I *needed* this.

Between one thing and another, I've been hovering on the edge of being seriously stressed out, anxious, and depressed the last few days. Even though it's not quite accurate, really, I've been feeling like I've got far too much to do, and not nearly enough time or energy to do it.

And then today was our church's women's retreat, and it was... so very much what I needed. Good, encouraging teaching, fellowship, relaxing walking around in the woods in between things... and yes, lots of chocolate, too. :) And I got a neat little book by John Piper on joy, which I will definitely be reading with my devotions this week. Today has been so very peaceful, and I've been both surprised and thankful for how much I've been able to just step back from everything that's been going on. Yeah, I've still got a lot going on, but I think today's really helped in getting my mind and heart back on the right track again. God is so good!

And! In a rather random turn of subject, I meant to say how the karate tournament Thursday night went, but I've been rushing around so much I didn't get to it. So, now that I'm here -

( Karate Tournament! )