Its time- My retreat

Happy Tuesday, so I am finding it hard to find the time to blog! It seems as if the days are going by faster and I just read that because of the earthquake in Chile that the earth was taken off the axis a little bit and that is causing us to have shorter days. Crazy? Well some might think so but God said that it would happen. He said in the last days the days would be shorter, so there you go scientist.. Jesus said it first!

So as some of you may or may not know I was away this weekend and some of you have asked for a full report. And so I am reporting back to you. I am not sure where this blog is going to go or how long it will be but hang in there. I think that it would be a disservice to you all if I wasn't honest and so I am going to keep it real as I always do!

I came home Sunday and I wasn't sure how I was going to approach this blog. I have been really wrestling with it. Some of you have asked me to blog about it and I am not sure how I can get the true picture of how the weekend went on paper. Last night as I ran I even considered not blogging anymore, but a few encouraging words from a new friend has got me writing again.

Friday morning I woke up in a weird mood, I was really anxious to leave. Not anxious excited but anxious almost a little fearful. I didn't know what to expect I was going to a retreat with a different church, knowing no one but my one friend and feeling a little lonely. It didn't help that as I left Noah cried and tried to jump out of sals arms as I got in the car. If I wasn't already feeling heavy hearted I was now feeling much worse. I fought back the tears and wondered if this was really a good idea.

We headed out had a nice lunch and made it over to Murrieta Hot Springs with much time to settle in. As evening approached we made our way to the cafe to hang out with one of my favorite blogger and speaker/teachers. This is where I got my first touch of Montebello! Bianca Juarez, speaker and teacher on staff at Calvary Chapel Montebello and In the name of love was there. There was a few of us ladies there talking to her and just really talking about things that girlfriends do. I had only known these ladies for a hour however as we laughed and talked I felt like I knew them for years. We then left to register and waited in line where we were greeted by Pastor Pancho and his wife Millie. They went through the line and gave hugs thanking the ladies for coming out and that was defiantly my first impression of the good ol Montebello welcome.

Pastor Pancho came over to me and perhaps I looked out of place or maybe he knew I needed a hug. He came over to me, gave me a hug and said “ Hi, nice to see you, I love you!” It was just what I needed! We checked in and headed out to dinner. Now for those of you that ever retreat to Murrieta, know that you are well fed there. They have grub meals and we do not lack, Im telling you. I knew I was hanging with Montebello when I sat at the table and there was Tabasco and tapitio on the table!

This years theme was “Its Time” and the theme scripture was Ephesians 5:15-17 which says “ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore so not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” I have to say that this theme was just perfect. In the times we are living in, it is the TIME to change and not be ignorant or lazy. It is time to make a change and my dear readers there was a change! Let me first say that for the last eight years, with the exception of one year I have been going on retreats. I am defiantly blessed every year but this year was different. I have never experienced the moving of the Holy Spirit as I did this weekend. The teachings were right on point. The speakers were real, they were transparent, the were humble and there were loving! I so wish that I really expound on the teachings but there would just be to much and you may get bored with my lack of writing skills. The teaching were on the following:

www.YOU.Com (walking wise in this world) - Millie Juarez

Its time to understand the will of God- Bianca Juarez

Its time for a deeper Intimacy- Anabel Lopez

A workshop on “Understanding the Holy Spirit- Bianca Juarez

Redeeming the time- Donna Vera

It’s time to prepare for the coming of the Lord- Sandy MacIntosh

Friday night we were watching a short video that had clips from all the crazy things that have been happening from Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Political battles, Religious battles and talking about how the times are getting crazy. It was a great way to open up the weekend and my eyes to the things that are going on around me.

Saturday morning we got word of the Earthquake in Chile and it was about 1030am when Millie told us that there was a Tsunami warning in Hawaii and that was supposed to hit at 11 and that they needed to evacuate. Immediately she called us to break in groups and start pray. There we were 700 ladies, some on their knees praying for Hawaii and you some crying. You can sense the heart and it was then that I got a glimpse of this praying church. There is no doubt that this a church that prays, and I mean really prays. The Tsunami didn't hit and some say that it was a false alarm but I believe that the Lord heard our prayers and our hearts and had Mercy!

Saturday afternoon was alone time, it is really a time to just get away and really be still in front of the Lord and allow Him to speak. This is hard for me, I realize that I am the type of person that likes to be around people and being alone and still doing nothing is a challenge. I spent the time in prayer and reading and most of the time crying. I know sooooo EMO! hahah well it was defiantly amazing time spent and the Lord really gave me a vision and confirmation on what His will is for my life. When it is the right time, I will share, right now I will keep it between me and my Lord.

Saturday night was seriously off the hook! We had a small devotion, worship and it was my first true afterglow. No words can express what I experienced, the Holy Spirit moved and there was healing, praying, brokenness, surrendering and everything in between. Like Moses I know we left with our faces glowing! I really wish I could share what took place but I just cant!

Sunday morning was our last day and I was tired. I was ready to come see my boys but I was not ready to leave the women. On the way home my friend and I were talking and she said so what do you think.....

And here is what I think. I think that Pastor Pancho is a man of humility and love. I think that his heart is bigger than most, I think that His heart beats similar to Jesus. I think that he truly cares about his sheep, I think that he is real, I think that he is honest and doesn’t water down the word. I think that he corrects with love, I think he fosters and embraces love your neighbor. I think that although he has a pretty big church you would not know it by the small church feel. I think that he is a man of prayer and believes that with prayer all things are possible

I don't know Pancho that well, I only have been to Montebello a few times, and watched him on the Internet a few times but you know how I know all these things. I know all these things because of his fruit. All the qualities that I expressed I witness through his speakers, through his leaders and through all the ladies I met this weekend that attend his church. There was commercial that used to say that good cows produce good cheese! My friends there is some good cheese coming out of that church.

Sal asked how I felt when I got back. I said honey when I normally come back from a retreat I am blessed. This time I am feeling pressed. I said I feel pressed to make a change to be that change. There was a revival in my heart and Its time. It is time ladies that we stop wasting the time. Millie said it well, she said stop wasting time, but make time.

As I am closing I am really finding it in my heart to share some of my notes on some of the topics, so I think that the next couple of days I will be blogging a lil on each topic and my notes. If you are still with me on this blog, bless you heart, I appreciate it!

Praying for you, and signing out!

Monica