Respite Week Three:
Embracing Stillness
Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
This Week:
Day One: Stillness Clarification {This day may require a little extra time.}
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Day Two: Stillness Embrace​
Day Three: Visio Oasis - Emotional Health
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Day Four: Lectio Oasis - Mental Health
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Day Five Musica Oasis - Spiritual Health
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Day Six - Poetica Oasis - Physical Health
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Day Seven - Immanuel Conversation
Hello, Lovely.
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Our final week. Take a deep breath and slowly let it out. Do you know what it feels like to truly be still?
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The Hebrew word for "being still" is raphah, and it packs a punch. It challenges us to stop our relentless striving, to intentionally let go and submit ourselves fully to God's authority. It's about surrendering control, relaxing our grip on our lives, and embracing silence. It isn't about passively waiting for something to change; it's an active choice to release everything to Him. The journey of being still with God is powerful, with much more beneath the surface waiting to be uncovered.
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Let’s begin our week of stillness with a prayer and a visualization.
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Envision the warmth of gentle sunlight streaming through a window, illuminating your space. Listen for the soft rustle of your breath as it moves through you, and notice the gentle rise and fall of your chest with each inhale and exhale. Feel the connection to the grounding presence of stillness.
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​Dear Father,
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​Still my heart, mind, and emotions. As I breathe in Your peace, I release my worries and thank You for this new day. Awaken my heart to Your presence.
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In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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ingrid
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At the end of this week, please allow me to close our time together by praying over your year. I have posted a special prayer just for you at the end of this page.
Day One: Still Clarification
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Do you know what stillness looks like? Stillness, an intentional practice, cultivates inner peace and mindfulness. By embracing stillness, we create clarity amidst daily chaos, enabling thoughtful time allocation. Deliberate pauses foster calm, soothe nerves, lower stress, and strengthen mental resilience. In quiet moments, we deepen our connection to ourselves and communicate more effectively with our Father, who nurtures our souls. His gentle voice remains unheard without stillness. Pausing to breathe and quiet our thoughts enhances clarity, reduces stress and anxiety, and fosters a connection beyond ourselves.
Today’s devotional will be different. We’ll start our week of stillness with a breath prayer. If you’re unfamiliar, it combines deep breathing with meditation on God’s Word to calm the body and focus the mind on truth. Deep breathing can reduce anxiety, while prayer centers our thoughts on Christ, His presence, and His love.
Stillness Breath Prayer
Find a comfortable position. Relax your eyes. Take a few deep breaths and center your thoughts on the Father. Take a moment to be still and appreciate the moment spent in silence with God.
Inhale: Be Still and Know
Exhale: That I am God.
Inhale: Be Still and Know
Exhale: That I am
Inhale: Be Still and Know
Exhale: That I
Inhale: Be Still
Exhale: And Know
Inhale: Be
Exhale: Still
Inhale: Be
Exhale:{Pause}
Scripture
Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
Prayer
Dear Father,
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Help me find rest in the ease of your yoke, allowing my soul to be liberated and breathe freely. Selah.
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In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Day Two: Still Embrace
Embracing stillness helps us become more aware of God’s presence and renews our spirits. Even a few moments of silence each day can ease anxiety and help us engage more deeply with life. Imagine the gentle rustle of leaves in a tranquil park or the soft glow of dawn illuminating still waters. These sensory moments anchor us, allowing stress to dissolve and grounding our spirits in peace.
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Even when our bodies are at rest, however, our minds may still race. True stillness quiets the inner noise and makes us receptive to God’s Spirit. By choosing inner stillness, we open our hearts to His peace and guidance.
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Prayer
Dear Father,
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In this quiet moment, I come to You with a restless heart, longing for Your peace. Replace my turmoil with Your stillness. Help me slow my thoughts, calm my spirit, and rest in Your presence. Let me pause in silence, attentive to Your voice and guidance. I surrender to You, trusting You are near even when I cannot feel it. Thank You for Your constant love and faithful guidance.
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In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Scripture
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 40:2 (NLT)
Reflection
How might God be inviting you into stillness and silence right now?
What keeps you from making time for stillness and silence?
Day Three: Visio Divina Emotional Health
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Finding and practicing stillness can be difficult, especially during periods of emotional turmoil. Sometimes we are uncertain about what we feel or what has triggered those emotions. By intentionally slowing down and seeking stillness, we can better identify, sort through, and regulate our emotions. Like the spokes of a wheel connecting to a central hub for balance, our emotions also need to connect to their own “hub.” Is Jesus truly my still point, my center, my hub? When everything around me is spinning, do I find my calm, and are my emotions in balance?
