The Cove

My post this time is a little different. Last week I had the privilege of participating in a women's retreat entitled Women Anointed, Redeemed. You will notice the bold letters spell out WAR ... we are in fact at war, a spiritual war that we are all facing. Our "war cry" was "I am a child of God, I am a woman of faith, I am a soldier of Christ." The retreat was held at the Billy Graham Education Center - better known as The Cove - in Ashville, NC. An amazingly spiritually uplifting place where you find yourself close to nature, thereby close to God. 

I took pictures and want to share some of them with you.

                                          

Immediately on getting off the interstate, there it is.

The Chapel at the Cove

A few of us inside the chapel

Singing inside the chapel - Perfect acoustics

Just an example of the meals - Understand they are gourmet cooks.

View of the dining room. It was like this three meals a day. They fed us well.

It was an amazing time. A time to reflect on your life, your beliefs, and to have your spirit lifted.

SURPRISE!!

Joyce and Clyde Bell

Knowing I needed to practice my "realism" skills I immediately remembered that I had saved a picture on my computer hard-drive of some very sweet people. My friends Joyce and Clyde Bell. The process went so smoothly that I just felt as though this painting was meant to be done. I told them I had done a seascape (knowing that Joyce loved sea scenes) and wanted to bring it by. 


I am rather pleased with how it turned out and the biggest reward for my efforts was their reaction to the surprise. Here's a photo of the unveiling. 

Thanks guys for being such good friends.