- S-piritual
- P-hysical
- I-ntellectual
- R-elational
- E-motional
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Within each of those facets are needs that must be met in order to survive the way that God, our Creator, meant for us to survive:
S-piritual: that part of us that needs deep connection with God...
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P-hysical: that part of us that lives on this planet and is in need of it's water, air, food, shelter...
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I-ntellectual: that part of us that comprehends, remembers, evaluates, applies, critiques, creates....
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R-elationships: that part of us that connects with people...
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E-motional: that part of us that feels - not necessarily out of conscious effort...
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Our Pitman women's retreat, last weekend, was about FAMILY... GOD'S FAMILY!!! I have found over the years, that when GOD'S FAMILY does what GOD'S FAMILY is designed to do that all of the above needs are met and it is a beautiful thing! That would describe this past weekend! There was all that and then there was the "icing on the cake" that I will share at the end of the following pictures.
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S-piritual: we spent a lot of time making spiritual connections for this journey of life with it's twists and turns and bunny trails... as we marveled at God's creation AND participated in God's word, praying, singing, and learning how to love Him with all of our hearts, minds, soul, and strength...
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P-hysical: we breathed, ate, slept, walked, and had plenty of water / beverages...
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I-ntellectual: we thought on all different types of levels...specifically challenged to transform our thinking....
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R-elational: we spent lots of time with our sisters in Christ as we renewed old friendsips and made new ones.
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E-motional: we laughed and cried as we experienced the gamut of light-hearted feelings all the way to those that touched us to the core.
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Becky Holton, from Chicago, Illinois, was our retreat speaker. God had already orchestrated several incredible connections in getting her to us that we were very aware was a "God thing"! The planning committee knew of these connections, yet had not shared it all with everyone who had come to the retreat. One connection that we had shared was that bringing Becky was Melva's idea, even though she did not know Becky. She also did not know that Steve and I not only knew Becky but had previously worked at York College with Becky and her husband, Kerry.
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At the retreat, Becky shared about her sister Jenny who had passed away exactly five years ago. In fact, that day was the five year anniversary of Jenny's memorial service. Becky was so incredibly thankful that we had invited her to the Jersey shore to speak on this exact day. Her sister Jenny had been the wife of a Jersey preacher/minister. Jenny's favorite place was the Jersey shore. Becky walked the shore on Saturday morning as she remembered her precious sister. And that's not all...
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As Becky spoke, tears began to flow among those who had known Jenny and among those who were touched by her story. One woman, newer to our congregation, was overcome with emotion. Tucked in her Bible was the program from Jenny's April 24, 2005 memorial service. Jenny had been her friend! They had been part of the same church family! Robin had not realized that our speaker was Jenny's sister.
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Tears, laughter, stories, memories, connection all transpired as we saw God's hand in bringing Becky to us, ministering to Becky, Robin and others, and truly loving and taking care of His daughters' needs. Thank You, Daddy!
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