Above Rubies Retreat

This weekend had to have been one of the highlights of my year and I can't think of a better way to usher in my 36th year. First, I was incredible blessed by Nancy Campbell at the Above Rubies retreat hearing Truth spoken and fellowshipping with other believers. Second, my dearest friend, Michelle was at the retreat with her oldest daughter and baby. She stayed an extra day and I so enjoyed that special time visiting with her. We had dinner at my parents to celebrate my birthday and Monday, Phil took the day off from work to be here with me. There really is no better gift than family and friends.

The Above Rubies magazine was the first publications that I read about devoting yourself to the noble task of being a wife and mother. Michelle gave me some back issues when I was pregnant with Sawyer and I poured over them. They were a little scary to read at first but they started me on a journey....the most amazing spiritual journey....learning to serve my Lord by raising my children for Him and by being the wife that He has asked me to be. I have wrestled with so many issues - pride, selfishness, frustration, understanding and accepting scripture as Truth, learning to stand alone and face adversity for going against the 'cultural norms', but the Lord keeps pruning me so that I may bear fruit for Him. This has taken on a meaning that I never imagined it would. It has called me to homeschool my children, to attend church with husband and children by my side, to require and train for first time obedience and a pleasant attitude from my children always, to protect my children from worldy influences as I equip them to live for Him in a world that doesn't. The life of mediocrity that I lived, simply wasn't enough anymore. Nancy Campbell and her passion for ministering to wives and mothers encouraged me to look at my life in an entirely different way. Inspired me to thirst after scripture and know the Lord like I have never known Him before. Challenged me to evaluate and reevaluate my choices and decisions based on Biblical Truth and nothing else. She truly has been an instrumental person in my life by simply showing me scripture through her publication, her books, and her retreats.


A true "Nancy" look. She is the most regal of women, standing at 6 feet plus, with her flaming red hair! Her presence, her mannerism, her confidence...truly the daughter of a King!


Woodshed Mamas. (This is a parenting board through which I have gleaned so much Godly advice on how to raise my children.)


Homeschooling Moms from Silverton. What a blessing to know these lovely ladies!


Ericka was this far along last year at this time. How special to have Nancy pray over her unborn babe surrounded by friends, in the beauty of the Fall!
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Comments

  1. MichelleNovember 10, 2010 at 10:50 PM

    Oh such a blessed time! I'm still glowing from the amazingness of it! Thank you, thank you for sharing your time with me and opening your home to Gabrielle, Caleb, and I. It was a memorable visit, wasn't it?! I love you dear friend!

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