NOTE: THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER THE CONTEST BELOW! Scroll down just a bit!!!!
I don't know where to begin. WARNING! This is going to be a LONG post! I have only been home a couple of days. Being gone is a lot of work! The old saying rings true. I need a vacation from my vacation!
Darren is amazing. He really is. All is well when I travel. I really don't worry. I just miss my family terribly when I am gone and this time was no different. As much as I loved my trip, I love coming home even more!
My journey began last Tuesday morning. My "soul sista" Lori picked me up after all the kiddos were off to school. Lori and I have known each other for years but this was our first adventure together. Boy was it an adventure! We laughed and cried the entire drive there and the entire drive back. I hope I didn't talk "too" much for her. I will forever hold a special place in my heart for her.
Our first stop was in Twin Falls. Two dear friends of mine own a scrapbook store there and I have been wanting to go visit for the longest time. I was so excited that we could schedule time to stop. The above picture is with the owners Lisa and Michelle.
Here is my dear Lori.. so happy at the goodness she is purchasing. Seriously... if you are ever in the Twin Falls area you HAVE TO stop at their store. Scrappin Girlfriends has everything and anything you can imagine. I have had the opportunity to shop and oodles of stores all over the country and this store is the cream of the crop. Simple goodness. PLUS... Lisa and Michelle are two of the most amazing women you will ever meet. Talk about customer service!
After our shopping splurge we were then on our way again. The plan was to arrive in Boise and meet our group at the Hilton in Eagle where we were to board a shuttle bus that would take us up the mountain to Brave Girls.
Those that know me, know that I have EXTREME anxiety when it comes to cars. I told Lori that I am convinced that I am going to die in a car accident. (Sorry Lori.. I know that freaked you out) So.. driving on freeways is a act of sheer bravery for me. THEN loading a bus.. riding up a very long, and very windy mountain road long a ravine most of the times does not help my issues. I held on tight. Put my trust on our crazy driver Jim and said a little prayer that we would indeed make it. And WE DID!
From the moment we stepped off the bus, we were loved. We were welcomed. We were safe. Melody, Kathy and their staff lined the path to the door of the cabin and WELCOMED us with open arms. Each guest was given a hug. All bags were carried into the cabin. Tears came to my eyes when I first stepped into the cabin. The table was set. Dinner was ready. It felt like HOME! (Well my home is not over 7000 sq feet but you get the idea)
Each and every day, we were fed. We were fed both physically... and by that I mean we were feasting.. but we were also fed spiritually. I was so impressed with Melody and Kathy's ability to meet each of our needs given the fact that we literally came from around the globe. All walks of life. All backgrounds. Each having our own story to tell.
Each morning, after breakfast we gathered in the living room. Melody opened her heart and gave us each "prompts". We were asked to think about certain things each day. I have to admit.. after that first morning.. I was a bit nervous. I realized that I was in store for something MUCH different then what I had prepared for.
Let me explain.
I have been a bit spoiled I guess. I have had the opportunity to attend so many amazing "Scrapbooking" events. I remember CKU-A in Provo several years ago. Two years ago I went to Creative Escape in Arizona. Of course there is my own event that I have organized for the past 10 years. So.. when I heard of Brave Girls my thoughts were that of other events I have attended. Great! Perfect! I will head to the mountains and Scrapbook all day every day. Ummm... no.. it was not a Scrapbooking Retreat. (That is for you Margaret) It was more. So much more. In fact, we didn't even Scrapbook!
So.. I was nervous. I was not sure if I was ready to DIG DEEP and think about the questions Melody was asking us. I have learned in my life that I am supposed to be the leader. I am supposed to be the tough one. My feelings don't always matter and are certainly not always asked for. I wasn't sure if I was ready to admit them to myself let alone others.
Not only did Melody teach us self awareness she also taught us how to express our thoughts and feelings through art! Not Scrapbooking. Not a set pattern with measurements. ART like you used to create in Kindergarten. Anything goes! Again.. I was nervous. But.. I did it anyway. I was safe. NOBODY judged my art. It was not for a display. Not for a class. Not for a blog. A magazine. It was for me.
Each day we shared. Each day we created. Each day we got to know each other a bit more. I love the lower left picture of Melody. Each time I turned around she was listening with her entire heart and sharing her heart with each guest. She too was in her safe place.
AND... it was beautiful! The cabin sits along the Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho. We walked. We talked. We saw a few critters but nothing too scary. PLUS we had Melody's husband Marq with us the entire time.. just in case... our scout.
On the last night, we were all asked to wear a white shirt to dinner. My emotions were very close to the service that night as I realized that this would be our last night together. I can honestly say that I love each of these women with all of my heart and will forever be grateful for the love the showed in return to me.
I am still trying to process all that I learned. All that I felt. All that I want to change in my life. I miss my friends. I miss music playing all day every day. I miss each meal being prepared for me. I miss not having to worry about a clean house. Bills. The phone ringing. The dog. Teenagers. You know.. life.
One of the thoughts we were given read.. "Everyone has life seasons.. expect it! Good times, hard times, confusing times, nothing stays the same. BE PATIENT and try to learn as much as you can from each one. The seasons will change again when it is time" ... just one of the hundreds of things we were left to think about. Life changing. Simply life changing.
NOW... me being me... I have decided that I am forever a LIFE AMBASSADOR for BRAVE GIRLS CAMP
You will be hearing me talk about it many times in the future! PLEASE! PLEASE go to the website. Sign up to receive their "daily truths" email. Start there. THEN save all of your pennies. Bribe your husband. Work overtime. Do what you have to do to attend this camp! The best summary I heard another attendee give of camp was that you will receive about $40,000 worth of therapy in 5 short days. YOU WILL come home a different person. YOU WILL come home with your heart full of gratitude. YOU WILL want to change and try a little harder. YOU WILL love more. YOU WILL love yourself more. YOU WILL forgive others more. I promise.
Don't forget about the question I asked before I left. There is still time to post your answer and win a FREE goodie from camp!!!!
