Sometimes, a girl's just got to get away...with other girls...sisters...soul sisters. And that's just what I did this week. Wives and moms are designed to pour themselves into the ones they love. It's a gift from God. He puts in us, parts of Him, that He wants us to share with others. It's a blessing being able to impart His gifts of love, kindess, compassion, teaching and so much more! The grace of Him flows through us and as it leaves us to bless others, we long for more to give.
But at the end of the day, the month, the year, if we don't get re-fueled, filled back up, then what is left to give? We have our times of prayer and study that feed our spirits but our souls get hungry too! That's what girlfriends, soul sisters, are for! This time we went to a ranch where we could participate in lots of activities or do absolutely nothing. We could ride horses or sit around the fire. We ate like queens and were waited on by a wonderful ranch hand who seemed to know just what we needed.
If you give of yourself to your family, your church, your career, make sure that you give to yourself too. God will always be faithful to impart to you, just what you need. He knows your heart and He loves to fill up the emptied out parts with Himself! Take some precious time to get filled up with laughter, joy, fellowship and sisterhood! I highly recommend it. You will be a better wife and mom when you are filled to overflowing with lots to share!
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My friend & jewelry designer, Rebecca |
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Soul sisters, Felice & Dana |
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Yes, we got to shoot skeet & now have big bruises on our shoulders! |
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Kathleen has a hat for every occasion! |
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Beautiful Millie - interior designer |
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Somehow our earplugs became noseplugs! |
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Soul sisters, each and every one! |
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Nellie was a great aim! |
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We got to ride as much as we wanted to. I can say that today, my "sit upon" is truly sore! |
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Doesn't Nellie look the part? |
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Yes, we really rode off into the sunset! It was so beautiful. It was God's grace filling us again! |
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It was time to wind down around the campfire with laughs and talk about the day. |
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We watched the sunset in a blaze of glory over the valley. |
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These boots were made for more than dancing! |
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A little log cabin in the woods, saw a rabbit hopping by... |
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We were plum tuckered out. It was a great feeling. |
And so our time had come to an end. But God's grace and beauty had rained down on us and filled us full...ready to be poured out again on those in our lives. He took a group of women with different backgrounds, gifts and talents, and wove us together in a beautiful tapestry! I'm so thankful that God gives us soul sisters who we can be completely ourselves and vulnerable with...ladies who will lift us up in prayer, hold our hands for support, cry with us, laugh with us and know when we are getting close to empty. Share with us what you do with your friends to replenish your soul and be a vessel full of blessings and grace for the giving!
If you want to see what other sisters are thankful for, stop over at
Reflections of Grace and read of God's grace!
If you'd like to read stories of God's faithfulness to others, stop over at
I Live in an Antbed!
From His lap,
Wow, Erin, that looks so incredible - both the physical setting and the friendship. What a gift. I agree we must fill ourselves up and give us time to renew our spirits in order to give back to our families/friends/the people we meet along the way. You may like my post about spending an hour of "quiet" - http://waytenmom.blogspot.com/2011/05/pray-dont-prey-reverb11-prompt-response.html
ReplyDeleteHow amazing! Absolutely beautiful setting with wonderful friends. I'm so thankful you had such a wonderful time!
ReplyDeletePaula,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! Times of refreshing and replenishing are so important if we want to keep being givers of His grace! I will go ck out your post right now! Thanks for sharing it!
Blessings,
~Erin
Oh, Christine,
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing! There were no agendas or speakers or rules to follow. Just pure DEEElight!
Blessings,
~Erin
Erin, this looks like so much fun! What a gorgeous group of soul sisters you all are! I'm so happy you had a chance to get away and refuel.
ReplyDeleteI went on a women's retreat with my bible study gals the beginning of October. It was amazing and really filled my soul. Plus it's easier to share more of yourself when everyone isn't hurried in their thoughts and attitude because there's someplace to be or something needing to get done. Retreats are wonderful opportunities to just be and to be a gift to the other women in our presence.
Blessings,
Rosann
Sweet Erin...this looks like just an amazingly good time. And I'm seeing a lot of turquoise in there...humm...Loving those boots too! I'm so glad that you had such an awesome getaway! Big Hugs! Leah (http://countrycharmedlife.wordpress.com/2011/11/03/why-where-we-come-from-does-matter/)
ReplyDeleteRosann,
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how God can take women from different backgrounds, with different gifts and talents and knit them together to form a beautiful tapestry!
I love going on retreats too! Thank you so much for stopping by!!
Love you!
~Erin
M~,
ReplyDeleteWe have a couple of jewelry designers in our midst and us girls from Oklahoma love our boots!
Love you, sister!
~Erin
Hi Erin - looks like fun and relaxation was had by all. Good on you
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Thanks, Tracy!
ReplyDeleteIt was sorely needed!
Hugs,
~Erin
"I totally agree Erin. Nothing like being with the girlfriends!"
ReplyDeleteKrissy
Amen, Krissy!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
~Erin
Pure sweetnes! I can just hear your laughter rining out across the countryside! It looks like a delightful time together, what a gift. I recently had my oldest friend come stay with me for the weekend. We talked after little ones were in the bed and prayed together, it was a fresh breeze across my heart.
ReplyDeletenice post thanks for sharing... loves soraya
ReplyDeleteBeck,
ReplyDeleteIt was pure sweetness! God knits girlfriends together, doesn't He?! I'm so glad you got to your old friend. I love that "it was a fresh breeze across my heart."
Hugs,
~Erin
Soraya,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed my post.
Blessings,
~Erin
Oh wow, Erin - I want to go to that place! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is important to stop, rest, refresh, and renew. As you said, we women pour out so much that sometimes it is important to sit back and soak.
Lovely photos and you are blessed to have such wonderful soul sisters.
Thanks for sharing at the Grace Cafe this week.
I LOVE the Grace Cafe, Joan!! Thank you for letting me add my posts there!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a wonderful place. The ranch is owned by a family of philanthropists in Tulsa and they are very generous to share!
Blessings,
~Erin
This looks like so much fun, I love all of your photos, so beautiful. I love girls weekends away!
ReplyDeleteOh, Terri, it was heaven. I'm already looking forward to the next one!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
HOW FUN!! What a great time to be renewed by the companionship of precious sisters. So thankful you were given such an amazing gift by your Loving Father. :) And thanks so much for linking up, dear!!
ReplyDeleteAnne,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by. We had a wonderful time. I love reading your blog. It gives me so much inspiration and encouragement. I'm always honored to link up with you!
Blessings,
~Erin
Erin, how delightful to take this little getaway with you. I am refreshed and restored just seeing the pics and know God moved in your heart and soul as you got away. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had a wonderful time, recharging yourselves both spiritually and physically.
ReplyDeleteMaria @ A Blooming Spirit
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteIt was great. Knowing that we have these little getaways gives us something to look forward to.
Blessings,
~Erin
Maria,
ReplyDeleteIt good to just feed our souls! No husbands, no kids, no cell phones, no computers...it was really wonderful!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
~Erin
i'm in love with this post, your photos and this getaway. amazing.
ReplyDeletethe boots, the horsies, the hats, all you beautiful women...the "noseplugs"...i can see it was SO good for the soul.
wishing you many more times like these <3
xoxo
maria