Ladies' Retreat--Hope Mountain

A day after his six month birthday we went to hope mountain for the ladies' retreat. I was still photo-crazy about my little man!

It was fun to spend special time with just him....though he got spoiled being held through his naps (hard to go back for a week!)

It was also good for us to get out of the city into nature and God's creation. Refreshing!

My little man! So handsome!

I have to say this, but my hair has never looked more thick...wow, this is a moment (you must know my hair is thin and it is falling out constantly--I wonder when I will be bald, so this is a good photo moment).

Hugs!! (You may wonder when the ladies' retreat will get started!)

He loves to stick out his tongue! He has such a cute giggle. Really....there were other people there besides Malachi. See next photo.

My new German friend, Angelika and her baby Ruben Michael, Malachi's new little buddy. He is eight weeks.

Look at this view of the valley with the mountain behind. What a place to reflect and meditate. These are two of my three best friends. I thought we should get a picture of just us without the kids. Sometimes, as many of you mothers out there know, we get lots of pics of our kids and with our kids that you wonder, "did I have any friends in that stage of my life?" Here we have three moms just being the "girls". Fun.

I felt like myself at last--just me, being me. I really loved leading worship for the retreat and sharing the Scriptures God put on my heart. I was so renewed and refreshed just preparing for it, and I know that God blessed others also.

There were about 32 of us from many different nationalities: Korea, Germany, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Northern Ireland, Philippines...

I love singing and leading worship. When I do I feel like Eric Liddell, who when he ran "felt God's pleasure on him." When I lead worship and sing I feel God's pleasure on me. Thanks to my brother, Micah, for the mandolin! It was also good to just be me. One of the older ladies encouraged me and joked about being a mom: "I'm a package deal!" If you get me you get my kids too!

A couple bonus pictures from this week--I just love when he smiles.

"Hi Grandma and Grandpa! I miss you!"