Regularly practicing stillness creates spiritual muscle memory, guiding us back to our center in God when chaos arises. This habit transforms our response to stress. True stillness is found within, accessible anytime and anywhere. We are called to walk in stillness daily, carrying it into every moment. Lingering with Jesus—soaking in His love and presence—restores balance, healing, and emotional wholeness.
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Visio Divina (Scroll down to view the Visio Divina process located at the end of this page, or click HERE to be redirected to the Visio Divina process.)
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Prayer
​Dear Father,
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I need you. My emotions can often overtake me and take me places I really don’t want to go. I can easily slip into unhealthy patterns. I need stillness. I need You. Help me to make time and practice sitting in the quiet with You, letting your love, Your truth, and Your peace wash over me and quiet my mind, will, and emotions. Will You be my still point, my resting place?
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Scripture
I am humbled and quieted in your presence. Like a contented child who rests on its mother’s lap, I’m your resting child, and my soul is content in you. Psalm 131:2 (TPT)
Reflection
When everything around me is spinning, do I find stillness with Him?
Day Four: Lectio Divina Mental Health
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A few years ago, I heard a doctor explain that women are at greater risk for mental health issues, in part because we often multitask. Multitasking can raise the risk of memory problems, depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. Other contributors include hormonal changes, trauma (such as PTSD), eating disorders, and overwhelm. Do any of these challenges resonate with you? Are you ready to prioritize your emotional health? God designed you for a healthy mind and emotions. Seeking help is not weakness, it’s a courageous step toward wholeness—and a testament to your strength and resilience.
The wisdom of the Psalms invites us to quiet our lives—lowering external noise, pausing our pursuits, and focusing on our breath. This rest gives our brains space to recharge, form new neural pathways, and gain insight. Neuroplasticity is shaped by what we practice and say, and our willingness to be open. In stillness, we invite God to heal emotional wounds, ease stress, and fill us with peace beyond understanding.
Lectio Divina (Scroll down to view the Lectio Divina process located at the end of this page, or click HERE to be redirected to the Lectio Divina process.)
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Romans 8:6(AMP)/(AMPC)
But the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever.
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But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
Prayer
Dear Father,
Entwine my mind with Yours as I live by the spirit. I long for life, shalom, and rest. Saturate my mind and being so I can experience stillness. I bring my thoughts and emotions to You, letting go and embracing Your peace. Lord, lift Your countenance upon me and grant me shalom and rest.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflection
Does the idea of “stopping” make you feel anxious?
Day Five: Musica Divina - Spiritual Health
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Practicing stillness is about anchoring ourselves in the present moment and allowing a genuine spiritual connection with God. By quieting our spirit and mind, we create a sacred space to listen to our Father, freeing ourselves from worries tied to time! This openness invites God's transformative grace into our lives. Recognizing His omnipresence helps us embrace our circumstances with faith, turning every moment into an opportunity for communion with Him.
Stillness cultivates gratitude, revealing beauty in everyday moments that become prayers connecting us to our Creator. This connection is so important for our spiritual health. It’s an intentional way of living that aligns us with God's purpose, allowing us to reflect His peace and love in our broken world. Embracing the present is a spiritual discipline that deepens our understanding of God's timing and nurtures our trust and relationship with Him.
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Jesus is our greatest example of how to live without fear in spiritual wholeness.
Musica Divina (Scroll down to view the Musica Divina process located at the end of this page, or click HERE to be redirected to the Musica Divina process.)
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Quiet Diana Trout, Hillside
Listen to this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_C5Vch_qTg
(Lyrics located at the end of this page.)
Prayer
Dear Father,
In this moment of stillness, I come before You with a humble heart. Thank you for Your presence in my life. Please help me to quiet my mind and embrace the present. May I feel Your guiding hand, calming me as You restore my spirit. Strengthen my ability to still and fill me with gratitude for Your endless grace.
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In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Scripture
I stand silently before the Lord, waiting for Him to rescue me. Psalm 62:1 (TLB)
Reflection
Let your mind settle, take a deep breath, let go of the past and future as they fade to black in your mind. As you sit in the moment, ask God to join you and see what happens.
The spiritual life can only be lived in the present moment, in the now. All the great religious traditions insist upon this simple but difficult truth. When we go rushing ahead into the future or shrinking back into the past, we miss the hand of God, which can only touch us in the now. - Cynthia Bourgeault
Day Six: Poetica Divina - Physical Health
It's natural to feel frustrated, hopeless, or overwhelmed when facing chronic health challenges. Moving from thriving to simply surviving can be discouraging, and emotions like fear, exhaustion, and guilt are completely valid. Progress can feel fleeting, with each improvement followed by another setback, often leaving us wondering if God sees our suffering. It's vital to give yourself permission to grieve, adjust expectations, and accept your present reality—affirming, "I will find God in my brokenness today." Nurturing your mind, body, and spirit is essential as you navigate this struggle. Though we may not understand God's healing process, shifting our focus from 'Why?' to 'Where are you, God?' opens us to His presence in our pain.
