While We're Waiting Mini-Retreat for Moms #4

Well, our fourth "While We're Waiting" Mini-Retreat for Moms is in the books.  And as I've said after each one ... it was amazing!

(If you're new to the blog and wondering what a "While We're Waiting" Mini-Retreat for Moms is, look at the top of the right hand column of this blog under "Pages" and click on the "Mini Retreat for Bereaved Moms" link).

Once again, God brought just the right group of moms together.  Our stories were all different, but the pain we had experienced in our losses was the same.  Some of our children never had the opportunity to take a breath on earth, and some lived to adulthood.  Some were killed suddenly and tragically, and some experienced long periods of illness.  As different as our stories were, our losses and our faith immediately bound us together.

There are some sweet ladies who have taken on "While We're Waiting" as part of their decorating ministry.  Yes, I said decorating ministry.  These ladies are uniquely gifted in creating beauty.  As a person who is not at all gifted in this area, I have a great appreciation for their work.  These ladies used a fun, whimsical spring theme in their decorating this time, and made for such a pleasant, comfortable setting.

Our conversation was, as always, rich and inspiring.  It is such a blessing to hear how other moms deal with things like how to handle your child's empty bedroom, or how the loss of your child can affect your relationships with other people, or what it's like to return to church after a loss like this.  These are just a few of the things we discussed yesterday.  I really think the best part about the whole day is just the opportunity to spend time with other moms who truly understand!  It's also a great relief to spend time talking about your child with people who are genuinely interested in hearing about him or her, and who are not made uncomfortable by the topic.  And the massage each mom receives in the afternoon releases even more stress!

And what mom doesn't love to be cooked for and waited upon?  That's how we ended our day, with a five-course gourmet meal prepared and served by our own private chef.  Here's a little glimpse of what we enjoyed...

Our appetizer:  A braised short loin meatball with a red pepper and tomato charassaco sauce...

Our salad:  Sweet apples with a pecan maple glaze, arugula with tomatoes, eggs, stilton, and smoked cashews, sweet vinaigrette...

The intermezzo:  A delicious lemon sorbet...

The entree':  Grilled pork medallions with ranch-style potatoes, yellow and white cauliflower, broccoli, and drizzled with basalmic...

Our dessert:  Fresh-made red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing sprinkled with macadamia nuts, and banana split ice cream.  The star is made with cocoa powder...

The eight of us moms started the day as strangers, but we ended the day as friends...bound together by our common losses and our common faith in an uncommon Savior.  I firmly believe that God deliberately puts each of these groups together, choosing just the right people to meet at just the right time.  I'm just so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it!