I mentioned in my recent post Selah Yoga Retreat Part 1 that my yoga practice came at a time when I was definitely seeking stress reduction. My husband’s company was undergoing many transitions and the effects of this was infiltrating my home life. I remember crying one time out of happiness because I was so grateful for my free yoga class that was giving me a safe and peaceful place to rejuvenate my body.

Patrick and I prayed for “doors to be closed” as I he sought new employment. I wanted the next career move he made to be one that he would have longevity and personal fulfillment in. Boy did those doors close! I knew  something grand was on the horizon and “kept the faith”. After five months of ambiguity, the right door flung open!

I’m happy to announce ( I didn’t think I would ever say this 6 mo ago) that I am officially a military wife!!!!

Yes, my husband joined the Air Force National Guard last month! We are very excited. He will train this summer and will be eligible for a job right here in our home town. When I first met him 16 years ago he wanted to join with his cousin. I discouraged him because I didn’t want to be a military spouse ( I’m an Army brat). I’ve come full circle and have fully embraced this (hence my swanky new cap pictured). This is going to be a great lifestyle for our family. He will not be deployed and his day job has great hours. The benefits are amazing in the Air Force, ie. bonuses for a second language, college degree and even paid marriage retreats.

Our family is so happy!

Dawn in Idyllwild on 3/3 ( Doesn’t the sky look like the ocean?)

Hello beloved, if you haven’t read the first two parts you may want to before reading further.
I previously mentioned that the Lord brought me to Idyllwild last week to minister to the women in attendance. He blessed me for my obedience in a triumphant way!

On Sunday morning March 3, I set my alarm for 6:00 am. I wanted to experience what I conjectured would be a stellar sunrise. While the other 18 women were still sleeping, I grabbed a mug of hot tea and a big blanket and moved with urgency to find the perfect view point by 6:12 am! I had my Iphone set to videotape the emerging orange glow of the sun. I was so focused at the event on my left as 6:12 am arrived. What happened next blew my socks off!

In my periphery I see something startling to my right. I say “Oh, my gosh”! Is that a…, Oh, my gosh, that’s not a plane! That’s a shooting star! I was literally standing at the crux of night and day and witnessed a magnificent gift! The star glistened downward and left a lingering  banner of silver glitter in the sky. I felt so privileged to have been there, alone. It was a meeting with the Creator of Heaven and Earth- and the Sun I was so intent on viewing. It’s as if the Lord was telling me “You came here to see something magnificent, but I’m gonna give you something even better”!

The women and I  enjoyed our last Bible study soon after. The verse in focus was Ephesians 3:20; Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we ask or think. I shared my testimony with my fellow yogis; they were so thrilled for me. I exclaimed how the sky “looked like glitter”! They all laughed because after only knowing me 48 hours I clearly struck them as a “glittery” person. They nicknamed me “Glitter” thereafter.

My gift:a shooting star during sunrise

I hope to be back in Idyllwild very soon! I implore you all to lean in to that still small voice of the Lord. He wants to reward His children!!!During our last yoga practice that morning I had another Holy Yoga encounter. The last pose in a yoga flow class is Shavasana; this is a Sanskrit word meaning corpse. The idea is you lie flat and cool down for about five minutes. It’s a time to  rest and receive the blessing of your effort (or the Holy Spirit). During this Shavasana; the song “Beautifully Made” by Leah Smith was playing (you must You Tube it immediately following this entry!). I had never heard it and its lyrics moved me to purifying gentle tears. Within seconds I began to sob like I hadn’t all weekend.

Remember the movie “Ghost”? I had a Whoopie Goldberg moment! For the first time in my life, I actually felt the love of Jesus- like a hug! First the shooting start and now this; I was so overwhelmed by His grace and love I couldn’t help but cry tears of thankfulness.

A piece of art in this “Dwell home” where I stayed

I headed East toward Idyllwild. I was definitely nervous about the commute because I never drive long distances alone. Thankfully, it was a gorgeous California day in the ’90’s, so I rolled down my windows and blasted my radio (my CD player is broken). I was frustrated by the Friday traffic and upset I didn’t leave earlier (my radio had no reception now). I checked myself and decided I couldn’t change my arrival time now and that “God had me be late for a reason” (I’m usually punctual). When I came up to the T intersection of Palms Springs and Idyllwild, I began my ascent up a mountain. Having had such short notice of this trip it hadn’t dawned on me that I would be going up a mountain! I was trepidatious. As I began my drive up; the local radio station kicks in to the Christian station, as I ascended I was enthralled by the beauty and totally calm. Playing was a soulful rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer”; I start to cry at the emotion of it all.

When I arrived at this mansion in the sky where a group of 19 women would stay two days, I noticed someone had just arrived as well. I was so grateful to not be the only one late! She and I entered together and joined the second half of the first yoga session. The waterworks started again! I was so shocked to be where I was in that moment. I am invigorated by the yoga, the music, the glass floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking such majesty. To be in the communion of women who shared my passion was so moving.

