Wow! It seems like this past week and the weeks leading up to PTL were a whirlwind! I (Abigail) am finally now getting pictures and thoughts together for this post! :)
Mama, Gray, and I traveled to Sebree, KY to the Reckner family ministry Higher Ground Ministry Mission for their PTL Leadership Training Retreat! It was a wonderfully refreshing week of spiritual growth, encouragement, fellowship, and a lot of fun!
*Thank you Ben, Brystol, and everyone else who contributed to the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!*
Reckner's home and ministry grounds
The first evening was kicked off with singing, testimonies, and sharing around the campfire!
Mr. Reckner gave a challenging message about the theme of the retreat, Passion and Purpose. He instructed us to really seek the Lord this week about the life purpose He has laid for us. The point that God really spoke to me about is that even if God has already revealed your path, it may change and form into its full potential that God has. So don't give up, keep being flexible and willing to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and God will fulfill His full purpose in you and me! Praise the LORD!
Brystol Reckner and her brother Timothy are doing an awesome job in fulfilling the vision God has for Higher Ground (HGMM)!
Every morning each discipleship group had devotions together learning lots of powerful discipling and leadership methods and tools!
Meal time was always full of exciting fellowship and delicious food! :) Thanks to Mrs. Reckner and her hardworking kitchen team! THANK YOU! :)
Matching Moms of the kitchen :)
Timothy, Brystol, and Abigail giving barn orientation.
Those of you who know me know that I was in heaven each day getting to ride and instruct!! :)
Wesley demonstrating one of his many skills for us ;)
Go Timothy and Destria! :)
Giddy up, girls! They looked great practicing their drill team routine:
Bethany and Prudence
Kim and Red
With horses, dogs, cows, rabbits, and chickens to feed, we had a blast doing barn chores morning and evening! :)
I, as well as everyone there, was moved and touched by each message that was shared during the week.
Brystol taught us the practicalities of mentoring and discipling others. I gleaned a lot of insight from her message!!
Sarah shared from her heart a powerful message about surrendering our lives to the Lord so that He can work in our lives. I was moved by how God spoke to me through her!
Stephen gave a sincere personal message that was touching to many. Our hearts were opened to the Holy Spirit!
Marianna gave descriptive illustrations of how God worked out His will in the lives of different Bible characters. It really made each of us evaluate the choices we are making!
I shared my testimony of how God has prepared my heart and life for one of serving Him in ministry. I gave practical ways of how each person can seek the Lord and find out what God has for them. Trust the Lord and surrender to Him EVERY area of your life!!!
We had a good ole' fun Western Cowboy steak dinner out on the beautiful front lawn. Yeeehaw!!!
It was delicious, cowboys and cowgirls!! (The steaks were from the Reckner's cattle!)
Western night special music :)
Me and Samantha :)
Lots of singin' and playin'!
Emery and Stephen... some of the hardworkin' ranchers :)
Me and Sarah :)
Hay ride!
My hayride buddy :)
Sunday night was the Italian formal missions dinner. Group picture!
Our lovely kitchen staff put on a delectable fine-dining experience that I will never forget!
We we're privileged to hear a passionate message from Mr. Vincent, an evangelist from South Africa.
Brystol, me, Kimberly, and Clayton
More team building exercises! We worked together against the clock building structures out of spaghetti noodles and marshmallows...talk about creativity!
(Isn't he a cutie?!?!)
We ladies had a tea party one afternoon. It was lovely!
Mama gave a very powerful and encouraging message for us young ladies entitled "Purpose with a Passion". She shared with us from her life and from God's Word how to live out our lives every day to the purpose that God has for us by prioritizing our lives according to God's ways, and how to keep our passion while doing it! Also, that if we are living safely in God's will, where God has us at this very moment is the path of that purpose!
The decorations all week were immaculate. Thanks for sharing your talent with us, Brystol!!
On the way to and from Kentucky, we stayed in Tennessee with my Mama's longtime best friend Melissa. Her family has been like family to us for many years - since before we Adams' children were born! We love them all dearly and we just didn't get enough time with them all!
Melissa, Rebecca & Kenley with the Adams' (Can't wait to see you at Higher Ground in KY this summer, Kenley!)
Kelly, Christie & Melissa with Mama
Ellie with her mom Christie and Kenley
We met them at Jason and Melissa's baby sale. If you're in the Cleveland, TN area and want to get in on some killer deals go to Ashley Lauren's Closet to get the skinny!
Gray's new sweet heart, Shay-Shay :)
Thank you so much Mr. Jason, Mrs. Melissa, Rebecca & Amelia for your hospitality! Can't wait to see y'all again soon! :)
So overall, this wonderful week was life changing fun (!!!), thrilling, tiring, breath taking, and full of precious moments, late nights, special times, and wonderfully amazing people. I couldn't be more blessed and in awe of what God is doing right now!!!!!!!
I love you and miss you all! Thanks for each of your investment in my life. Prayers and blessings!
Abigail~
