Sisterhood of the Traveling Prayers

Last year about this time, seven high school friends (some all the way back to grammar school) gathered together from all over the U.S. for a mini reunion.  It was an extraordinary event that none of us will ever forget.  It renewed friendships, bonded a sisterhood, and started a prayer group.  Those"Girls in Grandmother Faces" are also the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Prayers".  (Thank you, JM for that most appropriate title!).

Bobkittens, 2011

This year our destination was Denver, CO.  The mile high city.  Whoa, we could tell upon arrival that the air was thin!  We descended on the Denver airport sporting our Bobkitten t-shirts that our host's husband surprised us with last year.  The girlie squeals were heard as we met in the HUGE terminal.  It was SO MUCH FUN!!

Bobkittens, 2010    'THE WAY WE ARE'

A lot has happened over the past year with family members and children.  We had much catching up to do!  Many sweet moments and memories were made.   We talked, laughed, cried, reminisced and prayed.  Our conversations were serious, silly, hilarious, genuine and certainly heartfelt.  Once again, the voices haven't changed, the hearts feel somewhat young, but the bodies look different and are not as forgiving as in younger days.

Lu, our host, presented us with matching t-shirts featuring our high school senior portraits.

That's THE WAY WE WERE.  

Friendship does not look upon wrinkles, gray hair (or dyed to cover gray) rolls and sagging skin.  We can laugh just as hard, cry just as long, and pray even more intensely with more years of experience behind us as we ever have.  

Our host turned into a five star chef for the weekend, and treated us to some recipes I just might share, with her consent!  (My recipe list on this blog never got off the ground, did it?)  We ate GOOD, at her house and at a few restaurants.

             chicken fruit salad for lunch

           

 Blueberry French Toast Casserole for breakfast- 

Can I say, "eye-watering FABULOUS?"

       Below, a hot turkey sandwich with yummy white sauce and melted cheese and almonds.......Drool, people.  I did.  This was at Adam's Cafe in Manitou Springs, Colorado, before the famous Cog Rail Ride up to Pikes Peak.  

Below is G's salad.  I could just go face down and feast feast feast....

          Bobkitten gifts.

 It was so fun to carry on the black/red damask theme from last year's gathering.  We would SO make our Home Ec teacher, Mrs. Mary Katherine Hammer, proud!  (From the food, to the decorating, and on to the beautiful table accents, it was tastefully and artfully done!)

 We visited many sites in the Denver, Colorado Springs area:  Glen Eryie Conference Center, Garden of the Gods, Rocky Mountain National Park, Red Rock Amphitheatre and Pikes Peak.  Colorado is a beautiful state.  So clean, everything human built looks new; God built, looks ancient.   

How majestic is your earth, Oh, God!

Taken from the summit of Pike's Peak

Witnessing the Rocky Mountains up close and personal, the colors, the depth, the height and the broadness, gives you a feeling of humbleness.  There's nothing cozy about the Rockies.  They command a respect and presence of the Most High God.  

This gathering was much like last years, but also very different, being in a city most of us had not visited.  It brought excitement and wonder to the Girls in Grandmother Faces.  As our weekend progressed we shared and prayed about events of the past year, and some of long years ago, and vowed that our prayers would be consistent for each other~thus, we are also the Sisterhood of Traveling Prayers.  It doesn't get much better than that.  I know I have six 'sisters' I can call or email that reach back to the past-some all the way back to grammar school-that know my story, have heard my triumphs and heartaches, and rejoice and weep with me over the pains life throws at us. 

Bobkittens, Sisters, Girls in Grandmother faces, I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!  You have uplifted me, made me smile, caused me to laugh, and brought me to tears.  May we always stay close and in touch!

Until next years reunion, remember the verse Lu gave us as a reminder and comfort of our Heavenly Father:

Isaiah 43:2-3

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you: and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of  Israel, your Savior."

Pictures from Ginny, Janet, and myself!  Thanks, girls!