This past weekend we had a retreat weekend at one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, Lake Atitlan. This lake is surrounded by 3 volcanoes, beautiful flowers and plants, and some of the most caring friendly people I've ever met. I had never heard of this lake until now, but was amazed at how far the guest travel to get away and relax at this peaceful lake. Guests at our hotel came from Israel, Australia, South America, and the States and Canada (that would be the World Racers).
On Thursday night before we left one of our squad leaders, Seth Jr, challenged us all by asking, "What do I want out of this weekend?" He told us to write our answers down. This is what I wrote, "To do something I've never done before, and to spend 1 on 1 time with 2 squad members I haven't talked to yet." Then he went on to say, we all have dreams and things that we want to accomplish in life, but unless we get specific, write them down and then get intentional about doing them then they will remain only dreams. One day we will look back on our life and wonder where did the time go, and what did we really accomplish? So the next questions to think about are: "What do I want out of the next 11 months?" and, "What do I want out of life?"
So….you're probably asking what did I do this weekend!! God woke me up before the sunrise on Saturday morning, and I enjoyed time with my Lord sitting on the dock, drinking a cup of coffee in worship. The waters were calm, no one else was up except for a few dogs running around…it was just me and my God. I have never felt closer to God as I did in those early hours on Saturday morning. The word I am specifically studying this month is LOVE, and God poured His love out on me Saturday morning. I am ashamed to say that I have never intentionally gotten up and spent hours on end with God. But it will definitely become a new norm for me.
After everyone else woke up Saturday morning, a group of 8 of us decided to go zip-lining at Reserva Natural in Panajachel, Guatemala. Probably one of the scariest, coolest, most terrifying things I have ever done. We hiked for about 20 minutes through the jungle and up the side of the mountain. There were monkeys in the trees, and one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen!! As we began zip-lining our way down the mountainside, the waterfall was on one side and lake Atitlan was on the other, with the monkeys and and jungle down below us. I saw a new side to God's beautiful creation and He just continued speaking to me, as if I still the only one awake and sitting on the dock.
I got to know several people over the weekend that I had yet to make connections with. I am continuously amazed at how God has brought 63 strangers, who are broken and complete train wrecks, with different backgrounds, from all over the country and Canada together. He has brought us together as a family to be the body of Christ and serve Him in 11 countries over the next 11 months. He has a specific job assigned for us that only we can perform, people we will meet that only we can connect with.
So that was my weekend!! I am still processing and praying over the other 2 questions, 1) What do I want out of the next 11 months? and 2) What do I want out of life? I feel God already answering these questions which excites the heck out of me!!! Keep watching for the answers He gives me!! I will be sure to post them….soon!!
What about you? What do you want out of the next 11 months? What do you want out of life? Pray about it and share with me!! I look forward to hearing what God wants to do with you and through you!! Email me!! [email protected]
