In this episode, our entire Women’s Staff Team (all seven of us!) sit down to reflect on our most recent Women’s Retreat, Presence of Joy, which took place at the beginning of March.
Welcome back to The Women’s Cast! That’s short for podcast, forecast, our cast of characters, and all the casts in between. This year, our Women’s Ministry at The Austin Stone is focusing on JOY.
In this episode, our entire Women’s Staff Team (all seven of us!) sit down to reflect on our most recent Women’s Retreat, Presence of Joy, which took place at the beginning of March. In Psalm 107:2, the psalmist says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,” and that’s exactly what we do in this episode.
God was so faithful to move at Women’s Retreat this year! And whether or not you attended the retreat, we hope this episode is an encouragement to you—that God is always faithfully moving on behalf of His kids. Enjoy!
Speaker 1 (00:00:05):
Well, hey friends. Welcome back to the Women's Cast. I'm your host, Alison Mezger, and today I'm joined by the entire women's team. That's right. You're getting all seven of us staff, ladies today. We have done this once before, not knowing if it would be too many voices or not. Um, but we had a ton of fun the last time, and some of you even told us you enjoyed the episode. So we are running that playback today. But the other reason is truly because what we're going to talk about today is almost always, in fact, I'd say actually always better with more people in women's ministry. We have a bit of a tradition that we like to call the say so. And while we can't take credit for the idea, it certainly has become a staple for us. And we know for many of you, the idea of the say so finds its roots in Psalm 1 0 7 2, where the Psalm says, let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
(00:00:58):
So a say so is simply a time to share the ways that God is and has been moving faithfully at work in and through and around us for years now. We've ended all of our Bible studies with a say so, maybe you've been a part of one. And back in March, we used the final Sunday session, Sunday morning of Women's Retreat for probably our biggest say so ever. I know some of you may be thinking, wait, I wasn't at Women's Retreat, so I'm gonna get lost in this conversation. It's probably time to find something else to listen to. But here's the deal. Yes, 550 of us there and had an incredible weekend. That's true, but that's actually not the point. The point is something much bigger than that. And it's something that you can join us in today, even if you've never been to a women's retreat. The point is this, God is extremely faithful, and so we get to proclaim that. So whether you were with us in March or not, let these reflections, these stories, this laughter, I'm sure there will be some, remind you of that truth, that God is extremely faithful. All right, thanks for sitting through my preamble again. Uh, I want everyone in the room to say hello. Give us your names so that listeners can attach a voice to your name.
Speaker 2 (00:02:13):
Hey ladies, this is Annette guys too. If you're listening. ,
Speaker 3 (00:02:19):
How y'all doing? How y'all doing? My name's Purshia.
Speaker 2 (00:02:22):
Hey, this is Julie. Hi, it's Misti. I'm Christine at Northwest. Hey guys. Kate Terry from downtown.
Speaker 1 (00:02:30):
It's, it's worth mentioning that while this is not everyone's first podcast, it is one of ours. First,
Speaker 2 (00:02:37):
Um, Misti.
Speaker 1 (00:02:39):
Misti Echols is new not to staff, and certainly not to the Stone, but new to her role as the women's at equipping director at St. John. You've been in your role
Speaker 2 (00:02:47):
For how long? Missed you now? Two months. Two
Speaker 1 (00:02:50):
Months, barely, yeah. Right before Women's Retreat. So welcome to your first ever podcast. Thanks.
Speaker 3 (00:02:56):
Come on. Half a fiscal quarter right there.
Speaker 1 (00:02:58):
Half of a fiscal quarter. Wow. . Okay, so we're gonna start the same way that we've started Bible study. Say sos the way that we've started, or the way that we started the Say So at Women's Retreat. It's a simple question, where did you see God's faithfulness at Women's Retreat? And regardless of the year, regardless of the theme, regardless of what each of our roles were that weekend, we get some really unique vantage points and we get to reflect those things back to women who were there and women who weren't as just an opportunity to praise God for all that he's done in and amongst us. Reality is, even before we actually get to Women's Retreat, there's a lot that we're able to see God do in us and our team and volunteers and planning before we even ever get out to Camp Tejas. So go back a week, go back in the planning season. What stands out to you? What did you see God do?
Speaker 3 (00:03:45):
I think I found myself really excited, like, like secondhand excited, uh, from south women that I, that I knew for a lot of them. It was their first time to come to retreat, uh, or came, you know, apprehensively at best. Uh, but, but came and, and God came expecting God to do something great, but then hearing, you know, and we'll talk about this, but hearing that, that God held to his word, you know, like, um, so they were excited and with good reason and that, that's really cool to me.
Speaker 1 (00:04:18):
Yeah. That's awesome.
Speaker 4 (00:04:19):
I think the theme, I mean our, one of our last meetings as a women's team, before we left, we sat around and we actually shared some of the burdens we were going in with, and we had some pretty heavy things that we were sharing and we were holding as we walked in as a team. And to have the theme of joy for me personally, I was like, I don't know if I can match that energy. Mm-Hmm. I don't know if I can, you know, I'm carrying some heavy burdens here. Yeah. And I don't know if I have what it takes. And I, I think it's interesting. Throughout the weekend, I just felt like God met us as a team. Yeah. Mm-Hmm. and our women with true joy, something we couldn't manufacture or conjure up. Yeah. We chose that theme a long time ago, but something special happened, and I think for me specifically and for our team with the burdens we were carrying, for, for me, I, I felt like God helped me in ways Mm-Hmm. That were very, very clear. And he gave me joy in being there. I mean, to be honest, it was a little bit apprehensive about even, do I have any, the energy to do this? Yeah. Yeah. And, and he met me in that. And so I just thought that was so cool how the theme kind of was lived out, not because we made that happen, but because God truly gave us joy. Mm-Hmm.
Speaker 1 (00:05:32):
. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (00:05:33):
Yeah. I can back flip off of that. As I've reflected on Women's Retreat, now that it's behind us, one of the most significant, I don't know, ways that I see God's faithfulness really goes back to like nine months to the year prior when we really start planning for the year and what our theme will be for the year. And this year, that being joy. And I feel like in the four years that I've been in this role, God has seemed to be really faithful and does this time and time again. And I think it feels even like more unique this time to just to bring alignment within our team's own heart of where we feel like he is leading to inform what the details of ministry look like that year. And when I think about this year specifically, I know that like God was doing stuff in my heart as it relates to joy in Allison's, and just like those things happening separate from each other and then coming together and be like, we feel like God is like leading in this direction.
(00:06:32):
And so then to walk, to have that context and then to walk through the weekend and for it to really, like so much of what Christine said feel so, um, unique and as you'll hear in the rest of this conversation, like, I don't know, like it just, God did so much that it is just really cool to see just like how far in advance that began. Yeah. And just that like, retreat, the theme isn't chosen in isolation to that weekend. And really it's like God's leading across a good amount of time that I think is really sweet.
