This past weekend, Mom and I attended a retreat in Kansas City with five other ladies from our church. It was such a wonderful time!
I was encouraged and blessed by the speaking and fellowship . We all drove to Kansas City together in one car, so it was cozy! :) I enjoyed the trip and got to know the ladies better.
We first went to our hotel and checked in, and enjoyed a nice “potluck” dinner together. I managed to get a picture of us all on one of the beds using the self-timer. (Does that sound familiar, Hannah and Amanda?)

We then went to the church where the retreat was held. The speaker was Dee Brestin. She is a godly woman who has walked with the Lord faithfully, and has encouraged many women in their faith. She has also written several books for women.

One of the things that stood out to me the most that night was a painting that she shared with us. Wesley helped me put it on my blog! :)
Please watch this short clip, and you will be amazed by the power of God!   I am blown away when I see this painting – an incredible depiction of  Revelation 5:5-6a:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.”

Mrs. Brestin said that there are times when God doesn’t seem safe, but if He loved us enough to send His only Son to the cross, we can trust in Him. Even when God brings suffering in our lives, we can still know that His heart is for us.

The next morning, we enjoyed a nice breakfast at the hotel, and then packed up and drove to the conference. The church where it was held is beautiful! I took a few pictures of it:

This is definitely one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever been in!

Mrs. Brestin’s talk the second day was encouraging as well. Here are a few of my notes:

– Having an identity in anything other than Christ is like building your foundations on sand.

– We can be subtle in idolatry. It’s often manifested in relationships. When we put our security in relationships, we are often in trouble.

– After dealing with an idol in our lives, we must continue to fight it. I love how Mrs. Brestin summed this up by saying, “idols have a frightening capacity to regenerate.”

– When we undergo suffering, it will help us to be more compassionate and understanding to others when they face the same struggles, and it removes the idols of our hearts. God uses all things, including suffering, for good in our lives. Sometimes we do not see our own ugliness, and we must be humbled.

– Every other religion throws you a manual – a list of things that you must do to be saved. Christianity is the only religion which sends a Savior. We, left to ourselves, can do nothing. Thus, we can say in humility, “to God be all the glory!”

Mom and Mrs. Vigil, a very sweet lady from our church.

Here’s a picture of all the ladies from our church with Mrs. Brestin.

I feel so blessed to be a part of this group. I was encouraged to have such sweet fellowship with these dear ladies. It made me appreciate even more the Lord’s grace in my life. As I came away from this retreat, I am blessed by the reminder that His mercies are indeed new every morning, and great is His faithfulness!

I want to share a story with you. A true story about God’s provision that has encouraged me today. Maybe you’ve heard of it before. It’s a story about Darleen Rose, an American missionary to New Guinea during the mid-1900s. During World War II, she was taken captive in March 1942 by the Japanese. She spent 4 years in a prison camp. Miraculously, she survived the horrible conditions, and later returned to the United States.
Darleen wrote a book about her experiences entitled Evidence Not Seen. It’s an incredible book, and I highly recommend it. Darleen’s faith in the Lord through all her trials is a testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness and steadfast love. Here is one of my favorite parts of her book. I hope you’re encouraged by it as well.

***Several native women prisoners had been jailed for minor misdemeanors and were allowed to take air and exercise afternoons in the courtyard, whenever it pleased the officer in charge.

The actions of one woman in particular fascinated me. Every time the sentry on duty turned his back on her and marched to the other end of the courtyard, she inched over toward a fence covered with Honolulu Creeper. When the guard clicked his heels, turned about, and began to stroll in her direction, she stopped. There he went, and there she went. “Aha, intrigue. She’s going to make contact with someone who’s hidden in those vines. Isn’t this exciting! Oh, do be careful. With no books to read, I’ll watch the drama taking place here before my very eyes!” I empathized with her. I wanted her to succeed, and not be caught. Finally reaching the vine-covered fence, the woman stood very still. The guard clicked his heels and went off again. At that moment, I saw a hand shoot through the tangle of vine. It held a big bunch of bananas. Quickly she grabbed the bananas, slipped them into the folds of her sarong, and strolled nonchalantly back to join the other women. Nobody knew she had those bananas. But I did – bananas!

I dropped to the floor of my cell. Exhausted from my efforts, I shook all over. Worse still, I began to crave bananas. Everything in me wanted one. I could see them; I could smell them; I could taste them. I got down on my knees and said, “Lord, I’m not asking You for a whole bunch like that woman has. I just want one banana.” I looked up and pleaded, “Lord, just one banana!”

