What a weekend

(The 'Chalet' where our room was located)

Boy I don't even know where to begin. As you are aware, Jose and I (with our dear friends Dan & Dana Flood) went to a marriage retreat this past weekend in Mt. Berry, Georgia. It was a true experience! We got to spend our time "together" with no distractions, no negativity and no media clutter! Winshape Retreat was an amazing experience. They make it a place for a couple to unwind and to reconnect your love for each other and with God. The ministers Jeff & Debby McElroy where absolutely amazing. They shared visions of marriage that were very down to earth. You think your marriage is different, weird or falling apart - well actually it's not - it's just a normal marriage!

(in the Dining Hall waiting on dinner)

If only, Jose and I would have known about this place a couple of years back when our marriage was on the rocks and when we didn't center it around The Good Lord. We've learned that it takes more than just the 2 of us to make this marriage work. IT TAKES GOD! And without God in our marriage it was a big mess and nothing but battle after battle or struggle after struggle! Of course, we still have those struggles, but now we know how to get through them together by handing them over to God! No our marriage is not perfect, there is not a perfect marriage, but the more and more we grow closer to the Lord the more our marriage gets stronger!

Not only did we learn how love each other, we also learned how to be better Christian parents. WOW, now that was a real eye opener! Parenting is not an easy job. Our kids did not actually come with instruction manual, but if you read the Bible and follow God's word on how to raise HIS children it should make it a lot easier! We are starting off by trying some new tactics that were taught to us this weekend! Hopefully, we can now put all of our learnings to the test and become better Lovers, better Christians, and better Parents!

(at the TOP of the mountain - after a 2 hour bike ride getting there)

A verse the McElroy's left us with is......

Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

They told us to apply this verse to our marriage every day. Dwell on this verse and your mind shape shall change to loving and respecting your spouse the way God tells us to!

Love to all,

Carrie

P.S. If you ever get a change to attend a retreat at Winshape - let me just tell you IT IS WORTH IT!