retreat.

man, God is good! it seems like with every new day, he has something new for on top of all his mercy. today, i'm up at crossroads retreat in Duluth, MN. at first i was skeptical about it because it was a bunch of older people, but as the day unfolded God just had me/ or forced me to open up with these people. Which is good. i've realized that with all the moving i have done and all the people i have met, and then moving again, i just began to close up and not let people in. the reason is probably the fear of leaving again and losing that great friendship. so why even try to start new relationships? i'm beginning to realize that God brings people into my life for that time that i'm in at that moment. don't worry about the future. it'll take a while until i fully understand what i just typed. but just realizing it is a good start. another thing God has put on my heart is the 2 words "....I heard..." i hate gossip, but i find myself gossiping all the time, why? i think of the vs. in Rom. 7:15- for what i want to do, i do not do, but what i hat to do, i do.---gossip! it's scary how so often people(myself included), so to speak, "sugarcoat" gossip and pass it off as sharing what is happening in ministry w/ different people--"how are they doing spiritually" , "i've been praying for this person because....", or "Pray for this person because,...." i know i know, this is a little out there, but i don't even want to think of saying those things w/ wrong motives. and i know i'm sure not alot of people actually do.. i just want to make sure my motives are right and not fall into that trap of gossip.

side note...the city of duluth, mn is BEAUTIFUL!! i would probably never want to live there, but maybe vacation in the summer time...it was an amazing place.