Then I began to rationalize–how could God possible get a banana to me through these prison walls? There was more chance of the moon falling out of the sky than one of the guards bringing me a banana.

I bowed my head again and prayed, “Lord, there’s no one here who could get a banana to me. There’s no way for You to do it. Please don’t think I’m not thankful for the rice porridge. It’s just that — well, those bananas looked so delicious!” What I needed to do was link my impotence to God’s omnipotence, but I couldn’t see how God could get a banana to me through those prison walls.

The morning after the banana drama, I heard the click of officers’ leather heels on the concrete walkway. Finally the door opened, and I looked into the smiling face of Mr. Yamaji, the Kampili camp commander. This was early July, and it had been so long since I had seen a smiling or a familiar face. I clapped my hands and exclaimed, “Mr. Yamaji, it’s just like seeing an old friend!” Tears filled his eyes. He didn’t say a word but turned and walked out into the courtyard and began to talk with the two officers who had conducted my interrogations. Finally Mr. Yamaji came back to my cell. “You’re very ill, aren’t you?” he asked sympathetically. “Yes, sir, Mr. Yamaji, I am.” “I’m going back to the camp now. Have you any word for the women?” The Lord gave me confidence to answer, “Yes, sir, when you go back, please tell them for me that I’m all right. I’m still trusting the Lord. They’ll understand what I mean, and I believe you do.”

“All right,” he replied; then turning on his heels, he left.

When Mr. Yamaji and the Kempeitai officers had gone and the guard had closed the door, it hit me — I didn’t bow to those men!

“Oh Lord,” I cried, “why didn’t You help me remember? They’ll come back and beat me.  Not now, Lord. I can’t; I just can’t.”

I heard the guard coming back and knew he was coming for me. Struggling to my feet, I stood ready to go. He opened the door, walked in, and with a sweeping gesture laid at my feet — bananas!  “They’re yours,” he said, “and they’re all from Mr. Yamaji.” I sat down in stunned silence and counted them. There were ninety-two bananas!

In all my spiritual experience, I’ve never known such shame before my Lord. I pushed the bananas into a corner and wept before Him. “Lord, forgive me; I’m so ashamed. I couldn’t trust You to get even one banana for me. Just look at them — there are almost a hundred.” In the quiet of the shadowed cell, He answered back within my heart: That’s what I delight to do, the exceeding abundant above anything you ask or think.” I knew in those moments that nothing is impossible to my God.***

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Psalm 23:5)

On Monday, the day after Christmas, Austin turned 13! As I mentioned in my last post, we celebrated his birthday with the our Noble relatives. They had a surprise in store for Austin that we didn’t know about: they set up a huge treasure hunt for him! It led him all over the house and into the woods. Most everyone followed, and I took pictures of the treasure hunt. Austin, who loves exploring and figuring out clues, was thrilled! He enjoyed it immensely.

That morning, we gathered in the living room, and Uncle Jim told Austin about the treasure hunt.

Andrew explained some directions, and gave Austin his first clue.

Austin searched pretty much everywhere! :)

After finding each clue, Austin would read it aloud.

Andrew made an app on his iPhone which gave Austin his next clue.

Austin found a map of the woods…

…and a message in code to decipher!

Armed with his map and the next clue, Austin was ready to go into the woods.

The clue led him to a pond. His next clue was floating in a jug on the water, and Austin had to paddle out in the canoe to get it.

There he goes! That little white container was the clue.

Jonathan and Anna.

Paddling his way back to shore.

Austin’s next clue led him into a spot in the woods. With the help of the map, Austin found the case to the movie You’ve Got Mail. Now where do you think he went next???

To the mailbox, of course! :)

Austin next had to shoot three arrows into the target to receive his next clue.

Austin is a very good shot, and I think he got them all on his first try!

The next clue instructed Austin to use this metal detector to find, well, something metal.

This is what he found, hidden beneath a leaf. And under the leaf, there lay his next clue.

Austin was given a few “hints”, but for the most part, he figured everything out himself.

:)

Here was the hardest part (in my opinion). Austin had to shoot down these five balloons.

His next clue led him to the BB gun he’d use to shoot the balloons with.

After shooting all the balloons (which did not take him very long), Austin found the last clue and a key inside of a balloon!

And this is where it led him! He unlocked the chest and found…

a very cool headlamp for his next explorations!!! It was fun to watch, and what a neat treasure he found at the end!

Aunt Kathy made Austin a delicious, specially-made, gluten free birthday cake.

We ended our time with a group photo of all of us cousins.

It was so wonderful to stay with them – I’m glad we could do it. Thank you, Nobles, for your hospitality, and for making Austin’s birthday such a memorable time!