Love Is The Movement

Honestly, I can't believe the weekend is over. Friday came and went in the blink of an eye and before I knew it, it was Saturday afternoon and I found myself at home again... Still smiling about all that God had done at the Renu girls retreat that I was blessed enough to attend this weekend.

This year's theme was "Love Is The Movement." Essentially, the messages were about how the mass majority of us constantly believe that love is a feeling when it is rather a movement - a sacrifice - that Jesus has given to us and that we are to pass on.

I can't even begin to describe how amazing it was to worship with 200 other girls... Surrendering lives to God... Some for the first time, others to be renewed... It gives me goosebumps again just thinking about the presence of God that night.

{photo credit // River of Life}

The retreat started around 5:00 p.m. on Friday. I volunteered to be a greeter and to my surprise, my camp counselor and dear friend, Leah, who I hadn't seen since August, was there to be my partner in doing so! We had a blast dancing around and being super bubbly as the girls walked in! We had a blast catching up!

{photo credit // River of Life}

My heart was already full by the time all 200 of those ladies walked in the door. I just knew that God had something so big planned for the time we spent together worshiping Him. I truly don't believe my smile left my face at any point in time. :-)

{photo credit // River of Life}

My girlfriends and I started off our night with a buttload of chocolate. Seriously, this retreat always has tons of sweets on sweets on sweets... And I can never, ever say no! Clearly.

{photo credit //River of Life}

It was a blast just being together, catching up, eating food that was incredibly bad for our bodies, and getting excited about what God was doing in each of our lives!

{photo credit // River of Life}

Honestly. It doesn't get better than quality time, honest talks, and genuine laughs with some of your best girlfriends. It just doesn't!

After an AMAZINGLY heartfelt service that night, Amy, Becca, and I {these girls are my LIFE}, stayed up until 2:30 just talking, laughing, and quite possibly ripping out some dance moves. *cough* Okay, that was just me. *cough*

The next morning, we had a fancy breakfast together complete with DELICIOUS coffee... :-) After breakfast, Becca won some awesome jewelry and Amy was given some gorgeous glittery TOMS that she's been wanting for the past year and a half. I was literally bawling by the end of that session because I was so happy for my two girls!

We had another service that afternoon and then it was time to go home. I can't believe another year of Renu is over! My girlfriends and I attend this retreat every winter and have for the past 4 years. Each one continues to bring us closer together and teaches us to encourage eachother in new ways. Watching God work in our hearts never ceases to be absolutely incredible...

John 15:12-15~ “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this; that someone lay down his life for his friends."