Speaker 6 (00:07:04):
Yeah. Yeah. I'll, I'll just share off of that, that, you know, in God's perfect timing, our church was navigating a really difficult thing to, women's retreat was two weeks after some really hard news and talking to some women at downtown, there was just that feeling of we need to be together right now, not a part. And so even just the timing of on the heels of, of some really deep heartache in God's church for God to prepare a place to say, I'm gonna bring my people together. Mm-Hmm. around the theme of how you can experience the presence of joy with me. Mm-Hmm. as you're navigating suffering, as you're navigating heartache. Like, yeah. Julie, I just can't agree more that it, it is just really cool and worshipful to think about God's storytelling in that way. Mm-Hmm. that he knew what we would need Mm-Hmm.
(00:08:00):
long before we, you know, like even sat around and came up with that theme. Right. Like he was orchestrating something and, and I just yeah. Echo everything Christine said that he really carried that out and, and bore fruit from that throughout the weekend. Mm-Hmm. , we gotta talk about volunteer day too, to kinda switch, switch, uh, maybe the tone of this conversation, which the amazing and wonderful Annette oversees for us. But that is something, when I think about like the work that leading up to retreat that day is huge. So Annette, you wanna kind of share a little bit about that?
Speaker 7 (00:08:29):
Yeah. That, I mean, I was, I was overwhelmed by the response of women who just wanted to chip in Mm-Hmm. Just wanted to be able to do something, whatever it could be. As a matter of fact, I felt like we didn't even have enough things for women to do this year, this time of round, because we had so many women who were raising their hand and saying, I just wanna be there, whatever I could. And I remember sending out the link to all of the women who said that they were interested in coming on our Tuesday workday, the week of retreat to help out. And there were women who were blocking out four hours of their day to just come and the room that we had set up for them, it was a constant just conversation that women were having as they were coming in and coming out of that room, just sharing their lives with one another, sharing their anticipation about retreat, laughing, giggling.
(00:09:26):
Uh, there were a few hard conversations that even happened right there at the table as we were stuffing name tags. Um, and it was just really, really sweet to see that our women were, um, just so invested in retreat that they were willing to give up their time, um, just to come and do some really basic menial tasks. But that ended up being so impactful for women as they actually came to retreat and were able to see the fruits of the labor of all of these women that were doing it. So it, I mean, I've been doing volunteers for several years for retreat, and I think for this year in particular, I don't know, there was just something about the atmosphere of the women this year that from the moment that they walked in that room carrying us through all, carrying us all the way into retreat and all of the different teams that were serving at Retreat specifically, I just felt like there was this, here am I, you know, Mm-Hmm. Kind of mentality, just showing up, ready to do whatever it was, just expecting that what they were gonna do was gonna matter, even if it was only gonna matter to them that they
Speaker 5 (00:10:37):
Were there. Yeah. It is pretty overwhelming with the level of detail that we have of what goes into retreat to think about how little we would accomplish Yes. At Women's Retreat without volunteers. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Mm-Hmm. . Like, it truly is like a, like volunteers make it happen.
Speaker 7 (00:10:57):
Oh, yeah. Absolutely. So much so that when we actually got out to retreat and Friday, early Friday, when all of the volunteers, um, who are gonna be serving for Friday arrival and welcome and stuff gathered for this huddle time, I opened my mouth to just kind of gather us together. And immediately I just choked up and the tears started flowing because I just, I just had this wave of love come over me for these women that were, it's coming up right now, , I be these women who are standing in front of me just with, with joy already on their face. Mm-Hmm. We hadn't even started. Mm-Hmm. and Joy was already on their face. Mm-Hmm. . And I just lost it. .
Speaker 1 (00:11:41):
Well, what's cool thinking about that group of women, you don't have to know anything about them, to know that it wasn't because each of them were coming in not with burdens, or were coming out of a perfectly stable and easy, you know, homework, life, everything like it, they, any joy you experience from them wasn't because there was a lack of hardship. It was that. So there was some type of gift happening that in that moment, they, they had, they felt unity. They had some anticipatory joy. Even like, joy is a gift now because of what you think God is going to do in the future that you were seeing on their faces. And that's, he has to do that. Mm-Hmm. . That is so true.
Speaker 6 (00:12:21):
Yeah. But before we move on to like actual retreat kind of weekend, I, I do wanna give some shout outs that, 'cause I, I want, man any listeners to understand the amount of work that Alison Mezger and Julie Ulli do, um, months before, uh, the women's directors get in a room, the behind the scenes work, the amount of spreadsheets, y'all, , the amount of for formulas and Google Sheets, the amount of emails I'm looking at Julie and she's just like, like y'all 550 women, you know, most we've ever had sign up for retreat. Imagine how many emails and questions and, and details that takes to get those 550 women signed up in there. And Allison and and Julie pour out hours and hours and hours in the months leading up to make that system seamless. I'm praising God for that. Yes. Because it wouldn't happen. It would not happen. Yeah. All round, all round all around and they're kind. Yeah. The last shout out I want to give is to Misti, because she,
Speaker 1 (00:13:22):
I don't wanna
Speaker 6 (00:13:23):
Say anything, sorry. You're gonna have speak. Um, because she became my U-Haul buddy. Yeah. And y'all, we take a truck out every year and let me just say like 20, 25-year-old Kate, Terry's different than 30 5-year-old
Speaker 1 (00:13:37):
Kate Terry. So
Speaker 6 (00:13:38):
This body's feeling old. And I'm like, we're kind of Tetris. We fit so much into that U-Haul. And Misti was in that U-Haul with me. We were like climbing on top of things, fitting in the tiniest spots, and we were both dripping sweat. Yeah. But the U-Haul would not have been loaded with the efficiency that it was without Misti's help. So I see you girl. Thank you. You're the best. I'll be a
Speaker 1 (00:14:00):
You buddy forever.
Speaker 6 (00:14:01):
Awesome. I have
Speaker 5 (00:14:02):
A vivid memory of when y'all were doing that, of looking at y'all. And in my head, thinking, I'm so glad
Speaker 1 (00:14:07):
That's not me. thrilled. That really, that's the body of price. I'm like, Kate, I've partnered with you on 4 billion things, but the u hauling has never gone well between the two of us, so I'm so glad to have that pressure removed. It's true. Missy was good. It's better for everyone. It's better for everyone. It's good time. Mm-Hmm. . That's good. . All right. More things. What did we see God do? What did we see God do when women arrived? What did we see God do through the lives of some of the gals that we know were there for the weekend with us?
Speaker 6 (00:14:39):
I mean, Friday's so fun. Yeah. Friday is like so fun because everyone's coming in, you know, and, but I, but I'll say like, it's, it's interesting because it feels like is where hospitality is the most important, you know, thing for our team to embody for our volunteers to embody, because women are bringing a lot from home, like with them. And so the things that stick out to me, we did a new luggage kind of system this year, and we had probably 10 to 15 volunteers down in that parking lot with us welcoming women as they got outta their car and helping, you know, tie the luggage tags and all that. And again, similar to what Annette was saying, but just this team, this like squad of women helping welcome that woman, getting out of her car with maybe some mixed emotions of, of some excitement, but also maybe some anxiety or some like that, that drive was hard.
