I said this in person on the last day of the retreat but I feel compelled to say it again here on the forum...
It is a huge honor for me to be a part of this group.
For about fifteen years, we practiced plural marriage in a sort of isolation. During that time, our few encounters with other practicing families or just those who believed the truth of biblical plural marriage were...um...not positive.
Though Andrew and Nathan had been in touch via this forum and email for many years, we avoided Biblical Families retreats because...well...we didn't want to meet a bunch of weirdos. There. I said it. It's my truth. I own it.
But in January of 2014 we took a chance and attended our first retreat in Dallas.
It changed my life.
For the first time in fifteen years, I was able to worship freely - knowing everyone in the room knew that I was in a plural marriage (not just some single tag-along...). I met other normal, plural marriage-practicing families. And they were wonderful.
We prayed. We talked. We laughed.
For the past two and a half years, my experience of the retreats has gotten better and better. Feels very much like a family reunion.
Definitely felt that way in North Carolina.
Though we are still "newbies" ourselves, I sure did enjoy meeting the first timers and doing my best to make them as feel welcomed and comfortable as I did back in 2014.
To everyone who attended the North Carolina retreat: thank you. Thank you for showing up and worshipping and sharing your stories. Your fellowship feeds my soul like nothing else.
To those who have never attended a Biblical Families retreat: please come to one soon. It might change your life too.
It is a huge honor for me to be a part of this group.
For about fifteen years, we practiced plural marriage in a sort of isolation. During that time, our few encounters with other practicing families or just those who believed the truth of biblical plural marriage were...um...not positive.
Though Andrew and Nathan had been in touch via this forum and email for many years, we avoided Biblical Families retreats because...well...we didn't want to meet a bunch of weirdos. There. I said it. It's my truth. I own it.
But in January of 2014 we took a chance and attended our first retreat in Dallas.
It changed my life.
For the first time in fifteen years, I was able to worship freely - knowing everyone in the room knew that I was in a plural marriage (not just some single tag-along...). I met other normal, plural marriage-practicing families. And they were wonderful.
We prayed. We talked. We laughed.
For the past two and a half years, my experience of the retreats has gotten better and better. Feels very much like a family reunion.
Definitely felt that way in North Carolina.
Though we are still "newbies" ourselves, I sure did enjoy meeting the first timers and doing my best to make them as feel welcomed and comfortable as I did back in 2014.
To everyone who attended the North Carolina retreat: thank you. Thank you for showing up and worshipping and sharing your stories. Your fellowship feeds my soul like nothing else.
To those who have never attended a Biblical Families retreat: please come to one soon. It might change your life too.
