure that I was relaxed and receiving more than I ever had was because in the midst of a really BIG storm, with constant "warnings coming over our cell phones" I took a nap.
NOTE: Taking that nap in the midst of a giant storm was a HUGE growth indicator for me in a few different ways. It was the BIGGEST storm I have EVER been in and even though my knees were a little wobbly at times, I was constantly assured that we were fine even AFTER getting a "Take Shelter Immediately" warning. Maybe they were all a little nervous too but I didn't see it and I thank them for hiding it if they were.
Taking a nap in the middle of a huge storm is TRUST.
Yep, I disappeared off into my cozy bed and took a nap, not to mention, the SECOND nap of that day. I was trusting that we were going to be fine and because I was trusting, I was resting, restoring and refueling. THAT is a huge part of what Sister Camp is about and what D'Wana and her team provide to the ladies that come to Sister Camp. Just typing about this all makes me relaxed enough to go take a nap!
So ya know how they say, what happens __________ (wherever you are) stays _________________ (wherever you are) but I have to tell you about the amazing coziness of the lodge we stayed at, the awesome new "sisters" I have and the over the top food that was so lovingly prepared by Naomi and her mom, Shannon. (I don't usually use the word "lovingly" but it totally was!) and I was so busy eating that I did not take very many pictures!
At one point, the storm had passed (or at least we thought it had..) and we all ran out onto the deck and took pictures like we had never taken a photo in our lives...and then, out of nowhere, the storm came right back. I think it must had just refueled because it did not stop until we left at 10 am on Sunday morning.
Like I said, I was eating (well, and stitching and napping) so I did not take that many photos but managed to get this one. This is our group, taken by me and the long arms that God gave me in order to get a group selfie. #builtinselfiesticksasarms
and a group photo where you can get a little look at the coziness of the lodge
Thank you to D'Wana & her husband Scotty, Naomi and Shannon, Lisa & Donna and all of my new sisters for such an amazing time of sistering and gathering. There is something amazing that happens when you gather together that words just cannot explain except to say that Jesus shows up every.single.time. To have a community of Jesus lovin' creatives (or what some refer to as a tribe) is really important for us to have in our lives. Like the other camps and retreats, woman come in from all over not knowing one another and leave as friends. D'Wana offers a sacred space to gather and God brings all those are supposed to be at the table together. It is a beautiful thing to witness and receive.