Spring Cleaning Your Spirit

St Andrew' Presbyterian Church located at 301 Avenue D, in Redondo Beach, Calif., has become one of my favorite churches. I've attended only a hand full of times with my long time friend Sara Leonard, but I just love it. I've been to two of their Women's retreats. One in Solvang, California a number of years ago with Sara and the most recent one back in April of the 18^th and 19^th respectively. Since I've been doing so much spring cleaning this article is a bit behind schedule but, not forgotten, as I will not forget the warmth of the people of this church and the retreat itself.

It was held at the Richard E Holz Conference Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, California; a truly inspirational setting for meditation and prayer. The theme was "Spring Cleaning Your Spirit". Somehow, we ladies are naturally geared towards getting everything ship and shape in the spring. We want to get the garden going, clean the floor boards (or have someone else do it if we're lucky) and what better time than to do a little spring cleaning on the spirit? So I applaud the theme.

No, the analogy "Cleanliness is next to Godliness", is not in the bible. But, it does say, Psalm 51.10, "Create in me a clean heart oh God; and renew a right spirit within me." (NIV)

God makes everything anew in the spring. I think he does this to remind us that there is always a chance to start over fresh. Perhaps that's why He created the dawn. And why He created spring. We have a chance to restore ourselves for those days of winter, be they spiritual or cosmic.

We women cry A LOT! We cry when we are happy or sad, touched by the spirit and at the drop of a pin. And so I found myself at this retreat wrapped in tears of joy, tears of the spirit and tears of being understood and prayed over by a remarkable woman, who reached into my soul through the spirit of Christ and comforted me in my darkest places.

Everyone participated in making this retreat a beautiful experience with delicious food, amenities, and wonderful worship and praise. There are just too many names to mention, but special thanks to the 2009 Retreat Leadership:

Chair person-DeAnn Ince, Speaker- Betty Southard, Registration/Booklet-Heather White, Welcome Team-Donna Blythe & Pat Timmerman, The" Judy Bags" (handmade denim bags)-Judy Cowman, Music and Worship-Diana Barber, Small Groups-Helen Soesbe, Speaker Table-Kathy Coble and Margaret Steel, Activity Hosts- Cheryl Thom, Marcy Scheidel & Lorraine Coller, Stuff in Judy's Bags-Sally Nicles and Last as in the Omega, Spiritual Guidance-The Holy Spirit

Thank you all for allowing me to join you as a sponsored guest during my recuperation.

If you would like to learn more about St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church please follow this link www.sntandrews.org and if you would like to learn more about author and speaker Betty Southard please follow this link www.BettySouthard.com, Extra Special Thanks to Sara Leonard for inviting me, sourcing my sponsorship, taking pictures and being my sister in Christ and friend.