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."