This was one of those times that I needed a retreat. I caught Paula in the hall at church one day and begged her to go with me. Tears may have been involved. How could she say no?
Upon arrival I got stuck in the revolving door with someone pushing forward and my Nikon, of all things, stuck behind me. Everyone in the vicinity laughed as we struggled. I hoped this was not what the weekend was going to look like! Paula and I registered, got settled in our room, went to supper and got back in time for the dessert buffet. 
Then we went to our first session with Martha Peace. I was so excited to hear her speak. I very much enjoyed her testimony. What I keep thinking about is how the lady where Martha worked and a married couple friend of hers kept witnessing to her even though she very openly rejected the Gospel and even went as far as to throw the Bible once. I am not that bold. How might the Lord use me if I kept lovingly sharing His Word even when ridiculed and yelled at?
Paula and I stayed up talking and laughing until after 1:00. It was tough to get up the next morning, but well worth the late night! After the first session I stood in line to purchase Martha’s new book. Paula and I talked about which book to get. She chose a book on parenting and asked why I chose Damsels in Distress. “I’m a damsel and I’m definitely in distress,” was the only way to answer that question. I can’t wait to read it.
Martha agreed to let me have a picture taken with her–bless her!
As she signed my book I got to tell her that her book The Excellent Wife was one of the first books I purchased when I was newly married. My husband and I went to a Marriage Weekend conference. As we looked at all the books I didn’t know what to get. I needed a lot of help so I bought the BIG box full of marriage books. Through the years I’ve gotten rid of all of the other books. I realized that marriage wasn’t about me and my needs or how to get my husband to do, listen or be what I want. I find the focus of so many books on marriage to be self-centered. I don’t think marriage fixes that are self motivated bring lasting change. It is when God changes my heart to love Him more and obey Him more that brings lasting change. I highly recommend her book, The Excellent Wife.
Great food, great teaching, and great fun–I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat. Next year can we make it two nights?
Today I’m linked with Works for Me Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers, Women in the Word Wednesdays, and iFellowship.
Having read a bit about her, she seems like an extremely wise woman. Anything that brings us closer to God and deepens a godly marriage can only be good… And having great fun helps a lot too…
How wonderful that you were able to get away to such a great retreat! I haven’t heard of her book, but I’m off to Google it now!!
Appreciate your thoughts, Esther….am going to hunt down the book you recommended…
Sounds like a, short, but wonderful retreat. I definitely agree. It it only when I rely on God’s will that I have been have able to change my marriage for the better. Though, I haven’t been the sweetest wife lately. I think I need a week-long vacation. 🙂
Getting a fresh viewpoint on an old institution is never a bad thing. 🙂
I love The Excellent Wife and Martha Peace. I went to a women’s conference where she spoke over ten years ago. I met her and she signed my book. She is such a great woman’s author. Always pointing us to Christ. Another one of her books that I love is Attitudes of a Transformed Heart. Really good. I am visiting today from GMG.
Sounds like this was a refreshing time for you, glad you were able to go!
Martha Peace was the guest speaker at a retreat I went to years ago… before children! It was wonderful and I love The Excellent Wife! I guess I need to check out Damsels in Distress!
I haven’t been on a Women’s Retreat in so long… they are definitely needed for us Moms. So glad you were able to get away. You are one busy Mama.
Sounds like a wonderful time ~ glad you were able to go and enjoy good company 🙂
Oh, and about Martha throwing the Bible…and they kept witnessing to her…that’s quite a testimony. But you know, I think I’d be one to back off if someone went as far as to throw a Bible. I just don’t think I’d have it in me to keep on trying. Which is wrong, I know. But like you say, I’m not that bold.
Unlike my brother-in-law, who became a Christian about 8 years ago. Previous to that, he hung around a very “non-Christian” group of friends. A few of them gave him a very hard time when he became a Christian. One of his best and closest friends, a former girl friend of his, was particularly hard on him. He would call her on the phone often to tell her that the Lord loved her, and that she was precious to Him…and she didn’t want to hear it. She would curse at him, and would hang up on him often. He would wait a few weeks, and would call her back. They would have small talk, catching up…but once he would mention the Lord, she would get hostile and hang up on him, but not without saying a few choice words. He always dreaded calling her. He would pray for her and would asked the Lord if he should simply leave her alone because he’s tried everything, but he kept getting the answer “keep trying…she needs Me.” and so, for about 3 years he kept in contact with her and always would pray for her and kept talking about the Lord to her. And he mailed a Bible to her, and a day-by-day Bible study, too, not knowing what to expect but he just thought he’d try. And one day…she called him (she never called him!) and began asking him things about what she read in the Bible and the day-by-day Bible study book. They eventually had Bible study sessions over the phone. She slowly began opening her heart up to the Lord. And now she is a Christian and very involved in her church, and her life has turned around. She’s been a Christian now for about 5 years. And she is now witnessing to her sisters, to her family, to her friends. My brother-in-law never gave up on her; no matter what she said to him, no matter what she did. He never gave up. I believe Christ is like that. I really need to work on being more Christ-like, especially during this Lent season!
I’m glad to hear you had such a good time! =)