I need you! This shift in focus to the 'where' helps broaden our hope as we cope. In stillness, our mind is at peace, and our body is at rest. From this place, we can bring our focus and attention to the Father, not to what ails us. As we center ourselves on Him, we are reminded of the truth and how much we are loved. A strengthening happens, allowing us to move forward and hold onto His promises.
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Poetica Divina (Scroll down to view the Poetica Divina process located at the end of this page, or click HERE to be redirected to the Poetica Divina process.)​
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In the Stillness by Katy Kauffman
In the stillness when it’s just You and me
I can be candid, I can be free
To express what I’m feeling and going through
I don’t have to hide anything from You
The doubts and worries slip away
My heart smiles when I start to pray
I can see Your face again and hear Your voice
I realize once more that I have a choice
I can look for the good and treasure Your work
I can help others even when I hurt
You’re taking care of me every day
I’m never alone, here with me You stay
In the stillness where some crave noise
I regain my strength, I regain my poise
I can stand tall on Your promises and Word
I can move forward because Your voice I’ve heard
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So never let me get too busy not to be still
Keep me humble, mold my will
That I may follow You and serve You with all I am
That I may be useful to Your plan
You’re taking care of more than just me
You have a world to love, a world to set free
From the sin and misery that capture us all
Until we believe in Your Son and answer Your call
I set my heart on You to love You forever
I want to be with Your people and serve You together
In the stillness, remind me why I’m here
As long as I’m next to Your heart, I won’t fear
Prayer
Dear Father,
As I sit before you in silence, Your peace washes over me and I am at rest. Help me to continue to focus on you and not on my pain. Thank you for Your promises and Your great love for me. I know I can face whatever may come my way.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Scripture
Peace, be still. Mark 4:39 (NKJV)
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Reflection
As I set my heart on understanding Your perfect love, does it bring a sense of peace to my soul? If not, what is the reason?
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Day Seven: Immanuel Conversation
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Immanuel Conversation is a practice for deepening your relationship with God by pausing to reflect and listen for His gentle voice. This dialogue with Immanuel (“God with us”) encourages honest self-exploration and spiritual connection.
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Follow these steps to open your heart to God’s voice:
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Pause and Breathe: Take several deep breaths to create calm and clarity.
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Express Gratitude: Share your thanks with God and invite His response.
Dear God, I am thankful for...
My beloved child, {pause and listen for God’s gentle reply}
Create a quiet space to listen to God.
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I see you. {Reflect on what God observes in your feelings and sensations.}
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I can hear you. {Notice the thoughts and feelings God hears within you.}
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You are valued and understood. {Acknowledge God’s care and imagine His comforting words.}
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I delight in you. {Consider the kindness and compassion God shares.}
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I can help you. {Ponder how God may support you now.}
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Review what you wrote. Pause and be still.
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​Close with a brief prayer of gratitude.
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Share your experience with someone you trust.
Musica Divina Lyrics
Quiet by Diana Trout, Hillside
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Here, we go again my mind, racing
And I can't seem to win
All these crazy thoughts and feelings
It's like it never ends
Until Your voice, breaks through my noise
I know I'm not alone, I'm not alone
You will fight my battles, if I will just be still
Why would I keep running, when You're right here?
I'll just be quiet
Let You speak through the silence
Here I am, no more hiding
You are, in this moment, I won't fight it
I'll be quiet
I don't need to know what, comes next
Tomorrow's in Your hands
I can, trust You with my future
'Cause You're already there
I hеar Your voice, call me forward
I know I'm not alone, not alonе
Away with the distractions
I wanna hear what's true
The only words that matter
They come from You
So I'll just be quiet
And let You speak through the silence
Here I am, no more hiding
You are in this moment, I won't fight it
I'll be quiet, I'll just be quiet
And let You speak through the silence
Here I am, no more hiding
You are in this moment, I won't fight it
I'll be quiet
Quiet, God, You're here in the silence
Here I am, no more hiding
You are in this moment, I won't fight it
I'll be quiet
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What is Visio Divina Meditation?
Visio Divina is a spiritual practice of prayerfully contemplating images—such as photographs, icons, or artwork—to connect with God. This "divine seeing" invites a unique encounter with the Father. It can be practiced alone or in groups, using art as the focus for prayer. Pairing the image with scripture deepens meditation on the biblical text.
