COUNTDOWN TO OUR RETREAT!

 

 

Hello, Ladies! I'm off tonight for a five-day (much-needed) vacation with my daughter and baby granddaughter. It's going to be WONDERFUL!

And when I come back, we'll be on the homeward stretch toward our WEEKEND BLOG RETREAT. I thought I'd get us up to speed on that, and then provide you with one more challenge later this week. Then we'll spend the week OF the retreat putting it all together for a fabulous time together. I am really looking forward to this, and I hope you are, too.

So -- for those of you who are just hearing about this (welcome Mimi!) and those who need a little reminding, here's the deal. 

The Third Ever

In Real Life 

LIVE BLOG PARTY

is happening

Friday, March March 2,

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

AND

Saturday, March 3

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

AND

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

AND

(For the brave early risers)

SUNDAY, March 4

6:00 - 7:00 a.m.

 

* Come to the In Real Life blog any time during the hours posted above. Come for as many of the four sessions as you like, and stay as long as you want to. It's okay to check in when the session is already under way.

        * When you do log on, post a comment with your rendition of "I'm here!" and when you have to leave, just post a comment saying "Gotta go!" (or some facsimile thereof)

        * Each session will have a theme which comes under the big ol' umbrella theme for the weekend  I've posted questions for you to ponder, and we'll be addressing those and more. You'll be able to respond in your comments.

        * We'll have a couple of contests, too.I'm thinking this is going to involve food (always, right?) as well as some other challenges which we'll get to in a minute. The food contest (think pizza) will happen Saturday afternoon and the others will be ongoing through the weekend.

        * There will also be chances for those of you who are writers to share some of your creative work. Once you've pondered the theme you might feel nudged to write a poem, a prayer, or a paragraph. You'll need to send those to me by email -- nnrue@att.net -- by Thursday, March 1. If you've sent yours already, I have it at the ready -- no need to send it again. Let's keep them to 200 words or less.

        * Artists and photographers have an opportunity to show us what YOU'RE workin' with, too. If dealing with the theme inspires you to do some kind of visual art or take a photo, please send those to me (via email) too. Digital photos are easy to attach to an email; obviously any original artwork you do you'll have to take a photo of (or scan) and then attach to an email. Again, I still have the ones some of you have sent me

        * During the retreat sessions I'll be posting . . . and posting . . . and posting! And you will be commenting . . . and commenting . . .  and commenting! That means if you miss anything, you can always go back and catch up later.

So -- more details:

        The FOOD contest: Create your absolute favorite pizza for Saturday afternoon's session. You can either actually make it or have Domino's deliver or whatever. OR you can create it in your head and describe it to us when the call goes out for  pizza entries during that session. If you want to take a photo or do a drawing, email those to me (ahead of time if possible although I can do some while we're in session)) at nnrue@att.net. Why pizza? Because that seems to be the signature food of youth groups. Get kids together and feed them Papa John's. Help them feel like they belong. Show them what it means to share the bread of life. No words needed. It's there in the pepperoni and the double cheese and the original crust.

Besides, that fits our THEME perfectly. How do we as Christian women share the Bread of Life in the world, without having to say a word?  If you're just joining us on this, you can go back to the posts for the last week or two, entitled First Retreat Challenge, Second Retreat Challenge, etc.

If you have ANY questions about the retreat, now is the time to post them. You may be able to answer them for each other, and Miss Crystal will be checking in so she can be of assistance there too. If neither of those works, I'll be back in town on Feb 27 and can get answers to you then.

That's it for now. Check in Thursday for your next CHALLENGE.

yeah, this si goign to be AWESOME!

Comments

[mimi]

awesome! im excited! what timezone is this in?

[Crystal]

Central time, Mimi.

[Melody]

Can I whine for a minute to you girls?

How can something seem like such a God-thing, and then not work out at all? I've been trying to get a small group of friends together for a Bible study for the past month and people just end up cancelling at the last minute and then I post-pone for fear of no one showing up except for maybe one person and that's not a small group anyway. I was convinced God wanted me to do this, but I'm just not seeing it work out. Sigh, I just want like a big ol' Old Testament style sign to show me what to do :/

[Kate S]

LOL cool, look, it's my photo from last retreat! :)
I am so excited for the retreat! I am so excited about the whole writer/artist/photographer thing- that's so cool- thanks so much for that, Mrs. Rue!
I'm looking forward to this retreat... my relationship with God always grows on them. Right now, it's almost non existent. I pray everyday, but is that a relationship, me talking the whole time? I don't think so. I really want to get back on track.
Have a wonderful vacation!

[Nicole]

Haha, Kate, I was wondering whose pic that was...I remembered it from last time. ;)

I'm so sorry Melody. :P That's tough...I know what you mean about wanting some kind of miracle from God like those in the OT to show up. Sometimes it's like, "God, could You - just this once, I promise, I'll never, ever ask again - give me some kind of really clear sign, like maybe a flashing neon arrow pointing in the right direction with a loud trumpet or something? That would be extremely helpful. Thanks."

Sometimes I hate it that it doesn't work like that. And I'm sorry that it's so confusing right now for you. If it helps, I think it's very bold of you to start a Bible study. :) I'll be praying that God really does give you very, very clear direction and discernment (even if it's not a neon sign...sometimes the gentle whispers of His Spirit can be louder than a trumpet and clearer than a bell, you know what I mean?).

And for the record, I'd go to your Bible study. :) Love y'all, and praying!!

[Nicole]

Two more things (sorry!):

Mimi, I'll be praying for you and your friend, that God will really stir something inside of her and she will open up her heart to Him!!

And...OK, please tell me if this isn't an appropriate question for this group, but do y'all have any advice for my history schoolwork? I have to do these (annoying) things called 'Current Events' that are real short but have to be kind of important things going on in the news. And I can't just can't find anything that I think is worthwhile. :P It's frustrating me! So, once again, please tell me, anyone, if you think this question just isn't right for this group, but if it's OK, does anyone have any suggestions??

[Melody]

Nicole: I neon flashing arrow with a trumpet would be perfect! Haha. Thanks :) I've never done current events reports or anything like that, but I definitely get what you mean about not finding anything worthwhile. Klove.com has a news section and they always find interesting stories that aren't just about politics or other negative things. I'll link the news page to my name if you want to take a look.

[Nicole]

Thank you, Melody!! Extremely helpful! ;)

[mimi]

Ya Melody I totally know what you mean. I often struggle with that too. Like life would be so much simpler if sometimes we could just have this huge sign. Everyone always just says listen to God's voice, but I have a hard time doing that. Like how do you know if its your ideas or Gods. I'll be praying for you!

[Haley]

the retreat sounds so cool!!! (i havent been on in 4ever, so u probably dont remember me) its on the same days as a retreat tht me & 2 of my bffs are singing at. its gonna be sssoo cool!!!!! im sssooo excited about both retreats!!!!!!!!