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My loving Father, I heard You call, “Come then my love, my lovely one, come,” and I came that Friday evening from out of the desert world, to the oasis of Willow Park; to be with You. And as I came I wondered what surprises you had in store for me that weekend?
Your peace and love was there as I stepped into the warm welcome from the Hospitality team at Reception, to be presented with a small gift bag, for this special anniversary retreat, celebrating 25 years of women gathering to praise and worship You. On to the dining room I wandered, to see Your women greet each other again and it wasn’t long before the shared stories of Your amazing love, blessings, miracles and answered prayer throughout this past year filtered through the chatter.
From there, it was into the dimly-lit Prayer Room I stepped; overcome by Your awesome presence, so tangible. In the fading light as I tried to take in the scene before me, I was drawn to the small boat resting at a rather peculiar angle. And so I began to ponder the message. Were You expecting me to get out of the safety of the boat? Were You trying to tell me You are with me always or were there storms ahead in my life?
If You want to walk on water, You gotta get out of the boat, Keep your eyes on Jesus, The one who will keep You afloat.
That evening, Helen Funnell, our National Dove President, introduced her team, along with Fr Neil Vaney, our weekend chaplain, the praying supportive Joshua men, and other generous helpers who made the weekend possible. She then warmly welcomed us all and through her encouraging and prophetic words, You affirmed how much You love us and yearn for us to abandon ourselves to You.
Following the welcome was Val Morrison’s testimony of Your miraculous healing of her husband Grant, so critically ill only months previous. The beautiful song, Blessed be the Name of the Lord, became her mantra giving her the strength to cope during that troubled time. What courage, what faith and what trust as she prayed the song’s words...you give and take away....the pain in the offering. Val’s plea for prayer went out to family, friends and Your Doves. Father, You heard and lovingly answered because there before us, stood Grant, smiling and healthy. We gave You the glory and thanks as we sang Val’s song. We then praised and worshipped You in song, led by the amazingly gifted music team of Wilma, Theresa and Val who pounded out their music, keyboard, guitar, drums, toe-bells and all.
Before the first evening drew to a close, women came forward for prayer; pleading, wanting You to quench the dryness of their lives, knowing that Your Holy Spirit comes to those who love You and eagerly await You. Supper followed, then bedtime, to reflect that You, Father were working in a powerful way.” Something is different at this camp. Something awesome is happening here this weekend,” were some of the whisperings I heard. It was Your love for each of us, softening and touching our hearts, wasn’t it?
Saturday dawned Father, and You blessed us with a glorious morning and an opportunity to celebrate Holy Mass. Brenda Hill’s talk reminded us that You alone have allotted each of us our days as she shared some of her life’s story with Brian, her husband, and their children, along with her memories of her time in hospital where her best friend Jesus, she realises now, was always there beside her. How comforting! And yes, there were surprises for Brenda too-, such as the little nun who often popped in to bring her toast. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour, all the day long”.
Next, Helen announced that in small groups each of us was to share for 30 minutes, our own personal story of the way You have been real in our lives. Surprise or shock? How could I possibly talk for that long? But Father, You weren’t surprised. You know how women can talk. Audrey led the way and soon the room was buzzing as the stories unfolded. I discovered in my group’s sharing, that it was in the times of utter pain, grief, suffering and desolation just how real and close you are. You and Your unfathomable love!
Helen interspersed serious teaching with words of humorous wisdom. What a lesson I learned about attitude in the story of the woman who creatively changed her hairstyle as the last 3 hairs on her head gradually diminished. And the obedient donkey, that responded to Amen and Halleluiah!
After lunch Louis Giglio’s DVD on Hope when Life Hurts Most revealed the way You are there Father, in the potholes of my life, when trouble, so big it challenges my faith trouble, comes my way. Undoubtedly, in my broken world trouble will come, so how am I to cope? Your message of unconditional love tells me to turn to the cross when life hurts. The cross on which Your dearly beloved Son hung. Jesus, whom You gave to me because You love me that much. It is there in Your Word in John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” You assure me that You will never let me go. And even when I don’t understand, I am to hope in You Father, because You can take the worst thing and turn it into good. I was challenged on what message I would give to the world through my suffering. Suffering is my servant, not vice versa. Would I be a megaphone to broadcast the love of Jesus and thus glorify You to the world or would I be more concerned with my own self preservation? 4 steps were given to help me:
1. Embrace a higher purpose now.
2. Expect difficulties to come
3. HOPE IN IT – anchor down and cling to the cross
4. Use it for God’s glory,
It was time then to be with You personally- in deep, quiet, reflective prayer, in the Prayer Rooms or on the beach, with the Prayer Ministers, seeking Your forgiveness and healing in reconciliation, or singing praises to You along with the Music Team.
Saturday night – a time of celebration, remembering the 25 year Dove journey, fun and laughter, a celebration cake, hilarious DVD’s, singing –just who were those two who gate-crashed the party? I’m sure You loved seeing Your Doves having such fun too – as a loving Father does.
Sunday morning dawned and You must have noticed the joy and anticipation on the women’s faces; restful sleep or not, as they gathered for more of You. You called us to Your holy mountain and assured us that Your word is active and alive and will go out to the world. Throughout the morning, we praised and worshipped in prayer and song before You Lord, as Fr Neil presented the Blessed Sacrament so we could individually worship and adore You. Lives were touched by You, Father and many were powerfully anointed by Your Holy Spirit.
Before the weekend drew to a close, Father Neil celebrated Holy Mass and what a moving sacrifice of thanksgiving it was as we tried to fathom the depths of Your love. Helen thanked and acknowledged all who had willingly shared their gifts, talents and time. It was time to leave this place where You had held our hands, gathered, loved and healed us for two days. And I wanted to stay there with You as Your glory and favour rested upon each of us. I had come to Your holy mountain, but I was unable to remain there because You have commissioned me to take Your grace and favour to others. So I held onto the promises You have given me, kept my eyes upon Jesus and back out into the world I went to bloom where I am planted.
Yes, I glimpsed and tasted heaven that weekend with You, my loving Father and I truly thank You.