(00:15:32):
And, and, and I'm leaving some heavy things like, or trying to, but my mind is full of some heavy things. Yeah. And for them to be welcomed with a smiling face and walked up to registration to check in, you know, and all those kind of steps. Like, I always love that moment because there's a lot of energy and a lot of excitement. But again, like when it happened without volunteers, there was just that team to help meet women where they're at. You know, there was, there's a few gals like that I'm picturing in my mind that it was clearly we're walking outta of some hard things. Mm-Hmm. . And I feel like best we could, we tried to meet them where they were. I'm sure we didn't do it perfectly, but like that's always definitely our heart is to say, Hey, you don't have to like match our excitement. We wanna meet you where you are and welcome you in to this weekend for whatever God has. Yeah. And I just saw every volunteer embodying that and doing that, which is beautiful. Mm-Hmm.
Speaker 7 (00:16:20):
Yeah. And selfishly for me, I, I mean, I was, I was at our arrivals area, um, just serving along with, um, some of our volunteers. And I've been at the Austin Stone now for coming up on 20 years. So I know a lot of women across all of our congregations. And I tell you the number of times I just wanted to dive through a window of a car as I was seeing the face Yeah. That I hadn't seen in almost a year. It was so delightful. Mm-Hmm. . And it, it really was just a reunion for me Yeah. Of every time a car would come up, oh, you're here. And it was just amazing. Mm-Hmm.
Speaker 5 (00:16:57):
. I think that's one of the like, most exciting things about Friday I was at Check-in and have been at Check-in the past couple of years, and there's a number of people across our church Yeah. That have been at different congregations. And there's, it's like, it feels like moment after moment is someone like squealing and running up to someone that they haven't seen in a while. And just like, so it, it honestly makes the logistics, logistics of check-in kind of hard because all these, like baby reunions are happening while they're in line at check-in. And so, I don't know, it's just really sweet and just, I don't know, really exciting to see. Mm.
Speaker 1 (00:17:29):
Well, you, you hit on something both of y'all just did that I know, came up a bunch in this say so Sunday morning, and we can kind of hit on it. This is, this will be a thread, I'm sure of our conversation because it was for the women there, but of kind of family reunion. Mm-Hmm. , you know, and there being a real sense of new family. Mm-Hmm. , you know, when you make like someone who's come in fresh and new, um, where you can go deep quickly Mm-Hmm. in a context like that makes family happen. But also that it's a reunion in a lot of ways for, it doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, it doesn't matter that, um, we're not at the same congregation anymore. Or maybe we are, but we're just different services and we Mm-Hmm. don't live right next door to each other, and so we miss each other. Yeah. Like to see that happen and to see how significant and important that is Yeah. For all of us to feel like there is, like, church won't feel like home unless it's full of family. And this is a way for us to experience that and Yeah. Mm-Hmm. and felt like God was really faithful to like, do, do all those little mini reunions. Yeah. You know,
Speaker 5 (00:18:31):
. Yeah. . I think that was, I'm really trying not to put it on the spot was, as
Speaker 4 (00:18:35):
Soon as she said her name, she's like, Misti.
Speaker 5 (00:18:37):
I just like, legitimately remember when we came together as a team that week after you drawing attention to the fact that outside of Women's retreat, there's really nothing else where all six of our congregations are con like, annually in one space. Yep.
Speaker 4 (00:18:57):
Well, I also wanna say, you know, there are people who are brand new who also showed up. I was at Check-in, and there was a lady who came up and she said, I saw it on Instagram, I signed up, I know zero people. Amazing. She drove out by herself knowing no bridge, no single person, and came up to check in. And what was a blessing was our congregation captains that I could say, Hey, she didn't even have a congregation, but I just said, Hey, I, I know my, my ladies, I'm taking you straight to them. And they just took her in and she just kind of followed along with our northwest ladies for the weekend. And just first of all, the courage that that took from, I mean, just for the listener that they know, people like that come each year, you know, I, I was encouraged by that.
Speaker 1 (00:19:42):
Yeah. Mm-Hmm. , you may be new, but you're not gonna be a stranger.
Speaker 6 (00:19:45):
We have to talk about worship.
Speaker 5 (00:19:47):
I know . Right. It's, it'll be ingrained in, go on. The image will be ingrained in my brain for a long time.
Speaker 6 (00:19:52):
Mm-Hmm. Yeah. I mean, it's special. In the same way, Allison, you were talking about a theme of family reunion and that kind of sense. Like, I think for me, there was a theme of, of worship throughout the weekend in, in that, in feeling like God was uniquely present with our people and moving in those spaces. And I, I've already, like Lainey knows, I've shouted her out and given her, her man just like thank yous in the way that she led so beautifully. Yeah. Her and her team. Her and her band. But Friday night, like bringing back worship in around, for those of you who don't know, like, it, it's been probably three or four years since we've done that. Mm-Hmm. . And it was special. I only got to step in for maybe one or two songs, but that was the very beginning for me of just feeling that that sense of God's here and is doing something unique.
(00:20:38):
Mm-Hmm. . And I don't know what that'll look like Saturday, you know, but, but just that like, kind of one of those moments of, if this is it Mm-Hmm. . If this is the old, you know, then, then, then God, this was worth it. like, because, and I think some of that was the liturgy, you know, that it, and, and you know, guys, it's our heart that Friday, part of what you experienced Friday night is a space to meet with God. Mm-Hmm. for you to commune with him before we just start teaching at you . Yeah. Because we want your heart to be ready to receive and be ready to come however you are. But in order for that to happen really authentically, we, we first gotta kind of do business with God. Yeah. And so Friday night's always been about that. But man, the, the liturgy that I believe Allison put together, like, it just felt like it, it tilled the soil in a beautiful way that hearing our women respond in worship was really impactful for, for me. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:21:32):
And if you, if you need help picturing this worship in the Round is literally the, the band, the worship leaders are in the middle of the room and we're kind of in chairs and circled around them. And so there is something really unique about getting to look across from you and actually see faces. Yeah. Looking back at you, um, Purshia, what you got
Speaker 3 (00:21:53):
Speaker 6 (00:21:55):
Revolving?
Speaker 3 (00:21:55):
Um, I have, I have, I have one like funny thought. Um, in the black church, there's a, there's a saying that whenever worship is really lively, and like just everything is just popping because of the spirit of God, not because of anything else. Um, there's a term that says we went up , you know, and, and, and it really means like you experience something in the Sunday gathering or in the, you know, uh, , my great grandmother has a gathering called Federation, where multiple churches come together. Mm-Hmm. And, and, you know, worship together really means that God did something or was at work in a way that though we meet like this regularly, it was, it was different. And so that's my like, like lighthearted, you know? But then realistically,
Speaker 1 (00:22:45):
Are you saying we did that? Did we go up?
Speaker 3 (00:22:47):
We went up. All
Speaker 1 (00:22:47):
Right. Just wanna make sure. Yeah. We went up, we went up.
Speaker 3 (00:22:50):
Okay. And then, and then, and then some. These women know this, but, uh, the women in the room know this. But one of my greatest takeaways from this, from this year's retreat, um, 'cause this was my, my fourth one. Praise God. Praise God. Hope I get reelected. . New turn. New turn. . But, but one of the things that I walked away with was it, there were moments specifically as it pertained to worship. Mm-Hmm. that felt like what I've, what I've gotten the, the honor to study about revival. Mm-Hmm. revival is when God uses in the hearts of humbled, prayerful, oftentimes wounded subsets of people Mm-Hmm. , who are willing to, to enter in with him in whatever he has, for them to do something through ordinary means, through, through very means that we're all used to, to bring about supernatural and extraordinary results.
