Few more pictures from the weekend

Created for Care - Reflecting Back

250 moms,
countless numbers of adopted children from all over the world,
lots of wonderful speakers,
10 hours of sleep,
8+ organizations that serve to help orphans and widows
5 good meals (where I didn't have to cook or do the dishes)
4 pages of fabulous notes taken (only to lose my folder)
4 incredible times of worship,
2 great worship leaders,
2 comfy beds in a beautiful room at a gorgeous lodge,
a date with God,
1 awesome friend and several new ones made,
1 Great God we serve
and One amazing weekend!

It was a weekend where lots of healing took place for me and I was able to see where my frustration with God had affected my relationship with my son! I finally came to terms with the fact that our adoption had not been what I had dreamed it would be and my disappointment with God had greatly impacted my ability to bond with my son! While healing had already begun to take place over the last several months, I felt this weekend was an opportunity to truly lay it all down and be able to move on from that devestation. I have always loved my son, but I believe my love for him has increased in the last few months as I was able put aside MY DREAM for what God wanted for us and our family!

I am so excited about what I learned about implementing an adoption ministry and what I can take back to our new ministry formed at our church. I am praying that the Lord will provide financially for this ministry and that other families within our church will step forward and respond to the call of adoption. I also learned more about domestic adoption to help others in that journey.

Being in the midst of other moms excited about the call of adoption, waiting on their babies and being home with their babies was such a thrill! I had time with my precious friend who has a passion for orphans! I met new friends that share that same passion and who also homeschool in the craziness of it all! I cherished the session on special needs as I heard other stories of moms who have dedicated themselves to the call of adopting special needs children. It was refreshing to sit among other moms with a similar calling and listening to how they get through the surgeries, doctor and therapy appointments and how it brings us closer to the Lord and dependence on him through caring for these children!

Probably the best time of the weekend was the time I spent with the Lord in worship. Tears streamed as I sung about who He is, all He has done and offering my life to Him.

The presence of the Lord just abounded in this place and I left refreshed, renewed and exhausted - but a good exhausted! I can't wait for Created to Care 2012! You can bet I'll be one of the first to sign up!

Created for Care

An amazing weekend spent with the Lord and with 250 moms that share a passion for adoption! Here is a video from the weekend published by Andrea!