I know, I know, I'm late as usual. It's just been so hectic that I haven't had a chance to post a lot lately. The Soulfood Sisterchicks went on our annual retreat at the end of October to Shepherd of the Ozarks (SOTO). As usual it was very beautiful! Although this year was maybe not as relaxing as past years, it was definitely a learning and growing experience. Never have I felt more that I was exactly in the place that God wanted me to be. (Although, initially some conversations were somewhat uncomfortable, I pray that God used me to help my sisters!) I have formed new friendships and feel even closer to many of my sisterchicks. Being a sisterchick is not for the faint of heart!

Mandy and I had a great ride up (along with some awesome Chik-fil-a) and even saw a great sunset. I'm not as good as Renee at taking shots from a moving vehicle through the windshield, but these make the point of how beautiful it was that night.

I had to get a picture of the door for Yaya. She's given me a new appreciation for the doors and gates that we enter in our lives. There is now a greater expectation of what's waiting for me on the other side of a new door.

Most of these shots are just kind of random. They show the girls and some of the things we did....hiking, eating, swinging, eating, more hiking, eating, horseback riding, eating, exploring the area and other cabins, eating, playing games, eating, rocking.... You get the idea















During the flooding we had this spring, the camp took a big hit. Thankfully none of the cabins were damaged, but the walking bridge was knocked out. This is a root system from a tree that ended up in the yard of our cabin. It was quite impressive.


After we got to the cabin, I realized that several of my sisters are hurting. Hurting more than I could have ever imagined. Many were facing similar troubles, just in different situations. I feel so incredibly blessed to have Dale. We've been married for nearly 20 years, and just hearing his voice still makes my heart go pitterpat. Before our weekend away, I took that for granted. I hope that I never will again. I also feel incredibly blessed to have each of these women in my life. Of course I also missed those that are usually with me and weren't. (Namely Barbara!) Pebs has come but not lately, and I wish that Karla & Lisa would join us. But I digress...I am again thankful for this opportunity to get away with my friends. Most were in the process of reading the Shack. It's been really interesting to hear each person's thoughts on the book. It seems to touch everyone differently but so far I've heard a lot of positive feedback. So thank you to whoever sent these books out to so many folks that I love.

I'm so excited because we are going to take the kids to SOTO next summer. All the kids from KCIC to college age. It's gonna be great!!! Two weeks after we get back from taking the kids to SOTO, then my family is headed for Dauphin Island! My how time flies when your having fun!

I'll leave you with another effort of me holding the camera out of the car and capturing a picture. This is just right before you come into Clinton.

Love ya, mean it!