This is the view from the front of the condo complex where my Bible study group held our retreat this past weekend. It was a great experience. We started each morning (early) with a devotional and breakfast at the condo. Afterwards we went to the beach or the pool to soak up some sun and get some reading in. Around 11:30, we returned to the condo for lunch and Bible study. We used the "Sisters Bible Study for Women," Knowing God: Making God the Main Thing in My Life by Kimberly Dunnam Reisman.
After our study session, we had our afternoon free until dinner time. Some returned to the pool or the beach, while some of us napped and read. We had three great dinner experiences at Orange Beach restaurants: Zeke's (seafood), Franco's (Italian), and Lousiana Lagniappe (cajun).
I have to tell you about our experience at dinner on our first night in Orange Beach. We were at Zeke's. We had placed our orders when a gentleman from a large group who were seated beside us came over to our table and began to talk. We suspect that he (and most of the rest of his group) were celebrating with freely flowing libation. But he was a nice man; he wanted to know if we could sing. Little did he know that half our group were members of our choir and that we had a couple of superb soloists among us. We told him we might sing later, so he went away.
Later another gentleman from the same group (who had been celebrating even harder) came over to us and said that he understood we were going to sing. We asked him what he wanted us to sing and he said the only song he knew was "Amazing Grace." We asked Joan (one of the aforementioned superb soloists) if she would sing "Amazing Grace." And she did. Before Joan opened her mouth, the noise in the restaurant had been almost too loud to allow conversation. But when she hit her first note, in that wonderful clear soprano voice of hers, the room became hushed. Even the waiters stood still in their tracks to enjoy Joan's a capella performance. When she finished, everyone applauded and cheered. Thank you, Joan (far left, standing, in photo below), for a very special experience, one none of us will soon forget.
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On 06/26/2007, Donna said ...
Yes, yes, we missed you. Looks like you have just about all ages represented in your group!
The best place I've ever eaten @ the beach
is on Galveston Island (TX), @ "Benno's".
GREAT sandwiches, shrimp & Italian. Very reasonably priced, too.
OK- where is SOPH????
On 06/27/2007, Sarah said ...
Of course we did!! Sounds like a fantastic time!
On 06/27/2007, Susan Lenz said ...
Hi!
What a way to start such a week. What a way to share! Though we missed you, I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't miss us much!
Welcome back!
Susan
On 06/28/2007, Nicole said ...
What a great story! Spiritual retreats are so wonderful.
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