Fresh Wind in Our Sails

We wrapped up our time at the President's Gathering with a service on Sunday morning, followed by one last Brunch. Have I mentioned how AMAZING the food was?! As I mentioned before, we went into this weekend feeling pretty low...but God really used this time away together to encourage and renew us. God really did blow fresh wind in our sails. So thankful! There were a couple of songs that we sang over these few days, that God used to really speak to me.

First, the song Abide...

For my waking breath, for my daily bread, I depend on You...

For the sun to rise, for my sleep at night, I depend on You, 

Yes I depend on You. 

You're the way the truth and the life, 

You're the well that never runs dry, 

I'm the branch and You are the vine, 

Draw me close and teach me to abide.

Just such a real reminder that I am completely dependent on God...for everything! Lord, draw me close and teach me to abide in You, every single day. 

The other song that I love so, so much is Gratitude by Brandon Lake. 

All my words fall short

I got nothing new

How could I express

All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs

As I often do

But every song must end

And You never do

So I throw up my hands

And praise You again and again

Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

And I know it's not much

But I've nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

The lyrics "and I know it's not much, but I've nothing else fit for a King, except for a heart singing hallelujah" were especially meaningful to me at the President's Gathering. God always meets our needs, but there's no denying that we struggle financially, as a single income, ministry family with 4 kids. We were surrounded by very wealthy people over these few days, and at times I felt a bit out of place. God really used this song to remind me that all He wants is my praise. There is nothing good about me...nothing I have to offer on my own...it is only Christ in me that is worthy to be praised! 

A huge THANK YOU to Dare2Share for asking Brian to be a part of their gathering this year, and for letting me come along. We will never forget this experience! Again, I was blown away by all of the amazing people we met, who support Dare2Share ministries. They gave over $3.8 million--wow--to continue advancing the gospel through Dare2Share! 

We had a late check out and just relaxed around the resort, waiting to be driven to the airport for our flight home. Loved spending this uninterrupted time together!

Chocolate mouse & cheesecake at brunch was a sweet way to wrap up the President's Gathering! 

Pampering & Pain

Okay so this deserves a post of its own...at the last minute, I decided to schedule a massage for Saturday afternoon. I have never, ever been to a spa like this, and I was so excited! Along with the massage, I had access to the fancy spa area for the rest of the afternoon. I got to use the hot tub, the wet and dry saunas, the pool, the showers...it was amazing!

Meanwhile, Brian rented a bike and took off on a trail through the desert. (Not my idea of a fun time, but I was so happy we were both getting to do something we loved!) 

My massage was incredible--like genuinely, the best thing ever--then I went out to the pool and enjoyed laying in this comfortable spot. I had just gotten settled--it was so peaceful and quiet--until my phone started ringing. When I answered it, I really thought Brian was having a heart attack. It took about 30 seconds for me to figure out what was actually wrong with him. He had a cactus stuck in his leg. Now, I'm not diminishing how painful this situation was, but he scared me to death when I answered. I thought he was dying. Once I realized it was (just) a cactus situation, I was admittedly a bit annoyed. (sorry, babe) But...I had absolutely no way of helping him. We didn't have a car, and he rode 12 miles away from the resort and I would have had no clue how to find him anyway. Also, I paid over $200 for that massage/spa time, and I really wasn't ready to leave yet. I had another 2 1/2 hours to lay in that glorious lounge chair and read my book! I wasn't trying to be unkind or unhelpful, there just really wasn't anything I could do. And I was so relaxed after my massage, haha! Thankfully, Brian made it to a road and a nice person on a golf cart came by and took him to their garage to pull the cactus out. All was well, and I'm really so glad he was okay!

I finished up my time at the spa by taking a shower and getting ready in the spa facilities for the evening. I felt so pampered and spoiled...I loved it! 

 Brian's FB post about his bike ride:

"My ride on the Tortolita Preserve Trail near Tucson, AZ was mostly amazing! Then my seat broke and some leaping cactus got me. Thankfully a Good Samaritan with some pliers helped me yank it from my flesh! God's creation is beautiful...but some of it wants to kill you!"

My post a little later about this cactus situation:

"This is my version of Brian's cactus story:

Brian : Hey I need help, I'm kind of in the middle of nowhere and I have a cactus in my leg and I can barely walk."

Me : I'm busy...(at the spa)...and what could I even do?

Brian : (pause) I'll figure something else out.

Me : Okay, bye! (breathes sign of relief that I don't have to leave this spot!) 

EDIT POST: I do realize this makes me sound like a complete diva--however--I would have actually left the pool if there was anything I could have done to actually help him. Just saying..."

These pictures were taken before the cactus incident, obviously! 

This is where I started out, before my massage. I had the whole area to myself and I enjoyed that hot tub with a fireplace. 

This was outside the door of my massage room.

Duh-duh-duhhhhhh.....

OUCH!

I think I need to schedule spa days more often! =0)

Our Last Full Day

Saturday was our last full day, and it was probably my favorite. Going to the spa may have had something to do with that! =0) We went to the morning session and then we had the whole day to do whatever we wanted. Since Brian's talk was done on Friday, the pressure was off and we could completely relax on Saturday. Brian decided to go on a bike ride and I got a massage. I really went back and forth about this, because it wasn't cheap...but ultimately, when will I ever have the opportunity to stay at the Ritz Carlton again?! Dare2Share took such great care of us, that we decided it was okay to splurge a little bit on that. The bike ride almost ended my time at the spa with a cactus catastrophe, but more about that in my next post! For dinner, we had another delicious meal, and we concluded the night with a time of worship and hearing from Jeremy Camp. We loved meeting him...he was genuinely the nicest, most down to earth guy you can imagine...we even got to pray over him with a few other couples, because he's having surgery on his heart soon. We came into this weekend feeling pretty depleted and discouraged...but we left with our cups full and with fresh wind in our sails, as Brian said.

Diet Coke in a fancy glass...yes, please! 

They always had fancy snacks during the break times. This build your own trail mix situation was amazing!

I felt like a golfer or tennis player in this hat! =0) 

Later that evening, ready for dinner. I love him! We may be getting older, but we've still got it. Ha! 

I still can't get over these cactus! 

We pretty much had a private concert with Jeremy Camp, in a room of less than 150 people! So cool!