(00:23:50):
Mm. And man, I don't get me wrong, I'm not a, a revival expert by any means, but I do have the indwelling Holy Spirit. And there were moments that, that for me, it felt like revival. Mm. And not just because we had the most people, not just because, you know, Annette preached the paint off the walls Yeah. . Not just because dinner was beautiful. Not all those things matter, but I think the thing that matters most is women walked away legitimately reawaken to the real authentic presence of Jesus, which is their joy, which is our joy. You know, but they, they walked away with that, you know, and that, that made every spreadsheet, every meeting, every time. I didn't know what was going on. Because that's often , um, every time. And they laugh it like, it's true. I really don't. But, but legitimately it all went in that type of direction. And that makes me want to, to to continue. Like, I was like, Hey, we need to stay another day. Like, you know, I mean, people
Speaker 8 (00:24:58):
Said that in survey. Yeah. Like making another
Speaker 3 (00:25:01):
Night long. So it was, yeah. It was a stuff of revival. It had, it had revivalistic potential. Yeah.
Speaker 7 (00:25:09):
And I also heard it was like heaven without men
Speaker 8 (00:25:12):
. Oh
Speaker 3 (00:25:14):
My God. You said without
Speaker 8 (00:25:16):
Clarity, it was
Speaker 7 (00:25:18):
Like heaven, but there were no men there. Exactly. So if heaven will have men, but it was like heaven, but without the men. Yeah. There
Speaker 8 (00:25:25):
You go. Oh man. . Yeah. Not in a negative sense. That's important, man. I,
Speaker 6 (00:25:32):
I would just say too, like, and those of you that are maybe retreat veterans know this, but we changed a lot of the schedule for Friday. Like we simplified a lot for our team, and I see it as part of God's faithfulness that he, I guess similar to what we were saying earlier about the ways he worked before us in our planning, and he always is Right, praise God. But that he knew what our team would need for that weekend. Mm-Hmm mm-Hmm. . And our team felt like, like Christine was saying, like filled with joy and in a space, I think to receive from God as we served Mm-Hmm. . Because some of the aspects of Friday were a little simpler. And, and I, I really believe God went before us in that planning. Yeah. And I, I praise God for that because Mm-Hmm. , it felt like when we got to Sunday, we were, we were really like getting to, to still feel that kind of, uh, overflow and, and less of the burnout or the exhaustion. Mm-Hmm. . Um, even though we were tired. Um, and I, and I think it's because of some of those things and that's God's hand in every bit of the planning and the details and the execution. He was just, I see, I see how he went before us and all that. Mm-Hmm. .
Speaker 1 (00:26:38):
Yeah. We made changes not even knowing Yeah. How impactful those would be in the ways that he would use them. That we couldn't, we couldn't have foreseen. Mm-Hmm. . Yeah. It's, it's definitely true.
Speaker 4 (00:26:50):
Christine, how was your Sunday morning ? Oh, funny. You should ask Misti. Spicy. Spicy. I woke up Sunday morning and I was trying to find my clothes to get dressed , and I'm going through my luggage and I remember how many brass I packed and I can't find any of them. and Sydnee Neal, who did all of the beautiful dinner. Yep. Shout out. I mean, amazing. She's sitting there watching Purshia. I was there, I thought was my friend, um, is sitting there watching. I mean, I'm like, why are y'all watching me go through my suitcase? And then they start , maybe you should go check in the freezer. I think there's a bra in the freezer. And so I'm like, you've gotta be kidding me. I walk out and find my bra in the freezer, rock solid . And as soon as I start coming out of my room to find the bra, everyone, like little mice or roaches, roaches coming out of the room, they're all like giggling because I went to bed before then and they decided to put my bra in the freezer. And you know whose idea it was, it was Misti .
(00:28:12):
I would like to add that I played no part. Yes. Julie still my friend this, I'm on Christine's team. Retaliation is gonna be the same bed. We're all on the
Speaker 1 (00:28:22):
Same team. We're all on the same team,
Speaker 4 (00:28:23):
Ladies, same team. And I hard to blame Kate is the one who put it in the freezer. . So next year I'm gonna come up with, I'm already planning . That's great. My testimony still stands that I never touched your butt. It took, it took a whole day for that bra out. I put it on the dashboard of my car in the sun, and it still was soaking wet the
Speaker 3 (00:28:48):
Day. I will, I will say I, you know, these ladies know I'm very close to my mom and I, I always call her on the way back into town. 'cause usually I'm tired and I need to talk to somebody. And I told her about this and she goes, this the ministry
Speaker 4 (00:29:04):
Retreat, the one the, with the church leaders, the church women,
Speaker 3 (00:29:11):
The work thing you do. And I was like, yes ma'am. And she was like, glory be to God.
Speaker 4 (00:29:16):
. I'll just say, I'm glad I packed more than one bra. I would not have been able, I mean, what I done, I think, I think that the person, I'm pretty sure she touched your bra checked, had more than one. She did. This was one effort and somebody put one in the freezer. Yeah. So I had none, but I never touched them. So just clarifying. You were the head honcho of this whole thing. Yeah, she was, she was the brain el hee. Yeah.
Speaker 7 (00:29:41):
Yep, yep, yep. The, or the, the orchestrator never gets their hands dirty.
Speaker 6 (00:29:45):
Yeah,
Speaker 5 (00:29:46):
That's a good word. That's good.
Speaker 4 (00:29:49):
Okay. Well, I'm gonna tell you my, one of my favorite parts of the whole retreat was I got to peek in right when Annette started, and I didn't get to hear the whole thing, but I loved what Annette said at the very beginning. She talked about being, uh, you know, over 50 women and how just like, it was like, I, she didn't say it quite like this, but I received it. I was like, this is an example of God continuing to use women no matter their age. And everyone just clapped. And I was like, in that moment, I was so proud of you. And so like, oh my gosh, that's my teammate. That's Annette. But also just what you said, it just landed. And that was a favorite moment of mine of the whole retreat. Mm-Hmm
Speaker 5 (00:30:31):
Mm-Hmm. . That's sweet. Mm-Hmm. . Yeah. That feels like we have to mention and give shout out to the older wiser Mm. Yeah. Panel. Oh yeah. And talk about that, because that, I feel like that is just jumping off the page, or it was on the survey.
Speaker 6 (00:30:46):
Yeah. So those of you who didn't get to attend that breakout, we had one called Learning from the Older and Wiser, and it was four Ladies 55 plus and ranging all the way up to, to late sixties, I believe. And yeah, I mean, I, I, I got the honor of just facilitating that panel and, and I think, yeah. One of my takeaways, and I think this came through on the survey, if y'all have other things, please chime in, but me, and we need to do that more . Yeah. Like, at first, like, that was my first thought is to to to what you were just saying about Annette, like, you know, we're a young church in, in, in many ways and you know, obviously we, we uniquely feel about it downtown. We're just a young congregation. But the ways that, that God has set it up for older women to like invest and pour into Mm-Hmm.
