This retreat was a great experience for me. Not only was it such a blessing to have a break away with just the baby, but I also heard some great talks, got to spend some quiet time in my head and really think about everything and even got to have some fun too. It was also the perfect time (and I wondered why the retreat had to be so early this year!) as I had just stumbled onto the Hello Mornings Challenge which strengthened my resolve to make some changes. What better time to make big life changes than right after a quiet weekend away on retreat?!
We drove in a major snowstorm to get there…
…which then turned to rain and froze overnight.
There were lots of people to hold the baby…
…which meant had my hands free to play dutch blitz! (similar to double solitaire a childhood favorite).
The first night I was paired up with another girl who I didn’t know but both of us had played this type of game before and so we were very good at it. We made a great team and kept on winning. It was so much fun!
Playtime!
Snapshots:
And of course, there was Father Allan, in fine form as always:
‘I’m amazed at the multi-tasking, she’s holding the baby with one hand and taking pictures of me with the other!
‘God’s not finished yet. The retreat’s not over until everyone gets to hold the baby!’
Point taken, Father!
Interestingly, I had heard a lot of what Fr Allan said before, at the lenten mission. … but this time I heard it with fresh ears. (It is said that you need to hear something 7 times before you hear everything.)
Some of the biggest things I took away and want to apply to my daily life I wrote at the top of my routine in the hope that I will read them over every morning and be reminded to apply them to my day:
-Whatever happens today, Life is not an Emergency!
(these words have been pressing on my heart ever since I read them in 1000 gifts and I keep forgetting it, so this went at the top of the list!)
-Will you serve Me today? Will you die to yourself, for Me?
When I’m with the Lord I always resolve to serve Him but when I’m back hope with the daily struggles of raising little ones it all comes undone, I am tired or jsut lazy, and I don’t do things I know he wants me to. At this retreat I deepened my resolve and renewed that commitment, with the intent of making it happen. When I don’t fee like it, I need only remind myself that this is what it is to serve God, and then hopefully ‘ll be able to smarten up and do it!
-Then(if yes): ‘Do the Next Right Thing.‘
This is the duty of the moment. If we follow this simple rule we will always walk with the Lord because we will always be doing God’s will.
-Do your duty with a smile, plan to face each of these tasks etc WITH God and FOR God.
Since all the things I face as a mom of 3 little boys are God’s will for me that day, then every little thing I do, I do for Him. When I remember that I’m serving God it gives even little tasks great purpose: I am taking care of His children.
