Reconnect and Reset!

8.21.2022 - 8.24.2022 • A "reconnect and reset trip" to the Great Smoky Mountains with my dear friend of 10 years, Susan. We haven't got to visit and see each other in a long while. We talk over the phone some. In 2012, we met while attending the same church, and connected instantly. We've held each other up in prayer, encouraged each other in the Lord, cried and laughed together, and worshipped together, as sisters in Christ should. We belly laughed so much on our vacation until we were hurting and seeing stars. We were planning to rest more, but we decided to pack in the fun while the Lord gave us the opportunity to do so together and memories sure were made. We prayed for God to pave the way and He did. He gave us favor with the traffic, favor with my vehicle, favor in keeping us safe from harm (we know how dangerous it can be for two women to travel alone, but with God you are never alone), favor with His band of Holy Angels all around us, favor from getting sick, favor with the weather, and just the favor of friendship. She and I have both battled a lot,  but we know to hang on and come out on the other side in victory. I had invited other ladies to come with my on this trip, and it just didn't work out because God already knew who was suppose to come with me. He knew how badly sweet Susan needed this time away. As many vkays as I've had in the Smoky Mountains, I got to experience first time fun and blessings with the Ober Gatlinburg Tram ride up and down the mountain to see gorgeous views, Parrot Mountain & Gardens, and the Biblical Times Theater. 

We testified and sung of God's goodness on the drive there and back. Good time of fellowship. Good time of laughter. Good time of prayer & praise. Good time together in the Lord. God flipped the script with this trip, as we were suppose to be in ladies retreat services a couple of nights but we watched it livestream instead. It was just too crowded for our comfort. We were completely okay with it, because we both needed this time of refreshing and reset. I just refuse to waste energy and time getting upset when something doesn't go as planned. That's life! God used that retreat to get us on this vacation together; I know ladies lives were changed during "Stronger", and I'm thankful for that. I know our lives were touched, because there was laughter that came from the pits of both our bellies that we haven't experienced in quite a while! The joy of the Lord is truly your strength; He gave us strength. We laughed in the face of the enemy too. It was a reconnection with Susan, and a reset for me to continue moving forward in the Lord after a tough several months of now useless worry and anxiety. God knows what He's doing, and we had an awesome time with Him in the mountains of Tennesse! Our inside joke phrases will forever be "meet me on the mountain" and "all I see is clouds; look at them clouds". It was sweet peace, drama free, and the Lord knew that's what we both needed. As Susan said over & over, "we had a blast"!♡