Retreat wrap up

I meant to write my final blog on the retreat Sunday, but chores wait for no one, and mine were patiently waiting for me Sunday evening. All I can really say is, Wow! Last weekend was such an amazing and wonderful experience. My heart feels light and I find myself laughing more. I wish I could find the words to properly convey what I walked away with last weekend. Monday night was our first small faith community meeting. It was so cool to sit down in a small group of people who share my faith. We will be studying and learning more about the Catholic faith and the Holy Trinity. I look forward to our weekly meetings. Hopefully, down the road, I'll be able to find a regular babysitter so my son can stay home. And now it's time for my nightly devotional and prayers.

Retreat day 2

There are no words to truly describe today. It was amazing, wonderful, filled with love, laughter, tears, and release. For so many years, I felt lost, merely going through the motions of being Catholic. Today has changed that feeling. Finally, I let go of old hurts and fears, embraced God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit in my life. For the first time, I felt the Holy Spirt move through me. It was fire and ice, raging storm and peaceful mountain lake all at once. All those times camping when the sheer beauty of the mountains would take my breath away, I can now recognize as the Holy Spirit reaching out to me, if I only knew how to listen. Tomorrow will be the last day of the retreat. I am saddened by this, but also filled with joy because I have grown closer to my God, my Savior and his Holy Ghost. We will be placed in our small faith communities and I am looking forward to meeting them and continuing to grow in my faith. I don't feel so lost anymore. I know who I am and I can see the road ahead, more clearly than I have in my life. I open my heart to you Lord. My life is yours to do with as you see fit. Mind, body, soul, I am yours.

Retreat: Day 1

I made it through work, excited and nervous for the first day of the retreat. I don't know a lot of people at my church so I was a little scared when I first walked in. Thankfully one of my Son's teachers was there. She greeted me and we chatted for a bit until more of what would be my faith community for the weekend showed up. We ate dinner and talked, just taking some time to get to know each other. After all, we would be spending the weekend together. After dinner, we gathered in the gym, singing at first. We sang many of my favorite hymns. I just lost myself in the music. We listened to speakers then broke into our smaller groups to talk. I found myself opening up and letting out hurts that I had buried deep. It was different somehow, opening myself to these women I'd just met versus talking with my family and friends. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Pre-Evangelization Retreat Weekend

Thursday night ... The day before the retreat begins: I have confirmed my registration for the retreat. I was told to wear comfy clothes and bring a pillow to sit on, since we'll be sitting a lot. I was given a phone number that I could be contacted at in case of emergency. It will be weird to not have my phone with me. I carry it everywhere (except Church Sunday mornings) mostly so my Son's school/daycare can reach me. All meals will be provided, so I won't have to cook until Sunday evening. My Son gets to spend the weekend with his Dad and my folks, what a treat for him! The retreat runs Friday 5:30 to 9:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Sunday 7:15 am to 4:30. Oh my ... But considering I've been trying to go to one for almost two years, the time is finally here. My boy is taken care of for the weekend and my busy schedule cleared for this. Through out the divorce I turned to my faith for the strength to make it though the rough road my life was on. Now, it's time to take that faith a step further and renew my relationship with Him. If I'm not too tired tomorrow night, I'll write more.