Women's Retreat Update

I went to a women's retreat last weekend. I hadn't gone to a "Women's Retreat" in a long while. A part of me likes them and a part of me . . . well, dislikes them. Women are tough. There always seems like there is a wall of judgment that I have to scale or break through before I feel like I connect. I have had enough conversations with other women to know that I'm not the only one to feel this way. It doesn't matter what we look like on the outside, we all grapple with this thing called sisterhood. But this retreat gave me hope. I'm learning (again) that if I put myself out there I will find acceptance. That we are all scrabbling with the same issues, the same angst, this crazy female life creed of sacrifice and love.

I grew up the eldest of five: me, three brothers and then Jennifer (in the photo), my baby sister and fifteen years younger. I didn't have much of a relationship with Jen until she reached college age. Now, I wouldn't trade her for anything on this Earth. Not anything. She walks such a bold, blazing path. She says things out loud that I'm afraid to think. Check out her blog.

Then I had three sons. I wanted a daughter with each one, but God knows me and knows what I can handle.

Women are hard won.

But worth it.

A big thanks to Stacy for all your help over the weekend! You were wonderful!

And a big thanks to all the women at the conference who embraced me and Snow Angel! What a great time we had at the Reader's Discussion class! A supportive home church is an amazing thing to have! God bless you!!

Oh and the worship leader, Sarah Scharbrough, was fabulous!