Women's weekend 2014... Rooted in Love

"Blessed is she who Believed"  Luke 1:45

This past weekend was our 3rd annual Women's Retreat here at Washington Family Ranch.  This year we had the special privilege of having Beth Moore simulcast live.  Last spring I felt like the Lord was telling me that I need to share my journey of my weight lose.  I told my friend, Lisa, who lives out here at the ranch what the Lord was saying to me.  She totally agreed.  So this past week, with Lisa's help, I sat down and wrote out part of my story.  The crazy thing is usually I am so nervous about getting up in front of a group, but I had so much peace about getting up in front of 150 women.  As the day arrived, we decided to print out hand out, in case some people that couldn't hear me or understand me. 
One of my greatest fears that God has been working on with me, pretty much all my life, is my speech.  Because I been teased for it, it is a great fear of mine.
 
I came into a relationship with Jesus during college.  I was going to see counselor during this time.  I was telling him that I hated my cerebral palsy, and I really hated my speech.  I would freak out every time I had to get up in front of class to do a presentation.  He told me about the story of Moses.  Moses had a speech impediment.  God told Moses, to go tell Pharaoh (the king) to let the people go.  Moses asked God "Who am I to lead  the people out of Egypt?"  Moses told God he was not very good at words.  I get tongue-tied and my words get tangled."  Ex 4  Verse 11 says, Then the Lord asked Moses, "Who makes a person's mouth?  Who declares whether people speak or do not speak, or hear or do not hear, see or do not see?  Is it not I, the Lord?   Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say."  Exodus 4:11-12

My senior year of college I had to do a group presentation in one of my psychology classes.  My consoler and I talked about this verse, and I had to put my trust in the Lord that He would speak through me.  The day of my presentation, I prayed that God would speak through me.  Everyone in the class said that was the best I ever spoken.  (Most of these classmates were in a lot of my classes, b/c I was minoring in Psychology.  So they heard me talk a lot.)

So Saturday at the Woman's weekend the day of my testimony I gave my testimony at dinner time.  I totally felt the Peace of God, all day.  I gave my testimony!!  The crazy thing was, I wasn't nervous at ALL!!!!  I got up on stage and spoke like I was with a group of friends.  (Totally the Holy Spirit!!!)  After I was done, my friend Jessica, (who was hosting the weekend) told me that that was the best and clearest she ever heard me speak!!!  (Again the Holy Spirit!!!)

As I said, this weekend we watch Beth Moore on simulcast.  She was talking about "Being a female well."  one of her points was that "Jesus changes the story of every woman He meets!' 
This was totally me!  All weekend women were coming up to me and thanking me for sharing.  One women came up to me and told me I gave her hope for her daughter's step sister who has CP.   On Sunday, this lady came up to me and ask me to lay hands on her and pray for her.  I was thinking, "Who am I, I am just a little girl from South Dakota." 

As I come to a close on this blog, I want to say that the video that I will post (soon!) is just part of the journey of what God has had me on the past 2 years. 

Jesus has changed my story.  I been walking with Jesus for a little over 10 years.  The Lord has changed my world.  My counselor, back in college, taught me that Jesus gave me this disability.  In 2 Corinithians 12:9 Paul wrote, "My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness."  There has been many days of hating my disability.  (see video)  But I know now that Jesus gave me CP for a purpose!

The last point Beth talked about was "Every woman is well able to share how Jesus changing her story."  I believe that God is going to use me more in sharing my story. 

So I hope you can watch and enjoy how God changed my life!!!