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Explore these steps:
View your image.
Focus on the part of the image that first draws your attention. Observe it quietly for about a minute, breathing deeply.
Then, view the whole image, noticing every detail for about a minute.
Reflect on what emotions or thoughts the image evokes.
​​End with a silent prayer and a moment of gratitude.
What is Lectio Divina Meditation?
Lectio Divina, or “Soaking in Scripture,” is a prayerful way to engage deeply with God’s Word and listen for His voice. ​Begin by reading a scripture passage, reflecting on its meaning, responding to God in prayer, and then resting in His presence. Reading is like taking in food; meditation digests it, prayer draws out its essence, and contemplation is the enjoyment that refreshes.
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​Explore these steps:
Read. Slowly read a short Bible passage several times, seeking God’s personal message to you.
Reflect. Meditate on words or phrases that stand out, listening for God’s voice.
Respond. Let your reflection move you to respond to God in prayer. Listen and reply as in a conversation.
Rest. Be still and rest in God’s presence, letting go of distractions and allowing His love to surround you.
​​End with a silent prayer and a moment of gratitude.
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What is Musica Divina Meditation?
Musica Divina (sacred listening), like Lectio Divina and Visio Divina, is a prayerful way to attune your heart to God. Music transcends language, evokes memories, stirs emotions, and connects us in shared experience.
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"Music is the space between notes." French composer Claude Debussy
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In a world filled with noise, music offers a sacred space for stillness and connection with God. Through Musica Divina, allow music and lyrics to open your spirit to God’s presence—perhaps even inspiring you, like David, to create your own worship.
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Explore these steps:
Find a quiet space and sit comfortably. Breathe deeply, letting each exhale quiet your mind. As you settle, invite the Lord to speak to your heart.
Hear. Listen attentively to the music and lyrics. Let the sound wash over you, noticing how it moves your spirit.
Pause.
Listen again, attuned not only to the music but also to any gentle promptings or words God places on your heart.
End with a silent prayer and a moment of gratitude.
What is Poetica Divina Meditation?
Poetica Divina is a contemplative practice like Lectio Divina, but centers on sacred poetry instead of scripture. Poetic prayer enables deep reflection, connecting you with God through “stenagmois”—groans or sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26-28). The Holy Spirit helps us express our deepest feelings to the Father.
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​Whether reading or writing poetry, focus on expressing your heart in prayer, not perfection. God meets you in your deepest groanings and leads you to freedom. Poetry expresses depth with few words, inviting you to read between the lines and contemplate its deeper meaning.
​Explore these steps:
​Choose a poem that resonates with you (such as a Psalm).
Remove distractions. Find a comfortable position. Soften your gaze and take deep breaths to settle in God's presence.
Read the poem slowly, letting the words wash over you without overanalyzing.
​Pause and sit in stillness, allowing your heart to absorb what you read.
​Reflect. Reread the poem aloud and notice how the words connect with you emotionally.
​Embrace. Read a third time, asking God to highlight what He wants you to notice. Use your insights to form a prayer of response, noticing any images or scripture that come to mind. If you feel stuck, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
​End with a silent prayer and a moment of gratitude.
A final moment together as we close our three-week journey. Allow me the honor to pray over your year
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Dear Father,
In the hush, she waits, ready to sense Your presence and guidance over her life. ​As this new year dawns, she stands before You with a bold heart, prepared to pursue the adventure ahead. Ignite within her an unshakable courage to overcome every obstacle and seize the opportunities You place before her. Flood her path with Your radiant light, guiding each step toward deep transformation in every area of her life.
Give her a passion for daily prayer and reflection, weekly acts of service, and intentional moments of silence to renew and revive her spirit, mind, and body. She lays down her plans, trusting completely in Your sovereign purpose to unfold in ways beyond her imagination.
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Transform her, mighty God, into a new creation this year. Strip away every burden and distraction that hinders her, every idol, all fear, and unrest so she may fully embrace the extraordinary purpose You have designed for her life.
In the quiet moments at the table, the diligent hours of labor, and the simple act of walking familiar streets, let Your presence turn each experience into a powerful encounter with Your grace. Let this year be marked by spiritual awakening and maturity, as she presses deeper into relationship with You and extends Your love to others. Fill her with boldness and humility to move forward in faith, relying on Your strength and provision in every moment.
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Thank You for the mercies already unfolding in her life.
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In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Thank you so much for joining Anoushka, Mary, Sissy, Victoria, and me on this incredible respite over the last three weeks! We wholeheartedly pray that God continues to touch your heart as you discover your path to freedom and peace. Your participation has made this experience truly special!