Our speaker for this retreat was the very talented Shirley Peters (on the left). She is the former Dean of Women at San Diego Christian College and presently does public speaking and writes for Quiet Time Ministries in Palm Springs. Karen, (right) one of our visitors, recently moved to the Yuma area where her husband serves as a military chaplain.
All of the women present at the retreat were fed spiritually as Shirley spoke from her heart about many of the things that God has taught her- through His Word as she listens, and through life experiences as she follows Him. What a blessing for all of us to be taught some of her secrets of studying God's Word!
In the first session, we learned that God's Word is the basis for all truth, and the best way to "follow and listen" our Lord is through the study of His Word. Shirley told us that we should never think of our Bible study as "preparing a lesson, but as a meeting with Jesus!"
In the following session, we learned, from the biblical example of Daniel, the importance of establishing our identity in Christ, so that we will remain faithful to Him in all situations, and to finish "strong" in the race of life.
Finally, Shirley shared from Psalm 23. We were exhorted to never let our ears grow dull to the Shepherd's voice. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, wants us to listen to Him and follow closely.

We were privileged to have these ladies from the Yuma church lead us in worshipping our Lord through music.