English Ladies Retreat, also fondly called ELR, is truly one of the highlights of the year. Around 50 English speaking women from around Europe gather together for four packed days of praise, worship, learning about Christ and girl talk 🙂
This year, we invited a woman we all deeply respect (can’t you see why?) to share her life wisdom and some lessons from the Lord’s Word. Let’s just say, we weren’t disappointed.
Our theme this year was The Joy of the Lord. We learned about The Joy of the Lord in the workplace, in raising children, in foreign cultures, and in times of suffering.
There are many reasons why this retreat is such an encouragement, but the number one reason for me, as a young Christian woman and a young Christian wife, is that I am surrounded by women whose wisdom I admire and truly am astounded by. I learn so much about strength and beauty from being around these women. They are not afraid to share their lives- lives tainted by broken relationships, cancer, and so many other hardships. They have been through it all and have come out the other side unafraid to share how the Lord has changed their lives through these times of trials.
I know that I have so much more of life to experience and that all of that life isn’t going to be beautiful and easy. I know hard times will come. But, when I look at these women, and their relationships with the Lord, I know I don’t have to do it alone. I know where to draw my strength from and I know that something beautiful will come out on the other side. These women are such an inspiration to me and being around them, even for a short four days gives me the energy I need to make it through the rest of the year.
Maybe next year, you’ll join us 🙂