Hi name is Vanessa. I wanted to share the impact that the Promise Filled Weekend Retreat had on my life and some of the exciting changes that have happened in my world since coming home from that trip in May of 2017. After not seeing Kim for many years, God reconnected us when I was sharing my testimony to a group who were struggling with life. She invited me to go on the retreat to share my testimony and I happily accepted since I had not be on a retreat in a while and this one was with a group of women where we could have some girl time away from family and responsibility's. Brief History: 17 years ago, at 18 I was in pre-med heading to be a trauma surgeon. I was a very driven young lady wha was excited about what God was doing ing my life and would do through me... but my world as I knew came crashing down. I had a very bad accident, requiring brain surgery followed by several more devastating surgeries, that left me with a permanent disability, relentless chronic pain, bedridden and unable to care for myself. After this accident, I struggled lightly with what my purpose was, dealing with disappointments, questions of, "what do I do with all these broken dreams, holes in my goals and major heart ache over what had happened to my life?". It was extremely devastating and still is. Hard to see hope and joy in any of it. unable to work, feeling beaten down, chewed up and spit out while trying to raise a family and running a household with no enjoyment. I had no idea what God had in store for me and it still amazes me what God did for me during that retreat.The bible study, One in a Million, provide wonderful opportunities to spend a lot of intimate time in the word, talking with each other, sharing our heart breaks, the confusion over my dream to be in medicine that is still my heart. I spent a lot of time with god that weekend, with Him tugging at me telling me He still wasn't finished with me and there was a reason that dream was still in my heart. I didn't realize it at the time, but these little seeds were being planted to come to fruition in such an amazing way. I strongly encourage anyone who can go on these trips... to go!! I encourage anyone who can and is willing to help lead those t do so because they do impact people. You are hearing from someone right now it impacted greatly! I began praying and seeking God in what it was he wanted me to be. Am I supposed to be a Physicians Assistant? I had been frozen in fear for so long waiting for God to move when He was waiting me to move. I was waiting on God to bring the miracles first, but he was waiting on me to take the first step and now I realized this. He wanted me to step out in faith first, and then the miracles would come. I was ready to go all in, step out in fait and watch what God was going to do. So, I jumped trusting God with so many obstacles in front of me that looked impossible. But God showed up with miracle after miracle and his amazing favor! He redeemed me and my dream! Chains began falling off of me! I felt like a little infant, seeing God for the first time and seeing what God could do when you choose to step out and believe. Crossing paths with Kim after 15 years, receiving this invitation, accepting this invitation was not coincidence. it was all God orchestrating and writing this beautiful story to lead me to where He called me to be. I believe that whoever is reading this right now He is trying to do the same for you! I truly learned what it meant fully trust God. He took my broken. fragile state and treated me with kindness and tenderness because He knew I was fragile and broken and still am.His compassion is abounding. I look back on this timed see that it was amazing and freeing and so very beautiful to see to see all the things God was changing in me... and it all started because of an invitation and acceptance to go on the Promise Filled Weekend Retreat! God used Kim and Katha to change my life! Go! Let God do the same for you... change your life too!