Happy Monday morning! Did you realize I have actually been gone since Thursday afternoon until last night? With no access to the internet…or even to a phone, camera, watch, etc. I literally unplugged myself from the world.

Remember the church “retreat” Peter went on two weekends ago? Well, this past weekend was my turn to go. We attended the Walk to Emmaus, which is a 3 day experience to truly focus on the love of God and learn more about all He offers. What was it like?

I spent three days being served by other women who wanted to help my sole focus be on the experience. I spent three days discussing and learning from others who had so much to share. I spent three days laughing and chatting with amazing women who quickly became friends. I spent three days crying off and on as the beauty of God’s love became even more apparent to me than ever before. Those three days recommitted me to everything I hope in and believe, stronger than I thought possible.

I cannot share specifics because these types of retreats exist all over and who knows whether or not one of you may attend something similar one day. Each experience is meant to be personal with no prejudgment. I also cannot share specifics because no words can describe it. Maybe a vague powerful, humbling, inspirational, fun, or…full, as there was much to eat. Sorry, no food pictures. No camera, remember? 😉 I did get lots of “swag” as you call it. Though it was “agape”, aka pieces of love, for us this weekend – books, teas, treats, ornaments, scarves, and so much more.

Would you believe this weekend even affected the blog? It recommitted me to Faith Fitness Fun and that all I put into it is worth it and something I am meant to pursue. Sometimes I have felt guilty for the time and energy it takes. However, after talks with others this weekend (hi, ladies if you are reading!) and a few special letters I received from loved ones (INCLUDING Lisa, Em, and even Lisa’s mom!), I know without a doubt that it is a good thing.

I can share here and reach out to others with love, support, and kindness for whatever their needs may be – body image, relationships with food, past struggles, a desire to love life, whatever! I’m not saying I blog with the purpose of changing others or inspiring others, but if doing something I love can have that impact on occasion as a side effect, who am I to deny that?

Thank you for listening to my long ramble! I will now leave you with a Q+A I have been waiting to answer and now seems like the perfect time:

I know you are a Christian but does that mean you feel like someone who isn't is not going to Heaven? I know this is very personal but I struggle with this. My husband and I are Jewish and it makes me sad to think that someone else thinks that about me and my family.

I do NOT think this, plain and simply because I do not think ABOUT it. I am not God and I know it is not my place to try to decide anything related to that. I believe God is loving, so all I hope to do in this life is love others, no matter what. I can only say that I have never felt more love, peace, joy, hope, and GOOD in my life since I have come to a Christian faith. The mercy and grace from those beliefs changed my life for the better. I will openly share that, but will never judge others (or their futures) for believing differently.

Now, I have a lot of catching up to do, so please be patient as I get back to emails, comments, etc.and understand why I have not been commenting recently. Time to live my life the best way I can.

• What would be the hardest for you to go without for 3 days? Phone, camera, computer, watch/clock/any way to tell time? I missed my camera!
• Do you ever unplug completely? What does it do for you?

Last night certainly ended on a high note.

And you all should have seen Makenzie’s excitement to have her daddy back home. It was such a sweet thing to witness. I love my little family.

It felt amazing to sit down and talk again. I had so many things I had to tell him – about Makenzie, the writing stuff I finished, how much I missed him, excitement over getting things finished and setup for baby B, etc. I also had so many things to ask him about his trip. He went on a church retreat and attendees can’t share specifics, so that way when other people go they can have the full experience. I couldn’t go this past weekend, so I have to be patient for when my time comes and live with the secrets until then. I think I can do that because I can see how much the weekend meant to him.

After talking for a long while, we both felt like snuggling on the couch before heading to bed. So we watched a tiny bit of TV with a sweet treat. I had gotten us some cream cheese brownies to enjoy together. So good and fudgy!

I can hardly believe its already back to Monday since this weekend felt more like weekdays to me. It sure does feel like a Monday though. Of course I woke up feeling tired. And I hurt. A lot today. Groceries, tutoring, mothering, and everything else still must get done. However, that really is not something to complain about. Even though I woke up in quite a bit of pregnancy pain, I still felt this incredible peace and overwhelming sense of blessing.  I love my life and thank God for it today. He does pretty amazing things and loves us so much.

Now that I have spent some time chilling with the little bean and had my oats & coffee, it’s time to tackle the day! Wish me luck. It’s a long one with tutoring.

• What types of weekends make it hard to believe when Monday rolls around? For me, weekends when I don’t have Peter around much. Also, those weekends that go by in a blur but I don’t really know WHAT we did.
• How do you feel blessed or appreciative of something today?