(00:31:34):
younger women and that there's, there's benefit there and story and experience that has been lived. And that doesn't mean that younger women should look down on the, on themselves, you know, because of their age, not at all. But that we have a lot to learn from one another. And that there's, I think in particular with that panel, every woman on that panel shared unique suffering that they have walked through in their 20 extra 20 to 30 years that they have on the, you know, average audience age. Mm-Hmm. . Yeah. And what power does that communicate? Mm-Hmm. . When you hear a gal who's two, three decades down the road from you say, Hey, I've been there. I've been in the trench, here's how my life has fallen apart. Here's how I was having a hard time believing the truth of God. And here's how God was faithful.
(00:32:25):
Mm-Hmm. , here's how he persevered me. Here's how I'm still here today with joy. Yeah. And here's how I've learned from that. Mm-Hmm. . And you could just feel that in the room. Like for those of you that Dunno, like our average age at retreat's 36, 34, 34, sorry. 30. So gosh, to have women in their sixties pouring out, Hey, this is just what I've learned. Mm-Hmm. . And they were so vulnerable and honest. And it was such a good model that I hope, um, I hope that culture seeps down into Sundays at our church, seeps down into groups. Mm-Hmm. of this let's not hesitate to ask one another. Hey, can I hear your story? To ask the gals a few years ahead of you? Like, can we just get together and share life a little bit so we can learn from each other? Because it just feels like we really did get a taste of that retreat in a way that, man, I hope that that's multiplied across our
Speaker 1 (00:33:15):
Church. Mm-Hmm. . Well, and isn't isn't that part of kind of the, just the family of God, family reunion aspect of it? Yeah. And we've seen this, I mean, truly praise God that I think over the past few years we've seen this in increasing measure, not just at retreat, but in a lot of aspects. Congregationally and church-wide Yeah. That of things that we're getting to do in women's ministry, but the opportunity to learn from Yes. The older and wiser, but yes. The single who can be marginalized. Mm-Hmm. . Yes. The women of color. Like we have an opportunity like God has, has increasingly given us diversity in servants and leaders and teachers that then when we do get to pull those together and sit underneath some of the things where, you know, you're getting to actually learn from somebody who doesn't, hasn't walked exactly in your shoes.
(00:34:02):
Like, how much more rich is that? And he's just been really faithful to do that. Mm-Hmm. mm-Hmm. obviously we had a lot of fun, uh, with Christine's bra, but the rest of the women attending had fun on their own. Yeah. Oh, yeah. And that in and of itself, I mean, it, the, the, the joy and the presence, like that doesn't just come through worship environments and the more kind of serious, or like church sounding things, like there's something really important about giving women, giving each other space to just be and to have fun and to connect on lighthearted things. So like in anything that stands out from that kind of connection.
Speaker 6 (00:34:41):
Yeah. I mean, I think like, whether it was during free time, I mean, guys, the weather, the weather was perfect. It was amazing. Praise God. Let's definitely say thank you, Lord, for the beautiful weather. Thank you, Lord. But I mean, gals going down the zip line and like playing around camp, what a joy to just get to see women like, uh, take off some of the, those, those titles, those roles, responsibilities of, of mom, wife, like professional, like, and just be like a daughter, be a little girl in some ways. Like, I, I think that that's, that's restful for our souls in ways we don't even realize. And I felt like I got to see that in women. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 9 (00:35:17):
We got to see a gal Sunday morning share that she participated in the silent disco for the first time. And how many years had she been coming?
Speaker 6 (00:35:24):
Here's a like five or six, I think a lot.
Speaker 1 (00:35:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (00:35:26):
Yeah. I do think there was a, there was a presence of joy that we, we couldn't cultivate. And then I think there was also a sense of engagement from women in the fun and laughter and
Speaker 7 (00:35:37):
Lighthearted sight of joy. Yeah. Yeah. In new ways. One of the, my favorite things that I did after retreat was go through the role of all of the photo booth things and just watch how like these really dignified women that I normally see on Sunday, just cutting loose and having a hilarious time with all of the props and stuff. I mean, you could just tell they were, like you said, they were just taking off that title, taking off those roles, taking off the burdens. And they were just ready there to have, be fun, to have fun to be girls and have fun. Yeah. I girls just wanna have fun. I was singing, I was almost gonna totally go there, but y'all went there. Anyway.
Speaker 3 (00:36:17):
It's a group journey, I think for, for me, during Saturday when all of our both day pass and full weekend women are there. Mm-Hmm. It is the most unhinged thing. But I always try to get like a full everybody from South picture, you know, just, just, Hey, meet me by the chapel. If you, if you have cell reception, we would love to, for all of us to get together, you know? And, you know, just seeing like over the last few years, that group picture though, we, we never get everybody in it. And you know, it's always like a madhouse. Just seeing that picture, like whoever's taking it need to stand further and further back. Just seeing that that number grow is just really, really beautiful. And like, and also for that number to grow and for many of those women, like, for me to really know what they bring into that weekend, what they're taking back with them leaving and, and that they took, you know, the weekend to just come and, and be shuffled around to take a group photo or to to hear a, a, a desperately needed word or, or whatever.
(00:37:25):
You know, just, it's, it's just seeing things like that, it reminds me like God is still out here, like saving people and renewing people and gathering them together in a really beautiful way. Mm-Hmm. . Um, and I get to see it in, in my own backyard with, with southie women that God has entrusted, uh, to, to me and to us. You know?
Speaker 6 (00:37:45):
Man. Amen to that Purshia. Gosh, , thanks for sharing. I, I'm also God bringing to mind the dinner. Of course. And we, we have to at least touch on it briefly. Mm-Hmm. . Yeah. Shout out to Sydney Neil and her entire team and volunteers, goodness, that helped set that room up and serve our women. Um, some of you heard this at the say so, but there was a gal who felt so overwhelmed by the beauty of how the table was set for her, and that that was for her done with love. And it, and it did communicate to her a example of God's love for her Mm-Hmm. That she had to walk out of the dining hall in tears and gather herself. And Allison and I actually ended up getting to chat with her and pray with her. But what part of what she shared with us was I didn't, I didn't know how to accept that because I've never experienced that kind of love.
(00:38:42):
And man, like we talk about all the time that ministry is just setting the table for people. Like, literally, like, it's set. It's literally and figuratively. Like it's setting the table for people to meet with God. And so to think that a beautiful dinner in a beautiful environment could communicate to somebody, you're seen, you're loved, God sees you exactly where you're at. That's one moment, you know, for a gal and I, and, and there's, there's hundreds more of, of what women were experiencing in that moment. But it's just cool to get, get a taste of, of little stories like that.
Speaker 4 (00:39:14):
Indeed.
