Refuge By the Sea

Ladies Retreat 2010 will stand out in my memory always for several different reasons. It was my first retreat attended and planned. The house in Carmel Highlands was fabulous and the view amazing. The skit put on by four ladies who will remain anonymous was truly the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. I will remember the powerful services for the rest of my life. I have never met a more diverse group of ladies and in any other church/setting, it might have been a problem, but the memories made and the laughter shared by all proved that nothing can prevail over unity of minds/spirits and the love we have one for another.

This was the view I woke up seeing every morning and watched fade every night

I hope when I'm that "old" I can be that young at heart

The very first morning we were there, most got up way too early and made their way downstairs for breakfast and pictures

These two ladies have been instrumental in my life in many ways and I thank God for both of them every day - one inspires me to be the best Christian lady and wife I can possibly be and the other never fails to make me laugh when I need it the most!

Some of my fellow beach ladies

I love how all of us are looking at completely different views, but all of us are happy to be there with smiles on our faces

Our instrumental speaker, her mother on the left, and me

Our speaker will never know how God used a conversation to put some of my worst fears about a possible decision I will have to make in the future to rest. It is amazing to me how our Heavenly Father always knows when we need to hear something at the very right time - at His time!

Ms. Magoo modeling my snakeskin shoes for everyone who, by the way, still has my shoes! :)

This young woman is an absolute delight to me. I admire her fearlessness, courage, and the Godly heart she has! She makes me laugh and makes some of the craziest faces, but she also brings out the young, carefree girl buried under all the "mature" layers.

See what I mean? :)


Although I don't have a group picture of all the ladies that were there, all of them are dear to my heart and I'm so happy God has placed me with them!

Last but not least one photo for my hubby whose happy expression when I returned home topped off a great, memorable weekend!