But This IS My Best Behavior
I just spent a wonderful weekend at our church’s Ladies’ Retreat. It’s so nice to go spend a couple of days with women who love to laugh while they love the Lord. Luckily, these women know me well enough to know that, even when I’m on my best behavior, I will probably say something totally inappropriate for a church setting. And they just roll with it and love me anyway.
We go to the same retreat center every year (Greenwood Hills) up near Gettysburg, PA. During the fall, it’s especially pretty. I was lucky to get to ride and room with my friend, Connie. She is one of those people with whom I never experience awkward pauses in conversation. We talked the whole weekend and still I had to text her within an hour of arriving home to share another juicy tidbit.
Our speaker for the weekend was Stephanie, the wife of our Youth Pastor (who is called something snazzy like “Escalate Pastor”, but I can never remember the difference between that, the “Enticement Pastor” and the “Exciting Pastor.” Actually, I don’t think any of those are actual titles. I need to pay better attention in church.) Like her husband, Stephanie is especially gifted at entertaining a crowd while teaching and making a point. She makes you want to listen to a sermon. And that’s saying something for my easily distracted self.
Every year, Saturday afternoon is designated as “free time,” when the attendees can shop, sleep, walk, play, etc. A few of us decided to hang out in front of the fireplace and play games and talk. The game? Bible Baseball. Uh-oh. I mean, I can totally rock the I Love The 80’s game we played Friday night. Dexy’s Midnight Runners! The A Team! Larry Bird! Leg Warmers! Rubik’s Cube! See? But I should probably be a little ashamed that Bible knowledge does not come as easily. Turns out? A really fun game! And my partner, Doreen, and I won! I credit our win to the facts that one, Doreen is a Bible super-scholar, and two, I’ve memorized most of the songs from the VeggieTales movies. (“I am King Darius! I had a dream!”)
Saturday night we had more Stephanie-flavored fun and then sat around the fireplace making s’mores. I forgot to mention that food is a very important part of this weekend. Everyone brings their favorite snack food and leaves it in the dining room and we all share the booty. I commented one night that I had Cheetos, Oreos, and funny ladies; add in margaritas and you’ve got a perfect evening.
We all departed on Sunday, some of us more rested, some of us less rested because we stayed up too late laughing and playing the 80’s game. But we all left with mental food to chew on and renewed fellowship. (And maybe a few more Oreos padding our middles.) I’m already looking forward to next year’s retreat. Thanks ladies!
