Our friend and Southwest Regional Retreat alumna, Lori Tischler, sent us a message recently about how much her 2010 Vacation with a Purpose experience meant to her.  She kindly gave us permission to share it with you:

My eyes are tearing up with a heart full of the richness and depths of God’s goodness as I savor the delicious memories from last week in your incredible nook of the world.  ‘How green is your valley’ — that verdancy is taking on spiritual proportions as the dry bones are being brought back to life (Ezekiel), the walls of  ‘Mount Zion’ are being rebuilt (Nehemiah), and the mantle of Moody (Elijah) is being handed on to you–to us (Elisha)–in double portion.  (…oh Lord, let it be!!)

I will praise God a very long time for allowing me to be a small part of the Rebirth, the physical building and grounds being only the tip of the iceberg.

Astounding. Profound.

Intellect. Imagination. Inspiration.

Collaboration. Creativity. Connectedness.

…All this I experienced in and through the humility (and humor!) in community, learning, spiritual warfare, grace and truth, and self and growth.  All these will remain with me for a very long time.  It was such an honor and privilege to be part of!  I’ve journaled pages of “God stories” and am still not finished.

Lori