Really? Yes.
This past weekend I had the privilege of speaking with my mother at a women’s “camping” retreat. It was the first time for both of us; we really had no idea what to expect. As I told a friend later, “It was the most exhausting, energizing thing I have ever done.” I was filled with an unnatural love for these women and was shocked at how loved I felt in return. Because of that, I wanted to say, “Thank you.”
The Lord has grown my heart with a love for women in a way that I didn’t think possible. I have actually had to pray for this kind of love because it hasn’t always come naturally. Like many of you, I have been hurt by women in the past (and I probably will be in the future). The idea of a whole group of you women was a tad overwhelming. I didn’t know if I was the right person to “love” you all.
I had doubts going into it as to whether or not the message of respect and honor towards men would be heard and accepted. As far as I could tell it was. We seriously felt like mini-celebrities. (Watch out Miss Lohan.) All of the you showered us with attention, questions, hugs, gratitude and very humble hearts…which were often very broken.
Thank you to Solid Rock Church for hosting us and for the hotel so we could prepare and rest. High-class camping if you ask me! The rest of you roughed it in tents with coyotes howling…but I think that was the least of your concerns.
One of the concerns among you 300 women, was making a change… To not let the behavior of other people affect how you are going to live your life. Many of you made a choice to believe that the obedience to scripture gives us freedom and an easier way to live, even if it’s contrary to our nature.
Thank you for going there with me. Everything I said was very much what I am dealing with and will continue to deal with in my own life. Let’s arise together, as obedient truth seekers who are empowered women that have the ability to change our generation and generations to come.
Joy
p.s. And a special thanks to Nada, the Yugoslavian woman who put her cane down in order to put her miracle hands to work. She cured my pounding headache after I gave my self whip lash by “aggressive somersaulting.” Nada, you are everything but the Spanish definition of your name!
p.s.s. My father Emerson Eggerichs and I have a conversation right after I had spoken to the Solid Rock women: Watch Here
Our transportation…
Love and Respect (Now) is a division of Love and Respect. Please be considerate.
From My Heart
All of the Love and Respect Now Posts…In One Place!
Emerson & Sarah Eggerichs on Marriage, Parenting, Family of Origin, Work & Death
Fighting for Love (and Other Potentially Hazardous Cliches)
Seriously. That “barn” was something else. So glad you enjoyed the weekend as much as I did. Diane’s talk on forgiveness was INCREDIBLY powerful. What a way to wrap it all up. Look forward to checking out your blog!
I was so sad not to make it to the retreat this time. I heard wonderful things from lots of my friends. Thanks for posting such a great recap and helping me feel like I didn’t TOTALLY miss out! Love the pic of Melissa driving your “transportation! P.S. We used to go to House Church in that “barn” and it’s nicer than my house!
joy, it was such an honor to have you and your mom! i was one of the girls, that came alone to the retreat not knowing anyone. it was super overwhelming!
it was so nice meeting new people but most of all hearing you and your mom speak! i’m still single, but I took SO much from it! so, thank you!!
it was great chatting with you a bit too, and i hope that i’ll see you around sometime!
Joy, you and your mother are so gifted in the art of speaking. You truly have a way of speaking truth into others, and as a young woman like yourself your passion was so inspiring to me. I only wish we had these retreats more often! I attended the conference 2 years ago but hearing it again was so much more meaningful with the focus just on us. On doing what God has called US to do. I was so enriched and so uplifted from this weekend and I thank you so much for your honesty, your truth, and your passion. The Lord has big things planned for you!
Tiffany – Have you jumped in the foam square pit? I want one of those in my apartment. Let’s brainstorm.
Diana – I am so glad you had enough confidence to come alone. It shows your humility and desire to learn. Thank you for the encouragement.
Holly – Your words mean far more than you know. Praying the Lord uses you to share the freedom of this truth. Thank you.
Joy~ I am going a little crazy with chalkboard paint this week. Maybe next week can be uses for foam — and I’ll start with your apt pit. Send me a pic of your space and I’ll whip one up for ya! LOL!
i’m smiling big. i’m so glad it went well… wish i could’ve been there. (although i do love not camping…)
Tiffany – Let me know how chalkboard paint goes over with the kiddos. I bet they will grow up to be really great “taggers.” (-: I’m probably just jealous I didn’t get chalk board paint OR foam pits as a child. Waaa wahhhh.
Alece – This would have been your style of camping. There were showers and blow dryers and a station to do make up. Although, your “love not camping” is still up there as one of my favorite statements.
LOL Joy:) I posted some chalkboard ideas from around the web if you wanna look — still working on foam pit ideas. There must be something on that apartment blog!
Ok so I was wondering how everything went. Joy-full, you did NOT tell me it was a camping retreat. I would have done a lot more intensive fasting prayer for you instead of just regular prayer.
Ewwww grodie camping bugs 🙂
Jenny – Oh this was high end camping. Don’t you worry. It was amazing. Maybe you haven’t been to Oregon…but we are bug free. (-: You should visit. Thank you SO much for praying. I thought I sent you a DM on twitter. We felt the prayers!
Yes, the retreat was amazing and so glad both you and your mom could join us!! As part of the younger generation (and single I must say) – it was definitely full of things I’m glad to know now instead of finding out the hard way later 🙂 I’m almost finished with your dad’s book and it reminded me I hadn’t looked at your blog yet. Thoroughly entertaining I must say and I’m excited to see how God will use you and your love and compassion for seeing relationships work in the 18-35 range. We need all the help we can get! 🙂
Jen – So happy you came to the retreat and made my mother and I feel SO welcome. We had a blast. Please keep coming by my blog and joining the discussion. Hearing from people like YOU helps me in my work.
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It was such a fabulous weekend and having you two gorgeous, funny, wise women there made it extra wonderful. Throw in Diane’s message and it just goes over the top fantastic.
I’ve been married for 16 years and have the best marriage on the planet and I STILL walked away from the conference with a confidence and security to follow God’s “plain sight secert”. Thanks so much for being open, honest, real and convicting.
The next time I visit a BARN, something tells me I’m going to be disappointed. 🙂
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