Speaker 5 (00:39:16):
It feels like we can't close out Saturday Mm-Hmm. without talking about Christine's talk. Mm-Hmm. Uber. I remember after dinner, our team always stays and breaks down all the candles and all the stuff. And I remember being like, I am not missing a minute of Christine's talk. I'm like, I will pick wax off of these tables until 2:00 AM like, I'm not missing it. Because I think having you teach that session, which was how to walk the path to our ultimate joy that is guaranteed in heaven find joy on the path, even when that means suffering, to have that be delivered by you who's in your own unique season of suffering. It was just such a privilege. Like to have your vulnerability in that moment Mm-Hmm. . Um, and to have that message delivered by someone who was literally walking it. And I know we all have our own stories, but I was just really overwhelmed and grateful, um, that you would give that to us Mm-Hmm. , um, and invite so many of our women into that portion of your story and to truly let it be an example that joy along the path, especially when it includes in suffering can't exist.
Speaker 6 (00:40:27):
Yeah. Amen.
Speaker 4 (00:40:28):
Well, just a little backstory to that, that afternoon, I, I got to go like, have some time by myself to prepare. Mm-Hmm. it was right before dinner and to shower and get ready by myself. And it was just this moment of, of overwhelming, you know, that verse let the redeemed of the Lord say, so I'm, I'm saying. So now that the Lord brought me to that place, and just in that moment when I was in the shower, I just got so overwhelmed with his goodness to me that he brought me to the stone. And that because I was kind of like, okay, do I feel nervous or do I feel, you know, I'm about to share some vulnerable things and open myself up to, to that. Um, but also the, the temptation toward performance. Mm-Hmm. or toward, you know, I have to prove myself 'cause I'm new and they, they gave me the Saturday night thing and I want to do a good job, but I just feel like the Lord overwhelmed me with reminding me of where I've come from.
(00:41:25):
Mm-Hmm. . And that he saw me and that he brought me to that place and that he had given me a story to share Mm-Hmm. . And so I just went in with truly with joy and confidence, not be in myself, but because the Lord was like, I'm there with you. Yeah. And I've brought you to this point, and so just go tell people what I've, what I've shown you. Yeah. And so that was another of my favorite moments because I just felt like the Lord overwhelm me with his presence and his love Right. Before I went to do that. So thanks for saying that Julie
Speaker 9 (00:41:57):
And Christine, you like the way that you, you alluded to this earlier, but three days before we left, you sat in our office and you said, I don't know, I don't know if I have enough strength. I don't know if I have joy to share the way that you modeled Mm-Hmm. that we cannot cultivate that joy. Like it only comes from God. Mm-Hmm. . Thank you. You modeled it beautifully. Mm-Hmm. . It was an honor to be there. Mm-Hmm.
Speaker 4 (00:42:22):
. Indeed. Indeed. You guys, thanks. Yeah. Mm-Hmm. . It was a special moment for me. Mm-Hmm. . And then we froze your broth . Perfect way to end. So you good
Speaker 1 (00:42:36):
Call back. That
Speaker 4 (00:42:37):
Sounds about right. Sunday. Should we talk Sunday?
Speaker 1 (00:42:41):
Sunday. Sunday was the day that I thought, yeah, we'll totally do 20 minutes. We'll have 20 minutes for say we'll do, we'll have breakfast, we'll do 20 minutes say so we'll do worship and then we'll get outta here. And 20 minutes. It was, it was, I mean, we were a half minute in when we realized there's a lot more to say. There's a lot more that the women in this room feel compelled to say and prompted by the spirit to share about all that God has done that we are not gonna be here 20 minutes. It was hard to shut it down at 45.
Speaker 4 (00:43:16):
I'm glad we kept going. Mm-Hmm. .
Speaker 1 (00:43:17):
Oh, I'm so glad we
Speaker 4 (00:43:18):
Kept going. It was
Speaker 1 (00:43:18):
Encouraging to hear. It was so encouraging. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:43:20):
It didn't feel like 45 minutes. No.
Speaker 1 (00:43:22):
Like
Speaker 4 (00:43:23):
It was the fastest 45
Speaker 1 (00:43:24):
Minutes. And when I think back on that time, I think what stands out to me is there were definitely some themes, right? Like there were themes of the need for one another and the, the experience of the family of God and the reunion. And there were themes of, I didn't know I needed this, but God knew Mm-Hmm. like, and whatever the, this was Mm-Hmm. . Um, and there were themes of, you know, just God's faithfulness. There were themes of people linking, I mean, giving a gala ride in a golf cart after that. And she was new to the stone and she said,
(00:44:00):
I didn't come to retreat knowing that the theme was presence of joy and think we would talk about suffering so much. . And her friend who had been at the stone for a long time was like, well, welcome to the awesome stone. And we all kind of had a good laugh, but she was really mini, she was nervous about coming, thinking that we were just gonna like put a be happy sticker on her. Yeah. And so it was actually, she was very refreshed by the fact that people had been so vulnerable just in personal conversations as well as teaching and worship environments, like about the connection between suffering and joy. Mm-Hmm. . So like, that was such a part of the stories people shared. It's a long-winded an way of saying there were so many themes. But I think the reason to me it didn't seem like we were there for 45 minutes is that it all, it was everything that was shared, every, every woman who shared it was so specific and so personal too.
(00:44:57):
Mm-Hmm. that it wasn't, there were themes that it wasn't repetitive. Mm-Hmm. . It's like God may be working out this like kind of bigger narrative amongst these people, but it was so specific to each one of them and the way they experienced it and the interactions that they had leading up to them being able to say, this is who I see God is right now and I'm worshiping him for that wasn't just like a one size fits all thing. 'cause that's how he interacts with us. So it's for Kate, it's for Julie, it's for Purshia. And it, that's why I think we could have gone on for hours listening to that. It was like the themes resonated, but it was, everyone had their own story. Mm-Hmm. . And then you, you know, double down on that. And it was like, in every time they shared, someone else said, I needed to hear you say that. Mm-Hmm. . And so then it just was this like multiplying effect of like, everyone, you know, I wasn't gonna say anything, but then this gal shared this, and so now I have to, that leads to the next one. And so it's just this like multiplication. Yeah. Mm-Hmm. of what God has done and the comfort he's providing and then the glory he's getting. And it just feels like it all is kind of like coming full circle.
Speaker 6 (00:46:02):
Amen. And there were stories that came to the service even after retreat. Yeah. Um, I was chatting with a downtown gal and I asked her if I could share this. And she, we, we chatted the week after retreat. I saw her at the next Sunday service. And um, I went up to her, 'cause I actually met her for the first time at retreat and we had chatted for a little bit, gotten to know each other. So I went up to her to say hi. And as soon as I, I, I said, Hey, how are you doing? Like, you remember me, my name's Kate, kind of, uh, she like, was almost already in tears and said, Hey, I have to explain to you like what God did last weekend. And part of what she shared with me during that time, she, she said this, I, I mean, I wish I could remember it perfectly, but it was something along the lines of, I thought I'd always heard people talk about what it meant to understand God moving you from death to life.
(00:46:53):
And I thought I understood what that meant, but I like experienced it in a new way at retreat. Uh, and she went on to say like, I'm a new person standing in front of you right now. And I was texting with her today. Um, and she said, I don't, I don't, I didn't know such a transformative experience could happen. But I now realize that following Jesus is a journey and it keeps getting better and better the closer I get to him. It was so beautiful to be in his presence with my sisters in prayer and worship. Mm-Hmm. . So, um, yeah, just a, a story of God meeting somebody and their, you know, maybe like growing young faith and revealing more of himself to her in a way that she would say has completely transformed her view of, of God and life with him and following him. And then she went on, her and her husband were baptized at downtown on Easter . Wow. And, um, yeah. Yeah. So it just, there's continued to be little stories like that that have man encouraged me. Yep.
