March 2015 Prayer Letter

WTR in Rochester, MN Recap

When the wheels begin to fall off the wagon it is a great time to remember that we are not in charge, the Lord is! As you deal with the unexpected how good it is to remember to look to Him as you seek out alternatives, contingencies, and make decisions going forward. Our first WTR of the spring season in Rochester was definitely full of surprises and the unexpected.

  

Friday night we had a 2 wk old baby show up in the ballroom with his parents. Though there had been some mis-communication from someone at the FamilyLife office that suggested this was acceptable, it unfortunately is not allowed. 

A couple on the local volunteer city team were friends of the baby toting couple. She offered to watch the little guy during the sessions so that they would stay and attend the event. Well, it just so happened I was also available to help out with babysitting duty as well (twist my arm)!

 

Sunday morning brought a 6am wakeup call. There had been a flood in the ballroom caused by a broken ceiling sprinkler. Some of our AV equipment, movie screen, and of course the carpet, and some chairs were soaked.

              
The hotel staff responded quickly including bringing in professionals to try and vacuum up as much water as possible and then bring in blowers to dry the carpet.

Unfortunately they were not able to get it all done by the 9am start up time.
So, John decided along with the senior speaker to delay the start by 30 minutes.

However we did not want the guests to leave so myself and one of the city team folks headed to Dunkin Doughnuts for a dozen, dozen doughnuts. Everyone seemed content to have a doughnut and wait around for the later start.

To God Be The Glory!

In spite of the unforeseen challenges God showed up in a mighty way. There were 370 guests at  the Rochester, MN WTR and 67 of those became Christ Followers that weekend!!!!!

Rochester Weekend to Remember Update

Rochester, MN Top Ten Comments

February 13-15, 2015

Attendance: 370

Holy Spirit: 85

Recommit: 123

Salvations: 67

It impacted both of us a lot—we were getting divorced. Saved our marriage, gave us both a new outlook on how to treat each other and what we both need—came here as two single people and leaving like we’re starting over, like we started dating again—learning forgiveness and how to make our marriage right. A lot of help. Thank you.

Married 12 years

My husband and I came to the weekend discouraged with each other and our marriage. The weekend was full of so much wonder, encouraging marital advice that we even got the opportunity to use while on the weekend. We are leaving hopeful and overjoyed that we married on another.

Married 2 years

There were tons of practical advice/tips based on biblical principles & the speakers were very transparent and relatable. On date night we had an opportunity to put into practice what we learned earlier in the day—how to forgive one another.

Married 1 year

I came here with a marriage devastated by unfaithfulness, anger, hurt. We drove here in separate cars—almost not coming at all—with little hope, yet desperate for a glimmer of hope. I leave with two days of real, hopeful communication with my wife knowing there is a lot of work to do and a lot of healing to happen, but with a lot of hope.

Married 22 years

The weekend content was crafted in such a way that it somehow dissolved the walls I’d constructed regarding being open and vulnerable with my wife. I feel like the communication and connection we experienced in 3 days made up for a few years of gathering stagnation in our marriage.

Married 6 years

This is our 5^th year in a row at WTR. We love the time away and the opportunity to focus on our marriage. It continually amazes me how God teaches us something new each year and continues to strengthen our marriage in Him.

Married 13 years (wife of below)

This is our fifth Weekend to Remember. When we first went, 5 years ago, it transformed our marriage. We go every year now as a tune-up for our marriage.

Married 13 years (husband of above)

Things are a struggle at my house. I was contemplating leaving last week, but I knew this (event) was coming. It’s good to have some tools to realize my wife is not the enemy. Divorce is not an option. Through God, I can change. Through God, WE can change.

Married 9 years

We have struggled for almost 5 years starting with the premature birth of our triplets, a 9-week NICU stay, to one of the kids being diagnosed with brain cancer. The kids came first and we lost ourselves during this. Weekend to Remember has allowed us to remember why we got married and our purpose to glorify God together. We are not each other’s enemy after all.

Married 3 years

Before attending this getaway our marriage was in crisis. The getaway has given me many useful tools on how to move forward & work on repairing our marriage & given me continued hope.

Married 9 years