April - May 2004

"Winter Wonderland" Retreat Report CFMR's 4th annual "Winter Wonderland" retreat wasn't exactly a Winter wonderland with the clouds and showers above, but the Lord showered us with His many blessings. The accommodations were fantastic and all who attended, both new friends and returning friends alike, made the weekend another unforgettable retreat! Eric and Tim were the entertainment highlight of the weekend when they took the "Winter Wonderland Dunk" in the lake with freezing temperatures. Way to go Tim and Eric! See you next year for our 5th annual "Winter Wonderland" retreat!!

Upcoming Retreats
2004 Women's Retreat: This retreat will be held at Alpine Lake Resort, WV, May 14-16, 2004 (two night stay). We have one more space available. If you would like to register for this retreat, please call Joan at 301-387-8208.

2004 "Kidz Camp": For the first time, CFMR is offering a "Kidz Camp" (ages 4-12)! Children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. The camp will be held at the Black Rock Retreat in Lancaster County, PA, August 8-10 (two nights), the theme is "Let the Sonshine in!". Activities will include swimming, hiking, arts/crafts and much more! Lodging and meals for all attendees will be provided by CFMR. Registration begins May 27th at noon. To register please call 301-387-8208 or email us at cfmr@gcnetmail.net. Please prayerfully consider giving a donation to the ministry to help offset the costs for this retreat.

To all Mothers: Happy Mother's Day (May 9th) !

Mother's Love
Submitted by: Mary Skeens (Joan's mother)

One of my mother-in-law's petitions was that she be allowed to live until all of her ten children had made that all important decision for Christ. All of her girls were Christians, one was a missionary and the youngest had received Christ only a few weeks before she died in a car accident. At the time, it looked as if my husband, one of the five brothers, wasn't going to give in. He hadn't the slightest interest in spiritual things. He was wrapped up in his career and immediate family, and little else besides taking a drink once in a while to please his Army buddies. He wasn't too pleased that his eldest brother had become a preacher, and although he had great respect for them all, he declared he wanted to live as far away as possible from his family. He had had enough of religion.

As the years went by his mother became very ill. In an Illinois nursing home she lived on into her mid 90's. Most everyone wondered why God didn't take her home. She had been ready for that transition a long time, but still she lingered. Then my 43 year old husband, Bill, had a heart attack. Ten days later he suddenly died. "Why, why God," I wondered, "why have you taken him away so soon?" My worst fear was that he hadn't repented. That he wasn't in heaven.

Early one spring morning, a few days after the funeral, I dreamed I heard my mother-in-law's voice. It sounded just like her or at least an authentic replica. "Why," she said in her breathless way, "There's Bill." The whole thing was so real. I woke up wondering what it was all about. She was still alive wasn't she? A little later a call came from a brother-in-law in Illinois. He apologized for not letting me know that his mother had passed away two weeks earlier. At last I had peace, but with that assurance came more questions. God was certainly telling me that she, my mother-in-law, and my husband were with Him, but why had he chosen to take them out of the world together? However, He doesn't answer every question we have. He only requires that we have faith to recognize that His way is best. Their home going is one of those great mysteries of my life, but it showed me just how far a mother's prayers can go, all the way to heaven's shores.

His mother had spent her life praying for her children. Mother-love had prayed them all in. This is love at its highest and best. This is "God's love."

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her..." Proverbs 31:28

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

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"Remove". Thanks
!The Christian Family Mountain Retreat (CFMR) ministry is a non-profit organization ordained by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our commission is to reach the lost with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and, minister to married couples and families in need of healing and restoring what was lost or stolen in their relationships. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you and God bless you!
CFMR’s Staff: Eric and Joan Bair, Joan E. Bair "Gramma Bair", Marcia Bair , Tim and Tina Miceli, Ralph and Sonya Pagan.