The Abiding Place

This weekend was the ladies retreat at church. I have been looking so forward to this weekend. We go to a place called the "Abiding Place." We went last October and it has become an annual event. The "Abiding Place" is the home of Teresa and Bob Nix where they hold Christian retreats and conferences year round . They are good friends with my pastor and his wife and it was such a blessing to be able to go again this year.

The Abiding Place

I love all the Fall decorations




There is a pond in the backyard and a gorge that runs along the side of their property..we saw a herd of wild boars running across the gorge on Saturday, deer, and a armadillo!

I love this cross at the edge of the pond

In this picture most of us are wearing our t-shirt that says, "Breaking Free" which was the theme of the ladies retreat.

Cecilia, Linda (their mom), and Sara


Last year it rained the entire weekend so we didn't get to enjoy all the hiking trails and outdoor fire pits, so on Saturday morning we sat and had coffee by the fire.

Kathy, Melissa, Me, and Mom

Teresa is an amazing cook. Since the weather was so pretty we ate lunch and supper Saturday on the back porch. Lunch was taco soup, salad, homeade salsa, homeade jalepeno dip, and peach bread pudding with glazed pecans on top (the peached are fresh off her peach trees)....delicious!

Saturday night we sat around the fire and roasted marshmallows..the stars were so beautiful! The "Abiding Place" is out in the middle of nowhere in Centerville, TX and the stars were so bright and beautiful...when you live in the city you forget just how beautiful the night sky is.


Grace (the girl in the blue jean jacket on the front row) is from the Philippines and had only been in the U.S. for two months. Her husband is American and met her in the Philippines and they just started coming to our church. In the Philippines, when you take a picture of the people they either frame their face with their hands (I am not sure why, but I think it means "Beautiful") or give the peace sign...that is why they are doing this in the picture with Grace.

Roasting Marshmallows

This weekend was such a sweet time with the Lord and fellowship with the ladies at Joy Church. I am so thankful that God has brought these ladies into my life.

The scripture on our shirt is Galatians 5:1 and it says,

"It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and so not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Busy Weekend

This past weekend was a busy weekend. Friday night we celebrated Grammy's 82nd birthday and my church had a garage sale and link sale on Saturday. I love getting together with family any chance I get and Friday was such a good time. We went to eat at the Olive Garden for supper and then went to my Aunt Sandy and Uncle Mark's house for dessert to celebrate Grammy's birthday.

Grammy had not one but four birthday cakes...coconut cake, chocolate cake, carrot cake, and apple pie. I had to try each one and they were all so good!


Grammy with all 5 of her kids


Grammy opening her gifts


Mom and I spent the night with Grammy on Friday night so we would be close to the church since we had to be there at 8 Saturday morning. The garage sale was to raise money for missions and it was the perfect day to have a garage sale...the temps were in the 70"S and it was sunny.


Love these girls...Sara and Cecilia are both sisters and they are some of the sweetest, most Godly women I know. They are such a great example to me of what it looks like to be a Godly wife and mother.

Making Signs

Meredith Making a Sign

Linda and Mom

We had 2 link sales and the women ran this one...Linda did a great job! She had never grilled before and we weren't much help..around our house my dad does all the grilling!

The garage sale was a hugh success and I enjoyed getting to visit with everyone who helped out.

Poor kid...if you rember from last year I posted a picture of Samuel with a wig on at the Chrsitmas Party and well, we found another wig at the garage sale and couldn't resist :)