I was looking through old pictures on my phone when I found some that brought back vivid memories.
I had been meaning to post them here on the blog, but never got around to it.
Now it's been almost a year since they were taken.
It was from the internship retreat with Gateway House of Prayer last spring.
Jake and I were home group leaders, as well as mentors and were going along to help lead.
I was a little nervous coming into it because trips like these were always a bit complicated when you have a toddler and sleep a "third shift" schedule.
It was looking like we would have to share a room with other people, and be on the basement floor, which means lots of loud footsteps in the 'morning' when we needed to be sleeping.
If it was just Jake and I, we could easily handle a weekend of switching up our schedule and getting less sleep.
But with a toddler, it's not that simple.
When we arrived to the retreat center, we found out there was a change of plans.
The couple who came up to do the teaching portion of the retreat, decided to give up the tiny cottage next to the retreat center, so that we could have our own space.
I couldn't believe it.
All my worrying and fretting for nothing.
And not only did we have our own space so we could sleep, it was gorgeous!
It was the quaintest little cottage you could imagine!
Since it was rainy and chilly, we were very happy to have the warmth from the stove, and a kettle to make some tea.
We were so happy and felt so blessed.
That weekend I also came down with a 24 hour stomach bug.
The kind where you have a really high fever, dizziness, aches and pains, and lots and lots of running to the bathroom.
I spent most of my time in the cottage, tossing and turning in a strange fever struck state of mind.
To keep me busy, Jake turned on an audio book for me to listen to.
It was a book a friend of ours wrote for children all about preparing for trials and testings before Jesus comes back. (You should definitely check it out here).
Since it was written with children in mind, the message is communicated in clear and simple terms with powerful analogies.
I cried, as I lay there sweating and nauseous, over my own divided heart that was quick to worry, become apathetic, and lose sight of the hope of the gospel.
I remember praying that I would stay on the narrow path, and be faithful to the end before falling asleep.
That night, in my weak feverish state, I had a very vivid dream about the New Jerusalem.
I'll never forget that dream, and the comfort it has brought to me as I set my hope on the age to come.
The Lord used this time of weakness to speak to me and draw me closer to Himself.
That little cottage will forever remind me of that intimate weekend I had with God and how He chooses to move in mysterious ways.
