Women of Grace Retreat

A couple of weekends ago I attended our church's womens retreat. I went up expecting to receive something from the Lord, and I surely did. I really enjoyed the drive up Palomar Mountain with my sister in law, Natalie and sweet friend from church, Erika. It was a really beautiful day. When we got to the Palomar Christian Conference Center, I just loved the grounds and the rooms were big and the bathroom bigger. Erika and I shared a bunk...been awhile since I have done that.

The food was so good! I couldn't believe just how good! It was a great first night thanks to Mary, our Pastor's wife, and hearing her testimony...along with pictures of our Pastor in his earlier years. So funny! I didn't sleep too well, in that bunk, but I have definitely had much worse nights. We got up early for prayer and that was a sweet kiss from the Lord.



Erika and I decided to go on our very first horseback ride. At this point, I was really missing my husband and children. It was getting cold, and I just don't do cold. My SIL kept telling me how sore I would be, but Erika would not let me give up and off we went to get on a horse. Let me tell you that I can't believe I waited almost 36 years to do this! My horse's name was Hank, and being able to have control over him, like holding the reigns myself, was truly awesome! I had expected someone to be walking him while on the trail, I guess. Anyway, I had also expected the trail to be flat, even, and on some paved road. It is beautiful out there to begin with, so this did not seem like a bad idea. God's idea is always better. Within the first 2 minutes they had the horses climbing up a very rocky hill. We went through the forest and were among such beautiful scenery. We also were able to ride along an area next to the Center that had been burned by the recent firestorms. It was eery, but beautiful at the same time. My horse had no problems trotting when it should walk, and I got a taste of something I would love to do more of! I told Tim that I want a horsie for Christmas!

Then add to my already wonderful time, it started to snow just before one of our sessions. It was absolutely gorgeous! I know I said I don't do cold, but that kind of cold, I will be open to anytime! There is just nothing like it and I spent the weekend really enjoying some of the beauty the Lord has for us here on earth.

So, I went expecting some special 'message' from God...I had thought possibly from the speaker, however, I received it from the horse's mouth and from the weather...God wants me to be still and know that He is God. I just need to take time to spend enjoying all the wonderful things he has made for me, us. I just need to not feel guilty for not cleaning the garage out every month. It is ok for me to want to just relax under a tree and do nothing. That is a message I am really, really, liking! Now to actually listen....

My Special Date With Walker

I had a date with Walker prior to Tim's neurosurgeon appointment the other day. Walker had really been such a pleasure to be around the days before, and I really wanted to reward him for his good behavior. He talks often about how he is going to take his wife on '25 dates' when they get married. Tim and I try and take Friday night dates when we can, so I think this is where he gets his ideas. Anyway, I got this $5 coupon/giftcard in the mail for Build A Bear Workshop and decided to take Walker there for his treat. He got dressed up and so did I.

We held hands at 10am as we went up the escalator to the store. It was nice to be the 2nd ones in. He is a cheap date, and picked a $10 bear. He kissed the bear's heart and said a prayer over it. He pressed the stuffing pad with precision. He takes this stuff pretty seriously. He made sure to use each brush at the 'grooming' section. Now comes the not so cheap date part...the clothes. I told him that he could have a shirt for the bear. "But, Mom, he has to have pants!" Well, of course the stuffed bear has to have pants, but the skinny jeans, Walker? He convinced me that the bear had to look like him so the skinny jeans were the closest match to the color of jeans he was wearing. He decided to name his bear 'Walker'. So original.

We took a little walk around the mall to kill time, and he asked me, "Mom, where are we going?" "To Old Navy," I replied. "But that's not a date!" Well, to me it is! He let me get away with it. We then met Daddy for the doctor appointment and Walker was sure to remind us when it was over that it isn't a date unless we go out to eat. He picked Rubio's. Good date food. Tim, Walker, and I had such a nice date together. I love having one on one time with my children. It truly makes my heart grow fonder for them when I have that time to spend alone with each one, getting to REALLY know them.

It brings me to a thought: It is just like us with our Heavenly Father. He really loves spending that one on one time with us. It gives him a chance to really get to know us, too. Reach out to Him today.

Jesus Died For YOU!

THIRD DAY LYRICS

"I've Always Loved You"

"I don't know how to explain it
But I know that words will hardly do
Miracles with signs and wonders
Aren't enough for me to prove to you

Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will

Greater love has not a man
Than the one who gives his life to prove
That he would do anything
And that's what I'm going to do for you"


Be encouraged by the fact that you only need to believe in Him, in Jesus. You only need to believe that he died for your sins on the cross 2000 years ago, and rose again, so that you could have everlasting life along with him. All you need to do is ask him to come into your heart, forgive your sins, and you will go to heaven and spend eternity with Him. What glory, what comfort, what peace we have in the knowledge that he will take us as we are today. Don't let this moment slip away!

Dear Diary,

Tim met with his neurosurgeon last week. Tim and I really like and trust this doctor. He said he thinks that trying the neurostimulator is a good thing and just doing the trial is his suggestion. This way Tim would know that either it helped or did not help and could move on to the next thing if not. He will be seeing yet another doctor for another opinion...this will be the 3rd, I think. Tim hasn't quite decided if he will try it yet or not, but we do value this doctor's opinion. Right now we have some other very pressing family matters going on, and they come first.

I did have a really fun time that morning before the appointment. Walker had been such a good boy a few days before and I had asked him if he wanted to go on a 'special date', just him and Mommy. He jumped at the chance and we went on our date the morning of Tim's appointment. I will post about that next....

Thank you for your prayers.

My Reminder

OK, it has been awhile. I know. This is a reminder to self:

Post about Tim's latest appt. with his neurosurgeon.

Post about my 'special' date with Walker.

Post about my realization this morning, regarding obedience to the Lord.

Post about the retreat. Natalie and I are going to one this weekend.

Thanks for checking in. I will try to update next week! I may even get wild and post some pictures. WOOHOO!

Dear Diary,

Tim met with a pain management specialist this past Wednesday. We went in to discuss having the neurostimulator put in and attached to Tim's spinal cord. He was saying that he is in so much pain he is willing to do anything to try and get better. However, this doctor (as did the last doctor) advised that he thought this would not be the right choice for Tim. One of the cons of getting the stimulator implanted is that you would NEVER be able to have an MRI done again. That is quite a sacrifice for a man of 31, if you ask me. He also said that you just never know what is around the corner in medicine and its advances, and you don't want to be tied down to this one device. He was very professional and did spend a lot of time explaining and offering other doctors that we could go and get 3rd, 4th, etc. opinions from. After leaving his office, we discussed that the stimulator is just not worth it. Of course, we want Tim to not have to take the meds anymore, but the risks are not worth it to us. We will keep praying and we appreciate all your prayers as well. I have been encouraging him to try good ol' exercise. That may just be the ticket to feeling better.