Bootcamp Retreat

Last Fall, the Lord dropped a dream into Tanna’s heart about leading her bootcamp overnight in a retreat style fashion. She mentioned it to a few of us and we committed to pray with her for whatever the Lord was stirring up. By October, she had invited and reserved and planned the whole thing. She asked us if we would join her in fasting for 3 days monthly until the retreat. We had a little group text thread and every month the Lord spoke amazing things to us and by the time the retreat finally got here we were so excited and expectant to see the Lord move.

The 24 hours was packed full of truth and fun and exercise and painting and talking and yoga and face masks and sharing and praying and crying and worshiping.  It was a whirwind, but so so fun!!

Boot Camp bright and early on Saturday morning.

Our hike up to Inspiration Point

For the craft, she gave us some requirements.  They were to take a turning point in our life and paint about it using your hand for some part of the painting. The previous night we talked about seasons and analyzing which season we were in; summer being enjoyable and fun and living in the light, fall being a season of change or transition, spring represented growth and new beginnings, and winter being dark and cold and lonely.  The Lord reminded me that during my winter season He used the cardinal to encourage me. I learned that the cardinal is one of the only birds that does not migrate in the winter. It stays when there is little food and it’s cold and it’s tough to live and when the conditions are less than desirable. He spoke clearly to me that He would always be and has always been my cardinal. When things get tough He stays. I still hold on to that truth almost 10 years later and now I have a painting to hang in my house to remind me and also my kids of His faithful nature.

Tanna and I first spoke together about 8 years ago and I love how the Lord continues to use our testimonies to help others!  I never could have imagined all the things we would go through both good and bad when we first met in 7th grade in the Inglewood youth group.  The Lord has given me the most faithful and encouraging friend in Tanna and I am so blessed!

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