I write from the ladies retreat I am on from my church this weekend. It is Saturday night right now. I went last year and the experience was exactly what I needed at the time. This was when I was introduced to Angie Smith’s story. It was something unexpected but good.

This year on the way to Gatlinburg we ended up being delayed by either a mud slide or rock slide on I-75 located around mile marker 143. We ended up being put on a detour that added about an extra hour or so our drive time. The other women in the church that were in the church vans who only left about a half hour after us were stuck in this for over 4 hours. I mean, we were able to arrive at the cabin around 5:45 whereas the church vans didn’t get here until around 8:30. Needless to say it was a long drive.

This year we had a guest speaker by the name of Jennifer Walker. This is a woman who has been through her own fair share of trials and tribulations. She has not had what would be by today’s standards an easy life. However, for her she has had a good life because of the Lord. She truly is a woman of God. I have had such a connection with her.

As a special thank you gift for speaking at our retreat, one of the women gave her a bag that she personally drew different kinds of pictures that had Jennifer’s favorite things. She was telling her what each one stood for. She had drawn a steam cup of hot coffee. This was for her blog called “Smelling Coffee.” My ears immediately perked up. I thought, “Oh, she’s a fellow Christian writer.” I knew I just had to talk to her.

We started talking shortly after and we really connected. She has such an amazing story. You can see the hand of God in her life. I could see this woman becoming a good friend if we lived by each other. I think she has that kind of personality where you feel like you could trust her and that she would be there for you. When we talked this evening, I told her this. She said, “I know. It feels like we’ve known each other for years.” I told her I know what you mean.

Overall, this was a great weekend for all the women. We all arrived safe and we got to hear from a woman who will be remembered for years to come. It’s been nice to get away and become closer to God.