Speaker 1 (00:47:55):
Well, it's just, just like we, Julie started by saying that we can point back as far as we can see Mm-Hmm. the of God working way before Mm-Hmm. the weekend. Mm-Hmm. . And I think that's, we, we've experienced enough to know that that happens on the other side too. Mm-Hmm. that like, there are ways that he's moving in individual people's lives and in relationships and in friendships that were formed or deep in there that, you know, maybe the, the actual story they'll tell they don't have for another six months, but it has some root in what he was doing then. Yeah. True. Yeah. And it's just this little snapshot Yeah. Um, that we get to have
Speaker 5 (00:48:31):
Yeah. As we think about and like process all of the things that we do know, it's overwhelming to think about all of the things we don't that we don't know. Yeah. Like, you know, like all of the stories, all of the way that God Yeah. Moved the ways that he will move, the way that something that they heard on a weekend will pop up when they're in the middle of something in a year. Mm-Hmm. . Mm-Hmm. . It's just, it's overwhelming to let your mind go to that space. Yeah. In a really cool way.
Speaker 3 (00:48:59):
There was a, there was a woman, I don't, I don't remember what congregation she was from, you know, or, or a lot of what she said, but one of the things that she, you know, honored us in just sharing is like, Hey, I haven't been rocking with church for a while before coming here. And I felt a lot of regret about that. I felt a lot of regret of, of just ways that I have not sought the Lord or community or what, you know, all the things of God. And then she said, um, that she got there on Friday and she was gearing up to feel so much like, I should have been doing this stuff before I ever got here. I should have been da da da da. But she said that the moment she walked in and sat down, you know, for the, uh, in the round worship, she said she felt like in what sweet ways our father is faithful to do it felt like he told her, I'm just so happy you're back. Mm.
(00:49:57):
Man. And again, I don't, I don't, I don't remember this woman's name or congregate, but like that has stuck with me. Hmm. Because I think we all have moments, whether it's for a minute or a month or our twenties, that we, we forget him, you know, but he doesn't forget us. Mm-Hmm. . And when we do, when he, he does lead us back to himself. Um, 'cause he's faithful to do so. If, if we, we are his, he doesn't look at us with that disapproving stepdad look. Mm-Hmm. , he looks at us just so happy we're back. Mm-Hmm. And that, that just has continued to, to deeply endear me to the, to God's kindness.
Speaker 4 (00:50:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (00:50:45):
Purshia, I love that you said you don't remember what congregation she was at. Um, I think one of the biggest things I took away from this weekend was what an honor it is to get to do this with all of you because of that exact heart, the sentiment of every woman in this room is we are the Austin Stone and we exist for the glory of God. Mm-Hmm. . And there's no, you have a yellow bandana on, like, I can't, I don't wanna listen to your testimony, but it was the joy of the weekend for me to get to step in with like my feet barely wet, no idea what I was doing most of the time. And just saying, okay. And following y all around and watching you lead in ways that was not just ministering to my heart, but to 550 women that it didn't matter what their background was, who they were, why they were there, what congregation they were a part of. Mm-Hmm. . I love that you shared that you didn't know where she was from.
Speaker 3 (00:51:40):
Mm-Hmm. Yeah. That shit don't
Speaker 6 (00:51:42):
,
Speaker 9 (00:51:43):
But we love you. Whoever you are,
Speaker 3 (00:51:45):
You the woman that there was. We love you.
Speaker 4 (00:51:50):
I think Missy hits on What I love about Women's Retreat is just getting to serve with this team. Mm-Hmm. It is so much fun. We have such a good time, such a good time. It brings me joy to, to get to do this with y'all.
Speaker 6 (00:52:03):
Mm-Hmm. . Yeah. One of the things we shared at our end of retreat dinner that we always do when we're all just like, we smell so bad because we uploaded the U-Haul and we're so tired and all the things, you know, but something that stuck out from, we kinda had our own little mini say. So that, that night, and I think multiple people said something along the lines of the ways we got to see each other serve and lead and the ways that our giftings on this team are so different, and the ways we got to cheer one another on and serve one another and like take turns. Like you're doing that, I'm doing this and they're just, God protected us from any kind of like, I wanna do that and why does she get to do that? Or comparison that. Let's just be honest, that exists and can exist, I think can pretty confess her.
(00:52:56):
Mm-Hmm. And, and women circles sometimes. And it like, I, I truly can just praise God that, that this team felt for each other. Mm-Hmm. . And not just that, but that, like, it felt like a little microcosm of the body of Christ, of the difference of giftings, the difference of leadership and the ways that we were better for those differences. Mm-Hmm. . We were better for it and we got to cheer one another on and Mm-Hmm. . Yeah. I mean, one of like the be the best privileges of my life is to serve with this team and to, to get to do it all year, all year long. But, uh, there's something unique about putting the hand of the plow with retreat for, with y'all. Indeed.
Speaker 3 (00:53:34):
Indeed, indeed. We went up, we went up,
Speaker 6 (00:53:37):
We went up.
Speaker 3 (00:53:39):
Man, legitimately. Wait, wait. Okay. One final thing, , you'll allow me this. We had a a a a intern this year. We had in a intern, um, and it was our very own Rebecca Meser. Oh. And she, we called her, we called her the women's intern because she's not of age to be an, an actual employee, but she's, uh, Allison's daughter. And she, uh, came out for the first time and it was kind of like a bring your, bring your daughter to work weekend, which is the craziest weekend to do that with. So, you know, do with that what you will. But it was great. Uh, shout out lb, I call her Lil Becca. Um, anyway, on Sunday, um, after, after, uh, we finished doing the say so moment we've been talking about, I got just a type of glimpse of something that again, like whew.
(00:54:40):
Um, but a as that time is, that time is, is is wrapping as that time is wrapping and we're doing closing worship, I see Becca, Rebecca worshiping and then a few steps ahead of her. I see Allison about to go and like, dismiss us and finish out the weekend. And it's just this beautiful thing. But, but I see Rebecca like hands raised, like, like truly like just she's caught up. And then a few steps ahead of her is her mother who's leading all of us. And I, yo I, I just can't get away from how powerful of an illustration that is of true biblical womanhood. True gospel centered parenting. True. Uh, just what it looks like to live a life that your, your children decide Jesus is worth it. So look, I I, yes. You're one of my semi bosses. Like, great, good. I love that Semi bosses .
(00:55:38):
Like, I love that. But like, you, you in that moment just, just seeing that it, it, it, it, it made me desire to be the type of woman that you are, the type of of mother that God is shaping you to be. Mm-Hmm. . And also it made me hunger for having a relationship with my children that you have, not because of them, but because of the relationship you have with your father. And it just, it's incredibly powerful. Mm-Hmm. . And so I, I just had to be able to be able to say that. I'm sorry. Is that your phone background now? Oh, it should be. should
Speaker 6 (00:56:15):
Be beautiful picture of discipleship. Mm-Hmm. .
