WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
I have been traveling for a bit, and it was really life-changing for me. Mike and I went together to Paris for five days and then we went from there to Florence, Italy and then on into Tuscany. I personally have been to Paris several times and 20 years ago we were in Paris together. Mike wasn’t necessarily a fan, but back then international travel was hard for Mike. (enough said) I was actually going on this trip because of a women’s event that I was going to and so we thought we would go before that to Paris again, so Mike could have a redo. It was so good for us both!
We traveled on to Florence and we took a couple days to settle in before my retreat called Women Who Want More. Mike was able to have those days to himself while I was with the women, and it was quite a time for him too. There were twelve of us with our leader and the format was so good. She chose Florence on purpose because of all the history there and the art, as well as the culture. Everything is walkable and there is more to see in Florence than anyone can probably take in on one trip. Every day we were out in the city experiencing all of the beauty and the food, as well as the museums. Buildings that have been there since probably close to when the city was first built in 59 BCE. We went to the oldest perfumery called Santa Maria Novella that was started in 1221 and we all bought some beautifully scented items. The building it was in was actually built in 1100 and it started out as a pharmacy that had a garden out back where they grew everything. Back then they bottled beautiful rose water that they still make and sell today. We did different things every day, like we went to the Uffizi and the Duomo which are both amazing attractions that draw people from all over the world. It was so amazing and we knew God was with us in all the details of how the day played out.
Every day our leader, Renee Worchester, had a theme and we started our day with worship and prayer, as well as her teaching us from scripture. She would give us something to think about and ask God for throughout our day. One day after we got back we all had art cards that we drew from and mine was so beautiful. It just drew me in, and we were to take some time and really think about all the details and what it spoke to us. We journaled and there was a time of reflection for us. I first saw the beauty of all the colors and then noticed this woman standing in the water alone with a forest behind her. She looked at peace and she had her arms spread wide open and I felt excitement and joy, as well as a longing. I knew I needed more time and I was really curious about it.
Two days later we had a free day where we got to roam around Florence and go where we wanted to. I ended up at a coffee shop in a beautiful area at a little table by myself with a window to look out. We had an assignment to do in our book/journal and my day was a date with Jesus. The whole time I was just aware that He was with me and that He loved me. There came a point in my assignment booklet for the day that I was to open an envelope that had letters in it. I opened mine and I had seven letters from people that love me and they shared their thoughts and what they were praying for me. I was blown away by their words and I couldn’t stop crying. I had no idea that they were doing this, and they didn’t know anything about the retreat or what we were doing.
My first letter I opened was from my youngest son Matthew who is 31 and lives in San Diego. I will read it for the rest of my life. Person after person blessed me and spoke loving words over me that I will never forget. Then I opened this one from a dear friend and ministry partner that said in the third paragraph down – “Just now, in my mind’s eye, I get a picture of you with your arms spread wide and a kaleidoscope of colors swirling around you and through you; rainbows of every color wrapping around you”. It went on and on and it was as if she knew exactly what God was going to bring me through that art card. By the way, I had to name that art card back on the day that I chose it. I named it Beautiful Faith filled Journey. I agree and when I got home there were things that I knew that I had to release and other things that I would do differently because of the way that God had met me there. Today, I choose to release what God has given me and walk in His Spirit. Love you, Renee. Thanks for all you have done.
