By: Luke
Two weeks ago my family and I were extremely blessed to be able to attend the North Carolina Family Encouragement Weekend (FEW). We were greatly encouraged by the messages, singing, prayer times, and so much more! It was great seeing some of our old friends and also making new friends! The theme for this year's conference was Maturing to Fruitfulness and the Scripture verse was John 15:8, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." It is so important to remember that in order to bear fruit in our christian life, we must die to all of our wants and desires, and only do and be what Jesus wants.
We arrived Friday afternoon and registered for the conference. Afterward, they took a family picture, we fellowshipped with other families, ate dinner, attended the first session, and prayed with several families.
Saturday, while the mothers prepared lunch and the fathers had prayer time together, all the children (although not all of us could be called children 😁) went outside and played games. It was a lot of fun to learn some new games with so many people!
On Sunday, we were blessed to be able to go to church with many families who attended the FEW conference. After church we drove the 5 1/2 hours back home.
The hosting families have three conferences every year. One in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. This is their website: www.fewconference.com. If you are ever able to go, we highly recommend it.
Each of the host families sang a hymn a cappella.
A selfie with my great siblings!
During the children's hour they put together a skit to show how important it is to grow in Jesus.
It was so much fun playing games with so many people!
Erin, Morgan, and I had a delightful time playing in the small orchestra.
Here we are with some friends who also played in the orchestra.
Dinner!
At church on Sunday, most of the families who organize the FEW conference,
sang "Higher Ground" to the congregation.
A few days after the FEW conference,
I found this poem that God used to confirm the things I had learned.
The Apple Tree's Complaint
His saw is sharp
The pain is sore.
He'll break a branch,
Then cut some more.
The fruit that grew--
So scant and small--
He doesn't like.
He'll let it fall.
His hand came near.
With love he said,
"I'll cut away
The part that's dead."
And then he said,
"I want the best.
I'll give this tree
A painful test."
With tender care
He cut just so.
"Through pain and loss
Good fruit can grow."
In time that tree
Beheld the light;
It's owner's way
Was good and right.
~Christine Laws
I am so grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to attend this conference, for the three wonderful families who organized it, and for what God has taught me through it.
John 15:8, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
In Jesus's name,
Luke
