What a Weekend!

CAROLYN: On Friday I departed for the Windy City and a women's retreat at College Church, home of Kent and Barbara Hughes.  What a pleasure to interact again with this godly pastor’s wife who has become a new friend. If you haven’t read her book, Disciplines of a Godly Woman, put it on the top of your reading list.

I was wonderfully cared for by my dear friend Ebeth Dennis, who, together with her husband heads up Crossway Books. Ebeth’s elegant graciousness and passion for the gospel are two reasons I love to spend time with her.

As usual, my friends and family were faithful to pray for me. My sister-in-law Betsy sent me the following Spurgeon quote before I took off. Do you find yourself in need of help today—of any kind? Then read this quote and remember the One who will help you!

"I will help thee, saith the Lord"  Isaiah 41:14

"This morning let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: 'I will help thee'.  It is but a small thing for Me, thy God, to help thee.  Consider what I have done already.  What! not help thee? Why, I bought thee with My blood. What! not help thee?  I have died for thee; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less?  Help thee!  It is the least thing I will ever do for thee; I have done more, and will do more.....If thou hadst need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it thee; thou requirest little compared with what I am ready to give.....O my soul, is not this enough?  Dost thou need more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity?  Dost thou want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit?  Bring hither thine empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it.  Haste, gather up thy wants, and bring them there--thine emptiness, thy woes, thy needs.  Behold, this river of God is full for thy supply; what canst thou desire beside?  Go forth, my soul, in this thy might.  The Eternal God is thine helper!"  Morning and Evening Jan. 16

NICOLE: As Mom headed to Chicago, I moved in with Mike and Janelle. This was a special time for me, a chance to be with my sister and help care for my little niece.  As many of you know, Janelle cared for Jack for the first three months of his life, while I was in the hospital and recovering from surgery and infection. Three days didn’t come close to repaying Janelle for three months of midnight feedings. But it was one more way to say “thanks.”

JANELLE: It’s been whirlwind of diapers, pink, intermittent sleep, and cuddles. I’m thoroughly enjoying my little Caly.

KRISTIN: The scary moment of my weekend came when I was standing in line at Sam’s Club and the lights went out. It was pitch dark in that huge warehouse. I called out for Andrew who blessedly was only a few feet away. Fortunately, the lights came back on in 20 seconds, but it felt much longer than that!

Now that you know where we’ve all been, we’ll be back with more GirlTalk later in the day.