This gorgeous weekend was even more beautiful because of who we shared it with. Our community small group took it's second annual retreat to the North Georgia Mountains. On Friday night we left out after enjoying a filling dinner at Loco's together.

We made it up a little before 11 pm. The road to get to the neighborhood was a one-lane dirt road, which had us all telling spooky stories on the way through the winding trail. The map said 2.3 miles, but it took us about 15 minutes because of our turtle-like speed and dodging ditches. What were we in store for?

Thank God it was perfect! The Snow Fort was fabulous and super accommodating. We stayed up late talking and snacking. At one point most of the ladies were asleep while the men were chatting away. Time for bed!

The next day, we woke up to a yummy french toast casserole along with some filling bacon, sausage, and fruit! Nathan and Sarah did a great job. The boys played some Jenga and got pretty loud with it, while the gals enjoyed a game of Scrabble. It was strange not to be able to press a button and scramble your tiles like on Words With Friends!






Ryan and I were in charge of lunch. We brought the CrockPot, chicken, Texas Pete, and some ranch packets along. When you mix it all up and let cook for 4 - 6 hours you have buffalo chicken for some spicy sandwiches on buns. We had some veggies and salad to go with it. Afterwards we chilled in front of the TV and watched 50-50. This is where all of the tears started falling {only the gals of course}.

Then, several of us went exploring the mountain. It was about 1.5 - 2 miles, but ALL hills. Even walking downhill was a bit scary. If you hit a pebble and started to roll, you weren't going to stop! That's why we had to walk like monkeys down the mountain and bearcrawl up the mountain to the cabin.


We stopped for a photo op at the entrance of the 'hood. The men really enjoy pics. . .



"Sorority pose" was decided on for the ladies pics. One thing we didn't decide on was having Scott hide behind the sign and POP out while we were posing!

PLANK.


Danielle and Matt were in charge of dinner on Saturday evening. They made a great taco soup that was enjoyed by all. Next, a game of Life was played. If only we got paid our salary every time it was a pay day!



After the game was finished we had communion. This is something we didn't do last year. It was something that will stick with me for life. We all shared how God used this group to help us. It was powerful to hear stories that we may or may not have known. Some special news was shared, contagious laughs were had, and tears were shed. So happy that we made the drive to join a community group that Sunday evening in 2010! I love where it's guided our lives.

Later that evening most of the gals hopped in the hot tub and had some girl talk. The guys stayed inside and who knows what was going on. Whenever I walked in someone was playing DJ and memories were being shared.

We all woke up on Sunday AM, ate some bagels, oatmeal, and fruit, and rolled out around noon. Before we all piled in the cars, I snapped some pics of every awesome couple and the whole crazy group!

{Karen and Scott}

{Danielle and Matt}

{Ryan and ME}

{Nathan and Sarah}

{Adam and Kristen}

{Mike and Lauren}



It was a successful trip!!
Thank you God for letting us share our time with you and your beautiful creation. Thank you for letting us get home safely.

I would have changed my lovely cold I caught mid-Saturday. I am sure it was obnoxious the way my horn was sounding every 5 minutes. At one point, I created a Neti-pot out of a water bottle. Not one of my proudest moments. Now, I am still laying in bed with a nasty sinus infection. This little cold hasn't visited since the last cabin trip. Maybe next year the beach will be in the retreat plans. What do you say group?