A Grand Two Days...

Last week Thursday and Friday I was blessed to be able to accompany my Mother and Aunt to a Win-Some Women's Retreat at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. This was to be my third time to the convention, and my favorite visit so far. We had a WONDERFUL time together. Paul Young, author of The Shack, gave a powerful speech - one I will never forget. If you ever get the chance to hear him speak -- GO! It was really amazing. Gracia Burnham, author of In The Presence of My Enemies, spoke of her ordeal in the Philippians.  To call it an ordeal is an understatement. She and her husband, Martin, were kidnapped by a militant group of Muslims and held captive for 376 days at which point they were rescued but her husband was killed. Heart wrenching to say the least but her testimony was also powerful and inspiring. There was also a talented theater group called Friends of the Groom. The music was spectacular and performed by an all female contemporary Christian group called Point of Grace.

The weather may have been gloomy, but you could still see the beauty everywhere.

This is one view from out hotel room window.

Below are other views.

Round Island Lighthouse

Horses and buggy below and the Grand's pool in the distance.

A closer look at the pool

The shipping lanes

The porches were as lovely as ever. However, we admired from inside the Grand as the wind whipped the flags around during the intermittent rain showers.

We were able to stroll the now quiet streets...

...hoping the rain would hold off...

...so we could enjoy the colors of Fall...

...and the Halloween decorations.

You eat like queens at the Grand -- fancy china and all the GREAT food...

...served to us by the fantastic kitchen staff. This was how our retreat ended - pecan crusted chicken breast, mushroom soup, etc. Some of the waitstaff balanced the trays on their heads -- NO HANDS!

My mood matched the weather on my quiet ride back to the UP while my Mom and Aunt headed back downstate. It was a trip that ended too soon, and I wanted another day! But the memory will make me smile and this post will make the memories even clearer. 

Thanks Mom!!