Party Barge
The scene reminded me a bit of one from Anne of Green Gables.

Remember the dramatic, solemn, forsaken scene where she pretends to be the Lady of Shalot?

She rested inside a wooden canoe and was sent out to her watery grave.

500 survivors gathered to spend a weekend releasing, growing, learning, connecting and networking.

Some of us had the opportunity to go a boat  tour and release lanterns.

The lanterns represented anything we wanted to let go of.

The mood was somber.

These precious souls are warriors and the battles they have endured have been brutal.

We carefully dropped the delicate vessels into the water.

Tears steamed down many faces as we sang a verse of a cherished hymn.  

We sat in reflective silence.

As we began our trek back to the dock, we noticed several high schoolers who were taking prom photos at the lake’s edge.

They noticed us, too.

One young man yelled out, “PARTY BARGE!”

The entire atmosphere shifted.

Tears turned to laughter.

I blurted out, “If only they knew!”

Then, I caught myself and declared, “We’re BECOMING a party barge!”

Surely, He is turning our mourning into dancing!

He is trading our ashes for beauty!

“Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Psalm 126:5

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!



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My Story

 
Held & Healed.

I have always had a sense of Jesus' presence in my life and have felt held by Him.

Healed is what I will be when I meet Him face to face. 

The here and the now is the "&," as I am learning, healing, and growing every day.

I am a survivor of abuse of every kind, in childhood and adulthood.

In 2015, I was stricken with a mysterious and terrifying virus that "woke up" many other viruses in my body.

Since that time, I have been fiercely fighting for my healing and the healing of others.

I was also diagnosed with c-PTSD, as a result of lifelong trauma and abuse.

As I began to search for healing resources for myself, I knew that this journey wasn't just about me.

I created a group, Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse, which has grown to almost 4,000 members.

I launched the Held & Healed podcast which is a resource of resources. 

If you are a Christian woman who is rebuilding your life after abuse, I invite you to join me on this healing journey. 

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