It's a Relationship!

Womens Retreat, 2010

It was held at Fin & Feather Resort on Lake Tenkiller. One building, two fully furnished kitchens, eight rooms, tables and chairs for 45 women, and four full livingroom. Each room had accomodations for 5/6 women with their own full bathroom.

This was a major step up from the "bunkhouse" in the past that consisted of two huge rooms (which contained twenty bunk beds each) one huge kitchen, one huge livingroom/conference room, and two bathrooms (one on each side which contained three toilets and two showers in each).

Forty-five women spent the weekend at the GSL Women's Retreat this year. Each having hurts, habits, and hangups. Each having their own story. Each wanting to be fed with the spirit. Each longing for direction and some just wanting to help others. Each having an open mind to what the weekend held for them!

2010 theme was: IT'S NOT A RELIGION, IT'S A RELATIONSHIP

When I arrived, I was greeted by familiar faces and some I had never seen before. A peace came over me knowing that we were all there for the same reason. I wasn't sure what my message was going to be over the weekend but I knew there would be one.

The weekend was filled with prayers, conversation, activities, talks, singing, and getting to know each other. There were scrapbooks to fill out, pictures to take, walks for some, swimming for others, lessons to learn, and new friendships to make. Everything was perfect. Your troubles may seem too big to handle and you may think they are the "worst" but there is always someone there that has it rougher than you do.

As the weekend progressed, I wasn't sure I was going to find my "message" and then Saturday night, it slapped me upside the head!

Have you ever noticed your feet? Some are pretty, some are ugly, some never get noticed, some are rough, some are smooth, some wear flats, some wear heels, some are fast, some are slow....what is the story with your feet? Every pair of feet has a story. Your feet carry you through life. They are what grounds you to the earth. What if you didn't have any feet? How would you "walk" through life? AND what happens when you get a blister on your feet? Do you put a bandaid on it and keep going? Or do you doctor it up and give it some rest?

Your feet are the last to arrive at birth. They are rarely considered attractive. When your mouth commits a sin, the foot is the one to take the blame and pay the price. In the shower, your feet are so far from your reach, they often don't get the proper attention. Most of the time your feet go completely unnoticed. BUT your feet are largely responsible for getting you where you're going.

Now you ask, what is my message? My message is:

Your relationship with your feet = your relationship with God. You must give them both the proper attention because they are responsible for getting you where you are going. You must learn to take time out of your daily activities and the hustle bustle of life to care for your relationships=God and your feet. It is ok to stop for a blister and let it heal before you continue on your journey because without you feet, you aren't going far. Your feet will always guide you where you need to be so take a breath, gather your thoughts, spend time with you feet, and figure out how to rest those feet so they can be in the best shape ever!!!!

I am always amazed at what I take away from the retreats every single year. This year was no different. My heavenly father guided me there, gave me the tools I need, and sent me back to reality to chose my path wisely and be the best I can be. This is the most amazing feeling and it's very appropriate seeing as how I am starting my "NEW LIFE"!!!

Let me begin my journey...love to all! I hope that at LEAST one person got something from this blog. If so, my job is done.

The start of my new life!

Well, here it is, the first day of the beginning of the rest of my life. One that I hope will surely be memorable and fantastic! So where do I begin?



Brief History:

I have been married and divorced twice and as a result, had THREE wonderful children. My kids' ages are: 24, 20, and 18. All grown up now and don't really "need" their mom like they used to when they were smaller. Two of them are married with a child (my grandkids-Adriana & Logan). BTW, I love being a "NANA"! It is one of the greatest feelings in the world to hold them and love them, and then send them home...lol

I haven't had the best of luck in the "men" department and have finally realized that. I don't need a man to make me happy. All I need is ME to make me happy. I have recently made some very big life altering changes in my life which is what prompted me to start a blog.

The Bigger Picture:

I am moving to Kansas City, MO in just a few weeks. I will be moving in with my oldest, daughter in law, and granddaughter in the lower level of their home. It is going to be like living in an efficiency apartment, but hey, it is going to be a blast. They have lived there for 2 years and I haven't gotten to spend much time with my precious angel. This opportunity is such a blessing and will be more fulfilling than I can even imagine.

As everyone knows, I am a "social butterfly" so this transition is going to be difficult. But, I need to do this for ME. I need to focus on ME. I need to make ME happy. As much as this may sound selfish, I am 44 years old and have sacrificed my entire adult life to those around me. I am not getting any younger you know. I have done alot of soul searching in the past few weeks and this is the best decision I have made for myself my whole life.

I am going to miss my two youngest kids and grandson to itty bitty pieces which will prompt visits OFTEN. I am going to miss my family (being the oldest of 9) but we are all adults now and have to do what is best for us these days. I will miss all my friends and BFF's (which there are many) but they understand! Nothing like "road trips" for the girls to come and let me take them out on the town in KC.

So, here it is, the FIRST day of my NEW BEGINNING and I can't wait. Stay tuned for valuable information, updates, pictures, and basic thoughts in the future. Wish me luck folks! This is an adventure that will take me to higher places that I ever knew existed. God has and is blessing me beyond belief right now, although sometimes it feels like the black hole. I know he is looking out for me and that's why my heart, head, and soul are all in agreement about this decision. I love you all.

Till next time,

Connie