The theme of the weekend was purification. That is: your core, motives, mind and purpose. We touched on physical detoxing as well, and enjoyed the nourishment of organic, gluten-free vegetarian cuisine by a personal chef.

The day I was leaving I connected with the woman who arrived simultaneously with me. I said to her “Do you know how beautiful you are?”. She quietly replied “No”. I said “Well, you are”. I knew she needed to hear that. I let her know she had been on my mind since we met. She then shared a whopper with me.

She explained that when I saw her in the parking lot she had already went to the house and was leaving! Her fears and troubles had so burdened her, she couldn’t face them. When she saw that the ladies were in session she thought “now’s my chance”! I pulled up behind her blocking her in. That’s why I was supposed to be late.

I saw similar stories unveiled during my time there. Onion layers being peeled back and deep wounds beginning to heal. I believe I was sent there to encourage and lift up these women. This was confirmed by the little “year book like” notebook we all received. Ladies could write notes to their “sisters” all weekend that could affirm them when they left. Each entry explained that I had brought brightness to the retreat. My favorite notation was “You are salt and light in this bland world”. This resounded with me because I love food!

The Lord is “a Rewarder of those who seek Him” (this was the last verse of the song during my initial yoga session that touched me because over the last 13 years I have been told by 3 separate women to “seek” Him and I would be rewarded).

What happened next blew my mind…

I pulled over to snap a shot on my way up the mountain.

The view I saw this weekend from my bed!

     “We practice with our minds set on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Phil 4:8); not with our minds emptied. We meditate on the wisdom of God’s Word (Psalm 119:9-16, 26-27); not on man’s wisdom. We seek the transcendence and glory of God; not our own.”-Holy Yoga website

     Unfortunately, I contracted the dreaded Flu last month and later pneumonia! It was horrifying, my breath was so short I couldn’t talk. I spent all that week in bed. In the following days I had trouble sleeping and went online. It occurred to me that although I had never heard of “Christian Yoga”; I wanted to Google it. Turns out, it sprouted at Saddle Back Church (Rick Warrens’ of The Purpose Driven Life book). There are studios all over Orange County by minitries called Holy Yoga and Yaweh Yoga!

     I was stunned and excited and began to learn more. I  checked the event list and noticed there was a Yoga retreat in Idyllywild, CA I could drive to. I was enthralled! With ideas of opening my own studio- coupled with having felt I could take my yoga practice to a new level by integrating worship music, Scripture… . I really, really, wanted to go! With only one day notice (and a getaway planned with Patrick) I knew he would be wary.

     I went to bed last Thursday not sure if I would attend hours later. During my deep slumber I felt a warmness and energy infuse my body and a glimpse of the retreat, it  jolted me awake at 3:33 am and I knew with 100% certainty that I HAD to go.

I texted the retreat coordinator around 9 am. My hubby said “I didn’t even say it was O.K”. I said “I know, but I must go”. Go I did

     My husband Patrick and I just returned from a very relaxing weekend  in “Slots Vegas” with our kids Tatianna, 7 and Ethan, 5. We have family there and were blessed with a hotel voucher for a free weekend stay at the beautiful Vdara hotel and spa. This is a smoke and casino free hotel. I was thrilled by the modern decor of dark woods and egg- shaped soaking tubs with plush crisp towels in high quantities ( I am not eco-friendly when it comes to towels and linens when traveling)! I insisted that everything in our room be put away to maintain the glorious simplicity, my husband was this close to kicking me out, espcially given the fact that I must disinfect all wipable surfaces and it was a weekend for him to “relax”. What?!

We met up with my family who were also in town at their time share. In Vegas many of the poolside waitresses are in swim suits. Our waitress had a very noticeable, jarring scar that graced her whole torso. My mother asked her if she is required to wear her bikini. She said they gave her an option to wear a one-piece but she is fine with it. She wears her badge proudly, it’s nothing compared to what she survived!

    She explained that while in a car six years ago (she was then 18) a drunk driver slammed into she and her sister after a birthday celebration for her sister’s 13 birthday. The airbag deployed and obliterated her insides. She recounted that her internal bleeding was so severe, blood ran from her eyes and ears. She had a 10% chance of survival! Miraculously, through her shock she was able to calm her little sister. After, she remained in a 2 1/2 month coma, the doctors told her mom that even if she survived she would ” be just a vegetable” (heard that one before). Her mom said “that’s O.K, she will be my vegetable”.

    By now my mom and I were both in tears. She remained in the hospital for six months total after four code blues. Her mother slept next to her every single night. The miracle was that she and her mother were not close and had a contentious relationship-until this. Our waitress said that she and her mom and  her 13 siblings (I know!) are closer than ever and speak on the phone daily. By the way; her little sister had just a broken arm but now drives like “an old lady” at age 19.

     Like many, I may conflict with my parents and other people I care about deeply; we even “agree to disagree sometimes”. Life’s experiences and stories like this one grant us a reminder to savor the moments that we do have with our loved ones.