I hauled myself and no less than 100 lbs. of loot down to Atlanta this weekend (the bags, board, and myself did arrive in tact). I was all energized to be with friends–some I’ve never even met before (I’m a blogger and I still recognize how odd that sounds)–and share about The Sparrow Fund. I confess I expected a girly fest with good food and a pep rally of sorts for orphan care and adoption.
With about 440 women there and about 1,110 children who are no longer orphans represented (amen and amen), that was just sorta what I imagined. I guess I sort of expected adoption to be glorified a bit.
I was wrong.
Someone else was glorified.
The sound of over 400 mother’s voices joining together in praise is some serious worship and perhaps a small glimpse of heaven.
And, we got schooled in responding to the call and then following the One who calls not the call itself.
Hmm…not exactly the adoption pep rally message I was expecting.
And, I realized the weekend wasn’t as much about adoption as it was about the One who adopted us and who called these 440 families represented to adopt to begin with.
It was the best weekend and SO loved meeting you!!! LOVE all your photos and you are so right~ the retreat was SO about our Creator Who adopted us!!! Came away such a better mom, wife, and child of God… such amazing speakers and like minded women!!! Already can’t wait for next year!!!!! XOXO
PS Haven’t posted about it yet, but plan to on Wednesday. Tomorrow is EK Day!!! 6 years~ WOW!
Your description and pictures bring tears to my eyes.
Praying God paves the way for me to go next time!!
Thrilled for all you were able to experience!!
Awesome! My husband and I had a wonderfully refreshing weekend with the Lord too! We went to a new church He led us too, and we worshiped like never before. It was amazing, much like your weekend. Nothing beats a room full of people gathered together by the love of Jesus, singing to their Savior : )
LOVE this!! And your pictures are just GORGEOUS!!!:-)
And THANK YOU for the shout out;-)
Agree agree agree!!!! I was exhausted and my jaw hurt from talking so much! I needed one more day– or two… I’m glad I found your blog as I loved your honesty in one of our breakout sessions!
It sounds like an awesome time. So glad it was “not” necessarily what you expected. :)
It was SUCH an amazing weekend and incredible experience!! I loved reading your words as they felt like exactly what was on my heart too. It was an awesome experience worshipping our loving Savior with all of the fabulous mama’s!!!:-)
It was SUCH an amazing weekend and incredible experience!! I loved reading your words as they felt like exactly what was on my heart too. It was an awesome experience worshipping our loving Savior with all of the fabulous mama’s!!!:-)
So stinkin Jealous reading all these posts about this wonderful retreat. How did I not know about this :( I so want to go next year. So many great woman whose blogs I love to read. LOVE the work you are doing Kelly and so glad you went and can’t wait to hear more. Can’t believe two years ago we were in China getting our baby girls and got to meet for those brief moments. God Bless
What a beautiful post and what a sight to see al those amazing, powerful, faithful women all in one place! I imagine the energy must have been un-believable!
So very happy for you all to have come together–those with common hearts, determination and faith!
Perhaps one of these days I’ll be able to make one. :)
It was a wonderful weekend indeed! Thanks so much for sharing my post. I’m so glad to have found your blog :-)