Joy!

In spite of a deluge of rain on Saturday night, our ladies had a terrific retreat on JOY this past weekend.  There was a Euchre tournament, too many snacks, and strange gnats, but over all it was a lovely time for prayer, praise and renewed purpose!



Several of the ladies found it very difficult to tolerate our side-ways Y!  Even after we explained the emphasis on choosing JOY no matter our circumstances (as represented in our sideways Y)... many were still unable to resist straightening the Y.  Got to be a joke.

Of course, what retreat would be a retreat without an opportunity for a prayer walk on a Labyrinth!  Here is Calvary's own Renewal Labyrinth perfectly set in our worship room for the weekend.

Several ladies enjoyed some quiet, personal time in this lovely space.

With the heat and humidity, this quiet, cool space was lovely for prayer.

Our cross become a focal point during our worship services... here you can barely see the tissue papers that are pinned to it.

Each woman wrote of what busts or blocks her joy and we left that on the cross for Christ to restore, heal. and redeem Friday night.

After a day of teaching, Saturday evening we draped our cross with the beautiful, colorful ribbon circle of "Remember When".

Retreatants scribbled a time in their past when God was there for her on the ribbon... these were then tied together to help one another remember.  After a beautiful group dance of blessing and singing of how God holds us, we together adorned our cross!

Indeed joy burst forth from us in celebration, thanksgiving and praise!