Retreating

My mother treated me to the women's retreat with New Heights Community Church this past weekend. It was so wonderful to get away and relax, soak in the Scriptures, and time with all those wonderful women. Julie spent the weekend sharing with all of us what she is learning about Jewish history and how it ties in to the Scriptures and Christ's crucifixtion. It was so cool. I learned that while Jesus' hands and feet were being nailed to the cross a lamb was being bound for the atonement sacrifice in the temple. When the atonement sacrifice had been completed, the priest would come out of the temple and say, " The nations sins have been atoned for. It is finished." and when Jesus breathed His last on the cross, He said, "It is finished." Christ atoned for our sins for all eternity that day. Why? Because He loves us, because He loves us, because He loves us, because He loves us, because He loves us.... "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" God has been speaking to me in so many ways about how much He loves me 100%, He will never love me any more and He will never love me any less. He loves me as I am and not as I should be. Praise God! I am so blessed by the Lord's love, faithfulness, grace, mercy, friendship, mastership, and His many blessings in my life. I have a wonderful family - by blood and by marriage - I couldn't ask for better family. I have friends, a home fellowship, a house, a man I love and who loves me deeply.
Anyway, the weekend was fun. We had times to sing together, to learn together, to get out and enjoy the autumn air, to eat together, and just enjoy God's wonderful creation. I went horseback riding with some of the woman and that was a blast. My horses name was China and she was a good mare. It was a tiring weekend but worth every minute.
I am thankful for you, by the way! :-)