Retreat Fun!

I wanted to show you some of our fun from this weekend! Several months ago, the ladies at Big Lake Church of God in Columbia City, Indiana reached out to see if I could speak at their retreat this year. Oh yes! I would love to! :) 

One of my favorite things about the retreat is that it was held at our beloved Lake Webster! There's a campground across the lake from where Ryan's family's cottage sits, and that's where they met for their retreat this year! I didn't care if it was the middle of the winter. IT WAS THE LAKE!!!

Ryan took off work and went with me so he could be my sidekick. We had the best weekend. These ladies were such fun and were so welcoming to both of us. We just loved them all so much.

I spent hours in prayer prior to the retreat, asking the Lord to grant us favor with the weather. No snow or ice, please! Know what I forgot to pray about? Flooding! And that is exactly what northern Indiana battled this past week or so!!

We arrived at the camp...

 And found that the house on the island in the middle of the lake seemed to be missing its island. Eeek!

 We arrived a little early, so we drove around to the family cottage to see if it had flooded. Ryan said he had never seen the water this high. Fortunately it wasn't over the sea wall, but it sure had come right up to the top of it!

 Normally there's a good foot or more between the sea wall and the water, but this time it was right there!

 Our lake!! :)

This camp has constructed some new facilities in the last few years, so the church had two (identical) lodges to use. Each one slept about thirty people, had a full kitchen, and a big common area. They did all the eating in one and all the sessions in the other. Beautiful buildings!

This was the meeting area. Isn't it lovely?

 My favorite part was looking to the side and seeing my dear lake at every single session. It may have been cold and rainy the whole time, but I didn't care. Jesus and I have had so many talks on this water. It means so much to me!

 My little table. (It filled up and actually looked quite messy by the end of the weekend, but at this point it still looked pretty organized.)

All the ladies stayed in the rooms at the lodge, but Ryan and I got a little spot in the main office area on the campground. We were the only ones staying in that building this weekend, so it was nice and private, even though there were many other rooms in that building. It was so cozy!! A little bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette, AND A VIEW OF THE LAKE!

We were so spoiled all weekend - and so loved! :) 

I can't wait to show you some from our sessions, but I haven't edited all those pictures yet, so come back tomorrow, okay? Meanwhile, if you're in this part of Indiana, that facility is just lovely and would make a great option for your group if you're looking for a place?

(Did I mention it's on a lake?)