Sunday, February 19, 2006

A nice, relaxing, beautiful retreat...

... With 80 teenagers and 20 adults.

Our annual Prayer Retreat up at Merritt Island. It was really good. Javier did a great job with worship as usual. And, inadvertently gave me my next book title.

Are you curious?

Yeah? You should be. It's a great! title.

Here it is...

Psych!

I don't know what number prayer retreat this one made for me and Tony. I think the first one was in '92. Maybe the fall of '91. Neither Tony nor I can remember.

But, anyhoo, these are always GREAT retreats. We shouldn't be, but we are always amazed at the gentle beauty of God moving among us. We've had some dynamic retreats - kids out in the Spirit, crying, laughing, getting free, being touched by Love.

We've had retreats where He came in a soft whisper.

This one turned outward. It was about the kids, but also about the world around them. It was the first time ever the kids talked and prayed for friends and family, for God to come and transform our city.

It felt like we crossed up to a new level.

I also had a break through moment with Ezra, my grandbaby. Well, not biologically, but by heart. He's almost two and calls Tony and me, Opa and Oma.

Ez was walking with his parents and turned around to see me coming. He called out, "Oma." Yay! I ended up watching him for the next hour. And by the end, he patted his chest and said, "Ezra." Then patted my leg and said, "Oma."

And drat, his parents are moving this year and taking Ezra and his baby brother with them. So not fair. But, cannot stand in the way of the Lord.

Tomorrow we head out to Tallahassee for a few days.

It's spring break season in Florida. The days are beautiful. Simply beautiful.

Peace.

3 comments:

Heather Diane Tipton said...

sounds like you had a great time. I'm glad.

Awww on being called Oma

Will H. Donaldson Family said...

Tell them all in "Tally": "Hi! Numbers 6:24!" for me ok? Have a great trip!

Ame said...

Wow . . . a prayer retreat sounds so inviting right now!

I had a moment like yours with Ezra once many years ago. My friend's son took his first steps to ME! He was born during a difficult time in my life and instantly became very precious to me. So that he took his first steps to ME made the moment even more special. (And thankfully he was my friend's third child so she wasn't jealous :)