Can You Yodel?

In preparation for the trip this question came across my text…”can you yodel?”. I looked at Ricky and said…”this is my kind of trip”. (no, I cannot yodel. I have a friend that can and I have always been green with envy!) I LOVE Spark Ministry! Taking full blown women’s retreats to ladies who need to know that they matter, that they have value and that they are loved…what could be better! The leadership is amazing! It is very obvious that every detail of the trip is prayed over! I could go on and on about them and their heart for women!

We landed in New York, rode to our hotel, dropped our bags off and we were on our way! You know I told you that I was really not that interested in making a trip to the Big Apple…come on!…I’ve seen Home Alone! I know what kinds of things go on in NYC! But because I really felt like I was supposed to go…I reluctantly agreed. Was I ever in for a big ole treat!

We saw a show…like on Broadway! Beautiful…the Carole King Story. Okay, y’all, Carole King’s Tapestry album was my high school soundtrack! I wore that thing out! Don’t you think our sweet Father had that planned all along! What if I had said “No”!

I would use way too many words to describe the whole trip, so here are some of the highlights…

A walk and picnic in Central Park with the ladies from the Bowery’s Women Shelter. Beautiful opportunity to get the know the ladies.

Dancing, laughing, worshipping, eating and teaching. I have described these trips as fun, fun, fun, Jesus. When the teaching comes, the women are so receptive because they have been lavished with love! One time I even felt like, really, this is a lot of foolishness, just being honest, but right as I had that thought I looked over and saw one of the ladies in my small group…and y’all she was absolutely glowing!! She was having the time of her life! It works!

A 20 block trek to Empire State Building and ride to the top with my 20 year-old roommate at midnight! I never once felt unsafe! I told you I was daring on this trip!

Sharing our stories with the ladies, hearing their stories, beautiful time of exchange the entire weekend! So honest, and real, because aren’t we really just all alike in so many ways? All of us in need of a Savior!

Dinner cruise around Lady Liberty! Okay…maybe this wasn’t my favorite…didn’t take my dramamine soon enough! 🙁 All the other women loved it though!

Time of affirmation. This is always my favorite. A time when we pray over each woman, affirming them, encouraging them, loving on them. Precious time!

Church on Sunday morning at Times Square Church. My goodness gracious! The building, the worship, the teaching…all of it…over the top!

The Birthday Party! We find that many of the women in the shelters have never had a birthday party…ever! So we give them one! Again, more laughter, dancing, hugging, so much fun!

It is an amazing thing…coming together with women from all over the metroplex, some came from way farther away, all from different churches, some of us meeting for the first time, all with the a united purpose. Bringing the love of Jesus to other women. Something amazing happens. Not only are we giving out, but we are so incredibly blessed by each other. Our own stories, struggles, victories. Sweet, sweet times.

Aren’t y’all proud of me for conquering my fears and saying YES! Is there something that the Lord has been bringing to your heart and maybe your hesitant to say yes? Do it afraid! There is so much joy on the other side of fear!

For your viewing pleasure (or not) …

Me and Annabel headed to the top of the Empire State Building!