Created for Care Retreat

I attended Created for Care retreat with my mom, Kelly, and her mom Terri the last weekend of January. The conference was held at the Lake Lanier Lodge and Resort outside of Atlanta. We had a great time together, and it was so encouraging to see so many familiar faces and reconnect with some of the women that I met last year. I made some new friends this year and reconnected with a friend from college too. Many of these women have their children home now, and there were also many like me who are still waiting for referrals. Kelly was the celebrity of our group since she had just received her referral for Silas a few days before. All the AGCI ladies were anxious to see those sweet pictures!

The view of the lake from our room-it was such a beautiful, sunny weekend.

Terri, the proudest grandmother ever, and Kelly with the cutest onesie for Silas made by another adoption mama.

Me and Mom

The first session we attended was about using your adoption blog for God's purposes and to promote adoption and orphan care. I really enjoyed hearing these popular blogging moms talk about their ministries, their followers and stalkers, and the encouragement they have received through blogging about their adoption journeys.

There were several vendors in attendance this year. I particularly loved the Mwana birds and blankets. For every blanket purchased, she sends a blanket to a child in need of a blanket in Africa.

Here's a blurry picture of Andrea, the founder of Created for Care. I loved hearing her testimony of how the retreat came about, waiting for their next adoption, loving her Isaac through his struggles, etc. Thank you, Andrea, for all of your encouragement and for allowing the Lord to use you!

And another not-so-awesome quality picture...this is Dr. Susan Hillis. I just love her. She is a scientist, and she thinks like me! I admire her intellect and love for Jesus. Can't wait to hear her share again next year!

Mom and I with less eye makeup...we all cried all weekend...happy tears and a few sad ones too.

Kelly and Terri-can't you tell that Terri is just having the best time!? We had been praying for healing from her back pain for some time, and she was able to attend the conference and travel without issue-such an answer to prayer! It would not have been the same without her being there!

The PJ Party Panel was the last night of the retreat. We got to ask questions of the panel about anything adoption/raising adopted children. We heard some serious, heavy questions and answers. And also heard some hilarious answers too. And just for anyone still wondering...the correct answer is "other".

Gorgeous sunrise

Mom, Me, Kelly, and Terri

My personal take-away from the weekend was to keep calm and carry on and you heard Me right the first time...I felt that the Lord reaffirmed to me that Isaac and I did hear Him correctly concerning all of the details of this adoption, but it is just simply taking a long time to see this call on our lives come to fruition. I kept hearing Wait on Me. So that's what we are doing, waiting on Him to bring our children home and trying to have some fun while we wait.