Speaker 5 (00:56:18):
Well, while we're on the list of credits, there's someone else in this room, , that goes by the name of Natalie, who is the St. John Women's and equipping resident. Mm-Hmm. . Um, and she's not on a microphone because there's seven of us in this conversation, but she's in this room. And I can speak just for me in how much you served me in the literal months leading up to women's retreat. Mm-Hmm. the number of times that you came up to me, my hair's on fire. 'cause it's the biggie biggest bi busiest season for me. And you just say, Hey, is there something I can help you with? Is there something that I could do? And for me to like hand it to you and know I can fully trust her with this thing. And for you to be with us that weekend, like the team can thank you and give you praise in that realm. And so can I, but you personally blessed me in the weeks and months leading up to that, and no one saw it but me. And so thank you and Jesus. Yes.
Speaker 7 (00:57:23):
That's what I'm talking about. That's what I'm talking about.
Speaker 1 (00:57:27):
God has just been so faithful to use women in our church. Mm-Hmm. , you know, and at and at times that's us in this room. Um, but more often than not, we've already talked about volunteers. Like it's lay leaders who are teaching. It's, you know, we've talked about Sydney doing dinner, but it's women like Amy Jean from West who's been on the retreat team for years, even though it is not part of her job. Mm-Hmm. and Briley a wonderful resident at downtown who jumped in last minute on the team this year. Like, it just, it really is, it is such a good reminder of God's faithfulness specifically to provide like his care as a, as just provision. Mm-Hmm. Right. That like, we even think we have a plan and we don't even realize there's a hole until Natalie hops into fill it. Mm-Hmm. Hmm. Like, you don't even realize there's a hole until it's like we didn't know we needed Briley as much as we ended up needing Briley, but like, God provided
Speaker 5 (00:58:21):
Lisa for snacks. Lisa.
Speaker 1 (00:58:23):
That's right. Mm-Hmm. Lisa. Yeah. I mean, so there were just so many
Speaker 5 (00:58:27):
Tejas team,
Speaker 7 (00:58:28):
Tejas
Speaker 5 (00:58:29):
Team, like they're
Speaker 7 (00:58:30):
Amazing. Oh, and let us not forget the incomparable Angela. Oh, sure. Sure.
Speaker 5 (00:58:36):
And he,
Speaker 1 (00:58:37):
He provides in ways that we, our best planning can't even possibly compete. Mm-Hmm. with how he not only fulfills those plans, but makes them better, fills in holes we didn't know we need. And sometimes that happens through letting something we planned not go according to plan. Mm-Hmm. . And then he has to provide another way. Mm-Hmm. . Um, but he, he does always, like, he always provides Mm-Hmm. . And we always end up afterwards being like, yep, that actually, that makes sense. Now. That was good. He had a better plan. Mm-Hmm. . Mm-Hmm. . Mm-Hmm. . Well for, for an event that really is about just setting a place, setting the stage, setting the table for people, right? Like that's what our heart is behind. Any time we're gathered together, it feels right to end with thinking about and being grateful for the people that make it possible.
(00:59:25):
And, um, it's good and right for us to offer that gratitude. But I know that we would all agree that all these names that come to mind, all the faces, all the volunteers, that they really are an expression of like the body of Christ, right? Mm-Hmm. . That, that is like, that it's God's favor and faithfulness and provision for us that we can have any of these conversations that anything that we're giving gratitude for, like anything that we can find that is an earthly provision that, that we can find joy in ultimately points to him. Mm-Hmm. Like he is that ultimate source for us. So he's behind all of these good things. And so what a gift to be reminded of the ways that feel like really big that he was so faithful to us and the ways that feel so small, but how sometimes even those really small ways feel the biggest because they're so personal.
(01:00:17):
So I, I am personally really just, I feel pretty overwhelmed with gratitude looking around this room and just reflecting on that weekend and thinking about the different faces and stories. Again, like Julie said earlier, so many that we haven't shared. 'cause they're not our stories to share. Yeah. And so many more that we just don't know. Um, but we know God has been working. And so thank you guys for joining our little say So, um, friends listening, I, I hope this was an encouragement to you. Again, whether you were there for the weekend or not, I hope that you get a picture of the fact that you have the opportunity to be part of a church where you can be deeply known. Mm-Hmm. . And man, that's saying something. If we're talking about being deeply known with 500 people, and that doesn't mean you know each of them equally, but it means you have the opportunity to be known and to know others even in a really large crowd.
(01:01:08):
And that's, that's not something that is without the spirit's doing. I hope you know that, that we love you and that we truly do delight to get to work alongside you and, and put ministry things in front of you so that you can participate in the church in that way. Mm-Hmm. . Um, if you want, you can go ahead and mark your calendars for March 7th through ninth. Woo. 2025. Woo. 'cause that's next year. So March 7th through ninth, 2025. We will be back at camp day. Ha mm-Hmm, for our 10th Woo Churchwide Women's Retreat. Exciting. So that's next year. We really would love to see you guys, whether it's your first retreat or your 10th, but mostly I really hope you're reminded today that the character of our faithful God can be trusted. That he is always moving on behalf of his kids. You can listen to just a couple of daughters today, reflect on that, that in the same way that was true for all the details at Retreat, he is working details in your life honestly, whether it feels like it or not, he's working those together for your good, for his glory.
(01:02:19):
Mm-Hmm. . So we pray that you can rest in that today and, you know, maybe even think of your own little say so grab a buddy, grab your roommate, grab your kiddo or your husband or a coworker and share how you've seen God move lately today. It really is amazing how lifting our gaze to what he's doing, we're not telling us, we're not telling, we're not doing that and telling ourselves that other things aren't also true, that are hard, but we're reminding ourselves of the thing that's most true. Mm-Hmm. and the thing that we'll endure. And regardless of you finding yourself in a season of suffering, like he is what we'll endure. And he will endure you through that. His presence really is the answer to our need for joy and our desire for joy. And we've seen that time and time again. So we love you guys. Until next time.
Speaker 8 (01:03:04):
Bye. Bye. Bye. Good day.
Speaker 10 (01:03:09):
Stay
Speaker 11 (01:03:09):
Tuned with us for a couple extra minutes of laughter and blooper real joy.
Speaker 8 (01:03:15):
Do, whoa, sorry. There was, there was 550 of them. Dang it. . There was, there was a woman. Ooh, because there, there's like a, there's a common thread to surround the theme. . Hi. Hi mom. Hi. And our new guest, sorry, Rebecca. Liz. I
Speaker 1 (01:03:40):
Didn't mean to answer
Speaker 8 (01:03:40):
This. It feels kind of fitting that she's here. She's here. I hung up on her
Speaker 1 (01:03:45):
Like three times on my watch while y'all were
Speaker 8 (01:03:46):
Talking, and then it just, I answered, hang up, hung up. I answered, okay, great. She said, hello back. Julie's back. I'm, I'm back flipping again. Over here back. Sorry about that. Julie . Lana Cmar. Guys right behind me is crying tears of joy is the beauty of stories of God saving people and, and of, of persevering then in their faith. I love that.