Loss
Marilyn, my sister in law died of cancer last night. I lost another sister in law last year to cancer. Please keep her husband (my husband's oldest brother), their children, and family in your prayers.
Bratwurst Thanksgiving
I'd rather go to the dentist than cook, let alone cook a meal that involves lots of dishes, table clothes, high maintenance silverware, crystal, and too much stress! My entire family agrees so this Thanksgiving, we cooked bratwurst on the grill, and potato salad (store bought of course) all served on paper plates. My son was home from college, the rest of my family was here after several high energy, stressful weeks of work in NYC and at home, and we all decided that we just wanted a relaxed meal together with NO PRESSURE! It was probably one of the best Thanksgiving dinner's we've ever had. Everyone was happy, satisfied, and grateful. Friday, we DID NOT SHOP, which made the entire holiday a beautiful experience. Oh, one more thing . . . the University of Arkansas Razorback football team BEAT top ranked
LSU! Go Hogs.
www.committedtofreedom.org
NYC Men's Retreat and Travel Home
Our men's retreat was historic. Up until this past weekend, all of our men's retreats have been held at a residential Teen Challenge program. This was our first men's retreat that was purely Committed to Freedom's. Just like our women's retreat the weekend before, it was holy, sacred, beautiful, and powerful. The setting of our retreat, a tranquil place on the Hudson river, facilitated God's ability to help these
courageous men to take the next step to move beyond their abuse. My staff, Anne, Dave, and Derek, gently, and confidently walked through this journey with our participants with great love and respect.
These two final retreats of 2008 in NYC were deeply gratifying, but we were all very exhausted by the time we finally travelled home. I struggled with a flare up of my autoimmune system and my eyes pretty much remained swollen, red, and almost non-functioning throughout the trip. The airports were very crowded and flight delays made the journey home very tiring, but we made it back.
I am so humbled, grateful, and confident that Committed to Freedom is doing exactly what we are to do. This has been a rough and tumble year, especially the past few months. The roller coaster has not been much of a fun ride, but we see light flickering in the dark tunnel of inadequate finances and stretched resources. We wait, expectantly.
www.committedtofreedom.org
Between Retreats
Our women's retreat was a time of deep healing, profound peace, and hope. After every retreat, I marvel at all that has happened. Despair and "no options left" turns into "I can do this!" It was hard to say good-bye to our new friends on Sunday afternoon. It was also a beautiful thing to know these women left empowered and with the right tools to move beyond their abuse.
We are now
in between retreats and resting. Retreats always leave our team exhausted, but it is a good kind of fatigue, knowing we've been part of something truly beautiful. We're taking the next few days off. Yesterday, we went to the Bronx Zoo. I don't normally like zoos because I hate to see anything in captivity, but this was a wonderful
zoo. I had the sense that the animals were watching us in cages, and after thinking about it, I'm not sure that is too far off. People seem to be more captive than many animals by our choices, life circumstances, and attitudes.
We will begin to prepare for our men's retreat on Thursday. My team arrives tomorrow night. My women's team left this morning. It has been an intense time, but we are so grateful to be part of this path!
www.committedtofreedom.org
Women's Retreat Begins Today
Our team arrived yesterday and had a time of reconneciton and training. It is amazing how we can be apart for a year and pick up where we left off 12 months earlier like we just took a break. I love these women and their compassion, joy, and courage!
This morning we will finish setting up and our participants arrive at noon to begin a beautiful journey away from abuse. The weather is great, a chill is in the air, and the view of the Hudson river is inspiring. We expect great healing to take place this weekend.
www.committedtofreedom.org
NYC Bound!
We fly out in a few hours to begin the journey of our last two retreats of 2007. The challenges have already begun as I woke this morning and my auto-immune system decided to rebel. My eyes are almost swollen closed and my joints are just about
immobile. This seems as much seasonal as anything and I've been battling this for about 4 years now. Ugh.
A new addition to my life is grad school and I have some pretty big assignments due while we're in NYC. I just got broadband for my computer and hope I have some degree of technical proficiency to know how to get my assignments emailed!
We anticipate much healing to take place over the next few weeks at these retreats. The adventure, for us, begins today.
www.committedtofreedom.org
